Which Corvette is best?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Sort of an odd endeavor. If you are basing it on "technology and quality" well, all elite offerings from the major manufacturers, are pretty evenly matched.
"Which Corvette is best for it's day compared to what???
Are you talking about base model Corvettes of each generation, compared against other offerings from other manufacturers?
Because when you compare base model Corvettes of any given generation with the elite models of Corvettes within that same generation or Vette, then it gets more specific and the shortcomings of the base car become more apparent.
And in at least a few instances, any comparison between another manufacturer's competing offerings, and the Vette, are best between one of the premium Vettes, representing the Crossed Flags, as opposed to allowing a comparison of a rival car to a base Vette.
For example, at least performance wise, if you compare the C5 to other manufacturer's offerings during the same time frame in history, you don't hit a snag until you get to the Ford Mustang SVT Cobra. (And the Viper.) Straight line performance wise, the base Corvette, comes up short. Unless you are talking about a C5 Z06. Then, its the Vette
Likewise with the Nissan GT R now. Compared against a base C6, its the GT R.
But if you are talking about a GT R vs a Z06 or a ZR1 then of course its the Vette.
Finally, the base C4 is really nothing special compared to it's contemporaries from other manufacturers. But the Callaway's, the ZR-1s, the Grand Sports, were head and shoulders above the competition.
"Which Corvette is best for it's day compared to what???
Are you talking about base model Corvettes of each generation, compared against other offerings from other manufacturers?
Because when you compare base model Corvettes of any given generation with the elite models of Corvettes within that same generation or Vette, then it gets more specific and the shortcomings of the base car become more apparent.
And in at least a few instances, any comparison between another manufacturer's competing offerings, and the Vette, are best between one of the premium Vettes, representing the Crossed Flags, as opposed to allowing a comparison of a rival car to a base Vette.
For example, at least performance wise, if you compare the C5 to other manufacturer's offerings during the same time frame in history, you don't hit a snag until you get to the Ford Mustang SVT Cobra. (And the Viper.) Straight line performance wise, the base Corvette, comes up short. Unless you are talking about a C5 Z06. Then, its the Vette
Likewise with the Nissan GT R now. Compared against a base C6, its the GT R.
But if you are talking about a GT R vs a Z06 or a ZR1 then of course its the Vette.
Finally, the base C4 is really nothing special compared to it's contemporaries from other manufacturers. But the Callaway's, the ZR-1s, the Grand Sports, were head and shoulders above the competition.
Definitely the 1968 Corvette.
It's to my understanding for reliability (not most popular) that it is the base engine car to get of Whatever year? as it will have less problems that the optional engine for that very same year
i.e 327 vs. 427 I have heard many people swear by the small block 327 having alot less problems than the faster 427.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
I'm the OP. Thank you for all the responses.
If anyone is confused about what I was asking then you're reading too far into my question. I was simply asking peoples' opinions about which model Corvette was the most advanced for it's time. By "Advanced" I mean technologically, stylistically and overall quality as compared to other vehicles of it's time. I don't even know if there's a correct answer but I'm just curious about everyone's opinions and thought it would be a fun topic.
If anyone is confused about what I was asking then you're reading too far into my question. I was simply asking peoples' opinions about which model Corvette was the most advanced for it's time. By "Advanced" I mean technologically, stylistically and overall quality as compared to other vehicles of it's time. I don't even know if there's a correct answer but I'm just curious about everyone's opinions and thought it would be a fun topic.
The most newest current Corvette which would be the C-6 2009 by "Advanced" for latest tech.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Its a weird question.With regard to your 1968 assessment, I'd almost have to agree under the original poster's criteria of "technology and quality". "If you take into account the technology of the times and the quality of other comparable automobiles, which Corvette is best for it's day?"
The first of the C3s, the '68, would probably cover the technology part of it for it's time, but the "quality" left a lot to be desired.
But yes, if you specifically answer the question which he asked, it would, like you say above, have to be The most newest current Corvette which would be the C-6 2009 by "Advanced"for latest tech.
Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; Oct 4, 2008 at 02:35 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
but the newest always has more 
I acually like the C-3 68 to 72 styling the best.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Now whether it was "technologically superior" and "superior in quality" to other "comparable" 1967 vehicles, is quite arguable.
First off, which other vehicles were "comparable" to it? They made a lot of cars in 1967.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Beautiful cars indeed, the early C3s were. My favorite Vette of all time is the '67 big block.
Now whether it was "technologically superior" and "superior in quality" to other "comparable" 1967 vehicles, is quite arguable.
First off, which other vehicles were "comparable" to it? They made a lot of cars in 1967.
Now whether it was "technologically superior" and "superior in quality" to other "comparable" 1967 vehicles, is quite arguable.
First off, which other vehicles were "comparable" to it? They made a lot of cars in 1967.
I can remember when one could get one of these used for under $10,000. These days forget that
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