What are the bodies on the C6 made of. I am sure it is not the old fiberglass if years past.

 

It's made of the old fiberglass of years past, but with improved resins.

 

Found this.....

RRIM and SMC both can be considered fiberglass, just not in the conventional sense.

RRIM
Quote:
Reinforced Reaction Injection Molding (RRIM) describes a method often seen in automotive applications. This method differs from conventional injection molding in that polymerization, via a chemical reaction, occurs in the mold as opposed to melting and cooling to form a solid polymer. RRIM is further characterized by inclusion of reinforcement additives to provide improved physical properties
one of the primary "reinforcement" methods is milled glass fibers.

SMC
Quote:
Sheet Molding Compound (SMC)
Description: A fiberglass reinforced thermosetting compound manufactured by dispersing long stands (>1”) of chopped glass fibers on a bath of polyester resin. The longer glass fibers in SMC result in better strength properties than standard BMC products. Typical applications include demanding electrical applications, corrosion resistant needs, structural components at low cost, automotive, and transit.




For the Z06 take #2 above and replace two sided galvanized steel with aluminum and for the front fenders (part of #1) replace RRIM with carbon fiber.

For the ZR1 take #2 above and again replace the steel with aluminum, replace the front fenders (part of #1), hood, roof panel and B pillar halo (all part of #4) with carbon fiber.

 

Depends on what you mean by years past".

The C5 and C6 use essentially the same SMC material. Roughly 40% resins, 33% calcium carbonate, 20% chopped fiberglass, and 7% hardeners, special resins for finish, etc.

This allowed the C5 body panels to be thinner, lighter, and less brittle than the pre-1997 Corvettes. The composition didn't change significantly in the C6. It appears the C7 is using the same SMC panels.

 

For the 427 convertible the front fenders and hood are carbon fiber.

 

I guess cost would be the reason they don't use carbon fiber for the whole body?

 

Darn right. Full carbon fiber bodies are only found on very expensive cars.

 

I'm pretty sure they aren't prone to cracks as much as the C4 and older. I don't recall seeing any cracks from just daily driving. But, then I haven't really looked close.