Corvette Generations
Drifting
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Cloud 10, Pangea
Re: Corvette Generations (SilverBullit02)
The C2 and C3 looked different, but it was pretty much the same car underneath. I guess marketing wanting to say that it was an all-new Corvette to help 1968 sales.
C1 - Same frame/drive train layout - different body work (53 to 62)
C2 - All new frame/drive train and new body work (63 to 67)
C3 - Same frame/drive train as C2 but with new body work (68 to 82)
C4 - All new frame/drive train and new body work (84 to 96)
C5 - All new frame/drive train and new body work (97 to 04)
C6 - All new frame/drive train and new body work (05 to ?)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Oakland, CA
Re: Corvette Generations (SilverBullit02)
Who makes the determination of the change from "C5" to "C6"?
Debate will never end over what should and shouldn't mark a new generation of America's Sports Car. But this ain't the world of should'ves. Fact is, it's GM's term and GM gets to decide when and how to apply it.
The 2005 Corvette is C6 because GM says it is. Anything else is masturbation.
.Jinx
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
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Re: Corvette Generations (Jinx)
The Gen #s are assigned by GM. It's their car, their gen decisison. There is no logic in gen # assignment so we may as well stop trying to find it.
IF the logic was body change, the Gens would follow something like this:
53-55 Gen I
56-60 Gen II (some would want to change gen with quad HL)
61-62 Gen III
63-67 Gen IV
68-73 Gen V (some argument here, no doubt)
74-77 Gen VI
78-82 Gen VII (another argument here probably)
84-90 Gen VII
91-96 Gen VIII
97-04 Gen IX
05- Gen X
If the logic was chassis changes, the Gens would follow something like this:
53-62 Gen I
63-82 Gen II
84-96 Gen III
97-04 Gen IV
05- Gen V (Folks the chassis is DIFFERENT!!!)
If the logic was most significant engine changes:
53-54 Gen I
55-65 Gen II (V8 small block)
65-74 Gen III (Big block era)
75-82 Gen IV (Fed restriction years - smog / economy)
84-88 Gen V (L98 era)
89-95 Gen VI (ZR-1 era)
96 Gen VII (LT4)
97-00 Gen VIII (LS1 era)
01-04 Gen IX (LS6 era)
05 Gen X (LS2)
06- Gen XI (LS7 era)
By the way in all three scenarios, the 05 vette is different enough from the 04 to move up a generation.
IF the logic was body change, the Gens would follow something like this:
53-55 Gen I
56-60 Gen II (some would want to change gen with quad HL)
61-62 Gen III
63-67 Gen IV
68-73 Gen V (some argument here, no doubt)
74-77 Gen VI
78-82 Gen VII (another argument here probably)
84-90 Gen VII
91-96 Gen VIII
97-04 Gen IX
05- Gen X
If the logic was chassis changes, the Gens would follow something like this:
53-62 Gen I
63-82 Gen II
84-96 Gen III
97-04 Gen IV
05- Gen V (Folks the chassis is DIFFERENT!!!)
If the logic was most significant engine changes:
53-54 Gen I
55-65 Gen II (V8 small block)
65-74 Gen III (Big block era)
75-82 Gen IV (Fed restriction years - smog / economy)
84-88 Gen V (L98 era)
89-95 Gen VI (ZR-1 era)
96 Gen VII (LT4)
97-00 Gen VIII (LS1 era)
01-04 Gen IX (LS6 era)
05 Gen X (LS2)
06- Gen XI (LS7 era)
By the way in all three scenarios, the 05 vette is different enough from the 04 to move up a generation.
☠☣☢ Semper Ebrius ☢☣☠
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 83,301
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From: Virginia
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St. Jude's Donor '06
Re: Corvette Generations (GDP)
GM's determination of generations made simple:
The difference in the generations can be summed up in one word: Theme.
The theme of the Corvette's body determines the generation.
C1: Distinctly 50's bubble theme (Original)
C2: Flat, sharp, character line theme (Original)
C3: Big curves and edges theme (C2 + C1)
C4: Wedge theme (Original)
C5: Wedge with bubble curves theme (C4 + C1)
C6: Wedge with big curves and sharp edges theme (C5 + C3)
Regardless of the overall changes throughout a generation, the basic theme remained the same in all cases.
The difference in the generations can be summed up in one word: Theme.
The theme of the Corvette's body determines the generation.
C1: Distinctly 50's bubble theme (Original)
C2: Flat, sharp, character line theme (Original)
C3: Big curves and edges theme (C2 + C1)
C4: Wedge theme (Original)
C5: Wedge with bubble curves theme (C4 + C1)
C6: Wedge with big curves and sharp edges theme (C5 + C3)
Regardless of the overall changes throughout a generation, the basic theme remained the same in all cases.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 34,235
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From: Northern Virginia
Cruise-In I Veteran
Re: Corvette Generations (LongTimer)
The Gen #s are assigned by GM. It's their car, their gen decisison. There is no logic in gen # assignment so we may as well stop trying to find it.
If the logic was most significant engine changes:
53-54 Gen I
55-65 Gen II (V8 small block)
65-74 Gen III (Big block era)
75-82 Gen IV (Fed restriction years - smog / economy)
84-88 Gen V (L98 era)
89-95 Gen VI (ZR-1 era)
96 Gen VII (LT4)
97-00 Gen VIII (LS1 era)
01-04 Gen IX (LS6 era)
05 Gen X (LS2)
06- Gen XI (LS7 era)
By the way in all three scenarios, the 05 vette is different enough from the 04 to move up a generation.
If the logic was most significant engine changes:
53-54 Gen I
55-65 Gen II (V8 small block)
65-74 Gen III (Big block era)
75-82 Gen IV (Fed restriction years - smog / economy)
84-88 Gen V (L98 era)
89-95 Gen VI (ZR-1 era)
96 Gen VII (LT4)
97-00 Gen VIII (LS1 era)
01-04 Gen IX (LS6 era)
05 Gen X (LS2)
06- Gen XI (LS7 era)
By the way in all three scenarios, the 05 vette is different enough from the 04 to move up a generation.
Great list, though - very descriptive. :cool: Fun trivia! :cheers:
Le Mans Master
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From: Westfield Indiana
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Re: Corvette Generations (SilverBullit02)
It's certainly understandable GM engineering makes all the design change decisions...just as they have always done. But.. considering all the design/engeering changes in the C3 and C4 during their production runs..the C3/C4 designation didn't change... So....by comparison...what is going to make the '05 a C6 compared to a C5,,,when other dramatic changes in the past have NOT changed the designation.....
There has always been a very significant change, either in body, or in chassis. 56 had what some would call a significant body change, although the majority of the vette was the same. 63 was a complete redesign of both suspension and body. 68 kept the 63-67 chassis, but brought out an entirely new body. The body changed a bit throughout 68-82, but just like 55-62, the majority of the vette was the same. 84 brought about another complete redesign of both body and chassis, as did 97. In 2005, we'll get a completely new chassis, with a modified/redesigned body. So, as you can see, each new generation has some major change, thus resulting in the new designation for that generation.
[Modified by Captain Morgan, 3:09 PM 11/17/2003]
Drifting
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,287
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From: Cloud 10, Pangea
Re: Corvette Generations (Captain Morgan)
57 had what some would call a significant body change, although the majority of the vette was the same.
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Le Mans Master
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From: Westfield Indiana
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Re: Corvette Generations (NEXEX)
57 had what some would call a significant body change, although the majority of the vette was the same.
Actually the body was changed in 1956 not 57, I mention this only because I have one. See, we could talk about this forever!! :D
Actually the body was changed in 1956 not 57, I mention this only because I have one. See, we could talk about this forever!! :D
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 91
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From: Macomb MI
Re: Corvette Generations (SilverBullit02)
Okay, I know this is a crazy response, but this will always work. If they change the quarter panels, fenders (NOT bumpers, or cladding) and the windshield it is a new generation.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: Miami Florida
Re: Corvette Generations (SilverBullit02)
The 68 C3 was basically a 67 C2 with a whole new body style. The 80s C3s kept the swoopy lines of the early C3s.
The C6 is basically a C5 but it has lost several 100#, more hp, a Much better looking body, and probably better brakes & suspension. Vettes have always been evolutionary rather than revolutionary & thats not necesarily a bad thing
The C6 is basically a C5 but it has lost several 100#, more hp, a Much better looking body, and probably better brakes & suspension. Vettes have always been evolutionary rather than revolutionary & thats not necesarily a bad thing
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Shepherdsville KY
Re: Corvette Generations (Cajun75)
SilverBullit02...Just a bit of trivia but officially there were no 1983 Corvettes. There were forty seven 1983 Corvettes made but none were ever sold. The National Corvette Museum has the only 1983 known at this time. The new Corvette plant in Bowling Green, KY closed in October of 1982 to begin retooling for the 1984 Corvette.
To add to your trivia. The reason for the gap in 1983 was GM was trying to meet new EPA emissions requirements and once they were finally reached it was past mid-year, so, the new Corvette was labeled a 1984 instead of an 83!
If you look at "Vizkiz"'s awesome pic of the 83 at the NCM. there is a Plaque off to the right of the pic in the middle,whcih explains all the techno babble!
[Modified by ASH32678, 1:55 PM 11/25/2003] :chevy :flag :chevy
[Modified by ASH32678, 1:58 PM 11/25/2003]