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I just returned from the Z06 Fest and here is what Wil Cooksey, Corvette Plant Manager had to say:

The goal is to have 250 C6 Corvettes on the street for testing by GM representatives. These vehicles, not all of them, will be returned and dismantled for inspection and the resolve of any quality control issues. Some of the vehicles will not be destroyed but given to dealers and sold as a used vehicle.
After the inspections have been completed and all quality control issues have been satisfied, satisfied by Mr. Cooksey, then and only then will the C6 be released for delivery to the ordering dealerships.
As of this date, the plant is not at full production. The Corvettes produced are being held at the plant until all quality control issues are satisfied. Mr. Cooksey indicated that the first C6's will be available for delivery by the second or third week of August, but, it looked more like the third week.
As for colors, there is only one Torch Red C6, given to a GM executive for evaluation. The red is still up in the air, but the Magnetic Red is a go.
Mr. Cooksey did say the Z06 will be a vehicle with its own identity. GM is not going to make the same mistake with the C6 Z06 as they made with the ZR1. No look alike vehicle. Asked about the power plant, and the only comment was, it will be better than the Viper.
I made several trips to the plant and I still see problems with the paint. Orange peal.
Tony
TZ06

Recieved this e-mail yesterday

 

How much of an evaluation can they do in such a short time and still have cars available for delivery in August?

I trust some of the 250 are convertibles.

Why only one Torch Red? What are the issues?

 

Don't like doubting anyone's facts but what you said doesn't make any sense. They have been driving and testing this car for years now. And this isn't some random science(lets put it together and see if it works) because they have machined the specifications for every assembly and part to many decimal points. Also, they have been producing some C6's along with C5's for months now and then testing those C6 cars as they come off the line. They have to be past the test phase for the C6 by now. At this point they got to be testing the production line not the car. They have to make preparations, inspections and adjustments needed to ramp up to full production. Also they are already taking orders and have started the production process for customer cars which will result in some customers getting their cars in August. They wouldn't do this if they were not sure of what they were producing. Sure, they will be keeping an eye on this car, receiving customer feedback, and making adjustments or changes when needed but they have already tested this car.

 

Very interesting, thank you. I'm glad that once again, the ZO6 will be distinctive rather than a mere badge on the rear of the car.

 

As stated, this was an E-Mail I recieved, can't answer the fact/fiction questions. The guy is reliable that sent the mail.
I mainly was interested in the ZO6 portion. I have a friend that works here that is around these cars, he has continually verified alot of the speculation questions in the past, motor, HP, distinctive styling differences. As a matter of fact, the Z they are still testing here is still in camo...has to be different.
I keep hearing some of these cars will be made and out in Aug. not sure of the speculation there?

 

This Email makes sense to me, for I spoke to someone in the production dept. at the plant yesterday about convertibles, and was told that there are not ANY verts being built at this time. the plan is to build 40-50 verts beginning sometime in August at a rate of 2 per day. These are for testing only! Then, if all is well, production for DEALER-ORDERED verts will begin in the latter part of September. I am impatiently waiting for my Lemans Blue vert, but, it is what it is!!!

 

He didn't say verts. Not sure if that is what he meant or not. He said Corvettes. Maybe he meant convertables.