Old World Charm
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From: Columbia MD
Old World Charm
As a Corvette and car enthusiast, I spend a lot of time wondering how we'll view today's cars 30-40 years from now.
Call me old fashioned, but there is a distinct charm and aura with older cars which doesn't seem to ever wear off. Like the 1963 Split Window, a 1967 Corvette Roadster with 427, a Porsche 356 Cabriolet or 356 Speedster, a Ferrari 328, a Lamborghini Countach, a mid-1980s 911, a Shelby Cobra.
It seems cars like these are timeless, at least to me. Do you agree?
Also, are there any cars today which we may look back on 30-40 years from now and smile at, admiring the vintage look and saying, "it may be slower, but the driving experience will never be found again today in a car like this"?
Is the C7 in this category? Or will it fade away 4-5 years like the latest Iphone?
Call me old fashioned, but there is a distinct charm and aura with older cars which doesn't seem to ever wear off. Like the 1963 Split Window, a 1967 Corvette Roadster with 427, a Porsche 356 Cabriolet or 356 Speedster, a Ferrari 328, a Lamborghini Countach, a mid-1980s 911, a Shelby Cobra.
It seems cars like these are timeless, at least to me. Do you agree?
Also, are there any cars today which we may look back on 30-40 years from now and smile at, admiring the vintage look and saying, "it may be slower, but the driving experience will never be found again today in a car like this"?
Is the C7 in this category? Or will it fade away 4-5 years like the latest Iphone?
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IMO, it is way too early to say how the C7 will be perceived in 10, 15 or 20 years, or longer. The C7 does takes a big step forward in the Corvette legacy though. Wish I had a crystal ball that I could look into and see how the C7 will be perceived in the future, especially if any model will be particularly collectible.
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From: La Center WA
The question you're asking is a good one and one that I've also thought about a lot. As much as I'd like to believe that the C7's styling will prove to be as timeless as that of the cars you mentioned, I'm not too confident. Quite honestly, I think the 2013 427 Convertible has a better chance. Hopefully I'll be proven wrong.
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The question you're asking is a good one and one that I've also thought about a lot. As much as I'd like to believe that the C7's styling will prove to be as timeless as that of the cars you mentioned, I'm not too confident. Quite honestly, I think the 2013 427 Convertible has a better chance. Hopefully I'll be proven wrong.
With the battery technology and fuel efficiency requirements growing and use of "Ecotech", I wonder if we are in the twilight era of big, beefy engines with loud exhaust notes. That only may propel us to admiring these types of cars today, C7 included, 30-40 years from now when we're probably all driving around on battery cars. Maybe...
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I think it is too early to tell with the C7. However, I think for sure we will look back in 30 years and feel that way about the C6. 
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Good chance I'll be dead in 30 or so years, I hope to look back in 10 years and enjoy the C7 as much as I enjoy some of the older classics. And if I can still drive I hope it will be my C7.
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From: Salado TX
Yes, I agree on the 427. I also think the C6 Z06 will have a chance to have that reputation.
With the battery technology and fuel efficiency requirements growing and use of "Ecotech", I wonder if we are in the twilight era of big, beefy engines with loud exhaust notes. That only may propel us to admiring these types of cars today, C7 included, 30-40 years from now when we're probably all driving around on battery cars. Maybe...
With the battery technology and fuel efficiency requirements growing and use of "Ecotech", I wonder if we are in the twilight era of big, beefy engines with loud exhaust notes. That only may propel us to admiring these types of cars today, C7 included, 30-40 years from now when we're probably all driving around on battery cars. Maybe...
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These may be the last of the high power car days. I personally think the government or insurance companies are going to step up and shut the muscle cars down. They did once before in my life. I believe six to seven hundred horse power is reaching the limits for safe everyday street driving (almost reaching the level of a NASCAR). With each increase in these numbers there are less people capable of handling these cars safely yet anyone can buy one. The price of fuel was not the only reason they shut them down in the early seventies. The C7 may be the last of its kind or maybe the C8 but sooner or later it will come to an end. If its soon then the C7 may turn out to be quite the collectors car.
Last edited by Klyde; Feb 9, 2015 at 06:55 PM.
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I'm sorry but I don't think the C6 will have any lasting power, at all. The C5 was the change in the right direction that the Vette needed. The C6 was just an upgrade of the C5.
Now the C7 is like the C5 change in direction but on steroids and HGH. It's so far ahead of what was offered before it's astounding.
I have no idea what the lasting power will be but the real change in vehicles outside of battery power is automation. It will be within 10 years when we see automated vehicles on the roads regularly. In 20 years I expect all vehicles to be capable and also solely reliant upon battery power or at the minimum a strongly favored hybrid. Will that change make the all gasoline powered auto desirable to the oldies? It's an interesting discussion.
Just my opinions of course. Not here to ruffle feathers.
Now the C7 is like the C5 change in direction but on steroids and HGH. It's so far ahead of what was offered before it's astounding.
I have no idea what the lasting power will be but the real change in vehicles outside of battery power is automation. It will be within 10 years when we see automated vehicles on the roads regularly. In 20 years I expect all vehicles to be capable and also solely reliant upon battery power or at the minimum a strongly favored hybrid. Will that change make the all gasoline powered auto desirable to the oldies? It's an interesting discussion.
Just my opinions of course. Not here to ruffle feathers.
Last edited by seel2000; Feb 9, 2015 at 11:01 PM.
Instructor
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From: Lansing Michigan
In twenty years if I'm still driving my C-7 at 87 yrs., I will be a happy camper!!!
Drifting
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From: Durham NC
I think the C7 will have lasting charm like all previous Vettes. The C4 is my least favorite of previous generations, but whenever I see one that's in good condition, it still has a cool factor IMO.
Rass Claat Viper
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Aldie, VA
Great post. The C7 Z06 in my mind will be somewhat iconic especially with the beautiful lines and the tremendous value it represents. I can see it being a collectors item as emission laws are cranked up and hybrid everything is the tolerable norm. When the prices drop on the Z06 in a few years, it will have a spot in my garage next the Viper and hover-potty.
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From: New Jersey
With the increase in non gas powered vehicles, I can see a time yrs down the road where the Gov't will have huge taxes on gas for powered cars, like cigarettes, in an effort to discourage use and raise money. As time goes on the C7 will blend in with other Corvette generations be in the huge pile of gas powered antiques which are ultra expensive to operate-maybe 30-50 yrs down the road.
Drifting
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From: Salado TX
As long as fracking remains environmentally acceptable, and that's a big if, we'll have plenty of oil and gas. We supposed hit peak oil a few years back, but frackng and oil prices have made previously unavailable oil depots economically exploitable.