C7 General Discussion General C7 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Do Corvettes ever get "facelifts"?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 27, 2016 | 11:44 AM
  #1  
Saint_Spinner's Avatar
Saint_Spinner
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 196
Likes: 21
From: Valencia CA
Default Do Corvettes ever get "facelifts"?

i noticed most cars (including the camaro) get facelifts half way or towards the end of that generation's life time. Do corvettes get the same treatment? I don't think I've ever seen corvettes get updated body/light parts.
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2016 | 11:56 AM
  #2  
RealPilot's Avatar
RealPilot
Advanced
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 90
Likes: 13
From: OFallon MO
Default

I believe that the Grand Sport could be considered a facelift of sorts.


Last edited by Steve Garrett; Nov 27, 2016 at 12:41 PM. Reason: No need to re-quote the OP, especially if you're the next person posting.
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2016 | 12:20 PM
  #3  
LucaBrasiAZ's Avatar
LucaBrasiAZ
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 115
From: Chandler, AZ
Default

yes but not as dramatic as some other car lines. You may see an engine change, some interior enhancements, and very minor exterior enhancements but not a complete "refresh" as i believe you are referring to. Its mostly changes to accessory items.

In the C6 some of the changes were ( and i may have missed some)

LS2 engine to LS3 engine in 2008
Dash bezel went to faux carbon fiber from brushed aluminum
steering wheel changed twice
Seats changed late in the C6 run ( 2012 i believe)
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2016 | 12:36 PM
  #4  
Rooster OG's Avatar
Rooster OG
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 6,223
Likes: 1,700
From: Northern California
St. Jude Donor '15
Default

I think the ZR1 will be the next 'facelift', run for a couple years, then we'll see the C8.
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2016 | 12:51 PM
  #5  
Saint_Spinner's Avatar
Saint_Spinner
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 196
Likes: 21
From: Valencia CA
Default

Thanks guys. That's what's awesome about vettes. I won't have that "itch" to upgrade until the c8.
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2016 | 01:16 PM
  #6  
corvette-22's Avatar
corvette-22
Instructor
 
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 143
Likes: 63
Default

Not since the C4 generation. The last true face lift took place in 1991. Interior 1990 exterior 1991. Then the interior again in 1994-96. The C6 got a slight interior change up in 2008 then new seats in 2011 as more of an upgrade because of design complaints.
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2016 | 01:25 PM
  #7  
ssidekickbp's Avatar
ssidekickbp
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,689
Likes: 1,007
From: Brookfield IL
Default

Usually any appearance changes with Corvette throughout a generations run can be added to your car.

Example: I have the 2017 quilted roof headliner on my 2015.
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2016 | 01:46 PM
  #8  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,389
Likes: 24,795
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

Originally Posted by corvette-22
Not since the C4 generation. The last true face lift took place in 1991. Interior 1990 exterior 1991. Then the interior again in 1994-96.
Yeah, the C4 had a pretty substantial change in 1991. Other generations have had changes like when the C6 Z06/GS/ZR1 came out with the wide body look and the revised front fascia with the scoop.

Last edited by Vetteman Jack; Nov 27, 2016 at 01:46 PM.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 27, 2016 | 01:49 PM
  #9  
themonk's Avatar
themonk
Team Owner
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 97,155
Likes: 1,471
From: Calgary, AB. There's a reason why white was the only color offered on every year Corvette. Proud Canadian German Jamaican!
St. Jude Donor '09, '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Default

Originally Posted by RealPilot
I believe that the Grand Sport could be considered a facelift of sorts.

how, it looks just like the Z06
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2016 | 01:50 PM
  #10  
themonk's Avatar
themonk
Team Owner
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 97,155
Likes: 1,471
From: Calgary, AB. There's a reason why white was the only color offered on every year Corvette. Proud Canadian German Jamaican!
St. Jude Donor '09, '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Default

Originally Posted by Vetteman Jack
Other generations have had changes like when the C6 Z06/GS/ZR1 came out with the wide body look and the revised front fascia with the scoop.
But those were different models. Your analogy on the C4 is spot on though.
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2016 | 01:52 PM
  #11  
themonk's Avatar
themonk
Team Owner
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 97,155
Likes: 1,471
From: Calgary, AB. There's a reason why white was the only color offered on every year Corvette. Proud Canadian German Jamaican!
St. Jude Donor '09, '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Default

Originally Posted by ssidekickbp
Usually any appearance changes with Corvette throughout a generations run can be added to your car.

Example: I have the 2017 quilted roof headliner on my 2015.
reading your reply has inspired me to look at kalahari diamond patterned headliners, thanks.

$500 USD on eBay.
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2016 | 03:59 PM
  #12  
MRose0906's Avatar
MRose0906
Instructor
Supporting Lifetime
 
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 127
Likes: 44
From: Joshua Tree California
Default

The C3 had a pretty significant style change. 1972 to 1973. This, however, IMO was a change for the worse.
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2016 | 04:11 PM
  #13  
ExRedRacer's Avatar
ExRedRacer
Team Owner
15 Year Member
St. Jude 10 Year Donor
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 24,129
Likes: 1,038
From: The Beautiful Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09, '14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Default

Originally Posted by RealPilot
I believe that the Grand Sport could be considered a facelift of sorts.
That's more like a butt-lift...
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2016 | 09:52 PM
  #14  
user051728's Avatar
user051728
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,002
Likes: 2,679
Default

Corvette has resisted the urge since the C4 to do a blanket update of the exterior. The 2008 interior and powertrain changed (followed by further updated in 2009 to the steering, ABS and radio) are probably the most significant since 1991. I wouldn't expect anything other than that for the C7 run which should end in 2020 (or in 3 more model years).

Basically the car we see in 2018 is probably the last of the major updates for this generation.
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2016 | 10:04 PM
  #15  
mtaxman's Avatar
mtaxman
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 384
From: Williamsburg VA
Default

Originally Posted by ExRedRacer
That's more like a butt-lift...
The C1 had a couple refreshes.
Dual headlights for one and then....
Speaking of "butt lifts", how about in 1961 with the future Stingray butt????

Come on. aren't most of us in our 60s and remember that far back?
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2016 | 10:22 PM
  #16  
OVR60's Avatar
OVR60
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 980
Likes: 106
Default

Facelifts cost money and look at the Grand Sport with all the ZO6 parts and recycled wheels from the C6 with no additional cost for retooling. GM needs money for the new paint line.
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2016 | 10:26 PM
  #17  
Saint_Spinner's Avatar
Saint_Spinner
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 196
Likes: 21
From: Valencia CA
Default

Originally Posted by OVR60
Facelifts cost money and look at the Grand Sport with all the ZO6 parts and recycled wheels from the C6 with no additional cost for retooling. GM needs money for the new paint line.
True. But its surprising that the Corvette's little bro, the Camaro would get major facelifts. Aren't there rumours about the new C6 Camaro already getting a facelift (I'm not talking ZL1)? Especially since it wasn't selling as well as they hoped? Something about the non-car enthusiast not being able to tell the difference between the C5 and C6 Camaro...
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Do Corvettes ever get "facelifts"?

Old Nov 28, 2016 | 11:58 PM
  #18  
ExRedRacer's Avatar
ExRedRacer
Team Owner
15 Year Member
St. Jude 10 Year Donor
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 24,129
Likes: 1,038
From: The Beautiful Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09, '14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Default

Originally Posted by mtaxman
Come on. aren't most of us in our 60s and remember that far back?
Yep...I was there in 1961...only 9 years old at the time though. I must admit that the very first Corvette I laid eyes on was a green C2 that passed us on the freeway one day when I was about 11 or 12. I never forgot about it and from that day forward always wanted one.

Last edited by ExRedRacer; Nov 29, 2016 at 12:00 AM.
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2016 | 12:09 AM
  #19  
Bill Dearborn's Avatar
Bill Dearborn
Tech Contributor
25 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Default

Originally Posted by Saint_Spinner
True. But its surprising that the Corvette's little bro, the Camaro would get major facelifts. Aren't there rumours about the new C6 Camaro already getting a facelift (I'm not talking ZL1)? Especially since it wasn't selling as well as they hoped? Something about the non-car enthusiast not being able to tell the difference between the C5 and C6 Camaro...
In the early years the Vette followed GM's annual model change pretty well but as outside updates got much more expensive they dropped off.

At this time it doesn't compete in the same market as the Camaro. The Vette competes in a market where face lifts don't happen. The Camaro competes in the pony or sporty car market where styling changes happen more often.

Over the years things have changed. The C1s had the 56 update, the 58 update and the 61 update and some chrome/color combo changes as well. The C2s had the 64 rear window update, the 65 big block hood update and the 67 big block hood update. The C3s had the 69 update (door handles, side gills), the 70 update (side gills), the 73 update, the 74 update, the 75 update and the 78 update and the 82 update. The C4s had the 90 interior update, the 91 update and the 94 interior update. C5s had a a major model change with the introduction of the FRC in 99 which was converted into the Z06 in 2001 along with a couple of minor updates like removing the key lock from the passenger side door.

Bill
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2016 | 01:31 AM
  #20  
Saint_Spinner's Avatar
Saint_Spinner
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 196
Likes: 21
From: Valencia CA
Default

Originally Posted by Bill Dearborn
In the early years the Vette followed GM's annual model change pretty well but as outside updates got much more expensive they dropped off.

At this time it doesn't compete in the same market as the Camaro. The Vette competes in a market where face lifts don't happen. The Camaro competes in the pony or sporty car market where styling changes happen more often.

Over the years things have changed. The C1s had the 56 update, the 58 update and the 61 update and some chrome/color combo changes as well. The C2s had the 64 rear window update, the 65 big block hood update and the 67 big block hood update. The C3s had the 69 update (door handles, side gills), the 70 update (side gills), the 73 update, the 74 update, the 75 update and the 78 update and the 82 update. The C4s had the 90 interior update, the 91 update and the 94 interior update. C5s had a a major model change with the introduction of the FRC in 99 which was converted into the Z06 in 2001 along with a couple of minor updates like removing the key lock from the passenger side door.

Bill
Bill, thanks for that info! That's quite a lot of corvette knowledge you just dropped there.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:16 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE