Notices
C8 General Discussion The place to discuss the next generation of Corvette.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Chrome and the C8 or the lack thereof - Observation

Old 07-11-2019, 10:14 AM
  #1  
RapidC84B
Team Owner
Thread Starter
 
RapidC84B's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2013
Posts: 20,195
Received 13,148 Likes on 5,983 Posts

Default Chrome and the C8 or the lack thereof - Observation

The new emblem is not high gloss chrome like the C7. It is confirmed to be "brushed chrome" for a more matte appearance. Looking at the exhaust tips they have the same finish. With the C7 reveal they made a comment that they tried to give the car some "high feature jewelry" or brightwork. I thought they did a nice job there. So... it appears they are going for less high gloss chrome on the new car (many will rejoice). Will be interesting to see if there's a polished aluminum wheel option with a clear coat like they did with the Z16 Z06 C5 wheels.

Please do not turn this into a black wheels vs. chrome wheels pissing contest.



Popular Reply

07-11-2019, 10:48 AM
JockItch
Safety Car
 
JockItch's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2004
Location: Western Chicago Suburbs
Posts: 4,275
Received 5,288 Likes on 1,966 Posts
Default

Chrome does not belong on a modern day sports car and especially not on a modern day mid engine car.
Old 07-11-2019, 10:48 AM
  #2  
JockItch
Safety Car
 
JockItch's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2004
Location: Western Chicago Suburbs
Posts: 4,275
Received 5,288 Likes on 1,966 Posts

Default

Chrome does not belong on a modern day sports car and especially not on a modern day mid engine car.
The following 13 users liked this post by JockItch:
ArmchairArchitect (07-11-2019), Atari_Prime (07-11-2019), bluman (07-11-2019), DaveFerrari458 (07-13-2019), JD_AMG (07-12-2019), JeffInDFW (07-12-2019), marc4427 (07-11-2019), MrBrightside (07-11-2019), Quinten33 (07-11-2019), RedMercy (07-11-2019), SoFloVette (07-11-2019), Stingray23 (07-11-2019), village idiot (07-11-2019) and 8 others liked this post. (Show less...)
Old 07-11-2019, 10:54 AM
  #3  
RapidC84B
Team Owner
Thread Starter
 
RapidC84B's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2013
Posts: 20,195
Received 13,148 Likes on 5,983 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by JockItch
Chrome does not belong on a modern day sports car and especially not on a modern day mid engine car.
I like chrome, but I'm fine with brushed aluminum/chrome too.

Oh and I'm 37... so not all brightwork fans are older. IMO it depends on color... a silver car looks great with gunmetal wheels, a car like my avatar needs something silver or polished; bright.
The following users liked this post:
Quinten33 (07-11-2019)
Old 07-11-2019, 10:58 AM
  #4  
ByByBMW
Le Mans Master

Support Corvetteforum!
 
ByByBMW's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2004
Location: AZ
Posts: 5,754
Received 536 Likes on 279 Posts
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10-'11-'12-'13 '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19


Default

Originally Posted by JockItch
Chrome does not belong on a modern day sports car and especially not on a modern day mid engine car.
Chrome can belong on a modern day sports car and especially on a modern day mid engine car. It's all personal taste.
The following 4 users liked this post by ByByBMW:
1 HOT 07 (07-11-2019), kozmic (07-11-2019), VistaVette (07-11-2019), zland (07-12-2019)
Old 07-11-2019, 11:06 AM
  #5  
oregonsharkman
Melting Slicks
 
oregonsharkman's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2004
Location: Keizer Oregon
Posts: 2,158
Received 938 Likes on 364 Posts

Default

If you want Chrome on a modern day sports car, you have to go all in....

The following 6 users liked this post by oregonsharkman:
68roadster (07-11-2019), JRCoates (07-11-2019), l2vette (07-11-2019), marc4427 (07-11-2019), Quinten33 (07-11-2019), SoFloVette (07-11-2019) and 1 others liked this post. (Show less...)
Old 07-11-2019, 11:19 AM
  #6  
Quinten33
Burning Brakes
 
Quinten33's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2017
Location: Florida
Posts: 854
Received 536 Likes on 238 Posts
Default

Chrome looks fantastic on classic cars and on Luxury GTs such as the Bentley Continental. It works on affordable cars when done right, such as the upcoming 2020 Hyundai Sonata or the Buick Regal. However, chrome is not great on modern performance cars. Modern performance cars are designed with either simplicity or aggression in mind, and either method must come with functionality. Chrome provides none of those things. It sticks out like a sore thumb on a car with a carbon fiber roof and black accents all over. Most high-end performance cars are fitted with lightweight wheels to reduce unsprung mass. That typically calls for Aluminum alloy or magnesium wheels, and those usually have a brushed or polished finish.

I think that the design team is limiting its use of shiny chrome in order to approve the Corvette’s brand image. A lot of people see the Corvette as an old-man car because of the chrome, just like a CTS or an Enclave. If you replace that shiny chrome with a stealthier, more aggressive finish, more people will respect the Corvette.

But I’m not even old enough to vote, so I might fall into the majority demographic of people who are anti-chrome
The following users liked this post:
ArmchairArchitect (07-11-2019)
Old 07-11-2019, 11:24 AM
  #7  
jkennedy
Advanced
 
jkennedy's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2018
Location: Inver Grove Heights MN
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 9 Posts
Default

I like chrome. We do exist and don't give a damn what you anti-chrome folks think. I'm 39 if that matters and have chrome A molds on my C4. It's MY CAR, get bent if you don't like it.

Oops, we weren't supposed to turn this into a chrome/no chrome pissing contest, sorry.
The following 3 users liked this post by jkennedy:
kozmic (07-11-2019), RapidC84B (07-11-2019), zland (07-12-2019)
Old 07-11-2019, 11:28 AM
  #8  
firstvettesoon
Melting Slicks
 
firstvettesoon's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,058
Received 1,906 Likes on 750 Posts
Default

Chrome can look very nice as can other metal finishes. All comes down to good taste. Taste for use for accents in design can be very impactful Over done, of course it can be hideously ostentatious.
The following users liked this post:
kozmic (07-11-2019)
Old 07-11-2019, 11:28 AM
  #9  
l2vette
Melting Slicks
 
l2vette's Avatar
 
Member Since: Nov 1999
Location: N Cal
Posts: 2,366
Received 226 Likes on 167 Posts

Default

Personally I like the "Race Car" aka C7R and the other competitors that do not have bright work or chrome.
Nothing like the look of a serous race car IMO.
The following users liked this post:
ArmchairArchitect (07-11-2019)
Old 07-11-2019, 11:31 AM
  #10  
68roadster
Le Mans Master
Support Corvetteforum!
 
68roadster's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2001
Location: banana republic
Posts: 7,135
Received 167 Likes on 104 Posts

Default

That Lambo needs chrome wheels

Can't wait to see the high res pics of the C8!

Last edited by 68roadster; 07-11-2019 at 11:33 AM.
Old 07-11-2019, 11:40 AM
  #11  
vndkshn
Melting Slicks
 
vndkshn's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2018
Location: North Texas
Posts: 2,666
Received 1,776 Likes on 863 Posts
Default

"Chrome" or "polished aluminum" or "polished stainless", etc. I've seen polished aluminum that damned near looked like chrome (same for stainless), especially at a distance. A prime example is a well done Cobra body that is finished (and clearcoated) with the polished aluminum look. From more than 20 feet away in the sun, you'd think it was chrome.

Chrome can easily be overdone, it's definitely a case of "a little dab will do you". It's when things go overboard that chrome looks bad.
The following users liked this post:
RapidC84B (07-11-2019)
Old 07-11-2019, 12:00 PM
  #12  
Race Prepared
Burning Brakes
 
Race Prepared's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2006
Location: Burleson Texas
Posts: 1,074
Received 78 Likes on 53 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Tool Hoarder
The new emblem is not high gloss chrome like the C7. It is confirmed to be "brushed chrome" for a more matte appearance. Looking at the exhaust tips they have the same finish. With the C7 reveal they made a comment that they tried to give the car some "high feature jewelry" or brightwork. I thought they did a nice job there. So... it appears they are going for less high gloss chrome on the new car (many will rejoice). Will be interesting to see if there's a polished aluminum wheel option with a clear coat like they did with the Z16 Z06 C5 wheels.

Please do not turn this into a black wheels vs. chrome wheels pissing contest.



Looking at the rear facia on the C8, wondering poor they’ll apply the emblem?
Old 07-11-2019, 12:03 PM
  #13  
Foosh
Team Owner
 
Foosh's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,434
Received 16,667 Likes on 8,311 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Tool Hoarder
The new emblem is not high gloss chrome like the C7. It is confirmed to be "brushed chrome" for a more matte appearance. Looking at the exhaust tips they have the same finish. With the C7 reveal they made a comment that they tried to give the car some "high feature jewelry" or brightwork. I thought they did a nice job there. So... it appears they are going for less high gloss chrome on the new car (many will rejoice). Will be interesting to see if there's a polished aluminum wheel option with a clear coat like they did with the Z16 Z06 C5 wheels.

Please do not turn this into a black wheels vs. chrome wheels pissing contest.


You just did by even starting a thread like this.
The following 3 users liked this post by Foosh:
ArmchairArchitect (07-11-2019), kozmic (07-11-2019), RapidC84B (07-11-2019)
Old 07-11-2019, 12:15 PM
  #14  
punky
Banned Scam/Spammer
 
punky's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2005
Location: Bonita Springs FL
Posts: 8,084
Received 3,862 Likes on 1,912 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by JockItch
Chrome does not belong on a modern day sports car and especially not on a modern day mid engine car.
This is about as well as one can describe the use of chrome on a current model sports car. The only chrome that is cool at this point are the black or dark charcoal chrome finishes. The chrome(silver)finish available on the wheels of previous generation Corvettes will disappear with the C8. I'm sure the Eklers Catalogue will offer them for the die hard traditionalists.
The following users liked this post:
ArmchairArchitect (07-11-2019)
Old 07-11-2019, 12:18 PM
  #15  
xcaliber501
Racer
 
xcaliber501's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2017
Location: Katy Texas
Posts: 445
Received 329 Likes on 124 Posts
Default

Personal taste questions will always vary wildly, but it is not correct to generalize the opinion that no one like chrome. Lots of people do.Blacking out a car is for when the owner want a stealth look, chrome and to a lessor extent machined steel is for when you want a bit more flash. Both are equally good.

Personally I prefer Chrome. Black wheels are just too boring and dull for my taste.
Old 07-11-2019, 12:25 PM
  #16  
krazyKanuck
Instructor
 
krazyKanuck's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2007
Location: Maple Ontario
Posts: 185
Received 11 Likes on 9 Posts

Default

One can get all the chrome they want in the aftermarket. Probably white wall tires too.
Old 07-11-2019, 01:12 PM
  #17  
CamarosRus
Melting Slicks

 
CamarosRus's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2018
Location: Auburn,WA (30 miles SE of Seattle) WA
Posts: 3,279
Received 936 Likes on 600 Posts
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default








The following 3 users liked this post by CamarosRus:
68roadster (07-11-2019), ATC (07-11-2019), Quinten33 (07-11-2019)

Get notified of new replies

To Chrome and the C8 or the lack thereof - Observation

Old 07-11-2019, 01:56 PM
  #18  
RapidC84B
Team Owner
Thread Starter
 
RapidC84B's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2013
Posts: 20,195
Received 13,148 Likes on 5,983 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Race Prepared
Looking at the rear facia on the C8, wondering poor they’ll apply the emblem?
Some are thinking it won't have one... the emblem could go on the rear deck lid like the C5 generation. According to @jagamajajaran the C7 was originally going to have the emblem only w/o any "Corvette" script. It may well be there's nothing on the rear of the car at all. We shall see.

Originally Posted by Foosh
You just did by even starting a thread like this.
True... but my intent was more to point out the fact that they've decided to accent the car with brushed metal on the outside as evidenced by the emblem and exhaust tips. The exhaust tips are more brushed than the C7 exhaust was.
The following users liked this post:
jagamajajaran (07-11-2019)
Old 07-11-2019, 02:08 PM
  #19  
jagamajajaran
Race Director
Support Corvetteforum!
 
jagamajajaran's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2006
Location: Lawton, OK
Posts: 10,297
Received 9,512 Likes on 2,317 Posts
C7 & C8 Events Correspondent
Tech Contributor
2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year (track prepared)
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C7 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
2017 C7 of Year Finalist
2015 C7 of the Year
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19

Default

Originally Posted by Tool Hoarder
Some are thinking it won't have one... the emblem could go on the rear deck lid like the C5 generation. According to @jagamajajaran the C7 was originally going to have the emblem only w/o any "Corvette" script. It may well be there's nothing on the rear of the car at all. We shall see.

True... but my intent was more to point out the fact that they've decided to accent the car with brushed metal on the outside as evidenced by the emblem and exhaust tips. The exhaust tips are more brushed than the C7 exhaust was.
Good post pointing out the differences here! And yes, the addition of the Corvette script to the rear of the C7 was a last minute change.
Old 07-11-2019, 02:30 PM
  #20  
CRABBYJ
Safety Car
 
CRABBYJ's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2004
Location: SouthEast PA
Posts: 3,966
Received 1,293 Likes on 722 Posts
Unmodified C8 of the Year 2021 Finalist
2018 C7 of Year Finalist

Default

My ‘05 C6 had polished wheels. Look good until viewed up close then showing to be a little cloudy. My ‘14 C7 Base has chrome which works for me because they are only 5 spoked. For my C8 I want either polished or basic silver and hope they come with a nice brightly colored center cap. Hey, what if those Zora color specific coins we’ve seen end up being used the same for wheel center caps matched to the car’s color?

Now flame me if you want but I like these wheels, so far, if they are offered 5spoke polished/silver the rest black. Look good standing still and in rotation too IMO.


The following users liked this post:
ATC (07-11-2019)

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Chrome and the C8 or the lack thereof - Observation



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:53 PM.