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In thinking (and rethinking) my build, I waffle between a colored interior vs a "plain" black. Natural is gorgeous. Red is racy and beautiful, and the two-tones are spectacular too. I've had multiple sports cars with black interior and never tired of it, though. I have dreams/delusions that my C8 will be a long term keeper, which makes me lean back toward black.
Did, or have, any of you had a similar perspective?
Note, please, "why do you care what others think" and "get what YOU want" are no doubt well-meaning but unhelpful. By definition seeking a conversation, not a solution. Thanks! Bird
To help you decide, go to car shows and check out different interiors. It may help or it may confuse you more. I have changed my mind many times but finally have it figured out…….until tomorrow!
I guess it’s going to be up to how adventurous you want to be and what color car you’re going for. Two tone and all red does not look good with all colors. Black can certainly go with everything, though a completely blacked out car sounds really boring and unoriginal.
If you must, why not go for black with colored stitching a la 3LT? Get white stitching as a base and then use a dye pen to match the body color and or seat belt color - or whatever color you want! There’s plenty of threads on the topic. I think the results are stunning.
Always had black interiors for the reasons you mention. For the C8 I went through the same thoughts. I was thinking of throwing some color in there. Had black interior in my C7 and thought it was a little too plain with the Shark gray exterior. Was thinking of mixing things up with the C8. But I was also hesitant to do so for the reasons you mentioned. Would I tire of it after a while, etc...
In the end my exterior made the interior color decision for me. I went with red mist. I just did not like any of the interior colors with red mist more than black. So I went with black, but I decided to spring for the 3LT so I could get red stitching. It was a pricey upgrade, but I have absolutely no regrets. The bit of color provided by the stitching is enough to liven up the black interior compared to the standard black interior.
If I had picked a white, silver, gray, or black C8, I think I would have gone with a color interior. But I couldn't be happier with what I ended up getting.
FWIW, my 1st 3 Vette ('88, '93 and 2008 C6) had black interior. Thought they looked nice and "would be more durable and not show dirt."
Then when I retired (1999) built a ProStreet Car that mostly goes to shows and had the interior 3 person shop that does one car at a time, suggest a two tone matching the exterior silver with silver flames. Love it- still winning trophies!
When I bought my 2014 C7 ordered 3LT Kalahari which I thought looked great. Had no issues keeping the interior clean. When I bought my 2017 Grand Sport GM had gotten cheap and made the 3 LT look like a "Patch Work Quilt" IMO. Was ready to just get Black. But saw a 2LT white C7 at the local dealer with red interior. Brought the wife as it was my first (and will be my last) white car to see it (even though I was buying the car from Kerbeck like I did the C8.) She thought it looked good so bought and liked it.
When the C8 came GM blew it out of the park with Natural Dipped,(as IMO are all the dipped colors so have a Natural Dipped 3LT.
Below are some pics as you think about choices:
Top pic is street rod at builder when I was ready to take home for my 1000+ hours of finishing. It was in Street Rod Builder Mag, NOT for the car but the builder! Can see it has zero interior at that point. Lower pics are after a small, 3 man company, spent 3 weeks on the interior. Had no idea they would duplicate the flames on the headliner and door arm rest!
All these pics are 3LT's. My 2014 Kalahari, which I thought was great and in 2019 a special edition that came only in Spice Red had the full amount of color. I thought the 3LT looked like a Patch Work Quit so got a 2LT Grand Sport with red interior, black dash and mostly black door panels. 2LT 2017 GS with Red Interior had black dash and mostly black door panels.
GM "Hooked Me" back to a 3LT with the colors only available in the top end trim. I paid essentially ~$3400 for color. Worth it! Car color makes a difference on what looks best.
After a happy (mostly) 49 year marriage, I let my wife have the final decision. We discuss, pro and con, and usually she gets her way. In our case a HTC, white exterior, black interior with every option she wants. She did let me pick the Performance Exhaust. One one BMW have Ivory Interior. Best to to wear Blue Jeans on the seats especially on the edges. On another one a Beige Interior. I also prefer black with the Dogs.
After a happy (mostly) 49 year marriage, I let my wife have the final decision. We discuss, pro and con, and usually she gets her way. In our case a HTC, white exterior, black interior with every option she wants.
My wife decided on black as well with our Red Mist HTC. I had originally went with natural interior and she wanted black. We compromised and got black...
My wife decided on black as well with our Red Mist HTC. I had originally went with natural interior and she wanted black. We compromised and got black...
I went with all black interior, Red Mist, body colored accents, and standard silver wheels. To me, the most striking aspect of the C8 is its distinctive body styling. I wanted nothing to take away from that. To me, a busy interior, black boomerang, and multi spoked wheels take my eye away from the most beautiful car body design in generations. I'm not trying to convince anybody one way or the other or to judge someone else's choices. Just saying why I chose what I chose.
In thinking (and rethinking) my build, I waffle between a colored interior vs a "plain" black. Natural is gorgeous. Red is racy and beautiful, and the two-tones are spectacular too. I've had multiple sports cars with black interior and never tired of it, though. I have dreams/delusions that my C8 will be a long term keeper, which makes me lean back toward black.
Did, or have, any of you had a similar perspective?
Note, please, "why do you care what others think" and "get what YOU want" are no doubt well-meaning but unhelpful. By definition seeking a conversation, not a solution. Thanks! Bird
I'm ordering a white HTC with body color accents, 2lt, and I'm also seriously considering a black interior. I sat in an all black 1lt and was very impressed with the look. The white stitching really sets off the black. There are some other good options for 2lt but Im leaning black. Also I now have c6 vert white with black top and black interior 4lt and love the look.
OP here to say I really appreciate all your honest feedback! This really does flesh out the thoughts that went into your decisions...of course ultimately I have to (put on big boy pants and) choose and live with my decision...but I still value your perspectives a lot.
FWIW I am considering the option of black + white stitching + fabric pens, the results Ive seen in pix look great. And I'm also considering that exterior color can make a huge difference. For example...Hypersonic Gray may look terrific with natural! But Arctic White with black interior (as on my C7) is a real neutral that makes you see the car's lines rather than the colors in which the car is presented.
If you haven't weighed in, I invite you to and I appreciate it!
I'm ordering a white HTC with body color accents, 2lt, and I'm also seriously considering a black interior. I sat in an all black 1lt and was very impressed with the look. The white stitching really sets off the black. There are some other good options for 2lt but Im leaning black. Also I now have c6 vert white with black top and black interior 4lt and love the look.
From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Black interiors are classic in my opinion. 5 of my 7 Vettes have had black interiors. My Jaguar F Type R had black, my Avalanche had black, my Ferrari F430 had black, and my Charger Hellcat has black. My C8 Z06 will have black with maybe a touch of red in the stitching.
Once I finally decided on ELB, I really went back and forth between black and the two tone grey I eventually ended up with. I agree the black interior is the classic interior, and looks great. I also thought about the dye pen option, because my personal favorite C8 interior is the tension blue, and I'd love to have some blue in the interior. But I was concerned with what that would look like after a few years, as well as how bad I could muck it up doing it. I also was concerned that my wife would once again feel like she was riding "in a cave" (her words/description) like my previous Corvettes with black interiors, when meant she didn't ride in them much. So, it was my idea that if I could lighten it up with the grey, she would feel a little different. Of course, since we both pretty much only wear jeans when we go out and about, I struggled with the inevitable dye transfer issue, and if I went full grey, the "dirty" look from he perforation pattern.
Eventually the two tone grey won out. My thoughts are that if the dye transfer issue gets to be too big of a hassle to keep clean, I can always buy new black seat skins to get rid of the grey bolsters, and the stitching will match, plus keep some of the grey color in the other panels to lighten up the interior. My wife loves the color scheme, and says she doesn't feel like being in a cave with it, so I believe I went the right direction for my situation.
Color choice is a personal decision. What works for me, is ugly for someone else. And that's ok. As long as we're both happy, I think that's all that matters..
Plain ol' black interior
