2004 Corvette Production Totals 34,064

[Rob]

From the Bowling Green Performance Press
8-13-2004

A total of 34,064 Corvettes rolled off the end of the assembly line for the
2004 production model year. Coupes still proved to be the most popular model ordered with 47 percent of total sales. Convertibles held a steady 36 percent with the ZO6 claiming the remaining 17 percent.

Le Mans Blue, a color named to commemorate the Corvette win in the 24 race, also won the race for most popular color (20 percent), with Black finishing at a close second (18 percent), and Torch Red coming in third (15 percent).

The results for the remaining colors are as follows: Light Tarnish Silver (14 percent), Magnetic Red (11 percent), Medium Spiral Gray (10 percent), Millenium Yellow (8 percent), and Artic White (5 percent).

Black proved to be the most popular color of convertible top with 58 percent of sales, followed by the Medium Neutral Top with 22 percent. The Oak top accounted for 17 percent and only 4 percent were white.

Interior color selections were: Black (62 percent), Shale (14 percent), Oak (12 percent), Pewter (8 percent), and Red (5 percent).

Only one option was chosen by all Corvette owners, air conditioning with auto temperature control was installed in 100 percent of the cars.

Automatic transmissions were very popular with 63 percent of sales. Excluding ZO6s, which were all manual, 20 percent were equipped with the manual six speed transmission.

Many other popular options include: Memory Package (91 percent), Heads Up Display (75 percent), Telescoping Steering Wheel (75 percent), Soft Ride Suspension (72 percent), Aluminum Polished Wheels (66 percent), and Exterior Body Side Moldings (61 percent).

 

[warren s]

Wow! So out of the 248735 C5s built, only about 51222 (20%) were Torch Red!

The Rare Red option.

 

[Z_OH_6]

Thanks for this Rob. It is amazing, to me, that a majority of the cars were automatic. I believe that was the case with the 2003 as well, perhaps even the entire C5 series. I suppose we can speculate as to why and have many viable answers but does anyone know for certain why that is?

 

[sweet04]

Great job, Rob! I wondered about that. I have yet to see one the same color as my SWEET04. Thanks!

 

[warren s]

Thanks for this Rob. It is amazing, to me, that a majority of the cars were automatic. I believe that was the case with the 2003 as well, perhaps even the entire C5 series. I suppose we can speculate as to why and have many viable answers but does anyone know for certain why that is?

I have theory.

After spending quite some time looking for a used C5 I learned a few things. The C5 is so civilized that I think its the largest seller to "non-Corvette" type of people. I have seen so many C5s that were viewed as nothing more than any other "racey" or "pretty" car on the road by their owners -than any other generation of Corvette.

 

[jwawhite]

Production

Called the museum today and was informed the 2003 production numbers were:35,649 with 4,085 50th Anny Coupes and 7,547 being 'verts.

 

[dooscoop32]

Thanks for this Rob. It is amazing, to me, that a majority of the cars were automatic. I believe that was the case with the 2003 as well, perhaps even the entire C5 series. I suppose we can speculate as to why and have many viable answers but does anyone know for certain why that is?

My speculation on that is that the majority of dealers who order a car for stock get it with the A4 because it is easier to sell to most customers. I think more Corvettes are ordered for stock than for somebody. That is one reason that when I see a 6-speed Corvette, I feel it is special because it was probably ordered specially for someone who knew what he/she wanted!!

 

[Patrick]

My speculation on that is that the majority of dealers who order a car for stock get it with the A4 because it is easier to sell to most customers. I think more Corvettes are ordered for stock than for somebody. That is one reason that when I see a 6-speed Corvette, I feel it is special because it was probably ordered specially for someone who knew what he/she wanted!!

That has a certain logic to it, dooscoop, until you consider that the Z06 has no option but an M6 transmission. Certainly, dealers put Z06s in their inventories for stock- are you saying that the market for Z06's is so specialized that, effectively, "off the street" potential Corvette buyers would by-pass it in favor of a coupe/convertible Corvette?

That's where I have trouble following your logic path.

I do, however, agree that folks who purchase M6 transmissions are generally folks who enjoy greater control over the vehicle when driving. I learned stick-shift many, many years ago. But it came back to me almost immediately when I test drove the Z06 I ended up buying. And I wouldn't trade it for anything. (Although, I have to figure out a way to talk on the cell phone when I get a call- shifting is a bit of a challenge when you have phone you're holding to your ear.)

-Patrick

 

[Hib Halverson]

Here is some more information to add what Rob has posted.

34064 total

16165 coupe
12216 conv
5683 Z06

LeMans Commemorative Edition
2170 Coupe
2659 Conv
2025 Z06

 

[doylede]

Thanks for this Rob. It is amazing, to me, that a majority of the cars were automatic. I believe that was the case with the 2003 as well, perhaps even the entire C5 series. I suppose we can speculate as to why and have many viable answers but does anyone know for certain why that is?

Short of conducting 34,064 interviews, we'll never know for certain why the A4 is so popular.

My guess is that the C5 performance level is so high that opportunities to use the MN6 to grab those few extra tenths are rare off-track. The A4 is easy, and especially with the 3.15 rearend gears, has more performance than one can easily use on the street.

Given this, most owners who do not take their Vettes to the track, don't benefit from the MN6 and would only have to wear out clutches in traffic.

Personally, I wanted both. An A4 coupe as a daily driver, which I have, and a Z06 as a toy, which I tried, unsuccessfully , to get.

A buddy of mine since age 4, who has a Boxster S, was willing to go half's with me on a 2003 Z06. Now, he needed the big power. The Box is real smooth, but short on power. I just wanted to play. We did the extended test drive thing, and were both very impressed, particularly with the suspension.

This was a $27K each deal after taxes, and we were ready to just do it. But, since we couldn't figure out how to hide the damn thing, we had to include the wives, whose friendship goes back to high school. Comments included, "How much did you spend on that boat last year?", "You ALREADY have a Corvette", etc, etc, etc.

So, the deal died.

My point here is that I wanted the NM6 as a toy as long as I had the A4 as a daily driver. Forced to choose, the A4 wins.

 

[wallstAL]

Wow! So out of the 248735 C5s built, only about 51222 (20%) were Torch Red!

The Rare Red option.

Thats a ridiculous production number for such a short time from 97-04.

 

[Tripleblack51]

Thanks for this Rob. It is amazing, to me, that a majority of the cars were automatic. I believe that was the case with the 2003 as well, perhaps even the entire C5 series. I suppose we can speculate as to why and have many viable answers but does anyone know for certain why that is?

I believe that part of the reason is also because of the fact that the A4 was "standard" from the factory with the MN6 being a $900.00 option.
As dealers placed their orders it was much easier to leave a car "as is" from the factory than to make a change.

This may change with the C6 which comes with a 6 speed as standard equipment...the way a sports car should be.
Now the dealer will have to make a change to order an A4 car.

Just my thoughts.

Pedro

 

[dooscoop32]

That has a certain logic to it, dooscoop, until you consider that the Z06 has no option but an M6 transmission. Certainly, dealers put Z06s in their inventories for stock- are you saying that the market for Z06's is so specialized that, effectively, "off the street" potential Corvette buyers would by-pass it in favor of a coupe/convertible Corvette?

That's where I have trouble following your logic path.

I do, however, agree that folks who purchase M6 transmissions are generally folks who enjoy greater control over the vehicle when driving. I learned stick-shift many, many years ago. But it came back to me almost immediately when I test drove the Z06 I ended up buying. And I wouldn't trade it for anything. (Although, I have to figure out a way to talk on the cell phone when I get a call- shifting is a bit of a challenge when you have phone you're holding to your ear.)

-Patrick

I can only speak of the dealer stock situation in the area where I live. It may be different in yours. But around here, dealers never order Z06s for stock. I can only assume it's because they don't sell as well. I know the dealership where I bought our '04 hasn't had a Z06 for stock since 2001. They always order loaded coupes and convertibles. Earlier this year, they ordered a triple black convertible with no options and the 1SA package. They had that car for months before they finally dealer-transferred it to Terry Labonte Chevrolet in Greensboro, NC. Our salesman told me that would be the last one of those they would ever get. As far as the automatic vs. 6-speed situation, I believe most dealers feel that they can possibly persuade a buyer who wants a six-speed to settle for an automatic but not the other way around.:cool
I also feel that the weather in any particular area may affect the sales of certain body styles. We have convertible weather around here up till December and January many times. As a result, convertibes are the most popular choice for Corvette buyers here. Coupes are second. Z06s are a distant third.:cool

 

[Z_OH_6]

I think you all hit upon logical and reasonable explanations for the popularity of the autoshifter. I remember ordering and waiting for my new '72 LT-1 back in '71-'72. It took 11 weeks to build and deliver. It had the close ratio 4 speed. I just knew that ALL Corvette owners would opt for the "four-on-the-floor" as we all so commonly referred to it back then. Imagine my surprise when the dealer told me that the auto trans outsold the stick many times over. In fact, there were 14,543 autos made to just 1,638 close ratio 4 speeds for '72. Guess it's been this way for a while and I suppose the argument that the auto sells to a wider variety of folks looking to purchase from the dealers lot makes a lot of sense. I recall thinking that an automatic on the Vette, back then, made as much sense as a 4 speed in a Caddy. But just look at the Caddies and Lincolns today with 5 and 6 speed stirrers onboard. Ahh, the wonderful world of cars!

 

[sweet04]

"non-Corvette type"? Please elaborate.

I have theory.

After spending quite some time looking for a used C5 I learned a few things. The C5 is so civilized that I think its the largest seller to "non-Corvette" type of people. I have seen so many C5s that were viewed as nothing more than any other "racey" or "pretty" car on the road by their owners -than any other generation of Corvette.

 

[warren s]

"non-Corvette type"? Please elaborate.

Well, to me a Corvette is a special car. there are Corvette clubs and internet forums, Corvette events, and an entire world of Corvette merchandise. Many owners are very "into" their Corvettes. Or as I call them "Vette people"

On the other hand, I also own a 2000 Pontiac Bonneville. I am not very interested in it, other than keeping it clean and well maintained.

In my search for a used C5, I ran across dozens of C5s that were owned by people that thought about their Corvette the way i think about my Bonneville.
I call them "Non Corvette Types". For example, I looked at a 01 that was very clean on the outside, but had mud and salt residue from I would guess last winter? , all over the interior.

 

[Wegone]

Good info...

 

[sweet04]

WarrenS

I gotta tell ya', I got a lump in my throat after I read your first post. But thanks for elaborating. . . . no more lump. What you said makes perfect sense. . .now. Initially I took it to mean that the majority of C5'er's were, uh, what's the word. . .posers? In my case, I test drove ZO6, fell smack in love with her, but didn't have the "ah-ha" moment that I was looking for. I knew well enough to know that 1.) whatever my choice, it would be my daily driver (I have a 2003 Pontiac Grand AM sitting in the driveway), 2.) the traffic in Atlanta is brutal and would kill it if I had a Z06 as a daily driver, and 3.) I would probably get killed in it by being over zealous. Just a little too much for me.

I LOOOOOOOOVE my 'Vette. I've waited so long for her, and I take care of her like I take care of my child (in a manner of speaking) because she's my 'baby'. I buy her things she doesn't really need, I keep her clean, well-fed, sheltered and loved. I've never felt that SWEET04 is inferior to any other 'Vette. As far as I'm concerned she's the sweetest thing on the road. But that's how it's supposed to be. . .right? I also think a characteristic of a true "Vette-head" is that even if you're in your own 'Vette, and you see another one, you get the "OMG, look at that" :eek feeling. I feel it EVERY TIME. So. . . .am I the 'Vette type" ?

 

[warren s]

WarrenS

. So. . . .am I the 'Vette type" ?

YES!!! (I dont think your 04 will ever have salt on it, much less in iT)

 

[sweet04]

NEVER ! We're going to Panama City Beach in a few weeks, and a friend that's following us down is trying REALLLY hard to get me to take the 'Vette. . .No way. . . The Pontiac will be just fine. . .although the separation anxiety will really suck!

YES!!! (I dont think your 04 will ever have salt on it, much less in iT)