V
vetmaniac
Guest
Think wide body like the ZR1 and Z06.![]()
"A widebody does not a Z06 or ZR1 make."

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Think wide body like the ZR1 and Z06.![]()
My guess is that it will be pathetic, since the team that put together the '96 Grand Sport, led by the legendary John Heinricy, put their hearts and souls into creating something truly special to mark the end of the C-4 run, instead of making it an afterthought, which the 2010 0ne-of-six options is likely to be. How sad!!! : ( : ( : (
Spence
GSR Lifetime; Re-Owner \\ GS697
What Mo said. Whatever, it certainly won't diminish the value or enjoyment factor of our '96 Grand Sports, which themselves are just wonderful tributes to the original. If this helps keep Corvette as a viable brand, knock themselves out. It's all good.![]()
Just curious, what are you referring to regarding Heinricy and the '96 GS? Also, what heart and soul in the car are you referring to? It's a decal pacakge and larger rear wheels that differentiate it from the base car.
Also as far as marking the end of the C4 run, it shared that limelight with the Collector's Edition. So the 1 of 6 thing of a C6 GS wasn't much different for the C4 GS.
I am certainly not trying to knock the car, I just found it pretty weird you ripping on GM if they introduce something that is mainly an appearance package to keep sales going, yet hold up as a shining example what was an appearance package to keep sales going.
Again..... a sad attempt at selling cars based on the name of a success.
Mo
What do you mean "a sad attempt?"....Your negative comments are not welcome here in this forum!...if you don't like the new GS, don't buy it!...we have to be supportive of GM and Chevrolet in this time of crisis, my friend!!...if you don't like Corvettes, then why do you own several?...can you explain that one to me??...it doesn't take a rocket scientist!!
You think the '96 GS is a good tribute to the orginal? You really need to read up on your Corvette history.
Tom M
The 96 Grand Sport was a hell of a performance car... it regularly smoked C5's at the drag strip too...
If it is more marketing than substance, it's understandable.
With something like 8000 unsold cars from 07, 08 and 09 in inventory, GM has a big problem in moving metal as far as the Corvette goes.
I wonder where these unsold cars are, in some warehouse or on dealers lots. I would think GM would sell them a a nice discount.
Just curious, what are you referring to regarding Heinricy and the '96 GS? Also, what heart and soul in the car are you referring to? It's a decal pacakge and larger rear wheels that differentiate it from the base car.
Also as far as marking the end of the C4 run, it shared that limelight with the Collector's Edition. So the 1 of 6 thing of a C6 GS wasn't much different for the C4 GS.
I am certainly not trying to knock the car, I just found it pretty weird you ripping on GM if they introduce something that is mainly an appearance package to keep sales going, yet hold up as a shining example what was an appearance package to keep sales going.
Just curious, what are you referring to regarding Heinricy and the '96 GS? Also, what heart and soul in the car are you referring to? It's a decal pacakge and larger rear wheels that differentiate it from the base car.
Also as far as marking the end of the C4 run, it shared that limelight with the Collector's Edition. So the 1 of 6 thing of a C6 GS wasn't much different for the C4 GS.
I am certainly not trying to knock the car, I just found it pretty weird you ripping on GM if they introduce something that is mainly an appearance package to keep sales going, yet hold up as a shining example what was an appearance package to keep sales going.
LT4 was on all 6-speed 1996 cars, not just Grand Sports. J55 brakes were standard on all Corvettes starting in 1995. The F45 suspension was also not a Grand Sport only thing, and I always assumed GM adopted it because it was cheaper than the Bilstein setup, though I don't know that for sure. I don't even think that most GS's had the F45, did they?That's not entirely true.
The Grand Sport came with only the LT4 engine. It did come with a unique paint/stripe package, but it also came with the ZR-1 rear tires and wheels, and if I'm not mistaken bigger brakes.
A lot of testing went into the Grand Sport as well as the adjustable suspension which was supposed to be more advanced than the FX3 from previous years, but was basically unique to the 1996 model year.
Sharing the limelight with the Collector's Edition? Not sure I totally agree with that.
The Collector's Edition came with unique Sebring Silver Metallic paint and ZR-1 front wheels. It could be ordered with either the LT1 or the LT4 engine. However, for all intents and purposes, the Grand Sport was the Swan Song of the 1996 model year, and its performance pretty much matched that of the ZR-1.
It should be easy to expound on it then, no?I do not believe you know of what you speak, a lot of thought went into the 1996 Grand Sport.
I'm not sure why what I said caused such a stir? I don't believe I ever said the car was not special. As you note, many Corvettes are special. I also think the Grand Sports, and the LT4, are pretty neat. I think what they did to send off the C4 (and the Chevy smallblock) was great, especially considering they likely had little time or budget in which to do it.That said, the '96 GS is truly a special car, and moreover, the people who own them know that like all Corvettes, they are special. And further, as the leader of the Grand Sport Registry, a Mr. John 'Hutch' Hutchinson frequently says, quote, "There is just something about a GS." A more factually correct statement has rarely been uttered.