A C5 Reskin anybody?

[sothpaw]

Does anybody wish they had extended the C5 production a year or two and made a minor
change to the body style?

C5, IMHO, bears historical similarity to gen II, 63-67, in that both were/are hugely popular
but GM never evolved the body. Instead, they come out with an all new Body.

I like better what they did with gen I, III, IV. The body changed. If you didn't like something
about it in the beginning, maybe the final evolution was more your style.

I really like the C5's front when I see it come down the road. But try as I may, I just can't
warm up to the back. It is just too big. It makes the whole car look too big. This is not
a caddy, it's a sports car--sports cars are not supposed to seem huge!

I was really hoping since '98 that GM would change the back at some point to make it smaller.
Then, C5 would be perfect (well, it is a little big...but I could overlook it if it's not thrown in
my face). I also like the idea of milking a winning cow for all she's worth...

 

[Black Ice]

Well C6 is not a whole new car. Its a major reskin/remodel. Its still mostly C5 underneath.

 

[LMN8R]

I think that there are good arguments for doing it both ways, but IMHO, they're doing it right. As Black Ice said, the C6 will essentially be a reskin of the C5. New body, new interior, essentially the same drivetrain (LS generation block, albeit with more displacement and HP) and chassis.

I feel like the C3 and C4 were in production for too long. I think we have to recognize that the car market/climate was much different in that era, and you cannot get away with letting a style go on for so long. Remember, much of the C5 comes from the late 80's, and the C4 was slated to be replaced much sooner.

The C2 to C3 transition was very similar to the one that they're about to do with the C5/6. Similar chassis, different body and interior.

Just my $.02, and with the economy these days, the value has dropped to $.01. Shame.

Greg

 

[Senna1994]

Great Post Greg, I couldn't say it any better myself. For what it is worth, I will give you .03 cents. BI, is the back slimmer and better integrated on the C6? I don't know if you are allowed to answer this, but let us know what you can.

 

[sothpaw]

With the 2004 model year, C5 will be an 8 year production run.

You think it would have killed them to make a few changes, say
at year 5, and extend the run to 9 years? 10 tops?

Yes, C6 is a reskin, but a complete one. The C4 interior changed,
and the front/back changed, but it was an evolution, not a total
reskin. C5/6 is just like C2/3. And just like gen 2, I bet people
will covet gen 5 cars because they won't like the new ones at
first. Except production numbers on gen 5 have been high each
year...

I don't see alot of money spent by GM on C5 after start of production, except to fix mechanical flaws and bring out the
already planned Z06 and vert.

 

[invinceablevett]

2005 c6 forum

I hope GM doesn't miss the boat this time like they did with the 50th anniversary.I was at the dealer,ready to tell the salesman to write up the paperwork for his convertible 2003 50th anniversary edition,when,I turned to him and said I can't beleive I am being taken for a fool like this.I was just about to shell out an extra 9 Grand(Canadian) for freaken badges here and there.Oh yeah the suspension.....I forgot!!!I really think they blew the chance to change the styling just enough to make them all stand out as 50th anniversaries.....and they could have thrown in a special model with a few more horses(convertible of caurse).Man I would have paid 20 grand more.Instead I kept my 92........I really believe that all they care about is riding the wave,the longer they can stretch it............I hope they don't miss that boat again.Then again they don't care about little old me.....I bought one already........lol.

 

[Black Ice]

Indeed the rear end has lost the J-Lo Bubble butt.

 

[Edmond]

I don't see alot of money spent by GM on C5 after start of production, except to fix mechanical flaws and bring out the
already planned Z06 and vert.

What's up sothpaw? I agree with your statement there and I think I know the reason why they didn't put too much into the C5. It was/is such a good seller that they probably didn't want to mess with a good thing. When the die hard enthusiasts wanted more power, GM did the Z06.

 

[Black Ice]

Indeed the 50th car was a TOTAL disappointment for such an important halo car. What this tells me is GM is more concerned with making money then giving us a "special" car.

 

[SlowRide]

Indeed the 50th car was a TOTAL disappointment for such an important halo car. What this tells me is GM is more concerned with making money then giving us a "special" car.

I agree with you, the 50th was indeed a disappointment. Why squander such an opportunity? The General should have offered a big block option for the 50th. When I say big block, I mean the C5-R block that GM manufactures and currently can be special ordered through dealerships.

Nick

 

[sothpaw]

all about money

I don't think GM failed to change the C5 because they didn't
want to mess with a winner. I think they liked the profit and
didn't think putting more capital into it would get any more
return.

I think they misjudged with the "50th"and a little money spent
might have well been worth it. How much would it cost to change
that butt?

 

[1FASTDOG]

I agree with you, the 50th was indeed a disappointment. Why squander such an opportunity? The General should have offered a big block option for the 50th. When I say big block, I mean the C5-R block that GM manufactures and currently can be special ordered through dealerships.

Nick

EPA validation of a 427 would have been a bigger issue than just dropping it into the car.

It's just possible the intent may have been to put the C-6 engine in the 50th car, IF the 50th would have been the last year of C5 production... but the run was extended, therefore; puttting the next gen motor in and then back out of the car for a year wouldn't work.

I'm not upset the 50th didn't grab money from the C6 budget because that's what would have been involved.

The folks I have met that bought the Anniversary 'vettes have seemed pleased with the car and it look and performance.

 

[Tuna]

Black Ice:

Well C6 is not a whole new car. Its a major reskin/remodel. Its still mostly C5 underneath.

What I've been hearing is that C6 will get the new LS2 motor and a chassis stretch of 2-3 inches to accommadate the new 6-sp automatic. Is that what you're seeing are is this info just dis-info?

Is the LS2 just an LS1 punched to 366ci and 400hp?

Is the chassis stretch just that and only that - using a steel C5 chassis?

What am I missing here? Inquiring minds want to know.