BG Plant to run out 2004s and a couple C6s Next week

[Edmond]

Everyone is concerned with how the car will look. I'm more curious as to the expected performance numbers. I know it'll be fast, but how fast?

 

[LEEJANDZ]

Saving 4 C6 -- LEEJANDZ, no offense taken, I'm just here to help contribute and share my interest and passion for the C6 Vette

WELCOME!!!

 

[blocker44]

So many posts... so many posts.

I still dont understand why there are "newbies" who registered just to reply to these posts.

Something fishy is going on.

There are a lot of newbies posting here because the moderators on the CF have been deleting and locking threads in the C6 section. You can not post the pic in my signature over there.

 

[Black Ice]

Yes I think you are right. I think a lot of people are tired of the censorship of Corvette Forum. I think a lot of these new people are C/F refugees. I mean who wants to go to a C6 forum where all the spy photos are banned? We need to welcome these new people and show them what a good forum is all about!

 

[Bigdaddy]

 

[Black Ice]

Sorry B/D that aint no C6 im sorry to tell you!

 

[Senna1994]

I agree with BI on this one.

 

[msiska]

another artist's rendition!!

 

[ROCKETBLOCK]

First of all the car im talking about is the middle one only. The reward vert is a 04. C6 will be a Modernized C5. C6 will have some C3ish styling as well as C5 and a touch of the XLR edge styling. expect MORE POWER count on exposed headlights bigger front fender humps and a C5R like theme. The bigger wheels look VERY NICE. The car has a stronger beefier look. I have said way to much already. It will be well liked by most I think, but some may not like its direction for lack of a more retro heritage.

Thank goodness.......I am up to here with retro. I'm old enough to be retro!!! If someone wants retro they can buy an old Vette and enjoy it.

 

[Black Ice]

I agree, the retro thing did not work with the new T bird IMO. Its a pretty car but somehow strange looking. C6 will have some minor retro cues but is more modern

 

[Saving 4 C6]

Slight cues would be cool, but a complete rip off would be a no no.

 

[LongTimer]

I'm sure all of us saw the white "1953" C5 that was built last year - and available as a C5 conversion. To me, it was / is a nice looking novelty, but I would not have purchased one even if sold by GM at a 'normal' price. I've been seen the '53 for most of my life. If I wanted one bad enough, I'd have one by now. Corvette should build on its heritage, not replicate its heritage.

I respect the heck out of those who invest time and $$ bringing oldies back to better than new condition. I will drive many miles to see them. But, I want to drive a state of the art machine that looks like a contemporary tastefull, sporting Corvette.

 

[Brett]

I think "going retro" is absolutely horrible. It's a downright flawed concept.

Like Rocketblock said "If someone wants retro they can buy an old Vette and enjoy it". Amen. That is really all that needs to be said. And that goes for all cars.

It cheapens and destroys the meaning of the cars that actually ARE "retro". They are cool because they are old! You can't copy that! There is no reason to re-invent the past. A car, ESPECIALLY sports cars, should ALWAYS be evolving--because sooner or later, THAT model will be someone else's "retro" car.
"Going retro" is like admitting a car's demise.

A retro design is a fake design, by definition, plain and simple.

Brett

 

[Rob]

I think "going retro" is absolutely horrible. It's a downright flawed concept.

Like Rocketblock said "If someone wants retro they can buy an old Vette and enjoy it". Amen. That is really all that needs to be said. And that goes for all cars.

It cheapens and destroys the meaning of the cars that actually ARE "retro". They are cool because they are old! You can't copy that! There is no reason to re-invent the past. A car, ESPECIALLY sports cars, should ALWAYS be evolving--because sooner or later, THAT model will be someone else's "retro" car.
"Going retro" is like admitting a car's demise.

A retro design is a fake design, by definition, plain and simple.

Brett

I'm not sure if I agree 100%. Various marques have their own, unique identifying design cues that tend to get carried through every model and through every generation. Examples: Porshe design, the kidney shaped grills of a BMW, the front grille design of a Mercedes, or an Aston Martin.

Some design cues are influenced based upon engineering necessities which can also be influenced by the technology of the day. Because technology has advanced so much since the '50s and '60s, automotive designers can go back and provide a fresh view on some of those design cues that were dictated based upon engineering and technology principles of the day.

Along with the advancement of technology comes the advancement of better manufacturing skills and procedures. As a result, various body shapes and curves can now be stamped, welded or pressed in ways that were not previously available in the automotive manufacturing arena.

For a while, automotive design was evolving towards a black hole of boringness. Because of the resurgence of retro-design, I think that a lot of fantastic designs are starting to appear now.

I am not a Ford Mustang fan, although I do respect what Ford has managed to do with that antiquated Fox chassis, I think the new Mustang concept that has been all over the magazines is interesting and well done. The new Ford GT (the old GT40) that Ford is going to be coming out with soon, is nothing short of stunning. Aston Martin is coming out with a special AMV8 Vantage which is designed to take on the Porsche 911 and they are using a few design cues that come from previous generations of Aston Martin. In the latest Road and Track magazine is several pictures of this Aston Martin. I literally stopped reading for a couple minutes and just examined and salivated over the pictures of this car. It is one of the most exciting and muscular car designs I've seen come from any automotive manufacturer in a long time.

All of these designs are retro to various degrees and offer an exciting and fresh new look at automotive design.

Even some of the retro cues used on the C5 were done quite tastefully to recall and honor previous generations of Corvette.

As long as the concept of retro is not taken to the extreme ( a primary example is the Ford GT where it looks almost exactly like the GT40 - however, I was always extremely fond of the GT40 for as long as I can remember so I'm not bothered by it), and retro design cues are tastefully incorporated into evolutionary designs, I don't think there's anything wrong with it. Just my two cents.

 

[Vettelt193]

I think it is fine to take design cues from the older cars, but not try to re-make a modern day version of an old car. The new T-Bird is a great example of that. They tried to take too many cues from the classic T Bird and managed to make the car look like crap.... But, the C5's waterfall (and other classic styling hints) work well, and fit into a modern day corvette, not a wannabe classic corvette.

 

[ROCKETBLOCK]

OK... here's my 2 cents worth again, now that we are on retro. I thought the GT40 was a nice looking car, but even the new version looks a little dated against the wedgy high tech shapes we are seeing in race cars today. I was sold on the C5 because it was not a throwback but an evolutionary design based on modern theories and aerodynamics. I was sold on the C4 for the same reasons. I think there is a place for retro, but not on the C6 Corvette!!!

 

[Brett]

I wasn't talking about little styling cues here and there. I'm talking about vehicles like the T-bird and the PT Cruiser.

I totally agree a car should have a recognizable look from generation to generation. Corvette has done this perfectly. Each generation broke its own ground and set new standards, yet it was still a Corvette.

I think it is fine to revert back slightly to an older look as long as it makes engineering sense, i.e. you aren't sacrificing strength or performance to do it. Improvement should be goal number one.

Like you said Rob, I'm not a Mustang fan either, but people that are should be excited about the new look. I think it is very well done. It is an excellent balance of retaining the vehicle's history and moving forward as well. I'm confident the C6 will accomplish this also.




Brett

 

[Edmond]

I wasn't talking about litle styling cues here and there. I'm talking about vehicles like the T-bird and the PT Cruiser.

I totally agree a car should have a recognizable look from generation to generation. Corvette has done this perfectly. Each generation broke its own ground and set new standards, yet it was still a Corvette.

I think it is fine to revert back slightly to an older look as long as it makes engineering sense, i.e. you aren't sacrificing strength or performance to do it. Improvement should be goal number one.

Like you said Rob, I'm not a Mustang fan either, but people that are should be excited about the new look. I think it is very well done. It is an excellent balance of retaining the vehicle's history and moving forward as well. I'm confident the C6 will accomplish this also.




Brett

Brett,

I agree with your points. If a car has too much resemblance to the cars from it's own past, the manufacturer is just trying to sell the heritage. And they also make them limited editions. That sells pretty well at first, like the PT Cruiser, but after a while, people don't see it like they first did.

 

[Lil' Red]

Retro

As far as the T-Bird goes it has it's good points and bad I think the price point is outrageous but I was speaking with a regional exec and he said it will only be built for three years so the concept is go retro for a short period of time and put it to rest. That concept T-Bird being shown at the Auto Shows this year with the supercharged engine is a nice direction to go. I have a 63 T-Bird so I also agree with the notion that if you want retro buy an old car but repairs and parts makes it a very expensive hobby but paying homage to heritage also has it's place as long as it's a limited situation. I also agree with Rob that technology has changed and if you can have some of the retro hues with a modern application why not. The Ford 49 is slammin' and the new Charger may find it's place also. The PT Cruiser was a good innovative concept but the cheesy engine made it worthless IMO. The 53 concept C5 is smokin' as far as I'm concern but there again the price of an old one compared to the practicallity of that one speaks volumes. As they say there's no future without the past and going Back To The Future ain't all that bad.

 

[Black Ice]

I have seen used TBirds going here for $29K with 5K miles on them with the hard top! thats the way to go if one wants one.