I am not saying Ive seen it all but I have seen my share of naked corvettes and every one that I have seen up to about 80 has not had gel coat.Ive discussed this with other painters and they said the same thing.Gel coat is just a thin coating over the glass that is basically just a layer of resin .It could be clear,gray or whatever.When you stripped your corvette did you have problems with the wiping cloth getting snagged or leaving bad fuzzy spots on the car?I have almost every time.Thats from the fibers in the glass sticking up on the surface just enough to snag the cloth.Im not here to argue but Ive never seen it on a early to mid shark