fatherlarry
05-18-2003, 07:57 PM
Has anyone seen the June 2003 issue of Motor Trend? Lots of information on the Z06. The article was written by Brian Vance, and the section is called "Speeding" Chevrolet Corvette Z06...A common man's exotic, wrapped in American pride. Well right there, I knew I would resent this article. Of course, my disagreements are my own opinion, and maybe I'm being too defensive of the Z06. But, "A Common Man's Exotic"? What does that actually mean? Does that mean that only the foreign manufacturers have the ability to build cars for speed for the uncommon man? I would feel that an intelligent business man with money to spend on a $280,000 automobile might find that the Corvette Z06 is probably the best investment he could make for a performance sports car, and have money left over to re-invest in his own business, plus give some to charity.
The article mentions how inferior the interior is on the Corvette. Well, let me say this. I have pulled apart many interiors on Jaguars, Mercedes, and Porches and, I don't see much of a difference in the materials, except for maybe closer stitiching. Where GM uses clips for mass production, others may use screws to make a closer fit. I really don't see anything cheesy about the Corvette interior. I have seen pony cars from the '60's, as well as Corvettes that up until today are still looking good and in show condition with the proper care. I have also seen interiors from foreign jobs, especially in Calif, and Florida, come apart faster then our Corvettes. I think GM did a very good job on the interior of the C5, making it look very plush, but keeping the weight down. I also feel that the interior was designed with safety in mind. Materials are softer, plastics are more pliable, dashboard is designed with safety in mind, and the chassis is definitely much stronger than the unitized ones on some of the exotics. It seems that the exotics have skimped in areas to make their cars lighter, that could compromise safety in a collision, such as the thinner metal used for their panels and frame.
Another comment in this article, ticked me off. These were his own words..."And, while we wish Chevy would build the Z06 using the sexier glass-hatch coupe body, we still love it for the unmistable, all-American "I'm a badass attitude". My question on this one is who is "WE"? Does he speak for everyone? The hardtop has been around for a long time in American automobile history. The hardtop, especially on your '55 and '57 Chevy classics, always were known to be much more attractive than a sedan with a post down the center. And the hardtop style is lighter and faster for racing. Sexy? I think the hardtop style for the Z is very sexy. The hatchback has also been around a very long time, starting in 1978, and is still with us with the C5's. And, if you look at the younger generation they are leaning away from hatchback styling leaning more towards the Euro style of pure performance. Why would we need a hatchback style on the Z06 anyway, when its meant for competition. After all, GM has to keep up with the foreign exotics. I'm sure GM didn't build the Z06 with the Walmart shopper in mind. They know that you don't need a place to carry your TV home from Walmart or your golf clubs. GM is trying to give us the best for the money and keep up with the exotics, by making the car lighter, smaller and faster, and they have succeeded with the hardtop bodystyle. If you look at the Lamborgini, no one criticizes that it doesn't have a hatchback. Does the Viper have a hatchback? I am so sick of people knocking the body style of the Z06. The hatchback is great, don't get me wrong, however, not for the Z. GM wants to keep up with the big boys, and they knew what they needed to do was change the body style for their new performance car. I do wish that they would have made the hardtop a little more aero-dynamic though. Well, that's my two cents for whatever it's worth. I will just keep on buying Corvette Magazine and Corvette Fever, the Uncommon Man's Magazines
The article mentions how inferior the interior is on the Corvette. Well, let me say this. I have pulled apart many interiors on Jaguars, Mercedes, and Porches and, I don't see much of a difference in the materials, except for maybe closer stitiching. Where GM uses clips for mass production, others may use screws to make a closer fit. I really don't see anything cheesy about the Corvette interior. I have seen pony cars from the '60's, as well as Corvettes that up until today are still looking good and in show condition with the proper care. I have also seen interiors from foreign jobs, especially in Calif, and Florida, come apart faster then our Corvettes. I think GM did a very good job on the interior of the C5, making it look very plush, but keeping the weight down. I also feel that the interior was designed with safety in mind. Materials are softer, plastics are more pliable, dashboard is designed with safety in mind, and the chassis is definitely much stronger than the unitized ones on some of the exotics. It seems that the exotics have skimped in areas to make their cars lighter, that could compromise safety in a collision, such as the thinner metal used for their panels and frame.
Another comment in this article, ticked me off. These were his own words..."And, while we wish Chevy would build the Z06 using the sexier glass-hatch coupe body, we still love it for the unmistable, all-American "I'm a badass attitude". My question on this one is who is "WE"? Does he speak for everyone? The hardtop has been around for a long time in American automobile history. The hardtop, especially on your '55 and '57 Chevy classics, always were known to be much more attractive than a sedan with a post down the center. And the hardtop style is lighter and faster for racing. Sexy? I think the hardtop style for the Z is very sexy. The hatchback has also been around a very long time, starting in 1978, and is still with us with the C5's. And, if you look at the younger generation they are leaning away from hatchback styling leaning more towards the Euro style of pure performance. Why would we need a hatchback style on the Z06 anyway, when its meant for competition. After all, GM has to keep up with the foreign exotics. I'm sure GM didn't build the Z06 with the Walmart shopper in mind. They know that you don't need a place to carry your TV home from Walmart or your golf clubs. GM is trying to give us the best for the money and keep up with the exotics, by making the car lighter, smaller and faster, and they have succeeded with the hardtop bodystyle. If you look at the Lamborgini, no one criticizes that it doesn't have a hatchback. Does the Viper have a hatchback? I am so sick of people knocking the body style of the Z06. The hatchback is great, don't get me wrong, however, not for the Z. GM wants to keep up with the big boys, and they knew what they needed to do was change the body style for their new performance car. I do wish that they would have made the hardtop a little more aero-dynamic though. Well, that's my two cents for whatever it's worth. I will just keep on buying Corvette Magazine and Corvette Fever, the Uncommon Man's Magazines