More support for the Hardtop

[fatherlarry]

I copied this from the C5 Corvette Performance Center web site. I had posted about the uniqueness of the hardtop and got an interesting response from someone called '63SplitWindow. The person defended my post to someone called "hcvone", who had disagreed with my post. Thought you'd be interested to see that other Corvette owners, other than HT owners, recognize the difference and small production numbers of the HT.
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'63SplitWindow
New Member
Posts: 1
From: bethlehem, pa, usa
Registered: Nov 2001
posted November 07, 2001 06:44 AM
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quote:
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Originally posted by hcvone:
FatherLarry, I understand where your coming from, but the fact of the matter is that most car manufacturers make so many cars they kill the market, the Vettes of today will never be wanted like the mid to late 60's Vettes. I have owned 4 C4 coupes, 2 C5 convertibles and now a Z06, I personally think the C5 convertible is the best looking C5, but that is why Vette has 3 different models, and the only thing that saved the hardtop was making the Z06 a hardtop only car, because the sales were really falling off.


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FYI, many cars that were totally undesirable at the time they were manufactured, became very collectible later on, due to rarity and uniqueness, justlike the Ford five window coupe. Remember, '99-'00 Hardtop (FRC) is NOT a Z06, for which there are many. AND, is not a convertible or coupe (hatchback). As a matter of fact, only 6,000 were made for those two years. My personal opinion is that this car has great style and is different than all the rest, let alone a stronger construction than the coupe or vert, and lighter. I know the convertible is popular (open air etc), however, personally I think it looks like a bathtub, but to each their own. I think father larry has brought out some good points, which makes the Corvette still an interest point. You views seem to make the whole Corvette experience very mediocore and it isn't. Remember, its still a $50k car and an American icon. Don't assume you know what will happen 30 years from now as far as collectible. It shouldn't bother you that someone has a special interest in the FRC, after all, this forum is for FRC/Z06/LS6.

[N4C5S]

hcvone is a moderator here

JC

[fatherlarry]

Originally posted by N4C5S
hcvone is a moderator here

JC

Well, so much for his enthusiasm for hardtops. Frankly, if someone was enthused about their convertible, I would never try to convince them otherwise. Problem is that whenever someone has some positive thoughts about something, there is always someone there to create negativity. Everyone here is supposed to be hardtop enthusiasts, am I wrong? I think if I had posted that message here, I would have received Rah Rah's from most. So here's the original post I wrote on the C5 Performance Center Site.


It seems the Hardtops are starting to be recognized as a classic within its own era. The controversy over the 1999-2000 HT, forefather of the Z06, is quite a story. And the classic look of this hardtop makes it a very desirable Corvette. Only 4,000 built in 1999 and 2,000 in year 2000. That means only 12% of all C5's built in 1999 were hardtops and 6% in 2000. It seems the popularity is growing on other websites and the demand for the car is rising. Not knowing about this when I bought mine, I had several dealers call me offering me $5,000-6,000 over what I paid, because they had interested customers willing to buy them. They say its the first hardtop since 1963-1967, but the rarity of it is that its not a hardtop fastback. Its more like the removable hardtops, and the classic design of this fixed roof coupe sets it aside from the others with its own category.

I believe that Corvette enthusiasts should not have to always defend their enthusiasm. I feel that posting on Corvette forums has become a precarious venture, not knowing if what you posted in good faith can be twisted around or attacked. I just want to have fun. It's great if someone voices their opinion, that's what this is all about. My opinion is based on my experience, and enthusiasm of classic cars, which is only an educated opinion. It's just like betting on horses, but I do see potential in the hardtop. The hardtop is definitely different. That's why we are all here, or so I thought. It's surprising to learn that someone who is moderating this site does not have the enthusiasm for the hardtop as we all do. However, he is still entitled to his opinion and I respect that.

[Ernie King]

All I can say is that when it came time to put out the money for a Corvette, I looked at the Coupe, Convert. Those were my first choice. That was until I saw a Wonderful HT on the Showroom Floor. God I just fell in love. Ok you can say what you want, yes the HT does not have all the extras the the others have, but that's what makes it a HT. Nothing fancy just pure fun.

I will not say anything bad about the others, they of coarse are Corvettes, and fine ones at that. Maybe i'm wrong on this but in 2000 they only made 189 Nassau Blue HT's It's got be worth something down the road. If not I'm still having fun at 58.

Only the best to you all..

Ernie

[fcalmes]

Ernie,

The first time I layed eyes on a FRC, it was love at first site!!

I bought 2 1999 FRCs at once.

[Ernie King]

Frank,

I think that's one of the reasons my wife said yes, she loved it too, I think it was the color, but she loved the style.

When we went the the 2000 BB in April, we had everything we needed in the back, plus had room to pickup some goodies down there.

Have a great weekend everybody.. Hope some of you are going to the Cartek Shootout this weekend.

Ernie

[FRC Tom]

Don't mind Carl Larry, he just missed the boat on the FRC.
The Z06 mules were already built in 1999, Dave Hill already knew what he wanted. The FRC was just the stepping stone.
He told me he wants the FRC to be included at the Z06 Fest.
The FRC was built for us no frills performance folks and the FRC/Z06 took it a couple of steps further.
We can forgive Carl though, he got rid of his Vert and now owns a EB Z06.

[sigung86]

Larry,

Maybe Carl was trying, indirectly, to get us over here where everything was pretty much laid out. I came in here and started posting right away for an FRC registry, and kept you posted via email if you recall. What I found out by reading back in history was that FRC Tom had spoken to JC about taking over the FRC registry as far back as January.

You have to consider that Carl is well known and pretty well respected on both forums, and the politics of "cross foruming" can be pretty brutal. That was the reason that I didn't come right over to the other forum when I found this place, and post publicly, but did start posting via e-mail.

You, and others may consider me a "moderate", but I love the heck out of my FRC, but it seems that we may ought to give a break to Carl.

Bottom line is that, anyway you take it, or make it ... We are here now, and we need to build this section and make the FRC Forum, and registry something to be proud of, and a fun place to be.
For instance, I'm trying to figure out a way to get the word out to unknown FRC owners about the Forum, and the registry. And I really would welcome any input on that.

Take care,