Saw a C6 on the road!

[FalconJack]

I saw a C6 Saturday driving down the road and was surprised. I didn't know they were on the road already. Did I see a factory rep driving a car that hasn't been released yet, or are they available for purchase now?

[Zippy]

Jack:

Chevrolet Engineers are driving a number of 2005 Vettes for testing and validation before production begins. They do this every year. Production is scheduled to begin July 19th.

Hope this helps.

Zippy

[TexasBlue72]

Jack, how about some details? Was it one of the convertibles? What color?

[FalconJack]

So I guess I was right in thinking I was seeing something that isn't that common. It was like spotting a UFO. I had a camera in my hand and didn't even think to take a picture. It looked nice. It looked smaller. It was dark red like the TV commercial.

[FalconJack]

It was a coupe.

[xsiveone]

There is a thread around here about someone on the forum (Chris Rowe) running into the engineers at a restaurant and actually getting to drive one. I believe that he's in your neck of the woods.

Here's the thread in case you missed it.

X

[FRC Tom]

I believe that every 9th car on the assembly line now is a C6.

[Sanford]

A Z06 coupe ..............not interested.

[No Doubt]

Well, the Z06 is a fixed roof coupe. The C6 coupes, and obviously the verts, are not as the coupes roof panels are removeable.

The C6 Z06 will also be a fixed roof coupe but with fastback glass. That is, the roof panels are fixed and not removeable.

[rwd]

Originally Posted by No Doubt

The C6 Z06 will also be a fixed roof coupe but with fastback glass. That is, the roof panels are fixed and not removeable.

Yup, and frankly, this strategy just mystifies me.

[No Doubt]

Whether or not one likes the fastback vs the notchback design, like the current Z06, is purely subjective. However, from a manufacturing standpoint it's simpler and less costly to keep the C6 coupe design but just make the roof panels fixed. They can also claim, truthfully, the fastback design is more aerodynamic and use it as a selling (marketing) point. In addition, it would save weight and be more rigid as well.

[Sanford]

No Doubt you are right, but I like the "notchback" design similar to the convertible. New hood and Magnacharger S/C is where my money is going.

[TexasBlue72]

Agreed. I, too like the fixed roof design. I like it because it sets the Z apart as a distinct model now. If I want removable panels I'll drive my '72 Stingray. (T-Tops)

[rwd]

Originally Posted by No Doubt

Whether or not one likes the fastback vs the notchback design, like the current Z06, is purely subjective. However, from a manufacturing standpoint it's simpler and less costly to keep the C6 coupe design but just make the roof panels fixed. They can also claim, truthfully, the fastback design is more aerodynamic and use it as a selling (marketing) point. In addition, it would save weight and be more rigid as well.

Dunno.

Hill has claimed configuring the car like a SWC (no external storage access) is unacceptable nowadays. Longer fastback glass (albeit shorter than the coupe) would seem to reduce a trunk opening beyond practicality. It's not that deep now.

That'd seem to suggest a hatchback, and that would leave the same rigidity-sapping hole in the rear as the coupe (compared to a fixed roof notchback which has crossbracing in the b-pillar area and also utilizes the glass itself).

I'm also not sure about the weight tradeoffs. I suspect it'd be close, even with lexan.

It'd help aero, but not necessarily the looks, and it'd be essentially a coupe (with a different rear hatch) that you can't take the top off of. That sounds like a minus selling proposition to me. I hope I'm wrong.

[PerforminNorman]

Usually, pre-production cars that are on the road have "manufacturers" plates on them. I wish I could see one on the street. Preferrably with me behind the wheel.