Mar 09 2010

The 2005 Corvette Brings The Latest C6 Generation Of Corvette To The Forefront

Category: 1 — Alex Schult @ 8:25 pm

When the 2005 Corvette came to pass it was quickly proclaimed by many critics and enthusiasts to be the best Corvette of all times. Yet there where a fair share of those who criticized General Motors (GM) because the newest generation of Corvette looked more like an improvement from its predecessor and not a total redesign.

The first of the C6 generation of Corvettes began to be put together, design wise, in 2000 and made Vette history by becoming the first Corvette ever to be developed in tandem with another GM model. The C6 Corvette was being developed at the same time as the 2004 Cadillac XLR was taking shape.

The priority was to be the Cadillac. It was to be launched first because it represented the reappearance of GM’s luxury car brand. After the XLR was complete GM would be able to give its full attention to the C6 project. Because of this the C6 could not be a total redesign.

Even though, the 2005 Corvette was extremely new in content it grabbed much of its inspiration from the XLR and used much of the same fit and finish composite type body panels, , interior design, and power train and road noise isolation. Some of the other most notable differences from the C5 generation included:

New Engine: The 2005 Corvette had an entirely new engine put into it. The LS2 was not only 50 horsepower more than its LS1 predecessor at a whopping 400 horsepower, but it came out a full 15 pound lighter as well.

Improved Chassis: The all independent suspension was the same as the C5 before it, but GM used all new and improved components through the suspension for an even better overall ride versus the C5.

Head Lamps: Taking cues from past generations of the Corvette, the 2005 Corvette and featured exposed head lamps.

Transmission: The 2005 Corvette, like the C5, offered a choice of six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The automatic four-speed received programming called Performance Shift Algorithm, which it acquired from Cadillac, while the Tremec T56 manual six speed transmission featured a shorter shift lever and had more positive action.

Made Smaller: In an attempt to gain popularity and boost sales in Europe, GM decided to make the 2005 C6 Corvette smaller and less bulky. While this is certainly better for a more crowded pollution, they did receive much criticism for the move as some cited it was too small and compact for a true sports car.

OnStar: For the first time in Corvette history, the 2005 Corvette came with the option of OnStar, which is a voice activated system that can be used to call for help in case of an accident and can even assist in opening a locked door.

Though the 2005 C6 Corvette may have proved to be more of an evolution of the C5 as opposed to an entirely new automobile, the super car took huge steps in the way of refinement and performance. While it is true that it was made smaller than its C5 grand dad that just meant it was more agile and precise. The design showed flashes of the past and brought to mind the classic Sting Rays of 1963-1967 and above all else the 2005 Corvette represented true value. With all the improvements made its base price still came in under that of the last C5 produced. Power and performance; is there anything better?

For additional info or questions about The 2005 Corvette C6 Generation please see the SmokinVette Team at www.smokinvette.com

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Mar 04 2010

Corvette Forums And Why They Matter

Category: 1 — Alex Schult @ 9:38 pm

I received in the mail a free AOL disc and I first went \”online\” with it back in 1990. The AOL phase lasted about 5 years and in 1995 a friend said to me, \”You don\’t need AOL to surf the net.\” I was honestly surprised back then; I was ignorant to the whole internet thing. A few days later I started to cruise the info superhighway and didn\’t look back to AOL. Also, at that time PC\’s had not been interesting to many people, however they did rush to stores with computers so they could get on the internet and receive their email.

Back at that time the Internet was really different. Just about everyone was on dial-up, so sites and web pages were simpler. The net hadn\’t yet been taken over by commerce sites so it was easier to find \”information\” then. Chat rooms and forums had been around since the early \’80s, but they were difficult to use. AOL\’s interface helped make it much easier.

While blogging began around 1994, it didn\’t start to take off until \’99 with the introduction of \”blogging tools.\” When political pundits glommed on to blogs in \’02, the blogosphere really took off. Now, there\’s a blog for everything. This is good news and bad news. For researchers like me, when I do a search, nearly half of the links are for product, services, books, auction listings, and forum or blog comments. At first, I was kind of annoyed with the Corvette forum links because searches often linked to things such as, \”I like side-pipes too.\” But when I took some time to go to the Corvette forum\’s home page, I was pleasantly surprised to find a rich, comprehensive information source.

Take a Corvette forum such as SmokinVette.com. The Corvette hobby is huge because it covers a 57 year lineage of cars in six distinct generations. SmokinVette has Corvette forums for all six generations. Once you\’re into your generation\’s forum, cruise around, and check out the topics. Every forum is unique, so spend some time poking around the links, controls, and drop-down boxes. It\’s like wandering around a big box, home improvement store. It\’s a little overwhelming at first, but it doesn\’t take long and you know just where to find that sky hook you\’re looking for.

Sometimes I\’m just in the mood to look at pictures. SmokinVette has a HUGE collection of Corvette photos. And what would a high-testosterone topic like Corvettes be without a collection of Corvette Girls? BORING! You won\’t find anything too over the top at SmokinVette, but you WILL find lots of SMOKIN babes. That\’s a compliment, ladies.

Owning a pleasure boat is a lot more economically challenging than owning a Corvette, but you could possibly spend extra money on things such as personalizing and refurbishing your Corvette. You can find a \”Vette Parts\” section in SmokinVette, which can help you locate anything from a crate engine or supercharger to LED lights or used parts. You may have thought that there is a limited range of parts and you will be impressed to know that is not true. You will quickly discover there are a variety of parts being offered by very creative Corvette know-it-alls.

But don\’t just be a voyeur. After you go through the free registration, you can add your two-cents to any of the forums, start a new forum topic, and ask a Corvette question, or post photos and images. Corvette people are VERY helpful. When you own a Vette, or are an enthusiast, you\’re a member of a uniquely American club. The whole \”Save the Wave\” thing got started as a way for Corvette owners to acknowledge one another on the road. Corvettes aren\’t just \”cars.\” They\’re something more, something intangible that you don\’t begin to \”get\” until you drive one. Driving a Corvette is a uniquely sensual experience. You don\’t just \”ride\” in a Corvette, you DRIVE a Corvette because they are designed and made to be DRIVEN. I\’ve lost track of how many times I\’ve read or heard a new Corvette owner say, \”I never really understood this car until I drove one.\” That\’s the \”GOTCHA!\” moment.

Create some time to get comfortable, and view some Corvette forums, such as SmokinVette.com. It is very educational, engaging and a really good way to meet like-minded people that \”get\” the passion for the Corvette. Enough said! -KST

For additional info and questions about Why A Corvette Forum Matters please see the Smokinvette Team at www.smokinvette.com

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Mar 03 2010

The 1968 Corvette

Category: Automotive — Alex Schult @ 3:44 pm

The first model that set off a fifteen year run for the C3 \”Shark\” generation of the Corvette that stands today is the 1968 Corvette. The C3 generation that ran until 1982, would prove to be the most stubborn of all the Corvette generations. The selling record numbers in the late 1960\’s, huge numbers in the 1970\’s despite the gas crunch and holding until early in the 1980\’s. This prolonged existence started with the 1968 Corvette which brought a new design that would inspire Corvettes that are driven today the C6 generation of 2005 to present.

Larry Shinoda under the watchful direction of Bill Mitchell, designed the 1968 Corvette in 1964. . By 1965 the Mako Shark II Concept Car was brought to the public eye by way of car shows and the 1968 Corvette would be an almost identical product by way of looks.

After all the auto shows were over the Shinoda/Mitchell design was then sent to Chevrolet styling under David Hollis. The mid-engine design of the Mako Shark II was dropped and design began to take shape using the existing Sting Ray chassis. As the 1968 Corvette began to form there were obvious overtones from the Mako Shark II design and the 1968 Corvette was basically the same car from the beltline down, just with softer contours.

Some of the new innovations to the 1968 Corvette included:

*Total redesign of the body. *Removable T-Top roof panels and back window on the coupe model. *Redesigned interior. *Optional three-speed Hydra-matic transmission to replace the previous two-speed Powerglide.

The engine stayed the same and was a carryover from the previous year, even though ,the 1968 Corvette had new features. There was no lack of power actually it was quite the contrary. Road & Track conducted several speed tests with the 1968 Corvette and found that the small-block 327 V-8 put out 350-bhp and had a reported top speed of 128 miles per hour. Even better was the big block put out a whopping 400 bhp and could do 0-60 miles per hour in 5.7 seconds.

For first time the Sting Ray name was not attached to the Chevrolet muscle machine which was new to the 1968 Corvette. It was advertised using the Sting Ray name. The Sting Ray name would one year later find its way back to the Corvette.

The unveiling of the new 1968 Corvette was suppose to be a secret according to General Motors, however, prior to the official unveiling there was one a few weeks earlier. Before the 1968 Corvette was unveiled Mattel released an unauthorized new Hot Wheels line that was the custom Corvette. This surprised General Motors.

The critics gave the 1968 Corvette poor reviews, even though, the Corvette fans loved it. This did not bother consumers and at the end of the year Chevrolet\’s new Corvette had the last laugh with a record sale of 28, 566 cars sold which was an increase from the 5,000 from the last year of the Sting Ray.

For more info or questions about The The 1968 Corvette please visit the Smokinvette Group at www.smokinvette.com

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Mar 02 2010

The 1984 Corvette Proves To Be A True Form Follows Function Design

Category: Automotive — Alex Schult @ 10:50 pm

The 1984 Corvette not only represented the new C4 generation of the Corvette, it also represented the first time in 15 years that General Motors set out to totally redesign the Corvette. The mission statement for chief engineers and designers Jerry Palmer and David R. McClellan would be \’form follows function.\’ Though this was supposedly followed in the past, this new generation had to prove to be worth the wait.

The 1984 Corvette design started years earlier and was meant to come out in 1983 so the Corvette fans could have a 30 year anniversary model. However, there were snags and glitches that delayed production and the new generation would not go into production until March of 1983 but had to be unveiled as a 1984 model. The 1984 Corvette was worth the wait.

The 1984 Corvette was a total redesign from the top down and carried over nothing from the \’Shark\’ area save the engine. Some of the new features for the 1984 Corvette included:

Improved Frame: Chevrolet and the 1984 Corvette made history incorporating the first ever uni-frame, or \’birdcage\’ frame.

Improved Steering: The 1984 Corvette featured rack-and-pinion steering design as opposed to the past recirculating-ball steering that General Motors typically used at the time.

Improved Suspension: The 1984 Corvette featured a Z51 Performance Handling Package. This package included 13.0:1 quick-ratio steering, heavy-duty shocks, and upgraded front and rear springs. The new Corvette also featured Formula 1 and Indy Car racing inspired V-Rated tires for a better overall grip.

Improved Braking: A new design of 11.5 inch rotors made their way onto the 1984 Corvette. These rotors were a special design from the company Girlock.

Improved Hood: The 1984 Corvette saw the birth of the clam-shell hood which made access to the engine much easier than previous models.

Improved Trunk: The 1984 Corvette had a bigger back piece of glass that opened as a hatch to give way to a much roomier trunk.

Improved Top: The new Corvette brought the first targa top with no centerline reinforcement for the muscle car.

Improved Transmission: The 1984 Corvette had a new four speed automatic transmission like no one had ever known before. Dubbed the \’4+3,\’ the new transmission was basically a regular four speed transmission with three planetary gears attached to the rear which acted as a step down or overdrive reduction in the top three gears when signaled by the computer.

The engine was a carryover from the 1982 model and the 1984 Corvette was able to put out 5 additional horsepower and 5 additional foot pounds of torque because of a more efficient radiator fan and accessory drive. The 5.7-liter 350 V-8 featured twin throttle-body electronic fuel injection and \’CrossFire\’ manifolding with dual ram-air intakes.

The spring of 1983 was the official unveiling of the 1984 Corvette. The 1984 Corvette came out much to the surprise of the enthusiasts and critics. Thanks to an extra long model year the 1984 Corvette sold 51,547 units and this represented the second highest in Corvette history. Since it took a long time for General Motors to make another generation of a Corvette it appears that the wait was more than worth it.

For additional information or questions about 1984 Corvette please visit the Smokinvette Group at www.smokinvette.com

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