July 1, 2004
It's Here 2005 C6 CORVETTE PRICING! CLICK HERE for the pricing and order guide!
 

June 27, 2004
Ron Fellows and Johnny O'Connell won the GTS class today, in the Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette C5-R

June 24, 2004
NEW CORVETTE RED
It's Official! The new C6 Red replacing Precision Red, and a closer match to Torch Red,  will be called Victory Red. Ummm ... So let's see, if you got one of the few Precision Red C6's, how long before it's a collector car?

June 18, 2004
CORVETTE GENUINE ACCESSORIES
The Next Generation of Corvette Accessories
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – The sixth generation C6 Corvette can turn heads by simply standing still.  Add to that an all-new generation of accessories, designed and engineered by the same people that created the vehicle, and the result is a Corvette enthusiast’s dream.

While designing the C6 expressive new muscular design GM took it one step further and integrated accessories into the vehicle development.  Corvette Chief Engineer and Vehicle Line Executive, David Hill, worked with the accessories team at the onset of the Corvette design process.  “All Genuine Corvette Accessories are engineered to meet strict OEM quality standards,” said Hill.  “The result is an array of accessories with the best fit, best function and most tailored appearance for the Corvette.”  GM’s design studio created a genuine Corvette accessory logo that will be featured on many of the new accessories.

It’s all about personalization.  The Corvette owner can customize the appearance of their vehicle by alternating the standard ebony pieces for body color trim pieces.  Body color accessories, including interior trim, a center high mounted stop lamp, license plate holders and exterior door handles, offer C6 owners an extra dose of vehicle personalization.  There are also color keyed interior options for the shift knob and boot, and park brake handle and boot.  A 10-spoke wheel will be offered in multiple finishes and aluminum sill plates coordinate with the standard metal interior accents.  “Such high-level integration with the vehicle ensures harmony between the vehicle and the accessories,” said Vicki DeGrace, Corvette Accessory Program Manager.  “Genuine Corvette Accessories were designed to enhance the appearance and meet customer needs.  To increase storage space, GM has designed a storage tray for the Coupe and a storage pouch that works in both the Coupe and Convertible.  A wind break reduces air turbulence when the Corvette is in top-down cruising mode.

“Genuine corvette Accessories offer the peace of mind of a GM limited warranty,” said DeGrace.  “Either 36/36 on parts installed at the time of new vehicle delivery or a 12/12 on over-the-counter sales.  The advantages of Genuine Corvette Accessories are clear:  most tailored appearance, OEM quality, and the GM limited warranty.”

Available at Chevrolet Dealers

For a complete list of Chevy Accessories and to find out about more ways to personalize the Corvette C6, please visit www.chevyaccessories.com or call toll-free 866-901-9001 to speak to one of GM’s knowledgeable accessory agents.  All Chevrolet accessories can be purchased through Chevrolet dealerships.

June 16, 2004

Torch Red…or something like it…the saga continues!
Registry Members – The saga really does continue.  The latest word is that the powers to be are REALLY Listening and are taking ACTION!  Thanks for all the emails we have received expressing interest in “It’s about time RED”.  Your submission of names has been overwhelming and we certainly must say that our members are the most creative Corvette owners we’ve ever met! 

 Here’s the latest plan…it is to only offer Precision Red for a period of time at the start of C6 production.  (There’s no word on what “a period of time” is, so your guess is as good as ours.  We believe that it would happen by mid September 2004.)  Then Precision Red will be ELIMINATED and this "NEW RED" will take its place.  So if you are ordering (which everyone who wants a C6 is) then you would have to have your dealer hold off on your Precision Red order until the "NEW RED" is released into the dealer ordering system.  Once again, this “NEW RED” is not going to be exactly like the C5 Torch Red we all know and love.  We do know it is going to be a new VERSION of RED for the C6.  The latest guess (and that’s all it is) is that this red is similar to the red that is on the SSR Chevy truck which is currently called "REDLINE RED".  But I promise you they will not use that name.  Redline Red is a brighter truer colored red.  It does not have the C5 Torch Red orange hue color in it.  

For all our members who have been asking about a Torch Red type replacement interior to be used in the C6 lineup, we have heard of NO plan for that color of interior for the 2005 C6 model year.  But things can always change!

June 10, 2004
C6 Ordering Begins Today!
Registry Members – Scott Montgomery, sales manager for Les Stanford Chevrolet in Dearborn, MI has informed us that the first batch of C6 allocations will be accepted by GM today! We’re sure that many of you have been standing in line at your dealer’s to place your order your brand new C6 or have left large deposits with them. Today is the day to call your dealer and ask, “when will MY order be submitted???” We know that all 7,500+ of you will keep the phone lines busy to your dealers today! Thanks, Scott, for this valuable info!
In Other News…
Les Stanford Chevrolet is continuing to discount his remaining C5s. You can get a Z06 Z16 for $12,000 off MSRP with GM Owner Loyalty. He is also offering up to $13,000 off all other Coupes, Convertibles, and non-commemorative Z06’s in stock. Don’t miss out on one of these great deals! Give Scott a call today at Les Stanford Chevrolet at 313-724-1412 or e-mail him at smontgomery@lesstanford.com  

June 9, 2004

Torch Red…or something like it has been approved
Registry Members - FINALLY the powers to be at C6 are listening.  All during the Birthday Bash, especially at the seminars, it became very evident from our members that a C6 without TORCH RED was not what the members envisioned.  Our members wanted something similar to Torch Red to be offered in the C6 color palette.  We have learned that our concern about no Torch Red was taken seriously by GM management and effective sometime after start of production the additional “NEW VERSION” of C6 Torch Red (which we are very sure will have a new name) will be offered to Corvette owners when they order their new C6.  Let’s have some fun with this and submit names that we think GM should call this new red.  We will gather all the emails and forward them to our friends at GM.  At the Registry Office our personal favorite so far is “it’s about time RED”!  So if you would like to submit a name for this new C6 red which will be unveiled after the start of production, we will pass it on.  This should be some GREAT C6 FUN !!! 

So, let's help them give this new color a name! Send your suggestions, for a name, Click on this link, include your Name, Member Number, and what you think the color should be named. Be sure and do this before June 18, 2004 !

June 4, 2004
The last C5 convertible was scheduled to come off-line on Monday, the build of the very last C5 is just weeks away. The final one of the popular fifth generation Corvettes is currently slated for build the week of June 28th.

June 3, 2004

Rick Daniel of Les Sanford Chevrolet has just informed us of a fantastic offer on new 2004 Corvettes! For the non-current GM owner; $3000 rebate, or 0.0% interest for 36 months, 1.9% for 48 months or 2.9% for 60 months. For a current GM product owner with current registration on the vehicle, $4000 rebate, with no promotional % rates, and, for GM Employees, the first option plus $1000 bonus cash. Give Rick a call at 866-700-8388 or e-mail him at rdaniel@lesstanford.com for all the details!! Rick informs us he has over 80 Corvettes in stock, check out his website for the inventory: www.corvettesbyrickdaniel.com/NEWINVENTORY.html

May 28, 2004
GM made a terrific showing in the just-released Strategic Vision 2004 Total Quality Index (TQI), providing further evidence that GM is making significant strides in its quest for quality leadership in the automotive industry. Among GM's 11 of 19 segment winners were the Corvette and XLR. Chevrolet ledin five segments, Cadillac topped three segments (and had the highest scoring model - the Cadillac XLR), Saturn had two wins and Buick had one.

TQI measures new vehicle owner satisfaction by assessing buyers' responses to the complete ownership experience, including buying, owning and driving. Corvette was No 1 in the Sports Cars Over $25,000 category. The Cadillac XLR was tops for Convertibles over $30,000.

May 18, 2004

C6 Chassis Enhancements

Registry Members –  All aspects of the Corvette chassis have been improved over ALL the previous Corvette generations.  The word is that NOTHING was compromised relative to past generations.  As I’m sure you’ve heard, with the exception of some nuts and bolts, all significant chassis parts are new for the C6.  Every part of this new generation of Corvette contributes to the total package of the C6.  As an example, the Goodyear run flat tires are larger (they refer to this generation of run flats as the third design) which are substantially quieter than previous EMTs.  You will notice fewer bumps into the C6 cabin, even with the EMTs newly designed lower aspect ratio. 

At the Birthday Bash everyone talked about the improved cornering and the feel that the C6 was having no problem in getting the increased horse power (400 HP and 400 lbs Torque) to the ground.  (How members seem to find this out while JUST RIDING in a C6 is not clear!)  We were told the improved ride is directly related to the front suspension travel being increased 13mm.  In technical terms that’s 9mm in rebound and 4mm in jounce.  They also shared with us that the rear has a full 20mm increase, all in jounce.  What does this mean…more travel allows the shocks to dissipate the wheels energy with less disturbance to the body. 

To the driver the feel of the steering will be more of a precise on-center touch with improved straight line tracking and less wheel kick from road disturbances.  This allows for overall improved handling because the steering castor angle was increased from 7 to 8 degrees for high speed stability and reduced “trough wandering” coordinated with increased stabilizer bar sizes for less roll in the corners which we all know improves responsiveness and maneuverability.

Safety Is Always an Important Consideration

Registry Members – The new 2005 C6 takes safety very seriously. 

Several safety highlights of the new C6 include: 

• Seat belt pretensioners with improved buckle access.

• Hidden seam side impact air bags within the seats.

• Passenger air bag hidden seam design within the instrument panel.

• Manual PSIR on/off switch for passenger air bag.

• Pass Key III vehicle immobilizer system.

• Keyless entry system with panic alarm.

• Entrapment release handle within Convertible trunk.

• Optional OnStar available with automatic crash notification.

• Enhanced seat belt warning for driver.

• Dual level front air bag.

• Seat position sensors.

• Telescopic steering column.

• Daytime running lights/fog lamps/side turn signal repeater.

• Speed sensitive steering.

• ABS along with traction control.

• Run flat tires with tire pressure sensors.
   

April 6, 2004
A special C5-C6 Registry thank you to Rick Daniel of Les Stanford Chevrolet or making the preliminary ordering workbook available to our members! Thanks to Rick, you can download the workbook with all the options, RPO Codes, Interior and Exterior colors and more.. The real thing folks, not just another internet rumor!
CLICK HERE , to visit Rick's web site and download the workbook.

FRONT SUSPENSION   Diameter-X-Thickness

REAR SUSPENSION   Diameter-X-Thickness

The C6 will have remarkably improved handling. For example, the steering caster angle increased from 7 to 8 degrees for high-speed stability and reduced "trough wander". This leads to a noticeable improvement in responsiveness and maneuverability with less cornering roll. As you can see, the stabilizer bars above make a difference.

March 30, 2004
Exterior Lighting for the C6

Registry Members –  Internationally acclaimed fog lamps were chosen for the C6.  The stylish design chosen is a halogen parabolic reflector lamp within a black housing.  Of course the most stylish look of a C6 will be the one your competition (and we know there isn’t much) will see from behind as your C6  “Exceeds their Expectations”!  You will be smiling knowing that they’re looking at what Corvette calls the “classic round tail lamp look”.  It is a complex multi-faceted reflector with 301 facets per lens.  This design eliminates all exposed fasteners.  The Low mounted back-up lamps were designed for mounting on a surface which would be less disruptive.  Therefore they are mounted very low on each side of the rear bumper fascia.  The smooth reflector lens optics are protected by a neutral density lens.

March 29, 2004

Exterior Lighting for the C6…the first exposed headlamp since 1962

Registry Members –  The C6 will have HID Xenon-Arc high density lamp low beam and halogen high beam projector system.  The four-bulb system operates concurrently with the low and high beams within a stainless steel chrome plated bezel. This has the affect of putting out 80% more light than the C5’s lighting system currently does.  Of course this allows for greater visibility of signs and road markings because of the improved light spectrum output.

March 27, 2004

C6s Removable Roof Panel is Completely Revised

March 24, 2004
It is with great sadness that I wish to tell the C5-C6 Registry that our friend Chip Miller, who founded Corvettes @ Carlisle and Carlisle Productions passed away early this morning after a heroic battle with amyloidosis, a very rare plasma cell disease. Our prayers go out to his wife Judy and his family. We will let you know as more information becomes available as to any arrangements that are made. Chip was an inspiration to me personally with his advise and foresight. The Corvette hobby has lost a great supporter and a great friend. His family has been keeping a journal at www.caringbridge.org/pa/chipmiller/ . We hope that you will  visit the site and sign the guest book to let the family know that you are thinking about them. If you would like to send cards, letters, etc. to Judy and the family, their address is:

Judy Miller
1040 Bryn Mawr Road
Carlisle, PA 17013

The Funeral is Sat April 3rd 2004 in Carlisle, PA

Please join Jake and I in praying for Chip and his family.
Dan

"Due to budget cutbacks, we will have the corral area and will have a limited amount of water and soda. There will be no food this year. The corral will be a combination of Cadillac and Corvette on Friday and the Corvette only on Saturday. The corral will open at 7:30 on Saturday. It has been moved to turn 1 (one)."

March 10, 2004
Quieter C6 Coupe or Convertible !!!
Registry Members – Several noise improvements came about due to the XLR Cadillac program. A four-point powertrain mounting system (first used on XLR) significantly reduces vibration. A full-length tunnel insulator reduces both road and engine noise. Numerous seals, baffles and sound absorbers have been added, as well as a bulkhead for the convertible to improve storage space behind the seats.

The Z51 optioned 6-Speed manual will have its own special set of gear ratios. They are as follows: 1^st gear 2.97:1, 2^nd gear 2.07:1, 3^rd gear 1.43:1, 4^th gear 1.00:1, 5^th gear 0.71:1, and 6^th gear 0.57. This will allow for aggressive peddle to the metal with no loss in top speed. Now for the really big news…a manual transmission integral cooler pump is part of the Z51 package. This of course is for high-speed heat reduction. This pump will be driven by the countershaft pushing transmission fluid through a heat exchanger inside the radiator end tank. You will be able to monitor the temperature because of a lubrication temperature sensor that will be included with Z51 C6s.

March 1, 2004
CLEVELAND, OHIO - The 2005 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, a member of the sixth generation of an American performance car legacy, will be unveiled March 2, 2004 at the Greater Cleveland International Auto Show by Brent Dewar, head of the Chevrolet division of General Motors. Brent Dewar will pull the cover off to reveal a completely new Corvette convertible. The Corvette convertible along with the recently introduced coupe will deliver more power, passion and precision than any previous model and will set a new standard for performance car excellence.

Following the unveiling, Tadge Juechter, assistant chief engineer for the Corvette launch team, will do a vehicle walk-around pointing out the key features of the exterior and interior, as well as the powerhouse under the hood.

February 29, 2004
C6 Cooling for LS2
Registry Members – The Z51 optioned C6 Corvette will have a larger radiator – 34mm sized core – over the non-Z51 equipped C6’s. The Z51’s will also include an engine oil cooler and a transmission oil cooler, manual or automatic, which will run through the larger radiator end tanks. The cooling fan will be larger to meet this need and reported to be much quieter

February 25, 2004 C6 Convertible Power Top Registry Members – C6’s Convertible Power Top is reported to cycle  down and up in 18 seconds. So you have to ask yourself… Just how  many raindrops can fall in my interior in 9 seconds? Visibility in the rear  on a C6 Convertible has improved by 18.5%. The power top will be a one  button does all operation. Current rumor is that the power top option will  cost between $1,500 and $1,600 over a manual-operating top.

Click the Image  For Larger View

February 24, 2004
The 2nd Manufacturing Validation Build (MVB) for the C6 began February 20th. The goal of this build is to test the assembly tooling and processes for this new car. For each bucket of cars built,  the plant should see improvement in parts and tooling. The first car came off the end of assembly February 20th. A total of 20 units will be built in this bucket during the next few weeks. 

February 23, 2004
C6 Vehicle Performance
Registry Members – Mesa, AZ – The information just keeps coming! Our "006 Agent" has been busy! His preliminary report of a C6 Coupe with 6-speed completed a 0-60 run in 4.2 seconds with Z51 and a base Coupe completed 0-60 in 4.3 seconds. Quarter mile times are reported at 12.6 @ 114 mph with a lot more testing to go. These numbers could conceivably improve. The way we see it, the numbers above are better than the ZR-1’s acceleration was and almost equals a 2004 Z06.

Unfortunately for us here in the US, we’ll just have to save this ability of 186 MPH for the Nevada Silver State Classic Challenge, May 13-16, 2004 or September 16-19, 2004 www.silverstateclassic.com/ , or for those of you closer to Nebraska, don’t miss the Sand Hills Open Road Challenge, August 5-7, 2004 www.sorcrace.com/ .

It appears that the C6 will have the highest top speed of ANY Corvette EVER produced! Keep in mind that the 2006 Z06 hasn’t even arrived…hang on, there’s more to come!