Bud2

What the 'C' stands for in C2, C3 and so on. I've looked but can't find the answer in all the history. Cant find the tree in the forest....

Thanks.

Bud.

DZAUTO

C1=Corvette 1st generation (53-62)
C2=Corvette 2nd generation (63-67)
C3, C4, C5, etc

I totally disagree with, and have VERY EMPHATICALLY complained and lobbied against this catagorization of Vettes with ZERO results. I feel that when someone is referring to something about a Vette, then the YEAR MODEL should be used instead of a general catagory such as C1, C2, etc. For example, when someone says they are having an issue with their C1, are they talking about a 53 with a 6cyl or are they talking about a 62 with an FI 327??????????????
But alas, I guess the C-crap is here to stay!!!! What a mistake!

AZDoug

C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, now you've C'n them all.

Doug

TractionControlOff

The trend started during the run of the "C4," didn't it? The C1-3 were never referred to as such before then. Only now, on the C7, has GM ever acknowledged it as a "C-x" model.

sub006

It makes life easier to deal with just six generation forums instead of SIXTY-ONE model-year forums (no '83s!).

For example, somebody with '75 experience might have the answer to your '82 suspension question.

65GGvert

Yeah, then you could say "You know I like the look of the 63,64,65,66,67 better than the 68,69,70,71,72,73,74,75,76,77,78,79,80,8 1,82 models" instead of "I prefer a C2 over a C3 body".

RatDog

I think the C1, C2, etc. designations (along with the term, "midyear") mean nothing to the general public. Heck, someone at a cruise in last year, referred to my car as an "early Camaro" <LOL>.

I learned soon after getting my car that if someone walks over to look at my car in a parking lot, chances are they don't know those the "C" or "Midyear" terms. But they always know "1967 Corvette" and sometimes they know what I mean if I say, "the original model Sting Ray".

But I do agree that the "C" designations work pretty well for partitioning out this forum into meaningful sections.

-- Steve

Frankie the Fink

I see Tom's point - a '53 6-cyl and a '62 fuel injected Corvette may as well be from different planets. But human nature is to categorize things for easier comprehension.
It has its advantages and disadvantages to be sure...

watson

I was hoping that someone would know what the "C" stands for.

Doc

RatDog

"Corvette"?

65GGvert

See the first response received. Post #2.

corvetteed

vetteLT193

It actually started with the C5 then made its way back to the other generations. I still don't know if Chevy made up the name through marketing or if it came to be through magazines etc. At the time it had to be explained what C5 even meant. My guess is it was marketing to force the concept of an entirely new car.

C2-C5 make sense. C6 is a load of BS. GM simply got smart and held back the updates on the C5 to make a "new" generation. It's the same thing they did year by year on the C3 and C4. (compare a 68 / 82; 84 / 96; 97 / 13 and you will see similar differences and similarities)

C1 really isn't a generation they just lumped them all together because they didn't know what to do with them. It was sort of by default the C1 was created because the C2 was the first 'real' generation so everything before it became the first gen.

Before the C5 came out:
C2's were called Mid Years
C1's were called Solid Axles
I heard C3's called 'sharks' but really when C4's were new if you had a C3 it wasn't a mid year and wasn't a new one so it was just a corvette at the time.

I still consider my pair of Corvettes "C5" and "Mid Year". Or 66 Sting Ray!

L78racer

ohiovet

Corvette.

RatDog

What would be helpful on the forum (and I believe this has been suggested by others in the past) is to include the year of your car in the subject line. For example:

"Help Needed With My 3-Sided Gizmo (1967)"

-- Steve

kenba

C stands for the chaise style. C-1 box straight axel frame C-2 ladder ETC.

sub006

Whether the "C" designation bubbled up from car mags or the enthusiast community, you can bet GM has copyrighted and now owns it!

scopeli

as far as i'm concerned, take away the upgraded engine and all C1s are very similiar. straight axles, trunks, grill ovals, windshield assembly, shape of seats, brake systems, lots of chrome accents on the exterior,generators. i can not see anyone who has owned multiple corvettes over the years not grouping all c1s together.

Bill32

Better N.

C-Men