TCracingCA

I don't remember using those generational designations in the 1980's while I owned my Corvette and was finishing up my Military Service commitment, nor when I worked with Government Contractors to 1995. But then I think I might have remembered it for the C4 and I might be wrong, but I am not sure. Then I think GM definitely used C5 to describe the coming C5. Anyone remember precisely or give a little history on this one! I also did a search if anyone educated us all on this topic and the search came up on too many hits for C generation general usage!

Nowhere Man

When the C5's came out is when people started that. Before that it was solid axles, mid years, sharks, and late models.

1snake

Close but no cigar. The OP is correct. The first "C" designation was the C-4. I remember everyone using the C-4 term when the 84's came out including the advertisers. You're partially correct, prior to that it was solid axles, mid-years and sharks.

Nowhere Man

Well seeing how I was born in 84. I don't quite remember that. I just never remember anyone calling C whatever until some time after 97. I could be wrong. Seeing how the only time I was exposed to more then one year corvette was at carisle

1snake

Since you were just born in 1984 and I was 30 and without hurting my brain trying to remember, had owned somewhere between 6-10 of them, I'll trust my memory.

However, if they had asked me, in 84, they could have nick named them "The ugly Wedge". Never liked them, never will.

paulywannafly

thats when they started as I remember also . prior they were early cars , mid years and late models

Plasticman

Completely correct (at least how I remember it).

Plasticman

TCracingCA

Published accounting of that, whether it happened in Vette, Corvette Fever, Vette Vues, Keepin Trackin, or the Corvette News etc..

Also because I like to look at old race entry lists-- too bad they weren't doing it back in the 1960's and 70's. C2 or C3 would be helpful for the also run guys that didn't get press coverage to know what they were running back in the day!

sub006

I also think it started in 1984 with the C4 designation. The "empty" year of 1983 seemed to be part of the impetus, and the C4 was the first TOTALLY modern world-class American sports car IMO. Qualifier: I've never lusted after one.

(Always thought the '53-'55s and '56-'62s should have been two separate generations, at least as much progress as C2 to C3 on the same chassis.)

vettebuyer6369

Exactly right.

The only difference I remember was before the C4, the people I knew called the cars solid axles, Mid Years and late models.

BlackbirdZ07

It started when the C5 came out, or just before they came out to describe the new C5 generation. For everyone who says it started with C4s, post something such as a magazine article from before the C5 era that uses the "C" designations to prove us wrong.

TCracingCA

I think the Camaro came out as being called formally a Gen 4 in 1982. I think the 1984 Corvette then shortly after got nicknamed Gen 4 or C4, but it wasn't official. Then it was official for the C5. It would still be interesting if someone could pull up the first publish of a Corvette named C4, C5.

Also I am glad you guys didn't call me out and understood the thread as I opened the topic, because I maybe shouldn't have added C6, C7 unless someone has an exact date on their intro's! The transition to the newest car year release was the point of interest and I think the 1984 was the first to get tagged as a nickname with C4 (not officially)! Back then how quick was it adopted back to C1, C2, C3????

Tom/99

gscott

I always thought Tom Parsons started it.

dahogan

raypilot65

Since I don't care about anything after 2 metal bumpers, it's easy to keep track by year.

jim lockwood

I remember the C-designation starting with the introduction of the '84 also.

But as I only dimly recall, the earliest usage did break the solid axle cars into two groups. '53-'55 might have been "C1" and '56-'62 "C2" for a while. Don't remember.

It took a while for the C-designation usage to stabilize into what it is today.

Jim

OldKarz

66since71

C-4 as the start seems right to me too. Anybody remember when they were referred to by the GM body designation... I think Corvette was "Y"? Maybe late in the C-3 run?

Harry

Nowhere Man

yes it is the Y platform