rocknroller

I've not seen the outright C4 insults on this forum that many speak of, but do find quite a few digs when C4's are mentioned. This got me wondering, how does the C4 crowd rank the generations of Corvette? To keep it simple, rank them just on aesthetics only - looks, lines, style, etc. Independant of performance, reliability, value, etc.

I ask this because the C4, when it debuted, is what made this Ford guy a closet Corvette guy. I loved the way the C4 looked as compared to the previous generation and swore one day I'd own one. That day came this last January when I got rid of my last Mustang. I could afford a C5 or even a C6, but the C4 was what sold me on the Vette.

How I rank 'em:

1. C2 - love it as I learned more about Vette's. Will own a '63 one day.
2. C4 - sleek and ahead of it's time looks. Still looks like a new car today.
3. C6 - Nice upgrade from the C5.
4. C3 - classic look
5. C1 - the original head turner
6. C5 - I'm sure it's a great car, but I find it the least desirable as far as looks go.

ETM

C3
C2
C4
C5
C1
C6

Just based on looks.

Buckeye99

Based only on looks...

C2
C4
C3
C1
C6
C5

B17Crew

Looks only:
C2
C3
C4
C1
C6
C5

B17Crew

boutyme

I agree

Chinaski

My List:

C2
C3
C1 (61-62)
C1 (58-60)
C4
C6
C5


I don't care too much for looks on the early C1 Corvettes...

dukeallen

My list
C3 68-77
C3 78-79
C4 84-90
C3 80-82
C6
C2
C4 91-96
C1
C5

MissileDoc

c2
c3
c4
c6
c1
c5

Jon Hekking

Looks;

C2
C3
C1
C5
C6
C4

Bang for the buck;

C4
C5
C3
C6
C2
C1

rithsleeper

C2
C3
C4
C6
C1
C5

I'm young so this may reflect it. I respect the C1 and really say wow when I see one over the run of the mill c6 but putting age aside its just not there for me. Is it possible to rate the C5 even lower than last?

five-oh

Looks
C1
C3
C4
C6
C2
C5
Love the old school C1, and would kill to own one, but I DO have a special fondness for antique cars....I'll own a C5, I'm sure, but it just looks "heavy" to me, if that makes sense. The FRC is the best looking C5 to me....I love the C6's looks, I don't know that there is a single thing I'd change on it....


Far as "bang for the buck" I think TMT (Jon) nailed it...

AaronDoud

C4(Late rounded body)
C6
C3(Early)
C1 (late)
C3(Late)
C5
C4(Early)
C2
C1(early)

I think the late C4s look great. It was just a near perfect design minus the power(C5 and C6 have more minus the ZR1 C4s) and the getting in and out. I would say my favorite Vettes would be 94 to 96 as the seats are just so great compared to the earlier ones. Now the pacman rear end C4s I do not personally like.

C5s are similar to me. I think they look too much like a firebird and the rear end is too fat. I can't tell you how many times I have waved at a firebird from a distance in my first vette. And I got waves when i owned my firebird before it. When the C5 came out everyone I knew talked about how it and the current firebird looked too similar.

Late C1s with the dual headlights are my personal favorite for classic vettes and I hold them and early C3s in similar regard. Cars I would love to own but not drive often.

The C6 I actually like a lot and had prices been lower I might have gotten one vs. my current C4. My current plans right now are to pay off the C4 and then get a loan in 2 to 3 years on a C6. I will keep both. Though I may get rid of my current C4 if I could get a ZR1 C4, especially an Admiral Blue 94 or 95.

That said my dream garage would be the following.
1. 95 Admiral Blue ZR1(love the red interior but with just one available I know I'll never own it.)
2. Late model C6 daily driver(don't like the renderings of the C7 so far so for now don't want one)
3. 73 or older C3 with the Big Block
4. 62 Red/White Ext with Red Int.

But realistically I will never own the 62. And depending on prices I may never own the C3 or C4 ZR1. But if money was no object those would be in my garage.

EDIT:
Since others did it...
Bang for the Buck
C4 LT1 (This and the ZR1 are close but for most people you don't need the extra power for the price)
C4 ZR1
C5
C5 Z06
C3 (early)

Outside of those you are not buying them for bang for the buck anyways. C1 and C2s you are buying for collections. C6s you are buying to have a new/newer vette. And later C3s I think people buy because that is "their vette" aka the model they grew up with. And early C4s I think people buy for the price. Buying a nice looking vette for $5k or so is a great way to get started with Corvettes.

mike100

Just from a technical standpoint, I rank them in chronological order, for the most part.

collector value, bang for the buck, looks, and raw performance of individual models may skew my desire, but if you gave me the choice of a restored 67 big block 427 vs. the ZR1, I'd take the ZR1 without even double checking to see what the big blocks go for at auction.

dlrx

Looks only...

82 c3
67 stinger hood
93 40th anny

To me you almost have to sub-class them. But if I could buy an 82 c3 that drove like my 96, I'd trade off tomorrow.

Not really a big c2 fan, but the thought of a 427 c2 is...intriguing. As Yoda once said, a sexy car that is.

And every time I see a ruby red c4, my heart cringes. I love my CE...but I lust the 40th.

corvetteronw

Favorites by year for looks and then features:
95 ZR-1
10 ZR1
63 split window fuelie
62 fuelie
04 Z06
82 Collector Edition

CRUZN C4

I love all Corvettes!

Z51JEFF

You should ask this in OT,they love these types of topics.

Leftoverture

Almost everyone here agrees the C5 is the least desirable Vette as far as looks go. Could not agree more. The early (chrome bumper) C3's top my list. The 63 split window is next, then the early C4's, other C2's, late C3's, late C4's, C1's, C6's, and then the lowly C5. Somebody said it already, the best C5 is the FRC, but the damn things have big butts.

Bang for the buck? Obviously the C4. That's a no brainer and it will be true right up until the C5's become the bottom of the barrel price-wise....which will probably be not too long after the C7 comes out.

PLRX

C6 z06

Jon Hekking

Actually, this is the best looking in my humble opinion;