BigBossMY03Z

I was just thinking on it the other day, I have never seen a C5 that had clearcoat fading or the other things I often see on cars as they get old and more worn looking. I know part of it is due to how most people who own them care more for them than most cars, but surely there are some that were not well cared for and I'm curious what a C5 at it's worst (from normal wear) looks like.

Anyone have any pics of worn looking C5s? I'm wondering if even at their worst they still probably look better than other cars as they age, thanks to the fiberglass and other non-traditional materials the car is made of.

bravo29

3 spots. My targa top passenger side clear is gone, small spot on the hood on passenger side, rear near hatch small spot.

I'm not the original owner (third). The second owner never kept it in a garage he said.

Velocity_Vette

The clear coat and paint will wear just like any other car. The RIMM and SMC construction will not have a otherwise further detrimental or positive effect on paint deterioration. If you've owned say a Fiero or a Saturn and had paint and clear coat fade that's how a C5's SMC and RIMM panel fade will look like.

Personally I've seen plenty "worn" C5s; they do get driven just like any other car. They often appear on Craigslist for fairly cheap or thrown out as trade option. In person the most recent I can think of is somebody in my area has a white C5 convertible with a primer front driver's fender. The person has been driving it like that for quite some time now. The absolute worst offender I've seen is a guy frequently driving an 03 Anniversary car with a damaged front fascia and missing passenger head light door.

Robrote

My clear on the targa is gone too. Rest of the paint looks good. It'll be in the body shop this winter to get fixed up.

The Rabbi

The only place you could see a nasty one is on the road as a DD and there aren't that many so finding one would be hard. They sure aren't at shows.

knewblewkorvette

I have two in this condition, both on passenger side too, weird

My 99's paint isn't in the best condition. I've only owned her for a month but have put about 2K miles on her already. She has the worse case of rain spots I've ever seen, they are to the point of where they have etched the clear coat. I also have some serious rock chips behind all the wheels.
But...I've seen far worse C5s on eBay

radar502

Gm paint not the best I keep mine inside for sure .. I have a 03 Audi been outside scene new still waxes up like new ..

calguy

This one is a DD, and not a scratch, or mark on it.

The previous owner had an underground parking garage, but I have a portable carport(in the background).
My pickup was the DD until I got the Vette, now I use it mostly to take the dog to the park.
I make it a point to keep this Vette spotless.


Bob.

crazystevex

my clear top looks horrible on the passenger side

darkling

the 2001 i just picked up has almost no paint almost to gelcoat on the p.s. top rear quarter the clear top is trashed to

~Josh

The C5 is aging gracefully.