C Ray

I've had a 67 corvette since 1968 and did just about what you described. Since things fail with time, I've had to replace several items but most are available because someone bought the dies or somehow found ways to make the parts again (like my side exhaust pipes). However that will be much more difficult in the future for the computer components in the current corvettes. The computer chip sets will just not be practical to remanufacture. So for those components, you will just be able to get them until the original supply is gone. Hopefully that will be many years but I have difficulty believing my 2005 will still be completely operational in 40 years like the 67 is, even with the same care.

calemasters

I know a guy that has a very nice 1954 Corvette. I guess thay last at least that long.

trooper1042

To infinity and beyond!!!!!!!

Wingrider

For what it is worth, a GM Corvette engineer that I met told me the LS2 engine in the C6 is stress tested to 200,000 miles. (Presuming of course you follow recommended maintenance.)

Kent1999

As others have stated, you can always replace parts, and if parts are available, I would think 200,000 miles and 30+ years are easily within reach.

HOWEVER, the rub is -- "if parts are available". Modern cars, and *especially* the C6, are increasingly depending on specialized proprietary electronic modules. It used to be standard practice for GM to only keep parts available for the past 11 model years, but I've seen examples of parts being discontinued sooner than that.

At some point, the determining factor in keeping a car running is the ability to scavenge still-working critical parts from junkyards. The question is -- is that point 10 years from now? 15? 20?

The advantage to mass-producing the C6 is that hopefully the large production numbers will ensure a good supply of used parts for a very long time.

CH-Z51

A good friend in my Corvette club has a 63 that he has owned since
1965. It was his DD for about 20 years and he put over 100,000 miles on it the first 3 years he owned it. The car now has close to 300,000 miles on it, the engine is origional and the only major engine work has been valves and timing chain. The old vette is pretty tired now and could use a total resto but still looks really good and is usable. It will get a redo someday, he just finished a frame off on a 61 he just purchased.

ProfMoriarty

At 1 mm thick, I'm not sure a C6 would have enough frame left to do a frame-off restoration.

2bubbas

Some have now lasted 55 years.

0SicMSP - Daniel

about six months ago I ran into a yellow 05 that had 99k miles on it, the body was beat to ****, but all it needed was a new clutch.

Vasta

That's good enough for me.

ttomczak

Since there still are 1953's around, I would say that long...

fyreline

Well, let's see . . . using actual existing cars rather than opinions, we know for a fact that more than a few of the 300 original 1953 Corvettes still exist. Granted, some have been restored, but they have survived and still exist and almost all of the survivors are in a driveable condition. So we know that a Corvette can last at least 54 years, because they actually have. Not sure what the upper limit would be - although if the best existing 1953's are well-maintained (and there's every possibility that they will be), they could theoretically last almost indefinitely with routine replacement of worn-out parts.

FortMorganAl

http://astore.amazon.com/variousname...ail/0684808544

But I also agree that the newer Corvettes will have a harder time surviving than the older ones due to proprietary parts. There are going to be a limited number of BCMs and once those are in working cars and GM has moved on and no more are being produced, it is going to be harder and harder to find one for a replacement.

Jet Stream

I know people with 1981-1982 that are still driving there cars with over 100K miles on them.

Jimmy G.

It was the kid's first job....Valet Parking Attendant......

MNVette

The life of a Vette is only limited by the maintenance and care you put into it. Obviously, rust isn't an issue with the body, so it all comes down to how much abuse you give and how well you maintain it. If you take care of it, it will easily outlast you.

Vasta

I hear what your saying, but in the last twenty years we have seen a virtual explosion in after market car parts. Companies like Year One and Mid-America are meeting the demand for replaceable parts for older desirable cars. I watched a show on Speed last year where they built a '67 Camaro totally out of after market parts. So if you look into the future 20 to 30 years, I think it's conceivable that we will be able to find parts. That goes for computer and electronic parts as well.

One thing about America, if there's a buck to be made somebody will figure out how to re-engineer it.

The key word here desirable, which Corvettes will always be. But if you have a 2007 Buick La Crosse
and twenty years from now your computer chip goes out, your probably going to be S.O.L.

Lightning Coyote

F O R E V E R

mwct

If his dealer was in Arizona then I even know which one it might have been lol. I got the same sell from the dealer where I bought my vette. The dealer was pushing the rustproofing option until I pointed out the fact that the vette was made of fiberglass, upon which he moved on to the next item on his "fleece the customer" checklist.

VettinFan

Yep. I saw a couple of original '54's. Gorgeous!

~AL~