Depressing day in Carlisle, then saw 2014 Stingray
 

One of the benefits of living in Carlisle is seeing the various cars and trucks driving around town throughout the summer. I've been without my Z since June (addressing the head issue then cam and lifter wear and had to wait weeks for the specialists on these motors) so seeing and hearing the cars had me down. I was just on the way home from the gym and saw a blue Stingray at the local car wash with a Michigan plate. I almost wrecked my car, but I got turned around and talked to the operator, who was an engineer for GM. I have seen all kinds of pros and cons on various sights about the cars looks and the rear. Let me tell you, the car will drop your jaw like the C6 did when it came out. It is bad A#* ! I will never sell my Z, but when you see this car in person I think, no, I'm sure you will agree. Off to the show tomorrow, Corvetteless :-( enjoy the weekend...

Thanks for the post and you will be in the drivers seat in no time!

Actually, I'm pretty sure it was a 2014 Stingray.

nice, that's what i was hoping for, because i hate it in pictures!

Jim - may have been a really, really pre-production version - but I doubt it!

Just a typo, we knew what he meant. :thumbs:

I told you it was a depressing day, fat fingers, 2014, change it for me Moderator Jim, please...

Hang in there . My car was in shop for 2 weeks getting heads done ..had car back for 2 weeks then trans blew ...car was down another 6 weeks

I was there today and saw three of them.

Sorry, but the back end is still a mess... :ack:

Stingray count
 

Yes, Kerbeck had 3 C7's there, one with doors open for all to try the seats, but no power to move the seats. Over at the Chevrolet Engineers tent, they had about 8 C7's then at the Official Chevrolet display area, they had 5-6, one of them some new, pretty blue color, probably the one seen in the first post.

UM,does anybody believe http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y25...04/ttiwwop.gif :toetap:

I hope it looks better in person.

I agree about living in Carlisle during the Corvette weekend is awesome. I drove over to the fairgrounds late this afternoon and got into a pretty long traffic jam. Its the first time I didn't mind sitting in traffic. It was just one corvette after another. I got to see 4 C7s come out of the fairgrounds. They looked good!! One was in front of me. Not too fond of the rear end on them. Should be a good day tomorrow.

I'm in complete agreement with you, Jeff. I was lukewarm to the car after only seeing it in photos but upon seeing a Laguna Blue Z51 coupe in person at the museum back in April it was all over; that's when I knew that I had to have one. Obviously not everyone agrees and that's fine but I find the car to be a visual knockout (including the rear end). Yeah, it looks a lot different than any previous Corvette but it's still a knockout IMO.

[/IMG]Let me see if if this helps: These pics were taken at ALMS Road America. My 2013 Grand Sport (not lowered yet) next to a C7.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/memb...444-151926.jpg
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/memb...443-151925.jpg
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/memb...442-151924.jpg
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/memb...440-151923.jpg

Yea,I'll be keeping my GS..that thing is just not at all appealing.

I love the C7 and looking forward to the wide body model as it will be a supercar:rock:

Alright.

I've been a hold-out in regards to accepting the C7's looks, especially the rear, but after seeing the above pictures and a few youtube reviews, I've changed my mind and will say it out loud for first time to myself: the C7 looks better than the C6.

I dig the sharp, angular, modern look that is a sort of bold, in-your-face, bad-boy antithesis to the rounded look of Audis and BMWs. It carries the spirit of what a Corvette should be: a bad as* sports car that is a bargain beast and that wears its rawness on its sleeve.

I don't regret buying my '08 Z06 a few months ago. I'm going to keep it until the C7 Z06 (or equivalent comes out).

For me, when I saw the C7 in real life it is absolutely stunning. The rear end has grown on me to the point that the C6 rear end looks dated.

I will, however, enjoy the heck out of my '07 for a while and see what the next year, or two, brings in changes and offerings in the C7 lineup.

I am enjoying this journey! :woohoo:

I looked at the picture of the white C7 and thought OMG there's a bowtie on the back ! Then I realized ; that's where the license plate goes. Scared me at first :leaving:

Same with me. After seeing it in person, and the more pictures of different colors I see, I'm actually starting to like it better than my C6 :willy::willy:
I was toying with the idea of looking for a leftover 13 Grand Sport but decided that if I get a different one, it will be a C7 for sure. Until then, I will enjoy my outdated C6....:lol:

So cool that you got to park next to the new one, and the colors are the close to the same (same tones, anyway), which makes the comparison more accurate. This is a great display and comparison. Thank you for putting this up here. Chevy would have been smart to do these type of photos a long time ago.

But why would it matter in these photos that yours is not lowered?

:iagree: I love every aspect of C7 except the rear end. It's so over styled it looks ridiculous to me like some giant toy.

Have to see it in person, still on the fence with the changes to the rear end.

Years ago there were giant windup keys attached to the back of some VWs. That is what is needed on the back of the C7. Like a windup toy!

The C6's rear end now may indeed look dated but the C7's rear is just plain ugly and fat.

Still think GM blow the rear design.....

GM nailed the design and the Z version will be even better

Once I saw the C7 in person, I liked it a LOT better. I think the rear design will be controversial for a long, long time.

Photographs always have a way of missing the third dimension, and it's something you need to base your true likes and dislikes.

Hope to get to Carlisle some day...

The first aftermarket vendor to design and mfg a different rear body panel and tail lights will make a fortune.

:thumbs:

more pics from yesterday @ Carlisle...........I'm loving this car for sure....but I'd still sell / trade my '12 GS for right C-2.........

In those pics the rear looks pretty cool. I really like the car.

:iagree: My Z06 puts it to shame.

you're right Joe, the interior of your Z06 is 'shame' compared to the C7 !!

"at the local car wash" Isn't this a no no? :hide:

Not to rain on anyone's parade (oh yeah, it was sprinkling yesterday at
CC) but also saw it first time and it is just like the photo experience...
Not good IMO. Dark blue was the best, interior updated, exterior camaroish. The c6 does look older, but the c7 does not look any better
In real life. Fun to finally see though. Not a wow experience however
:ack:

:thumbs:Thanks members for posting some great pictures of the C7, it's beautiful looking car.

The interior is just one small component of a car. The interior might also be better in the C7 vs my 56 and 64, but the body styling of those two overwhelms the C7's body style.

I sat in a few C7s yesterday at Carlisle and was really impressed by the interior. I love my 08 but my formed plastic interior is crappy. As far as the exterior, I was suprised that it looked much better in person than pictures.
Jim

Joe I'm guessing you're old enough to know it's purely 'subjective' !

:D:yesnod:My reaction too. I had a ride in that car two weeks agao, and it is a wonderful step up for Corvette!! I love my "Z", but oh you 7.........

Yep, and I'm old enough to know my opinion holds the same weight as someone else's opinion.

Someone says they love the C7 and I don't have the right to voice my opinion of the C7?

Nice pics! They really illustrate how much more smooth and low slung the C6 widebody looks in comparison to a C7. Much nicer proportions.

Seriously? You think the exterior looks like that of a Camaro? I guess I must be blind. :willy:

I want a white C7 in a couple years when i pay mine off.

Joe , every right , that's the beauty of being an American !

Yes you do and isn't good to know the NSA has recorded it for all of history.....:D

I wish I Had 4 hands so I could give that car 4 thumbs down!! The car looks *** or even like if the Camaro and the Volt mated and ended up with that...smh but to each their own.:ack:

I,ve seen the C7s in person.
Upon first seeing them, and in every picture since, I note three areas I don't like:
1. The chrome stripe across the grill opening.
2. The black inserts on the front fender side vents.
3. The triangular black "grills" that extend down from the outside corners of the tail lights.

.

A few more Carlisle pics of C7.http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/...18568330_n.jpghttp://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/...01583414_n.jpghttp://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/...17997392_n.jpg

Is that Kalihari interior? IMHO that is one GREAT looking car :rock:

Yes, it's the 3LT interior in Kalahari.

Saw them at Carlisle. The C7 in person is beautiful, my opinion. And the engineering is incredible. I'll be shopping for one in a year or two.

I saw a C7 in person today finally.... Glad I got my '13 when I did.

Dam. When I first saw that picture of the white C8- - I swear between the tail lights and the new "wings", it looked like an old Firebird!!!!

I like it
 

I like the 14's. I did not like the photo's, but in person I do like them.

I actually like them all. Like my wife says, I never met a corvette that I didn't want to own. :D

Bob K.

The new exhaust system is adjustable. It can be set from the drivers seat to quiet or loud and many levels in between. No messing with fuses or M2W switches.

Two things I would like to mention:

1) A year or so ago I said GM should go to electric steering on the new C7 and I would of gone to it on the Grand Sport (really all C6's) which would of saved hp & cleaned up the engine compartment. I first got involved with Corvettes in 2010 or I would of suggested it sooner! Well the gray mustard "refined" track crowd basically said I was an idiot!! I guess GM must of read my post! :thumbs:

2) I am sure someone will look at the front end of the C7 and think that those two triangles that stick out might remind some people of a snake toque that has no real purpose, except to put your foot on. :eek: :D

PS: I will wait to see and sit in a C7 before I decide, I fear that the rear side panels behind the driver may be a big blind spot?

:iagree:

It isn't even close to a Camaro. Maybe you might think that if you were blind and only using your hand to feel around the cars.

I was there today (24th) and spent a bunch of time speaking to one of the aero engineers about the brake, tranny and diff cooling. Picked up some good info for the track. He has an 08Z and participates in the forum. Got some pictures taken of the bottom of the car showing the brake cooling air deflectors. Base seat does provide more lateral support for cornering. I ran the seat back, pulled the belt tight and cinched it and then ran the seat forward until the shoulder belt was crunched against my chest. Much less lateral movement than in the C5/C6 seats. Side bolster is solid Vs soft which limits the amount of movement. Couldn't sit in the one competition seat that was there but hopefully can get an idea of the bolster sizes from a picture I took. One thing I do know the base seat will limit the number of Customers who will buy the car. Guy who drove down with me is huge. Over 300 lbs. When he sat in the base seat he found it very uncomfortable. Both cheeks were sitting on the seat edge (which is firm) and not down in the cushions. My 08Z was much more comfortable to him, especially after spending 8 hours in it going back and forth to the show. Competition seat would have really put a hurt on his butt.

The tranny and diff cooling ducts and coolers are very neatly tucked into the fender. The cutaway car had the tranny cooler which has a fan to provide air flow when the car is stopped. Coolers are located down low in the rear of the fender near the lower air outlets. Diff cooler wasn't installed on the car but the aero engineer said it is smaller and doesn't have a fan as the diff doesn't need to be cooled when the car is standing still. He designed and tested the grille that keeps objects out of the duct openings. He described how the part was designed and how they got good air flow through it. After that I asked him how the grille affects max air flow and he said it reduced it by about 25%. When I asked if track guys could remove it he said they could pull the inner fender liners just like they can do on C5/C6 undo a couple of nuts/bolts under the fender and remove the grille. Only have to worry about things falling into the duct. Front brake cooling ducts inlets are located in the outboard section of the grille opening. They duct air down to air deflectors located on the lower control arm which deflects the air to the back side of the rotor. Rear brake cooling is picked up by deflectors under the car and directed to the backside of the rear brake rotors.

Front license plate holder is located in the center of the grille and should be used when on the street since it improves gas mileage but it needs to be removed for track usage since it reduces cooling air flow to the radiator. Only saw it on once car. It was designed to clip into the grille and be removed when desired. I think it is the first time I have seen the front plate location properly designed into a Vette of any age.

Pretty sweet machine. Looks like the right stuff was done to the car and more attention paid to the desires of track guys/drivers Vs the cruisers and waxers. In the long run that will work out to the benefit of the car since if it doesn't have the performance punch required to make the car desirable to performance people the posers eventually will lose interest as well.

Hopefully, I can upload the pictures I took tomorrow.

Bill

I have a "Constructed Suggestion" for GM.
 

:cool: Get rid of that "Cheesy Chrome Thing" on the front fenders (can we say chic-let) and/or spell out "STINGRAY" on the rear end where "CORVETTE" appears dead center, same number of letters. GM, this may be a good visual change for next year which will translate into more car sales, I know if you do this, you will reward my suggestions with the new model. :D :cheers:

WOW the C7's are getting rained on..... guess they did make major changes.

Side by side, the backends are nothing alike, and if I didn't know it, I would never guess that the C7 was a Corvette.

Nice Pictures :yesnod:

I saw 3 of them at VIR when the museum had their track day in June. I too, didn't like them until I saw them up close. We have to give the engineers a nod...they did a great job overall.

I have a C6 because I think they have the best lines since the C2's. (and owning one just makes sense).

What IS the deal with those tabs?

Why would any designer add those? Does it derive from some racing concept, or aerodynamic factor, that I'm missing? I think they simply look a bit silly and stupid, like some after market bumper-extension piece.

The car is more beautiful in person. I was sold as soon as I saw it Carlisle on friday !

From another thread....

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1584300204-post5.html

Missing Carlisle
 

That's it, it I have not been to Carlisle since 2007, after moving to Colorado...now I am in Texas and not getting any closer, but I am going back next year! I envy all of those able to attend. Whether you like the C7 or not, just being at a venue with a bunch of them to sit in, push prod, etc. must have been fantastic!

Long live the Corvette, whatever it looks like. :cheers:

A lot of new cars have them. You might get away from them if you purchase a car that wasn't designed for the European market and will never be sold there.

Bill

Apparently it's a new GM design thing. The new Malibu, Impala, the SS all have them as well. Although they're not as pronounced on the SS. I guess they're going for a design consistency like other manufacturers.

The "purpose" of the C7 front triangles are "BS" in my book, period! How about the rest of the front end, the curve there looks like it would pull a foot under to me. So a victim needs to stand right were the chicken teeth are to be saved! :D

I still do not know if I like the Charlie Chan, squinty eyed tail light look...

Maybe it'll grow on my....

"EyeBall" further research
 

After close examination of the pics in this thread it looks to me that the edge at the top of the grill opening appears to stick out slightly further than the bottom and would contact the leg first (except where the chicken teeth are) which would cause the "VICTIM" to flop onto the hood in most cases like the old "cow catchers" on steam locomotives.

PS: I just got to say, the more "I" look at those "chicken teeth" the more they look like "CR_ P". They need to go GM. I will be waiting on my new 2015 or later in the year Z06, etc. car. :flag: :D

The guy with the rather large circumference is really "wishful thinking"!....

And the lady scraping her handbag along the side of the C7 should be shot!...

My advance apologies if the above are any of our Forum members!

:D

I saw the 2014 in person & sat in it. No big deal to me. The rear end ruins the car. Luv my 2013 GS even more!!:woohoo: