C5 confusion. Why aren't all the coupes fastbacks?! (edit: answered, thx oppo!!)

"Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt) 08/31/2016 at 13:22 • Filed to: None

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I love these and I’d take one over a C6. But I can’t figure out why some C5s look like this, and others have the awkward (to me) flat rear deck with less glass. Is it a T top thing? A facelift thing? Are people listing hardtops as coupes? HALP (edit: question answered! thanks oppo u da best)

This is what I don’t like. Proportions: ruined.

HammerheadFistpunch > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/31/2016 at 13:24

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I love the C5 hardtop body style. C5 Z06 is a car I desire badly.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/31/2016 at 13:26

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The slope back one is the normal bodystyle with a targa top. The other one is called a “Fixed Roof Coupe,” which didn’t have a targa top

crowmolly > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/31/2016 at 13:27

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FRC vs Targa top

Noah - Now with more boost. > HammerheadFistpunch 08/31/2016 at 13:27

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I’m still confused :...( so is the blue z06 a hard top vert? Or just a hard top with no T tops? My head is spinning

random001 > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/31/2016 at 13:28

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The FRC also has a LOT more room for a helmet. It’s lighter than the couple by a fair bit. The Z06 even lighter than that. Mine ticked in at a couple pounds over 3k.

Other comments are correct, the roof does not come off in the FRC/Z06.

Noah - Now with more boost. > crowmolly 08/31/2016 at 13:28

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THANK YOU. So I guess I like the targa.

random001 > HammerheadFistpunch 08/31/2016 at 13:28

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Do it! DO IT!!! I had to sell mine for $12k....

Boxer_4 > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/31/2016 at 13:29

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If I remember correctly, there are three body styles: coupe, hardtop, and convertible.

The coupe refers to the body style with the glass liftback. The hardtop refers to the body style without the glass liftback.

The hardtop is a fixed roof just like the coupe, but with less glass. I believe it was introduced for the 2000 model year. Supposedly, the hardtop bodies are stiffer, but I’m sure someone will either confirm or correct me on that.

HammerheadFistpunch > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/31/2016 at 13:31

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The z06 was a fixed roof, it was called the hardtop (I think).

Noah - Now with more boost. > random001 08/31/2016 at 13:32

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Hmmm I’m 5'9" but that’s great to know, I def want to track day bro a C5 if I bought one, which makes my preference ridiculous. Oh well... my current car is 4100 lbs with an a/t and a less powerful V8 so a little extra weight would be fine

Noah - Now with more boost. > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 08/31/2016 at 13:32

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10/10 most straightforward answer so far. Thx logansteno!

StingrayJake > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/31/2016 at 13:34

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Looks like this has been explained already but basically the vertical rear window started as the Fixed Roof Coupe (FRC) or hardtop alternative to the regular coupe’s targa roof.

From what I understand, not that many true FRC C5s were sold, making it relatively rare (among the 30,000 or so Vettes made each year). The style was carried over to the Z06 in 2001 for structural rigidity.

I actually loved it as a kid. The C5 Z06 was my dream car.

Milky > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/31/2016 at 13:38

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FRC is the better race car bro.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Milky 08/31/2016 at 13:39

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Ironically this is what I’d like to do with one, in theory... the fastback glass just makes me swoon tho

Future next gen S2000 owner > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/31/2016 at 13:48

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I will continue to pound you over the head with answers you already received.

Sloped rear glass is a targa with a removable roof, all had the removable roof. I don’t believe it was even an option to have the sloped rear glass with a fixed roof. The one you don’t like was introduced as a base level vette, below the targa with the intention of bringing the costs down a bit.

They are both coupes really. The FRC designates a fixed roof coupe, like others have mentioned. It is safe to assume that unless stated otherwise, a Vette has the targa roof.

Interestingly enough, the FRC turned out to be lighter and stiffer than the targa. A pre-2001 FRC with the Z51 package is kinda like a C5 Z06 lite. There are no post 2001 FRCs, to my knowledge. Only the C5 Z06 came in the FRC configuration post 2001.

The targa has a higher top speed than the FRC variants due to a lower coefficient of drag.

random001 > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/31/2016 at 13:54

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Well, I’m over 6'4", so I doubt the helmet issue would get you either way.

Milky > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/31/2016 at 13:56

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Well thats a friend’s car and I’m pretty sure he said it was stiffer then the Targa. For whatever thats worth.

Textured Soy Protein > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/31/2016 at 14:55

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FRC is lighter and stiffer because of no targa top and no big glass hatch. All C5 Z06es are FRCs, but there was also a regular C5 FRC. This is somewhat rare.

RX > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/31/2016 at 16:18

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That is the FRC (fixed roof coupe) / Z06.

Essentially the performance model. Less glass (lighter) and no targa (stiffer/more helmet room). It was function over form. Also woth noting, nothing in that body style came in an automatic.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/31/2016 at 19:09

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Nope. The Fixed Roof Coupe (FRC) Was made for the Z06 to be more rigid without the removable top to handle the extra performance.Was also available on the standard Corvette. Personally I like the look of the FRC more than the standard coupe, but if it isn’t a Z06, then I don’t see the reason to loose the awesome targa top.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Milky 08/31/2016 at 19:09

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HHHNNNNGGGGGG