C7 Tailights

[dobrenyr]

Although i have been known to disagree with Longtimer on some things, I will give credance to the fact that there could not have been any corvette owners involved in the design clinics to evaluate reception to these designs... if there are some corvette owners who have been to them, please let us know, ( you don't have to disclose anything but the fact you were involved!). Having said that, you will get some that like it and some that don't but i can't see an overwhelming number of corvette owners who are thrilled with this design ( unless GM is blowing smoke up our collective butts ). I still reserve judgement on Jan 13th... and like the hideaway headlamps, we will get over many things... but if the total design looks like a cheap hatchback, then sales of stuff like the viper will improve dramatically... GM has to know at least that much.

[walleyfisher]

If we said the new Camaro has Corvette tail lights would that make it all better?

I will just have to sit back (like most of us) and see how good/bad the new C7 will be

[ZL1GT]

After Patrick sold DC its popularity faded as many members crossed over to that other Forum. Thankfully Longtimer has worked tirelessly keeping DC active, reminding us so many times in so many different ways of his displeasure with the C7's rear design. It's been interesting and I for one have returned as a regular DC reader.

Corvette and Harley Davidson are American icons. A large number owners of both want these icons to remain true to their traditional look, no major changes. But sales keep falling as the traditionalists are ageing out of the buyers pool.

It's possible that GM has determined that in spite of Corvette's outstanding performance, too many people won't buy one because of its image as an old guys' or poseur's car. And that's why they specifically DO NOT want the new car to be immediately recognizable as a Corvette. Changing the 46-year-old rear theme might be their answer.

For 46 years Corvette has had FOUR BIG taillamps. I've owned every variation. I've liked em all. But I'm ready for a change.

For those who want a traditional-looking Corvette the excellent 2013 models will be on sale for most of the next year. GM is counting on the traditionalists to buy them.


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[TheMelkMan]

I personally don't see the C7 as being anymore "nontraditional" than the C6 was. In my opinion, there are four essential ingredients that make a Corvette:

• front engine
• rear-wheel drive
• V8
• American sports car

I couldn't care less about the number of—or geometric shape of—the f'n taillights. I would be more disappointed to see a mid-engine 'Vette.

[spd98]

Originally Posted by ZL1GT

Thankfully Longtimer has worked tirelessly keeping DC active, reminding us so many times in so many different ways of his displeasure with the C7's rear design. It's been interesting and I for one have returned as a regular DC reader.

.

So your here for the entertainment value of Longtimer?

I'm sure THAT won't go to his head!

[Atheris]

It's all been said at this point. The newest renderings seem to be the most accurate yet. I think the front end is going to be stellar. The only hope for the rear is that it is less angular, or has fewer hard lines than depicted in renderings...which is possible. Even if so...we're still stuck with a rear that doesn't match the flowing lines of the front.

[dreamcars99]

Originally Posted by Atheris

It's all been said at this point. The newest renderings seem to be the most accurate yet. I think the front end is going to be stellar. The only hope for the rear is that it is less angular, or has fewer hard lines than depicted in renderings...which is possible. Even if so...we're still stuck with a rear that doesn't match the flowing lines of the front.

or even that it just somehow comes together much better than the renderings. in the renderings it looks plain silly. like a caricature. but its possible than in real life it will come together and look more sensible.

[blckslvr79]

Originally Posted by TheMelkMan

I personally don't see the C7 as being anymore "nontraditional" than the C6 was. In my opinion, there are four essential ingredients that make a Corvette:

• front engine
• rear-wheel drive
• V8
• American sports car

I couldn't care less about the number of—or geometric shape of—the f'n taillights. I would be more disappointed to see a mid-engine 'Vette.

So when the v6 turbo mid-engine comes out in the C8 will you be fine with "nontraditional" changes?

[PNHNDLE96CE]

I showed my 68 yr old dad C7 spy/rendering pictures and asked him what he thought and his first word was Camaro. He said the hood scoop looked like the one on the 80 IROCs and that the rear convinced him that it was the next camaro. Take that with a grain of salt because my dad wants to buy a Lincoln but he has owned corvettes in the past. But what I take from his thoughts are that I am all for change and updating the Corvette brand to make it viable but when you change it so much that the public thinks it is something entirely different then you have failed.

[alexandro777]

i believe that GM tough that in order too stay relevant they needed to change a lot of thing in the Corvette. The rear end was probably shape in the wind tunnel , and probably will help with the down force and traction. The other real issue is that let's face it non of us are getting younger and Corvette need to appeal to the younger crowd. The original formula didn't change. V8 in the front pushrod rwd. We should embrace change after all , the corvette is always looking forward and not backward.

[Longtimer]

Historically the Corvette has always looked forward and established new design tends. This time GM choose to use Camaro taillights that we first saw in January 2006. This is trend copying not trend setting and not forward looking at all.