Kevlar Corvette

[Rex T.]

I've got a bet with my HR manager at work....................... does anyone know if the new Corvettes (or any old ones for that matter) have any "Kevlar" panels on them? I would like to take his money if I can. Thanks, Rex #8089

[Mark G.]

http://www.spectergtr.com/accessories.html for some interesting C5 components. It does mention something about Kevlar in their advertising. Good Luck. - Mark #35760

[John H.]

[Joe L.]

[Patrick H.]

LeMans Z06 only.

Joe,

The special hood is Commemorative Edition Z06 only. The factory (or their supplier) can only make about 2000 of these per year, which is well below the total number of Z06's per year.

Patrick

[Joe L.]

Re: LeMans Z06 only.

Patrick-----

My apologies to all. John was absolutely correct and I incorrect. I thought that I had heard the GM reps at the Nashville celebration say that the carbon fiber hood was going to be used on all Z-06's. Also, there was a carbon fiber hood on display at the NCM during the 50th celebration and I thought it was simply identified as the 2004 Z-06 hood. Whatever; I've now confirmed that you and John are correct and the carbon fiber hood is used only on the Commemorative Edition Z-06.

[John H.]

Re: LeMans Z06 only.

Trivia - the first production car to use carbon fiber/Kevlar parts on 100% of production is the 2003 Viper; the inner fender support panels (structural part) that go from the (magnesium) dash panel forward to the radiator support and bond to the top of the front spaceframe rails their full length are Kevlar-reinforced carbon fiber - VERY light, VERY strong, VERY expen$ive.

[Patrick H.]

Re: LeMans Z06 only.

Yes, but isn't it better than the king's ransom you used to pay for the complete hood/fender assembly on the previous one?

I'd bet it's FAR stronger than the old design.

Patrick

[Clem Z.]

03 viper

a black one showed up today at our corvette show and i think the older viper is a sexier looking car. this new one looks like a big miata. JMHO

[John H.]

Re: LeMans Z06 only.

Yup, the new design conventional hood sure beats the $10,000 (my cost in the plant) old clamshell design, and the carbon fiber/Kevlar front reinforcement increased the bending stiffness of the spaceframe enormously. Ah, progress

[Patrick H.]

Re: LeMans Z06 only.

I heard the price for the hood (from the dealer) is up to $17,000 at this point. Yikes.

Patrick