Keeping secrets

[Walter F.]

I was just reading in the book "Corvette from the inside" how engineers miscaluated how stiff the suspension would be on the Z51 84 Corvettes. When Car and driver took the new 84 out on the roads in Michigan they were not happy with what they found. The author then says Engineers agreed with them. The ride was terrible. Then what is said really struck me. He says word was sent out to dealers to try and discourge buyers from ordering the Z51 option until they had time to soften things up in the 85 model. Just was wondering is any such underhanded stuff was pulled by management in any of the previous Corvettes where management said "We screwed up , keep it quiet and discourage ordering that option because its got problems.

[Tim G.]

Re: Keeping secrets

Kind of like the L88, don't tell anyone about it, don't order it, if they do want to order it, talk them out of it. I had an '84 Z51, but I didn't have an L88. I wish I had one of those instead.

[David K.]

Re: Keeping secrets

I had an 86 with Z51 and it rode terrible. If that was an improvement over the 84 with Z51, I can only imagine what the 84 drove like. LOL

[David P.]

Re: Keeping secrets

I think I ran into this issue to a very small degree when I ordered my 2007 and was told it would have the new FOB with integrated key. It's a much cooler key FOB. Despite assurances from the dealer, there apparently never was an actionable plan to ship 2007s with the new FOB, which ultimately became a 2008 feature

[Patrick H.]

Re: Keeping secrets

I think I ran into this issue to a very small degree when I ordered my 2007 and was told it would have the new FOB with integrated key. It's a much cooler key FOB. Despite assurances from the dealer, there apparently never was an actionable plan to ship 2007s with the new FOB, which ultimately became a 2008 feature

Be happy. It's about 398% easier to replace the battery in your fob than in a 2008 and later. I wish my 2008 had the earlier style fob.

[David P.]

Re: Keeping secrets

Touche The grass is always going to be greener... guess you're right.

Be happy. It's about 398% easier to replace the battery in your fob than in a 2008 and later. I wish my 2008 had the earlier style fob.

[Steven B.]

Re: Keeping secrets

When I placed orders for '84 and '85 I specified Z51. Each time the dealer verified that I knew the suspension was rougher riding than the base. I also spoke to a regional rep in Colorado and one in Indiana and each explained to me the differences in specifications, performance, and in ride. They were very above board and I appreciated it but I placed orders knowing the spring rates, etc. and that I was going to autocross and track the cars in addition to being daily drivers. In previous years some options have been advertised as off-road, Gymkhana, etc. I migrate toward those descriptions but then my street car has a Guldstrand suspension and 3.90 gears.

[Floyd B.]

Re: Keeping secrets

I worked on plant floor systems for the CK truck series plants in Pontiac and Ft. Wayne. Witnessed some pretty interesting stuff but I think I'll just keep my mouth shut. ;-)

[Richard S.]

Re: Keeping secrets

There were a few more items that may have not have ended up as intended on the 84'. The stock wheels that were featured in the sales brochure were never available on production 84"s, only the automatic trans. could be ordered until late in the production and the $21 thousand base price rose to $23 plus in a matter of weeks following the cars introduction.

[David K.]

Re: Keeping secrets

I also had a 1980 L82 with the Gymkhana suspension. That thing rode a little on the rough side too. Had I known it would ride like that I would have just stayed with the base suspension and not ordered the gymkhana since tracking the car was never in my plans.

Dave