C7 Transformers-Centennial Corvette Roadster: Hot? Cool? Not?

So, what do you think? Would this work for you as the C7 Corvette Roadster?

One of the cool things about running a blog such as CorvetteReport.com is that you can track topics – what’s hot – what’s not. Speculation over the pending C7 Corvette is smokin hot! Perhaps it’s just the ho-hum economy and Corvette fans are looking for something to look forward to. After all, is the C6 Corvette deficient? We won’t get into the interior issue, suffice to say that there still might be time for a C6 interior upgrade, just to quiet the nit-pickers.

I have some other thoughts on C7 speculation that I’ll save for the next post, but for now, let’s take a gander at the latest variation on the Transformers/Centennial concept Corvette – the Roadster version, as well as an interesting application of the concept car’s styling queues to a C6 coupe.

It’s doubtful that Chevrolet would ever actually offer a Corvette with no top what so ever, but it’s a neat look. We haven’t seen a roadster/speedster Corvette concept car since the early ‘90s with the ‘90 ASC Design ZR-1 Speedster and the ‘91 Callaway Speedster. I’ve included images of the Transformers coupe so that you can see how the Corvette design team is tinkering with subtle design features of the car. In the beginning of Phil Berg’s book, “Corvette C6” there are many photos showing the C6 in development. Some elements worked, others didn’t. That’s the way it is for concept cars – they’re rolling test beds for new ideas. Often times these cars are deliberately over-designed by 10 to 20-percent, just so that upper management can command, “Ah, you’ve gone too far guys, pull it back.”

Corvettes have a long track record of not being as big as they look. It’s all in the proportions. Remember the Mako Shark II? (who doesn’t?) Viewed by itself, those voluptuous fender curves and tucked in sides made the car look a little “hippy.” But look at the Mako Shark II next to the production ‘68 car and Bill Mitchell and you can clearly see that the Mako was a tiny car. “Why didn’t they just make the Mako?” many have asked. The answer is that making a one-off concept car is one thing, designing a car that buildable as a mass produced car with features that can be bolted and screwed together on an assembly line, and later maintained is a whole other game. If you ever get to see the Manta Ray (formerly the Mako Shark II) and look closely, it’s more kit car than production car. Will the C7 be as svelte as the concept coupe and roadster? Most likely not.

This says it all. Either that man is 7-feet tall or this is a LOW car. Getting into this car as an every day ride would probably get old quick. The “elephant in the room that no one is talking about” is the conspicuous absence of any serious mechanical details about the C7. There’s even chatter now about the C8! We don’t even know when the C7 will arrive or how long it will be in production before it’s replaced and they’re blathering on about a C8 Corvette? For my money, Chevrolet rumor generator is just pumping sunshine up our pant legs – ie – BS. The alleged “details” are vague and read like a 10-year olds Christmas wish list.

The rest of the images were gleaned from a YouTube walkabout video that shows the doors and hood opening and closing. I like these because they really show off how sculpted the design really is. But I’ll still hold my position that the front and rear fenders are cartoonish and the grille of the coupe is too Cadillacy. (<– I just made that word up)

Scroll down and you’ll see some VERY interesting Formula I-like front suspension hardware. Whatever they come up with will be slick, but I vividly remember how exotic-looking the suspension on the CERV III. And what’s under the engine covers? Could be almost anything and Chevrolet isn’t saying – they just want to torture us for a few more years.

Be sure to go all the way to the botton to see how the Corvette stylists have applied the concept car’s styling elements to a C6 Corvette.

Those exhaust slots are neat but don’t look big enough.

Pretty slick! Proof that coil-overs don’t have to just go up and down.

Colored suspension coils could be the next under the hood bling trend.

Enough with the engine covers. I want to see ENGINE.

What I do like a lot is the C7 Stingray logo badge they came up with. I’d like to see this on the production car.

For me the most interesting image is the one at the bottom. Is that a real Corvette prototype or Photoshop? Hard to tell, but it could be the an interesting base model. Then again, there have been some rumors that the C7 will essentially be a carryover car based on the current C6. Sort of like how the C3s were really C2s with a new body and interior.

So, after soaking in all of the above, here’s how someone applied the Transformers / Centennial concept car’s stlying theme to a C6 Corvette. Who knows what they’ll do. This COULD BE the C7 “interim” Corvette we have heard rumors about!