2004 Corvette
By the time the 2004 Corvette was released,
everyone knew the C5 was heading for retirement. Indeed, the motoring press in
2003 was filled with rabid rumors and spy photos of the replacement C6. Sure
enough, Chevrolet signaled another changing of the guard with the 2004
Corvettes, which were virtual '03 carryovers except for the addition of
tellingly named "Commemorative Edition" packages.
A Commemorative Edition package was available on all 2004 Corvettes.
It included the LeMans Blue paint as well as special badges inside and out.
See more pictures of Corvettes.
All the Commemorative Edition 2004s were finished in vivid LeMans Blue paint with wide red-edged silver stripes adorning the hood, roof, and rear deck. Special "LeMans 24-hours" crossed-flags emblems appeared on the nose and tail, and as embroidered logos on the headrests within a specific shale-colored interior. Polished alloy wheels completed the coupe and convertible ensembles, which cost $3,700 and included all features of the regular 1SB Preferred Equipment Group.
The
Commemorative option for the Z06 cost $4,335, but included a unique (and
costly) carbon-fiber hood that took a useful 10.6 pounds off the nose. Also
featured were special clear-coat wheels with hubs reading "Commemorative
24:00 Heures du Mans." In addition, testing at Germany's famed Nürburgring
track produced revised damping for the Sachs gas-pressure shock absorbers,
stiffer bushings for the front upper-control arms, and softer bushings for the
rear antiroll bar. Together, these tweaks aimed to "settle" the Z06
more quickly in fast transient maneuvers -- and they did.
As Frank Markus
enthused in Car and Driver's
September 2003 review: "[The Z06's] steering response is [now] so much
quicker it's hard to believe the ratio is the same [as in other Corvettes]. Its
weight is within 141 pounds of [other models], yet it feels like hundreds less.
Its structure also feels twice as rigid. Yes, it filters out less road noise
and harshness, but at least each bump is felt just once.... Grip is astonishing"
-- Markus reported a leech-like 0.98g -- "but these wide paws tend to
wander a bit along pavement ruts. This chassis is also exceptionally well tuned
to the active handling system's competitive-driving mode.... The
[Commemorative] Z06 is clearly the [Corvette] that best rewards expert
driving."
2004 Corvette Z06 models with the Commemorative Edition package got the first
stock carbon-fiber hood offered in North America, as well as special chassis tuning.
The
one sour note to the tasty Commemorative confections was deliberately limited
production: a mere 2,000 Z06s, perhaps twice that many coupes and convertibles.
But whatever one may think about "factory collector cars," this was a
fine sendoff for a highly successful Corvette generation.
Of
course, success can be defined in many ways, but consider that nearly a
quarter-million C5s were built over eight model years. That averages out to
some 34,000 yearly sales, the best Corvette performance since the mid Eighties.
What's more, the C5 added a slew of awards to the Corvette's bulging trophy
case -- besides all those racing cups. An independent panel of automotive
journalists named the 1998 Corvette the North American Car of the Year. The C5
was also Motor Trend's Car of the Year in 1998, Automobile magazine's
"Automobile of the Year" in 2001, and on Car and Driver's annual 10
Best List in 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, and 2004. Last but not least, the C5 was a
perennial Consumer Guide® "Best Buy" among sports cars.
Learn about other Corvettes in this generation:
2001 Corvette2002 Corvette2003 Corvette2004 Corvette
Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:
- Corvettes: Learn about the history behind each model year and see Corvette photographs.
- Corvette Specifications: Get key specifications, engine and transmission types, prices, and production totals.
- Corvette Museum: The National Corvette Museum draws Corvette lovers from all over the world. Learn more about the museum.
- Corvette Pictures: Find pictures of the hottest classic and current-year Corvettes.
- Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.
- Consumer Guide Corvette Reviews: Considering a Corvette purchase? See what Consumer Guide has to say.
2004 Corvette Specifications
The 2004 Corvette marked the end of the line for the fifth generation of Corvettes. The models of 2004 represent the peak of development of this line, and it shows with their easy driveability and graceful prowess. Here are the specifications for the 2004 Corvette:
All 2004 Corvettes were virtual carryovers from 2003, except for the
addition of the special Commemorative Editions.
Vehicle Specifications
HatchbackConvertible
Coupe
Wheelbase, inches
104.5
104.5
104.5
Length, inches
179.7
179.7
179.7
Width, inches
73.6
73.6
73.6
Track, inches
front: 62.1 rear: 62.2
front: 62.1 rear: 62.2 front: 62.1 rear: 62.2
Height, inches
47.8
47.7
47.9
Curb weight, pounds
3,246
3,118
3,248
Mechanical Specifications (2-door hatchback/convertible/coupe)
Suspension
front: Independent; upper and lower A-arms, transverse composite monoleaf spring, tube shock absorbers, antiroll bar
rear: Independent, upper and lower A-arms, toe links, transverse composite monoleaf springs, tube shock absorbers, antiroll bar
Wheels/Tires
front: P245/45ZR-17 (Z06, P265/40ZR-17)
rear: P275/40ZR-18 (Z06, P295/35ZR-18)
Brakes
front: anti-lock 12.6-inch disc
rear: anti-lock 11.6-inch disc
Transmission
4-speed automatic
6-speed manual
Standard axle ratio
2.73:1 (auto) 3.42:1 (manual)
Engine Specifications
ohv V-8
ohv V-8
Displacement, liters/cu inch
5.7/350
5.7/350
Bore × stroke, inches
3.90 × 3.62
3.90 × 3.62
Fuel management
Sequential Injection
Sequential Injection
Horsepower @ rpm
350 @ 5,600
405 @ 6,000Torque @ rpm, pound-foot
375 @ 4,400385 @ 4,800
Published Performance Numbers
Acceleration
405 hp, 6-speed manual
0-60 mph, sec
4.2
1/4-mile, sec @ mph
12.4 @ 117.0
Source: Motor Trend
Vehicle Production and Base Prices
Production Price 2-door hatchback 16,165
$44,535.00
2-door Z06 coupe
5,683
52,385.00 2-door convertible 12,216
51,535.00
Options and Production
Option Production Price Preferred Equipment Group (hatchback)11,446
$1,200.00
Preferred Equipment Group (convertible)
9,334
1,200.00
Commemorative Edition (Z06) 2,026
4,335.00
Commemorative Edition (hatchback) 2,215
3,700.00
Commemorative Edition (convertible)
2,659
3,700.00
Memory Package (Z06)
5,446
$175.00
Body Side Moldings20,626
150.00
Dual Removable Roof Panels 5,079
1,400.00
Removable Roof Panel, blue tint4,356
750.00
Auto-dimming Mirrors (Z06)
5,446
160.00
Magnetic Selective Ride Control
5,843
1,695.00
Performance Axle (3.15 ratio, automatic only)
10,367
395.00
6-Speed Manual Transmission6,928
915.00
Magnesium Wheels
1,022
2,000.00
Polished Alloy Wheels
1,110
995.00
Corvette Museum Delivery142
490.00
Stereo with Cassette (replaces std radio)
3,860
0.00
Remote 12-Disc Changer 14,668
600.00
Front License Plate Frame
19,520
15.00
Performance Handling Package
3,672
395.00
Millennium Yellow w/tint coat 2,641
750.00
Magnetic Red Metallic Paint
3,596
750.00
Color Choices and Production
Color Choice
Production Color Choice
Production
Arctic White
1,741
LeMans Blue
6,899
Black 6,212
Millennium Yellow 2,641
Medium Spiral Gray3,286
Machine Silver
4,666
Magnetic Red II
3,596
Torch Red5,023
Learn about other Corvettes in this generation:
2001 Corvette2002 Corvette2003 Corvette2004 Corvette
Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:
- Corvettes: Learn about the history behind each model year and see Corvette photographs.
- Corvette Specifications: Get key specifications, engine and transmission types, prices, and production totals.
- Corvette Museum: The National Corvette Museum draws Corvette lovers from all over the world. Learn more about the museum.
- Corvette Pictures: Find pictures of the hottest classic and current-year Corvettes.
- Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.
- Consumer Guide Corvette Reviews: Considering a Corvette purchase? See what Consumer Guide has to say.