Vehicle Description
The C5 Corvette was remarkable in a lot of ways, and perhaps the
most interesting aspect that it was the only Corvette model
available in three different body styles: hatchback, convertible,
and the unusual "fixed roof coupe" or FRC. Ostensibly designed for
Corvette fans who wanted the lightest, stiffest, fastest and most
affordable Corvette possible, this 1999 Chevrolet Corvette fixed
roof coupe is an interesting custom that takes it in an entirely
different direction.
The stripped-down (relatively speaking, anyway) FRC came in only a
few colors, so this one was repainted a few years ago in Magnetic
Red, which was on the color chart, just not for the FRC. The car
has the profile of a convertible and uses the convertible's rear
deck and conventional trunk lid, but the solid roof is part of the
structure, making it by far the most rigid of the C5 triplets. It
was also lighter, so performance benefitted in every measurable
way. Of course, this one is pretty far from stock, starting with
the Lamborghini-style doors that were professionally installed and
work properly. There's also a custom air-extractor hood, stripes, a
trick inverse rear wing, and a lot of chrome upgrades to really
make this Corvette sparkle. The usual excellent C5 fit and finish
are here, and people still do a big double-take when they see the
unusual roof line, which is probably the most enjoyable part of
owning such a car.
The FRC was only available with the base seats, and only in black,
so that's what's here now. It was also only available with a
6-speed manual gearbox, so that will give you an inkling of its
intentions. Other things like A/C, power windows, locks, seats, and
mirrors, and a powerful AM/FM/CD stereo were definitely on the menu
(this is a Corvette, after all), so it's comfortable on the road
and for long trips. The shifter on this one is an aftermarket unit
with an oversized shifter ball and a red boot, but beyond that, it
seems to be quite stock. The gauges still light up and dance when
you turn the key and the grippy leather steering wheel feels great
in your hands. A few brushed aluminum accents add some contrast to
the all- black interior, and aside from some minor comfort marks on
the seats, the condition is excellent. The trunk is decently sized,
making this a car that you can use as a real car instead of just a
toy.
While it's dressed like a Z06, which was also based on the FRC,
this is a standard LS1 V8, which is certainly no slouch in the
performance department. Smooth and torquey, it's shockingly easy to
drive fast or slow, and represented perhaps the greatest leap
forward in Corvette performance ever. It's been augmented with a
lot of chrome dress-up, so it looks ready to show and quite unlike
all the other C5s you'll see at the cruise night. Get your
sunglasses on before you open the hood! The 6-speed shifts smoothly
and there are 3.42 gears out back that make it punchy, especially
with the lighter curb weight that makes it feel very tossable. The
big Corvette brakes are remarkably powerful and ride quality is
remarkably good for a car with this kind of performance. And the
chrome Z06-style aluminum wheels look spectacular wrapped in fat
Michelin radials.
A neat experiment in Corvette engineering, this cool custom is as
much fun to drive as you would think by looking at it. Very
affordable, still very fast, and most likely to be the only one of
its kind at a show, this isn't to be missed. Call today!
