1997 Chevrolet Corvette C5

The fifth generation 1997 Chevrolet Corvette excels in areas most important to Corvette buyers — performance, ride and handling, comfort, and quality.
According to Dave Hill, Corvette Vehicle Line Executive and Chief Engineer, 'We examined our weak points, and turned them into strengths. Things that were good, we made great. Things that were great are now even better.'

In general, Corvette's improvements include:

Structure. Corvette's underlying body structure has been redesigned, providing a firm foundation for Corvette's suspension and other systems. The stiff structure enabled a host of benefits, including improved ride and handling, more interior room, refined ergonomics and improved overall quality. Ride and Handling. By stiffening Corvette's under- body structure, engineers were able to radically reduce structural variation and movement. The increased stiffness is a bonus to suspension engineers, who in the past compensated for structural movement in their suspension designs. The result — engineers were able to improve ride and handling characteristics on the '97 Corvette exclusively through suspension modifications.

Power. Corvette has always boasted legendary power. The '97 Corvette is no exception — the small block LS1 V8 features more horsepower and torque than the optional '96 LT4. In addition to more power, a long list of powertrain improvements helps improve fuel economy and durability while reducing hydrocarbon emissions. The first small block V8 engine with an all-aluminum block and a rear-mounted transmission are just two of the new highlights for '97.

Comfort and convenience. Engineers and designers addressed and refined every aspect of the Corvette that affected comfort and convenience. Everything from the instrumentation and seats to door openings and step-in height was reworked and improved for greater customer satisfaction. According to Hill, the Corvette Team accomplished all of the above while maintaining the true meaning of 'Genuine Chevrolet' in terms of value and safety.

'You won't find a car in Corvette's price range that provides the same level of quality, power, ride, handling and refinement,' said Hill. 'This fifth generation is the best in many, many ways.'

STRÚCTÚRE

The enabler for many of Corvette's improvements is its underbody structure, which is several times stiffer for '97. The result: Better ride and handling, usable space and quality.

The heart of Corvette's new structure is a full-length perimeter frame made (in part) using hydroformed side rails – the largest single hydroformed parts in the auto industry. These side rails are made of a single piece of tubular steel, replacing the 14 parts previously used. Corvette's stiffer underbody structure helps promote a quieter, more vibration-free environment and enhances quality.

RIDE AND HANDLING

By stiffening Corvette's underbody structure, engineers were able to radically reduce structural variation and movement, and improve ride and handling exclusively through suspension modifications.

For '97, Corvette features a brand new, exclusive suspension design, unlike some competitors who use off-the-shelf parts.

The new suspension is height-adjustable. Each car's suspension is adjusted during production according to its specific option content. Now, every Corvette off the line is consistent in terms of ride and handling.

POWER

At the heart of every '97 Corvette beats a brand new LS1 small block 5.7-liter V8 engine. Engineers retained the small block's 5.7-liter displacement, traditional pushrod design and 440 bore centers, but that's where the similarity ends. The new aluminum small block V8 is the first of its kind for Corvette. The block's 'deep skirt' design helps reduce engine noise and vibration.

Other improvements include a simplified valve train, unique 'extended sump' oil pan, redesigned pistons, composite intake manifold, revised ignition system and dual-wall stainless steel exhaust manifold. The LS1 is GM's first gasoline engine with Electronic Throttle Control (ETC), which results in more precise throttle response through all rpm ranges.

The LS1 produces 345 horsepower and 350 lbs.-ft torque - more than either engine offered on Corvette in 1996.

New for 1997 is a rear-mounted transmission configuration that enabled engineers and designers to create more interior space. Corvette offers a choice between a standard four-speed automatic or optional six-speed manual.

STYLING AND SPACE

The '97 Corvette looks like a Corvette. Research confirmed that Corvette must remain true to its heritage. So, designers included thoughtful touches, such as air scoops which continue to the door panels like the side coves which first appeared in '56, the quad taillamps that debuted in '61 and hidden headlamps characteristic of the '63 Sting Ray.But under the skin, Corvette features a redesigned architecture that creates more interior space for people and cargo.

For instance, the '97 Corvette features more head, leg and shoulder room than the previous model. Footwell width has been increased on both sides - enough on the driver's side to allow room for a real 'dead pedal.'

Corvette's rear cargo area has nearly doubled. Now, the Corvette can hold two large sets of golf clubs in the rear compartment. Reach-over distance has been shortened to make the trunk easier to access. Corvette's wheelbase is 8.3 inches longer with a wider track (equal in the rear to the ZR-1) which provides greater stability.

COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE

Overall, Corvette is more comfortable and more user friendly. Standard leather bucket seats and power driver's side adjuster have been designed for improved comfort and support. Instruments, switches and controls are strategically located, creating an intuitive environment that is responsive to the driver's needs. Good examples are the ignition switch (mounted on the dashboard for '97) and the parking brake lever (moved to the center console). A lockable, lighted glove box is standard for the first time since 1993. And, the center console has been redesigned to hold cassettes, CDs, a portable phone, sunglasses or a variety of other small items.

On the outside, Corvette's hood is lighter and easier to open and close. The removable top has been simplified - no special tools are required for removal. Doors are lighter and well balanced, and openings are larger, making it easier to get into and out of the Corvette.

MANÚFACTÚRING

The 1997 Corvette is built exclusively in Bowling Green, Ky. – Corvette's home since 1981. Today, the Bowling Green plant is one of the industry's most sophisticated assembly plants, featuring computerized manufacturing techniques and one of GM's finest paint processes.

Source - GM Corporation

Corvette's structure is stiffer for 1997, compared with previous models. The 1997 Corvette features the stiffest underbody structure in the car's history. Engineers went to great lengths to improve Corvette's structure, which is, in many ways, the key to a host of other improvements.
Design of the underlying structure began with a top customer imperative: Corvette must be 'well built,' which means improved quality, ride and handling, ergonomics and safety.Corvette's structure reduces objectionable noises and steering wheel, floor and mirror vibrations by absorbing them before they reach the passenger compartment. The structure enhances the feeling of precision and quality from day one.




The structural design made it possible to create more room for people and cargo, create door openings that are easier to access and an improved angle of visibility through the windshield.

In terms of safety, Corvette's firm foundation helps absorb energy in the event of a collision, providing crashworthiness. Crush zones — built into the overall structure — help minimize impact intrusion into the passenger compartment, helping to protect the occupants. In addition to all these new structural strengths, the real accomplishment was adding stiffness without adding weight. In fact, the new Corvette weighs 69 lbs. less than the 1996 model.



Structural integrity is like the foundation of a house. It's the basis for everything that's built onto it. Following is a list of structural features, and how each contributes to Corvette's overall stiff structure: Corvette's hydroformed frame rails are pressed into shape via high-pressure hydraulics at GM's Metal Fabrication Plant in Pontiac, Mich.

Frame. Corvette features a full-length perimeter frame with side rails manufactured out of seamless tubular steel. These rails are joined by two bumper beams which are welded on, rather than bolted, for high strength. The rails are 'hydroformed' – i.e., pressed into shape by a high-pressure hydraulic press developed by GM. Corvette's rails represent the largest single hydroformed parts being used in an automotive application. The rails are an improvement over traditional designs because they're seamless. (Former Corvette rails were constructed of 14 individual pieces per side that were welded together.) The rails are also more consistently stiff and strong, and they enable engineers and designers to use space inside the vehicle more efficiently. By putting a major structural member in the center of the car, the burden placed on the outboard rails is reduced. The Corvette Design Team took advantage of this construction to reduce the height of the side rails as they pass through the passenger compartment. The lower rail allowed a lower step-in height, and more comfortable access for the driver and passenger.

Cockpit and windshield frame. Corvette's cockpit is framed by a welded cage of aluminum castings and extrusions – a design that allows engineers to optimize mass and stiffness and reduce interior vibrations.

Instrument panel cross member. This feature provides a firm foundation for the instrument panel resulting in reduced noise and vibration. A magnesium steering column support and magnesium-core steering wheel are lightweight and sturdy, reducing mass and steering wheel shake.1997 Corvette hydroformed frame rails with bumper beams and closed drivetrain tunnel.

Closed drivetrain tunnel. The drivetrain tunnel features long, straight surfaces that help create more interior room and contribute to overall rigidity. Since the transmission is located in the rear of the car, the wide flaring required for the bellhousing on a traditional front-mounted transmission was eliminated. A flaring would have intruded on interior space. Although typically open on the bottom, the tunnel on the '97 Corvette is closed by a bottom plate attached with 36 bolts, which adds to the overall solidity of the structure.

Twin mid-ship-mounted composite fuel tanks. Surrounded by the structure, the location of the fuel tanks helps lower the cargo floor – which minimizes fuel load effects on weight distribution – and helps reduce cargo liftover distance. Also, their location is designed to provide crashworthiness.

Sandwich composite floor. The floor is constructed using two layers of an aircraft type composite floor, sandwiched on either side of a balsa wood core. The balsa wood helps filter out noise and vibration, and contributes to the structure of the car. The balsa wood makes the floor 10 times stiffer than the use of composites alone. Numerous 'high tech' synthetic fillers were tried, but none matched the stiffness, light weight and damping performance of natural balsa wood.

One-piece cast aluminum front and rear chassis cross members. These cross members are lightweight and sturdy. Their dimensional stability promotes consistent handling and suspension geometry from car to car.

Source - Chevrolet

The fifth-generation (C5) 1997 Corvette debuted to global acclaim. Everything was fresh, from the taut, yet fluid, styling to the new LS1 small-block V-8, refined chassis, and improved body construction. The transmission was now mounted at the rear axle, an arrangement that contributed to a desirable 50-50 front-to-rear weight distribution. Equipped with an available 6-speed manual transmission, the 1997 C5 could reach 170 mph. From its especially strong hydro-formed box frame up, the 1997 C5 was designed to be exceptionally rugged. The C5 convertible, which followed the coupe into production a year later, further demonstrated the effectiveness of the new structural design.

Source - Chevrolet

1997 CHEVROLET CORVETTE BOASTS GREAT VALUE

All-new Premiere Sports Car Adds Over $1,200 Worth of Equipment -- Retail Price Only $270 More Than ‘96 Model

Today, Chevrolet announced a Manufacturers' Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $38,060 (including DFC) for its 1997 Corvette, America's all-new, premiere sports car which adds more than $1,200 worth of premium standard equipment yet is only $270 more than its 1996 predecessor ($37,790 MSRP).



'Chevrolet's definition of value doesn't change, whether the vehicle is a Metro, Lumina, Blazer, Tahoe -- or Corvette,' said John G. Middlebrook, Chevrolet General Manager.

Chevrolet enhanced Corvette's impressive value by adding more than $1,200 worth of premium standard equipment at MSRP for 1997, including:



• Low pressure warning system for tires.

• Driver's power seat.

• Speed sensitive steering.

• Extended mobility ('run flat') tires.

'Corvette is Chevrolet's technological and image showcase,' said Middlebrook, 'so the standard equipment additions tell only part of the 1997 Corvette story.'

Engineers made changes and improvements in several areas for ‘97. Here are a few examples:

Refined 'Human Factors.' Interior and exterior spaces have been refined, improving all of the areas where the driver interacts with the vehicle. This includes improving door openings for easier entry and exit; providing more interior room and more rear cargo space; and improving seat comfort, pedal feedback, road feel, and the feel and location of switches and controls.
Far More Rigid Structure. Corvette's body structure is a simpler, more rigid design that enables Corvette's improvements in space and 'human factors.' It also means greater durability. The 1997 Corvette uses 34 percent fewer parts and is lighter than its predecessor. The rigid structure helps Corvette establish new plateaus in virtually every category -- ride and handling, comfort, quality, space and technology.
Enhanced Performance. In wind tunnel testing, Corvette had 0.29 CD, the lowest coefficient of drag of any car produced in North America (except GM's own electric vehicle) and the best in the world among high-end sports cars. A new 5.7-liter small block V8 engine delivers 345 horsepower and 350 lbs.-ft. torque- more than the optional ‘96 LT4 engine.
Corvette Styling. From the dual-pod dashboard, to the quad taillamps and concealed headlamps, to the side air scoop, the new Corvette looks like a Corvette -- a requirement which customers validated during every phase of Chevrolet's customer research.
The all-new Corvettes will be unveiled at more than 400 dealerships in late February.

More Corvettes have been sold than any sports car in the world, since the Corvette's introduction 44 years ago. Chevrolet expects the all-new 1997 Corvette to easily maintain that tradition.

Source - Chevrolet

EXTRAORDINARY DEVOTION

Chevrolet's Únique Corvette Engenders Automotive Passion
To some it's an American icon, a legend, a rolling technological testbed, a symbol of achievement, Chevrolet's flagship. To others, it's simply their `Vette.

But to many, this Friday (March 7) is an automotive high holy day because that's the day Chevrolet will unveil the all-new, fifth-generation Corvette at some 400 select dealerships across the country.

Chevrolet dealers, suppliers and advertising agencies are going to unusual lengths for this unusual car. One dealer is preparing a Corvette 'shrine,' exhibiting the previous four Corvette generations with the 1997 fifth generation. A few dealers expect to sell their yearly Corvette allotment in a single day. Others are hiring local celebrities and catering special showings of the new `Vette.

One aftermarket supplier is stamping the new Corvette logo on 'just about anything,' including chrome-plated valve stem caps for tires and sets of crystal glasses and stemware. Chevrolet's ad agency -- Campbell-Ewald -- even hired the director of The Fugitive and Únder Siege to direct Chevy's new Corvette TV commercial.

What inspires such devotion? That's hard to describe. John Middlebrook, Chevrolet's General Manager, has said that 'Corvette is much more than just a car. It's a love affair. Words alone fail to convey the passion it inspires.'

And so the faithful will come to Chevrolet dealerships this Friday. They'll come to see what Chevrolet has always offered as an American sports car. They'll come to talk with other devotees about the Corvette things that matter most -- ride and handling, performance, comfort, style and overall refinement.

They'll talk about improvements such as the all-new 345- horsepower, all-aluminum V8 engine; the rear-mounted transmission; easier passenger entry and exit; increased cargo space for two sets of golf clubs; the 34-percent parts decrease; more rigid structure and the lowest coefficient of drag in the world for a high-end sports car.

Some will even talk price. The 1997 Corvette's Manufacturers' Suggested Retail Price is $38,060 (including destination) -- only $270 more than its 1996 predecessor, and an impressive value that adds more than $1,000 worth of premium standard equipment for 1997. The price will help maintain Corvette's reputation as the best-selling sports car in the world since its introduction 44 years ago.

But most Corvette aficionados care less about price than they care about the experience -- the mystical, indescribable essence of any Corvette.

Source - GM Corporation

DETROIT — The Corvette has been a staple in the car lover's diet since 1953, and continues to be to this day. Proof comes from the fact that the Corvette has been America's best-selling sports car for several decades. The new model combines beauty, performance, comfort and magic all in one sleekly styled, aerodynamic machine. The fifth-generation Corvette will reach out to loyalists, as well as those who are not traditional Corvette buyers. It adds new materials, engineering and design to produce a vehicle worthy of its ground-breaking heritage. The 1997 Corvette is true to its reputation. The legend lives.

The Corvette is all-new from rubber to roof.
• The new engine is a 5.7-liter LS1small-block, producing 345 hp and 350 lb.-ft. of torque — all from a more compact unit.



• The rear-mounted transaxle opens up a great deal of interior space, especially in the footwell area, and helps maintain a near 50/50 distribution of weight from front to rear.

• The Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) allows engineers to tune the vehicle's throttle progression almost infinitely. ETC also incorporates cruise control and traction control into a single controller.



The structural changes create more room for people and cargo, easier-to-access door openings and an improved angle of visibility through the windshield.
The wheelbase is 8.3 inches longer, while overall length is up just 1.2 inches.
In the event of a flat tire, the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS Extended Mobility Tires can run for up to 200 miles at 55 mph on deflated tires.

The interior features 70% more cargo space, thanks in part to the rear-mounted transaxle and twin mid-ship-mounted fuel tanks. The fuel tank design minimizes fuel load effects on weight distribution.

Interior styling features the twin-pod cockpit, a style that originated with the first Corvette in 1953. The passenger side grab handle is also back, as is a dash-mounted ignition switch. The new instrument panel contains traditional analog gauges that are backlit and a digital Driver Information Center. This display provides 12 individual readouts in four languages.

The tail section on the 1997 version is quite different from past Corvettes. The vehicle's blunt rear end allows for smoother airflow. The tail is also higher, which allows for more cargo room.

The end result is a drag coefficient of 0.29, the second lowest drag of any mass-produced car in North America (GM's own EV1 takes first place).

Source - GM Corporation

• All-new Premiere Sports Car Adds Over $1,200 Worth of Equipment -- Retail Price Only $270 More Than '96 Model
DETROIT -- Today, Chevrolet announced a Manufacturers' Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $38,060 (including DFC) for its 1997 Corvette, America's all-new, premiere sports car which adds more than $1,200 worth of premium standard equipment yet is only $270 more than its 1996 predecessor ($37,790 MSRP).

The announcement was made at Chevrolet's news conference at the North American International Auto Show.

'Chevrolet's definition of value doesn't change, whether the vehicle is a Metro, Lumina, Blazer, Tahoe -- or Corvette,' said John G. Middlebrook, Chevrolet General Manager.

Chevrolet enhanced Corvette's impressive value by adding more than $1,200 worth of premium standard equipment at MSRP for 1997, including:


Úplevel radio with premium Bose speakers.
Low pressure warning system for tires.
Driver's power seat.
Speed sensitive steering.
Extended mobility ('run flat') tires.
'Corvette is Chevrolet's technological and image showcase,' said Middlebrook, 'so the standard equipment additions tell only part of the 1997 Corvette story.'

Engineers made changes and improvements in several areas for '97. Here are a few examples:


Refined 'Human Factors.' Interior and exterior spaces have been refined, improving all of the areas where the driver interacts with the vehicle. This includes improving door openings for easier entry and exit; providing more interior room and more rear cargo space; and improving seat comfort, pedal feedback, road feel, and the feel and location of switches and controls.

Far More Rigid Structure. Corvette's body structure is a simpler, more rigid design that enables Corvette's improvements in space and 'human factors.' It also means greater durability. The 1997 Corvette uses 34 percent fewer parts and is lighter than its predecessor. The rigid structure helps Corvette establish new plateaus in virtually every category -- ride and handling, comfort, quality, space and technology.

Enhanced Performance. In wind tunnel testing, Corvette had 0.29 CD, the lowest coefficient of drag of any car produced in North America (except GM's own electric vehicle) and the best in the world among high-end sports cars. A new 5.7-liter small block V8 engine delivers 345 horsepower and 350 lbs.-ft. torque- more than the optional '96 LT4 engine.

Corvette Styling. From the dual-pod dashboard, to the quad taillamps and concealed headlamps, to the side air scoop, the new Corvette looks like a Corvette -- a requirement which customers validated during every phase of Chevrolet's customer research.
The all-new Corvettes will be unveiled at more than 400 dealerships in late February.

More Corvettes have been sold than any sports car in the world, since the Corvette's introduction 44 years ago. Chevrolet expects the all-new 1997 Corvette to easily maintain that tradition.

Source - GM Corporation

1997 was the first year for the fifth-generation Corvette, a generation that would last until 2004. The C5 was a radical change from its predecessor. The engine was an all-new aluminum push-rod V8 that was lighter, more powerful, and more fuel-efficient than its predecessor.

The rigidity of the Corvette was enhanced by a new process called hydro-forming. This created frame rails from a continuous steel tube. The transmission was moved to the rear of the car and connected to the engine via a torque tube. This not only improved the performance, but also the balance.

The cockpit became larger and the controls became handier. Due to the frame requiring less space, it was easier to get in and out.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2003