We expect those who aren’t in love with dislike detest the back-end of the 2014 Corvette Stingray to be all over this “Nostalgic Taillight Kit”, which promises to mess up improve bring back the four circular tail lights from the C6, for the sake of heritage.
For a paltry $2,800, which we expect to be the price of the optional Z51 package, the kit promises:
- Fiberglass rear end C6 taillights
- Wirings and bulbs
- Tools and diagrams
- $2,800 free shipping
The irony here is twofold: not only would the kit completely interrupt the function of the C7’s rear intakes, which cool the differential and transmission, by closing off the air exit points located on the outside of both tail lamps, but the kit is also not a real product at all; rather, it seems to be a design concept drawn up by someone at corvetteitalia.it.
The GM Authority Take
We’re sure a pop-up headlamp and airbag delete kit are going to follow. For the sake of nostalgia… of course.
Hat tip to Mike R.
Comments
Sad part is they would sell to all the loud mouth haters. I think the new design is good looking and shows that GM is ready to step out of the closet with design.
For the cry babies that are afraid of change and embracing it…
Stupid! Change is a fact of life people, embrace it and move on.
Actually, that rear facsia makes it look worse.
I think I see why GM dropped the round taillights for the hexagonal; theres hardly any curves on the rest of the body anyway.
This is just a way to make a cheap buck and make the C7 look worse.
This looks too much like a Ferrari back end
Congratulations knucklehead. You now are the owner of a brand new 2014 C-6.
Wow that was quicker than I expected……Now to replace the metal band across the front grill…..
Absolutely awful. The dinosaurs cant embrace change and i guess someone is gonna make a fortune catering to the small minded that cant appreciate world class design. Ed welburn and crew made a flawless car. I want a c7 in the worst
@Bryan…. HAHAHA!
Who said GM’s design team was IN THE CLOSET – ANYWAY? LOL! Isn’t that
just like the gay community to assume everyone is gay? – Wow!
Sorry Bryan, I just had take a shot at your wordage – I think we all know what
you meant, but “in the closet” has a certain meaning today, and
having backward thinking or being nostalgic in design theory isn’t
it —-
On the plus side – I like the new/old look but agree it’s too plain, and
not forward enough. There isn’t enough information out there re: the
aero-cooling efficacy of those tiny slots next to the C7’s taillgihts, but
it seems the lower pathway of air would cover the transaxle and
exhaust – wherein the top vents may be more for downforce? Not
sure. There are so many variations one could take on the twin round
‘Vette namesake lights – look how Ferrari has played with the shapes
such as revealing a long side portion of the lens as part of the
side indicators,etc.. Ovals are out, as the C5 was butt-ugly IMO,
but vents or sculpted forms could’ve provided an interesting look
for the Stingray’s rear than the robo oddness they selected.
But enough talking about rears —- I’m not IN ANY CLOSET, and
I’m certainly not looking to get out of one – that’s for sure! LOL.
James — regarding the vents on the C7, have a look at this:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2013/01/deep-dive-the-exterior-design-of-the-2014-chevy-corvette-stingray/
I do like te smooth simple purity of the fake bodykit though. It
highlights how complicated and way-too-busy the C7’s existing
design is. Way too many lines, off-angles, dents and creases
to be sure.
Perhaps one horizontal crease, lose te “Corvette” nameplate
and add some widened vents around the outer lights and
voila, it’d be an improvement. I do like how the gray lower
area splits up what used to be the humongous flat rump other
‘Vettes have had in the name of downforce and perhaps
designer laziness.
One more C7 observation: This excercise points out what is my biggest
complaint about the C7’s appearance – too many lines and
unnecessary details. The hood, for example: I really like the sharp
edges that just slightly reminisce of the Stingray haunches over the
wheels, but there’s a couple added character lines that I don’t feel were
necessary and junk up the appearance. Also, the side exit vent behind
the front wheels is really cool, but did’t need the black or accent coloring,
just keep it body color. That vent also has those little character lines
which I think cheapen the effect. Likewise with the rear vents being
black and being very busy instead of Ferrari, or Porsche smooth.
Think of a NACA duct – they are functional and cool looking, not
jiggered-up with lines and angles.
Lastly, I think the Corvette’s design team got too “TRANSFORMERS”
on us, as they want new designs to be “young” or “youthful” to
last another decade or so until C8. In doing this – they lost their
sense of good design and cluttered up Corvette with too much
needless detail. I like how you can see the latest Ferrari, and whilst
you can tell it’s a Ferrari from a block away, when you get closer
your eyes don’t get caught into following a bunch of busy lines
that don’t have a place in the car’s ultimate function of sleekness.
Ask me what new cars on the scene have used a better approach
at design and I would point you towards brand new cars which
have to be fast, yet capture a simple design language that speaks
class as well as speed. Look no further than the Aston Martin
Virage, and you’ll see where GM got that nice lower-sill blade
that protrudes from Corvette’s side – very nice, and it works on
the Corvette as well. Look at Virage and other Astons and you’ll
see some of the sexiest, sleekest ICE sports car designs out there.
I also like Lotus, and what they’ve done with the Evora, and Tesla’s
Model S, which evokes classic rounded theme’s which translate
into speed and a feelilng of class and expensiveness ( or specialness )
if you will.
I’m a cartoonist and I’ve always liked to draw. I inherited my talent from my
grandmother who always used to tell me, “it takes two people to draw a
picture”, one to draw it, and the other to shoot him when he’s finished!”
Corvette’s designers look like they obsessed with it and just fiddled with
it for too long. They wanted to add features that would evoke past designs
and they wanted to attract a younger audience. In doing so, we get too
many lines and flourishes that just could’ve been left in the dustbin.
Maybe some of you remember the mid-engined Corvette concept
that was made famous at carshows in the late seventies, early eighties.
These designs were a cabover design with smooth aero flowing shapes.
This is the elusive mid-engined ‘Vette that many GM engineers
dreamt about but budgets just could never make a reality. Even C7
was imagines as a mid-engined design at it’s beginning before having
that idea put out to pasture ( ONCE AGAIN! ) for practical reasons.
C7’s forgot that golden rule my dear late grandma taught: K.I.S.S. It
turned out pretty nice, but just a bit too gimmicky IMHO.
I would like Alex or Manoli to ask Ed Wellburn, director of GM design –
what is the history of the GM crease?
The “GM crease” is that strange center crease that appears on every
single GM product produced. It seems to be a GM design bylaw
etched in granite somewhere deep in the bowels of GM headquarters
that every single car, truck and sportscar produced from this
fabled brand MUST have this envelope fold in the center of the hood
and grille. On the C-7 it’s just too much – as with Malibu or ELR, or
ANY GM PRODUCT, the line often gets in the way of the true
language of the car – but again and again and again it shows up
as if it’s even added to a design as some sort of signature move.
I always puzzle at the cars it shows up on, in fact, there is not one
GM product that does not have it – I think Pontiac Solstice didn’t
have it and it might have gotten somebody FIRED! — LOL! – I
do know Saturn Sky, Solstice’s sister car DID have the crease.
I just want to know WHAT’S UP WITH THE CREASE?!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sky
I have two GM vehicles that have no crease on the hoods. You are just barking with no bite!
I have three in my garage right now and I checked, none of them have this illusive “crease” of which you speak.
If I had never seen a C6, I would like the proposed rear design better. Why are the four lights frenched so deeply? I’ve never liked the dust catcher tunnels. If the tail lights were flush, it could give the car a 2013 1/2 look. I’m sure the ducting could be incorporated. BTW, WAY overpriced! Knock it down to $999 and they might sell a few. Future Corvette lore; They had a lot of left over C6 tail light lenses and they had to use them up! LOL!
James, The last generation before the end the Grand Prix, The Camaro and Firebirds also had the flat hoods no crease. The last gen GTO, The 95 Impala SS, Chevy Luminas, Chevy Cobalts. I could go on. There out there. There are a few reasons why there is a lot of hood creases in the cars..but to say ALL GM cars..not really.
The ’14 factory taillights look pretty good and fit the design well. It’s the rest of the rear end that’s a mess and needs massaging, IMO. Still, if someone wants to customize their car, I think they could do a lot worse–I’ve got no problems with this, except of course that it’s nothing more than a Photoshop artist’s dream at this point.
I just got back from my first ever Detroit auto show and I have to say to all those naysayers, you need to see this car in person before you start making judgements. I agree with some of the critical observations but only to a degree. The car is stunning, and the reports of the attention it was receiving were not exaggerated. There was never a time when there wasn’t a mob of people clamoring to get a better view. You can nitpick any design and find things you don’t like. But overall I feel the design is a great success for GM. And finally for all the people saying the new stingray looks like a viper, with the exception of the one angle shown here which is basically on the ground, the two will never be mistaken for one another.
I just read the fine print
“Wirings and BULBS”
Yeah, because the advantages of LED’s aren’t good enough for them; it hasn’t hurt Cadillac since the 2000 Deville, and I don’t think it’ll hurt the C7.
I bet these are the same people who offered pop-up headlight kits for the C6.
Come on guys its not that bad, I actually like how it kind of simplifies the overly busy C7 rear end.
That said, I would get the Z51 package over this any day.
Call the C7’s rear overly busy, excessive, or too aggressive… I am in enamored with it.
I am with Alex on this one. I wasn’t sure last year and I am pretty sure I said at the time I would wait to pass final judgement on the rear until I saw it in person. While I have not actually put my mitts on one, I can honestly say I may be more in love with this car than my man. (Just kidding, honey!) But seriously, completely in love, top to bottom, nose to rear, love love love love this car. Don’t know where I am going to put it but I am sure I will find somewhere. I can always find room for another Vette. 😉
Are u kidding me? I was really hoping all the spy pictures I’ve seen were going to be wrong I’m so disappointed. Oh u will sell a few but not the numbers u would hope for. Like I said 3 months ago u better start the retooling now. THE BIGGEST INSULT OF ALL U PUT STINGRAY ON IT HOW DARE U. Is nothing sacred any more? What is up with all the striate lines is this Cadillac or a corvette? A stingray is smooth rounded two-tone and has side pips. I could go on and on. Every time I see Ed Wellborn with that stupid smile on his face id like slap it off. What is up with that stupid vent behind the front wheels? Was that an after thought? It go’s with nothing. Just too many hard lines. The ass end has been ugly for a long time we all were hoping for some Improvements. It looks like they took 2 steps backwards. I personally hate this design. I’ve been a fan sense I was 8 I’m 60 now I’ve been disappointed before but not like this. I realize you can’t design a car that every one will love. To change things just to change them isn’t right.
I just wish the Viper would come down in price.
Sorry that you don’t like it, Jeff. I have been in love with Vettes my entire life and the only one I don’t particularly like is the first ones! 😉 Oh well, not all cars appeal to all people, you’re right. While the ’58 is on my bucket list, it was just bumped for the C7! I agree that this is a stretch of the design but it is still very distinctively a Corvette just the same. I think there are plenty of people who love it so one or two defections are not going to make big a difference. 😉
I think if you look deeply into the reasons behind the design features, you will see that each and every line and vent on that car is there for a reason. To me, it seems like this is the first time they really did a complete redesign of the entire car from top to bottom instead of just refreshing the look. But it is still, very clearly, a Corvette. And I think for that reason alone (although there are many), the designers should be rewarded. Like Silent Electrician, I think it just might be perfect! (It will also fit perfectly into my garage when it gets here!) 🙂
“sidepipes”
The C7 Stingray is a better car than any Corvette before it, and you think it would be better to make it an inferior product by comparing it to lackluster piles from 40 years ago? If anything, the C2 and C3 Stingrays are the inferior products.
If the C7 had side pipes, it would look like an afterthought. Side pipes probably were a measure of a cars presence 40 years ago…they simply don’t matter anymore, especally if the C7 itself is better than any Corvette before it. In that case, wouldn’t the C7 be setting the performance bar higher than its predecessors ever could be a more suitable measure of its success?
@Jeff you seem to be just another old guy chasing the 60s. Go out and buy yourself an inferior vehicle from the 60s to chase nostalgia and leave the C7’s design alone, because its perfect.
I have to strongly disagree. Each and every new C. (C is for change) is a ground up redesign. Wouldn’t you agree the lines are too hard or sharp? Not unlike the Cadillac and nothing like a stingray. For guys likes us that have had Corvettes (I’ve had 3 Corvettes) each and every one has been different but they all seem to be corvettes at heart. Something that say’s Corvette. Now I wouldn’t throw the whole thing out if you round over some of those hard lines change that hideous ass end and front fascia. There is no good reason the tail lights shouldn’t be round because they say corvette. You can’t deny Corvette has a history. I think they lost site of that fact. Corvette does have a history.
GM is under no obligation to uphold the Corvette’s “history” just to appeal to a shrinking consumer minority.
Reach out to new drivers; you can only do that with new product, not by trying to hype the old.
wrong, wrong, wrong, T was out looking At vettes today 2012s I’m not waiting.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_man's_car
Either way, you’re a consumer minority; and thus you opinions of the C7 don’t matter to GM or anyone.
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after browsing through a few of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m certainly happy I stumbled upon it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back often!
I would like everyone to think of how many times Corvettes have come out with squared taillights….the answer is….1. Namely, those of The C4. Often overlooked and not very well liked by purists….*didn’t like them much myself*.
When 1 thinks Vette tailights, round comes to mind for a reason.
The new design is much like the outgoing design of The C6….they both give a great deal of homage to Ferrari….or better said….Pininfarina. The C7, shares many design cues of The Ferrari 599 while The C6 took some design cues from The Ferrari 550M.
As far as this Italian offered fascia….I can dig it. In terms of defeating the ducting exits for the transaxle….this design does leave the lower set of duct slots flanked at either side in the lower half….also redirecting this airflow is not entirely out of the question….
As I am an automotive designer, there are a few different ways to channel heated airflow away from the transaxle…I am currently working on a design for the aftermarket….
Overall….I honestly am somewhat indifferent to this new design. The slope of the rear quarters into the front fenders is definitely Classic StingRay. The roofline is killer. Where I find most issue with this design is in the details….the front and rear ends just don’t get it for me….the sides of car are fine….
But then I also love it….after all, I am in the aftermarket….so I have plenty of canvas to work with….