2014 Corvette
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I don't think I've ever critiqued the back end of a Corvette. Several people I know comment on how they don't like it because "it's too square compared to the rest of the lines" or "it just doesn't look right" but I don't see that. The C6 is nearly perfect on the exterior in my opinion. It's got angled lines starting with the front/headlights and continuing on through the doors. It flows just fine to the back and features those definitive taillights. I see nothing wrong.
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Syn, compare the back end of a Corvette to an Aston Martin DB9 and you'll see what I'm harping on. There are ways for cars to have big hips without it looking like a snow plow. Again, I really like the Corvette but it just feels like they're not even trying on what otherwise is a pretty sharp looking car.
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Seriously (not just being a jerk), show me any example of any car part on any car that is made of any remotely similar plastic. I can't think of anything remotely similar. Most cars have some stylistic of packaging elements that breaks it up a little better.
Tomorrow we'll debate the functional comments.
Joined: Aug 2005
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Originally Posted by i_heart_my_DB8' timestamp='1327024616' post='21334124
[quote name='Mr.E.G.' timestamp='1327022672' post='21334027']
[quote name='TheDonEffect' timestamp='1326994245' post='21332198']
[quote name='Mr.E.G.' timestamp='1326992745' post='21332106']
I've said it before and I'll say it again, it needs a smaller, tapered back end like a BMW Z8 or an Aston Martin DB9. The flat wall-shaped back end they have now is the worst looking part of the car and really cheapens the whole package.
[quote name='TheDonEffect' timestamp='1326994245' post='21332198']
[quote name='Mr.E.G.' timestamp='1326992745' post='21332106']
I've said it before and I'll say it again, it needs a smaller, tapered back end like a BMW Z8 or an Aston Martin DB9. The flat wall-shaped back end they have now is the worst looking part of the car and really cheapens the whole package.
Really? It's like a big plastic butt lid; it's all one piece. It looks like they didn't try to stylize it at all. It's unnecessarily thick looking and just odd. Don't get me wrong, I like the Corvette, I just can't get over the goofy butt.
[/quote]
Not only that, but the worst part about the big plastic butt in MY opinion, is the fact that the transition from the fender to the bumper is NEVER SMOOTH. If you've ever tried to follow a reflection from the fender back, it always goes wonky at the bumper/fender seam.
SUCK.
Best pic I could find showing the issue. It always looks so horrible to me. If the car above were black, it'd be easier to see.
[/quote]
Is that the factory part? I agree with what you are saying but I don't know if that bumper cover is factory. The spoiler edge looks too large.
[/quote]
I don't think that's a factory part either but the point still stands.
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In person, I think the Corvette's rear looks fine, very well proportioned, etc. Imo, if there was a prancing horse vs. the two flags, I think alot of people's opinions would be different. The C5 and C6 imo got it right for their periods. Yeah, a DB9 ducktail taper would be nice and I am a fan of that look and would appreciate it on the vette, I really don't think it's necessary.
Syn, I know what you mean about the corvette rear ends not being smooth relative to the quarters, it's usually botched repair work, I know a lot of shops who hate having to replace those things.
As far as what cars use more plastic... elise's front end is pretty much one big clamshell of plastic.
Syn, I know what you mean about the corvette rear ends not being smooth relative to the quarters, it's usually botched repair work, I know a lot of shops who hate having to replace those things.
As far as what cars use more plastic... elise's front end is pretty much one big clamshell of plastic.
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Don, I wouldn't care if it had prancing horses or flying unicorns. It just looks cheap to me. Hell, if it was a Ferrari they would cut all kinds of grooves and put vents and such all over it so we'd have something different to bitch about all together. 
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From: Scatterbrainia
Originally Posted by i_heart_my_DB8' timestamp='1327024616' post='21334124
[quote name='Mr.E.G.' timestamp='1327022672' post='21334027']
[quote name='TheDonEffect' timestamp='1326994245' post='21332198']
[quote name='Mr.E.G.' timestamp='1326992745' post='21332106']
I've said it before and I'll say it again, it needs a smaller, tapered back end like a BMW Z8 or an Aston Martin DB9. The flat wall-shaped back end they have now is the worst looking part of the car and really cheapens the whole package.
[quote name='TheDonEffect' timestamp='1326994245' post='21332198']
[quote name='Mr.E.G.' timestamp='1326992745' post='21332106']
I've said it before and I'll say it again, it needs a smaller, tapered back end like a BMW Z8 or an Aston Martin DB9. The flat wall-shaped back end they have now is the worst looking part of the car and really cheapens the whole package.
Really? It's like a big plastic butt lid; it's all one piece. It looks like they didn't try to stylize it at all. It's unnecessarily thick looking and just odd. Don't get me wrong, I like the Corvette, I just can't get over the goofy butt.
[/quote]
Not only that, but the worst part about the big plastic butt in MY opinion, is the fact that the transition from the fender to the bumper is NEVER SMOOTH. If you've ever tried to follow a reflection from the fender back, it always goes wonky at the bumper/fender seam.
SUCK.
Best pic I could find showing the issue. It always looks so horrible to me. If the car above were black, it'd be easier to see.
[/quote]
Is that the factory part? I agree with what you are saying but I don't know if that bumper cover is factory. The spoiler edge looks too large.
[/quote]
Pretty certain it's not a factory part, but the next time you see one in person, look at that seam. It's pretty bad even from the factory. The two surfaces (fender + bumper) are intended to combine into one flowing smooth surface, but the execution on it is piss poor, and it shows in the reflection.
*disclaimer* I have an unusual eye for detail, so I suppose this might not bother other people as much.
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Mr EG,
Starting of by saying, the cut line that people are complaining about is one I never liked my self but I'm still going to put things in a bit of perspective... that said, I really would like to see GM come up with a more artistic rear end for the car.
Big plastic
I'm sure there are many examples if we go and look at lots of cars but let's look at the GTR as an example
It's actually a lot like the Corvette in that it's a big plastic cover for almost the entire rear end. I suspect, given the larger size of the GTR that it's more plastic. Notice that it also extends around the fender like the Corvette's. However, even though it's bigger it does have a few things to break it up a bit. The bottom part is not body colored thus breaking up the mass of the part (Audi used to do this visual trick with the black out area on the sides of their sedans). The GTR has more edges on the tail which again break up the tail surface. The GTR's hatch also cuts into the top of the part. Still, I'm sure that Nissan part is larger than the GM part.
With the Corvette it seems to be a bit of a car to car thing.
In this press photo the seam is great but it's a press photo.
http://www.seriouswheels.com/2005/20...-1600x1200.htm
In this real car photo it's not bad.
http://www.seriouswheels.com/2005/20...-1600x1200.htm
This GTR seems only a bit better. (but still better)
http://www.motortrend.com/photo_gall..._19.html#photo
As for functionality, no doubt that the Corvette tail works. That design dates back to the Daytona Cobras where aero testing made it clear that a sharp cutoff is often more aerodynamic that tapering the tail back in cases when you can't make the tail long enough to really bring the air flows back together. For example, rounding the edges would actually increase drag rather than reduce it. If you look at the Volt and the Prius (two very low drag cars) you will see they also have that sort of sharp termination to the sides of the car. It is functional if not always pretty.
Check out the part where they talk about the Kamm tail
http://www.secondstrike.com/Coupe/Brock.htm
Starting of by saying, the cut line that people are complaining about is one I never liked my self but I'm still going to put things in a bit of perspective... that said, I really would like to see GM come up with a more artistic rear end for the car.
Big plastic
I'm sure there are many examples if we go and look at lots of cars but let's look at the GTR as an example
It's actually a lot like the Corvette in that it's a big plastic cover for almost the entire rear end. I suspect, given the larger size of the GTR that it's more plastic. Notice that it also extends around the fender like the Corvette's. However, even though it's bigger it does have a few things to break it up a bit. The bottom part is not body colored thus breaking up the mass of the part (Audi used to do this visual trick with the black out area on the sides of their sedans). The GTR has more edges on the tail which again break up the tail surface. The GTR's hatch also cuts into the top of the part. Still, I'm sure that Nissan part is larger than the GM part.
With the Corvette it seems to be a bit of a car to car thing.
In this press photo the seam is great but it's a press photo.
http://www.seriouswheels.com/2005/20...-1600x1200.htm
In this real car photo it's not bad.
http://www.seriouswheels.com/2005/20...-1600x1200.htm
This GTR seems only a bit better. (but still better)
http://www.motortrend.com/photo_gall..._19.html#photo
As for functionality, no doubt that the Corvette tail works. That design dates back to the Daytona Cobras where aero testing made it clear that a sharp cutoff is often more aerodynamic that tapering the tail back in cases when you can't make the tail long enough to really bring the air flows back together. For example, rounding the edges would actually increase drag rather than reduce it. If you look at the Volt and the Prius (two very low drag cars) you will see they also have that sort of sharp termination to the sides of the car. It is functional if not always pretty.
Check out the part where they talk about the Kamm tail
http://www.secondstrike.com/Coupe/Brock.htm