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1999 Chevy Corvette Hardtop

Over the past six months, my son has been dropping hints that he liked the Corvette, and would someday like to have one.  After some thought, I decided not to kick him out of the house, and looked at the links and ads he would send me about cars he saw and liked.  He wanted the new body style, with the LS1 engine and 6 speed manual.  He found this on Craigslist here in Orange County.  The mileage had just turned 100K, and was the 6 speed he wanted.  As an added bonus, it was the same pewter color as his 2000 Trans Am.  To top it off, it was the very hard to find hardtop version.  He appeared pretty excited about finding this car, at this price.  I called the owner, and got more info on the car.  It sounded nice for the price, so off we were to go see the car in person.  The car was nice, drove well, and didn't appear to need anything fixed or repaired.  I let my son think about the price, and we both agreed to make an offer.  My son has seen me make several deals, and negotiation on all of them.  I always tried to explain the process to him, and even tried to teach him what to expect from the seller, and on several occasions, I was even able to predict the future.  The best example was the Pontiac dealer, when I made an offer on the car, knowing it was too low.  But I knew the dealer would counter offer.  When the dealer said no, I said thank you, and we walked away.  As we were walking away, I told my son, the salesman will come and get us.  We made it all the way to the car, and I started the car.  Then I told my son, here he comes, running after us, as I saw him the rearview mirror.  He came back with a counter offer, but still not at my level.  I came up a little but he said he couldn't come down any farther.  Again I said thank you, and off we drove.  As we drove away, I told my son, he will call us back in a day or so.  Three days later, he called back, and we had the Pontiac in the driveway that day.  So now it was his turn, and negotiations began.  It went back and forth, and ended in an agreed price, including the smog check.  My son did well, and here is his car now.  Stay tuned, I am sure he will be upgrading items like he always does.       

 

 

1999 Corvette Overview

The 1999 Corvette Series had 3 cars to choose from, the Coupe, the Convertible, and the new addition, the Hardtop. Some Corvette customers wanted a lighter, stiffer, more agile high performance Corvette and that is just what the Hardtop is. The Hardtop came equipped with a Z51 suspension, designed for racing competition or for drivers who demand the ultimate Corvette handling package. The suspension features stiff springs, large stabilizer bars and large monotube shock absorbers.

The Hardtop, believe it or not, was actually cheaper than the Coupe or the Convertible. If Coupe or Convertible owners preferred the Z51 suspension to be installed on their car, it would carry a price tag of $1,165. The downside to the Hardtop was that it was not the most luxurious of all Corvettes. It came with minimal options.

The only option that were available to the Hardtop were a power driver seat, the JL4 active handling system, a custom-designed Bose audio system, a CD changer and body side moldings. It also only came with one available interior, black leather, and five exterior color choices, Torch Red, Arctic White, Black, Pewter, and Nassau Blue.

  

1999 Corvette Retail Prices

  • Hardtop
  • $38,777
  • Coupe
  • $39,171
  • Convertible
  • $45,579

1999 Corvette Production Numbers by Model
  • Hardtop
  • 4,031
  • Coupe
  • 18,078
  • Convertible
  • 11,161

1999 Corvette Production Numbers by Color
  • Arctic White
  • 2,756
  • Light Pewter Metallic
  • 6,164
  • Sebring Silver Metallic
  • 3,510
  • Nassau Blue Metallic
  • 1,034
  • Navy Blue Metallic
  • 1,439
  • Black
  • 7,235
  • Torch Red
  • 8,361
  • Magnetic Red Metallic
  • 2,733

1999 Corvette Engines

Engine

HP/TQ

0-60

Quarter Mile
  • 5.7L V-8 LS1
  • 345 HP @ 5600 RPM
    350 lb-ft @ 4400 RPM
  • 4.8 sec
  • 13.3 sec

 

 

 

1999 Chevrolet Corvette Hardtop

by Carey Russ

Few automobiles have reached the legendary status of the Chevrolet Corvette. It is an icon of American automotive performance. In its 46 years of production, the Corvette has had little domestic competition and performance parity with foreign sports cars costing far more. Over the years it has become increasingly civilized without losing its edge. When the fifth-generation Corvette, nicknamed "C5", was introduced in 1997, it heralded further refinement, to the point that some potential customers worried that it would sacrifice performance to luxury. There was a demand for a more basic, and seriously performance-oriented, C5 'Vette.

With the recent introduction of the Corvette Hardtop, that demand has been answered. The first fixed-roof Corvette since the Sting Ray in 1967, it is the lightest, quickest, and fastest version of the current 'Vette. The six-speed manual gearbox and Z51 sports suspension are optional on the C5 Coupe and Convertible. They are the standard equipment on the Hardtop, with no substitutions.

This is not to say that comfort has been neglected. All C5 Hardtops come with leather upholstery, air conditioning, and a full complement of power accessories. Only about six dyed-in-the-Harris tweed purists will be disappointed by the lack of cloth upholstery and side curtains. For anyone else, the Hardtop does what Corvettes have always done best - give exotic sports car levels of performance and handling at a relatively affordable price. It is the least-expensive 'Vette, with a base price of just over $38,000.

I discovered how much performance the C5 Hardtop has during a recent week with a bright red example. In one word: plenty. The "extra weight" of the civilized accoutrements has little impact. Sixty mph comes up in less than five seconds, and cornering and stopping abilities are just as good. Top speed is reputed to be in the neighborhood of 170 mph, although I missed that by about 100 mph. Despite the extreme performance envelope, the C5 Hardtop is completely civilized in everyday use. It may not be absolutely the quickest and fastest car available today, but a little extra performance elsewhere is significantly more expensive.

APPEARANCE: The C5 is unmistakably a Corvette, and has a similar profile to the previous generation. It's rounded where the C4 was angular, but the pop-up headlights remain. The Hardtop looks much like a Convertible with a hardtop, but the top is not removable. What appear to be air intakes in front are styling features; the engine breathes from under the long nose. The Hardtop's passenger cabin is set well back, for classic long-hood, short-deck sports car style.

COMFORT: The Hardtop is definitely not a "bare-bones" sports car. It has all of the comforts expected of a car in its price range, including leather seats, power windows, mirrors, and door locks, and a good climate control system. Low door sills and wide doors make access much easier than was the case with the C4. It's a driver's car, with snug bucket seats, a thick-rimmed, leather covered steering wheel, and good instrument and control layout. The Hardtop's luggage capacity is minimal, but a real trunk lid helps access.

SAFETY: The 1999 Chevrolet Corvette Hardtop has crash avoidance features including quick acceleration, excellent handling and maneuverability, and 4-wheel antilock vented disc brakes. A safety cage around the passenger compartment, front and rear crush zones, three-point safety belts, and next-generation airbags protect occupants in case the crash is not avoided.

ROADABILITY: All C5 models have the stiffest chassis ever found in a Corvette, and the Hardtop is the lightest current model. Much like the previous generation, a perimeter-and-backbone frame supports a fiberglass body. But the new frame is lighter and much more rigid than that of the C4, allowing a more compliant tuning of the fully- independent suspension. A rear-mounted transaxle gearbox, unusual for a front-engined car, improves weight distribution. The Z51 sports suspension is firm, but nowhere near as harsh as the suspension of early C4s. That compliance allows the tires to stay in contact with the road, and the huge contact patch of the P245/45 ZR17 front and P275/40 ZR18 rear Goodyear Eagle F1 tires ensures excellent cornering and stopping power, aided by the optional "active handling" electronic stability control system. Its abilities are far, far beyond what can be used sanely on the street, but a C5 Hardtop should make an excellent autocross and time trials car even with the leather seats and power windows.

PERFORMANCE: The newest Corvette is mild-mannered and easy to drive around town, with a light clutch and steering, and smooth shifting. The 345-horsepower, 5.7-liter aluminum LS1 engine has the lumpy idle of a high-performance V8, and just enough vibration reaches the cockpit to let it be known that serious power is available. It's fairly quiet around town. But, wide-open throttle on a highway onramp clears any cobwebs out quickly. The subdued low-speed exhaust note turns into a ferocious bellow, the scenery blurs, and 60 mph comes before second gear is used up. Because of the extreme overdrive of both fifth and sixth gears, the 'Vette can be remarkably frugal with fuel at highway speeds, but that does miss the point.

CONCLUSIONS: The newest Corvette does what 'Vettes have always done best and looks to be the best yet. 

                 SPECIFICATIONS
        1999 Chevrolet Corvette Hardtop 

Base Price               $ 38,197
Price As Tested      $ 40,622
Engine Type             pushrod overhead valve V8, 16 valves
Engine Size              5.67 liters / 346 cu. in.
Horsepower             345 @ 5600 rpm
Torque (lb-ft)          350 @ 4400 rpm
Transmission             6-speed manual
Wheelbase / Length       104.5 in. / 179.7 in.
Curb Weight              3153 lbs.
Pounds Per Horsepower    9.1
Fuel Capacity            19.1 gal.
Fuel Requirement      unleaded premium
Tires                    front: P245/45 ZR17, rear P275/40 ZR18
                             Goodyear Eagle F1 run-flat
Brakes, front/rear       vented disc / vented disc,
                             antilock standard
Suspension, front/rear   independent unequal-length arm with
                         transverse monoleaf spring /
                         independent 5-link with transverse
                         monoleaf spring
Drivetrain         front engine, rear-wheel drive

                    PERFORMANCE
EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon
    city / highway / observed      18 / 28 / 19
0 to 60 mph                        4.8 sec
1/4 mile (E.T.)                    13.3  sec

               OPTIONS AND CHARGES
6-way power driver's seat                $ 305
Color-keyed front floor mats            $ 25
Active handling system                       $ 500
TR9 Lamp group                                  $ 95
AM/FM/CD stereo                             $ 100
Bose speaker & amplifier system       $ 820
Destination Charge                              $ 580

 

 

A Z06 waiting to happen
by shoplmart: Written: Jan 06 '02 - Updated Jun 14 '03

 Pros: Very fast acceleration, Sleek design, Fair gas mileage & price, Lightweight.
Cons: Not as many amenities as other C5 Corvettes.
The Bottom Line:  With a low price tag, a high tech LS1 V8, that produces 345 horse power, a 'super high' fun factor, this car is a must for all car enthusiasts!
 

In building the 1999 Corvette Hardtop, it was Chevrolet's intention to create a lightweight, budget Corvette designed for the hardcore driving enthusiast. Standard features in the '99 hardtop model include, a smooth 6-speed manual transmission, rigid Z51 suspension,and a leaner,weight-reducing option list, all this when new was less than $40,000!!


Driving Impressions:

When you step inside the 'ultra sporty' 1999 Corvette Hardtop, the interior may be a little stark, but remember 'less garb means more go'. When you fire up the engine, you know you are in a car that means business and performance! If the hardtop's engine sounds like the one in the coupe, it's because it relies on the same blistering 345 horse powered LS1 OHV V8. I hope you like manual transmissions, because the Hardtop can only be had with the 6-speed manual. The 1999 Vette Hardtop is a snap to drive, and 'super fun' to boot. Burning rubber at stop lights in this machine is inevitable, and when this car gets on the open road it begs you to drive it fast. The smooth shifting 6-peed plays a big roll in the 'fun factor' category. Handling is excellent, and so is grip. The 1999 Corvette Hardtop boasts up to .90Gs of lateral acceleration (according to specs). Unlike the suspension system found on other C5's, it is all about business with the hardtop's Z51 system. It, along with the Hardtop's rigid body, give a firm and reassuring ride without being too punishing.
Braking is also excellent, Chevrolet claims that the 99 vette can slow from 60mph to 0 in just 128 ft.

About the engine:

Relying on the same engine that powers the coupe and the convertible models, the Hardtop has a 345 horse powered Ls1 engine under its sleek fiberglass hood. Though derived from Chevrolet's original small block V8, the now going on 6 year old, all aluminum Ls1 has no inter-changeable parts like its predecessor. Instead, it relies on 6-bolt main bearing caps, a sequential port fuel injection system, and a composite intake manifold. Thanks to redesigned cylinder heads and an updated camshaft profile, the engine offers lots of torque all the way up to 6,000 RPM.

The Hardtop's structure is the same as the other C5's in the Corvette family. It relies on a separate steel frame supporting the fiberglass body. The Corvette's suspension has been very advanced for some time now. Alloy arms in front, and double wishbones, and a multi link rear, sprung by the corvettes familiar composite transverse leaf springs.
Improved rack and pinion steering, and the already mentioned 6 speed manual transmission complete the picture.

Interior Accommodation:

The interior of my test '99 Corvette Hardtop was dressed in all black. You will notice that the Amenities associated with all the other Vettes are not as common place. These Luxury items have been somewhat sacrificed in the favor of performance, but the cabin still remains attractive. To save weight the C5 Hardtop does without several amenities that are in other C5 models. The dual-zone air conditioning and memory package for the power seats, mirrors,and radio are not available. Power windows and and locks are still standard. Daytime running lamps are also standard. The seats are very supportive and comfortable, and there is plenty of room for 2. needless to say, like all Corvettes, this is a two seater.

Exterior Innovation:

The exterior is as aggressive and sleek as the rest of the C5 Corvettes, and as I mentioned in my 1998 review on the C5 Corvette, this design kinda reminds me of the 95 Rx7. The paint was smooth, a creamy blue color. Wheels are 17" in the front and 18" in the rear, made of alloy.

price & reliability: For a used Corvette Hardtop expect to pay around $35,000. the C5 corvettes have been holding their value very well. Corvettes also have a very good reliability rating, according to rumor, www.ConsumerReports.com has more info. Many owners swear by the LS1 engine.

Note: The Hardtop is bound to become a collectors item, even if it is less expensive than the regular production Corvettes. This is because it was built in fewer numbers, and will have exclusivity as well as superior performance, and distinct looks on its side in the future.

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