zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Buying
/
For $25,900, This 1999 Chevy Corvette FRC Asks How Low (In Miles) Can You Go?
For $25,900, This 1999 Chevy Corvette FRC Asks How Low (In Miles) Can You Go?-May 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:09:58

Today’s Corvette FRC has only 7000 miles on the clock, and that’s across two owners! Let’s see if the low mileage and the fixed roof add up to a price that’s low enough too.

With an 83% Crack Pipe loss, yesterday’s proved that, yes, there is such a thing as too much freedom. That oddball custom may not have been everyone’s interpretation of the quintessential American car, but today we’re going with a rare edition of one that undeniably is.

The C5 Corvette is perhaps the third-least loved edition of Chevy’s long running sports car, after the late editions of the C3 and the earliest of the C4s. That would explain why the market for C5s has been in the doldrums for a few years now despite the model being a watershed for the marque.

Consider this, the C5 ‘Vette introduced the hydroformed box frame under its plastic bodywork. That served to stiffen the car considerably over its C4 predecessor, and sounds wicked cool to say at a party. The C5 also moved the gearbox (either 4L60 auto or BW T-56 six-speed) to the rear imbuing the car with the Corvette’s first-ever road-going transaxle. That gave the car better weight distribution and again, is great party conversation fodder.

This is even cooler than that, and is one of the rarest Corvette models around. The fixed roof coupe started out as an attempt by GM’s bean counters to add a stripper model to the Corvette lineup. That was going to be a car with a smaller less powerful motor, a mandated automatic gearbox, cloth seats, no power anything in the cabin, and puny wheels and tires. This was all to be wrapped in a fixed-roof body eliminating the pricy targa or convertible toppers.

Thankfully, the whole idea of a bargain bin ‘Vette besmirching the brand was shelved, but the FRC that arose from the ashes of that plan was—and is—a pretty special ride. First off, that fixed roof body, which is derived from the convertible, proved to be 12 percent stiffer than the standard car, making it the stiffest Corvette in history at the time. The FRC also received some pretty killer kit, including the 345-bhp LS1 under the hood, and that T-56 out back as the only powertrain combo available. The Z51 performance suspension was also specified as was a single interior color (black) and only six exterior colors.

This one comes in Arctic White and with only 7,000 miles on the odo. That amazingly low mileage is even after having two owners. Two owners who perhaps could not drive stick, or who maybe simply preferred to take the bus places. I don’t know, If I had one of the best handling and performance-minded Corvettes at my disposal… well, you wouldn’t see me for a while, you’d just hear my cackles of delight off in the distance somewhere.

Okay, use it or lose it, right? With only 7K on the clock over the course of 17 years all the seals have probably turned to raisins, and the fluids have deconstructed to their base elements, or so the theory goes. Well, that doesn’t seem to be the case here, as it’s described as being in perfect working condition and it looks great too. And, seeing as it’s being sold by a dealer it probably has been through their inspection process which means… well, probably nothing. Still, work with me people!

I mentioned that this is one of the rarest of all Corvettes. The FRC did pretty well when it was introduced in 1999, selling 4,031 that first model year, good to capture fully 12 percent of Corvette sales for the year. It sold fewer the next year, and when the romper-stomper Z06 arrived the following model year the fixed roof car was unceremoniously kicked to curb by Corvette performance aficionados, and sales tanked.

That’s too bad seeing as this is one of the more interesting and flingable ‘Vettes you could—and still can—buy. To buy this low-mileage example you’d need to show up at that dealer with the ability to plunk down $25,900. What do you think, does this FRC seem to be worth that kind of asking? Or, would you like to see the price as low as the mileage?

You decide!

Oklahoma City OK , or go if the ad disappears.

H/T to Shaun Eller-Moore for the hookup!

Help me out with NPOCP. Click to send a me a fixed-price tip, and remember to include your Kinja handle.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Buying
Importing This Honda Beat Is The Most Fun I’ve Ever Had Buying A Car
Importing This Honda Beat Is The Most Fun I’ve Ever Had Buying A Car
I’m finally in possession of and it’s absolutely a dream come true. But what I didn’t expect was for the process of buying a car from another country to be the best car buying experience ever. I’ve wanted the forbidden fruit of a car from Japan for as long...
May 20, 2026
At $3,000, Is This Damaged 2002 Subaru WRX A Damn-Good Deal?
At $3,000, Is This Damaged 2002 Subaru WRX A Damn-Good Deal?
Today’s Subaru has a salvage title and a nose that looks like it lost a bout to Mike Tyson. Neither of those issues should be insurmountable for a savvy buyer. We’ll have to decide if its price might just be. If your favorite president is Abraham Lincoln and your...
May 20, 2026
The 2021 Lexus RC F Fuji Won't Lead Its Class, But I'll Give You One Hell Of A Fun Ride Nonetheless
The 2021 Lexus RC F Fuji Won't Lead Its Class, But I'll Give You One Hell Of A Fun Ride Nonetheless
Lexus has caught flack for a while now for marketing cars designed for women, and the brand has been working to revitalize its image as a higher-performance luxury car for years. Its polarizing hourglass-shaped grille hasn’t helped in the slightest. But with sporty coupes like the 2021 Lexus RC F...
May 20, 2026
At $17,500, Will This 2014 Lexus IS 350 F-Sport Win By A Nose?
At $17,500, Will This 2014 Lexus IS 350 F-Sport Win By A Nose?
The seller of today’s Lexus says it was used as a demo vehicle for a window tinting business. It’s loaded and in great shape, but will its price make you believe it has no business asking so much? There are certain truths to which we almost all adhere. I...
May 20, 2026
Let The 2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Stroke Your Ego Sky High
Let The 2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Stroke Your Ego Sky High
When I climbed out of the 2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody for the first time, it was pouring rain, but I hardly noticed. I felt like I was on top of the world with a ray of concentrated ecstasy shining directly over my body. I had done...
May 20, 2026
The 2021 Jaguar F-Pace Is Still In The Conversation
The 2021 Jaguar F-Pace Is Still In The Conversation
is tJaguar is the kind of automaker that, from afar, does not make sense. You want me to buy an expensive car that will only depreciate, , and also lacks any one quality you might call interesting? Up close, though, things are different. After spending a day at JLR’s headquarters,...
May 20, 2026
Copyright 2023-2026 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved