Corvette C6 (Launch book) | 
 enlarge | Author: Phil Berg
Creator: David Hill
Publisher: Motorbooks
Category: Book
List Price: $34.95
Buy New: $21.42
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Avg. Customer Rating:  5 reviews
Sales Rank: 53202
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1st
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 160
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.8
Dimensions (in): 12.2 x 9 x 0.9
ISBN: 0760318654
Dewey Decimal Number: 629.2222
EAN: 9780760318652
ASIN: 0760318654
Publication Date: November 20, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
2004 marks the introduction of the 6th-generation Corvette as a 2005 model. As with any new-generation Corvette, anticipation is rampant. C6 represents an important departure from C5 both in terms of exterior and interior styling and chassis dynamics. It features a revamped platform (to be shared with the new Cadillac XLR roadster), fixed headlights (for the first time since 1962) and an edgier, more compact body. This GM-licensed book takes the enthusiast on an illustrated tour of how C6 developed from the drawing board to the production line.- Officially Licensed by GM- Full development details and technical specifications- First-person stories from key Corvette engineers and designers.
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| Customer Reviews:
 It should come with every C6 GM delivers July 13, 2008
For those that are new to C6, this book gives a behind the scene look in the development of a C6. I bought this book after I took delivery of the C6.5 I ordered, and it made me appreciate the car so much more. It is very nice to see Dave's design philosophy and testing at the Autobahns and Nurburgring come together to create the final product. GM should include a copy with every new C6.5
 Read the C5 "bio" first January 6, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
"Corvette C6" is a decent follow-up to the fantastic C5-generation biography, "All Corvettes Are Red" by James Schefter. This book is not really a biography of the C6, as it reads more like a hardbound Corvette magazine.
Some nice pictures throughout the book and the text flows nicely.
Definitely read the C5 book first (as I did). It will make this one more enjoyable.
C6 owners get this book! August 11, 2005
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is a must have book if you own a C6 vette or are thinking of getting one like me. It's full of pictures and information about the design and testing of the C6. Buy this book! You won't be disappointed.
Extended sales brochure! April 3, 2005
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
Light on text, this book is a large scale hard-bound color sales brochure giving all the fun details of the sixth-generation Corvette's progress from drawing board to final production. After the design and test history, it steps through the car's features and provides a competitive analysis and magazine review roundup. Think of it as an extended sales brochure with lots of glorious color photos, graphics, and design details, and you'll be happy you bought it. Especially if you purchase the car as well.
 Corvette C6--Generally a Good Read October 10, 2004
26 out of 28 found this review helpful
There are probably more Ocoffee tableO style books about the Chevrolet Corvette than any other sports car. A search of this web site using keywords: OCorvette (hardcover)O returned over two thousand results. Admittedly, not all those are coffee table titles, but even if only a third are large-package-size, full-color, glossy-paper, hardback Vette books, thatOs a heck of a lot of titles from which to choose.
What sets Phil BergOs Corvette C6 a cut above all those others are three characteristics: 1) ItOs the first hardback title on the all-new, 2005 C6 Vette to be published, 2) itOs the only C6 book to be sanctioned, approved and have its publication supported by General Motors and 3) GM was engaged enough with the project to have Corvette Chief Engineer, David Hill, write the bookOs Forward.
Another thing that sets this title apart from some others is photography which is nothing short of very good and, in most cases, excellent. Many of the images were shot by noted Corvette photographer, Richard Prince, in the picturesque Piedmont hills of Virginia and at Virginia International Raceway. PrinceOs work considerably enhances the experience of this book. The only thing that keeps all the art in Corvette C6 from being outstanding are a few color shift problems, but that is a production and printing issue not a problem with the photo work.
Author, Phil Berg, is a former Car and Driver magazine staffer and his material has appeared in AutoWeek, Sports Car International and Corvette Quarterly. HeOs, also, the author of MBIOs bestselling Ultimate Garages, so he was a natural choice to write Corvette C6.
Early-on, this book pulls the reader into one of the most interesting aspects of the C6 story with Chapter TwoOs discussion of the carOs exterior design. This part of the book is attractive for its extensive collection of drawings and pictures of models of the various intpretations of the C6 shape which were done during the exterior development in the 1999-2002 period. Some of this imagery has never been seen before and will probably remain exclusive to this book. The illustrations and pictures cover just about everything, from Tom PeterOs landmark first rendering of the C6 theme, to full-sized wind-tunnel models and final design candidates. The accompanying text is, also, interesting, but doesnOt quite have the impact of the images because it omits discussion of key parts of the C6 exterior design: 1) the significant controversy over the exposed headlights. Berg mentions the lights in passing, but doesnOt adequately cover the divisiveness at GM Design Staff, in Chevrolet Marketing and on the Corvette Team which eventually had to be resolved at the highest levels of the program with a final decision by GM Vehicle Line Executive, David Hill. 2) the influence the F/A-22 jet fighter had on Chief Designer, Tom Peters, which, according to media reports and interviews with Peters, was quite significant and 3) the strong influence the 1963-1967 OC2O CorvetteOs exterior had on Peters and his team. None of these issues were covered and the book, as a chronicle of the C6 program, suffers because of it.
Another interesting part of this book is an account of how the C6 was exhaustively tested once the OAlphaO and OBetaO prototype cars were available. BergOs discussion of: developing the carOs performance on GermanyOs Autobahns and its famed Nurburgring test track, running Alphas and Betas at GMOs Milford and Desert Proving Grounds and cold weather testing in the U.P. of Michigan are revealing insights to how Corvettes must measure-up to stringent requirements not made of other sports cars. The chapter on testing includes photos of a number of Beta cars which give the reader a rare, visual insight to the vehicle development process.
The new VetteOs revised suspension and brakes are covered. The book talks of new safety and convenience features. It covers the upgraded interior. The author gives the reader insight to GMOs Osweating the detailsO with accounts of Team CorvetteOs testing 20 different shift knobs before finding one that was just right and working to get cup holders to support a large drink cup, even when the car was generating 1g lateral acceleration. WhatOs missing in the interior discussion is probably itOs most important aspect, next to its new appearance and thatOs how quiet it is. The most significant, customer-driven part of the C6 development was a very noticeable decrease in road noise. While Berg acknowleges that was a goal of the C6 program, he says little about the results or how they were achieved.
A big story with C6 is its powertrain, especially the new, six-liter, 400-horsepower engine and, expectedly, thereOs a chapter on the engine and the carOs transmissions. If youOre a nuts-and-bolts techie, youOll find that part of the book pleasing.
Corvette C6 has two overall weaknesses. First, its proof-reading was average, at best. For example: in several places, peopleOs names, titles or responsibilities are mistated. Bob Lutz is identified as a GM OVice PresidentO. Actually, Lutz is Vice Chariman of the Board, a considerably higher rank. Chief Designer, Tom Peters, was said to have been responsible for C6Os exterior and its structure. Actually, Peters oversaw the team which designed the exterior but had had nothing at all to do with the carOs structure. The book says Dave Wickman is the carOs ORide and Handling CoordinatorO. Actually, Wickman is the Corvette Vehicle Performance Manager, a more difficult and wide-ranging job. If that isnOt enough, elsewhere, the book misidentifies him as OMike Wickman.O
Secondly, there are a number of technical errors, most of which are in the powertrain chapter. While these technical defficiencies may not be considered critical by some because this is a Ocoffee tableO book more to look at than to read; that the book was approved by GM, has a Forward by the carOs Chief Engineer and costs thirty dollars means it must meet a high standard of technical accuracy. Unfortunately, it fails to do that. Hopefully MBI will correct these problems, if Corvette C6 goes to a second printing.
Bottom line: while Corvette C6 has a few holes in the exterior design and interior coverage, suffers a bit with proofreading and technical mistakes; itOs generally an interesting read and, visually, quite attractive. Those with large Corvette book collections probably should put it on their shopping list. For owners of the new C6 Vette, itOs a must-have.
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