Black as the most common color?

[Michael J.]

I was looking through various 2012 Corvette production stats, and though not all done yet, it appears black will be the most common color in 2012. For example, of the 300 or so ZR1s, 100 of them are black. I guess the special Centennial Package (black only) was a driver of this, but I was wondering if anybody knows if black has ever been the most popular and common color for a Corvette before?

[Henry F.]

Re: Black as the most common color?

Just for the record, there were no black vette's produced from 1970-1976!
Or 1953-1954.

[Reba W.]

Re: Black as the most common color?

Black seems to be the most common color on any new vehicle. I recently purchased a black 2011 Yukon and meet myself at every turn in our small town. Yukons, Tahoes, pickups, and even cars are mostly black.

[Michael J.]

Re: Black as the most common color?

It is interesting how tastes change, I would never have a black car and saw few growing up in the 60s, but they have become very popular now as you say, and with Corvettes now preferred in black, that is a drastic change from the past. I guess the newer gen just likes black.

[Reba W.]

Re: Black as the most common color?

I grew up in the '60s, and black has always been my favorite car color, even though I am a fanatic for a spotless ride. The new one is my fourth black model. In fact, my 1972 coupe was black when it came into our town, but the dealer put it back green before I bought it. I have seen several non-correct black Corvettes from the early 1970s. Guess some liked them even when GM didn't.

[Carl N.]

Re: Black as the most common color?

Black - Really !! Here I thought all "REAL" Corvettes were resale "RED" - at least in Texas !

[Michael J.]

Re: Black as the most common color?

Living in New Mexico, where the dirt and dust is always blowing (as well as living up a dirt county road), makes a black car impossible to keep clean, and the sun is very bright all the time, so part of my problem with black over the years is that.

[Paul O.]

Re: Black as the most common color?

Is black a color or is it the absence of color?

Paul 18046

[Michael J.]

Re: Black as the most common color?

Is black a color or is it the absence of color?

Paul 18046

Well I guess scientifically, since black is an absorption of all the spectral colors it is without color, just as white is a reflection of all colors it would be all of them.

[Bill H.]

Re: Black as the most common color?

Living in New Mexico, where the dirt and dust is always blowing (as well as living up a dirt county road), makes a black car impossible to keep clean, and the sun is very bright all the time, so part of my problem with black over the years is that.

Oh yea, even here in the high desert. Even if you sweep the garage every day. The wind just blows the dust back in. Wash the car, back it in the garage and it's dusty in an hour.

[Philip A.]

Re: Black as the most common color?

For consideration, could it also be that black "today" looks better than black of "yesteryear"? Base coat clear coat versus laquer; and I would also imagine that body surface and painting quality has improved. Black hides nothing and shows flaws very easily.

[Terry M.]

Re: Black as the most common color?

Just for the record, there were no black vette's produced from 1970-1976!
Or 1953-1954.

That is Chevrolet's official position, but if you had been to Novi MI for the 2011 Convention you would have seen a triple-black 1972 receive the NCRS Bow Tie Award. And yes, it had all the paperwork to prove it was among those painted black at St Louis in 1972, and it has more than 70% of its original balck lacquer paint. I can assure you it was not the only one. I saw several other black 1972s, and a 1971 triple-black in the hands of the original owner, while I was National Team Leader.

Don’t take all the claims in the below link for gospel. Anecdotal evidence is there was a batch of 5 black Corvettes produced when this one was made, but as far as I know there is no written documentation to support the claim of one or five.

http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail.cfm?LOT_ID=SC0512-126540

[Michael J.]

Re: Black as the most common color?

For consideration, could it also be that black "today" looks better than black of "yesteryear"? Base coat clear coat versus laquer; and I would also imagine that body surface and painting quality has improved. Black hides nothing and shows flaws very easily.

True, I have to admit when I was at Bowling Green a few months ago taking delivery of my ZR1, I got to "birth" a Centennial Edition Z06 at the end of the production line with all the bright lights blasting on it for inspection. That Carbon Flash Black color is mighty pretty and striking compared to the old Tuxedo Black of the C2s. Made me think for a minute on my color choice even...

[Tom H.]

Re: Black as the most common color?

Black has been the leading production color for the whole run on the C6 so far.

[Michael J.]

Re: Black as the most common color?

I knew it had been for the ZR1s, but didn't realize it was for all C6s, now that is different.