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Originally Posted by John V
Plastic has this not-so-wonderful property of having a huge thermal coefficient of expansion. Ever notice how huge the body gaps on a 'Vette are in cold weather? Plastic also isn't very good structurally, so the Corvette has to have what amounts to a seperate body and frame. Can't be made a true unibody like a Boxster, 911, et al.
Otherwise, it's brilliant that Chevy uses plastic for the body. The aluminum suspension components are nice, too. The lightweight pushrod V8 with a low CG and compact size due to its lack of overhead camshafts, too. Oh, and the composite leaf springs that cut weight and move what weight they do contribute down low, to keep the Cg of the car low.
Regardless of the car's rather .. unpleasant image, it's a very well engineered car.
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My question was really rhetorical. If other companies thought a plastic body was a good idea, they would have done it too. Personally, I prefer metal.
Z.