Richard Sawkins

I understand the fenders have an extended flare at the rear of the car to accommodate the wider rims and tires when compared to the base and Z51 models. I can't help but wonder why GM didn't do this to the front? Instead, they added these plastic extensions. Am I missing something, or was this just a cheap way out.

raisinjack

I believe the fenders are flared and the wheel opening is also different between the base and widebody cars.

parking my base along side my 2 buddies GS's and you can notice a difference real easy.

Richard Sawkins

OK, I understand that for the rear fenders. So the front are wider too. Still makes me wonder why they added the extra black trim.

raisinjack

technically speaking the rears are quarter panels and the fronts are fenders. and yes their fenders are flared.

the moldings(spats) I would consider appearance options.

another way to tell that there is a difference in fenders is try to install the spats on a Stingray, they won't fit with out modding them.

silverback v8

To my knowledge are front bumper and fenders all the same at Stingray, GS, Z06.
The difference are only the plastic extensions.
You can measure it.
Great optical and cheap idea from GM.

Tipp: How TRS sing "Paint it (carbon) black".

Buddhaman

Fenders are different. Someone did a full swap and showed how the fenders fit the rocker.

miami08VETTE

I believe the plastic extensions have an aero purpose.

Let It Ride

There have been multiple threads about this on here and many members have said that the base front fender and the Grand Sport front fender are exactly the same with the Grand Sport having the plastic extension creating the illusion of a wider fender. I don't know for sure myself.

Let It Ride

If the front fenders were wider why wouldn't GM use it in the description, it only says the rears are wider.

123sugey

Z and GS FRONT and REAR “fenders” are the same. This was posted on quite a few threads and videos

jaywoo

According to GM parts direct, the fenders for a stingray are different than a grand sport or z06.

Let It Ride

This thread is about base vs GS or didn't you read that.

Buddhaman

I’ll correct him then: Base and Z51 have different fenders from the GS and Z06.

Guard Dad

The lip on the front fenders is not cosmetic it is specifically engineered to create desirable air flow over the wheel wells. One thing I learned early-on in researching the C7 is that Team Corvette avoided hanging do-dads and gimmicks on the car, if there’s an aero item on the car it’s functional.

silverback v8

Sorry, i mixed something up!

stevettec7

This went a bit off topic, but the widebody fender is clearly not the same as a Stingray. They may me the same width, but the wheel opening is larger on a GS/Z06 and that opening flares up at a different point which further adds to the appearance of being wider. It’s already been mentioned the widebody fender will not (properly) fit a Stingray.

Vetteman Jack

^. That pic speaks volumes - not a good look at all.