Perhaps the BEST B1G Forum anywhere, here at College Football Fan Site, CFB51!!!

Cadillac has a pretty successful racing program, both here in the US and overseas, including Le Mans.  They just missed the podium at Le Mans here in 2026, finished 4th.

That's a badass looking machine.

I've always found it curious that Ford and Chrysler really haven't attempted to compete in the Corvette space. They certainly have cars (the higher end Mustangs, for instance) that surely appeal to the same buying segment, but there's never been a lasting Ford or Chrysler that was a Corvette fighter. Particularly interesting because at their beginnings, the Corvette and the Thunderbird felt like they had similar DNA. But not for long.

The weird thing to me is Cadillac racing and their V series.  I understand the halo effect, I guess, but someone buying an Escalade probably doesn't pay much attention to that odd looking sedan that costs over $100 K.  The Caddy spent a fair bit of money on a DOHC engine and then barely used the engine, which was called Blackwing, but they use the name for the CT5-V Blackwing which has ... a Chevy engine.

GM can be a bit odd.

The number of Corvette models is, to me, "interesting"?  They have the monsters at the top end, well over 1,000 hp.  Then the Z06 with a "Ferrari" style engine, then the Grand Sport and GS X, and the base models.  I gather they are profitable.  I doubt Caddy makes much money if any on the Blackwings.

Yeah original Corvettes and Thunderbirds were quite similar.  And I really like both of them.

I suppose the Dodge Viper sort of competed against the Corvette? But it also seems like it might have been aimed more toward the Euro supercars?  And as you suggested, it also wasn't "lasting."

I think they were cross shopped some.  The Corvette and the 911 often are compared, but I think rarely cross shopped.  The Corvette nearest old rival is probably the Jaguar XKE. The XKE in some ways was the "feature leader" for Corvette, they would come out with say disc brakes and in a year or two the Corvette had them too, same with independent read axle, 4 speed transmission, fuel injection (rather briefly) ...

I doubt they were cross shopped often.  Do many people today think about EITHER the Vette or a higher end Mustang?  Not many, I think.

I think a fair number of "sports car buyers" care more about image and status than performance.  They have deep pockets, they don't want a prosaic Corvette when they could have a 911 or Jaguar or Audi or whatever.  They might not be willing to bite on something that costs a million, but they are OK with $220,000 for the image.

This is why a Porsche buyer "wouldn't be caught dead in a Corvette".  The performance, oddly enough, is not a factor, or much of one.

I think most 911 drivers would agree, "Yeah, I know Corvettes are faster on a  track, but I like my car better on the street.  It's comfortable and fun with good resale value, and I don't feel like a 60 year old dude trying to relive his yute."

That said, I am somewhat interested in the Grand Sport, but really won't buy one.