What is ME Option RIK

[John]

Mysterious ME option, e.g., option code “RIK”... If the Jalopnik specs are real, as it listed on “Chris Smith’s” Canadian pre-order, the one that supposed was a screen print from that dealership’s WorkBench Connect software system, what do you think that option RIK might be?




RIK — LPO, REAR BADGE, PAINTED TORCH RED

We start with our knowing that LPO is refers to a class of dealer installed options that are ordered at the time the vehicle is initially ordered.

However, “RIK” is not listed on the 4 1/2 pages of the alleged, leaked specs we have seen — so is it contained in the missing roughly 7 other pages of the full specs we have not yet seen? As noted in our companion thread earlier today, the specs we have seen if not the full deal.

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...n’t-yet-know

Is “RIK” a Z51 badge that could go on the rear fascia or the rear spoiler just as we have seen many C7 owners do?


[Former picture thanks to Amazon, latter one thanks to CorvetteGuys.]

We know that GM has stated publicly that they are going after the aftermarket business, and those Z51 badges are offered by several A-M companies for the C7 (as of course are so many other optional aftermarket badges)? But now that it is listed on the GM specs as an option, might there be other LPO dealer installed colors for this badge, maybe even being offered in all 12 C8 colors?

Maybe RIK is something else??? It does not appear to me to replace the rear fascia emblem nor the fascia’s “Corvette” lettering, as those appear to separately covered by either exterior ornamentation trim option “EYK” (chrome) or option “EYT” (carbon flash).

Or do you think the “RIK” option is something completely different that the above two possibilities?

[JB]

Although not a fan of badges at all on cars....Id imagine many consumers like designation badges as you mentioned so a z51 badge on the rear of the vehicle makes sense as to waht that option code is.

would be better if there was a badge delete option code but I think corvettes use a centering pin on a few of their badges and no badge would or could leave a hole where the badge used to go....

[John]

Exactly JB. You have pointed why so many of us remove at least some of our badges, i.e., the first thing I did even on both my 2017 DD’s was to reduce three badges off the rear off each one. Similarly, the first mod I did on my 2015 Corvette was to remove its “Corvette letters.”

Maybe it would be one of those missing pages of spec options, e.g., badge delete. However, given that GM deliberately recessed the V emblem on the C7’s rear, making it **** difficult to remove with cost and time, maybe they would not again not want us to remove the V emblem from the ME. However, did GM give us a C7 clue, one we again see for the C8, that they are now fine with Corvette lettering removal as the Corvette letters are no longer C7 recessed as they were in some previous Corvette generations???

[Milliwatt Rob]

One thing I used to like about the mid 1960s Chrysler cars is, you could buy a Dodge or Plymouth with a 426 Hemi, and the only indication was a rather innocuous badge on the side of the car. I always liked cars that were fast, but somewhat under the radar regarding law enforcement. Maybe a reaction to the days when I was a 20 year old in a bright red C2 roadster, and being pulled over with regularity.

As a result, on my C7, I went with a dark color (Night Race Blue) and paid an extra $100 for the blacked out fish, badges, and "Corvette" on the rear. No stripes for me either.

And if deleting the badge work entirely were an option, I probably would have gone for that.

[Ripper]

If it weren’t for the slight molding/casting nipple under the flags on the front and rear facia, I would have been okay with the emblems removed leaving just a recessed “shadow” of the emblem. If one was a real go getter... they could sand this casing nipple off and repaint the facia.