Corvette Blog

Barrett-Jackson, the leader in Automotive Auctions and Classic Vehicles is lucky enough to be auctioning off the first 2009 Corvette ZR1 tonight!  We will have full coverage on what the vehicle goes for, as we are monitoring the results live.  You can follow along tonight as well by tuning into the SPEED channel's coverage.

Proceeds from the sale of the ZR1 will go to the United Way for Southeast Michigan.  This is not like any other auction tonight either, as Jay Leno will help present the car along with Troy Clarke, the president of GM North America.  Representatives from the United Way will also be on hand for the presentation.

Not only will you get the HOTTEST new car around, but you also get the following:

• Delivery of the vehicle at the National Corvette Museum, in Bowling Green, Ky.
  
• A three-day experience at the Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, with renowned Corvette racer Ron Fellows serving as a special instructor
  
• Tickets to the Tonight Show with Jay Leno
  
• A personal tour of Jay Leno’s "Big Dog" garage
  

[ Barrett-Jackson ]

Posted By Ryan In 2009 Corvette ZR1 (Blue Devil) , Buying a Corvette , Corvette Concept & Show Cars , Corvette Events , Corvette News | 0 Comments Permalink

Today the Chevrolet Corvettes were revealed as the official Pace Cars of the 2009 Indianapolis 500 which takes place on Sunday, May 25, 2008.  In fact, this will be the first time when a pair of two distinctly different, yet incredibly hot, Corvettes will be featured.  The first will be a Z06 running on E85 Ethanol (in the foreground) and the second will celebrate Corvette's 30 year Pace Car history.

The Ethanol Z06 will be driven during the pace lap by two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Emerson Fittipaldi. 

Now what about the production models you ask?  We know you already want to get your hands on one of them!  It is reported that Chevy will produce a total of 500 Pace Car replicas in both coupe and convertible form, each signed personally by Fittipaldi.

For a complete gallery of images of the pace cars, click here.  For more details on the production version and its special features, keep reading. 

[ Indianapolis Motor Speedway ]

Posted By Ryan In Corvette Concept & Show Cars , Corvette Events , Corvette Fun , Corvette News , Corvette Racing | 0 Comments Permalink

Everyone loves when the SEMA show comes up every year.  This year is no different, and the big event at the show will be Jay Leno's own ethanol (E85) powered Corvette Z06.

This particular eco-friendly Z06 will run on E85 and has a custom 500 cubic inch engine that gives it about 600 horsepower.

Leno is no stranger to loving cars or adapting them for the environment.  Last year he launched the EcoJet.

We'll have full coverage of the show and the Corvette's reveal.  The SEMA show runs from October 30th-November 2nd in Las Vegas and unfortunately, isn't open to just anyone.

[ ecorazzi ]

Posted By Ryan In Celebrity Corvettes , Corvette Concept & Show Cars , Corvette Events | 0 Comments Permalink

Are you following the creation of the amazing mid-engine Corvette V7 Twin Turbo show car being prepared for the SEMA Show by American Super Car?  It's worth following, I can assure you!

MaxChevy.Com presented chapter one a month ago, and today, chapter two was revealed.  Be sure to sign up for the free subscription to get the on-going info.

Corvette Blog is looking forward to the finished product! 

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Concept & Show Cars , Corvette News | 0 Comments Permalink

The GM Press Release dated for release after 11a.m. January 16, 1953 stated that "the General" was about to present six "special and customized cars" to the general public.  And special they were!

The six cars were the Cadillac Le Mans, the Cadillac Orleans, the Oldsmobile Starfire, the Buick Wildcat, the Pontiac La Parisienne, and the Chevrolet Courvette.  Each of them was to have a  "glass fiber reinforced plastic body," and they could be seen at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.

All the model names came to be used in GM production vehicles, except Orleans, but of them all only the intrepid Corvette came to have monstrous impact on the automotive world!  It is likely that this press release is the only time Corvette was mispelled this way.

This press release an an abundance of other fascinating information is available at carofthecentury.com.

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Concept & Show Cars , Corvette History | 0 Comments Permalink

EFIJY is a radical custom coupe shape boasting V8 Supercar power under the hood, a Corvette underbody, and state-of-the-art automotive technology throughout. The “Soprano Purple” paintwork highlights its curvaceous 5.2-metre body, reinterpreting the classic design cues of Australia’s iconic 1953 FJ Holden.

The technology matches the larger-than-life design cues with a 640hp, supercharged 6.0L LS2 engine, air-adjustable shock absorbers, touch control LCD screen and fan-cooled LED headlamps.

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Concept & Show Cars | 0 Comments Permalink

Many Corvette enthusiasts, no less sports car fans in general, fail to recognize that over the years there have been dozens of proposed variations of the Corvette!  Personally, I remember first reading about the Motorama cars and the futuristic 1959 Corvette XP-700 as a kid, but even then, I didn't realize the variety of proposals being presented.

I recently came across a great trade paperback in a car museum in the Detroit area entitled American Dream Cars.  Of course, I took special interest in the the Chevrolet proposals.

Corvette dream cars illustrated and described in American Dream Cars are:

1953 Motorama Corvette
1954 Motorama Corvair
1954 Motorama Nomad
1956 Corvette SR-2
1957 Corvette Super Sport

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Books , Corvette Concept & Show Cars , Corvette History | 0 Comments Permalink

I have been fascinated with automotive streamlining for decades now, because automotive lines that split through the wind are usually beautiful lines. And certainly, a focus on smooth, wind pleasing curves has always been part of the Corvette mystique!

An impressive exhibit on automotive streamlining is currently available at the Phoenix Art Museum, though only through June 3. Enthusiasts can only hope that such an exhibit will travel to other parts of the world.

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Concept & Show Cars , Corvette Recognition | 0 Comments Permalink

In all likelihood, Jim Dunne is the world's most famous spy photographer of Corvettes.  In fact, he is probably the world's most famous spy photographer of any future car or truck.

Mark Phelan of the Detroit Free Press published an insightful article on this creative genius yesterday.  Dunne has been rated higher in his influence in the automotive world than many better known names.

On his "most wanted photography" list currently: GM's upcoming rear-drive sedans and sportscars.

On "the hottest car in spy photography," he says: "Everybody loves the Corvette!" 

An informative video of Dunne at work is available at the Freep On-Line.

[ Mark Phelan Column ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Concept & Show Cars , Corvette Recognition | 0 Comments Permalink

Ercole Spada's Spadaconcept Design Studio is launching a limited-edition hand-built sports car based on the Corvette C6's chassis and mechanicals.  The Codatronca is the first whole-car product from this studio.

The Codatronca (Italian for "cut tail") is so-called for its sharply-abbreviated rear end.  It will be offered in three versions, including the entry level TS Turismo Sportivo and the top-of-the-range Super Turismo Sportivo, with engines ranging in power from 512-700bhp. The top end model is said to be capable of 208mph and 0-60mph in around three seconds.

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Concept & Show Cars , Corvette Equipment | 2 Comments Permalink

The Spring Issue of Corvette Quarterly includes superb photos of the original Corvette Mako Shark concept car commissioned by Bill Mitchell.  Mitchell was fascinated with sea creatures, and his love for them gave birth to Corvette names like Manta Ray and the ubiquitous Sting Ray.

Also known as the XP-755, this vehicle is considered the missing link between the second generation C2 Sting Ray Corvette and the third, or Shark, generation.  Posters of the vehicle are available at ChevyMall.com

[ Corvette Quarterly ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Classic Corvettes , Corvette Concept & Show Cars , Corvette History | 1 Comments Permalink