Corvette's 60th Birthday Celebrations to Start in 2012

Although the model was launched only in 1953, the parties for its 60th birthday have started in 2012.

According to most historians, including those of General Motors, the Chevrolet Corvette was launched in the summer of 1953, barely six months after it was displayed in New York's Waldorf Astoria hotel at the GM extravaganza Motorama.So it is an accepted knowledge that the car will celebrate its 60th anniversary next year. However, a few organizations, including GM, who are either oblivious to that fact or just interested in prolonging the party purely for commercial reasons, are starting the celebrations early.
The Corvette will attend the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed in its embryonic form as the EX-122 concept car that Hurley Earl approved in 1952 and was displayed at the 1953 Motorama.

And Chevrolet has released a TV ad for the Corvette 427 limited edition, a commemorative model for the car's 60th anniversary. It is probably not the most original TV ad to come out from Chevrolet ad agency, however it's a nice one to watch.

Corvette's 60th Birthday Celebrations to Start in 2012

Corvette Evolution, Part 12: C5-R - Finally a True Racing Corvette

The C5-R was the first factory supported Corvette racing car, and it won the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times. 

During the first half of the last decade, a low silhouette racing sports car conquered not only American but also European racetracks. It was the Corvette C5-R, the first truly official racing effort of the famous American sports car.There is no official explanation for the change of heart from Chevy executives, after almost 45 years of complete disregard for racing Corvettes. However, the main objective for the investment was the desire to spread the reputation of the marque and improve sales.

The Corvette's choice for this assignment was a natural decision. However the claim that the racing program was also part of an international marketing and promotion effort is an exaggeration. Yes, the Corvette C5-R raced successfully at Le Mans, netting three class victories out of five starts, but the bulk of its racing efforts were done in the ALMS series.When the C5 Corvette arrived on the scene, everyone involved knew that when race-prepped it would be good enough to go head-to-head with the Saleen Mustangs, Porsches and Dodge Vipers in GT2/GTS sports car events in the North American theater.Chevrolet Race Shop had an enormous task at hand to start from scratch by putting together a race team and design a GT2/GTS race car based around the production C5.Pratt & Miller Engineering was hired to develop and construct the chassis under the direction of chassis engineer Ken Brown.Katech Engine Building and Development would handle the engine side of the racing equation. By November of 1998, the group finished the test mule and was working hard to complete and shake-down chassis' #1 and #2 in time for their debut in March of 1999 at Sebring.

The actual race chassis' were built, sharing only basic key structural elements with the production road cars. A firewall was placed immediately behind the driver's seat in the cockpit, eliminating any rear visibility from inside the car.A large diffuser and wing were added to the rear, while a splitter and vents on the hood were added to the front.The distinctive front headlights were also replaced with protruding permanent units in place of the pop-up headlights on the standard production car. Upon its initial completion, the C5-R came with a 366 CID (6.0-liter) V8 engine.This was replaced with a larger 427 CID (7.0 liter) engine several months later during the 1999 season and became the standard engine for the C5-R for the rest of its career. Katech Engine Development constructed the C5-R's engines, although they retained elements of the production LS1 units.
The C5-R made its race debut in 1999 at the Daytona 24 Hours, finishing second in its class. Its main competitor in the GT2 was the Dodge Viper. During that season performances weren't brilliant and no wins were achieved, but gradually the team gained experience and the car was development into a more competitive configuration.

In 2000 results improved with two wins in ALMS races. The team also, for the first time, went beyond U.S. borders and participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, capturing 3rd and 4th places in the GTS class.2001 was the first great year for the team and GM managers could see some return on their investment.The Corvette team won convincingly at La Sarthe, capturing the two highest steps of the podium and routing the opposition in the ALMS series with seven wins out of nine races. The Corvette C5-R was now firing all cylinders.The C5-R retired from racing after winning the 2004 ALMS title with a total of 35 ALMS race wins out of 55 starts. In 2004 alone the car registered a 100 percent success record with 10 wins out of 10 starts, in addition to a class win at Le Mans, the last of them in Laguna Seca Raceway."It's a very special year when you can go undefeated," said Doug Duchardt, GM Racing director, at the time. "This was an amazing effort from the beginning until the end. This is a great way to send out the C5-R."

Corvette Evolution, Part 12: C5-R - Finally a True Racing Corvette

Chevy Camaro ZL1 Automatic Faster than Manual

For the Camaro ZL1 a new algorithm improves the 0-62 time by a few fractions of a second. 

It was once common knowledge that accelerating through a manual transmission is faster than doing so through a lazy automatic one. However the rapid changes in technology are changing well established concepts.Take the Camaro ZL1, with its supercharged 6.2-liter V8 582hp engine arriving at showrooms in a few weeks' time. Its TapShift version, operated by steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters will scoot to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds, a tenth faster than in its manual equivalent.
Top speed is 184 mph, which will make it the most powerful and fastest Camaro ever.The TapShift system was introduced several years ago. For 2012, GM powertrain engineers implemented a software algorithm that improves tap response time by up to 60 percent compared to the previous system. No hardware changes were required for the upgrade."The faster you can get to the next gear, the better, and from the sound of it, the ZL1 automatic's performance is going to make paddle shifting more exhilarating and satisfying for drivers of all skill sets.

"We're seeing a trend toward more manual-mode-capable, fun-to-drive automatic transmissions across all vehicle segments," said Eric Fedewa, director of Global Powertrain Forecasting at IHS Automotive.By staging hydraulic pressure in the clutch for the next gear, the new control module algorithm reduces tap delay for the 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, and 4-5 up-shifts by 200-300 milliseconds.The system anticipates shift requests based on current gear, throttle, torque and speed. By pre-filling the clutch for the next gear, the tap up-shift response is near instantaneous.The Camaro ZL1 Coupe will go on sale this spring as a 2012 model and the Convertible variant will go on sale this summer as a 2013 model. Chevrolet expects the automatic transmission to command up to 50 percent of ZL1 sales.

Chevy Camaro ZL1 Automatic Faster than Manual

Lingenfelter Signature Series Means a Chevy Camaro with Some Big Power

Lingenfelter has released their signature packages for the Chevrolet Camaro.

When designing their aftermarket packages for the new Chevrolet Camaro, tuning company Lingenfelter stressed boldness and versatility. Both styles are on display in their Signature Series 1 and 2, as the former is available for both the coupe and convertible variants along with the V6 and V8 models.The Signature Series 1 aftermarket package features Lingenfelter graphics and a body kit. The body kit includes a custom hood and grille, front and rear spoilers, side skirts and a rear fascia panel. It sits on a set of light alloy wheels.

The interior is embroidered and contains an in-house made leather shift knob, aluminum pedal covers and unique numbered plaque for extra flair. The package is completed by a Pedders performance suspension and a Magnaflow exhaust system.Lingenfelter's Signature Series 2 aftermarket package features power, and plenty of it. The V8 Camaro now boasts a serious 600hp out of its supercharged LS3 V8 engine. The tuners added a Magnuson TVS2300 intercooled supercharger system, fuel pump voltage booster, their own in-house high-flow intake, Corsa stainless-steel exhaust and fuel injectors to achieve that number.
To guarantee their work, Lingenfelter will provide a dyno report upon completion of the work as well as adding a three-year/36,000-mile warranty.The Signature Series 2 also features a set of bigger Brembo brakes to keep the power in check. With an added body kit, level 2 graphics and a set of 20-inch Lingenfelter forged alloy wheels, this Camaro package really stands out from the crowd of Chevy modifications.

1960 Corvette JRG Special Racer up for Auction

Coming up next month at the Bonham's auction in Paris is this fully restored Corvette JRG Special race car. 

Coming up next month at the Bonham's auction in Paris is this extremely unique 1960 Chevrolet Corvette 'JRG Special' Competition Coupe. It was built by Tom Falconer, who was also the author of "Original Corvette, 1953-1962" and was the judging chairman of the UK Chapter of the National Corvette Restorers Society.According to Bonham's, the car was raced in the early 1960s at various East Coast circuits. It started off as just another 1960 Vette with the optional '419' hardtop and no convertible hood.
In addition, the bumpers and hubcaps were removed. It pretty much was a typical 'B-Production' Sports Car Club of America weekend warrior and was likely driven to the circuits. Nor was it heavily modified.
In 1963, however, the Corvette Sting Ray was launched. It had an all-independent suspension, superior brakes, and better handling. In turn, it literally pushed aside the old live-axle Vettes in SCCA races and this JRG Special was retired from track service. Interestingly, it found a new career in drag racing. The JRG is also a sister car to the four white Corvettes that went to Le Mans in 1960 which performed quite well.

Moving ahead to 1989, the JRG was bought by another collector who found it laying in a back yard somewhere in Long Island, New York.The rear wheel arches had been cut in order to accommodate giant drag-racing tires. Although it sat for a few more years, a restoration was eventually planned and completed in just 12 months.Today, the JRG Special Corvette is as correct as it can be while still being safe to race. The wheels are original steels that are properly painted Roman Red. Power comes from a 4.7-liter cast-iron small-block V8 that was prepared by a Chevrolet race engine specialist.
All told, it can deliver 370hp at 7,000rpm using a single Holley four-barrel carburetor. The completed car was displayed for the first time at Goodwood in 2007 when it collected its FIA papers.In 2011, it was updated to UK road specs by adding legal lighting and a second race seat that made it eligible for international road endurance events. Bonham's is estimating it will sell for somewhere between €55,000 to €65,000.

2013 Chevy Corvette 427 Convertible Sold; $700,000 Goes to Charity

The first Collector Edition has been sold at auction with proceeds to benefit the AARP Drive to End Hunger program. Chevy had announced they would debut the 2013 Chevy Corvette 427 Convertible in addition to the 2013 Corvette 60th Anniversary Package at the Barrett Jackson event, but auctioning one off for charity was a welcome surprise.The VIN number ending in 001 was up for auction, at the heart of which lies a 427-cubic-inch 7.0-liter LS7 engine from the Z06. At 505hp and 470lb-ft of torque, it's the most powerful engine ever installed in a convertible Corvette, coming only with a six-speed manual transmission.
As you can imagine, the excitement was palpable when the fastest and most capable convertible Corvette ever made was brought to the auction block. Bidding swiftly skyrocketed past six-figures, and as extra goodies were thrown in including a VIP trip to the 2012 Daytona 500 and a Jeff Gordon racing suit, it wasn't long before a bid for half-a-million was made.The winning bid finally came in from Ron Pratte whose $600,000 was enough to add yet another charity auction car to his collection. Eddie Vannoy also added another $100,000 to the price of the car, so all in $700,000 was raised for the AARP Drive for Hunger food relief program.

TIKT Creates the Uber-Powerful Triple X Corvette C6 ZR1

Another Corvette creation from TIKT.

German tuning company TIKT has returned with a new version of the Corvette C6 Z06. We are talking power upgrades and a serious rear wing designed for performance and quite a bit of new styling cues.

The base Corvette C6 Z06 comes with 639hp and 597lb-ft of torque. Thanks to TIKT and their hard work, the Corvette, dubbed the Triple X C6 ZR1, now cranks out 758hp and 671lb-ft of torque. Just how did the Germans get an extra 119hp and 74lb-ft of torque out of the 'Vette's 6.2-liter LS9 engine?

The first thing TIKT did was modify the cylinder heads and camshafts. That was followed by adding strong valve springs, modified compressor ratios, larger throttle valve and an all-new modified exhaust system. The power and torque where then stabilized by reconfiguring and finely adjusting the valve seats.Even greater adjustments were made to the cooling system of Z06, thanks to numerous special modifications which now push up to four times as much cooling fluid through the engine of what TIKT calls their "super sportscar."

They continue elaborating on their impressive enhancements, saying that "the cooler was encapsulated and installed in combination with a new front skirt. It sounds simple, but because of the targeted air flow to the side a real venturi effect is created."The leaf springs on the rear axle were retained and new wheel mounts bring the 'Vette about 30mm closer to the ground without any lowering. Together with a new suspension set-up, comprising of new race shocks - the sports car was brought roughly 50mm closer to the road, on which the powerful engine can now "convert its performance into propulsion better than before."TIKT's C6 ZR1 rides on a set of ultra-light Zerra Evo 2 wheels. New brakes have also been added to handle all the extra power. Aerodynamic pieces come in the form of a rear spoiler. The huge piece is made of weight-saving carbon fiber.The TIKT Triple X Corvette C6 ZR1 has been said to make itself feel at home on either public roads or the track. No pricing information has been released as of yet for the German's latest aftermarket program for the American classic.

Sayonara C6: 2013 Corvette 427 Unleashed

Chevy says goodbye to the C6 in style with their fastest drop-top ‘Vette yet.

Chevrolet is sending their C6 into retirement with a special edition claimed to be the fastest open-top Corvette ever.The 2013 Corvette 427 convertible features some great performance and terrific design lines meant to show the best Chevy can do with their C6.Running on a LS7 V8 engine, the 427 can put out 505hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The engine is coupled with a six-speed manual transmission.

With plenty of aerodynamic styling cues and carbon fiber pieces, the 2013 'Vette can run from 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds and hit a top speed of over 190mph. It can run the quarter-mile in 11.8 seconds.Standard features included on the 427 are General Motors' Magnetic Selective Ride Control, 19-inch wheels in the front and 20-inch wheels in the back wrapped in Michelin PS2 rubbers. Optional black Cup or chrome ZR1 wheels are also available.The fun doesn't stop there with 'Vette news, as a new 60th Anniversary Package will also be made available by the Bow-Tie badge company.The package includes Arctic White exterior paint and a Blue Diamond leather-wrapped interior. It also includes 60th Anniversary badges, a ZR1-inspired spoiler and racing stripes.The 2013 Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible and 2013 Corvette 60th Anniversary Package will debut at a Barrett Jackson event in Arizona on January 21st. Both will be available starting this summer.