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CorvSport
JoinedMarch 9, 2017
Articles577
CorvSport explores all things Corvette. Corvette maniac by training I love to research the history of each of these amazing American sports cars; year by year, model by model, from the earliest prototypes to the supercars of today.
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Non GM Special Models

1964 Cheetah

Bill Thomas had one goal in mind when he designed and produced the Cheetah: beat the Ford Cobra. 25 examples were produced until sadly, the factory burnt down. After the blaze, chevrolet pulled out of the project. The power to weight ratio was phenomenal (it was almost 500lbs lighter than the cobra!). The V8 was pushed back as far as possible leaving the engine almost in the center of the car. Some examples were tuned as high as 520HP.
CorvSport·
Non GM Special Models

1961 Corvette Vignale Coupe

This one-off 1961 Vignale Corvette was built for the 1961 Salon de l'Automobile in Paris, France. It was based on a 1960 Corvette chassis and built by Italian coachmaker Carrozzeria Vignale. The body was designed by Gordon Kelly.
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Non GM Special Models

1957 Corvette Ghia-Aigle Coupe

Chevrolet Corvette Coupé, 1957, by Ghia Aigle. Designed by Giovanni Michellotti a one-off built on a ‘54 Corvette chassis by Carozzeria Ghia in Switzerland. The Ghia Corvette was powered by a Blue Flame 6 in-line engine with a 4-speed manual gearbox
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Callaway

2014 – 2019 Callaway Corvette (SC627 & SC757)

For the 2014 model year, the Chevrolet team sculpted the seventh-generation Corvette into the most sophisticated, most feature-packed Corvette produced to date. Facing a daunting challenge, new technology enabled Callaway engineers to produce breathtaking power with seamless transition into and out of positive manifold pressure. Entirely new, Callaway’s patented GenThree supercharger design improved airflow quality and increased charge air cooling capacity.
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Callaway

2005 – 2013 Callaway C17 Corvette (C6)

The 2005-2013 Callaway Corvette was a specialist version of the C6 Corvette, built by Callaway Cars expert craftsmen and sold through selected Callaway/Chevrolet dealers. The 17th “C-Project” undertaken by Callaway first produced naturally-aspirated SuperNatural™ 450, 461, 490 (6.0L) and 550 (6.8L & 7.0L) horsepower Callaway Corvettes. In February 2006, Callaway returned to its positive manifold pressure roots, introducing Callaway “SuperCharged” Corvettes.
CorvSport·
Production Numbers

C8 Corvette Production Figures

The first mid-engined Corvette came along during a pandemic. That didn't stop Chevy from selling 20,368 units in its first year (at premium prices I might add), even with a global chip shortage stopping production in both 2020 and 2021.
CorvSport·
Special Models

2002 Corvette White Shark Concept

"Hot" is an apt description of this special coupe's drivetrain. Its 6.6-liter engine produces 512 horsepower and 523 lbs.-ft. of torque. Mated to a four-speed automatic transmission and featuring a 3:41 geared limited slip differential and four-wheel independent suspension, this "Vette takes a backseat to no other vehicle. The White Shark Corvette also features power rack-and-pinion steering to precisely pilot this vehicle and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS.
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Greenwood

1971 – 1972 Greenwood Corvette Stingray ZL1 Racecar

When one of his cars was severely damaged in 1972, John Greenwood converted his 1969 L88 Convertible into a formidable race car. Included as the formidable ZL1 engine with 750 bhp on tap. Other modifications included a rear spoiler, quick replacement radiator and camber adjusters. At Le Mans, this car set the GT-class record for top speed down the Le Mans straight with 215 mph.
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Callaway

1994 Callaway SuperNatural C6 Corvette LM

Reeves Callaway has always had a dream of competing a Corvette of his own at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, France. The idea begin with the body work for a street version, but one thing led to another, and a full race version was completed as well. The street version is almost identical to the race version because the hood, tail, rocker panels, and lower door halves, are all made of carbon fiber, just like the race version.
CorvSport·
Pace Cars

2020 Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car

A Torch Red 2020 Corvette Stingray coupe will serve as the Official Pace Car for the 104th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, continuing Chevrolet’s tradition of leading the field to the green flag. The Pace Car will be driven by GM President Mark Reuss. This marks the 17th time a Corvette has served as the Pace Car, starting in 1978, and the 31st time a Chevrolet has led the field dating to 1948 when a Fleetmaster Six convertible held the honor.
CorvSport·
Special Series Models

2019 Corvette Grand Sport Drivers Series

For only the second time in Chevrolet history, a Corvette is now available in a Drivers Series special edition. Actually, there’s four, all Grand Sports designed in collaboration with Corvette Racing team drivers Milner, Gavin, Magnussen and Garcia. The idea came from Chevrolet exterior design manager Kirk Bennion, a racing fan who was also at the Rolex 24, according to Corvette Marketing Manager Todd Christensen. Four Drivers Series special editions is definitely more fun than one.
CorvSport·
Pace Cars

2015 Corvette Z06 Indy 500 Pace Car

The Corvette skipped a year and returned to the Indy 500 in 2015. NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon drove the 'Vette for the first lap, and the car had a fairly simple body with the race decals on the doors and sponsor stickers at the front end. Gordon, who grew up in nearby Pittsboro, Indiana, is no stranger to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He won the first NASCAR race in the history of the famed 2.5-mile oval and has won four more times.
CorvSport·
Featured

1960 Corvette “Race Rat” Coupe

Known as the “Race Rat,” this rare 1960 Corvette is one of just 10 produced by the factory with the LPO (Limited Production Option) 1625A 24-gallon fuel tank designed by Zora Arkus-Duntov for racing purposes to reduce the frequency of pit stops. A true factory-prepared race car, this 1960 Chevrolet Corvette Tanker was ordered by gentleman racer and businessman George Reed of “Reed’s Race Rats” fame to compete in 1960 Sebring 12 Hours.
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Special Models

1967 Astro I Concept

Those that have laid eyes on the Astro I will not soon forget it. This 1967 Chevrolet prototype featured sleek body lines that embodied the feel of a far more aggressively styled Mako Shark. Although the Astro I was built with the intent to aid in the study of aerodynamics, no official documentation has been uncovered as to the results of this testing.
CorvSport·
Callaway

1992 – 1996 Callaway SuperNatural Corvette

Chevrolet's introduction of the LT1 in 1992 as the base engine in the Corvette phased out the L98 based Callaway Twin Turbo. Previously, Callaway Corvettes made their increased power through positive manifold pressure; now they made it through increased displacement and finesse. Initially called the CL1 or CR1, they designated the chassis they were built upon. They were based on the pushrod LT1 cars (CL1) or the 32 valve DOHC LT5 ZR-1 cars (CR1).
CorvSport·
Special Series Models

2008 Corvette 427 Limited Edition

The 427 Limited Edition option, code Q8A and Z44, was limited to 505 examples globally with 427 destined for North American customers. As a retirement gift to Wil Cooksey, the Corvette plant manager from 1993 to 2008, he chose the color scheme and hand signed and numbered the underside of the armrest console lids on all 505 examples in which this example is #6. As part of the package, the seats and the floor mats have “427” embroidery, and the center-console trim plate is color matched.
CorvSport·
Z06

2009 Competition Sport Z06 Corvette

There were only 20 Z06s produced with the Competition Sport package for worldwide purchase. This Z06 is powered by a 7.0-liter LS7 V8 engine producing 505hp and 424 ft/lbs torque, paired to the 6-speed manual transmission. The LS7 engine can propel this Z06 from 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds. This Z06 CSR features leather interior, articulated sport seats, premium audio system, CD player and heads-up display.
CorvSport·
2009 – C6 Corvette

2009 Competition Sport Corvette

Chevrolet introduced the limited production Competition Sport package for both the 2009 Corvette coupe and the Z06, bringing the look of Corvette's racing team to their non-ZR1 offerings, if not quite the performance. Both the Z06 and Coupe 1LT Vettes ordered with the Competition Sport package will get a track focus, which includes...
CorvSport·
Concepts & Prototypes

1989 Corvette DR-1 Concept

There were several successful attempts to build a convertible ZR-1, most of them by private people. The DR-1 was a GM prototype to test the structural integrity of the ZR-1 chassis when it would be topless. The car was built by American Sunroof Corporation (ASC) for Don Runkle, who was the vice-president of Advanced Engineering Staff, which explains the “DR-1” designation. It was a standard convertible transformed to ZR-1 specs.
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Pace Cars

1986 Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car

The big news for 1986 was that a Corvette would pace the Indy 500 for the second time. Retired General Chuck Yeager was enjoying celebrity status as a result of the book and movie, “The Right Stuff.” But Chevrolet was still smarting from the heavy criticism over the ‘78 Corvette Pace Car debacle and decided that all 1986 Corvette convertibles were designated as “Pace Car Replica”.
CorvSport·
Special Models

1986 Corvette Indy Concept

The 1986 Corvette Indy Prototype was developed beyond clay modeling to the point of a fully-functioning, drivable car, though it was clearly understood that this car would never evolve beyond the prototype stage.  Like the clay mock-up before it, development of the mid-engine Indy prototype began in 1985, pulling design cues from its predecessor.