Corvette Glossary Of Terms
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Backlight Paint
Paint (ink) that glows under a black light, a source of light whose wavelengths are primarily in the ultraviolet. The paint may or may not be colorful under ordinary light. It is also known as luminous paint or fluorescent paint. Blacklight paints can be mixed with similar shades of normal pigments, “brightening” them when viewed in sunlight. DayGlo is a tradename, and a common name for these sorts of paints. Content Courtesy of Wikipedia. Corvsport Page References: 1997 Overview.
Baldick, Rick
Rick joined Chevrolet as a technical writer in 1972, and served as area service manager in Cleveland and a fleet service manager in Syracuse. In 1983 he became a zone merchandising manager in Memphis; then in 1986, assistant truck merchandising manager in Chevrolets Central Office. He moved to regional marketing manager for the Pacific Coast in 1992 and became assistant brand manager (marketing) for Silverado in 1996. His last position prior to taking on Corvette was assistant brand manager (product responsibility) for Silverado in 1998. On July 1, 2009, Rick was officially appointed Chevrolet Corvette and Camaro brand manager. Content Courtesy of Corvette Fever. Corvsport Page References: 2003 Overview.
Beretta, Oliver
Born 23 November 1969 in Monte Carlo, Oliver is a racing driver from Monaco who raced in Formula One in 1994 for the Larrousse team, partnering Érik Comas. He participated in 10 Grands Prix, debuting on March 27, 1994. He scored no championship points, and was replaced when his sponsorship money ran out. During 2003 and 2004, he tested for the Williams team.
Beretta has seen more success in sportscar racing, taking class wins at the 24 Heures du Mans with Viper GTS-Rs in 1999 (10th overall) and 2000 (7th overall), Corvettes in 2004 (C5-R, 6th overall), 2005 (C5-R, 5th overall) and 2006 (C6-R, 4th overall) and driving LMP900 class cars to 6th (2001), 4th (2002) and 3rd (2003) place class finishes.
He made a single NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start at Heartland Park Topeka in 1999 for Bobby Hamilton Racing, qualifying 10th and finishing 17th
For 2012, Beretta made the move from Corvette to Ferrari and started the season at the 2012 24 Hours of Daytona with Risi Competizione’s Ferrari F458 Italia Grand Am. He competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship in a GTE-Pro class Ferrari F458 Italia for AF Corse. Content courtesy of Wikipedia. Corvsport Page References: 2008 Overview.
Bilstein Suspension
Throughout the world, the name ThyssenKrupp Bilstein Suspension stands for innovation and high-tech solutions in chassis engineering. With its competitive chassis engineering solutions and with production facilities in Europe, North and South America, and Asia, the company supplies a complete range of damping and suspension products. Moreover, ThyssenKrupp Bilstein Suspension has for many years, been a preferred partner in motor sports and vehicle tuning. Bilstein Suspension content courtesy of BilsteinUS.com. Corvsport Page References: 1989 Overview
“Blue Flame” Engine
Originally introduced in 1941, the “Blue Flame” engine was actually a 235.5-cubic-inch version of the 216 engine that was originally introduced for use in large trucks. Both the bore (3.5625” or 90.49 mm) and stroke (3.9375” or 100.01 mm) were increased over the 216. This engine also had a “dipper system,” (in reference to the oiling system,) as in the 216.
The 235-cubic-inch (3.9 L) version was added to cars in 1950 to complement the new Powerglide automatic transmission, and 3.55:1 rear differential. Hydraulic lifters were used in the Powerglide 235 and a fully pressurized lubrication system was introduced in 1953, but only in cars ordered with the “Powerglide” transmission. The 216-cubic-inch (3.5 L) continued to be standard powerplant for cars with the three-speed manual transmission until 1954, when the 235-cubic-inch (3.9 L) became the standard powerplant on all Chevrolet passenger cars. Two versions were used in 1954 cars – a solid-lifter version with 123 hp (92 kW) for standard transmissions and the hydraulic-lifter 136 hp (101 kW) version (the “Blue Flame”) for Powerglide use. Content courtesy of Wikipedia. Corvsport Page References: 1953 Overview.
Bonnet
The hinged cover over the engine of motor vehicles that allows access to the engine compartment for maintenance and repair. In British terminology, hood refers to a fabric cover over the passenger compartment of the car (known as the ‘top’ in the US). In many motor vehicles built in the 1930s and 1940s, the resemblance to an actual hood or bonnet is clear when open and viewed head-on; in modern vehicles it continues to serve the same purpose but no longer resembles a head covering. Content courtesy of Wikipedia.
Bore/Stroke Ratio
A commonly used term used in North America, Europe, United Kingdom, Asia, and Australia where the diameter of the cylinder bore is divided by the length of the piston stroke to define the ratio.
Borg Warner: A United States-based worldwide automotive industry components and parts supplier. It is primarily known for its powertrain products, which include manual and automatic transmissions and transmission components, (e.g., electro-hydraulic control components, transmission control units, friction materials, and one-way clutches), turbochargers, engine valve timing system components, along with four-wheel drive system components. Content Courtesy of Wikipedia. Corvsport Page References: 1963 Overview, 1997 Overview, 1998 Overview.
Bose Audio
The Bose Corporation (pronounced boz) is a privately held organization, based in Framingham, Massachusetts, that specializes in audio equipment. Founded in 1964 by Amar G. Bose, the company operates 5 plants, 151 retail stores (as of October 20, 2006) and an automotive subsidiary at Stow, Massachusetts. With respect to sales in the U.S. for home audio retail and portable audio retail sales, Bose was ranked third for the period of November 2008 to April 2009. Bose is perhaps best known for the 901 speaker series.
Bose also produces a range of speakers and audio products for automotive use. Different Bose audio systems are available in vehicles with most GM labels (including Buick, Holden, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer, Pontiac and Saab), as well as in some European models from Alfa Romeo, Audi, Ferrari, Lancia, Maserati, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Renault, and also in some Japanese production cars, like Nissan, Infiniti and Mazda. Bose currently does not offer its car audio products on an aftermarket basis in order to ensure proper integration and appropriate in-cabin acoustic adaptation. Content courtesy of Wikipedia. Corvsport Page References: 1997 Overview.
Bowling Green
The fourth-most populous city in the state of Kentucky after Louisville, Lexington, and Owensboro, Bowling Green is poised to surpass Owensboro when the 2010 census is calculated. The population was estimated to be 56,598 in 2009. It is the county seat of Warren County and the principal city of the Bowling Green, Kentucky Metropolitan Statistical Area with an estimated 2009 population of 120,595.[2] Bowling Green was founded in 1798 after Robert and George Moore donated an additional 30 acres to 40 acres to the Warren County trustees. The land surrounded the 2-acre plot they had donated for the construction of public buildings. Bowling Green was the provisional capital of the Confederate government of Kentucky. In 2003, Bowling Green and its surrounding communities were designated as a “metropolitan area”.
General Motors has an assembly plant in Bowling Green in which all Chevrolet Corvettes have been constructed since 1981 and Cadillac XLRs were being built there until production ended in the spring of 2009. Bowling Green content courtesy of Wikipedia.
Corvsport Page References: 1981 Overview, 1982 Overview, C4 Overview, 1984 Overview, 1985 Overview, 1986 Overview, 1987 Overview, 1988 Overview, 1989 Overview, 1990 Overview, 1991 Overview, 1992 Overview, 1993 Overview, 1994 Overview, 1995 Overview, 1996 Overview, C5 Overview, 1997 Overview, 1998 Overview, 1999 Overview, 2000 Overview, 2001 Overview, 2002 Overview, 2003 Overview, 2004 Overview, C6 Overview, 2005 Overview, 2006, Overview, 2007 Overview, 2008 Overview, 2009 Overview, 2010 Overview, 2011 Overview
Brake Horsepower (BHP)
The measure of an engine’s horsepower before the loss in power caused by the gearbox, alternator, differential, water pump, and other auxiliary components such as power steering pump, muffled exhaust system, etc. Brake refers to a device which was used to load an engine and hold it at a desired RPM. During testing, the output torque and rotational speed were measured to determine the brake horsepower. Horsepower was originally measured and calculated by use of the indicator (a James Watt invention of the late 18th century), and later by means of a De Prony brake connected to the engine’s output shaft. More recently, an engine dynamometer is used instead of a De Prony brake. The output delivered to the driving wheels is less than that obtainable at the engine’s crankshaft. BHP content courtesy of Wikipedia. Corvsport Page References: 1985 Overview, 1997 Overview, 1998 Overview.
Brembo
Brembo is the leading brand in design and manufacturing of braking systems for high performance cars and motorcycles, both street and competition, as well as commercial vehicles. Performance, Comfort and Design are the values which distinguish the brand and make Brembo products the most prestigious braking systems and components in the world. Corvsport Page References: 2009 Corvette ZR1.
