Scottsdale 2012: Russo & Steele 1953 Corvette

The 1953 Corvette might not have been a performance power house, but it laid the ground work for what would become one of Chevrolet's  longest running nameplates. The 1953 Corvette pictured here, may just be the finest example in the world of a first year vette. This car, #284 of 300 is owned by famed Corvette collector and researcher Noland Adams. He purchased this Corvette used in 1955 and under his ownership, treated the car to a 10 year long frame off restoration that was completed in 1999. Documenting every step of the process. And his efforts awarded him also Adams' 53 earned the Bloomington Gold Award, NCRS Top Flight, NCRS Performance Verification Awards, and the NCRS Duntov Mark of Excellence Award with a score of 99.8%, very impressive. Adams' 53 was also the basis for the U.S. Postal Service's Corvette stamp issued in 2003 for the Corvette's 50th anniversary.

Now in time for the Corvette's 60th anniversary in 2013 you can have the world's best 1953 Corvette in your collection. This car will be auctioned by Russo and Steel in Scottsdale, Az  January 18th through the 22nd.


Source & Photos: Russo and Steele

The King returns! The 2009 Corvette ZR1

The Myth, The Legend, The History. It all returns with the new C6 Corvette ZR1. Formerly known as the Blue Devil and the Corvette SS. What we are looking at here is the fastest production Corvette of all time.

The aluminum and magnesium from the Z06 is the basis for the ZR1. At the front, you'll find a C6-R inspired splitter in carbon fiber. Flared front fenders with large air outlets to quickly move hot air out of the engine compartment. Also for the first time on a production Corvette, the hood has a clear lexan window to show off the new LS9 V8 engine. Which is oh so cool to look at. Oh, did we also mention that all the front sheet metal is carbon fiber rather than fiberglass?

A major styling change is the carbon fiber roof. GM really pulled out all the stops for the carbon fiber. GM materials engineers put a lot effort into developing an additive for the clear coat that could be applied to the carbon to preserve it for the life of the car. The ZR1 is the first car ever to have a carbon fiber clear coat that will last the life of the car. The chemical additive costs $60,000 a gallon and the clear coat with the additive mixed in comes to $2,000 a gallon. With out this the resins in the carbon fiber will break down over time, causing the appearance to yellow and become brittle.

When the original ZR1 was let lose in 1990, it was powered by a dual overhead cam, 5.7 liter V8 with 405 horsepower. Seems like nothing when compared with the super cars of today, but for 1990 this was earth shattering. The new LS9 supercharged 6.2 liter V8 in the 2009 ZR1 is rumored to have somewhere between 620 and 650 horsepower. That's well over the 505 hp on the current Z06 with it's 7.0 liter V8.

With the Z06, GM received many complaints about how hard the car was to drive on the street. Yeah it did great at the track, but in an everyday setting. It was just too much. In the ZR1, there are softer springs than the Z06 but GM added the same magneto-rheological dampers as the Ferrari 599. The fluid in these units is filled with iron particles and the viscosity can be instantly changed by varying an electric current passing through it. Sensors in the car take measurements every 0.001 seconds and adjust the dampers every 0.002 seconds.

15 inch Brembo brake rotors are placed in the rear wheels, while 15.5 inch rotors are used up front. Capped with bright blue 6 piston front and 4 piston rear calipers, also from Brembo. The brakes are topped with Michelin Pilot Sport

285/30ZR19s front tires while traction goes through 335/25ZR20s at the rear.

Will the new ZR1 be King of the Hill like the C4 ZR1? Only time will tell, and the numbers will be proven once GM sends a few out for testing. Look for more details as we get closer to the Detroit auto show next month.

Source: GM.

Chevrolet to return to ALMS with Corvette C6.R in 2008

There had been some speculation that Chevrolet was not going to continue to participate in the American LeMans Series(ALMS) after the 2007 season due to lack of competition inf the GT1 class. Though today Chevrolet has announced that they will participate in the full 12 race 2008 schedule. So expect to see the familiar images of the competition yellow C6.R Corvettes thundering down the straights next year.

Competing in the series for 2008 will be an important part of General Motors 100th anniversary celebration in 2008.

Since the teams debut in 1999. Corvette Racing has won seven consecutive GT1 manufacturers and team championships and six straight drivers championships in ALMS. The team also holds the series' records for class victories (57) and 1-2 finishes (40).

Source: GM.

Press Release:

Chevrolet Factory Team to Run Entire ALMS Schedule and 24 Hours of Le Mans

DETROIT – Corvette Racing, the most successful team in the history of the American Le Mans Series, will compete in the GT1 class in all 12 events on the ALMS schedule in 2008. Chevrolet's two-car factory road racing team will also return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in pursuit of a sixth GT1 title in the world's most famous sports car race.

"Corvette Racing was conceived as a long-term program to showcase the performance, technology, and value of Chevrolet's world-class sports car," said Mark Kent, director of GM Racing. "Since the team's competition debut in 1999, Corvette Racing's success in top-tier road racing has produced a strong return on our investment, paying dividends in marketing, engineering, technology transfer, personnel development and other areas of our business. Corvette is now a performance icon that's recognized around the world, and Corvette Racing's continued participation in the ALMS and the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be an important element in the global celebration of GM's 100th anniversary in 2008."

Corvette Racing has won seven consecutive GT1 manufacturers and team championships and six straight drivers championships in ALMS competition. The team holds the series' records for class victories (57) and 1-2 finishes (40).

"Our decision to compete in all 12 rounds of the ALMS schedule in 2008 reflects our commitment to our sponsors, our suppliers, and to Corvette enthusiasts worldwide," said Steve Wesoloski, GM Racing Road Racing Group manager. "There is a reason why thousands of Corvette owners attend Corvette Corrals at ALMS events and why the autograph line at Corvette Racing is the longest in the ALMS paddock: Racing is an integral part of Corvette's history and heritage, and we are continuing that tradition.

"Experience teaches us that motorsports is cyclical, and the GT1 category is currently in transition," Wesoloski observed. "Would we like to see more competition in GT1 in the ALMS? Absolutely! But in the absence of season-long competition, we are absolutely committed to controlling our own destiny. We are pushing hard to develop our chassis and powertrain, to refine our race strategy, and to continuously improve every element of the program. We know that the competition at Le Mans will be intense, and we will use the ALMS series to hone the race cars, the drivers, and the team to prepare for it."

Corvette Racing will test two new Compuware Corvette C6.R race cars in February in preparation for the season-opening round of the ALMS series, the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, on March 15, 2008.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 280,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2006, nearly 9.1 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.

Sneek peek: Corvette ZR1 6.9 L LS9 V8

This one got leaked out by the guys over at Jalopnik.com yesterday. This is a sneek peek of the 2009 Corvette ZR1s 6.9 Liter LS9 V8 engine. Horsepower should be somewhere in the neighborhood of 650hp. The LS9 is a Supercharged version of the 6.2 L LS3 used in the stock Corvette. The supercharger also features unique integrated twin intercoolers for optimum performance. The new ZR1 will debut in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Since there is not much info coming out of GM. We'll keep you posted as it develops. We'll be in Detroit for the unveiling so it should be very exciting.

Integrated Twin Intercoolers. Intercooler cut away.

Daytona 500 50th Aniversary: Corvette announced as pace car

Come February 08. The Daytona 500 will celebrate its 50th anniversary. Over the year last 50 years we have seen many different cars from the big 3 be chosen to be the pace car. The Chevrolet Corvette has to have been chosen as the pace car more than any other car for this prestigious race. This year we will again see the Corvette pacing the Daytona 500.

The Central Florida International Auto Show, was official debut of the 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Pace Car. It is the fifth consecutive year that Chevrolet has chosen the Corvette to pace the Daytona race. The 505-horsepower Z06’s special anniversary gold paint is accented by hues of gold, red, blue and white. The graphics scheme is accented with unique, gold iridescent-coated wheels. This is one of the best looking pace cars yet!

From left, Daytona Speedway President Robin Braig, NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick, Mayor Rich Crotty and Chevrolet's Jeff Chew.

Chevrolet will help celebrate the 50th running of the Daytona 500 by providing 50 race fans, selected from all 50 states, a weekend experience at the Daytona 500, on Feb. 17, 2008. Ten of those fans will also win a 2008 Chevy Impala. Now, through Dec. 3, fans can visit Chevy.com/Daytona500 to enter.

Source: Orlando Sentinel

Sema 07 Update: Jay leno's E85 powered Corvette C6RS

There is no denying Jay Leno's love of cars, not to mention his involvement in the development of new technologies with General Motors. Meet the Corvette C6RS. The car that shows that green technology and performance can go hand in hand.

The C6RS started life as a Z06 that was restyled to resemble the C6.R race car. Performance is brought by a 8.2 liter (500 CID)aluminum small block V8 with 600 Horsepower and 585 ft lbs of torque. And it runs on E85 Ethanol rather than conventional gasoline. This is definitely a Corvette worth looking at. More info and pics below the jump.

Here is the official GM press release:

GREEN AND MEAN: JAY LENO'S E85-CAPABLE Z06-INSPIRED C6RS CORVETTE BOASTS 600 HP AND ALTERNATIVE-FUEL CAPABILITY

LAS VEGAS – "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno's predilection for performance cars is no secret, but many fellow enthusiasts may not know that he is keenly interested in alternative fuels. To prove that red-blooded power mixes easily with a touch of green, Leno partnered with Pratt & Miller – the engineering company that builds and campaigns C6.R Corvettes – to develop a modified Corvette Z06 that is capable of running on E85 ethanol. It was unveiled at the 2007 SEMA Show.

More than merely a conversion of the stock LS7 engine to E85 capability, Leno's alternative-fuel supercar is powered by a custom, 8.2L (500-cubic-inch) all-aluminum small-block V-8 that pumps out approximately 600 horsepower and 585 lb.-ft. of torque.

"The C6RS is the result of an idea we hatched to prove that high-performance cars and alternative fuel technology weren't diametrically opposed concepts," said Leno. "I love the idea of having 600 horsepower at my disposal, but using a homegrown alternative to gasoline.

"The engine is built around a custom aluminum cylinder block that was CNC-milled from a single block of billet aluminum. And while the cylinder heads, intake system and dry-sump oiling system are stock LS7 components, the engine – which has larger bore and stroke dimensions than the 7.0L (427-cubic-inch) LS7 – uses a one-off reciprocating assembly, including a forged steel crankshaft, forged rods and forged pistons. Katech Engines, the company that builds engines for the Corvette C6.R racing program, developed the engine.

The fuel system and engine control computer were modified to accommodate E85, and spent gases exit through a Corsa exhaust system. Supporting the 600-horse engine's power is a blueprinted and strengthened T-56 six-speed transmission and a high-performance Centerforce dual-friction clutch.

C6.R inspiration:

On the outside, Leno's bad and black C6RS emulates the styling of C6.R race cars, with wider front and rear fenders and a wider rear fascia with an integrated spoiler on top and a racing-style diffuser at the bottom (the diffuser incorporates an LED-lit backup lamp). A C6.R-style waterfall hood front fender louvers, rockers and lower grille opening further define this special Corvette – and all of the car's front-end panels are made of carbon-fiber, including custom brake air ducts routed through the front fenders. With all of its body modifications, Leno's C6RS is 1.6 inches wider than stock.

The C6.R's – and production Corvette's – aerodynamically styled bodywork is designed to slice efficiently through the wind, which helps enhance fuel mileage.

The race-ready look of the car is enhanced with a quartet of BBS wheels that feature racing-type locking center hubs. The forged aluminum 18-inch front wheels and 19-inch rear wheels ride on Michelin P295/30ZR18 and P345/30ZR19 tires, respectively.

Adding authenticity to the car's custom bodywork was the involvement of Pratt & Miller. The company took on the task of crafting Leno's Corvette into a street-going replica of the race cars, which included installing or fabricating a host of unique components, including:
* A custom DeWitt high-capacity radiator with dual cooling fans.

* A carbon-fiber ram-air induction system.

* Carbon-fiber inner fender panels that vent hot air from the engine compartment.

* Brembo brakes with six-piston mono-block calipers in front and four-piston rear calipers.

* Dyna-Mat used throughout the cabin and chassis to reduce interior noise.

While the exterior and drivetrain were inspired by the racetrack, the C6RS's cabin exudes luxury, with premium touches and enhancements from Genuine Corvette Accessories that include a two-tone shift knob and boot; leather-covered console armrest, parking brake handle and boot; an interior trim kit, racing-style pedal covers and more.

With its 600 horses on tap and domestically produced E85 fuel in the tank, Jay Leno's alternative-fueled C6RS is an all-American supercar that proves high performance and environmental consciousness go together like the Corvette and checkered flags.