Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C5) | Spotted
Thinner glass, a lighter battery and a titanium exhaust - Chevy was making a track car of the Corvette 20 years ago
Though the UK doesn’t get very much access to them, we now expect Stateside sports cars to be pretty good. The new Mustang looks like being one of the most exciting driver’s cars of 2024, the Camaro was brilliant right until the end, and the switch to an engine behind the driver has made the Corvette a true cut-price supercar. With or without batteries. Where once a great car was a welcome surprise, now it’s the norm.
It could be argued that the tide began to turn with the C5 era of Corvette Z06. It was a badge that had been absent for more than 35 years by the time the 2001 car arrived; there had been fast and focused Corvettes in that time - think ZL1 and ZR1 - but Z06 was the hallowed label because it hadn’t been seen since the C2 generation. Chevrolet knew it was special, and that not just any old special edition would do, so threw everything it had at the Z06: the intent was clear by offering it with only a manual gearbox and without the trademark Corvette removable panel. In addition, the Z06 was 58kg lighter than standard, shaving weight off the glass, wheels, battery, soundproofing - and even fitting a titanium exhaust. In 2001! Power was rated at 390hp, a useful amount to move 1,400kg.
The later Z06s, of which this 50th Anniversary Edition is one, were even more serious. A 2002MY update boosted power to 411hp thanks to trick upgrades like sodium-filled valves (!), more aggressive cam timing, a larger air intake and stiffer valve springs. The LS6 (as the Z06 version of the LS1 was christened) was already regarded as a great engine, an impression the later version only cemented.
Anyone who’s committed enough to import a car from overseas must be some kind of enthusiast - or why go to all the effort? - but this Z06 really does look like something special. It’s covered less than 50,000 miles in 20 years and is said to boast every last bit of documentation from new, even including the original window spec sheet from the dealer. If a 50th Anniversary Corvette pen and notepad won’t seal the deal, nothing will. The service history is complete, it’s never been out in salt and rain, and the fuel usage has been documented over the years. Probably not paperwork to revisit with a 5.7-litre V8 that made peak power 500rpm from the limiter, but you see the point: owners on both sides of the Atlantic have lavished time, care and money on this.
In 2024, the first Z06 of the 21st century looks like a fantastic sports car for those tired of the usual suspects. Yes, of course, it’s left-hand drive, but nobody seems too bothered about that when it’s a desirable old European sports car. Those that want to work around it will be able to. A C5 Corvette probably isn’t that big by modern standards. You might even go so far as to say it’s looking quite smart all these years later, though that might be the chicken wings talking. Certainly, it’s aged more successfully than the interior, however well-presented it is. Who signed off on that steering wheel?!
Anyway, we’re getting distracted. The important points are a legendary American sports car that did justice to the name, not very much weight, a honking great V8 and a manual gearbox. For a useful amount less than £30k. Perhaps not quite as fun as some alternatives we can think of for that money. But entertaining as hell. And way more rare.
SPECIFICATION | CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 (C5)
Engine: 5,665cc, V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 411@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 400@4,800rpm
MPG: Um
CO2: Er
First registered: 2003
Recorded mileage: 48,000
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £27,995
I do wonder how easy they are to service in the UK though
It's a small block Chevy, and parts are readily available and can be obtained easily.
Very easy. Even doing it all yourself.
I do wonder how easy they are to service in the UK though
Seems fairly reasonably priced given it’s from a dealer.
Do really like Corvettes, bet it’s still properly rapid as well even if 400 bhp doesn’t sound that much these days.
I’d definitely have another one even if the LHD and long doors were a bit of a pain.
Only real complaint is that the seats and interior were dreadful. Engine made up for it though.
(Relatively) cheap performance although the fuel bills would probably kill me, and I do prefer the shape of the C4 or the C6, but that’s not the point of the article….
@ one stage I was on the hunt for a ZR1, but on hearing of an acquaintance who very sadly killed himself in one on the Epping New road ( they don’t crash well ) put me off of the idea.
This car looks fairly priced, a red carpet set would be a big improvement.
Just ask Mercedes.
I'm a sucker for a fastback shape too, but realistically they do have their downsides.
I've long thought I'd buy one of these if I go and live in an LHD country in future, they seem to have a lot going for them in terms of fun to drive while being easy to live with.
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