Category: C4 ZR-1 Corvettes

What’a STEAL! 1991 Callaway ZR-1 Corvette Sells for $28,000!

C4 Corvettes / C4 ZR-1 Corvettes / Corvette Auctions

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What’a STEAL! 1991 Callaway ZR-1 Corvette Sells for $28,000!

In 1991 the ZR-1 was the “Corvette to die for!” Everything was SO exotic, it’s too bad Chevrolet played it outrageously safe with the body styling that looks almost exactly like a regular Corvette. On well, ZR-1s are still beauties and the only way it could get better was to have Callaway Engineering do their thing on top of what was already Corvette’s flagship model.

Corvette Timeline Tales: August 31, 1992 the 2nd Corvette Chief Engineer, Dave McLellan retires

C4 Corvettes / C4 ZR-1 Corvettes / Chevrolet Timeline Tales / Corvette History / Corvette People

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Corvette Timeline Tales: August 31, 1992 the 2nd Corvette Chief Engineer, Dave McLellan retires

General Motors had a mandatory, “retirement at 65” policy, so as Corvette Chief Engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov was nearing retirement in January 1975 the big question was who would be chosen to fill Zora’s big shoes. Duntov was not consulted about his replacement and McLellan would not have been his choice, but Dave was definitely the man for the job. McLellan was an Alfred P. Slone Fellow with a degree in engineering and management. The ‘70s was not a fun time and there were serious issues to be dealt with besides horsepower, racing, and mid-engine designs. There were emissions and quality control issues, as well as the implantation of a new assembly plant and an all-new Corvette to be designed and developed.

Book Review: Corvette Sixty Years – by Randy Leffingwell

C1 Corvettes / C2 Corvettes / C3 Corvettes / C4 Corvettes / C4 ZR-1 Corvettes / C5 Corvettes / C6 Corvettes / C6 ZR1 Corvettes / Corvette Book Reviews / Corvette Gifts / Corvette History / Grand Sport Corvette

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Book Review: Corvette Sixty Years – by Randy Leffingwell

“Corvette Sixty Years” weighs in at 254 pages of text. A book covering the entire 60-year heritage of the Corvete. In the first three chapters Leffingwell takes you on a quick and concise tour of six generations of Corvettes in 179 pages.

C4 Corvettes / C4 ZR-1 Corvettes / C5 Corvettes / C6 Corvettes / C6 ZR1 Corvettes / Corvette People

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David Kimble’s Incredible Cut-Away Corvette Art Creations

Explore the extraordinary cut-away Corvette illustrations by David Kimble, where artistry meets engineering precision. His detailed technical artwork reveals the hidden mechanical beauty beneath Corvette bodywork, offering enthusiasts a rare inside look at the components, structure and performance systems that define America’s sports car.

A Salute to the Amazing ZR-1 and ZR1 Corvette

C4 ZR-1 Corvettes / C6 ZR1 Corvettes / Corvette Gifts

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A Salute to the Amazing ZR-1 and ZR1 Corvette

The Corvette team was a very different group from the late ‘60s. One thing Dave McLellan and his team were determined to do was make sure their new world-class Vette was NOT launched prematurely. The team intended to release the ZR-1 as an ‘89 Corvette, but smartly chose to postpone production a year to make sure the car was right. The only downside to the entire enterprise was a small matter of the BIG price. At $27,016 on top of the $31,979 base price, this wasn’t just an engine option. No, no. everything from the flywheel back to the tires was bigger, more stout, and heavy duty. And rather than just add flares to the fenders to cover the oversized tires (ala the C3 L-88 fender flares), the entire back end of the car was widened. Unfortunately, the change was only noticeable to those with a keen Corvette eye or if the ZR-1 was next to a regular C4 Corvette. But, we won’t pick, as it was a magnificent car.

Vette Videos: Visit Bowling Green Corvette Assembly Plant… On Your Computer!

C4 Corvettes / C4 ZR-1 Corvettes / C5 Corvettes / C6 Corvettes / C6 ZR1 Corvettes / Vette Videos

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Vette Videos: Visit Bowling Green Corvette Assembly Plant… On Your Computer!

Back in the olden days, you know, pre-Bowling Green, if you wanted to buy a Corvette, you simply went to your friendly local Chevrolet dealer and bought your car. While some Corvette buyers may have been aware that their Corvette was built in St. Louis, most couldn’t have cared less, and were more focused on the experience of owning and driving their Corvette, rather than where it was assembled.

All Corvettes from 1953 to 1980 were built in the old St. Louis assembly plant. If you go back and read early road tests from the ‘60s and ‘70s you’ll see a consistent complaint – spotty to poor builkd quality. Some cars were built very well, most okay, and too many not good at all. It was a time when you didn’t want a “Monday car” for obvious reasons. Owners and magazine writers complained and GM listened.

Marty Schorr’s “Car Guys Who Lunch” Car Club – Start Your own Chapter!

C1 Corvettes / C2 Corvettes / C3 Corvettes / C4 Corvettes / C4 ZR-1 Corvettes / C5 Corvettes / C6 Corvettes / C6 ZR1 Corvettes / Corvette People

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Marty Schorr’s “Car Guys Who Lunch” Car Club – Start Your own Chapter!

Car Guys Who Lunch started in 2003 when a group of dudes with gasoline in their veins got together for burgers and bench racing in a cafe in Sarasota, Florida. A good time was had by all with everyone agreeing, “Lets do it again!” Within a year, “Sarasota Cafe Racers was officially launched, or should I say, “lunched.” (Arr, arr!) There are two aspects of Car Guys Who Lunch that make it so unique.

First, it’s a non-denominational car club – kind of a unitarian-like club. “What” you drive isn’t as important as your “passion” for driving and appreciation for unique automobiles. When the gang gets together for burgers and bragging, the issues, troubles, and concerns of the world are put on hold and the ONLY thing that exists is cars and a good lunch.

Second, if you like the concept, Marty and his team will help you start your own “Car Guys Who Lunch” chapter! How cool is that?!

Vette Shows: 2010 Vettes at Glasstown Engines

C1 Corvettes / C2 Corvettes / C3 Corvettes / C4 Corvettes / C4 ZR-1 Corvettes / C5 Corvettes / C6 Corvettes / C6 ZR1 Corvettes / Corvette Engines / Corvette News & Opinions / Corvette Shows / Vette Shows

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Vette Shows: 2010 Vettes at Glasstown Engines

I would venture to say that the most common question Corvette owners get is, “What year is your Vette?” Everyone wants to know how new or how old your Corvette happens to be. The second or third most common question owners hear is “What’s under the hood?” Now, we’re getting down to business. Were it not for stout, high-performance engines, Corvettes would have been just another Detroit pretty face. Two aspects of Corvettes that simply CAN NOT be disconnected on are “looks” and “power.”

In October 2010 when I attended the Vettes at Glasstown Corvette Show I took LOTS of pictures of Vette engines. Since most everyone had their hoods up and were saying in Corvette body language, “Hey! Look at my engine!” why not take pictures? When looked at over the span of nearly 60 years, you can clearly see visual phases in under-the-hood appearance.