Illustrated Corvette Series Report: February 2008

February 2008

The Illustrated Corvette Series Report

A Look at the Past, Present & Future
of America's Favorite Sports Car... The Corvette

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of Corvette Art
on the Planet!

To check out the latest
Illustrated Corvette Series No. 132
'70-1/2 - '72 ZR1 Corvettes
"The Original ZR1"

CLICK HERE

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Illustrated Corvette Series III

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and ready to hang!

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AN Made in USA

Howdy!
   Hey, I just noticed that we only have about 4 more weeks of Winter. If you're south of the Mason-Dixon line, it's no biggie, but here in New Jersey, it's still cold and damp.

Here's what we have to share with you this month...

* Illustrated Corvette Series No. 133:
   - The '70-1/2 - '72 ZR1 - "The Original ZR1"

* Vette Videos:
   - Road & Track's '09 ZR1 Video Report
   - The first retailable unit built, '09 ZR1 goes on the Barrett
     Jackson auction block and sells for $1,000,000!!!
   - A REALLY LOUD Corvette - You won't believe this one!

* Let's Play Corvette Odd-Ball:
   - Chevy's '70-1/2 LT-2, all-aluminum 454 drag racer!

* Rumor Mill:
   - Sorting through the 2012 C7 haze.

* New Corvette-Gear store items:
   Corvette jewelry, low-end and high-end die-cast Corvettes,
   die-cast Corvette engines, & new Corvette leather jackets

* Grand Sport Tribute:
   A 3/4-view tribute to the ultimate "could have been" Corvette
   and the '96 production Grand Sport.

Let's BURN RUBBER!

The Latest Illustrated Corvette Series: ICS No. 132
'70-1/2 - '72 ZR1 Corvettes
"The Original ZR1"

Series No. 133 continues the story of Duntov's support for Corvette racers from '70 to '72 with the ZR1 racer option.

There were supposed to be two "racer kits" for '70, the ZR1 and the ZR2. The ZR1 was a 350 LT-1 based setup for the small-block racers. The ZR2 was to use a 454 version of the L88 called the LS7. Although listed in the preproduction press release information, the LS7 never made it into production for the '70-1/2 production year.

Just like the '67 - '69 L88 option, the ZR1 had a long list of "factory deletes." That's factory-speak for options that were NOT available with the ZR1 package. Duntov was looking out for his loyal buyers and did not want someone buying a ZR1 thinking it would be a great high performance Corvette for the street. The factory deletes were designed to discourage buyers from getting a Corvette that they would be MOST UNHAPPY with for regular driving. And at $968 it was the most expensive option available that year.

There were only a total of 53 ZR1 optioned Corvettes from '70-1/2 to '72. The big-block based ZR2 was only available in '71 and used the 425-horsepower LS6 454. Only 12 ZR2 Corvettes were built in '71. Racer John Greenwood used one of the ZR Corvettes to make his mark in road racing in the early '70s.

As the '70s wore on and it was obvious that Detroit was moving away from the muscle car daze. The ZR1 and ZR2 Corvette never attained legend status the way that the L88 did.

However, the seed was planted for the '90 - '95 ZR1, as well as the '09 ZR1. As we watch, drive, and enjoy the '09 ZR1, remember to thank Zora for his backdoor support for Corvette racers that helped create the Corvette legend.

The article will appear in the June 2008 issue of Vette Magazine on the very last page.

You can order the ICS No. 132 parchment paper print directly from
The Illustrated Corvette Series website and simply use the PayPal payment buttons for payment.

Or you can order with a credit card by calling us TOLL-FREE at: 1-800-858-6670.

You can also read the complete story HERE.

There are two versions of this month's series installment.
Below is the alternate layout.

To see the LARGE VERSIONS of this month's prints, just click the images.

Both versions are available HERE.

All of our prints measure 11" x 17", are printed on tan parchment paper, are signed by the artist and cost $19.95, + $4.95 S&H. For an additional $10 you can have any of our prints personalized! An excellent gift for that hard to buy for Corvette person in your life.

Let's Play, "Corvette Oddball!"
Quirky Vette Factoids

Question:
Did Chevy ever build a drag racing Corvette?

Answer: Not for actual drag racing competition. (now THAT would have been interesting) But they did build a dragster Vette, just to show off a little.

The introduction of the four wheel, independent suspension in the '63 Sting Ray was a major breakthrough for road racers, but left drag racers with tons of rear suspension broken parts. Let's face it, the production independent rear suspension was never designed for those brutal drag racing starts.

Corvette engines, small and big-blocks have never had a problem producing lots of power. Too much power for the Corvette's rear suspension. Although there were a few successful drag racing Corvettes that included Bo Laws, Astoria-Chas, and Bernie Agman, most drag racers used the solid-axle Camaros, Novas, and C1 Corvettes.

At the '70 press introduction in the Summer of '69, Chevrolet had a specially prepared '69 Corvette powered by a 454 version of the all-aluminum ZL-1. Actually, it was the same car used the previous year to show off the '69 ZL-1 engine. Duntov and his crew wanted to show off the awesome power potential of an even bigger ZL-1.

Chevrolet's Hib Hufstader and Tom Langdon built the flaming orange, drag race prepared Corvette with a 454 cubic-inch version of the all-aluminum ZL-1 with a modified Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic, open 180-degree headers, and racing slicks for the press to "play with." Duntov enjoyed keeping the automotive press happy.

What'a guy!

How much fun was this drag racing Corvette? All day long the booming orange Corvette clicked off high-10-second quarter-mile times. With extra preparation this monster Vette could have been in the high 9s, EASY!

And what became of the 454 ZL-1 Monster Vette? Most likely, it went to the rendering portion of GM called "the crusher."

If you have any info about this car, I would love to hear from you. This car will no doubt be the subject of a future Illustrated Corvette Series column.

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Got a "Corvette Oddball" factoid that you'd like to share?

Zip me off an e-mail at, lightoak@comcast.net and I'll include it in a future newsletter.

Hot From the Rumor Mill:
What's Up With the C7 Corvette?

C7 2012 Corvette Art

There isn't much "solid" to report on for the C7 Vette. Current talk is that the release date for the C7 "might" be 2012. But being four years out, that's plenty of time for everything to change. And maybe not. It's all very "iffy." As Phil Berg pointed out in his book, "Corvette C6," development began in earnest in 2000 - a full five years before the '05 introduction. So, it's very likely that the engine placement and platform are already nailed down. But everything else is most likely in flux.

There's a lot of speculation that the C7 might be based on the Pontiac Solstice / Saturn Sky. That reminds me of the decades past rumors that the C4 would be based on a Camaro/Firebird platform. The Solstice/Sky are neat little sports cars, but are they Corvette material? I think not.

GM is also is concerned about the new CAFE mileage ratings, as well as their own bottom line. If you recall, the C5 was put off and put off due to GM's financial woes of the early '90s. I'm speculating here, but if the past is any reflection of possible future Corvette developments, the C7 could be pushed out past 2012.

The C6 has been a success, but it won't save GM. Then again, GM may take a punt position and leave the C6 run out past 2012. Hey, it ain't broke, so why fix it?

There's a lot that's up in the air now, so stay tuned. But what the hey, this is part of what makes Corvettes so damn much FUN!

"Corvette Gear"
What's New!

The Corvette Gear eBay store continues to grow.

Here's what we've added this month:

- Gold C6 pendants and earrings.
- High-end and low end die-cast Corvettes.
- Die-cast 427/435 big-block and Fuelie small-block
Corvette engines.
- New high-quality Corvette leather jackets.

Very soon, we'll be adding reproduction Corvette wheels, exhaust systems, and interior replacement parts.

To check out any of the below items, just click on the pictures.

SPECIAL OFFER!!!

As a subscriber to The Illustrated Corvette Series Report we are making you this special offer.

If you are going to purchase an item in the Corvette Gear store, PLACE YOUR ORDER over the phone and get a 5% DISCOUNT!

To scoop up your 5% discount, you MUST call your order in using our TOLL-FREE number... 1-800-858-6670.

Below are just a few of our NEW Corvette gift and accessory items.

C5 Corvette Neon Signs

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Gold Corvette Jewelery Die-Cast Corvette Engines

1:12th Scale Die-Cast C5-R New C5 & C6 leather Jackets

1:64th Scale C6 Corvettes

Here's the Corvette Gear store address...

http://stores.ebay.com/Corvette-Gear

NEW Corvette "Tribute" Print
The Grand Sport Tribute

Grand Sport Tribute
Click the above image to see a larger version.

A few months ago I created and released my vertical format "Grand Sport Tribute" that featured side-view profiles of the two configurations of the original '63 Grand Sport - the coupe and roadster, as well as the '96 Grand Sport option.

This month I've created and released my horizontal format Grand Sport Tribute that shows front 3/4-views of the original '63 Grand Sport coupe and roadster, as well as the '96 production Grand Sport.

I'd like to make a brief editorial comment about the name of the '09 ZR1. The '63 Grand Sport was intended to be a limited production, available at your local Chevy dealer, lightweight racing Corvette. Although the five cars that were built were all-out racers, a street version could have been built and sold.

Fast forward to '99 to the C5-R factory racing Corvettes. The '01 Z06 was a direct outgrowth of the C5-R cars. The Z06 tag coming from the little known about '63 Z06 racer option. Let's now jump to today.

The '09 ZR1 is a direct outgrowth of the C6.R racers. It is closer to the racing C6.R than to the street supercar ZR1 Corvette of the early '90s. The '63 Grand Sport was the original, all-out factory racing Corvette, not just a "kit racer" like the '63 Z06 and the '70-1/2 - '72 ZR1.

Maybe I'm just a stickler for Corvette history, but had I been in the product planning meetings in the Corvette Design Group, I would have lobbied hard for the use of the name, "Grand Sport," rather than ZR1.

Yes, the ZR1 has that wonderful media tag of "King of the Hill." Dave McLellan started the ZR1 and Dave Hill got to see the ZR1 through to '95, so there was another "hill" thing going there.

But the new ZR1 is closer to the C6.R racers than to the original racer kit option for the early C3 cars and the street super car C4 cars. The Corvette engineers did a stunning job incorporating lessons and parts from the C6.R experience. The '09 ZR1 is closer in spirit to the original Grand Sport that it is to the past ZR1 cars.

So, that's my 2�.

What do you think of the "ZR1" name for the latest wonder Vette?

To place your order for the Grand Sport Tribute, CLICK HERE.

Click the above image to see a larger version.

Each print measures 11" x 17", is printed on tan parchment paper, and signed by the artist.

Price: $19.95 + $4.95 S&H

Coming Up In The Illustrated Corvette Series

Here's what's coming up in the series for the next few months in Vette Magazine on the very last page...

No. 133 - 2009 ZR1
(March 2008)

No. 134 - 2009 ZR1 LS9 Engine
(April 2008)

No. 135 - 1969 - 70 Baldwin-Motion Phase III GT Corvette
(May 2008)

Special Club Offer
and Commissions Information.

I'd like to make a special offer to you and your Corvette club. Each signed, parchment paper print retails for $19.95, plus $4.95 for shipping and handling. If your club places an order for 5 or more prints, each print can be yours for just $15.00 each. That's a $4.95 savings per print - almost 25% off.

Each print measures 11" x 17", is made on tan parchment paper, and is signed by the artist - me.

Also, when your club orders 5 or more prints, you not only get the volume discount, you also get FREE SHIPPING (an additional $4.95 savings) !!

So, I invite you to browse our online catalog at: www.IllustratedCorvetteSeries.com We have art prints of every production Corvette from 1953 to 2007. Besides reproductions of the Vette Magazine series, I also have side-view profiles of every production Corvette and 18 Corvette engine illustrations.

I also have a Commissions Page if you prefer a personalized or color commission of your special Vette! CLICK HERE to go to the Commissions Page for more details. These make fantastic gifts for all the Vette lovers in your circle!

If you own a Corvette,
we have an art print of YOUR CAR.

Suggestions Anyone???

Since The Illustrated Corvette Series started in the Spring of '97, it has been telling the chronological history of the Corvette. Beginning this September, the series will be covering interesting famous racing Vettes, specialty Vettes, and some of the more obscure prototype and show Vettes, such as the '63 4-seater Sting Ray prototype and the 1954 Nomad.

This should be a lot of fun, as there's always a good story behind race cars, prototypes, and show cars.

So, if you have a suggestion for something that you'd like to see in the series, please e-mail me at:

lightoak@comcast.net. I'm open to all suggestions.

That's all for now. Hope you enjoyed my report. Before we know it, most all of us will be enjoying warmer Spring weather. Remember, make sure your radar detector is working correctly before you blast out the cobwebs in your Corvette.

Drive safe and Save the Wave!

Scott