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Illustrated Corvette Series No. 133
2009 ZR1 Corvette
"Chevy's World-Class Supercar"
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Howdy!
Hey! We made it to Spring! For those of us in the Northeast, Spring arrived not a day too soon. If you are in the midwest or Atlanta, Georgia area, I hope that the wild weather didn't affect you. Here's what we have to share with you this month...
* Illustrated Corvette Series No. 133
The 2009 ZR1
"Chevy's World-Class Supercar"
* Vette Videos:
Engine assembly and TV classic Corvette commercials
* Chevy's Latest "Special Edition":
2008 427 Limited Edition Z06
* Let's Play Corvette Odd-Ball:
A Corvette "station wagon"???
* New Corvette-Gear store items:
We Got WHEELS!
* Rumor Mill:
Hydrogen-powered Corvette prototype unveiled at The National Corvette Museum? Sounds STEAMY!
Buckle up and let's DRIVE!
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The Latest Illustrated Corvette Series: ICS No. 133
2009 ZR1 Corvette
"Chevy's World-Class Supercar"
Past, Present, and Future.
The 2009 ZR1 is the most technologically advanced production car that GM has ever produced. The list of goodies stuffed into this machine is the stuff of wild day dreams from decades ago. Let's put some perspective on the new ZR1. The car you can buy from your local Chevy dealer could give John Greenwood's Batmobile IMSA racer of the mid-70s a good run for its money. Imagine, all-out race car performance in a car that you can drive to the grocery store and pass your state's motor vehicle inspection.
The performance of "stock" Corvettes has risen dramatically since GM decided to seriously get into racing in '99 with their first C5-R series of racers. The '01 Z06 was the first benefactor of learned racing lessons and every couple of years, the bar gets raised higher. Remember '02 when the Z06 packed 405-horsepower? WOW! Our heads were swimming. Today, the '08 base Corvette packs 430-horsepower and the Z06 has 505-horses under the hood.
Now, the new ZR1 620-horsepower on tap! Where is this all leading to? The only dark cloud on the Corvette's horizon is the new CAFE (Corporate Annual Fuel Efficiency) requirements. As of this writing (3-20-08) no real world road tests have been published in the automotive press, so no one really knows what the ZR1's gas mileage will be.
Obviously, anyone that buys a $100,000-plus sports car, isn't at all concerned about fuel mileage. However, GM will certainly be looking at the ZR1 to see how its mileage affects their overall CAFE score. How this new mandate will affect the future of super Vettes and regular Corvettes, no one knows at this time. Perhaps GM will have to slap a "fuel rating surcharge" on their high performance cars. But what's a few extra grand on top of $100,000?
We'll see.
To see a much LARGER version of the above image, just click the image
The article will appear in the July 2008 issue of Vette Magazine on the very last page.
You can order the ICS No. 133 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.
To see a much LARGER version of the above image, just click the image
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.
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Vette Videos
Classic sights & sounds of Chevy's
Plastic Fantastic!
Welcome to our growing collection of YouTube and GoogleVideo
links to some interesting Corvette videos. I have 3 Vette Videos to share with you this month.
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A SMASHING Corvette Wreck
This one is straight out of the "YOU IDIOT!!!" file.
Catch this high speed crash of a young nerd trying to out run the police with a stolen C4 Corvette. The voice over says the car was doing 160mph, but it's not obvious that he was pulling away from the cops that fast. If that big rig just hadn't gotten in the way. Hmmm...
But the driver lives to tell the tale... to his roommates in prison. They probably DON'T believe him.
Too bad he had to total someone's Corvette.
TAKE A HYUNDAI NEXT TIME.
THEY'RE GOING TO CATCH YOU JUST THE SAME!
To watch the video, CLICK HERE.
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Wanna take a RIDE?
Take a lap around the Sebring road course inside a stock 2008 Corvette. The track surface at Sebring leaves a lot to be desired. The driver gives an interesting narration.
To enjoy this Vette Video, CLICK HERE.
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C6.R Corvettes at Sebring
This is an interesting behind the scenes look at the C6.R Corvette's "Mission Control" team. It's amazing what it takes today to field one of these cars. Those days of loading up the Vette and going to Sebring are long GONE!
To enjoy this Vette Video, CLICK HERE.
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The Latest Special Edition Corvette:
2008 427 Limited Edition Z06
I think that Chevrolet has caught on to the
"special edition" thing.
Of course, the "special edition" deal has been around since the '78 Pace Car Special. Then we saw a predictable series of special edition pace cars and incremental anniversary editions.
So, that produced pace car specials in '78, '86, '95, '98, and '07. Then "collector and anniversary edition" Corvettes were available in '82, 88, 93, 03, and '04. Chevrolet sure likes to keep things interesting.
The latest special offering is called "The 2008 427 Limited Edition Z06." Quickly, here's what's special about this car:
- Crystal Red paint with special "stinger" graphics on the hood. At a glance, the striping almost looks like a different hood. Sorry.
- Unique "427" badges on the hood to announce to the world what you're packing under the hood.
- Unique chrome wheels that look like cousins to the new ZR1 wheels.
- Body colored rear spoiler and door handles for that mono look.
- "Dark Titanium" leather interior. I guess that translates to a slightly dark gray.
- Center arm rest will be autographed by the retiring Wil Cooksey, the Corvette assembly plant manager.
- Production limited to 427 domestic units, plus another 78 international units to bring the total to... take a guess... 505. Yup, same as the horsepower rating. These guys are just too clever.
- Price you ask? This jewel starts at $84,195 and the only option is the navigation/tracking system for an extra $1,750.
It's a terrific looking Corvette. If it's giving you the itch, place your order early, as these beauties will go as fast as the car!
To check out MUCH LARGER versions of the above images, go to AutoBloc.com HERE.
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Let's Play, "Corvette Oddball!"
Quirky Vette Factoids
Question:
Did Chevrolet ever consider a station wagon version of the Corvette?
Answer: Hey! Stop laughing! No, really. The answer is a timid... "yes." Here's the short version of the story.
Back in '54 the Corvette was just a "parts car" that didn't have very many friends inside GM. Many hated the car and looked for reasons to kill it. But in retrospect, GM really didn't have that much invested in the car. It had a sedan chassis and suspension with a goosed up straight-six truck engine they called, "The Blue Flame Six." They even painted the engine blue and added a chrome valve cover and three chrome air cleaner covers - one for each one-barrel carb. Plus, there were no steel stamping tools to make the body. Fiberglass bucks are a lot cheaper than steel stamping tools. The low investment cost may have been the only thing that saved the car.
It was very common in the '50s and '60s for car companies to make a new car by using the platform from an existing car. It helped keep costs down and profits up. They were always looking for ways to stretch a design to appeal to a larger audience. Obviously, Corvette product planners were NOT on board with Harley Earl's "sports car" concept. Almost from the beginning, someone said, "Hey guys! Let's make a station wagon version of the little Corvette."
So the little Corvette's greenhouse grew and extra seats were added. Lots of seats. Chevrolet was serious about this concept. Five prototypes were built and a brochure was created too. The brochure promoted the car by highlighting, "the sleek styling of a sports car with the versatility and utility of a Station Wagon."
Wow, it's a good thing this one didn't make it. Although it's an interesting idea for say ,the Chevy Belair, ahh... not for the Corvette. But here's the kicker. The brochure claimed the the Corvette Nomad could seat SIX! Well, that must have been snug. But the overall package actually looked pretty good. even Harley Earl liked it. response was good enough, so they decided to apply the concept to the Belair.
Yes Corvette fans, we dodged the bullet than one. If this car had gone into production, what would have been the next step? Perhaps a pickup truck-like version? Yea, that's it, the Corvette El Camino sport pickup truck. Imagine that. Or maybe you'd rather not.
Epilogue:We could look back and say that the Corvette Nomad experiment was sort of a prehistoric sport utility vehicle. Regardless, Chevy went on to sell Nomads based on much larger car platforms for decades in various levels of trim. But never as a sports car or performance car. It was just a neat, utility car.
Following the "retro" craze," Chevrolet built the above Chevrolet Nomad Concept Car for the 2004 car show circuit. The nose looks like the front end of the '53 - '55 Corvette, while the back end is nothing like the Corvette Nomad show car. This could have been tricked out a little more. It's nice, but a little tame and safe.
For more info about the Corvette Nomad car, go HERE.
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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.
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Hot From the Rumor Mill:
A Hydrogen-Powered Corvette?
At a special, by invitation only, event held at The National Corvette Museum, the Chevrolet Advanced Engine Development Team demonstrated a new prototype Corvette utilizing an early version of the LS10-H, hydrogen-powered, small-block engine.
Based on the new ZR1 LS9 supercharged, intercooled, super mouse-motor, the LS10-H is almost completely identical to the petrol-powered LS9, except for its fuel storage and delivery system. The supercharged hydrogen bomb puts out an impressive amount of steam water vapor when running clean at the 5800-rpm redline. What comes out of the tail pipe is pure H2O. That's right sport fans, drink up right from the exhaust pipe!
The prototype mule Vette was heavily disguised, but the cumulus-like clouds coming out from the back of the car are a dead give away. This ain't no mosquito truck! We're talking serious hydrogen power here!
And the R&D guys even dumbed down the wheels. When this prototype hits the public highways, no one will ever know what's really going on under the Ugly Betty disguise.
So, if you're in the Detroit area and you get steamed by a goofy-looking car, it just might be the Corvette guys having some fun.
Zora would be proud!
We've setup a special page for this exclusive spy shot. To catch this cutting edge prototype, CLICK HERE.
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"Corvette Gear"
What's New!
The Corvette Gear eBay store continues to grow.
Here's what we've added this month:
- Factory Reproduction Wheels
First, we are very happy to announce that we are an authorized dealer for Corvette America parts and accessories!
Very soon, we'll be offering factory reproduction wheels for C1 through C6 Corvettes. To date, we have wheels for C5 and C6 Vettes. Here's just a small sampling...
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We are an authorized Corvette America dealer
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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. 134 - 2009 ZR1 LS9 Engine
(April 2008)
No. 135 - 1969 - 1970 Baldwin-Motion Phase III GT Corvette
(May 2008)
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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.
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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.
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That's all from me for the month. Keep your eye on the magazines for the first real world road tests of the'09 ZR1. It should be fun.
If its finally warming up where you live, soon you'll be happily detailing your Corvette. ENJOY!
Scott
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