So Big it needs another post
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1993 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1
In 1993, the ZR-1 received a slight power upgrade, pushing horsepower from 375 to 405. The increased power came from head work, Revised valves, revised exhaust cam timing, a less restrictive exhaust system and an electrical, revised injector housings and injectors, an altered plenum for increased flow, and oiling system improvements. This put the ZR-1 ahead of its rival the Dodge Viper RT/10.
A total of 448 ZR-1's were produced in 1993.
1995 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1
For 1995 the ZR-1 came in the new body style and featured new 5-spoke rims and a new stainless steel exhaust system. A total of 448 ZR-1's were produced in 1995. This was also the last year for the ZR-1. Overall 6,939 ZR-1's were produced. The last ZR-1 made in 1995 now resides in the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
1996 Chevrolet Corvette
1996 Chevrolet Corvette Collector Edition
The Collector Edition featured Sebring Silver paint and Collector Edition badges. The ZR-1's 17" 5 spoke wheels were used, but painted silver with P255/45ZR17 front tires, and P285/40ZR17 rear tires. A total of 5,412 Collector Edition Corvettes were produced: 4,031 coupes and 1,381 convertibles.
1996 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport
For 1996 Chevrolet commemorated the 1963 Corvette Grand Sport with a modern-day representation of the car. Painted in the same blue/white stripe paint scheme, the 1996 Grand Sport uses an upgraded version of Chevrolet's 5.7 liter V8 called the LT4. The LT4 features hollow-stem intake and exhuast valves, a higher-lifting and longer-duration camshaft, stiffer valve springs, ported aluminum cylinder heads, a high-flow throttle body, sequentially fired fuel injectors, and a 10.8:1 compression ratio compared with the LT1's 10.4:1.
Other special features include "CORVETTE" embossed brake calipers, a bright red intake manifold and spark plug wires, 11-inch rear and 9-inch front tires, and black 5-spoke alloy wheels.
A total of 1000 Grand Sports were produced in 1996: 810 coupes and 190 convertibles.
1998 Chevrolet Corvette
1999 Chevrolet Corvette Hardtop
Chevrolet -
The Corvette hardtop joins the coupe (with removable roof panel) and the convertible in the 1999 Corvette lineup. According to Corvette Brand Manager Dick Almond, the newest Vette has a character all its own.
"Part of our potential customer base really wants a simpler, more elemental, yet high-performance machine," said Almond. "The new hardtop is the ultimate hot sports car, yet it will carry the lowest base price in the Corvette family. Those factors combined should make the consumer appeal for Corvette even greater."
The hardtop features a subtle silhouette distinction that sets it apart from the coupe and convertible, while still preserving the classic Corvette lines. Corvette hardtop standard features include:
Z51 suspension, designed for sanctioned racing competition or for drivers who demand the ultimate Corvette handling package. Z51 features stiff springs, large stabilizer bars and large monotube shock absorbers. (F45 Real Time Damping Suspension Package not available on hardtop.)
Six-speed manual transmission (automatic transmission not available).
Limited-slip rear axle with 3.42 ratio.
The hardtop is a rarity among the many iterations of Vettes offered through the years. The only other fixed-roof coupes offered in the '60s are among the most collectible -- the most memorable of which is the first, the 1963 "split-window" Corvette Sting Ray.
2001 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
Chevrolet -
Perhaps the biggest part of the Corvette story for 2001 is the introduction of the new Corvette Z06, a production vehicle that's ready for the racetrack. Based on the former hardtop model - already the lightest, stiffest and quickest Corvette - it is a car aimed directly at diehard performance enthusiasts at the upper end of the high-performance market. It is very simply the quickest, best handling production Corvette ever, setting new standards in every part of the high-performance spectrum.
The Z06 designation was chosen to honor the efforts of Zora Arkus-Duntov, Corvette's first chief engineer, who in 1963 created the original Z06 package. Zora's special package was intended to make the then-new Sting Ray race-ready right out of the showroom, and today's Z06 has been developed with the same concept in mind.
NEW LS6 ENGINE FOR Z06
The new Z06 takes the term "performance" and raises it to a whole new level. At the heart of the Z06 is a new engine, the LS6, which delivers 385-hp and 385 lb-ft of torque. The LS6 is the only engine available for the Z06, and is not offered on other Corvette models.
The LS6 designation is another expression of appreciation for the accomplishments of earlier Corvette engineers. In 1971 Zora Duntov's team created a special 425-bhp (gross) big-block V8 for the Corvette - again with racing in mind. It was second only to the legendary full-blown L88 racing
engine that was available from 1967 to 1969. Despite the fact that only 188 Corvettes were sold with the LS6 engine, it occupies a special niche in Corvette legend.
The new LS6 is based on the 5.7L LS1, the standard engine in Corvette coupes and convertibles. Its aluminum block has been modified for better management of crankcase pressures and speedier return of oil from the upper part of the engine during highspeed operation. The engine also has a more aggressive camshaft profile to take full advantage of the additional air that Corvette's new intake manifold provides.
New high-compression cylinder heads (10.5:1 vs. 10.1:1 on the LS1) have improved porting to get this larger volume of air smoothly into the combustion chambers. The new heads are equipped with stronger larger volume of air smoothly into the combustion chambers. The new heads are equipped with stronger valve springs to handle higher rpms, and larger fuel injectors to provide a healthier shot of fuel.
Exhaust gas backpressure is relieved by Z06's unique less-restrictive titanium exhaust system - the first-ever use of this exotic metal in a mass-production automobile. The new titanium system is 50-percent lighter than the stainless steel system it replaces. The LS-6 engine delivers 385 hp @ 6000 rpm and 385 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm.
Transmission
Unique to the Z06 is a new 6-speed transmission (M12) with more aggressive gearing to increase torque multiplication in almost every gear and allow for more rapid acceleration.
Suspension
The Z06 features a suspension system all its own - FE4. It is standard on the Z06, not available on other Corvette models. It features a larger front stabilizer bar, stiffer rear leaf spring and revised camber settings - all calibrated with a bias toward maximum control during high-speed operation.
Special Z06-specific forged-aluminum wheels are an inch wider front and rear than those used on coupes and convertible.
New wider and stickier Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires were created for the Z06. They feature reduced mass, an asymmetric tread design for better grip on wet or dry surfaces, a more compliant sidewall and better wear characteristics for on-track durability.
The Z06's FE4 suspension and its new wheels and tires allow Z06 to take full advantage of the additional power available. During development testing Corvette engineers were able to generate racetrack speeds that improved Z06 performance by an average of 3-4 seconds per lap over last year's hardtop model on typical 2-mile closed-circuit road courses.
Weight Reduction
Mass-reduction efforts on the Z06 were particularly aggressive. In addition to its unique titanium exhaust and lighter wheel/tire sets, Z06 even has a thinner windshield and rear backlight. The Z06 option list is very short to maintain weight reduction gains. All told, Z06 holds the lightest test weight class position in the Corvette lineup. It is more than 36 pounds lighter than the former C5 hardtop, and 117 pounds lighter than the coupe and convertible.The Z06 receives several other refinements, inside and out, that help it to be more functional and/or serve to differentiate its appearance.
Appearance/Interior
On the outside, the center air inlets on the front fascia receive purposeful grilles. New air scoops on the rear rocker panels that funnel air to the rear brakes for better cooling are also unique to the Z06. New Z06-specific wheels are painted a light-gray metallic color. Z06 emblems are positioned on the front fenders, disc brake calipers are painted red, and the LS6 engine cover is red to differentiate it from the LS1.
Inside, the Z06 includes a unique instrument cluster with stylized graphics imparting a greater sense of performance and speed, as well as signifying the car's higher 6,500 rpm redline.
The Z06's solid-black leather-trimmed seating surfaces include additional side bolstering to hold driver and passenger firmly in place during high lateral load maneuvers, and the seats have Z06 logos embroidered into the headrests. An optional interior with Torch Red accents on the seat inserts, lower instrument panel and lower door panels is also available for Z06.
2002 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
2003 Chevrolet Corvette 50th Anniversary
Chevrolet -
For 2003, Chevrolet unveiled a 50th Anniversary Special Edition Corvette with more standard equipment on the coupe and convertible models, and Magnetic Selective Ride Control, the industry's fastest and most powerful real time damping suspension.
The 50th Anniversary Special Edition, available only during the 2003 model year on coupe and convertible models includes special Anniversary Red exterior paint, specific badging, Shale interior and champagne-painted anniversary wheels with special emblems. It also features embroidered badges on the seats and floormats, padded door armrests and grips and the convertible features a Shale top. The package includes Magnetic Selective Ride Control.
New on the Corvette for 2003, Magnetic Selective Ride Control uses a damper design that controls wheel and body motion with Magneto-Rheological fluid in the shocks. By controlling the current to an electromagnetic coil inside the piston of the damper, the MR fluid's consistency can be changed, resulting in continuously variable real time damping. As a result, drivers feel a greater sense of security, a quieter, flatter ride and more precise, responsive handling, particularly during sudden, high-speed maneuvers.
In addition to the 50th Anniversary model, the Corvette adds new standard equipment on coupe and convertible models for 2003, including foglamps, sport seats, power passenger seat, dual zone auto HVAC (on coupe and convertible), and a parcel net and luggage shade on coupe.
During 2003 only, all Corvettes feature a special 50th anniversary emblem on the front and rear. The emblem is silver and features the number "50" with the signature cross-flag design.
The 2003 Corvette is also the 2002 Indianapolis Pace Car.
2004 Chevrolet Corvette Commemorative Edition
Chevrolet -
The Chevrolet Corvette maintains its well-earned status as the automotive and cultural icon that has been admired and sought after for a generation. For the 2004 model year, commemorative editions for each Corvette model are available so enthusiasts can celebrate the racing success of the Chevy flagship.
The commemorative editions recognize the success of the C5-R racing program. In 2002, the Corvette C5 continued to dominate the field with nine wins in 10 American Le Mans Series races, also nabbing the 2002 GTS Manufacturer Champion and GTS Team Champion awards. Combined with a second consecutive victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Corvette continued to make history.
The Commemorative Edition Coupe and Convertible include new Le Mans Blue paint with Shale interior, special badges and polished wheels. The convertible's top also is Shale to match the interior.
The suspensions of the 2004 Corvette coupe and convertible continue to feature Magnetic Selective Ride Control, which debuted in 2003. It uses a revolutionary damper design that controls wheel and body motion with magneto-rheological fluid in the shocks. By controlling the current to an electromagnetic coil inside the piston of the damper, the MR fluid's consistency can be changed, resulting in continuously variable real-time damping. As a result, drivers feel a greater sense of security, a quieter, flatter ride and more precise, responsive handling, particularly during sudden, high-speed maneuvers.
The system isolates and smoothes the action of each tire, resulting in less bouncing, vibration and noise. On bumpy or slick surfaces, the system integrates with traction control to assure maximum stability. It also works with ABS to keep the vehicle balanced and poised. It is the only system without electro-mechanical values and no small moving parts. It consists of MR fluid-based, monotube shock absorbers, a sensor set and on-board controller.
2004 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Commemorative Edition
(Cano, great job on last weeks Chop 👍 )
Chevrolet -
The 2004 Commemorative Edition Z06 features a new hood using carbon fiber material, and exterior graphics and color designed in concert with the new-look C5-R that will go for a landmark third consecutive Le Mans GTS class championship. The carbon fiber hood represents the first time this advanced material has been used as original equipment for a painted exterior panel on a North American-produced vehicle. The unique Le Mans Blue paint with a silver and red center graphic will appear on the race car only at Le Mans 2003 and only on the road on a limited number of 2004 Commemorative Edition Z06s.
Commemorative Edition Corvette Coupes and Convertibles will also be available for 2004. These will share an exclusive package of styling amenities, including Le Mans Blue paint and a Shale-colored interior, with a Commemorative Edition exterior badge noting Corvette's Le Mans titles. Special embroidery on the headrests of each seat is also included.
"At Chevrolet and especially with the Corvette, racing is part of our DNA," says Rick Baldick, Corvette Marketing Director. "The 2004 Commemorative Edition provides us the opportunity to connect our customers even more closely with this unprecedented era of Corvette Racing."
2004 Z06 - another round of technical enhancements
The Z06 Corvette shook the foundations of the sports
car world upon its 2001 debut, as the Corvette for the extreme performance enthusiast. Just a year later, horsepower moved from 385 to an awe-inspiring 405. For 2004, Z06 gets two performance-enhancing upgrades - the lightweight, race-inspired carbon fiber hood for the Commemorative Edition, and revised chassis tuning for quicker, smoother response in the most challenging environments.
The carbon fiber hood - only available on the Commemorative Edition version of the 2004 Z06 - weighs 20.5 pounds, 10.6 less than the standard hood, providing another measure of weight savings for a car that already enjoys a very potent power-to-weight ratio. Previously reserved for racing and exotic sports cars, carbon fiber combines extremely high strength and low weight. The inside hood panel is a hybrid of carbon fiber and Sheet Molded Compound (SMC).
Specifically developed for the Corvette, the Commemorative Edition Z06 hood achieves a higher level of exterior finish quality than previous automotive applications of carbon fiber. On most carbon fiber parts, the woven pattern of the material is easily seen beneath the exterior finish. To diminish that effect and preserve the rich LeMans Blue paint finish, on the Commemorative Edition Z06 the carbon fibers are aligned in a single direction. The only visual cue that the hood is made from carbon fiber is in the red border surrounding the silver graphic on the car, which is arranged in a woven pattern signifying the material that lies underneath. The overall result is a finish consistent with the rest of the car that gives just a slight hint at the carbon fiber construction.
Nurburgring-inspired chassis tuning
All 2004 Z06 Corvettes will benefit from the continual pursuit of performance enhancements that have characterized the C5 era. The enhancements for 2004 are subtle in terms of physical parts, but significant in terms of the car's performance and feel.
GM engineers have refined the Z06's shock damping characteristics to provide improved handling in the most challenging conditions, while maintaining good ride control for the demands of daily driving.
Continual analysis, development and refinement of the shock valves in particular resulted in more damping control and force, delivered more smoothly. This new tuning is aimed at diminishing the impact of yaw and roll on the car, particularly in quick, transient maneuvers such as "S-turns" or a series of tight corners.
"While the Z06 already had an excellent blend of extreme handling capability and surprising ride quality, we're never satisfied," Hill says. "The enhancements for 2004 provide a bit more poised and smooth response, connecting the car better to the driver's input, without the penalty of ride harshness."
These refinements are a result of extensive testing and development, including several high-speed test sessions at Germany's famed Nurburgring circuit. Corvette Z06 is one of only a precious few cars to have broken the 8-minute barrier for lap times at Nurburgring. Corvette testing at Nurburgring isn't just about raw speed, as the Z06 provides plenty of that. Engineers gathered important learning on tuning the chassis to enhance the poise, confidence and smoothness of response, attributes that are of great importance under the severe demands of a 14-mile course that has approximately 170 turns and virtually constant elevation changes.
"Nurburgring, at the extreme edge of the envelope, provides conditions that can't be easily duplicated anywhere else," says Hill. "But, even for the Z06, we spend considerable time ensuring we don't make adjustments that compromise the normal daily driving character of the car."
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