2005 Chevrolet Corvette

Description

Priced a used ZR1 lately? Allow us to suggest this 2005 Corvette Z51 as a suitable alternative. It offers a monstrous twin-turbo engine that delivers more than 560 horsepower to the wheels plus brake and suspension upgrades that allow it to use every pony, making it a very attractive alternative to the factory version. This is also a one owner car with the original window sticker and all other supporting documentation of the mods done to the car.

Obviously this isn't a stock C6 anymore, but many of the components chosen for the upgrades are OEM, so it has a very correct factory look. Up front there's a vented turbo hood that is reminiscent of some vintage Corvettes we've seen, and with the black "stinger" leading the way, this twin-turbo terror has a very aggressive look. The rear fenders are from a stock Z06, so they offer a bit more clearance for wider rubber as well as vents and scoops that can only help keep things cool underneath. They wisely chose to forego a rear spoiler or anything silly like that, but there's no hiding in a car painted in limited-edition Precision Red paint. The black hoop over the passenger compartment gives it the look of a fighter jet cockpit, but the only clue to what's lurking underneath are small badges for the Z51 suspension and the turbo kit just ahead of the rear wheels. There's also a mesh grille up front protecting the intercooler and sequential taillights out back, just to set it apart a little more, but by the time most folks notice these things, it's already too late.

The gorgeous tan leather interior is a nice change of pace from the expected black, and with some tasteful red highlights on the dash and doors, the overall look is very slick. Aside from the A-pillar mounted gauges, it's fairly stock, but in a C6 Corvette, that's hardly a demerit. The gauges light up and do a dance when you key it up and the thick 4-spoke steering wheel feels hardwired to your cerebellum thanks to the Z51 suspension setup. The seats and carpets are in remarkably good condition, indicating that someone really cared about this car. It's loaded with options, including automatic climate control, a high-end stereo, power windows, locks, and seats, heated seats, and a whole bunch of other stuff that was part of the package. The front carpets and the cargo area are protected by black mats with Corvette logos, so no worries about actually driving it and dirtying up the nice tan rugs.

The LS2 V8 was fully rebuilt to cope with the forced induction, including a Comp Cams full roller valvetrain, Snow Performance methyl injection, and 42-pound injectors to feed the beast. It's decorated with a bunch of custom-finished pieces that were powdercoated, polished, plated, or painted candy blue. The turbos live out back, behind the custom Kooks headers and Corsa exhaust system, and when they come online it's like nothing you've ever experienced before. Let's just say you should be sure to have it pointed where you want to go, because 650 dyno-proven horsepower make things happen in a real big hurry. The Z51 suspension works well and is helped by Hawk ceramic brakes and oversized CCW wheels wearing 275/35/18 front and 345/30/19 rear Michelin radials.

This is a VERY impressive car. It's brutally fast, but it's also remarkably docile and streetable thanks to the wonders of turbocharging. It's not subtle, but then again, with 650 horsepower, what's the point? Call today!