2018 Corvette ZR1: LT5 Overhead Cams

Nothing is ever set in stone when it comes to a prototype that has only been seen in camouflage, but as far as the ZR1 is concerned, we know that it exists, and more and more about it leaks out every week. It should come as no surprise that although the Z06 is probably the baddest American sports car on sale to date, the 2018 Corvette ZR1 will be just that much more badass.

One of the stretched out rumors that has just about come confirmed now is that the ZR1 will be receiving a supercharged LT5 overhead cam powerplant. Amongst the whispers about it for the last year from just about everyone, there are also other indicators. For instance, the massive tall hood is taller than any other hood that Corvette has ever used. This room the hood provides is needed since an overhead cam setup is much taller than an in-block cam engine. The supercharger is a no-brainer when you hear the Corvette drive around the Nurburgring track, the unmistakable whine gives it away.     

The other change that the video will show - believe or not - there will probably be an automatic option for the new ZR1 Corvette. When you hear the Vette whipping around the track, there is no doubt that the up and down shifts are so quick and precise that it’s not something that can be replicated by a human hand. What kind of automatic will be offered? Probably the 10-speed automatic that is offered along with the ZL1 Camaro.

Exterior options seem like they’re going to be broaden this time as well. In an attempt to bring in more sales, it’s highly speculated that there will be a convertible option. A lot of Corvette enthusiast may hate this idea, but the convertibles that Corvette has on the market now are extremely stiff and capable of handling a lot of power and tough cornering. It looks like there will be two different spoiler options, a bigger front splitter option and a few other hidden aerodynamic upgrades that are concealed by the camouflage. The reason for the different and bigger spoiler and spittler options could be because Corvette is in the works for a 1LE option like they have introduced on the ZL1.    

When can we expect a debut date? That’s still unknown, but as time goes on, we will probably hear and see more of the 2018 Corvette ZR1 assuming they’ll have to take it out for more and more test runs. There is a rumor out there - restated by Road & Track - there is a strong possibility that it will be unveiled at the National Corvette Museum.

Whatever the case, I hope it’s soon.

$1. Million 2015 Corvette ZO6

The Million Dollar Ticket

At the Barrett Jackson Auction on Sat. (4/13/2014) the bright yellow 2015 Corvette ZO6 made some history on the auction block. VIN #0001 put up for a charity to benefit Cancer Research was bought by very-well know race team owner Jimmy Hendrick.

Hendrick had good reason for purchasing the ZO6, his life was threatened by Cancer and was saved due to the process of Cancer Research Treatment. This Corvette adds to his already impressive collection of Chevy sports cars.

The day before at the Barret Jackson Auction, Hendricks auctioned off his 2014 Camaro Z/28 for a nice round price of $500,000., that money also made its way to charity.

In the last two years, Chevrolet vehicles have brought in a huge amount of money for charities at the auctions. Cars like the COPO Camaro, COPO convertible and the first 2014 Z/28 have been able to pull in huge sums of money for good causes. GOOD CARS for GOOD REASONS.

2001 Mallett Hammer Z06: Pulled from the Corvette Museum Sinkhole

The Last Corvette Pulled From the Sinkhole at the Bowling Green Kentucky Corvette Museum



It was a sad looking piece of crumbled up steel when this Corvette was pulled from the sinkhole. What was once a red customized Vette that was fitted with a roll-bar, no longer resembled its original form.

Kevin and Linda Helmintoller were the original owners of the vehicle and spent 10 years customizing it before donating it to the Corvette Museum just a few months earlier before the sinkhole incident. Although General Motors executives have said that all eight Corvettes would be restored back to their original condition, this last one may be the exception.

When Kevin Helmintoller found out it was time for the Mallett Hammer Corvette to be retrieved, he drove up from Florida to witness it and told the museum staff this, "I expected bad, but it's 100 times worse ......  it looks like a piece of tin foil... and it had a roll cage in it! It makes all the other cars look like they're brand new."

So what will Corvette do to restore this particular victim of the collapsed sinkhole? Probably nothing, they will probably keep the last vehicle as a reminder of the horrible accident that occurred that day. Never the less, all eight Corvettes that were damaged in the wreckage will be on display at the museum through the month of August.

2015 Corvette ZO6 -- Unveiling at The Detroit North American Auto Show

Adding to Chevrolet's already amazingly powerful line-up of cars -- the Corvette Stingray, ZR1, Camaro ZL1, Z28, just to name a few -- Chevrolet will be unveiling a new ZO6 this January at the North American Auto Show that they claim will be their most capable track-tested car they have ever produced.

Earlier this year, the 2014 Chevrolet Z28 was taken to the notorious Nürburgring racetrack in Germany and posted times that beat the ZL1 by 4 seconds and even posted better times than the Porsche 911 Carrera S and Lamborghini Murcielago LP640.

So is this Corvette ZO6 going to be better than that?

The Corvette will have a 505 horsepower motor that will promote 470 foot-pounds of torque -- all coming from a hand-built 7-liter V-8. And for $75,600 you can have this Corvette with all that power that will take you from 0-to-60 in 3.7 seconds.

Chevrolet has been keeping a tight lid of what makes this new ZO6 so special with just a few little photos circling the internet. Whatever it is that's so special about it, there is no doubt that this car is just one more car added to a list of Chevrolet's already great accomplishments this year. And one things for sure, it would be very tough for any car company to compete with this line-up of awesome performing cars.