SIX WAYS TO PARADISE: Corvettes from the Chevrolet Collection head to Palm Beach
February 23, 2017
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
Written by independent automotive journalist Roger C. Johnson
This low-mileage, VIN 001 2016 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is one of several from the Chevrolet Collection headed for the 2017 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction.
Today’s C7 Corvette represents the leading edge of Chevrolet’s technological wizardry. The base version of this seventh-generation American sports car arguably performs better than anything else in, or beyond, its own class and price range. The C7 is positioned to easily maintain its decades-old “extreme value for the money” reputation. And with its dramatically advanced visual presence, it just may be the ultimate front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car of all time.
Then there’s the Z06 option, which carries all the prestige, history and excitement of Zora Duntov’s original 1963 version, including the brute horsepower, spine-tingling handling characteristics and instant worldwide credibility.
Breathtaking horsepower and torque numbers are still major components in this historic option package. They are the products of a sophisticated and supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 engine. Now, the Z06 Corvette touts over 600 horses and over that many foot-pounds of torque. But here’s the trick: The new ones purr like kittens if you want them to, yet they can growl like King Kong if you’d rather hear that.
Continually improving technology culminating with direct injection permits a 10.0:1 compression ratio, Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and continuously variable valve timing combine to thrust this engine into the forefront of every enthusiast’s day dreams.
The Z06 power plant is one of the few on earth that has dared combine unnatural aspiration with cylinder deactivation technology. Its new 1.7-liter Eaton-sourced blower offers an integrated intercooler and is mounted in the valley between the heads. The Z06 blower has slightly shorter rotor length, which allows for quicker spool-up to its 20,000 rpm operating range. Only one inch of added engine height, compared to the Stingray’s naturally aspirated LT1, and 37 percent more horsepower (as well as 40 percent more torque) is provided with ease.
Aluminum A356T6 heads, special forged pistons, stainless-steel headers and even a dry-sump oiling system are just a few of the highly advanced components that set the Z06 even further apart from the competition.
There are five Z06 models heading to the 15th Annual Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction that are, and have always been, the sole property of the Chevrolet Motor Division. They are exhibit and presentation cars with low VINs and virtually no miles on any of them, and are presented with the proper MSO paperwork, their remaining factory warranty and at No Reserve. This may be the most significant collection of pristine Corvettes ever made available to the public. Get ready to be part of Corvette history as it happens right before your very eyes.
- The Racing Yellow 2016 Corvette, VIN 002, was on display in April 2015 at Laguna Seca, and it appeared at Bloomington Gold in June 2015 and on July 2016. Continental Tire Road Race Showcase displayed this car in August 2015. That same year it opened eyes and hearts at the Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise and at least five other venues, representing Chevrolet’s cream-of-the-crop sport car.
The Torch Red Metallic Z06 was shown at the 2016 Indy Grand Prix and The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix/Motor City that June, along with an AP press interview and photo session eight days later. It also made an appearance at the 2016 Brickyard 400 on July 19, 2016.- The VIN 001 2016 Long Beach Red Metallic model effortlessly added to the excitement at the Bloomington Gold events in 2015 and 2016.
- The Shark Gray Metallic 2015 Z06, VIN 005, radiated nothing but sunshine when it was displayed at Road Atlanta in October 2014 and the Chelsea Proving Grounds that same month. From December 2014 through January 2015 it was displayed at Spring Mountain in Pahrump, Nevada; then, it arrived as an honored guest at Espace in New York City in March 2015.
- The 2015 black beauty was displayed at Barrett-Jackson in the spring of 2015 and strutted its stuff at the Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise that same year. Then it was off to Corvettes at Carlisle in August 2016 before showing up at the Mid-America Corvette Funfest in September 2016.
These five Z06s are not just collectible for this moment in time ‒ each will remain the ultimate Corvette prize forever. Take the opportunity now to become part of this legend. Just select your favorite, put it on any road you choose and let it take you straight to paradise.
For up-to-date information on these and other vehicles on the Palm Beach Preview Docket, click HERE.
ALSO FROM THE CHEVROLET COLLECTION
Another beauty headed for the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction as part of the Chevrolet Collection is this 2016 Chevrolet Corvette VIN 004. The low-mileage promotional car was displayed at the 2015 Brickyard 400 in 2015 and at the 2016 Rolex 24.