I’ve got an addictive personality. If I like something, I like it a lot,” says Robbie Allen. And when you lay eyes on his 1976 Corvette, it’s pretty easy to see what he’s talking about.
While some people would say the car is overkill, to Robbie it’s pretty much perfect. The build has been an ongoing labour of love for 14 years now, and in that time it’s continued to grow and develop to represent Robbie’s personality. As he rightly says, he’s worked hard all his life for his toys, so he may as well make them how he wants them and get the maximum enjoyment from them. The road to automotive perfection hasn’t been an easy one though, and we’re pretty sure it hasn’t been a (more…)

For Chevrolet fans the next-generation Corvette can’t come around soon enough, but it’s not scheduled to arrive 2013 as a 2014 model. While it’s still a few years off, there is plenty of wild rumour and speculation about exactly what form the new model will take. Will it use a turbocharged V8 engine, will it have a retro-inspired split rear window design? Nothing is certain, but recent reports have been leaking out from GM sources that it might not be as exciting as fans hope.

The reports are stating that the design of the next Corvette will be more evolutionary than revolutionary. The design won’t include anything as far out as a standard split window, and it probably won’t be offered as an option, either. The rumored new 5.5-litre V8 may not happen and the new Corvette could push on with the tried-and-true 6.2-litre V8 as its base engine. The rumour of a mid-engine layout was always a bit fanciful and has also been denied. (more…)

A lot of people out there think that the days of barn find cars are over, but they’re wrong. If anyone needs proof this highly collectible Corvette pace car has just been uncovered in a Detroit storage facility.

It’s history begins back in 1978 when Chevrolet celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Corvette by pacing the Indianapolis 500 and releasing a handful of special-edition pace car replicas to the public. Just 6,502 of the black and silver Corvette models were built and unsurprisingly the vehicles sold out quickly. Seeing the potential of this model as a future collectible, the original owner of this 1978 Chevrolet Corvette pace car bought the car and immediately tucked it away in his garage for safe-keeping.

There is sat for many years until in 1995, the owner sold his house and had the Corvette pace car transferred to a Detroit-area storage facility, where it was locked away again – this time under a pile of boxes. It stayed in storage until it was uncovered recently, it is now on sale with just 13 miles on the clock through a dealer in New England, U.S.A. According to the dealer website, the original tyres still hold air, and the engine still runs. (more…)

There’s few things as sweet as getting a bonus after a job well done. A few extra grand at the end of a contract can make all the hours of hard work worthwhile. But what’s better than a few grand? How about a mint 1969 Corvette.

Actor and all round cool cat Johnny Depp received a surprise Corvette gift on the set of his upcoming movie The Rum Diary. In the film adaptation of a Hunter S. Thompson novel Depp drives a 1959 Corvette and was apparently quite taken with the classic. When production wrapped, the film’s director Bruce Robinson gave the ’59 Corvette to Depp as a “thank you” gift for all the actor’s hard work on the film.

Upon receiving the Corvette present Depp was pretty blown away by the gesture. Meaning it is possible to find a gift for someone who has everything. (more…)

According to unconfirmed reports the next-gen 2014 C7 Chevrolet Corvette will be offered with a seven-speed manual transmission.

This rumour is the latest in a wave of speculation over the new model. Previous rumours have included turbocharging for the new Corvette, having a mid-engine layout and even an all-wheel drive system. But the C7 Corvette arriving with a 7-speed gearbox is highly feasible.

Having an extra gear could improve fuel efficiency for the iconic sports car and it will also allow Chevy engineers to tighten up the lower gears for improved performance. Porsche are using a 7-speed manual gearbox on the new 2012 911 and expect it to further improve economy and driving dynamics. (more…)

With 650hp and weighing in at under 1100kg, this big block Corvette doesn’t just look fast, it defines it.

People who’ve been in it know it’s fast,” says Roger Williams of his menacing C3 Corvette. We’re pretty sure people who haven’t been in it will know it’s fast, too. The stats don’t lie: with 650hp, 700lb/ft of torque and weighing in at just under 1100kg, there’s no way the car couldn’t be insanely rapid.

What encouraged the Auckland-based speed freak to construct such a behemoth? “I’ve always been a big fan of the Greenwood Corvettes,” he explains. “They won almost everything in the early ’70s, and are just a wild-looking car.”

If you haven’t closely followed the history of the Corvette, a quick Google search will reveal what he’s talking about. In the days of wild sports sedans in New Zealand, with cars such as the PDL Mustang, the Addis Charger and the likes, John Greenwood was building Corvettes in America and they were the cars to beat. Running highly tuned big blocks, and massively wide bodywork to house 17-inch-wide rear rims, the cars not only won races, they won fans around the world. (more…)

It’s Friday so why not celebrate with a big smokey burnout. This fine example of tyre-shredding action comes from an unlikely spot – Estonia and features a mint 1965 Corvette Coupe which has no issues spinning up its fatties before launching down the strip for its quarter mile run.

There is no word on what time it put down but it looks very quick for a classic. This Vette has made quite the impression with four different YouTube video clips popping up to pay tribute to it.

Now its time to stop reading and start watching, check out the Corvette doing its thing below. (more…)

The rumours keep on flying about the next-generation Corvette with enthusiasts, the motoring press and even GM getting involved. The latest speculation is that General Motors is planning a completely new strategy with the new Corvette to broaden its appeal. Traditionally, the Corvette has always used high-displacement eight-pot engines, but the new C7 Corvette may also offer a smaller, turbocharged V8.

With Euro-inspired styling the new Corvette is certain to have it critics but the force-fed V8 could sway opinion by generating serious power. It will likely have a displacement of around 3.0 litres and usean overhead-cam setup and dry sump oil system. With a turbocharger strapped on it’s expected that the engine will generate over 400 horsepower or about 125 hp per litre. It will also rev impressively high and could apparently go as high as 10,000 RPM.

More traditional V8 fans will also be catered for with a range of naturally-aspirated V8 engines also available in the new Corvette, including larger displacement units. (more…)