The Corvette Story

Corvette: Year by Year

1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967
1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982
1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Part II

As with any serious performance car, light weight was the goal for the Z06. Towards that end, thinner glass and less insulation along with other sacrifices resulted in a weight loss of 100 lbs compared to the coupe. Still on the menu however was air conditioning and the premium sound system.

All hardtop Corvettes were equipped with the Z06 option and the only transmission available was the manual six speed, which said something about the new 'vettes intentions.

The handling of the Z06 was enhanced by special Goodyear F1 Supercar tires, P265/40ZR17 (front) and P295/35ZR18 (rear) developed specifically for the Z06. They were not run flat tires, a factor which improved the handling. This brought up an interesting scenario, as the C5 Corvette has no provisions for a spare tire. Standard equipment did include a tire inflation kit but the Z06 did not include the tire pressure monitoring system.

Z06 visual cues: Above left: Wire mesh screen signified the external intake for the rear brake cooling. The same wire mesh protected the front air intake. Middle: Distinctive star shaped aluminum wheels, exclusive to the Z06, were 1.0 inches wider than on the coupe or convertible. Right: brake calipers were painted red.

Above: Z06 interior choices were all black or black with red.
Below: Instruments featured the Z06 logo and a checkered background; headrest embroidery.

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