Random Photo of the Month: The LS1 Chevy Small Block Corvette Engine

 

 

 

The LS1 is an all-aluminum small block V8 engine first produced in the 1997 Corvette.  This compact, but powerful, engine was the third generation of GM's small block engine that had been a lasting feature of the Corvette since the 1950s. 

 

The LS1 brought the Corvette to a new level of performance.  Besides being the lightest and cleanest running engine ever to be put into a Corvette, this newly-designed small block was capable of generating an output of 345 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque--the highest output ever achieved in a production car at the time.  Tweaks and minor improvements in 2001 bumped the LS1 output to 350 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque giving the C5 Corvette a maximum speed of 175 mph and a 0-60 time of 4.7 seconds. 

 



Random Photo of the Month: Headlights on the C6 Corvette

 

 

 

Redesigned Headlights on the C6 Corvette

 

It's true that innovative design changes have been ingrained into the Corvette's DNA over the past 60 years.  However, no other design change on the C6 Corvette created a bigger stir than the covered headlights when they were introduced in 2006.  True blue Corvette owners and die-hard Corvette enthusiasts were decidedly unhappy, even angry, with the elimination of the cool pop-up headlights that had been a Corvette signature since the 1960's.  "GM is ruining the Corvette," fans lamented.  "Why are they changing something we like?"  It seemed that the car would never be the same, and that fans would reject the C6 design as a dud. 

 

That didn't happen, of course.  Now that several years have passed, we now know that car lovers didn't give up on the Corvette.  The headlight controversy came and went, and the Corvette continued to be loved by car enthusiasts everywhere.  There were even a few bright spots, pun intended.  The upgraded headlight technology was a positive for Corvette racing teams.  The shielded lights held up better in endurance races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans that included long grueling hours of night racing, and the lamps themselves emit more light.

 

I wonder what surprises will be coming when the C7 design is unveiled for the 2014 model year.  I've heard rumblings that a complete design overhaul is in the works, which is likely to cause another round of fan angst.  I don't know about you, but I'll be "waiting with bated breath." 

Random Photo of the Month: The Groundwolf Car

 

Took this photo at a Corvette show in South Dakota.  It's a nicely restored C1 Corvette.  Looks very fast.  I'm curious about the Groundwolf story.  Not sure if Groundwolf is the owner, the custom pinstripe painter, or something else.  I Googled Groundwolf and found some interesting possibilities.

 

Groundwolf is:

1.  A barrel aged IPA craft beer by DC Brau Brewing Company.  The beer took its name from hops, an ingredient prevalent in IPA beer recipes.  The hops plant is called "groundwolf"  because it overgrows neighboring plants.

 

2.  A swift-running ground dwelling spider known for its hunting prowess.  Ugly, hairy, and quick to pursue it's prey--not something I hope to ever encounter.

 

3.  A transformer categorized as a laser beast with land attack powers.  Whatever that means.

 

Groundwolf also is a popular internet name in various places.  

 

My curiosity about the Groundwolf car is now even more intense.



Photos from the Black Hills Corvette Classic 2012: Hot Summer Nights

Hi Corvette fans.

I'm recently back from a road trip to the Black Hills Corvette Classic (BHCC) in South Dakota. This is a fantastic annual Corvette event held in one of the most scenic areas of the country. I can report that the weather was warm and sunny throughout the trip, no surprise there.

We spent our first night in Sioux Falls to attend the Hot Summer Nights festival in downtown Sioux Falls. The festival was well attended by Corvettes this year.  Photos below.

Interesting vanity plate.  Says "Keepn it" but there's a for sale sign on the top left corner of the windshield. 

This is an incredible 1963 split window coupe that was prominently parked at an intersection at the event.  The car had a historical license plate from South Dakota which was a sharp addition to an amazing car.  Wow!

 Notice the Corvette Wave "glove man on a stick" next to the seat.  Save the Wave!

This is actually the back end of a trailer attached to a C5.  The trailer is an exact replica of the car.  I like the "shoes" plate.   I may need to borrow this thing the next time we go traveling in the Vette.  You can never have too much room for shoes!  

As you can see, a good time was had by all.  See you next year.

Random Photo of the Month: Black Hills Corvette Classic

Hot Summer Nights in downtown Sioux Falls

It's that time of year again, Corvette fans, time for the Black Hills Corvette Classic.  Hurray!  The "BHCC" is an awesome Corvette event that crosses the state of South Dakota starting in Sioux Falls and ending in Spearfish.  The 2012 BHCC is July 17-21.  This year's schedule includes Corvette drag races, charity poker runs, autocross races, road tours, seminars, and more.

The BHCC is one of my favorite Corvette events.  If you go, don't miss Hot Summer Nights on Wednesday, July 18.  It's sure to be one of the best summer festivals of the year. 

NCM Motorsports Park

Video (link) from the National Corvette Museum describing the new motorsports park being constructed across the freeway from the museum.

I'm looking forward to seeing this once it's done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo1iZvbDk0Q

Random Photo of the Month: Lowest Original Miles on a 1972 Corvette

This is a picture of the 1972 Corvette convertible with the lowest original miles:  only 4 actual amiles on the odometer.  That's one for the record books.  I took the picture at the Bloomington Gold Corvette show in 2007.  The photo below lists the factory installed options on the car and the VIN number.

It would take a lot of will power to keep this one in storage rather than driving it.  What a beauty.