Today Nice Price or No Dice The ZO6 makes 405 horsepower, which is apparently so remarkable that it has a badge on the fender saying so. Let’s see if its price warrants equal admiration.
Peter Parker’s Spider-Man is a superhero whose crime-fighting responsibilities come about by chance, not history. Similarly, the 1998 Alfa Romeo Spider we saw yesterday come to us not because of the manufacturer’s legacy that lives here but because of the US 25 Year Import rule. It’s here to fight boredom, not crime, but at $12,500, most seem to think buying it would be a crime. That was evident in the 59% No Dice loss rate the car suffered on that question.
Malcolm Forbes is no superhero, but he famously said that “the difference between men and boys is the price of their toys.” Today 2002 Chevy Corvette ZO6 could be considered adult toys, although obviously not in the obscene way those terms often imply.
Right out of the gate, the C5 ZO6 was designed to be more exciting — or taken more seriously — than the standard Corvette. This model is powered by a retuned LS1 V8 that produces 405 horsepower and upgraded brakes, suspension and tires to make better use of those extra ponies.
It’s all wrapped up in a special fixed-roof coupe body that’s several hundred pounds lighter than a standard Targa coupe or convertible and is equipped exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission. It’s also worth noting that the C5 was generally the last Corvette to mount the transmission directly behind the engine rather than in the rear. This was also the last to have pop-up headlights.
This ZO6 takes that job at the factory and turns it up, if not to 11 then at least a notch or two. Positioned as a street/track car, it’s obviously been equipped with even bigger brakes, AFE coilovers all around, and 18-inch APEX wheels shod with sticky Falken tires.
To make sure all that works well in the straights as well as the corners, the engine has been fitted with a hotter cam as well as updates to the intake and exhaust. The hood has been ventilated in three places to keep it cool. All that work also required some updates in the driver’s office, and there, the stock driver’s seat was replaced with racing buckets and harnesses. The seller notes that stock seats will come with the car.
According to the ad, the car has 57,000 miles on the clock, although it doesn’t state how many of those have been parked in gymkhanas parking lots and closed racetracks. Despite that discrepancy, the ad still gives us some details and describes the clean car as being in “excellent condition,” ensuring that it “Runs strong.”
Other pluses include some interesting factory options, including a head-up display, A/C and stereo. Additional A-pillar gauges and a cue ball shifter have been installed, but both seem like logical additions. The only thing missing appears to be the reflector on the driver’s door card, but these can be obtained easily and cheaply from online resources.
On the outside, everything looks pretty good, with the seller claiming the paint is in good condition, protected by a clear bra over the nose. It also appears to come with a fitted hood and all the decals.
This car has current tags and will come with a smog certificate despite the updated engine, so it may still be registered in California. The asking price of this toy is 32,000 USD.
What do you think about the Corvette and that price? Does that sound like a deal for a twofer street/track beast? Or is that too much for a car that might not be at home in either place?
You decide!
San Francisco Bay Area, California, Craigslist listingsor go This if the ad disappears.
H/T to Don R. for connecting!
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