02-01-2007: Ron Fellows Championship Z06 And Indy Pace Car Replica Convertible Editions Make 2007 A Special Year For Chevrolet Corvette
Source: GM Media


CHICAGO – Corvette enthusiasts in search of a unique ride have much to consider this year with the introduction of two special-edition models: the Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06 and the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica Corvette Convertible.

The special-edition Corvettes are distinguished by unique interior and exterior appointments and will be offered in limited, pre-determined quantities. In other words, when they’re gone, they’re gone.

"Chevrolet and Corvette have a long, storied history at Indianapolis, and the new pace car special-edition commemorates that heritage with what will surely be an instant collectible,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “Ron Fellows is also a part of Chevrolet’s racing heritage, and he has been instrumental in the remarkable success of the Corvette Racing team in the American Le Mans Series. The special signature-series Z06 model that bears his name will forever link him to one of the greatest eras in factory racing, which has produced six consecutive ALMS GT1 manufacturers championships, and counting.”

Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06
Marking his championship tenure with Corvette Racing’s GT1-class domination in the ALMS, Corvette racing living legend Ron Fellows is celebrated with a specially prepared 2007 Corvette Z06 production model. All are distinguished by Arctic White paint (including the door handles) that is accented with a racing-style fender stripe and Ron Fellows’ autograph.

The front fender graphics are reminiscent of the identifying graphics of the Corvette GT1 race car. They feature double Monterey Red Metallic stripes with Machine Silver borders and Fellows’ autograph in a contrasting Victory Red shade, along with the callouts of the championship years when he was at the wheel. There is also a maple leaf logo motif incorporated with the graphics, a nod to Fellows’ Canadian heritage. Indeed, the red-over-white color scheme of the car’s paint and graphics represents Canada's colors.

This special Corvette Z06 is the first signed special edition in Corvette’s 54-year history, and is the first Arctic White Z06 ever offered. Only 399 are planned for production: approximately 300 for the United States, 33 for Canada and 66 for other export markets.

Exterior cues include a full-width racing spoiler and a unique windshield banner. Additional standard equipment includes the well-equipped 2LZ package and chrome wheels. Special interior appointments include:

• Red seats, center console, door panels and instrument panel
• Red, leather-covered armrest with a Corvette-signature “cross flags” logo that is hand-signed and numbered by Ron Fellows
• Tech pattern interior trim

An accomplished road racer, Ron Fellows is inextricably woven into the Corvette Racing team’s success. He helped test and develop the first Corvette C5.R race car and recorded the team’s first win in 2000. Fellows also grabbed the ALMS GTS class championship in 2002 and shared that position in 2003 and'04. Fellows has been a part of all six consecutive ALMS GT1 manufacturers championships for Chevrolet, and was voted the most popular ALMS driver in 2004 and'05. Additionally, he has slipped behind the wheel of NASCAR Nextel Cup Chevy Monte Carlo SS race cars when the series hits road courses. He’s also scored a pair of NASCAR Craftsman Truck series wins, three NASCAR Busch Series wins, 19 SCCA Trans Am wins and was the GM Player’s Challenge champion in 1989.

The Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06 will be available this spring. It carries an MSRP of $77,500, including destination. OnStar and the navigation system are the only options; and when equipped with them, the price is $79,945.

Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica Corvette Convertible
A 2007 Chevrolet Corvette convertible will pace the 91 st running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 27, 2007. As it was selected as the Official Pace Car, Chevrolet will supply several identically prepared and uniquely trimmed Corvette convertibles – in new Atomic Orange paint with distinctive gold ribbon graphics – that will serve in the official pace duties of the race, as well as supporting activities.

Five hundred production replicas of those official cars will be offered to the public – all of them convertibles. They’ll be available beginning this spring.

The distinguishing features of the pace car replica convertibles include:

• Atomic Orange exterior color, including door handles
• Indianapolis 500 exterior graphics – including gold ribbon graphics that flow outward from the front fender vents and “ Indianapolis 500” door logos
• Special Indianapolis 500 fender badges
• Z06 rear spoiler
• New aluminum “split-spoke” wheels in Sterling Silver
• Ebony seats with embroidered Indianapolis 500 logos
• Interior trim plate and pods painted Atomic Orange
• Atomic Orange engine covers

All of the pace car replicas are equipped with the Corvette’s standard LS2 small-block V-8 and Z51 performance package. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, with the six-speed paddle-shift automatic optional. The navigation system with Bose audio, as well as OnStar, is standard.

Pricing for the pace car replica convertible is $66,995 MSRP, including destination. The paddle-shift six-speed automatic is the only option, which brings the price to $68,245.

The performance-bred Corvette handles its official pace duties in nearly factory-stock trim, with little more than race track-required safety equipment and strobe lights added – as well as, of course, the eye-catching graphics. In years past, many Indy pace cars required extensive modification to perform their on-track tasks. The 2007 Corvette’s powertrain and suspension, including the 400-horsepower (298 kW) LS2 small-block V-8 engine, are more than adequate to maintain the speed, acceleration and handling required to lead the pack around the famed “Brickyard” race track.

This year marks the ninth time Corvette has served as the Official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500. The previous years were 1978, 1986, 1995, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006. It also is a record fourth consecutive turn for the Corvette, as well as a record 18 th time for a Chevrolet, to be selected as the pace car.

Production replicas were not offered every time the Corvette was selected as the pace car. In fact, 2007 marks the first time Chevrolet has offered a regular-production replica since 1998. But along with the regular-production models, several dozen copies of all the pace cars have been used for official activities in support of their respective Indianapolis 500 races, such as parades. These cars – known as “festival” cars – have become prized collectibles, along with the limited-edition regular-production replicas.

2007 CHEVROLET CORVETTE SPECIFICATIONS

Overview

Models:	Chevrolet Corvette Coupe, Convertible and Z06
Body styles / driveline:	2-door hatchback coupe with removable roof; rear-wheel drive (Coupe and Convertible) 2-door hatchback coupe with fixed roof; rear-wheel drive (Z06)
Construction:	composite body panels, hydroformed steel frame with aluminum and magnesium structural and chassis components (coupe); composite and carbon-fiber body panels, hydroformed aluminum frame with aluminum and magnesium structural and chassis components (Z06)
Manufacturing location:	Bowling Green, Ky.

Engines

	6.0L V-8 LS2	7.0L V-8 LS7 (Z06)
Displacement (cu in / cc):	364 / 5970	427.6 / 7008
Bore & stroke (in / mm):	4 x 3.62 / 101.6 x 92	4.125 x 4 / 104.8 x 101.6
Block material:	cast aluminum	cast aluminum
Cylinder head material:	cast aluminum	cast aluminum
Valvetrain:	overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder	overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel delivery:	SFI (sequential fuel injection)	SFI (sequential fuel injection)
Compression ratio:	10.9:1	11:1
Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm):	400 / 298 @ 6000	505 / 377 @ 6300*
Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm):	400 / 542 @ 4400	470 / 637 @ 4800*
Recommended fuel:	premium recommended but not required	premium required
Estimated fuel economy (mpg city / hwy / combined):	manual: 18 / 28 / 22.5 automatic: 17 / 27 / 21.5	16 / 26 / 20.5

Transmissions

	6-speed manual Base and Z06	6-speed manual, w/ optional Z51 Performance Package	6-speed paddle-shift automatic
Application:	std	opt	opt
Gear ratios (:1):
First:	2.66	2.97	4.03
Second:	1.78	2.07	2.36
Third:	1.30	1.43	1.53
Fourth:	1.00	1.00	1.15
Fifth:	0.74	0.71	0.85
Sixth:	0.50	0.57	0.67
Reverse:	2.90	3.28	3.06
Final drive ratio:	3.42	3.42	2.56

Chassis/Suspension

	Coupe and Convertible	Z06
Front:	short/long arm ( SLA ) double wishbone, cast aluminum upper & lower control arms, transverse-mounted composite leaf spring, monotube shock absorber	short/long arm ( SLA ) double wishbone, cast aluminum upper & lower control arms, transverse-mounted composite leaf spring, monotube shock absorber
Rear:	short/long arm ( SLA ) double wishbone, cast aluminum upper & lower control arms, transverse-mounted composite leaf spring, monotube shock absorber	short/long arm ( SLA ) double wishbone, cast aluminum upper & lower control arms, transverse-mounted composite leaf spring, monotube shock absorber
Traction control:	electronic traction control; Active Handling	electronic traction control; Active Handling

Brakes

Brakes	Coupe and Convertible	Z06
Type:	front and rear power-assisted disc with ABS; cross-drilled rotors with Z51 package and Magnetic Ride Control	front and rear power-assisted disc with ABS with 6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers, cross-drilled rotors
Rotor diameter x thickness (in / mm):	front: 12.8 x 1.26 / 325 x 32 rear: 12 x 1 / 305 x 26; Z51 Performance Package: front: 13.4 x 1.26 / 340 x 32 rear: 13 x 1 / 330 x 26	front: 14 x 1.3 / 355 x 32 rear: 13.4 x 1 / 340 x 26
Wheels & Tires
Wheel size:	front: 18 inch x 8.5 inch rear: 19 inch x 10 inch	front: 18 inch x 9.5 inch rear: 19 inch x 12 inch
Tires:	Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar (w/Z51) Extended Mobility front: P245/40ZR18 rear: P285/35ZR19	Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar Extended Mobility front: P275/35ZR18 rear: P325/30ZR19

Dimensions

		Coupe and Convertible	Z06
Wheelbase (in / mm):		105.7 / 2685	105.7 / 2685
Overall length (in / mm):		174.6 / 4435	175.6 / 4460
Overall width (in / mm):		72.6 / 1844	75.9 / 1928
Overall height (in / mm):		49 / 1244	49 / 1244
Curb weight (lb / kg):		Coupe: 3179 / 1442 Conv.: 3199 / 1451	3132 / 1421
Interior
Seating capacity		2
Interior volume (cu ft / L):		52 / 1475 (all models)
Headr oom (in / mm):		38 / 962 (all models)
Legroom (in / mm):		43 / 1092 (all models)
Shoulder room (in / mm):		55 / 1397 (all models)
Hip room (in / mm):		54 / 1371 (all models)
Capacities
Cargo volume (cu ft / L):	Coupe and Z06: 22 / 634 Convertible: 11 / 295 (top up); 7.5 / 212 (top down)
Fuel tank (gal / L):	18 / 68.1
Engine oil (qt / L):	Coupe and Convertible: 5.5 / 5.2 Z06: 8 / 7.5

* Horsepower and torque are SAE certified. A new voluntary power and torque certification procedure developed by the SAE Engine Test Code committee was approved March 31, 2005. This procedure (J2723) ensures fair, accurate ratings for horsepower and torque by allowing manufacturers to certify their engines through third-party witness testing. GM was the first auto manufacturer to begin using the procedure and expects to use it for all newly rated engines in the future.