2001 Chevrolet Corvette Review

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Review:

by Ted Grozier

In 1963, under the direction of legendary chief engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov, Chevrolet offered the Z06 RPO (Regular Production Option) package on its new "split-window" Corvette Sting Ray coupe. Checking the Z06 option box added a whopping 58 percent to the Sting Ray's $4,257 base price, but it resulted in a level of performance that Arkus-Duntov proclaimed was "hard to equal or surpass by even the world's costliest cars."

Only 199 Z06-equipped Sting Ray coupes were produced, and they have become some of the most collectible in the 47-year history of Corvette. Should you come upon one, look for the Z06 package's upgraded drum brakes, heavy-duty suspension, larger 36.5-gallon fuel tank, fuel injection, four-speed manual gearbox, and Positraction rear axle. Though the Z06 package was a "regular production option," it was specifically tailored for the GT-class and SCCA racers of the day (GM at the time was observing the Automobile Manufacturing Association's ban on direct involvement with motorsports) such as the famous Bob Bondurant, Dave McDonald, Jerry Grant, and Doug Hooper, among others.