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| 1997 Chevrolet Corvette C5 coupe pictures |
The 1997 Corvette was improved and redesigned in almost every way (one of the few parts used "off the shelf" were the door handles from an "Olds"). It also now used a hydroformed box frame. Everything was tightened up to reduce the squeaks and rattles that plagued the previous model. The transmission was moved from being mounted directly on the rear of the engine (as had been tradition), back to the rear of the car between the back tires. So, where one would normally find the differential, the Vette now had the transmission incorporated there also, and this unit was referred to as the "transaxle". It was a fantastic improvement for balancing the front vs. rear weight distribution. They first started working on this "transaxle" around 1958. Porsche had used this same design with their 928 models. The new rear mounted tranny was either a Borg-Warner T56 six-speed manual, or a 4L60-E four-speed automatic in a new case for the rearward mount.
| 1997 Chevy Corvette Transaxle picture |
Tires were 18's in the rear with 17's up front. These were the run flat type, and no spare was provided. The sturdy new frame mated up with the new "Gen III" all aluminum 350 ci (5.7L) LS1 putting out 345 horsepower or 257 kW. It was pulling 0-60 times around 4.8 seconds. The plastic or composite intake manifold (fairly common today) was also a first in automotive history.
The 1977 was also only offered as a coupe, though this chassis was built from its conception to be complimentary to also being produced as a convertible.
1998 Corvette Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica pics – commons
1998 added the convertible (now with an outside accessible trunk), once again, to the lineup. The Corvette convertible paced the Indy 500 again this year, and a replica was made available for the public.
1999 Chevy Corvette Convertible images
1999 added a lighter weight fixed roof coupe (FRC), only available with a manual transmission, to the lineup. The head-up display option was also added which projected information onto the windshield.
General Motors Corvette C5-R as in race pictures
The C5-R racer built by Pratt & Miller for GM Racing was also unveiled in 1999 and raced until 2004 (though private teams raced it much later than this). This car shredded La Mans, among other races.
2000 saw only a few color changes and a new five-spoke forged aluminum wheel design.
2001 took advantage of the structurally superior fixed roof coupe model and unleashed the Z06 with it this year. They upped the compression on the LS1, for the Z06, and called the upgraded motor the LS6, which was rated at 385 horsepower or 287 kW, but it is probable that Chevrolet underrated the output as it was showing 425 hp on many dynamometers. It was also lightened up with a few mods which included a titanium exhaust system (another 1st on a production automobile). The suspension (FE4) was also beefed up, and bigger (not run flat) tires were added. The standard C5 saw a bump of 5 hp bringing it up to an even 350 hp for the LS1.
2002 saw the Z06 horsepower jump to 405 hp, which matched the hottest ZR1s up to this time. Also, the Z06 suspension was further tuned. The LS1 base models saw different sound systems and an Electron Blue color option.
2003 Chevrolet Corvette C5 Coupe photos
2003 saw a 50th Anniversary Edition, with Magnetic Selective Ride Control (which involves a magnetic fluid which adjusts almost constantly), available on the LS1 hatchback and convertible. The Vette again paced the Indianapolis 500 with this car during this season. The Z06 was unchanged, and the standard models got dual climate control along with some other new standard equipment.
Cadillac XLR-V modified by D3 R&D
2004 would be the last year for the C5, and commemorative editions were made available for all 3 models, with the most radical thing about these editions probably being the carbon-fiber hood on the Z06.
The C6 was on the way.
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5th (fifth) generation Corvette Videos:
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Canada's Fastest Street C5 Corvette - 9.30's at 152mph video
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1998: Chevrolet Corvette Active Handling video
[ref] Wikipedia.org, rogerscorvette.com
Visit the Corvette “American Metal Racing” modern muscle cars index for more information, images and videos.
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This series is dedicated to the Chevrolet Corvette C5 C6 C7 enthusiast. We include news and details on the base Chevy Vettes, the Z06, and new ZR1 SuperCar model. The LS2, LS3, LS7, LS9, a racing engine, crate motor, or hot rod tuning subject is always game for discussion. Factory stock General Motors Corvettes, the engines and options, performance and horsepower specialty tuners, and aftermarket parts to make a modified Vette the fastest or quickest are what we are all about. The main years of interest are 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and beyond for the GM future.
Read through the American Metal site archives for more high tech info on the exotic Corvette. The sites index will also display archive info on the coupe and convertible sport car Corvette. The sports cars design, concept, and high performance aspects are all explored. See the site wallpaper galleries for both the Camaro and Corvette via this free wallpapers link.
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