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"Corvette Chevy Modern Muscle Cars up against their own with new GM ZR1 modern muscle car on rails" 
2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 exotic in black pictures
When we refer to the Vette, if we are talking about muscle cars, we are referring to any standard coupe or convertible, or the Z06 and any special editions as well. Many only consider the performance cars of the 60's and 70's muscle cars, but the definition varies, and we use it in referring to today's Corvettes and Camaro's as well. When we talk about a SuperCar, around here, that would mean the ZR1. When we are talking about handling, performance, and horsepower, we are talking about any Corvette made.
2009 Corvette ZR1 burnout pictures
The ZR1 is 100% Corvette. The 2009 ZR1 is the SuperCar. The chassis is a Z06 aluminum chassis hardened for ultra high intensity use and tweaked in any conceivable useful way. The ZR1 uses the LS3 base model motor as a building block for the transformation into the ultra high efficiency supercharged LS9 monster motor with manners. Every possible gram of weight was shed on this vehicle. There are very few options on the ZR1 and they are mainly considered options because they are viewed as additional weight. Carbon fiber body parts and a million other tricks and tweaks adorn this vehicle. We will explore some of the more amazing aspects of this car in a future article.
Muscle cars, on the other hand, have a certain ragged or a rough around the edges feel (American style), and if successful, are born as asphalt ripping sports cars. To most people's delight, any shoddy fit and finish issues are pretty much a thing of the past, but it would be foolish to expect any car to match all aspects of another vehicle which might cost thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars more than the one you are considering at a lesser price.
The original muscle cars were not necessarily designed to be nimble handlers (though they were designed to be compact for their day). Today's technology allows for excellent handling and takes today's affordable muscle cars to within a stone's throw of the best handling cars in the world. There is a fine line sometimes with the muscle type cars that cross over into becoming behemoth bulks of American style luxury cars, but that is most definitely not the case with either the Vettes or Camaro's.
2005 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe pictures
The soul of the American muscle car is just about the same as it's always been. They are an affordable, semi-Spartan, type of working man's car that rattles the pavement and nearly always has additional power on tap. This is pretty much a testosterone driven thing. Also, for the average person, the economy V6 Camaro, for example, is going to look, to them, exactly like a hyped up SS, and that's the beauty of it all. People want these cars for different reasons.
The soul of the SuperCar, on the other hand, is in its strictly business type of luxury environment, similar to a fighter jet, which is always just out of the financial reach of the average person. They are considerably more expensive because those last ounces of performance are the hardest and most expensive to achieve. The ZR1, though, is an absolute value in the world of exotics. This is a fine line to walk though, because SuperCar traditionally means very expensive. If there were a SuperCar at an affordable price, it would be an oxymoron, simply because it would lack exclusivity. Maybe GM can break that concept apart.
2009 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible high quality pics
The SuperCar definition will also always include performance and handling on the cutting edge of what is available for the engineering techniques of the time.
About the only thing you do not get with the ZR1 are the hundreds of hour's worth of labor it takes to wrap every conceivable surface in leather. Don't get us wrong. We love the smell and feel of leather. It also just says quality. Another seldom mentioned fact is that it makes humans feel like they are in a more durable environment, though in reality, synthetics will generally far outlast leather. It also subconsciously makes most people feel safer being surrounded by a second thick skin. The tactile qualities of leather are also unmatched by any synthetic. Lastly, leather is a wonderful insulator against the little rattles and sounds that are part of the automobile. Rest assured though, that a fully custom wrapped quality leather interior is on the way.
2007 Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06 pictures
The GM SuperCar concept has evolved, in no small part, due to the expert work from companies such as Pratt & Miller (and their subcontractors), and Callaway (and their suppliers). GM can eyeball their work and see how superior fit and finish, and evolutionary technologies, fit into the modern Vette.
Jeff Gordon Drives Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 at GM Style - yep, that is "Kid Rock" in the back getting things revved up photos
General Motors has two of the most successful muscle cars of all time (the Corvette and Camaro) in their stables, and is on the verge of having one of the most successful SuperCars' of its day in the ZR1.
All cars benefit from a vehicle such as the Corvette. Whether you are talking about the technology to improve fuel economy (aerodynamics and drivetrain) - or cutting edge performance (handling and power to weight ratios) - or just value for the dollar - the Corvette is king.
2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 - note the carbon fiber brake rotors picture
The modern Chevrolet (or any GM vehicle) will always benefit from the Corvettes technology first. This is going to be blindingly apparent with the new 2010 5th generation Camaro. There has hardly ever been a muscle car in history, where upon its introduction (or reintroduction), there was such a plethora of available aftermarket performance parts fully battle tested and ready to go. Many of the Corvette engine parts, especially, are fully interchangeable within the Camaro engine bay.
Also, as far as the Corvette goes, it is hard to decide (if one had the finances available) whether or not to go with the (LS9) ZR1, or instead take a standard LS3 coupe or convertible, or the (LS7) Z06 V8, for example, and apply the good old hot-rod techniques to it making a custom ZR1 killer (like the aftermarket tuners can do all day long).
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Chevrolet Corvette American Metal muscle car and some of the heritage towards the ZR1 Videos:
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SuperCar Video (The ZR1 was not yet released to terrorize the competition)
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American Muscle Car Music Videos (OSCA Drag Racing)
Visit the Corvette “American Metal Racing” modern muscle cars index for more information, images and videos.
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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 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.
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 V8 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, suspension and horsepower specialty tuners, and aftermarket performance 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.
Also, please use any information with caution. These articles contain information from many sources, and it is impossible to verify the accuracy on each of these sources, so please do your own research before reacting to anything, and consult your local professional for guaranteed information. A
Visit the Zorly Corvette American Metal Home Page, or view the entire index. Also see the Camaro American Metal site. Thanks for the interest!
Corvette "American Metal Racing" by Zorly aka Paul Malessa
Also visit the Modeling in Motion websites
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