New York: Chevrolet Corvette GT1 Championship Edition gets called to the carpet
by Chris Paukert on Apr 8th 2009 at 4:58PM 
2009 Corvette GT1 Championship Edition – Click above for a high-res gallery
Back in February, General Motors circulated a few studio shots of a new Chevrolet Corvette GT1 Championship Edition package, but the New York Auto Show is the first time we're coming face-to-face with just such an animal.
Built up from a standard 4LT coupe or convertible, the GT1 CE is essentially a trim-and-tape tribute package designed to celebrate the C6.R's racing successes. As such, it features a graphics package influenced by the racecar's livery, including the skull "Jake" logo, driver flags, a windshield banner, and so on. There's also a ZR1 "style" rear spoiler and chrome wheels to complete the package, although unfortunately no drivetrain bits from the King Corvette will make the scene.
Inside, as you can see in our photographs below, the ebony interior has been done up in yellow stitching, and there's special GT1 embroidery adorning the instrument panel, center console armrest, and seats.
As Chevrolet has plans to build just 600 of these limited-edition models, this could well be the closest any of us ever get to driving one.
Photos copyright ©2009 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Taglane 5:02PM (4/08/2009)
All show, same go, but it's awesome.
Reply
energystrom 5:03PM (4/08/2009)
Excuse me while I re-attach my lower jaw. This is what the ZR1 should have looked like...
Reply
F-22 5:04PM (4/08/2009)
Chromed wheels...how "non race inspired" is that?
Reply
Hike15 5:06PM (4/08/2009)
agreed about the wheels. Chevy really needs to get those off the corvette. Its aweful
Mr.Oak 5:53PM (4/08/2009)
Don't like the car, don't buy it. Just quit your damn whining. Jesus.
BoxerFanatic 6:07PM (4/08/2009)
Not race inspired, but showy. And it is at a show.
I like the design of them, but chrome, as usual anymore, is on the line of too much bling. At least they aren't thick spoked, and over-wrought like after-market chrome dubs.
Maybe production will be painted, instead... but for a 600 unit special, they might just stay chrome, like the GT500KR, or something...
Who knows.
F-22 6:10PM (4/08/2009)
Mr.Oak, I love the Corvette, it's one of the few cars the US produces that I actually like!
Mr.Oak 6:15PM (4/08/2009)
BoxerF: This car is actually a Z06 dressed in tribute to the GT1 car. Last time I looked, the Z06 was GT1 inspired, 7 litre motor et al.
Hike15 9:07PM (4/08/2009)
Mr. Oak, i'd like to point out, i lvoe the car, the corvette being one of my all time faovirtes, but i'm just sick of the chrome GM is putting on it.
PJ 9:43PM (4/08/2009)
Actually, this is major aesthetic progress for a Corvette tape-and-stripe special.
Remember the purple-with-yellow alloys (and checkered flag vinyls!) Pace Car Replica package for the '98 Corvette?
http://www.c5registry.com/IndyPace/1998_indy.htm
chuck 5:16PM (4/08/2009)
Oh great. Another 5mpg muscle car. Exactly what we need
Reply
F-22 5:22PM (4/08/2009)
Yeah...with the 500 dollars they spent to create this special edition...they could save that money, develop and produce a plug in EV with a range of 1000 miles, with 20 seconds rechargeable batteries and 170 mph top speed...
mcampasini 5:34PM (4/08/2009)
i had a c5 that got 32 mpg highway,these cars are actually good on gas if you dont floor it all the time. and what are doing on this site if your going to say things like that anyway?
Ken Stamper 5:36PM (4/08/2009)
@chuck
You must be confused, this a blog for people who LIKE cars.
chuck 5:57PM (4/08/2009)
I love cars. Especially fast sports cars. My comment is regarding the gross lack of innovation typical among cars featured on this blog. This is the exact reason why GM is currently in the process of filing for bankruptcy. And that's something that will affect all Americans, considering GMs influence on the economy
Fragmit 10:52AM (4/09/2009)
@chuck : http://www.autobloggreen.com
GTFO.
MONTE 1:49PM (4/21/2009)
I would almost bet that there isn't a single V8 car on the planet that gets better highway mileage than the Corvette. All of you diehards help me out here. We know Vettes can knock down 30mpg if not a little more on the highway, can any other V8 car (sports or not) put down those figures?
As for chuck, go hang out with the ILVTOFU lady.
Eric Bandholz 5:20PM (4/08/2009)
Normally I'm not too fond of special edition cars and goofy graphics, but this Vette is hot.
Reply
Christian de Saint Preux 5:23PM (4/08/2009)
It is... I would have wanted for them to add 20 or more so HP.. but.. the looks are awesome on this black one.
Reply
mcampasini 5:30PM (4/08/2009)
some nice black wheels would look great on this thing.
Reply