Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Video: How <i>not</i> to tow a Chevrolet Corvette]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/11/video-how-not-to-tow-a-chevrolet-corvette/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/11/video-how-not-to-tow-a-chevrolet-corvette/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/11/video-how-not-to-tow-a-chevrolet-corvette/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Corvette tow
Chevrolet Corvette tow fail - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Remember the driver of that snowplow in Brooklyn that absolutely destroyed a parked Ford Explorer? Looks like he was fired by the City of New York, only to find gainful employment in Chicago. Either that, or he's got relatives working for the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Apparently the owner of this C5 Chevrolet Corvette managed to crash or disable it early on a Friday morning last month despite what appears to be favorable road conditions. That part we know little about. What we can see is what happened after.

In the video after the jump, you'll see a big-rig tow truck come to the Corvette's aid, but it ends up causing more damage than the original crash did in the first place. Apparently without a flatbed available, the tow truck driver tried several times to lift the Vette up by its rear axle using a claw, shredding the fiberglass bodywork in the process. But as if that weren't enough to put the "car" in carnage, the operator apparently didn't even get the claw hooked in properly. Compounding matters is that the Corvette may have had a damaged (or missing) right-front wheel. The end result is that the bodged Bowtie gets dragged down the highway sideways like a toddler pulling a stuffed animal around by its tail.

Follow the jump to watch the teeth gnashing footage, but be warned: it's not for the faint of heart or the weak of stomach when it comes to Kentucky's finest.

[Source: YouTube via Tampa Bay Examiner]

Continue reading Video: How not to tow a Chevrolet Corvette

Video: How not to tow a Chevrolet Corvette originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>c5 corvettechevroletchevrolet corvettechevychicagocorvetteidotillinoisillinois department of transportationtowtow failtow trucktowing failMon, 11 Apr 2011 12:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19908788/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/11/video-how-not-to-tow-a-chevrolet-corvette/19908788/article-detail.xml 19908788 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/corvette-tow-screencap3_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/corvette-tow-screencap3.jpg <![CDATA[NHTSA reportedly investigating C5 Corvette over leaky fuel tanks]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/18/nhtsa-reportedly-investigating-c5-corvette-over-leaky-fuel-tanks/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/18/nhtsa-reportedly-investigating-c5-corvette-over-leaky-fuel-tanks/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/18/nhtsa-reportedly-investigating-c5-corvette-over-leaky-fuel-tanks/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



We don't need to tell you why a leaky fuel tank can be a big hazard. Something about flammable liquid seeping out from underneath a car raises a huge red flag, and now the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating 33,000 2004 model year Chevrolet Corvettes over this very issue. According to The Detroit News, NHTSA has received 30 complaints from owners claiming that either liquid fuel or fuel vapor has been leaking from a tank.

Alan Adler, a spokesperson for GM, says that the automaker isn't aware of any injuries or accidents resulting from this problem. Furthermore, GM plans to fully cooperate with NHTSA on this investigation in order to promptly resolve the problem. In 12 of the 30 complaints filed with NHTSA, a fuel tank was replaced or identified as the source of the leak, and we assume that a quick recall will be in order to prevent further instances.

[Source: The Detroit News]

NHTSA reportedly investigating C5 Corvette over leaky fuel tanks originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 May 2010 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2004 chevrolet corvette2004ChevroletCorvettec5 corvetteC5Corvettechevroletchevrolet c5 corvetteChevrolet CorvetteChevroletC5CorvetteChevroletCorvettecorvetteCorvette Z06CorvetteZ06National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationNationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministrationNHSTA investigationNhstaInvestigationNHTSATue, 18 May 2010 09:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19480655/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/05/18/nhtsa-reportedly-investigating-c5-corvette-over-leaky-fuel-tanks/19480655/article-detail.xml 19480655 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/x04chcr007_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/x04chcr007.jpg <![CDATA[eBay Find of the Day: Chevrolet C5 Corvette-based Saleen S7 replica roadster]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/ebay-find-of-the-day-chevrolet-c5-corvette-based-saleen-s7-repl/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/ebay-find-of-the-day-chevrolet-c5-corvette-based-saleen-s7-repl/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/ebay-find-of-the-day-chevrolet-c5-corvette-based-saleen-s7-repl/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

C5 Corvette based Saleen S7 replica - click above image for hi-res gallery

Steve Saleen's Saleen S7 is a totally bespoke, hand built superduper hypercar that in twin-turbo, 750 horsepower, 700 pound-feet of torque form could go about 250 mph. And it was capable of generating enough downforce to (theoretically) drive upside down. In competition, the S7R has been one of the most dominant vehicles ever fielded, having been "raced in over 264 events, with 218 Top Tens, 166 Podiums, 105 Wins, 86 Poles, 78 Fastest Laps and 9 GT Championships." Price when new was about $600,000, give or take.

Which makes the above car all the more special. Sayeth the seller, "We thought long and hard as to what chassis we would use for our replica. First of all we knew the 80's [sic] Fiero was not an option. its [sic] too old, underpowered, and not a safe frame." Oh man - the replica world has really changed if a Pontiac Fiero chassis is not good enough. But the auctioneer does inadvertently raise a good point, as the S7 is in fact a mid-engined car, and you just got to have that if you're building a replica, don't you? Apparently not.

"So we went with a C5 Corvette chassis. It offers all the driving comforts, with great brakes, Power, and a super strong frame. and we could retail the car for a reasonable price." But not only is it Chevrolet Corvette based, they made it a roadster! See, all those boring old S7s were stuffy mid-engined hardtops - this is the world's first and only front-engined roadster S7. Replica. We've got to say we're a little amazed there are only two bids.

Oh wait, no - we said that wrong. What we meant is that we're a little amazed there are two bids. Currently, the "replica" is sitting at $20,100 and humorously oddly, the reserve has not been met. Did we mention that it's an automatic? Also, dude, your check engine light is on. Videos after the jump. Happy bidding!


Gallery: C5 Corvette based Saleen S7 replica


[Source: eBay Motors]

Continue reading eBay Find of the Day: Chevrolet C5 Corvette-based Saleen S7 replica roadster

eBay Find of the Day: Chevrolet C5 Corvette-based Saleen S7 replica roadster originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>C5C5 CorvetteC5CorvetteCorvetteexotic carExoticCarkit carKitCarreplicareplicarS7S7 ReplicaS7 Replica RoadsterS7 RoadsterS7RS7ReplicaS7ReplicaRoadsterS7RoadsterSaleenSaleen S7Saleen S7 ReplicaSaleen S7 Replica RoadsterSaleenS7SaleenS7ReplicaSaleenS7ReplicaRoadstersteve saleenSteveSaleensupercarTue, 27 Oct 2009 14:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19211358/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/10/27/ebay-find-of-the-day-chevrolet-c5-corvette-based-saleen-s7-repl/19211358/article-detail.xml 19211358 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/fakes7lead_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/fakes7lead.jpg <![CDATA[Part pony, part Vette -- it's Frankenstang!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/26/part-pony-part-vette-its-frankenstang/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/26/part-pony-part-vette-its-frankenstang/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/26/part-pony-part-vette-its-frankenstang/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

FrankenstangA reader named Brad came across this particular Star Trek transporter accident in a movie theater parking lot and was thoughtful enough to immortalize the moment for us. The car is an SN95 Mustang, which in itself is completely unremarkable. What makes it "special" is its S197 Mustang GT front clip and C5 Corvette rump. Don't look for the 'Vette flags back there, either. A galloping pony resides in the space between those oval taillamps. It's all very goofy, and what's with the exhaust placement? If you're going to put in the effort to graft that Corvette booty on there, why not take the extra time to route the exhaust so the tips sit in the Chevy's factory location? Then again, maybe the more relevant question is, why do this at all? Oh, well -- to each his own. Thanks, Brad!

Gallery: Frankenstang: SN95/S197/C5 Hybrid

Part pony, part Vette -- it's Frankenstang! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>c5 corvetteC5Corvettefrankenstangmustangs197sn95Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1124555/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/02/26/part-pony-part-vette-its-frankenstang/1124555/article-detail.xml 1124555 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/frankenstang_autoblog_1_lo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/frankenstang_autoblog_1_lo.jpg -1 2