Some coachbuilt custom supercars are all show. But the owner of a Bertone Mantide is eager to prove that his has got the go to back up his show. Dan Watkins, the British gentleman-racer who bought the first Mantide, is so eager, in fact, that he's pondering personally financing a run at the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1's Nürburgring lap record. And there's every reason to believe his car could reach that goal.

At 7 minutes, 26.4 seconds, the 2009 ZR1 holds the current lap record for a stock, street-legal, series production automobiles (excluding such track-focused machinery as the Viper ACR and Radical SR8). Nissan has its eyes on the ZR1 and is closing in fast, but as delicate and fragile as it may look, the Mantide arguably stands the best chance of besting the supercharged Vette's time – mostly because it's based on the ZR1. Only it's 80kg (176 pounds) lighter and 30% more aerodynamic, thanks to the improvements made to the body by Jason Castriota and his team at Stile Bertone.

To test the theory, Watkins is mulling renting out the 'Ring for three days, hiring an expert Nordschleife driver, and of course, donating the use of his $2 million supercar. All in pursuit of the ultimate bragging rights. If it happens, well, be watching.



[Source: PistonHeads]

Hennessey Performance Engineering makes the point that track-oriented Porsche owners can opt up from a normal 911 to a GT3 RS and Viper owners can choose the ACR edition, so what's out there for ZR1 owners who want a more hardcore machine? To answer that question, HPE has introduced the Z700 for 2010.

The exclusive new model features a number of enhancements that go beyond the requisite power increase, which in this case jumps from 638 to 705 dyno-tuned hp. HPE has also put the ZR1 on a diet, shedding pounds by adding lightweight carbon fiber seats and carbon fiber wheels wrapped in a Michilin Pilot Cup Sport tires. The wheels alone scrub off 60 lbs. of rotating weight. Aero enhancements include Hennessey's Z-Aero carbon fiber front splitter, canards and rear spoiler, all of which add 300 lbs. of downforce. Finally, an alcantara steering wheel and shift knob should feel better in the hand when barnstorming the track.

Hennessey plans to prove that the Z700 is a big improvement over the ZR1 by taking direct aim at the standard car's Nürburgring lap time of 7:26. They'll be flying to Germany with a Z700 later this year to take their best shot, but considering that HPE is perhaps the only only tuning company with its very own on-site track, Lonestar Motorsports Park, we expect good results.

Only 24 examples will be produced, and customers who order a Z700 also get a one-day performance driving instruction course at Lonestar Motorsports Park. Total cost for a base Z700 will start at $207,150, which also includes the cost of a donor ZR1. That's nearly a six-figure increase over the base price of a ZR1, so we'll have to wait until it sets some lap times to see if it's worth it.



[Source: Hennessey Performance Engineering]

Father's Day is right around the corner, and since you probably never became a lawyer or doctor like your dad really wanted, there's likely not a lot of coin in your bank account for a big gift. Fortunately for you, Automoblox has just introduced three new Mini vehicles that cost just $10-12 apiece. They're the seemingly Corvette-inspired White C9-R, Silver S9-R and Gold C9-S. This trio of tiny heirloom-quality toy cars feature painted wheels that match their individual color schemes and a heavy dose of pearl in their plastic parts for a sweet candy effect. If you manage to Craigslist your recliner before Father's Day, the standard C9-R, S9-R and C9-S are also available in a three-pack for $30. Like the rest of the wooden car family, the new Minis can only be purchased online from the Automoblox Store.

If you're new to Autoblog, know that we're big fans of these cars and many of us have our own growing collections of Automobox cars. The fathers among us are hoping that their collections grow a little more this Sunday.



[Source: Automoblox]

General Motors can clearly use all the money it can get, and for the 2010 model year, you'll have to fork over more of it to get behind the wheel of a ZR1. The 2010 638 hp supercar will cost you $109,530; an increase of $2,910 over last year's model. A larger MSRP isn't a good thing, but according to Corvette Blogger, many dealers were already charging $10,000 over sticker for an '09 model, so this could be the General's way of getting a little bigger piece of the action.

For all that dough, you still get the most powerful production Vette of all-time – and a few new items as well. The 2010 model now comes with standard side curtain airbags, launch control and Performance Traction Management System. PTMS, by the way, gives the driver more control over traction settings when in competition mode.

Also new for 2010 is the ability to choose from a far greater array of colors including Torch Red paint, Competition Gray alloys, and a Cashmere toned interior. Hit the jump to pour over the press release.



Photos copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc

[Source: Corvette Blogger]

Since Chevrolet announced the return of the Corvette Grand Sport for 2010, we've been given detailed information on what the trim level will include as well as its starting price – $55,720 for the coupe and $59,530 for the convertible. What we haven't been given is a truly good look at the Grand Sport, having to make due with a single profile shot.

Chevy has just released six new images of the GS in both coupe and convertible form that finally show off the exterior changes. Most obvious are the new gills that sit behind the front wheels and vent air from the larger brakes. The Grand Sport also gets that air inlet on the leading edge of its hood from the Z06, as well as the air scoop behind each door and front splitter. Those front and rear fenders are also both wider than what you get on a base Corvette, all in order to accommodate wider tires fitted to Grand Sport-specific wheels. Though the engine remains the same, GS Vettes do get an upgraded suspension and your choice of a manually tranny or six-speed auto.

Replacing the Z51 package, the new Grand Sport really does seem like the perfect compromise between a garden variety Corvette and the harder edged Z06. Check out the rest of our Grand Sport photos in the gallery below.



[Source: GM]

The very first Chevrolet Corvette built way back in 1953 was Polo White with a red interior and a black top. It was practically made by hand, cost $3,498 plus tax and shipping, and the only options were an AM radio and a heater. Fifty six years later, the 1.5 millionth Corvette is white with a red interior and black top. But this one was made in a dedicated assembly plant, would cost you more than $60,000 -- if you could buy it -- and is equipped with the option laden 3LT package.

It's good news for tumultuous times at the Bowtie. A note of trivia: it took 17 years to get from one million to 1.5 million cars, but only 15 years to get from 500,000 to one million (1977 - 1992). Viva la Eighties and the C4. And Viva Chevy... congratulations, guys.

In related news, Chevy also confirmed what we already knew, which is that the 2010 Corvette Grand Sport will start at $55,720 for the coupe and $59,530 for the convertible. Both prices include a $950 destination charge. The official press release is posted after the jump.



[Source: GM]

Now that Jay Leno's retired from his duties hosting The Tonight Show, he may find himself with a bit more time on his hands to devote to his many automotive passions. Jay occasionally leans towards the green end of the interesting vehicle spectrum, and that tradition looks secure as the comedian has recently been spotted out and about in his home state of California in the EcoJet concept.

It's been a few years since we last heard about the prototype car, which uses a biodiesel-powered Honeywell turbine engine mated to a rear-mounted transaxle and chassis bits from a Corvette Z06, but it's now apparently fully operational. As you can clearly see in the video pasted after the break, the carbon fiber and kevlar-bodied EcoJet sounds like God's Own Hair Dryer and draws quite a crowd when Leno randomly shows up with it it at a local car shows.



[Source: YouTube via Straightline]

Legendary sportscar marques deserve their own dedicated auctions, and lately they've been getting what they deserve. RM Auction has been running a Ferrari-only event at the Maranello factory for a few years now, while Bonhams has been doing the same with Aston Martin at Newport Pagnell for even longer. But while the Corvette may technically be a model and not a brand, it has its own rabid following and its own history. Which could help explain why Mecum is holding a dedicated Corvette auction later this month in St. Charles, Illinois. The Mecum Bloomington Gold Corvette Auction will feature an array of Vettes from Chevy history, and this is undoubtedly the highlight: Harley Earl's personal Stingray convertible.

As the grand-daddy of American car design, Earl earned his place in history. And to help commemorate his achievements, General Motors presented him with this unique 'Vette in 1963, shortly after the car made its debut at the Chicago Auto Show. The car featured a unique metallic blue paintjob with white highlights and a blue leather interior, 300-horsepower fuel-injected 327, unique side exhaust and an array of special instruments in the glovebox.

Earl drove the car for two years – he even drove it at Daytona as the 500's Grand Marshall in 1965 – and then sold it to a war vet who drove it to California and back with local newspaper coverage. The car was then lost for decades before a group of amateur racers bought it at auction with the intent to drag race it before identifying it as something special. It then changed hands among Corvette collectors before receiving a full restoration. The car's status and storied history, more of which you can read about in the press release after the jump, are sure to fetch a pretty penny when this Vette crosses the auction block on June 26.



[Source: Mecum]

If the introduction of the ZR1 into the Corvette lineup has made the base model look a bit dull, the Grand Sport package more than fills the aesthetic gap between the models. The Grand Sport package includes Stingray-like gills aft of the front wheels, unique rims and Z06 brakes. Unique suspension tuning reportedly nets a 0-60 time that goes from 4.2 seconds on the base coupe to 4.0 seconds in its updated configuration.

Corvette Blogger is reporting what it says is official Grand Sport package pricing, and the bottom line isn't as tough to swallow as some may have envisioned. The Bowtie fanboy site lists Grand Sport pricing at $55,720 for the coupe and $59,530 for the convertible. That's a not-inconsequential $6,205 bump for the coupe and $5,360 for the droptop. The Grand Sport package essentially obviates the need for the $1,695 Z51 package, however, so you're basically looking at $3,500-$4,500 for the retuned suspension, widebody stance, Z06 brakes, improved 0-60 mph times, and aeshetic and exclusivity benefits, which doesn't strike us as a bad deal.

[Source: Corvette Blogger]

Autoblog friend and sports car racing junkie, Mike Laney, recently got the chance to tour Pratt & Miller (a.k.a. Corvette Racing HQ), and besides building the Speed GT Cadillac CTS-V, Pontiac GTO.R & GXP.R, C5-R and C6.R ALMS GT1 Corvettes, the company also makes the ZR1-rivaling C6RS road car. During his tour of the facilities, Mike spotted a wind tunnel model of an unfamiliar race car. As it turns out, the model was the car that P&M had envisioned for Corvette's attack on Le Mans, or rather, a scale model version of that car. As Mike puts it:

"Pratt & Miller had been working on an LMP1 Corvette, due to race in the American Le Mans Series and at the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans. The ACO's proposed LMP1 EVO regulations (then due to go into effect in 2010 or 2011) looked very appealing to GM as it'd give them a way to fight for overall victories and do it with a car that looked decidedly like a Corvette... Due to the economy, regulation changes, and the struggles at GM, this car will unfortunately probably never be anything more than a wind tunnel model."

[Source: Mike Laney]