badboyvettes.com RSS http://www.badboyvettes.com/ badboyvettes.com Laguna Blue Devil BBV Video - Free at Last! http://www.badboyvettes.com/143 Now that the Blue Devil is officially out of the closet as the ZR1 and the GM embargo has passed, here is some raw video we shot of Johnny O as he prepared to lap the track in the ZR1 at Laguna Seca. Check out the footage at the end where we peer into the engine bay and glimpse the underside of the covered cowl.



YouTube !> Jake Intake http://www.badboyvettes.com/142 So we meet the Corvette engineers and designers at the GM Design Center and they say, "Follow us - We have something to show you". We're led way down to the basement of the building, traveling through a maze of endless tunnels. Cool beyond belief although we are really seeing ... nothing. Then, we abruptly turn a corner and under harsh industrial-grade fluorescent lights - there it is: A glossy, glossy dark grey carbon-fibered, clear hooded, split-coved, bad bad assed ZR1. "Wow! ", we finally manage to say, but it begged the question: "Why us?" They reply, "We wanted you to see this." ... And with that they open its huge hood, articulated with carbon fiber bracing underneath. We then gaze upon the menacing supercharged 650+ HP LS9 behemoth and something else catches our eye. - Can we be seeing this? Embossed on the top of the air intake snorkel ... deep down and almost out of sight ... is an evil looking "Jake" staring up at us, more sinister than ever. The reality of the situation sinks in - the ZR1 is branded with the Corvette Racing skull mascot. We react with a yelp. We then look up and see them, arms folded, looking at us with confident grins on their big GM faces. We are instructed to say absolutely nothing - until now. !> The Chief's Idea http://www.badboyvettes.com/141 We had to know: How did Jake get tattooed on the ZR1's intake snorkel? Turns out it was none other than Tom Wallace, Corvette's Chief Engineer, who gave it the go-ahead . The story told to us was that when he saw the crossed flags on the ZR1's supercharger along with the conventionally placed ones on the nose and the intake snorkel he balked at the 3x arrangement. His solution? Honor the ZR1 connection to its racing roots and replace one set of flags with the embossed Corvette Racing skull. So a very cool discovery awaits owners of the baddest street Corvette ever when they pop that hood! ... and we thought the howl under the hood was the supercharger. It's Jake doing his 650 HP acappella! !> ZR1 Sighted! http://www.badboyvettes.com/140 .....or maybe not. Send us your images that best capture the spirit of the new, upcoming 650HP ZR1. To start, BBV says 'Batmobile'. !> 12-08-07 Patri-Vettes http://www.badboyvettes.com/139 We at BBV love analogies. We also love finding BBV connections to the world outside Corvette. So, suggesting that the NE Patriots are the Corvette Racing Team of the NFL.... ....Or that Pratt & Miller are the Patriots of Sport Car Racing.... just feels right. Yes, it felt awkward to see a team in Yellow and Black get dismantled on Sunday. But, order will be restored when the Patri-Vettes beat up on a team in Green, next week. You know what we mean? !> 12-08-07 Sounds of Corvette 1961 http://www.badboyvettes.com/138 Check this out. Blogger, Paul Grushkin, has an interesting site [cars and music, who knew!]. His post about a Corvette 45RPM record is worth the read. Take a look at his other posts, as well. BBV gives the site "4 skulls!" !> 12-08-07 Who Is Geiger? http://www.badboyvettes.com/137 For 30 years, as the website says, Geiger Cars has been importing and modifying American cars, including the Corvette. The current Z06 mod is interesting, but how do you explain this C4 or THIS HUMMER? !> 12-08-07 Corvette of Europe http://www.badboyvettes.com/136 If you haven't seen it, visit the Corvette of Europe website [pick your favorite country] just to see how the story is told "on the Continent". In addition to the front fender side lights, they get a Corvette Performance Academy! PS- Note to BBV self, send more BBV link "modules" to Corvette sites...... !> 12-08-07 C6R - Tokyo Drift Edition http://www.badboyvettes.com/135 While searching for Nissan GT-R track-testing news, we discovered Corvettes have in fact raced in Japan. The A&S Fields team seems to have run in the smaller-bore GT300 class in Super GT in 2005. In 2003, "Team ZipSpeed" carried the Corvette banner with a C5. Check out these links for more info- http://www6.ocn.ne.jp/~k-sta/sapurai/asracingroom.htm http://www.facenetwork.co.jp/motorsports/2005/pdf/gt_round2.pdf http://flatout-f1.sakura.ne.jp/page199.html http://supergt.net/en/ BTW - Here is the link to official Corvette site in Japan. But, a click-through to the "racing news" shows it is only current to C5! Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto, but someone get them the link to badboyvettes.com, ima sugu! !> 12-08-07 Another GT2 Corvette? http://www.badboyvettes.com/134 Someone translate this for us because we think another GT2 Corvette has been built for 2008 [??]. "Das PSR-Team von Danny Berk hat gestern bei den Test- und Einstellfahrten im Zuge des BfGoodrich Langstreckenmeisterschafts -Laufs mit der Vorbereitung einer brandneuen Chevrolet Corvette GT2 begonnen. Das amerikanische Muscle Car soll dem Adenauer Rennstall Gesamtsiege in der Langstreckenmeisterschaft bescheren." In other posts, we see the words "Testpilot Freddy Lienhard", "Daytona", "LMS", and....... "Le Mans". Here is the team's website. Anyone got the whole story for us all? !> 12-08-07 Consensual Corvettes http://www.badboyvettes.com/133 Left alone in the transporter, the 3 and 4 cars have spawned offspring. Coming to you soon in 1/18 and 1/43 scale, the BadBoyLagunaVettes are on their way. They may be "cute" when they're small, but they still possess a mean BadBoys bite. So, keep your AutoArt Astons on the other side of your collection! We hear they only travel in packs of 2. !> 12-05-07 2008 GT1 Competitor http://www.badboyvettes.com/132 If only Nissan would see the logic of bringing their GT-R stateside. Looking good as a competitor for Japan's home turf Super GT series. To BBV, it would look a lot better chasing something yellow in NA! Warning: filesize() [function.filesize]: stat failed for ..http://www.motivemag.com/Content/uploads/1/gtr_racer_3.jpg in /home/kickvett/public_html/podcast/newsfeed.php on line 31
" type="image/jpg" /> !> 12-02-07
BBV Aston Martin? http://www.badboyvettes.com/131 Sometimes it just becomes too easy to tweak the [now returning in GT2] competition. Tuner company, Mansory, inflicts its 'talents' on an AM Vantage only to convert it into a Corvette poseur. So, we finished the job with a BBV graphics package left over from Laguna. You picked the wrong color, boys. !> 11-27-07 2010 Corvette LMP Competitor http://www.badboyvettes.com/130 "When" Corvette [C7?] moves up to LMP, will this R8-inspired coupe be on the grid at Le Sarthe? Warning: filesize() [function.filesize]: stat failed for ..http://www.segragroup.com/images/SG3%20lmp2010-nr3-2a.jpg in /home/kickvett/public_html/podcast/newsfeed.php on line 31
" type="image/jpg" /> !> 12-02-07
Agelessly Getting It http://www.badboyvettes.com/129 The NY Times ran this story about a Corvette guy living in Brooklyn that proves the power of the 'Vette truly transcends time - and even its own manufacturer. Jan Hyde's passion found its roots way back in 1964! Check out the multi-media show to gain a sense of his perspective. And note that in the last 20 seconds not a word is said except the ones "spoken" by that beautiful 283 fuelie... !> 12-02-07 Chevroletor Rules! http://www.badboyvettes.com/128 In case you missed it, at SEMA 2007, Mattel Hot Wheels invited the auto manufacturers to design their own 40th anniversary models. GM had an internal competition to pick its representative design. Amaury Diaz-Serrano won. His inspiration- the 1957 Corvette. The bottomline message- Corvette remains the strongest, most iconic, most passionate statement in the GM stable. But, we [and you] BadBoyVetters know that. !> 11-27-07
well, there was a video...
We know Corvette is a "wild beast", but now we learn that it's DNA qualifies it for coverage on National Geographic TV......

"The National Geographic Channel presents Ultimate Factories" will feature the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 on Thursday November 29, at 10p.m. EDT. Tune in.

After this broadcast, watching baby muskrats will never be able to hold your attention again.

Chevroletor Rules! http://www.badboyvettes.com/127 In case you missed it, at SEMA 2007, Mattel Hot Wheels invited the auto manufacturers to design their own 40th anniversary models. GM had an internal competition to pick its representative design. Amaury Diaz-Serrano won. His inspiration- the 1957 Corvette. The bottomline message- Corvette remains the strongest, most iconic, most passionate statement in the GM stable. But, we [and you] BadBoyVetters know that. !> 11-27-07




YouTube

Chevroletor Rules! http://www.badboyvettes.com/126 In case you missed it, at SEMA 2007, Mattel Hot Wheels invited the auto manufacturers to design their own 40th anniversary models. GM had an internal competition to pick its representative design. Amaury Diaz-Serrano won. His inspiration- the 1957 Corvette. The bottomline message- Corvette remains the strongest, most iconic, most passionate statement in the GM stable. But, we [and you] BadBoyVetters know that. !> 11-27-07
OK, the 2008 rumors are flying and Corvette Racing plans are still speculation. So be it.

But here's what we think - for 2008 to 2010 and beyond.

* Of course our 2 C6R's should remain in GT1 and run the entire season. Better to set the stage for the 2010 rules change and entry into the top class vs Audi, Porsche, et al. But, as we have said before, create a real intramural rivalry between the 3 and 4 teams for 2008/9 - with paint, incentives, team organization, and fan programs.

* Corvette in GT2 is also the right thing to do. Puts us head-to-head with Ferrari, Porsche, Viper, Ford GT...and now Aston Martin's new GT2. Plus, it sets Corvette up well when the GT classes merge in 2010 with experience in both classes of car construction.

* For 2010, there is no other option than to deliver GM's marquee performance car, Corvette, to the LMP class, earning it the right to fight for the overall win at LeMans. That victory will be the logical addition to the Corvette trophy cabinet of accomplishments.

* And finally, like the euro teams that come to Sebring to tune-up and showcase their wares on our turf, the factory Corvette Racing team should consider a "World Tour" of select stops around the world starting with the famed Spa 24....

Just thinking of the best ways to spread the Corvette magic.

Chevroletor Rules! http://www.badboyvettes.com/125 In case you missed it, at SEMA 2007, Mattel Hot Wheels invited the auto manufacturers to design their own 40th anniversary models. GM had an internal competition to pick its representative design. Amaury Diaz-Serrano won. His inspiration- the 1957 Corvette. The bottomline message- Corvette remains the strongest, most iconic, most passionate statement in the GM stable. But, we [and you] BadBoyVetters know that. !> 11-27-07 You Talking to Me? http://www.badboyvettes.com/124 Time to call out the competition. GT1 for 2008 and 2009 demands representation. So, WHO should be out there with Corvette [getting beaten]? WHO should be racing in GT1 that is NOT? Well... * Ferrari should run a 599 in GT1 and then segue into LMP. Ferrari has won 9 times overall, the first in 1949...the last in 1965. Mulsanne still beckons, Maranello. * Ford should run a Mustang GT500 in GT1 and then really think about LMP. Ford connections to LeMans wins date back to Mazda in 1991 [but Ford didn’t co-own them yet, did they?], Rondeau in 1980, Mirage in 1975, and the Gulf GT in 1969, putting the cap on its famous 4-year string. Really Ford, can’t you park just 1 or 2 NASCAR Fusions and fund a real race car again? * If Nissan doesn’t race its new GTR in GT1, then Lutz should call Carlos and give him an education on performance brand-building. * Lexus better race the LF-A in GT1. How else to earn your performance stripes? You can’t ride your F1 credentials, can you? * Acura NSX. If Lexus is in, where else should you be? Right next to them on the GT1 grid with your new generation model. * Aston Martin. We're sorry. Your mom called our mom and we promise to be nice if you come back and play. Honestly though, AM is a great competitor and it would be fun to have them back in 2008. * The Cerberus [Dodge] Viper is NOT a GT2 car. It is a big bruiser that should be fighting in GT1. Jim Press, your ego is calling. It says go [try to] beat Corvette. Good luck! * Maserati, stay in the US for the full season and support your dealers. The MC12 or a GT1 GranTurismo would do just fine. * Saleen, find a team to run your cars. Your US sales demand it. * Mercedes. BBV already made note of your new SLR GTR. No better time and place to race it as 2008 ALMS GT1. * Of course, we haven’t even mentioned BMW [6 series], Lambo [pick either one!], Koenigsegg [YOU named your car the CCGT FIA GT1!], Mazda [RX8], Jaguar [XK], Bentley [why not?]... The bottom line is this- 2008 / 2009 deserve more GT1 competitiors, and there are cars that should [that need to] prove their mettle. So, competitor brands to Corvette, are you participants or partici- “can’t”-s? !> 11-20-07 Race Car for Sale.....Really! http://www.badboyvettes.com/123 No bling, but much zing. Special everything, including things we can’t tell you about. 1 owner, 1 seat. Low miles, but driven very fast. Always garaged. Never driven on public roads. Cared for by loving owners, cursed by the competition. One of only a few. Available only in Velocity Yellow. Championships and Drivers not included. Only for sale because Ms. Pratt says it’s time to clean out the garage. SPECIFICATIONS: Chassis 005 that raced in Le Mans and in the 2007 American Le Mans Series * 575 horsepower, 6000-rpm redline * 7-liter small-block V-8 engine * 2425 Lbs. hydroformed steel chassis, composite body * Longitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive * Tunable to the low drag demands of Le Mans or the high downforce requirements of Mosport Plus, THIS is the last Corvette race car driven by the great Ron Fellows. First, as the #33 White Sebring car and then again at Mosport. So, this car has historic value as well as real speed. Billy Mays is standing by to take your calls. !> 11-27-07 Corvette Wins GT3 Team Title http://www.badboyvettes.com/122 An excellent end of the season run [scoring heavy duty points in each of the last 4 races!] saw the Martini Callaway Corvette Racing Team claim the FIA GT3 Team Championship by 1 point over the Kessel Racing Ferrari! !> 11-17-07 Jay Leno C6RS Debuts at SEMA http://www.badboyvettes.com/121 Corvette passion draws everyone together. GM knows what a big Corvette enthusiast Jay Leno is, so it was natural to read that Jay would be debuting a "Super Corvette" at SEMA with GM. We knew its custom-built 8.2L, 600 HP, E85-compatible engine would surely NOT be sitting in some stock C6 Z06. So when we caught glimpse of a carbon part at the PM shop last visit with NOT "Jimmy Kimmel's" name on it....... we started to wonder. Would Jay's car have the Pratt & Miller magic touch? Sure enough! An awesome piece of equipment and a true extension of the C6R........ lacking only a few BBV skulls to complete the translation from race track to street...... Jay, your C6RS would look just right with tone-on-tone skulls on the b-pillars! Pratt Miller C6RS.com !> 10-29-07 BBV Goes Digital http://www.badboyvettes.com/120 You know you've made it when you're immortalized in a video game... Just ask John Madden. So, ryandesign81782 is our new hero! In the Forzamotorsport.net forums, we found Ryan's post offering his translation of our Laguna BadBoyVette C6R designs into the sim pixels that make up the world of Microsoft's Forza2 driving game! Yes, for only $2,000,000 (we hope game dollars) you can own a piece of digital history. Please contact us ryandesign81782. We won't be bidding on your auction, but we may have some surprising things for you... like a lawsuit (or a free shirt). Our only question is why there are exhaust pipes coming out half way up the back of the car... And BTW, we should also give a shout-out to Critt99 in our BadBoy Photo Album area where you will find some serious diecast "kit bashing". Seems our friend is creating a fleet of Z06.R models. BBV version coming soon Critt99? All this creativity got us thinking about all the other miniature Corvettes that must be out there- real and virtual. So make an album with your corvette creativity and show off what you got. update - we were so busy looking at other sites to see who picked up our graphics, we didn't realize that Discpad had already uploaded his graphics for GTR2 into his bbv album. Awesome work discpad! !> 10-24-07 Gavin Beretta Win Season Finale http://www.badboyvettes.com/119


!> 10-24-07
World's Largest B-Pillar Logo http://www.badboyvettes.com/118 What started as a small logo on the b-pillar has bulked up. It sure stands out running around the Monterey countryside! !> 10-20-07 Out of Our Way! http://www.badboyvettes.com/117 The Bad Boy object in your mirror is closer than it appears...... The 2 Jakes will be menacing the mirrors of any competition they can find all weekend! !> 10-20-07 Is This What We Think it is? http://www.badboyvettes.com/116 !> 10-18-07 Laguna BBV C6R Revealed... Again http://www.badboyvettes.com/115 Well, if you hadn't guessed (everyone except JT from SoCal), the #3 car is also a BBV car - the inverse of the #4. What are we, amateurs? Of course we painted both cars. The perfect end to a near competitorless season: Corvette vs Corvette at Laguna Seca. Check our album now for shots of both cars! !> 10-18-07 Laguna BBV C6R Revealed http://www.badboyvettes.com/114 For those of you that aren't lucky enough to see the car live at our party tonight, we've got some pictures of the #4 BBV Corvette that will race this weekend. Click here for our photo album. Sure it's a little skimpy right now, but it'll fill up when the pictures from Monterey start to come in... we post 'em as we get 'em. If you've got pictures from our party, we want those too! Here's 2 easy ways to get them to us: email / ftp !> 10-17-07 It\'s Coming Tonight http://www.badboyvettes.com/113 The new Laguna BadBoyVette will debut tonight at our BadBoy Party in Monterey. Be there to see it live in its full-color splendor, or stop by the site at midnight for the Launch Photos. !> 10-15-07 C7 DreamScapes http://www.badboyvettes.com/112 Nothing stimulates the American automotive dialog as much as rumors of "The Next Corvette". With each generation change, a flurry of guesses, wishes, and "facts" populate the editorial landscape. With C7, the GMInsideNews website takes this ritualistic “festival of opinion” into the realm of the visual with its C7 Design Contest. Anyone with a sharpened #2, Photoshop / Illustrator software, or an Etch-a-Sketch can join the fun. Entries are due by 10/20 and then voting begins. Clearly, the talent is torn between retro, contemporary, and advanced design influences. But, it's ALL Corvette and all borne from passion for "the brand". !> 10-14-07 50/50 http://www.badboyvettes.com/111 This year Laguna Seca Raceway celebrates its 50th anniversary. The last '50th' celebration event at the track was in 2002, at the Monterey Historic Automobile Races, when Chevrolet Corvette was honored for its 50th. More than 60 Corvettes competed in 6 of the 14 races. !> 10-14-07 BBV C6R Prep http://www.badboyvettes.com/110 Apparently spray paint isn't the "GM approved" way to paint their $750,000 race cars. (who knew?) Check out the pictures we got from Chris Ladouceur at Pratt & Miller of the guys from Competition Graphics turning the original badboyvettes into... badboyvettes... badboyvettes...... !> 10-12-07 Will You Be There? http://www.badboyvettes.com/109 Whether you were planning on going or not, now you are. Godug has agreed to have the #4 badboyvettes C6R make its debut at the Mucky Duck during the BBV Party on October 17th. You're reading correctly, the car will be at the bar. So cancel that afternoon meeting, book an extra night at the hotel, and get down there to be the first to see the new paint that will be tearing up Laguna up close and personal. !> 10-10-07 BBV Racers at Monterey http://www.badboyvettes.com/108 don't really know how we talked them into it, but it's happening.

convinced the team to let us tag both racers "badboyvettes" for the last race of the season at Laguna.

we've got our paint and we're ready to go.
!> 10-10-07
GT1 Title to the Ollies http://www.badboyvettes.com/107 Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta [with Max Papis] drove to a GT1 victory at Petit Le Mans and thereby won the 2007 championship, the 3rd in a row for the 2 Ollies.....the 6th consecutive Petit Le Mans for Corvette Racing. It's one thing to see the Corvette Championship in the light of lacking competition, but the reality is they beat the best completion there is......the Corvette C6R of Johnny O and Jan Mags. Beretta took the time to reflect. "It's a very special moment to win the championship. The crew and engineers have done a perfect job since the beginning of the year. Everybody is working in the same direction. I have a fantastic teammate - Oliver is super quick, very straightforward, very clever, and a good guy. We work very well together; we don't even need to speak, we just understand each other from an expression or a gesture. We trust each other completely, and that is a very good thing." Gavin's comments complemented, "It's great to win the championship by winning here today. This makes up somewhat for the huge disappointment of Le Mans. I'm delighted for everyone in the team, and especially for my engineer, Steve Cole, who's done a marvelous job all season. Ray Gongla, my crew chief, has been a rock, a real leader, with his cool head and his ability to keep talking us through the races. All of the team managers - Gary Pratt, Doug Fehan and Steve Wesoloski - have been at the helm, steering the ship along. Olivier has done a fantastic job." Congratulations guys, we'll see you at Laguna! !> 10-07-07 Green Track, Yellow Vettes, Qualifying Blues http://www.badboyvettes.com/106 Both C6R's qualified behind the Maserati at Petit Le Mans this afternoon. Morning rain wiped the rubber off the track and the green conditions played havoc with dialing in the cars. "The rain really affected the setup of the car, and it seemed that we were struggling to generate grip. The thing about this event is that qualifying has no effect on the outcome of a 10-hour race," said Gavin. Trackbytes.com had the story. The real deal starts tomorrow. !> 10-05-07 ALMS GT2 .....Finally! http://www.badboyvettes.com/105 ALMS announced 3 new independent customer teams representing 3 different auto brands that will race in its GT2 class next season. Bill Riley and Lou Gigliotti will race 2 Corvette C6's. The production-based GT2 Corvette will be powered by a modified standard C6 engine vs the GT1 Z06-sourced powerplant. Primetime Race Group will run a factory-supported customer Dodge Viper. Doran Racing will bring a Ford GT to the GT2 grid. Homologation to ACO specs will be done in time for the cars to race at Sebring 2008. "I can't wait to see the Ford GT, Viper, and C6 Corvette mix it up with Ferrari, Porsche, and Panoz. It's going to be great!", effused Scott Atherton, ALMS CEO. Yeah, we've got a BBV poster that feels the exact same way about GT2... WhooYaa! !> 10-05-07 Wanna Race? http://www.badboyvettes.com/104 Some guy in Germany sees this thing in a dealership window... The Internet sparks to life to inform us that 21 of these race-ready Mercedes-Benz SLR GTR are planned, each costing 750,000 Euros [1 million big ones] Connect the dots with the buzz that Corvette won't race in 2008 without competition and BBV hits the keyboard..... "Dear Mercedes-Benz USA, At the next Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge out at the uber-posh Bridgehampton, NY Polo Club, please take up a collection among the team captains and your spectators to "pony up" for a set GTRs so that you can field some real horsepower in the 2008 ALMS. As we all know, a polo "patron" (pronounced pah-trone, with the nose angled obliquely skyward]) can spend $1,000,000 or more to compete in high goal polo at the tournament level, so it seems we can put you down for at least 1 GTR the next time a few chukkers get rained out..... In appreciation, we will contact Mr. Robert Lutz and arrange a first meeting with Corvette at Sebring. Regards, BadBoyVettes" Oh, and Messrs. Jim Press at Cerberus / Chrysler [Viper], Carlos Gohn of Nissan [350Z], Martin Winterkorn at Audi [R8], et al, we may need to be contacting you all, as well. !> 10-03-07 Corvette Wins in FIA-GT1 http://www.badboyvettes.com/103 Despite poor qualifying [only 10th] among the Aston Martins, Maseratis, Ferraris, and Lamborghinis, the Carsport Holland C6R won the race at Nogaro in France. This leaves the GT1 Championship wide open going into the final round at Zolder [Oct 21st]. Maserati drivers Biagi-Bartels lead with 55 points with 3 teams [including Carsport Holland Covette] only 5 points behind. !> 09-30-07 Vote Corvette http://www.badboyvettes.com/102 Actually Doug had nothing to do with this. We got an email from Charley telling us that Acura's been stuffing ballet boxes in the ALMS Fan and Popular Driver awards, so we need YOU (see above) to do the same for Corvette. Godug and Gary Pratt are up for the "From the Fans" award, and Ron Fellows needs your help to stay in the lead as the MPD (Most Popular Driver). Here's all you need to do: Click here and here (then vote). !> 09-26-07 Extra Large Pizza to Go! http://www.badboyvettes.com/101 Every Emeril wannabe knows about cooking with ceramics. And by now, every Corvette fan has seen the latest ZR-1 pics [Thanks, Digital-C for the heads-up And Yes, WE KNOW our pic is a fake Winding Road BD, but the Priddy cease and desist we received must be honored..... Winding Road? Problem?]. What's catching everyone's eyes are the brakes, beautifully / dutifully sitting behind what look to us to be 19"-F and 20"-R rims. Those carbon ceramic "extra large pie plates" reek race car exotic and a spicy Corvette cuisine! ....from what we've seen, we would expect carbon to be the prevailing ZR-1 theme. Carbon hood with see-though panel, carbon roof [and removable, a feature unavailable on the Z06, BTW], carbon front fenders with twin outlet vents, the carbon brakes, and other weight-saving carbon tweaks deep in the infrastructure of the car. Hey, why not carbon wheels? We have the technology... But whatever ultimately comes out the GM Shop door will definitely get your pizza home fast and hot! Hail the true Z-car! !> 09-19-07 Mr. Bubble http://www.badboyvettes.com/100 Trolling the Internet found us this 1955 Corvette AND its rare aftermarket roof. Roy Braatz of Nevada City, CA is the owner and restorer. Only 15 '55 Vettes wore this "Corvette Copper" color. Only 5 green-tinted bubble tops were ever made. William Chaffee of Model Builders, Inc. in Chicago was the original architect of these bubbletops. Only 15 or 20 were produced- the 5 green tints and the rest clear. Chaffee built these tops at the request of Eugene Kettering (then Chief Engineer of GM's Electro-Motive Division). Kettering wanted one for HIS Corvette. Chevrolet even tested the top, gave Chaffee some positive feedback, but never made it a factory option. You can find the rest of the story where we did - vetteweb.com !> 09-16-07 Video Game Vettes http://www.badboyvettes.com/99 Reality is already a blur in real life, sometimes. Now, video driving games just further confuse perceptions. eg- That picture above is a screen capture from PGR3! Project Gotham Racing 4 arrives in the US on October 4th [12 October in Europe]. Rumor is the sim will have a '63 Stingray, an '88 Callaway Sledgehammer, a '95 C4 ZR-1, and a Corvette C6 Z06 [What? No C6R?] Forza2 has its own Z06 plus a '67 427 Stingray, a '70 ZR-1, a '96 Grand Sport, an '02 Z06, a Guldstrand, a Lingenfelter, plus 5 racing Vettes including the C5R AND the mighty C6R. GT4 showcases 11 Corvettes - a '63 Split-window, a '69 427 Stingray, the Astrovette, the CERV III, 2 Grand Sports; a '63 and a '96, the Mako Shark II, a '93 ZR-1, a C5R, an '03 50th Anniversary car, and an '03 Z06. On YouTube alone, we found a host of Corvette sim experiences - Some good, some close, some "OMG, can a C6R really do THAT?" ...and while not perfect, it is fun to play this rFactor C6R sim lap of Le Mans side by side with our own LeMans On-Car video. So, now all those WRX-loving, Lambo-driving [Enzo-crashing] video "thumb rats" that think foreign-bred "0's and 1's" are the best can also experience the visceral joy that is Corvette. Truth is, however, nothing yet matches the real deal. The graphics get better, the vehicle dynamics get closer.......BUT, the Corvette vibe still cannot be truly duplicated. Still, the technology keeps trying. ......and that begets our question. Have you driven a video game Vette [Which ones] and did you like it? !>