Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C6) | Spotted
A new Z06 in the UK is very exciting indeed - as is a 7.0-litre one for hot hatch money
News that the C8 generation of Corvette Z06 is coming to the UK is very exciting indeed. Everyone who has driven the car thus far has raved about it, a right-hand drive Corvette looks more compact here than you might think, and quite frankly however they come new 8,600rpm supercars are welcome in 2025. Let’s hope the Z06 faces fewer hurdles getting here than the regular Stingray did.
Because it promises to be an absolute knockout. While the Z06’s thunder has been stolen by the ZR1 in a fashion that has never happened before - thank more than 1,000hp for that - there remains plenty about the middle model to thrill the enthusiast. Much as always been the case for the Z06; while the ZR1 has often focused on crazy power, the ‘06 could be about light weight, high revs and embarrassing pricier European opposition. Let’s hope for more of the same from the eighth generation.
Until then, a sixth generation Z06 has emerged in the PH classifieds. And if a bright yellow Corvette with a 7.0-litre V8 and a six-speed manual doesn’t interest you, this is probably the wrong website. The C6 Z06 emerged almost 20 years ago now, when Corvette Racing was in its pomp and winning just about every sportscar championship going. This was the roadgoing equivalent, and the overhaul was far more extensive than just loadsa yellow and a big engine. The Z06 was almost 70kg lighter than a regular C6 Corvette, thanks to such drastic measures as a magnesium alloy roof, magnesium engine cradle and carbon in the floor. Just 1,419kg was light for a car of this potency even then.
That a 7.0-litre pushrod V8 could rev to 7,000rpm was surely the main draw of the Z06 in the mid-2000s, and certainly is now. While the design was old school, again the tech was bang up to date, with CNC-ported heads, sodium-filled valves and titanium for a host of the internals to keep reciprocating masses as low as possible: con-rods, valves, valve springs. This was proper exotica, no mere hot rod.
Oh sure, it was stiff and a bit intimidating (especially in left-hand drive), but then the Z06 was also just £60k for the few UK allocated versions in 2006. It’s easy to imagine those who took the plunge loving their 7.0-litre Corvettes. This one isn’t one of those official UK models, instead first going to Japan - check out the square plates. And look at the condition as well: 30,000 miles is low, of course, but for a car of famously flaky quality the Corvette doesn’t look bad at all. Just best like yellow.
There are four Michelins on it, not a single MOT advisory in all its time in the UK, and the advert even says the Z06 is ULEZ compliant (!). The perfect modern classic sports car, right? The Corvette will likely demand more specialist care than the average C6, given that LS7 under the bonnet, plus fuel by the tanker-load, though it’s hard to imagine many more exhilarating V8 sports cars for £40k. If British muscle seems too obvious a choice, maybe it’s time to try some from the good ol’ US of A.
SPECIFICATION | CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 (C6)
Engine: 7,011cc, V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 512@6,300rpm
Torque (lb ft): 470@4,800rpm
MPG: n/a
CO2: n/a
First registered: 2006
Recorded mileage: 30,000
Price new: c. £60k
Price now: £39,500
Owned one of these back in the day. Not perfect - dreadful seats and interior. However, the engine is a weapon, the ride is actually quite comfortable, the handling is terrific and it will average about 21mpg - easily over 30 on a run with the long gearing. Much, much better than you would think. Yes the combination of LHD and width make it difficult to enjoy on a B road and you need to be able to drive to get the best from it but the performance and the manner in which it is delivered are like nothing else at anywhere near this price point. There really is no replacement for displacement.
Other than fuel costs, these have always seemed a decent choice to me, and probably no more expensive to run than an AM V8 Vantage?
Other than fuel costs, these have always seemed a decent choice to me, and probably no more expensive to run than an AM V8 Vantage?
Owned one of these back in the day. Not perfect - dreadful seats and interior. However, the engine is a weapon, the ride is actually quite comfortable, the handling is terrific and it will average about 21mpg - easily over 30 on a run with the long gearing. Much, much better than you would think. Yes the combination of LHD and width make it difficult to enjoy on a B road and you need to be able to drive to get the best from it but the performance and the manner in which it is delivered are like nothing else at anywhere near this price point. There really is no replacement for displacement.
Usual boring uninformed opinions in the first ten comments. Plastic blah blah blah, fuel etc etc. Not had one on the leaf springs yet, must be coming soon. I question whether I'm on a car enthusiast website sometimes when one of the greatest engines ever put in a car (one of the last great ICE's in fact) doesn't at least draw a smile.
Anyway, these are an absolute steal. This one particular looks good value at those miles and in an interesting colour. You won't find more performance or excitement with the reliability, low running cost and ability to spanner on it yourself quite easily for less.
There's an owners thread on here about Clive the Corvette (not a Z06) where the owner has taken his all over the world, recently back from a trip to the Arctic. Oh and then he tracks the same car the next weekend. How many cars could do all that??
Not the last word in refinement but ones that will bring a smile to your face at any speed. The world will be a sadder place when they're all gone.
I was the hunter and he was the hunted so to speak, me being a cop at that time.
Btw he always evaded justice but his mate and partner in crime got 18yrs.
At least this is the question I asked myself, and looked it up. 1,850mm without mirrors, 2,100mm with mirrors for the C6.
That’s 5cm wider than a 997 generation 911, or 15cm including mirrors. The same width as an 4.7 V8 Vantage, although 8cm wider when including mirrors.
Basically, get some slightly different wing mirrors and it really isn’t that big in this day and age!
I love these so much, I’d really like to own one. Reliable, tuneable, fast, they make an incredible noise and have a huge amount of history and racing heritage.
It was easy to buy into the idea that European cars were more refined and advanced in the 90s and early 2000s, but these days of overly complex behemoths, older American stuff is starting to look really appealing to me.
My Sunday Toy is a C3 restomod
It is wonderful- and the sound of a powerful V8 is exhilarating
Often I enjoy just driving normally and listening to the engine- the radio in my car is totally redundant
It now weighs 1440kg including all fluids, 90% fuel an dadding 75 kg for the driver (I wish!)
Engine is a 383 Blueprint giving a very lazy 500 BHP and 550 ft lb of torque
The number plate shows it is 42 years old - and I only get nice responses from others- even from the cops!
It is seriously fast- the only thing it will not pass is a petrol station- but I use it so rarely the economy issue is not a bog deal
These big V8s are wonderful- and makes my daily EV driver seem as dull as dishwater
The running costs are low if you get the right specialist- I use Thunder Road in Woking and what they do not know about V8s really is not worth knowing
It makes me smile - as well as other road users and I do not get any positive reaction when in the EV
For anyone that doesn't like the car have a look at the dealer's stock - as unpc says they have lots of interesting stuff to choose from.
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