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

By Matt Bird / Tuesday, 25 March 2025 / Loading comments

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