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Identifying the First-Gen Ford MustangWhat Makes the C7 Corvette Special
While the current mid-engined C8 gets plenty of praise, let’s not forget how spectacular the prior C7-generation Corvette really was.
The “Last” Corvette?
Plans for a mid-engine Corvette go all the way back to the days of the second-generation C2. So, when the C8 finally moved the motor from front to midship in 2020, it was a big deal for Corvette guys and the automotive obsessives alike. And yet, some argued the new car was more European exotic than a true-blue Corvette, the C8’s engineering and performance were (and remain) undeniably impressive. Indeed, just this month the new 2025 Corvette ZR1 set a 9.6 quarter mile time and a zero to sixty of 2.3 seconds, that’s supercar beating performance at a fraction of the cost.
All the deserved fanfare for the C8 has largely eclipsed just how spectacular the prior generation C7 Corvette really was. As the last of the front engine Corvettes, the C7 took all that made the Corvette special and dialed up to eleven. The C7 deftly executed that distinct Corvette blend of small-block raucousness and GT refinement.
While the C8 Corvette is getting its time in the spotlight, the C7 remains a heck of a bargain on the used market as the last front-engine V8 Corvette, the final and finest form in a long and storied linage. Below are just some of the reasons we consider the C7 Corvette an underappreciated gem among used performance cars.
Rad Styling
The C7 Corvette was destined to be a departure from start with a plethora of revised engineering and new parts. No less radical was the C7’s new styling penned by Chevy designer Hwasup Lee. The C7 features origami-like panel folds and swooping body lines. An aggressively styled front end, with narrow LED headlights, made the C6 look tame by comparison. New trapezoidal taillights were a departure from generations of round taillights, complimented by a set of centrally located quad tailpipes. In truth, the C7’s design was the Corvette’s most radical since the swooping, Coke bottle styling of the third-generation C3.
Small-Block, Big Power
Equally as radical as the new styling was what lurked under the hood of the C7, the then new LT1 small block. The 6.2L V8 was the next in a long line of LS small-blocks, this time netting the Corvette a stout 460 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque right out of the box. Equipped with the performance exhaust, the new 6.2L provided the grunt for a blistering 3.7-second zero to sixty run. A seven-speed Tremec manual was the default transmission with the option for a six-speed automatic in its place (replaced by an eight-speed from 2015 onwards).
Tuned For Performance
The Corvette’s sports car bona fides extended beyond mere straight-line speed. The chassis and suspension tuning ensured the C7 would be a legit track monster. The C7’s center of gravity sat at 17.5 inches, lower than that of a Lotus Elise. Meanwhile weight was saved with a carbon fiber hood, hollow aluminum suspension components, and an all-aluminum chassis that was 60 percent stiffer than the prior C6-generation.
The Corvette Z06 debuted for the 2015 model year with yet more power thanks to the new LT4, an upgraded and tuned version of the LT1 with a 1.7L Eaton supercharger bumping output to an astonishing 650 horsepower. Performance goodies included Brembo brakes, mag ride dampers, and a host of additional venting and aero that included a front splitter, larger rear spoiler, and bigger hood vents.
The ultimate in C7 variants was undoubtedly the 2019 Corvette ZR1. The ZR1 featured the next evolution of the Corvette’s small block, the LT5. Stacked on top of the LT5 was a new, larger 2.6L Eaton supercharger (that’s 52 percent larger for those doing the math at home). That plus a new crack shaft saw the LT5 sending a full 755 horsepower and 715 lb.-ft. of torque to the rear wheels. The ZR1 also got more serious aero with a new rear wing and a front splitter combining for a total of 950 lbs. of downforce produced at a top speed of 214 mph. A larger intercooler, four more radiators, and additional venting was added to combat the heat.
Indeed, heat has proven to be the C7’s bane. The supercharged cars have a nasty habit of overheating under vigorous driving and the eight-speed automatic has a history of being likewise problematic. Many owners have opted for aftermarket hoods with more even venting and even more radiators.
Corvette Creature Comforts
Of course, the C7 Corvette was envisioned to function as a daily driver as well as a performance machine. To that end, Chevrolet provided all manner of creature comforts. The stock Stingray was equipped with dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, an eight-inch touchscreen in addition to options for navigation, an eight-inch digital gauge display, and a 10-speaker Bose stereo. The Z06 provided more than just a supercharger as it tacks on features like ventilated and heated seats, Nappa leather upholstery, and most alluring of all a Performance Data Recorder that combined a 720p camera and GPS for track-day info including speed, steering angle, transmission gearing, braking, and acceleration.
A Steal of Deal
All of the above should help the C7 Corvette step back out from the long shadow cast by its successor, the C8. Fantastic engines with gobs of power and athletic handling make the C7 a supremely enjoyable sports car. Just as the C8 makes a strong value case given how it stacks up to European supercars that cost two to five times as much, the C7 makes a compelling case for itself on the used market as a fantastic value compared to just about anything else for the money.
The 2014-2019 model years’ prices can vary wildly based on condition and whether the car is supercharged. Older Corvette Stingrays (2014-2016) can be had for a touch under $40,000 now, representing a massive value in terms of performance. Many nicer examples will run you around $50,000 with Z06s commanding a major premium from the high $60,000 range up to the high $80,000 range. The 2019-only ZR1 is a true collector’s car (even among Corvettes) and is typically priced as such, often closing in on $200,000. While the ZR1 might be out of reach for most of us, the C7 Corvette Stingray stacks up very well against nearly anything, new or used, for $40,000.
Great story
It helps me justify my C7 purchase.
It handles better than any other car I’ve owned.