Prices, Specifications & 360° Interactive
Chevrolet Corvette C5 - Price, Specs and 360° Interactive
Chevrolet Corvette C5 - 360° Interactive
Chevrolet Corvette C5 - Key Specifications
Chevrolet Corvette C5 Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Sports Coupé / Convertible |
| Released At | 1996 Detroit Auto Show |
| Built At | Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA |
| Engine | 5.7 L Naturally Aspirated V8 (LS1) |
| Position | Front-Engine, Longitudinal |
| Aspiration | Natural |
| Block Material | Aluminum Alloy |
| Valvetrain | OHV, 2 Valves per Cylinder |
| Fuel Feed | Sequential Multi-Port Fuel Injection |
| Displacement | 5665 cc / 345 in³ |
| Bore | 99 mm / 3.90 in |
| Stroke | 92 mm / 3.62 in |
| Compression | 10.1:1 |
| Power | 257 kW / 345 hp |
| Specific Output | 60.9 hp per liter |
| BHP/Weight | 235 bhp per tonne |
| Torque | 470 Nm / 347 lb-ft |
| Top Speed | 282 km/h / 175 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | 4.7 seconds |
| 0 – 100 km/h | 4.9 seconds |
| Body / Frame | Hydroformed Box Frame with Composite Body Panels |
| Driven Wheels | RWD (Rear-Wheel Drive) |
| Wheel Type | Alloy Wheels |
| Front Tires | 245/45ZR17 |
| Rear Tires | 275/40ZR18 |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs with 2-Piston Calipers |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs with 2-Piston Calipers |
| Front Wheels | 43.2 x 22.9 cm / 17 x 9 in |
| Rear Wheels | 45.7 x 25.4 cm / 18 x 10 in |
| Front Suspension | Independent Short/Long Arm (SLA) with Transverse Leaf Spring |
| Rear Suspension | Independent Short/Long Arm (SLA) with Transverse Leaf Spring |
| Curb Weight | 1460 kg / 3219 lbs |
| Weight Distribution | 51 % Front / 49 % Rear |
| Wheelbase | 2667 mm / 105.0 in |
| Length | 4563 mm / 179.6 in |
| Width | 1869 mm / 73.6 in |
| Height | 1214 mm / 47.8 in |
| Transmission | 6-Speed Manual / 4-Speed Automatic |
| Fuel Economy (Combined) | 10.7 L/100 km or 22 mpg-US |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 liters or 18 gallons |
Some Interesting Chevrolet Corvette C5 Facts
- First Corvette with the LS-Series Engine – The C5 introduced the legendary LS1 engine, a 5.7L V8 producing 345 hp (later increased to 350 hp in 2001), setting the foundation for future high-performance Corvettes.
- First Corvette with a Transaxle Layout – Unlike previous generations, the C5 moved the transmission to the rear, creating a rear-mounted transaxle for better weight distribution (50/50 balance), greatly improving handling.
- Designed to Be More Practical and Comfortable – The C5 was built as a true grand tourer, featuring a larger trunk, better fuel efficiency (up to 28 mpg highway), and a more refined interior compared to earlier Corvettes.
- First Corvette with a Head-Up Display (HUD) – The C5 introduced an optional HUD, projecting speed, RPM, and other vital driving information onto the windshield for enhanced driver focus.
- First Corvette with a Fixed-Roof Coupe (FRC) Variant – In 1999, Chevrolet introduced the Fixed-Roof Coupe (FRC), a stiffer, lightweight version that later evolved into the C5 Z06.
- C5 Z06 – A Factory-Built Track Weapon – The C5 Z06 (2001-2004) featured an upgraded LS6 engine producing 385 hp (later 405 hp), lightweight wheels, stiffer suspension, and improved aerodynamics, making it the best-performing C5.
- Improved Chassis and Aerodynamics – The C5’s hydroformed steel frame was 4.4 times stiffer than the previous C4, and its aerodynamic drag coefficient (0.29 Cd) was one of the lowest of any production car at the time.
- First Corvette with a Titanium Exhaust (Z06 Model) – The C5 Z06 was the first production Corvette to feature a lightweight titanium exhaust, reducing weight while producing a more aggressive exhaust note.
- Paved the Way for the Corvette Racing Program – The C5-R race car, based on the C5 chassis, dominated endurance racing, winning its class at Le Mans, Sebring, and Daytona, proving the Corvette’s capability on a global scale.
- Replaced by the C6 in 2005 – The C5 Corvette was succeeded by the C6, which retained the LS engine concept but improved on design, technology, and performance, making it a more modern evolution of the Corvette legacy.
Chevrolet Corvette C5 Price
The C5 redefined American performance with its hydroformed chassis and LS1 V8—out-handling contemporary 911s while costing half as much. In the EU, manual coupes are now cult classics, while automatics (80% of imports) languish unsold. The rarest? 2004 Commemorative Editions in Le Mans Blue, of which maybe 20 reached Europe.
1. Price Ranges (EUR, Mid-2024)
Standard Coupes (LS1, 345hp)
- High-Mileage (>100k km) Auto: €12k – €18k
(Warning: 2000–02 autos need €3k transmission rebuilds.) - Well-Maintained Manual (50k–100k km): €25k – €35k
(Critical: Clutch/flywheel service records.) - Collector-Grade (<30k km): €40k – €55k+
(Must have: Original Goodyear F1 tires unused in trunk!)
Convertibles
- 1999–2000 (Glass rear window): +€5k over coupe
- 2001–04 (Hated plastic window): -€3k vs. coupe
Special Models
- Z06 (2001–04, 385–405hp): €50k – €80k
(2004 CE Z06: €90k+ if under 15k km.) - 2003 50th Anniversary: €35k – €50k
(Look for fading Anniversary Red paint.)
2. Key Factors Affecting Value
✅ EU-Specific Premiums
- LHD Manual: 30% more valuable than RHD UK imports
- German TÜV-approved: +€5k (avoids €10k+ retrofits)
✅ Options That Matter
- Magnetic Selective Ride (F55): +€3k (if working)
- Body-color hardtop (verts): +€2k
- Active Handling (post-2001): Safety must-have
⚠️ Critical Watch-Outs
- ECU "tune" cars: Often hide overrevs (check with Tech 2 scanner)
- Leaking rear diff (seals fail at 120k km: €1.5k fix)
- Delaminated dashboard (€2k+ for correct replacement)
3. Where to Buy in the EU?
Official Channels
- Corvette Club Deutschland (best for TÜV-ready cars)
- Hexagon Classics (London, but premiums for RHD)
Private Sales
- Mobile.de "Garagenfund" listings (German barn finds)
- Marktplaats.nl (Dutch imports, often well-kept)
Pro Tip:
Avoid UK RHD conversions—resale is impossible in mainland EU.
4. Market Trends
📈 Manual Z06s Rising Fast
- 2002 Z06 (405hp): Up 15%/year since 2020
- Stock exhausts: Original titanium systems now €4k+
⚠️ Trap Warning
- "Garage queen" C5s often need €5k in rubber/seal replacements
- Aftermarket HUDs ruin dash value (factory only!)
5. Must-Do Checks
🔧 Mechanical:
- Column lock bypass (recall issue—check isn’t jerry-rigged)
- Leaking fuel tank (common around filler neck)
- Optispark (pre-2000 cars—moisture kills it)
📄 Paperwork:
- Build sheet (under passenger seat or in glovebox)
- Battery drain test (faulty modules plague early cars)
Fun Fact:
The C5’s pop-up headlights were nearly replaced with fixed units, until engineers realized they’d have to re-crash-test the entire car!
Bonus: C5 Buying Cheat Sheet
✅ Best Buy: 2002–04 Z06 (avoid 2001’s weaker valvetrain)
❌ Walk Away: 1997–98 with <100k km (likely odometer rollback)
🔧 First Fix: Replace plastic fuel filter (prone to cracks)
🎨 Color Premium: Electron Blue Metallic (2002–03) +€3k
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