Was visiting Dad in Phoenix. Im in the Mill. Yellow C5 ragtop, dad is in front of me in the 00 Hawk. In my rearview I see a Black C5 gaining on us at a high rate of speed. He pulls along side of me at around 80 and hangs around just long enough for me to see the Z06 badge on the fender, and the vent in front of the rear wells. Just when my mind registers there are no ragtop Z06's he explodes away from me and pulls along dad in the Hawk. Just as Im thinking this could be good I get a good look at the titanium exhaust and the big C5 logo under the rear fascia. Than he pulls away from Dad like he was standing still. We both try to get up for another look but traffic was building. I finally got close enough as he was exiting and grabbed my camera, which had a 300mm lens on it. At this close distance I knew it was a bad focal length compounded by me shooting with 1 hand. He looked over, grinned, and gave the Vet wave as he went up the off ramp. He wasnt behind me before the S. Ellsworth but appeared quickly after that exit. Ellsworth is the exit to get to and from the GM Desert Proving Grounds. He had chrome 01 wheels not Z06 wheels but from my eye and observing the breakaway speed I have to think it was a prototype of some sorts.
------------------ F99-0447 1 of 30 Arctic White A4 Coupes.
Posted by Hawkeye (Member # 88) on :
Very Cool - there were a few Z06s at Bragg-Smith, they are very quick!
Posted by 97 SS LT1 (Member # 136) on :
I thought the Z06 was hard top only. Sounds and looks like it's a fake. There goes another wannabe.
------------------ Scott 97 SS #0676 CFFB #01 Red, A4, T-tops, Dk Gray Leather, PEG2 Options SLP Options: Performance Exhaust !CONE Torsen Differential, Oil Cooler, Floor Mats, Key Fobs, SS Car Cover Modifications: K&N Air Filter, Air Foil, Hotchkis STB, MSD 6AL Ignition, LG Motorsports Valve Cover Breather, MBA "SS" Throttle Body Plate, MBA 75mm MAF, "Filter Mag" Oil Filter Magnet, NGK TR55VX Platinum Plugs, LT4 Knock Module, SLP Subframe Connectors (Welded On), SLP LCA's & Panhard Rod w/PST Polygraphite Bushings, SLP ATM, 1LE Driveshaft, 1LE Bellows, Mobil 1 (Green Cap), Zaino
I was assured in no uncertain terms that there will only be a hardtop Z06. They way it was put to me was we didn't spend all that money and effort on things like shaving the windshield to save weight just so we could do a removable top or ragtop to put it all back and more. Of course, near the proving grounds, who knows what was going on!! Sounds cool though.
Posted by Scott Chab (Member # 174) on :
It could be a fake... you can buy the Z06 emblems and vents from GM... Who knows...
Chab
[This message has been edited by Scott Chab (edited 28 November 2000).]
Posted by poSSum (Member # 119) on :
While Scott did say that there would not be a ragtop Z06 (as Dan explained) I was led to believe there is a good probability of some Z06 Components, like maybe the LS6 making their way through the entire C5 line.
I would agree with those who say it's a fake. GM wouldn't hang Z06 badging on a test mule.
Posted by Joe Asarisi (Member # 204) on :
Yeah its like seeing Loch Ness or Bigfoot. Coulda been an execs car he had the boys build for him,etc.Who knows but it was something that got everyones attention. And the car flat out flew. Just another oddity in the desert !
------------------ F99-0447 1 of 30 Arctic White A4 Coupes.
Posted by Matt KennedyF00-1379 (Member # 257) on :
Well, I agree that it is probably a fake. I wouldn't rule it out entirely. I seem to remember that a 68' Z/28 convertible was discovered not to long ago. It was built for Pete Estes, who was Camaro manager at the time if I'm correct. I've also seen cars produced for various reasons that weren't suppose to be built. It all depends on who you are and how much money you have I guess.
It looks like a fake. If you look at the wheels, that looks like the 2000-2001 C5 High Polished Wheels and not the Z06 Wheels.
Posted by SS2513 (Member # 545) on :
quote:Originally posted by Joe Asarisi: . Just another oddity in the desert !
Maybe it was a mirage
------------------ -Collin- 98' Camaro SS #2513 Sebring Silver,Gray leather, Hurst 6-speed,Traction control, SLP options: Dual-Dual, floormats. Mods: Xenon headlights (It isn't much but it was free), more to come... Pictures Ordered: Hotchkis STB, Whisper Lid w/K&N, !CAGS, Lou's Short Stick
Posted by 93Z28 (Member # 712) on :
No offense or flames but it looks like you made it b/c if you look at your pillar you can see the desert sand between your pillar and his windshield and I don't think his windshield is that short. If you didn't my bad I am just saying
It would be sweet though if it is a real prototype.
oh ok. sorry for an accusasions. I just knew it looked weird
Posted by Joe Asarisi (Member # 204) on :
My first reaction was its a fake. The only thing that added that hint of doubt was the rear fascia/exhaust, being I was driving the Millenium C5 convertable, I knew that there was no Titanium exhaust on the car I was driving!! It made for interesting lunch conversation with my dad, so I figured Id post the pic.
------------------ F99-0447 1 of 30 Arctic White A4 Coupes.
Posted by Doug 97SS #1499 (Member # 100) on :
Joe, I say call Lingenfleter and get the Twin Turbo kit and then go look for this guy!
And like someone said stranger things have happened.
Doug
Posted by 98-mongooSSe (Member # 794) on :
The wheels just don't look right. I've seen two already and to me they seem unmistakeable. Both had dealer plates. Just one week after I first read about the ZO6 I saw badges on a regular vette and thought it was a ZO6 too.
Shay
Posted by mhayman (Member # 146) on :
Another possibility:
If someone REALLY wanted a ZO6 convertible and had loads of money, he could just have a regular ZO6 "chopped." I have seen this before on some really expensive cars that didn't come in drop tops. They actually came out very nice. Kind of like modding - to the extreme. It's not very likely but like I said, it's another possibility
------------------ Mark H. '00 SS #5226 Navy blue with a black drop top Whisper Lid with SS emblem, K&N, Lou Salzano short stick, !SLP Exhaust restrictor, !CAGS, Black DG Motorsports grille with SS emblem, Razo racing pedals, BMR STB, SLP ATM and Zaino (is Zaino a mod?) ;)
Posted by hada98SS (Member # 626) on :
I will agree with the probably fake theory...Corvette Mikes in So. Cal has been advertising Z06 badges and components for a while now...if it were truly a Z06, with all of the suspension and wheel/tire upgrades, it wouldnt have the stock '01 wheels on it...and as for those of you who wonder if the Z06 is as quick and handles as well as you've heard, all I can say is Posted by Mike Grasso (Member # 86) on :
Rumor is that the 2002 will have a removable hardtop, so this being at the proving grounds..... It's probably being tested...
-Mike
Posted by Happy_Dan (Member # 118) on :
I talked to Scott at Bragg-Smith. He said there is no way they are going to do a removable top. I told him I was going to wait (If I decided to get one) for the removable. He said, we didn't spend al this money on weight reduction all the way to shaving the windshield to add weight back on. It will be hardtop only. You can decide whether you believe him or rumors.
Posted by inSSider (Member # 831) on :
I'll check with the guys in the small block group to see if one got sent down to the DPG.
------------------ 1998 Camaro 1LE SS Black Exterior/Neutral Interior 1 of 3 Fully Stock M6
Posted by KEVIN L (Member # 386) on :
I read in Motor Trend that the convert. top only adds 1 lb. to the C5 over the hard top because of efficiency of design. Pretty Impressive.
