The 2001 Corvette

The Overview

Dave Hill had never been satisfied with the fixed-roof coupe as a performance car, and for 2001 he turned its body into one. The Z06, named for Zora Arkus-Duntov’s 1963 racing package, took the hardtop shell and gave it the LS6: the LS1’s architecture with higher-compression (10.5:1) heads reworked for crankcase breathing and oil return in hard cornering, a hotter camshaft, a higher-flow intake manifold, bigger injectors, stiffer valve springs and a 6,500-rpm redline, for 385 hp at 6,000 rpm and 385 lb-ft at 4,800, the designation borrowed from the 425-hp big-block of 1971. It drove only a close-ratio M12 six-speed (2.97 first, 0.56 sixth) and a 3.42:1 axle; FE4 suspension added a bigger front bar, stiffer rear spring and more camber; forged 17 x 9.5 and 18 x 10.5-inch wheels carried Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar P265/40ZR17 and P295/35ZR18 tires, an inch wider than the base car’s and not run-flats, so a sealant-and-compressor kit replaced the spare; the exhaust was titanium, the first on a production car, 50 percent lighter than stainless, and with a smaller battery and thinner glass the Z06 came in at 3,118 pounds, 36 under the old hardtop and about 120 under a coupe, 8.1 pounds per horsepower. Mesh grilles in the front fascia, brake-cooling scoops ahead of the rear wheels, red calipers, a red engine cover, Z06 fender badges, a 6,500-rpm cluster, wider-bolstered black or black-and-Torch-Red seats with embroidered headrests and the Bose CD system finished it, at $47,500 with destination, $500 over the convertible; Chevrolet quoted 4.0 seconds to 60, 12.6 at 114 in the quarter, 171 mph and 1.0 g, and 5,773 were sold.

The LS6’s intake and exhaust manifolds went onto the LS1 too, for 350 hp at 5,200 rpm and 375 lb-ft at 4,400 with the six-speed or 360 at 4,000 with the automatic, which made the slowest 2001, an automatic coupe, a quarter-second quicker to 60 than a 2000 and, with the 3.15:1 axle, as quick as the previous year’s six-speed; fuel economy rose a mile per gallon and every car met the National Low Emission Vehicle standard. Both engines moved from Romulus to St. Catharines, Ontario. Active Handling became standard on every Corvette with a new Bosch brake-pressure modulator and gentler calibrations, a larger aluminum driveshaft and a lighter clutch went in, an absorbed-glass-mat battery and a clutched alternator pulley replaced the old parts, the convertible got a tighter-sealing, smoother top, the six-speed better synchronizers, and chrome exhaust tips went on every car. Options were regrouped into packages: 1SB ($1,639 coupe / $1,769 convertible) bundled the power passenger seat, dual-zone air, fog lamps, memory and the luggage shade, and 1SC ($2,544 / $2,494) added electrochromic mirrors, the Head-Up Display, Twilight Sentinel and the telescoping column; 23,439 of the 29,854 coupes and convertibles took 1SC. Quicksilver and Speedway White replaced Sebring Silver and Arctic White, the tint-coat paints rose to $600, the performance axle to $300, and the museum-delivery option R8C returned at $490 for 457 cars.

Corvette Racing had its first great season: the C5-Rs won the Rolex 24 at Daytona outright in February with Ron Fellows, Chris Kneifel, Franck Fréon and Johnny O’Connell, with Dale Earnhardt and Dale Jr. in the sister car two weeks before Earnhardt’s death at the Daytona 500, finished first and second in GTS at Le Mans in June, the Corvette’s first class win there, and took GTS at Sebring, Portland, Sears Point and Texas on the way to the ALMS class title; in August Chevrolet offered up to five customer C5-Rs. Prices rose to $40,475 for the coupe and $47,000 for the convertible (the $39,830 and $46,355 figures in some references are the same prices without the $645 destination charge), production rose to 35,627, 15,681 coupes, 14,173 convertibles and 5,773 Z06s, the most since 1985, and Hill’s team took to calling the car the C5.5. Today the 2001 Z06 is the C5 that holds value, $21,000 to $41,500 at auction in 2026 by mileage, while the 350-hp coupes and convertibles, the best-equipped LS1 cars, trade from $14,500 to $27,500.

The 2001 Corvette Story

The arrival of the 2001 C5 Chevrolet Corvette was met with an ever-increasing amount of excitement and anticipation. Over the past four years, both the coupe and convertible had already proven themselves as being some of the “best in class” since the introduction of the C5 in 1997.

Additionally, the FRC had demonstrated General Motors commitment to provide driving enthusiasts with a machine that would better meet the rigors of performance driving with its improved suspension and more rigid body design.

Even now, while its engineering and design teams were continuing to further refine the Corvette base models, they were also about to begin an entirely new chapter that would include a new stablemate for the coupe and convertible – namely, the Z06 Edition Hardtop Coupe.

Built on the Fixed Roof Coupe (FRC) platform introduced with the 1999 and 2000 models, this replacement to the earlier hardtop model was built to rival the horsepower and performance numbers boasted by the C4 ZR-1 Corvette, yet was priced at only a fraction of the cost. Starting at $47,500 including the $645 destination charge, the Z06 Corvette would immediately become recognized as the flagship of the Corvette line.

The idea to develop a true “race-ready” Corvette really stemmed from the discontented mind of David Hill, Corvette's Chief Engineer, who simply wasn't satisfied with the current performance aspects of the C5 Corvette. Looking at the Corvette from a pure performance perspective, he recognized that not all Corvette owners cared about making concessions to comfort and convenience. He believed that some drivers simply wanted to be the fastest driver behind the wheel of the strongest automobile on the streets. It was with this focus and determination that Hill and his team of designers and engineers set about developing a purist automotive experience unlike any Corvette that had come before it. The success of this endeavor manifested itself to the world under the numeric designation Z06.

The Z06 name was chosen to honor Zora Arkus-Duntov and the original “race-ready” Z06 package that he was instrumental in developing for the 1963 Corvette. Further paying homage to Duntov, Chevrolet engineers developed a new powerplant for the new Corvette flagship which carried the engine designation LS6 (which was the same engine designation given to Duntov's famed 425 horsepower (gross) big-block V-8 that was originally offered, though only briefly, in 1971.)

Available only in the Z06 package, the 2001 LS6 engine produced an impressive 385 horsepower and 385 lb-ft of torque. Although the engine was based on the standard 5.7-liter LS1 powerplant, the LS6 's higher-compression aluminum heads were modified for better management of crankcase pressures and more efficient oil flow (and return) from the upper part of the engine during high-speed turns.

A more aggressive camshaft worked with a new intake manifold; together they allowed a higher volume of air to flow into (and through) the improved porting, allowing the engine to breathe more easily while ensuring that air moved smoothly into the combustion chambers.

Larger fuel injectors were introduced to balance the increased air volume, and a titanium exhaust system, unique to the Z06 and 50% lighter than the equivalent stainless steel exhaust found on the base model coupe and convertible, was included to help relieve exhaust-gas back-pressure. Lastly, stronger valve springs were added to manage the engine's higher RPM. Production of both the LS1 and the LS6 was relocated to a facility in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.

Developed solely with the driving purist and racing enthusiasts in mind, it was no surprise when it was decided that the Z06 platform should only come equipped with a manual transmission. As such, the Z06 was equipped with a new six-speed manual transmission gearbox which included more aggressive gearing than that found on the base coupe. When mated with the LS6 engine, the Z06 powertrain was decisively more powerful than that of any Corvette which had come before it.

The new Z06 boasted an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 8.09 pounds per horsepower, with 0-60 miles per hour times clocking in around four seconds and quarter mile times clocking in at just over 12 seconds. Finally, Chevrolet had introduced a Corvette that was capable of competing with some of the staunchest competitors from around the world while maintaining a price tag that was only a fraction of the competitions cost.

While the development of a more powerful drivetrain meant that the Z06 would push the boundaries of speed and performance already synonymous with Corvette, it would also require that the rest of the car be bolstered to support the increased torsional forces that would be placed on it. In response to this, Chevrolet engineers developed an exclusive suspension package for the Z06 Corvette. Designated RPO FE4, the Z06 suspension package featured a larger front stabilizer bar, stiffer rear leaf springs, and revised camber settings. Each of these components was calibrated to deliver maximum high-speed control, even when operating the Z06 in adverse driving conditions.

Complementing the suspension package upgrades was the introduction of wider Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires. These unique tires were developed specifically for the Z06 Corvette, and each came with an asymmetrical tread pattern designed to grip the road on both dry and wet surfaces.

Further, these new tires also included greater sidewall compliance and improved wear characteristics. The front wheels were lined with P265/40ZR-17 tires and the rear wheels were lined with P295/35ZR-18 tires, both of which were an inch wider than those mounted to the standard Corvettes. Interestingly, these new tires were not of the “run-flat” design, so a puncture repair kit was included with the car.

Essentially the kit enabled the driver to repair the tire with a special compressed sealant, and then inflate it with the included compressed air so that the car could be driven to the nearest available service shop.

The exhaust system was also improved over the base Corvette coupe and convertible models. A less-restrictive titanium exhaust system was introduced for the 2001 Z06 and was the first production vehicle exhaust system ever developed out of the exotic metal. The new titanium exhaust system was 50 percent lighter than the stainless steel system it replaced.

The introduction of this new exhaust system helped to maximize the breathing capabilities of the LS6 and reduce the overall weight of the Z06 Corvette. Complementing the exhaust system, Chevrolet designers introduced chrome exhaust tips for the 2001 model year. While these tips were not unique solely to the Z06 coupe, they certainly gave the 2001 model a distinctive characteristic that identified the (then) newest of the C5's amongst its peers.

In addition to the improvements made to the power output of the Z06, a “weight savings” program helped further bolster the car's performance numbers. The weight reduction program included the aforementioned exhaust system, the replacement of the standard issue car battery with a compact lead-acid battery and the replacement of the standard issue automotive glass with a thinner windshield and backlight glass. Overall, the Z06 weighed in at 36 pounds less than the former Fixed Roof Coupe and was 117 pounds lighter than the base model coupe.

Cosmetically, the Z06 Corvette was not much of a departure from the FRC Corvette that preceded it. The most notable change that differentiated the Z06 from the Coupe was the replacement of the rear hatchback and deck lid with a closed cockpit that featured a fixed rear window and the re-introduction of a functional, stand-alone trunk.

Other, less notable but equally significant changes included the addition of purposeful grilles to the center air inlets on the front fascia, and air scoops added to the rear rocker panels to feed air to the rear brakes for better cooling.

Lastly, both the disc-brake calipers and the engine cover were painted bright red, and Z06 emblems were added to the front fenders.

The interior of the Z06 Corvette featured a number of subtle embellishments over that of the base coupe and convertible.

The Z06 featured an exclusive instrument cluster with stylized graphics that helped to accentuate the model's higher 6,500 RPM engine redline. The seats were trimmed in black leather (or black with Torch Red, the only two-tone offered) and included additional side bolstering to ensure that the driver and passenger remained properly seated during even the staunchest driving conditions. The seat's headrests also received special embroidering that featured the Z06 logos. Similarly, special Z06 embroidered floor mats were included as part of the interior package. A Bose audio system with CD player was also included.

Both the public and critical reception of the Z06 Corvette was wildly enthusiastic. The car was heralded as “race-ready straight out of the box” and was considered a bargain amongst comparably equipped European sports cars like Porsche and Ferrari.

Of course, not all of the featured development and model advances were made exclusively to the Z06. In many instances, the design improvements to the Z06 produced technology spin-offs that were used on all of the Corvettes from that year. Mechanically, the LS1 engine of the base Corvette received a slight boost in engine horsepower (from 345 to 350 bhp) as a result of utilizing the LS6's new intake and exhaust manifolds.

Even more impressive was the LS1 engine's low end torque, which had increased to 360lb-ft at 4,400 rpm on automatic-transmission-equipped models, and 375 lb-ft at 4,400 rpm on models equipped with the six-speed manual transmission. These improvements meant that even the “slowest” 2001 Corvette (a base model equipped with an automatic transmission (which accounts for approximately 60% of the Corvettes sold that year)) was still a full quarter second quicker than its 2000 counterpart. Further, when equipped with the performance axle, the automatic would now run as fast as the previous year's manual-gearbox version.

Other mechanical advances to the 2001 Corvette included the introduction of a larger-diameter aluminum driveshaft, and base models equipped with manual-gearbox versions received a revised clutch that required less pedal pressure to engage. Back under the hood, several improvements had been made to the electrical systems. For the first time ever, the Corvette now came equipped with a glass mat battery, which was an improvement over its predecessor. Where the standard battery was certainly no slouch, this replacement was lighter and more durable than the one it replaced. In conjunction with the battery, a revised alternator was introduced that included a new clutch pulley that aided in eliminating “idle creep” on automatic transmission models.

The 2001 model year saw the introduction of the C5 Z06 Corvette, but did you know that the Z06 is actually a naming convention that GM introduced in the early 1960's?

In 1962, Zora Arkus Duntov, Chief Engineer at General Motors (GM), first brought forth the concept of the Z06 in the years after the industry’s 1957 ban on factory-backed racing. The Z06 regular option package was specifically designed for competition-minded buyers, so they could order a race-ready Corvette straight from the factory with just one check of an option box.

The 2001 Z06 Corvette offered similar available upgrades to consumers including the more powerful 385 horsepower LS6 engine. When mated to a standard 6-speed manual transmission, the LS6 provided the 2001 Z06 Corvette with the extra power necessary to provide drivers with a race-ready Corvette, just as Zora Arkus-Duntov had envisioned some forty years earlier.

While most Corvette enthusiasts purchased a Corvette for its horsepower, there was another benefit of the modifications made to the LS1 equipped Corvette that had little to do with performance, but had a significant impact on fuel economy. For the 2001 model year, the fuel economy of the base coupes and convertibles increased by one mile per gallon. Further, all new Corvettes now received the “National Low-Emission Vehicle (NLEV)” certification, meaning that the Corvette not only produced serious performance numbers, but also met stringent emission standards that ensured that the Corvette was “environmentally conscious.”

An Active-Handling system was introduced as a standard feature on all model lines of the Corvette. It featured a new brake-pressure modulator (supplied by Bosch) and a number of new or revised stability system calibrations. A less intrusive stability control system was introduced, replacing the previous version, which had earned a reputation of interfering with the driver's operation of the car.

Some “creature comforts” were introduced for the 2001 model year as well. Automatically dimming “electrochromic” side and rear-view mirrors were added as an option (RPO DD0), though these were only available separately if ordering a Z06 Corvette. If a consumer wished to purchase the “electrochromic” mirrors for their base model coupe or convertible, they could only do so when ordering option group 1SC, which included the dimming mirrors as well as the heads-up display, twilight sentinel and the power telescopic steering column. Other improvements included the introduction of a newly designed convertible top that offered a tighter seal, which improved noise isolation and gave the top a smoother look.

The prices on both the coupe and convertible rose some from the previous year. The coupe started at $40,475 and the convertible at $47,000 (both including the $645 destination charge), the convertible only slightly less than the Z06. While the increase was notable, it did not hinder car sales in the slightest.

In fact, the 2001 season saw the highest Corvette sales volume since the 1985 model, with the total number of units sold tallying 35,627 units, including an impressive 5,773 Z06 coupes, a more-than-respectable number for the car's freshman year.

As Dave Hill pointed out (when asked about the 2001 Corvette lineup) “We've enhanced Corvette's performance persona and broken new ground with the new Z06.” Hill went on to say that the “Second-Generation Active Handling and improved comfort and convenience add luster to America's most enduring high performance sports car.” Based on both customer response and the end of year sales results, it was most definitely certain that the Corvette had a promising commercial future.

At the same time, the Corvette C5-R Racer dominated the competition during the 2001 racing season. Among its many victories that year, the C5-R landed an overall victory at the 24 Hours of Daytona, a double-podium finish at the 12 Hours of Sebring, a number of class victories throughout the American Le Mans Series, including races run in Portland, Sears Point, and Texas Motor Speedway.

Without question, however, the most significant win of the season was the first and second place GT-class finishes of the Corvette Racing teams at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, marking the first time that a Corvette had ever won its class at Le Mans. That victory, more than any other, would leave a mark on the global racing community and demonstrate once and for all that the design and engineering teams behind Corvette had built a car that was as capable as any of its European counterparts.

In August 2001, Chevrolet announced that it would sell as many as five track-ready versions of the C5-R GTS-class racer to private teams, much as it had done with previous, specially modified Corvettes. However, the engine and related electronics had to be purchased separately through Katech and then fitted to the chassis by Pratt and Miller, though both of these companies were partnered with Chevrolet on the C5-R project.

At the end of the 2001 season, with the Z06 now in circulation, the new Corvette had unquestioningly met the expectations of all who were involved with its design and development. The general consensus was that this new Corvette was “simply the quickest, best handling Corvette ever.”

Moreover, David Hill, whose vision to build a Corvette for the driving/racing purists, had been accomplished. As Hill himself explained “We've enhanced Corvette's performance persona and broken new ground with the Z06. With 0 – 60 times of four seconds flat and more than 1g of cornering acceleration (skidpad), the Z06 truly takes Corvette performance to the next level. In fact, the Corvette Team has begun referring to it as the C5.5, so marked are the improvements we've made and the optimization of the car in every dimension.”