Iconic Corvette Pace Car Collection Finds Ecstatic new Owner for $1.375 Million During Annual Indy Spring Classic

Last week during the Annual Indy Spring Classic, the Mecum Auctions saw for the 35th time over 2,500 vehicles cross its legendary block. The total revenue for the event topped over $126 million, with the claim to the third most expensive lot sold excitedly made for the Chevy Corvette Pace Car Collection that changed hands for $1,375,000. Any diehard Corvette fan here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis would be amazed by this collection of 19 Corvette Pace Cars, with the Corvette namesake enjoying Indy 500 pace car status more times than any other model.

Several of these very special and memorable pace cars were reproduced and refined as replicas as the public was allowed in on the bidding war, and others were built specifically with this legendary and historic event in mind. Owner Dr. Richard Foster has long been a dedicated fan of the Corvette Pace Cars, and his collection included six Corvette Pace Car Editions, 8 Indy Motor Speedway authorized replicas, and two Official Pace Cars. 

Four of the six Corvette Pace Car Editions have now received honors from Bloomington Gold or the National Corvette Restorers Society, with one model in particular showing less than one hundred miles on the odometer. The earliest car in this lot was a 1978 model with less than fifty miles on the odometer, shining brightly as a Bloomington Gold Benchmark Certified unrestored example. As you move up through the 1980’s, the 1986 Chevy Corvette Pace Car convertible in very memorable bright yellow with a black cloth top was the second oldest entry in the group.

Then, you move up the line to a Bloomington Gold Benchmark Certified 1995 Chevy Corvette Pace Car Edition, boasting a Dark Purple finish along with Arctic While with only 121 miles on it as new. This one has an awesome maroon hue and is simply one of a kind as far as the spirit of the ‘Vette that we have all long had much love for! 

Another amazing number from this arsenal with only TEN miles on the odometer is the 2003 Corvette Pace Car 50th Anniversary Coupe, which is painted in Anniversary Red, and is also Bloomington Gold Certified. 

One of the most classic scenes of any Corvette group ever is also included in this troupe: it's’ the 2006 Chevy Corvette Pace Car, with Arctic White paint dip and red and blue stripes, as one of only six official Pace Cars built for this occasion. 

2013 marked the end for C6 Generation Corvettes and the flagship 50th Anniversary ZR1 present in this sold lot boasts 638 horsepower and a six-speed manual. As a 60th Anniversary version, it was finished in Arctic White with Blue Diamond leather interior and has just 34 miles driven, another modern marvel that lives and breathes every single amazing and noteworthy essence the Corvette was meant to mirror.

Another one of the unforgettable and picturesque numbers in the collection was the C7 Corvette finished in Laguna Blue, with only 9 miles on the odometer. This is one Corvette that in every single way emulates what a track car should appear as: positioned, prime, and glistening at every single visual angle!

2023 ZO6 Chevy Corvette Hailed by Carbuzz.com for “Quite Possibly Being the Fastest Corvette Ever”

Corvette fans here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis have had quite a bit to be excited about over the past few years, as mid-engined placement and true supercar status have been a result and blessing after many hours of precise work during engineering and design. After being made public just a few months ago and with orders being taken any day now, people are still going absolutely bonkers about the brand-new Chevy Corvette ZO6, including the staff on duty at Carbuzz.com. 

This very high-performance version of the stunning C8-sports car has caused such an adrenaline-infused ruckus that an enthralled bidder recently paid $3.6 million for the very first one, and the newest owner’s manual hints at a 200+ mph V-max. According to the very focused and fine-honed experts at CorvetteBlogger, the owner’s manual also portrays the location of the correct shifting points for minimum and maximum speeds you'll be doling out. Here it is shown that 188 mph is supposedly the maximum speed at which you can downshift from 6th to 5th using the 7-speed manual transmission. 

This leads other seasoned experts to believe that the ZO6 will reach its maximum speed in sixth gear, and with the base C8 Stingray already copping its own form of brilliant attitude and getting up to 194 mph with only 490 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque is another clear indication that the ZO6 could very easily break the 200-mph mark. The ZO6 has plenty of different ways to pack a lot more power than the standard C8 Stingray, courtesy of its unique 5.5-liter naturally aspirated flat-plane crank V8 that haplessly cranks out 670 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. 

The ZO6 will also not come close to breaking a sweat as it generates 734 pounds of downforce when fitted with the high-mount rear wing and front dive planes, while possessing a completely new breed of stability at the high speeds it’s known for. With its amazingly track-tuned coupe and carbon-fiber accessories, there is also the addition of a head-up display and a 10-speaker sound system courtesy of the premium audio masters checking up residence at Bose. You’ll also get four additional speakers and the added benefit of Connected Navigation in the 2LZ, and Climate-controlled seats add enhancement to the comfort inside this mid-level model.

With the bonus of supernatural-seeming leverage from the Electric Power-Assist and Active Steer Stops technologies, you will be able to command the 2023 Corvette ZO6 with an abundance of precision-inspired confidence. Ripping through the 0 to 60 mph range in just 2 seconds, this Chevy coupe had its eyes on being one of the fastest production cars ever launched directly from the beginning. While you are enjoying the out-of-this-world handling on the track, the Performance Track Management is utilizing amazing technology to calibrate the torque flow ideally to best add a sense of expertly engineered G force to the equation!

Fastest Woman in Indy 500 History Sarah Fisher to Reside Behind Wheel of 2023 Z06 Corvette 70th Anniversary Pace Car

We just received the news here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis that one of our very favorite and illustrious personalities will be making her star-studded appearance this coming Sunday, May 29 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Sarah Fisher is going to be happily poised behind the wheel of the 2023 Corvette Z06 70th Anniversary Edition Pace Car, leading the field to the world-famous green flag for the highly-renowned 106th Indy 500. 

This illustrious and finely-honed Ohio native began her journey on the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” 9 different times between 2000 and 2010, setting a viable record for female drivers worldwide. Her fastest 4-lap qualifying speed of 229.439 MPH in 2002 also remains as an event record for any female driver. She also laid the claim to being the first woman to win the pole position for a major North American open-wheel event, dominating the INDYCAR SERIES race in 2002 at Kentucky Speedway. From two-seaters to vintage cars, she has always loved every opportunity she had to drive at Indy and is beyond excited to drive this new pace car as another memory and highlight to add to her career.

The 2023 Corvette Z06 derives power from the all-new 5.5-Liter LT6 which cranks out 670 horsepower, making it the highest-horsepower naturally aspirated V8 to ever hit the market in any production car. This Indianapolis 500 Corvette Z06 Pace car consistently exudes confidence with its wide stance and mid-engine placement. This year’s pace car continues to be the stuff dreams are made of as it is also equipped with the available Z07 Performance Package, featuring a carbon fiber rear wing, carbon-ceramic brakes, and aerodynamic ground effects for maximum capability on the track. 

The car that all of the diehard fans will see blazing past them will be beautifully finished in a special White Pearl Tri-Coat Metallic paint, with unique exterior badging, including special Corvette cross flags, Edge Red brake calipers, and the 70th Anniversary Edition logo on seats, steering wheels, and sill plates. Chevy and the legendary Corvette namesake have been first place in the starting field more than any other manufacturer, and this year marks the 33rd time for Chevy to pace, looking back to 1948, and the 19th time for America’s favorite sports car.

Always known for taking the time needed to appreciate her fans and be a trusted ambassador for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing with bona fide humility and grace, Sarah Fisher is a great choice for this honor. It will be thrilling for many to see her happily lead the field of 33 cars to the green flag before a world-wide audience and watch her enjoy the plentiful perks of the Z06. Chevy models will soon include electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles that offer a design that raises the heart rate, engaging track performance, and the best in modern technology at a reasonable value.

Rare “Zora’s Racer” 1971 Chevy Corvette ZR2 To Grace Bidding Table at Indy Auction

All of us here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis have amazingly fond memories and favoritism for the Chevy Corvette in general, and this week the staff on duty at GMAuthority.com provided the news story on the exciting fate of a very rare model. This 1971 Corvette ZR2 is dubbed as “Zora’s Racer” for Zora Arkus Durkov, the Belgian lead engineer who was knowledgeable enough at his profession to be dubbed the “Father of the Corvette”. 

During the time of its release, it included the optional LS6 454 cubic-inch Big Block rated at 425 horsepower, along with the M22 heavy-duty close-ratio 4-speed manual, heavy-duty power brakes, transistor ignition, metal fan shroud, special aluminum radiator, and F41 Special Suspension featuring front and rear stabilizer bars, special springs, and shocks. It was everything the ZR1 Package is now made up of, but with the rumbling and exciting LS6 Big Block as the powertrain source. Since there were only two built exactly like that, it is one of the rarest Corvette of all time, and is in exceptional condition touting just 8,702 original miles on the odometer. 

It has a factory coat of Brands Hatch Green paint over a black leather interior and boasts both hard and soft tops. The famed and illustrious ZR2 has been the recipient of multiple awards including the prestigious 2001 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals Triple Diamond Award, the 2011 Bloomington Gold Great Hall Inductee Awards, 2015 Bloomington Gold Benchmark and Certified Survivor awards along with the 2017 National Corvette Restorers Society Top Flight Award. Much like an esteemed “Hot Wheels” model that anyone would love to race down the loops and over the high-banked curves of the awesome late 70’s playsets, the Corvette ZR2 convertible’s Hatch Green paint tint is glossy, retro, and completely age-defying!

Inside, the black leather seats don’t show the least bit of creasing, and the door panels sport the faux wood panel from the Custom Interior Trim, along with the center console. This particular model has the flat radio-delete plate in place where the radio would usually exist, and the dash top has not undergone any of the curling these Stingrays so often show as a sign of wear. What the topic of conversation usually turns to for any amazing car such as this is what’s under the hood, and the Corvette ZR2 houses the one-year-only 454 cube, 425-horsepower, LS6 Big Block. 

This model bears extensive documentation with the tank sticker, valid Vehicle Purchase Order, shipping invoice, and all its unique certificates and awards. It will be competitively bid on at the Mecum Auctions Indy Spring classic at the Indianapolis State Fairgrounds the week of May 13. Another very impressive classic Corvette collection will be on display during the Lime Rock Park Historic Festival in Connecticut this coming Labor Day weekend, with the goodies on display ranging from the classic essence of the 1959 Corvette Stingray Racer to the track-ready and always-feared 1992 Stingray III.

GM Set to Lift Spirits During Times of Crisis by Sending 50 Tahoes to Ukraine For Evacuation Aid

As all of us here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis have observed ,due to recent events, there are times when any human individual has no choice but to reach out for necessary help. Many of the circumstances that so many people in the world are facing today force them to relocate and even do so quickly for dear life. This is the reason why Chevy stepped up and has offered 50 Chevy Tahoe SUVs to the citizens of Ukraine and had them ready to go at the border. 

The vehicles were moved into Ukraine safely through a military hub in Rzeszow, Poland, and left in the right hands to accomplish the feats of getting those in dire need of safety to their destination. The Tahoes that will be used to assist with humanitarian needs were much needed, and the decision to donate these vehicles was made following a request from the Embassy of Ukraine in our nation’s capital. This is not the only action Chevy has taken regarding help with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine: we have joined powerful forces with other brands in closing down vital offices and production facilities in Russia, as well as halting vital imports. 

GM has also donated $250,000 to support humanitarian aid efforts in the area, as well as the honorable act of matching US employee donations up to $50,000. Since the world is now changing so rapidly every day and reactionary culture must take a driver’s seat approach when it comes to corporations.

The 2022 Chevy Tahoe with first-class amenities makes comfort a priority for you and your passengers, as you can settle into leather seats on each trim beside the LS. There is also a ten-way power seat adjuster to find your ideal driving position, and you can configure your 12-inch driver information center to display your preferred vehicle information. You’ll enjoy 44.5 inches of first-row legroom, while your second-row passengers can stretch out with 42 inches and third-row passengers with 36.7 inches. One of the reasons the Tahoe was so appropriate for this dire need? With the third-row seats upright, you’ll have 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space in the rear.

Safety features on this year’s Tahoe include front and rear park assist, forward collision, front pedestrian braking, following distance indicator, and lane keep assist with lane departure warning. You’ll also be under the watchful eye of automatic emergency braking, Intellibeam automatic high beams, lane change alert with side blind zone alert, rear cross traffic alert, and a safety seat alert. Some of the premium technology features that will aid those in dire need to escape conflict are a rear camera mirror, HD surround vision, navigation with Google built-in, Bluetooth with voice commands, and the quintessential wireless device charging option.

 

“Guitar Hero” Paul Stanley of KISS will Part With his 2022 Corvette Convertible, Along with One of his 6-Stringed Legendary Treasures

We love ourselves some high-decibel classic rock and roll along with heavy metal here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis, as bands such as KISS bring back memories of some of the loudest and fastest cars of all time. Legendary frontman Paul Stanley is going to auction his 2022 Chevy Corvette Stingray Convertible at Barrett-Jackson’s upcoming Las Vegas Auction to be held from June 30 to July 7. His iconic Corvette is listed with the VIN number 001 for the 2022 model year and is finished in a gorgeous Red Mist Metallic Tincoat. 

It also boasts a black roof, the track ready Z51 package, and a characteristic high wing spoiler. The interior sports the bold tan-colored leather that covers the seats and parts of the dashboard, door panels, and transmission tunnel. Other areas are clad in characteristic black leather with tan-colored contrast stitching, and we have long known that Paul Stanley has been one of the most high-profile and enthusiastic Corvette fans there is: he had gone to great trouble to design a C7 Corvette Stingray that was displayed last year at SEMA.

Whoever wins this bid will receive much more than the keys to the car, as they also will be handed a custom and autographed PS120 Paul Stanley Signature guitar. The lucky recipient of this amazing car will also receive the guitar which is another deep part of who Paul is, and he is excited to bring great joy to other people with a killer all-American car and guitar. Ibanez is also the brand that has long partnered up with and sponsored Joe Satriani and is known for its heavier metal tone and grave adjustability. 

Diehard customers have been thrilled with the Corvette’s exotic sports-car performance, easy to live with drive daily, and high-end trim levels that fully offer up a premium experience. Being the first generation to have the naturally aspirated V8 engine mounted behind the passenger compartment has been an integral part of boosting our beloved halo sports car into the realm of exotic and highly-sought-after machinery. The incredibly sharp handling and ground-shattering acceleration are a stellar match for sports cars that cost much more, but you could also enjoy a refined enough ride to traverse cross-country. 

We admire Paul for the willingness to part with these two amazingly prized possessions, and the 70th Anniversary Model will also mark illustrious Corvette history this year, seeing availability on the top-line 3LT trim. Some of the distinguished exterior enhancements include dark-finish aluminum wheels with 70th Anniversary center caps, red brake calipers, and leather upholstery with red stitching and microfiber trim. With the Z51 Package’s addition you’ll be making 495 horsepower, and enjoy the addition of summer tires, screeching aggressive brakes, and our patented electronic limited-slip differential.

Track-Ready and Perpetually Prepped for Speed: 2023 Corvette Z06 Orders to Soon Begin

It was October of 2021 when the 2023 Corvette Z06 made its official debut, which then introduced a very capable performance model in the latest 8th-generation Chevy Corvette C8 lineup. Dedicated ‘Vette fans right here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis are eager to get their hands on the new Corvette Z06, and the always hard-working staff on duty at GM Authority have officially learned when the order books are officially set to become open.

The 2023 Corvette Z06 ordering will begin late this spring, and there are plenty of new highlights the car boasts to be excited about. There is an all-new engine onboard in the form of the naturally-aspirated 5.5-Liter V8 LT6 gas engine, rated at 670 horsepower and 460lb-ft of torque. The new LT6 can sensationally spin up to an 8,600-rpm redline, while at the same time resonating its unique-sounding exhaust note. The LT6 now also features an active split intake manifold, a flat-plane crank, twin 87 mm throttle bodies, and a track-focused dry-sump oil system. The LT6’s engine connects to the rear wheels through an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and the Z06 now presents a more aggressive exterior.

 

The Z07 Performance Package is one of the ways that anyone who was particularly rubbing their hands with glee waiting for this massively capable beast can make things jump from sensational to simply out of this world! It sees the addition of full carbon fiber aero components, larger carbon-ceramic brakes, stickier Michelin Sport Cup 2 R ZP tires, and optional carbon fiber wheels. The 2023 Corvette Z06 will be offered in both Coupe and Convertible body styles and rides on the amazingly engineered GM Y2 platform. 

Anxious speed freaks everywhere can’t wait to get their hands on the Z06, and the GM Authority dedicated troupe also showed off the Z06’s awesome orange hue looks here on their blog last month. Beyond the well-polished appearances and perfect lighting schemes at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, this is a well-cultivated example of what the ‘Vette will look like situated on the showroom floor. Up front, you can notice the Z06’s unique front fascia, with larger intakes and a characteristically wide stance. You’ll also be screeching through corners and enjoying adrenalin-laced straightaways using a plus-sized carbon splitter and front-corner dive planes.

In this profile the new “wishbone” shape can also be noticed, as well as gigantic split-spoke wheels finished in black. Very large performance brakes are in place to get slowed down in a necessary hurry, with the calipers seeing a silver finish. The rear end illustriously sports quad centrally placed exhaust tips, which look great along with the massive Z07 carbon fiber wing on top. Full-scale production is on schedule right now to take place at the GM Bowling Green Assembly plant in Kentucky, pieced together proudly by All-American men and women who are naturally in love with iconic cars such as this themselves!