Looking at it now, it’s hard to fathom this 2003 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 had traveled only 1,600 miles when the unthinkable happened. However, the mishap also occurred back in 2003, and over the last couple of decades some progress has been made to repair the damage, but there’s still quite a bit more work to be done here. The car is not currently running, so in addition to bodywork, the next owner will be faced with some mechanical issues to deal with as well. Fortunately, there’s no reserve here, so the most optimistic contender will be taking over where the present owner left off.
We don’t get any details of what happened shortly after the ‘Vette was new, and also no photos of what the car looked like after the crash before any fiberglass reconditioning took place. There also aren’t any pictures provided from the driver’s side and the only visible panel from any viewpoint that still shows shiny Electron Blue paint is the passenger’s door, so there’s already been some massaging efforts to get the body straightened out. A rear panel from GM is also included, although this component is going to need a few minor parts before it’ll be ready for action.
In 2003, the Z06 package took the already powerful 5.7-liter engine and upped the ante by an additional 55 horsepower, making the number climb from 350 up to 405. It also produced a whopping 400 foot-pounds of torque, so it’s possible all that goodness got out of the driver’s control, or perhaps whatever happened was entirely no fault of their own. In any event, the V8 is no longer running, and no information has been given as to why. As reader EL Greco pointed out, the Z06 models only came with a 6-speed manual, which is hopefully still functioning properly but there’s no mention of its condition.
The inside area still looks presentable, so hopefully, not too much attention will need to be devoted to the interior. Possibly the biggest downer in the cabin is that both airbags deployed, so repairs here will need to be added to the to-do list, along with sourcing a set of door panels. Another area that received damage in the collision was the frame, and although the seller says it’s already been fixed, a second set of eyes inspecting the platform may be time well spent.
If you’re ready to take things over, this 2003 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is in Jackson, New Jersey, and can be found here on eBay. 42 bids have already taken the price to $6,225, so some enthusiasts are spotting potential here. That’s understandable, as once this one’s completed, it should be a fun C5 to get behind the wheel of. Is this a project you’d have any interest in getting into?
ALL Z06’s came with the six speed. None were ever built with a shush box.
The C5 Z is a classic and it’s a great car. That said to blow the bag’s means it hit something pretty hard and although the miles are low you’re buying a bit of a pig in a poke. These have thin wall hydroformed frame and frame damage that isn’t right makes the car junk.
Still at the prices being bid it’s good value. I have 60k on mine that I bought new in 2004 and aside from a water pump and refreshing the diff the car has nothing other that regular maintenance in the 20 years (almost to the day) that I’ve had it.
It’s hard to believe that styrofoam and plastic have replaced steel bumpers. At least styrofoam doesn’t cost nearly as much to rechrome as steel, the last time that I checked…
If it’s straight on the alignment rack and no safety issues , could be really cool hot rod to po purist..
I admire the optimism some have. A grouchy guy like me would suggest “don’t bother”. Basically, everything on this car is in question, and you will spend a lot of money answering those questions. Cars.com currently has one with 2700 miles listed for $41K. Pay it now or pay it later.
Ebay ad says clean title but I wonder. A brand new car is, generally speaking, insured, so why wasn’t it repaired?
Frame damage and deployed air bags usually leads to insurance companies declaring vehicles as total losses. Was it bought back but the extent of repair needed overwhelmed the owner?
I’m curious but if I were bidding, I’d really want to know.
Its a clean title as it wasn’t totaled. He took the repair cash instead & kept it. Better off just parting it out unless he gets more than $15k for it.
I parted out a ’97, same body, guy hit a pole at 60+ dead center. By the time I sold everything, nothing went to waste, made over $12k back.
Sold the LS eng for $4300 w/ECM w/ 52k miles. Not bad considering I bought it for $4700 from an ins co.
Guy here that buys LS engs to make hot rods for celebs here in Sun Valley. They can clock 200k w/ no major probs. Built a few restos myself w/ same eng. No more. Now it’s Mustangs with stolen drive trains.
I’m done w/ those Vettes since buying my ’23 F350 w/ 7.3 Godzilla. With 430hp & 485ft lb, I’m buying these bullet proof engines that are the new LS, for Ford now. Every rigorous test shows 200-300k miles out of them. The lifter/cam delam, was bad Canadian stock alum on ’20 thru late 21’s, issue is dead now.
OK. You sold a used LS for $4300, but it ran. This one doesn’t. There is a difference.
Full disclosure, I am a huge fan of the C5, particularly the FRC. (I currently own a 2000 that I bought new.) That being said, this thing would cause me to take a really big pause before considering it, even at the current bid. I can’t even begin to list the number of problems this thing could have. It’s a damn shame to see one this far gone, but the bottom line is, it IS this far gone. Hard pass from me.
If you wanted more information regarding the accident that triggered the bags, you could have the Airbag Control Module downloaded. It would likely show the speed for approximately 5 seconds before the impact, as well as the accelerator pedal position leading up to the crash, velocity change of the vehicle due to the crash (accident severity) and other data. An airbag deployment locks the data in the module so it likely is still available. Based on the interior photos, it look like the module has not been removed so that is something that could be done if it is important to a buyer.
Drivetrain and “other parts” may be worth it for another good project. That’d be my interest if any.
So,where was the damage? Front or back? Will the air bags deploy with a rear end collision?
I think the answer to your question is yes…. Probably hit on both ends.
With the new rear valence it was for sure rear ended. Air bags don’t go off in a rear ender. The headlight covers are different color so they’ve likely been replaced, but the front bumper cover if original doesn’t show much damage and neither does the hood.
Could have run off the road at speed and done frame damage, these cars are low and the front cross member can hit something and damage the frame without having much damage to the bodywork.
Didn’t meet reserve at $8400 so the seller knows he can probably part it out for a good bit more.
Note that these windshields (thinner glass than an non-Z06 car) are NLA and would go for a pretty penny given the low mileage on this one.