car and entertainment

2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

19 years after its first release, a new Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is set to reclaim the title as the king. As the most powerful production Corvette ever, the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is designed to compete with the best exotic sports cars in the world but retails at a fraction of the cost of equal European supercars.

Powered by a new supercharged LS9 6.2-liter V8 engine, the 2009 ZR1 will offer at least 620 hp and 595 lb-ft of torque with a top speed of over 200 mph. Helping achieve that is a supercharger complemented with an integrated charge cooling system for maximum performance. A 6-speed, close-ratio transmission and a high-capacity dual-disc clutch deliver the power to the rear axle.

While Chevrolet have yet to release official performance figures, the ZR1 is expected to be the first production Corvette to achieve a top speed of at least 200 mph and is likely to reach 60 mph in around 3 seconds.

With features of unique, exposed carbon-fiber body panels, a raised hood with a window to the LS9 engine and massive 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels, there’s little chance the new Corvette ZR1 will be mistaken for any other model. It also wears distinguishing blue accents, including the engine cover visible through the hood window, the brake calipers and the rear fascia badge — the only rear fascia badge affixed to current-generation Chevrolet Corvettes.

The Corvette ZR1 is built on the same aluminum-intensive chassis as the Corvette Z06 and features similar independent SLA front and rear suspensions, with aluminum upper and lower control arms. Where the Corvette ZR1 differs is the suspension tuning, which was optimized for the car’s steamroller-wide front and rear tires.

The brakes are visible through the Corvette ZR1’s exclusive wheels: 20-spoke alloy rims that measure 19 inches in diameter in the front and 20 inches in the rear. They come standard with a bright, Sterling Silver paint finish and chrome versions are optional. The wheels are shod in Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires developed specifically for the ZR1, measuring P285/30ZR19 in front and P335/25ZR20 in the rear.

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2008 Chevrolet Corvette

An all-new LS3 6.2-liter V8 engine that produces 430 horsepower and 424 lb-ft of torque is standard for the 2008 Chevrolet Corvette coupe and convertible.

Interior trim is updated including a wrapped center trim plate with Cyber pattern brushed aluminum accents and an available custom Leather-Wrapped Interior Package.

Shift effort for the 6-speed manual transmission is improved and shift times are quicker for the paddle-shift 6-speed automatic.

Standard wheels are a new split-spoke cast aluminum design and Competition Gray finish is optional.

New exterior colors are Jetstream Blue Metallic Tintcoat and Crystal Red Metallic Tintcoat.

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Classic Corvette 1953

The Corvette was General Motor's answer to the ever growing demand of European roadsters in the US. When designing the Corvette, Chevrolet's engineers focused on saving weight to allow the Corvette to compete with these small roadsters.

Production started in June 1953 in a temporary facility in Flint, Michigan. All 300 cars produced in 1953 were white with red interiors. For 1954 Chevrolet planned a 10000 car production, but of the 3640 cars produced, a third remained unsold at year's end. Corvette's end seemed near when only 700 units rolled off the line in 1955.

It was the success of the 1955 Ford Thunderbird that was essential for the Corvette's future. To answer that success Chevrolet decided to completely restyle the Corvette for 1956. Revision were carried through to the suspension, engine and exterior. After a difficult first three years, 1956 was a turning point for the better with production figures increasing every year. The 10000 car mark was reached in 1960.

Enjoy photos of Corvette 1953 at the following posts:
1953 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster
Classic Chevrolet Corvette 1953 Roadster

Classic Chevrolet Corvette 1953 Roadster

There have been six generations of the Corvette so far. The generations can be referred to as versions C1 through C6, but the first generation is more commonly referred to as a solid-axle, based on the fact that independent rear suspension (IRS) was not available until 1963. The first generation started in 1953 and ended in 1962.

The original Corvette emblem incorporated an American flag into the design of 1953 Corvette; this was later dropped, since associating the flag with a product was frowned upon.

New York's Waldorf Astoria hotel was the host of the 1953 Motorama. This edition is best remembered for the introduction of a motoring legend; the Corvette. The Corvette definitely wasn't an immediate hit and after three years of production it was almost canceled altogether.

The Corvette C1 roadster was General Motor's answer to the ever growing demand of European roadsters in the US. When designing the Corvette, Chevrolet's engineers focused on saving weight to allow the Corvette to compete with these small roadsters. A lot of weight was saved by constructing the entire body of fiberglass.

The Corvette was propelled by a 150 bhp straight six engine, which was mated to a Powerglide 3-speed auto 'box. A 'hotter' cam was fitted halfway through 1954, which was good for another 5 bhp. In 1955, the first series' final year, a 195 bhp V8 and a 3-speed manual were added to the line-up.

Read the following blog entries related to the Corvette 1953:
1953 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster
Classic Corvette 1953

1953 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster

In 1953, Chevrolet presented the Corvette concept car, which was the prototype for the first American sports car and the first fiberglass-bodied production car in America.

This American icon was one of the few Motorama dream cars to go into production with styling virtually unchanged.

This 1953 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster pre-production vehicle was on display at the 1953 Motorama at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.

The Motoramas of the 1950s were showcases of technical and styling innovations that toured several large cities.

Visitors were given a glimpse of future automobiles, and were entertained by orchestras and dance performances.

You can find more information about Classic Corvettes in this blog.

Check out the following blog entries about the Corvette 1953:
Classic Chevrolet Corvette 1953 Roadster
Classic Corvette 1953

Concept Chevrolet Corvette Z03

Similar in appearance to "Ugur Sahin Design" earlier Ferrari Dino Concept, the new Corvette Z03 is based on the much cheaper Chevrolet Corvette Z06 although with that car's proven motorsports record, it shouldn't prove to be too much of a step down.

Undeniably still a Corvette, the Ugur Sahin Z03 manages to successfully update design elements from classic Chevrolet Corvettes of the past including the twin rear lights and the razor-edged panels of the Sting Ray.

Some Ferrari-like design elements have understandably also crept in such as the twin air scoops in the nose and the side vents behind the front wheel arches.

As well as the exterior, further changes have been made to the interior and, more importantly, the Corvette's V8 powerplant. There will be three engine choices in total, ranging from a hardly inconsiderable 500bhp to a mind-blowing 750bhp, which easily trumps the range-topping Corvette ZR1's 628bhp.

The Z03 will also come in at up to 50kg lighter than the standard Corvette and thanks to involvement from former Chevy Corvette chief engineer Dave McLellan should be good for go as well as show. Further details will be released in March with an ambitious target of delivery to customers by the end of the year.

Chevrolet Corvette Z03 Concept

Chevrolet Corvette Z03 is one of the first projects that came from "Ugur Sahin Design", which was formed by Axel van Mourik and Ugur Sahin in the summer of 2007.

The Corvette Z03 is actually the first in what the company intends to be a series of high-end, high-performance limited edition vehicles based on existing cars.

"Ugur Sahin Design" teamed up with suppliers such as Flybrid Systems, Modesi Design, Fischer Motorsports and Kirkham Motorsports on the Corvette Z03 Concept.

The last time "Ugur Sahin Design" was widely discussed, it was for a gorgeous modern Ferrari Dino rendering that had us hoping for a production version.

"Ugur Sahin Design" plans to put the Corvette Z03 Concept into production by the end of 2008 and deliver 100 cars.

Chevrolet Corvette Z03

Dutch studio "Ugur Sahin Design", which is famous for its 3D-concepts Ferrari Dino и Audi Locus (summer 2007), presented its new project. This time Dutch designers chose American legend Chevrolet Corvette for their concept.

The Chevrolet Corvette Z06, stylized as Corvettes of the third generation, which were produced in the middle of 70th, is used as a base for the concept. Dutch design house penned an extreme version of the American sports car dressed in an attractive carbon fiber body.

According to “Ugur Sahin Design”, the Corvette Z03 features a series of mechanical upgrades including three engine packages which range from 500 to 750 HP. The approximate weight of the car is expected 1375 kg, which is about 23 kg less then Corvette Z06.

More detailed information about the project will become in March, 2008. Sales are expected to begin at the end of this year.

Corvette Z03 are planned to be put into a limited edition run of 100 units. Each customer will be able to choose personalized touches that include custom mixed paint, upgraded interior treatments including gauges, dashboard, custom created Recaro seats and more.

Visit also:
More information about Corvette Z03 and Ugur Sahin Design
Further details about features of Chevrolet Corvette Z03

Chrysler 300 in Kish

Car: Chrysler 300
City: Kish Island

Story: Merci Sina Hanirad

Audi Q7 & BMW X3

Car: Audi Q7
City: Isfahan (Shohada Square)
Story: Merci Arman Ghasemi

Car: BMW X3
City: Tehran
Story: Merci Sina Hanirad

Porsche Boxster & Custom Porsche

Car: Porsche Boxster
Story: Merci Masoud Khajehei Jahahromi

Car: Customized Porsche
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Shah's 1957 Ferrari 410 Superamerica

-ABOVE PHOTO: Shah's car now in the US -

Car: 1957 410 Superamerica Series II (PF Coupe)
Story: Chassis # S/N 0717, Grigio Fumo / Rosso. In July 1957 this Paris Salon car was sold new to Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi of Iran. Empress Soraya Esfandiary of Persia got the car as a parting gift before the Shah got a new wife.

The car came to America in the 1960s and passed through several different hands. It was the 1978 "Best in Class" winner at Pebble Beach and 1980 "Best of Show" and "Phil Hill Award" winner at the FCA Nationals. The car was recently given a complete restoration and engine rebuild by Gran Turismo Motors in Glendale, California. It last appeared in the Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance in August 2002. The car was sold to its current owner Wayne Nelson of Longwood, Florida.

- ABOVE PHOTOS: Mr. Enzo Ferrari himself presenting the new car to Reza Pahlavi and his wife Soraya -