Chasing Cars

ENGINE 5665cc/V8/OHV POWER 345bhp@5600rpm TORQUE 350lb ft@4400rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 172mph 0-60MPH 5.3sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 20-26mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, four-speed automatic MoT August 2018 ODOMETER 64,000 miles

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

Visibility is good for a left-handdrive car, although the long swooping bonnet does dip out of view so care must be taken in corners. It will try to light up the rear tyres if you give the throttle more than a gentle prod, but the automatic gearbox takes care of the gears smoothly and the louder than standard exhaust is a proper headturner. The ride is softer than in previous-generation Corvettes; it’s still feels stiffly sprung in fast corners but the damping is softer, making it more of a GT cruiser than an out-and-out sports car. Steering is tight with a pleasingly quick rack, but you can really feel the wide front tyres on the road. Brakes are excellent, and stop the car hard with no fuss or drama.

BODYWORK CHECK

The paint is almost immaculate bar a couple of small scuffs on the offside door mirror and the bottom corner of the front bumper. The red has a deep shine over the GRP body panels and the panel fit is even. The pop-up headlights and hood mechanism work fine, there’s no damage to the hood fabric and the rear window is clear. The alloy wheels are all excellent and scuff-free. Tyres – 245/45/17 Uniroyals at the front and 275/40/18 Michelins at the back all have good tread. The receipt for the Borla quadexit stainless sports exhaust system is still tucked away in the comprehensive history file.

HOW’S THE INTERIOR?

The tan leather seats are a generous bucket style and very comfortable. The hide has just a little patina from use on the driver’s side, but the embroidered Corvette logos in the back rests are in good order. The matching tan carpets are in very good condition as is the leather steering wheel. There are plenty of toys and luxuries fitted, with the spec list extending to airbags, electric windows, mirrors and memory seats and a Bose stereo with CD player. Air conditioning is also fitted but the next owner will need to get a new condenser fitted for it to blow cold.

UNDER THE BONNET

The huge engine is very clean, with no signs of leaks or repair work and there is no evidence of corrosion in the engine bay or accident damage to the bulkhead or chassis rails. A new battery has just been fitted, and the only deviation from factory specification is the greatsounding aftermarket sports exhaust, loud and sonorous.

THE CCW VIEW

This is a low mileage C5 that has clearly been cosseted. The first owner has written to the dealer to confirm that he drove the car 23,000 miles – and never in winter – and the extensive history file reinforces the genuinely low mileage. This C5 is begging to be driven and enjoyed with the top down over the coming summer months. Fair price, too. Matt Richardson