QUICK SHIFTS: Corvette ZR1 Send-Off, CCR Bassist, No C8 Manuals, LT2 Deep Dive, Corvette Trivia and More

Quick Shifts is a content feature here at CorvetteBlogger featuring links to Corvette and automotive-related stories of interest.

The weeks on the calendar that feature auto-shows are the hardest weeks to find unique content but we still managed to find some excellent things to share with our rabid readers! Check out these automotive quick shifts featuring a goodbye to the C7 ZR1, CCR’s Stu Cook’s questionable taste in cars, extra C8 price relief, reasons for the loss of the manual transmission, LT1 vs. LT2, Corvette Trivia, and Lingenfelter vs. the Blue Angels.

FIRST GEAR

Automobile posted a quick but fond farewell piece to the C7 ZR1 that is definitely worth a look for anyone with bittersweet feelings towards the 2020 Stingray. A few weeks ago, we surmised that R&T’s article comparing “Chest Hair Charlie” to a GT-R and a NASCAR Stocker would be the final time to read about the ZR1 as a new car. This time we fear it might actually be true. It has been fun!

Enjoy a final sendoff to the greatest front-engine ‘Vette here.

SECOND GEAR

For their recurring column, Celebrity Drive, Motor Trend spoke to Creedence Clearwater Revival’s bassist, Stu Cook about his vehicle history. What usually stands out about this column is how little most celebs actually know/care about cars (Dax Shepard’s was fun!). The headline for Stu reads, CCR’s Stu Cook Sold His Corvette for This BMW” which, it turns out, is just a 2012 650i, not even an M6! We think we speak for all Corvette fans and general driving enthusiasts when we say, “What an idiot!” Needless to say, we are disappointed in this “Fortunate Son” and won’t be able to keep from shaking our heads the next time we hear “Born on the Bayou.”

Read the full article here.

THIRD GEAR

We already know that the C8 and its $59,995 base price are an incredible value when compared to any other mid-engine car on the market. If you want to feel even better about dropping $60k+ on what most people will call “just a toy,” read on! We would like to point out a few recent “luxury-item” auctions that make a Stingray seem like an absolute steal, even fully-loaded! First off is a bottle (yes, just one bottle) of whisky that set a record when it sold for… $1.9 Million at the end of October! The whisky, which has the possibility of being enjoyed, actually might have been a good buy once you start to consider the next two items which both fall in the textile category. The sweater that Nirvana front man, Kurt Cobain wore during the band’s MTV “Unplugged” session brought its former owner and Race Team Owner, Garrett Kletjian a whopping $334,000 (an outstanding investment as it last sold in 2015 for $137,500) when it sold a couple of weeks ago. If Nirvana isn’t your jam and/or you want to read about people with far more money to spend on garments with minimal uses, Olivia Newton-John’s outfit from the musical, Grease found a new owner last weekend, to the tune of $405,700!

Refamiliarize yourself with the phrase “more money than sense” here, here, and here.

FOURTH GEAR

Hagerty posted an in-depth look at reasons for the C8’s lack of a manual transmission. It is a good read and the comments section is a nice place to vent if you are like us and still struggle with the thought of an auto-only ‘Vette.

Read and share your feelings here

FIFTH GEAR

We are heavy on Motor Trend links this week but when someone is on their ‘Vette game, we have to share it with you. Fifth gear is a look at what separates the C8’s new LT2 engine from its LT1 counterpart. Interesting stuff though it still doesn’t make 650 HP.

Educate yourself with Motor Trend.

SIXTH GEAR

Corvette Trivia!!!!! This week, we are asking you to pick specific Corvettes out of a crowd. Be careful with our C1s; you’ll have to really squint at the hood for the 1958. Good Luck!

Play Corvette Trivia #6

REVERSE

As we previewed in our semi-weekly poll, our reverse gear this week is dedicated to the fastest car that we have ever seen. Appropriately, to find a match for this beast, Motor Trend raced it against the Blue Angels. If you forgot about this car, prepare to get your mind blown by Lingenfelter’s ’02 screamer!

‘Vette vs. Jet 2002 edition

Previous Quick Shifts:
Corvette Movie Trivia, PCOTY Flashbacks, Automobile Reviews the C8, Early C8 Mule with a Porsche PDK Transmission
Corvette Racing’s Doug Fehan, Best Driver’s Car, 2009 GT1 Special Edition, SEMA Preview, Corvette Trivia and More
C8 vs C7 Corvette, Logo Trivia, C8 Acceleration, Throwback Reviews, and More