QUICK SHIFTS: 40 MPG C5 Corvette, Ode to the Burnout, 1963 Found on Christmas Tree Farm, Catsburg Tapped for C8.R, Corvette Trivia

Welcome to Quick Shifts. Quick Shifts is a content feature here at CorvetteBlogger featuring links to Corvette and automotive-related stories of interest. Check out these automotive quick shifts featuring a 40 MPG C5, a love letter to burnouts, “Holy Grail” C2s, a possible new driver at Corvette Racing, an appeal for GM not to use the ‘Vette to chase the Mach-E, Christmas Corvette Trivia, and the Factory Corvette Challenge Cars.

FIRST GEAR

Let’s start with the /Drive and their story about a 1999 Corvette that returns 40 MPG with minimal modifications. YouTuber, LegitStreetCars breached the mythical 40 MPG threshold by simply replacing engine, transmission, and differential oil, getting a basic tune-up, and pumping his tires up to 38 psi before getting a custom dyno tune that bumped his LS1’s output by 16 horses and 11 lb/ft and, more importantly, increased air-fuel ratios, or AFR, at the bottom of the rev range.

Don’t believe us? Read the story for yourself here.

SECOND GEAR

Road & Track has an excellent piece by Zach Bowman entitled, an “Ode to the Burnout,” which, amongst other things, features exclusive photos of the C8 turning its rear Michelins into glorious billows of rubber smoke. This article will remind you of the simple fact that rear-wheel-drive will always be the most enjoyable layout for a performance car, even if AWD provides speed-enhancing, but dull characteristics to the driving experience; like, “traction.” Enjoy on RoadandTrack.com

THIRD GEAR

Third gear features a couple of stories about “Holy Grail” midyear Corvettes. The first one is from the Canadian website, Driving, and features the story of a Vancouver ‘Vette restorer who discovered a 1963 split-window Corvette with the top-of-the-line, 360 HP, fuel-injected 327 while he was hunting for the perfect Christmas tree!

Get the whole story here, eh?

The Robb Report also has a… report on a grail that could be even holier than the ’63 “split-fuelie.” It is one of the twenty L88s produced in the legendary engine’s introductory year of existence. What makes this Sunfire Yellow recipient of a 10-year restoration even cooler is that it is for sale! The coupe is believed to be one of only three ’67 L88s that retains its original motor and it can be yours for an eye-watering price of $3.95 million, which the article suggests may actually be a good buy. The last time one of these beasts publicly changed hands was at Barrett Jackson’s 2014 Scottsdale auction for $3.85 million.

Go out to get some PowerBall tickets then read about the future crown jewel of your collection!

FOURTH GEAR

Sportscar365 is reporting that Antonio Garcia and Jordan Taylor will be sharing their new, No. 3 C8.R with a new endurance racing teammate. The rumor is yet to be confirmed by Corvette Racing but the new hot shoe is 31-year-old Dutchman, Nicky Catsburg who currently drives for BMW and Hyundai in GT3 Comp, and FIA WTCR. If true, Catsburg is expected to help pilot the 3 car at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the twelve Hours of Sebring, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Motul Petit Le Mans.

Get the scoop here.

FIFTH GEAR

A couple of weeks ago, when we didn’t have a new edition of Quick Shifts, Jalopnik’s Justin T. Westbrook penned a great plea for GM to leave the Corvette alone after the unveiling of the awful “Mustang” Mach-E electric crossover.

Don’t leave this article alone! Further (enjoyable) analysis of Ford’s decision to sully the ‘Stang name can be found here, here, and here.

SIXTH GEAR

Christmas (color) Corvette Trivia! Can you match the shades of red and green to each correct Corvette?

Try your hand here.

REVERSE

Reverse this week comes from Hagerty. It is a fascinating look at the C4 Corvette Challenge cars that were built for a Corvette-only series that popped up after early C4s were deemed too dominant to continue in SCCA Showroom Stock GT racing.

Check out the excellent article on Hagerty.com

Related:
MT Car of the Year Finalist, C8 Turns Hater Into Fan, Z06 Steering Wheels, Grand Sport History, Corvette Trivia
Corvette ZR1 Send-Off, CCR Bassist, No C8 Manuals, LT2 Deep Dive, Corvette Trivia and More
Corvette Movie Trivia, PCOTY Flashbacks, Automobile Reviews the C8, Early C8 Mule with a Porsche PDK Transmission