It shouldn’t exist. And yet, here it is.
Chevy originally designed the fixed roof coupe version of the C5 Corvette to be the budget friendly choice for enthusiasts—simple, stiff, and inexpensive. But after just two years on the market, that same fixed roof platform became the foundation for something entirely different: the performance focused Z06, introduced in 2001 and celebrated for its rigidity and track ready character.
What Chevy never intended, of course, was a convertible Z06. But that didn’t stop one owner from making it happen.
Back in June 2001, when this car had barely logged any miles, its first owner sent it to the Prefix Corporation in Rochester Hills, Michigan—a shop known for high end prototype and specialty work. Prefix removed the Z06’s signature fixed roof and installed a black soft top, added leather wrapped roll hoops, and bolted on an aero package that looks more tuner inspired than factory approved. Dive planes, a domed hood, revised side skirts, a wraparound rear spoiler—this Z06 doesn’t exactly blend in.
Whether you love the look or not, and we do, it’s undeniably bold. But interest has been modest so far on Bring a Trailer, where the car is now on its third appearance since March 2023. It previously bid to $31,750 and $28,600; this time around, the high bid sits at $21,111 with three days remaining.
Finished in black over black leather, the car still carries the unmistakable presence of an early 2000s performance icon—just one with a personality all its own.
Underneath the custom work, though, it remains a true Z06. The 5.7-liter LS6 V8, factory rated at 385 horsepower, still feeds a six-speed manual and a limited slip differential. The forged wheels, stiffer suspension, and larger stabilizer bar are all intact. Inside, the black leather buckets with red Z06 embroidery, the 200-mph speedometer, and the familiar mix of analog and digital gauges all remain, save for a Hinson Motorsports shift knob.
And with just 8,320 miles, it’s barely been exercised in its 25 years—roof or no roof.
As expected, the comments section has thoughts. Some purists argue that removing the roof undermines the Z06’s whole purpose: rigidity and weight savings. Others counter that the C5 platform was stout enough that even the targa cars felt solid, and that the joy of open-air driving might outweigh any theoretical loss in stiffness.
Then there’s the question of long-term value. Is this a curiosity destined to sit outside the collector mainstream? Or the kind of oddball, one off conversion that becomes more interesting—and more desirable—as time passes?
No one can say for sure. But everyone agrees on one thing: this car starts conversations.
For the right buyer—maybe even you—it offers something rare: the performance of a Z06 paired with the open-air freedom Chevy never built.
Source:
Bring a Trailer
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Chevrolet never made a convertible C5 or C6 Z06 for a reason, but what do those engineers know? One hard day on a track and doubt the doors will shut right. You couldn’t give me this mess.
Seller better let it go this time around,high bids keep dropping with each listing.
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