Even though the C7 Corvette Z06 only had five model years to shine, from a sales perspective, it was the most successful high-performance Corvette variant ever*. From its debut in 2015 until its retirement after the ’19 model year, a whopping 39,940 customers lined up to take delivery of history’s only supercharged Z06. That impressive sum puts it some 12,000 units ahead of its C6 precursor, a car that enjoyed three extra years on the showroom floor. When comparing to its spiritual predecessor, the C6 ZR1 that first utilized forced induction and surpassed the 600-horsepower barrier and enjoyed a similar five-year run, the C7Z comes out on top by a margin of 8.5 to 1.
“The Big Nasty’s” sales numbers are, no-doubt impressive, but they tend to work against it in the secondhand marketplace. With nearly 40k of them out there**, the C7 Z06 isn’t exactly rare, so how does one set theirs apart from the hoard when it comes time to sell?
The easiest answer to that question required some foresight from the original box-checker. Hard-to-find colors can instantly make even the most common Corvette rise above the fold. With the C7Z (which is really only common in the context of its Z brethren), paints like Daytona Sunrise Orange and Black Rose will always be easy sells.
In that same vein, specific option boxes might not be as easily noticeable, but they can have even more of an impact on desirability. With 13% take-rate, 7-speed manual transmissions were deep in the minority during the C7’s lifecycle, but now that they’ve been eliminated completely, the last cars with three pedals are highly sought after.
The other big-ticket item is the Z07 package that, like its name implies, literally took the Z06 to the next level with upgraded aero, the stickiest tires available at the time, a specialized suspension package that include Magnetic Ride Control, and Carbon Ceramic brakes. For $8,000 (almost exactly 10% of the base MSRP), Z07 made the original supercharged C7 the grippiest car Motor Trend had ever seen at 1.16 average lateral g’s in testing.
Without the benefit of clairvoyant ordering last decade, current sellers can make their cars stand out with modifications – though that’s often done to the detriment of the car and its prospects of finding a new dance partner – or other creative means, which finally brings us to today’s Bring a Trailer auction. With Black paint, the 13,000-mile Arizona-based listing finds itself in the most common color category as a one of 7,822 proposition, missing out on the rare color boost, though there’s always something to be said for being the most popular.
The build sheet redeems its boring color selection by containing both Z07 and M7 options though, so the seller is definitely in business. Other niceties include red-stripe wheels, red calipers, the carbon fiber and sueded interior packages, and dual roof package. Customizations seem limited to dual red racing stripes over the top to match the motif created by the brake and wheel setup along with C7.R-style side accent stripe around the Z06 badge and surrounding vent.
It’s the “creativity” quotient where this seller truly gets top marks, though. He isn’t just selling the C7Z, he’s also throwing in a matching, customized 1983 Honda ATC! The 43-year-old Honda wears Maier USA body panels in a familiar black with red stripes and solid black eight-inch wheels. The build finished in 2025 includes a three-inch lengthened frame and a four-inch rear axle extension. It features 140 cc of Piranha power sent through an auto-clutch four-speed. An electric starter, new rear drum brake and a piranha exhaust system round everything off.
With bidding slated to go through nearly noon on Saturday, March 7th, the pair has only begun to scratch the surface at $22,500. Here’s hoping the seller is rewarded for the imaginative two-for-one listing with a nostalgic twist!
*After three full model years, the C8 Z06 has found 25,850 buyers, which puts it on pace to break the C7Z’s five-year total with more than 43,000 sales, but it is also facing a lot more internal competition than the C7 ever did with the ZR1 now being produced at full-steam, the first-ever ZR1X coming online, and the Grand Sport – which should do huge sales numbers – expected for 2027. It’s going to be close!
**Not to mention the 6,327 Third-Gen Cadillac CTS-Vs, approximately 23,500 Sixth-Gen Camaro ZL1s, and the still being produced (at roughly 2,000 units annually) Cadillac CT5-V Blackwings running around out there with – often upgraded versions of – the C7’s LT4 V8.
Source:
Bring a Trailer
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Keep the Honda and the goofy red stripes on the side.
Agreed, leave the three-wheeler with the seller. They were effectively banned in 1988 due to the instability issues inherent with the tricycle design, which resulted in many injuries and some fatalities. Point one down a sand dune, rock the bars right or left, and there’s a good chance you’re going to roll. Trust me, I know! Plus, sand is one thing, asphalt and concrete are another. Even with the lengthened frame on this one, I would never put my “kids or grandkids” on one of these. The safety (and liability) issue is why the manufacturers adopted, and quickly, the four-wheel design.
the red stripes are hideous.
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