Tagged: Illustrated Corvette Series
When the new 1984 Corvette was shown to the automotive press in the Summer of ‘83, there was a wave of euphoria. “FINALLY!!! A New Corvette!” As there should have been. After all, the Shark had been with us since 1968 and the steel parameter frame and suspension since 1963. The chassis was designed somewhere around 1960! So you could say the car was a little over due for an update.
In retrospect the C4 was an extraordinary generation. It came with 205-horsepower, went out with the 330-horsepower LT4, and maxed out with the 405-horsepower LT5. Here are the highlights:
The 1996 LT4 small-block wasn’t just another upgrade—it was the final, high-performance evolution of Chevrolet’s legendary Gen II V8. Rated at 330 horsepower, yet often producing far more in real-world testing, the LT4 combined higher compression, better breathing heads, and a hotter cam to create a true driver’s engine. Available only with the 6-speed manual, it delivered a raw, connected experience that marked the end of the classic small-block era—and set the stage for everything that followed.
For the last three months I’ve been having fun with my VETTE Magazine monthly column, “The Illustrated Corvette Series” looking back at what I believe are the “best” of every generation Corvette. So far, we have looked at the ‘62 Fuelie Corvettes and the ‘67 427/435 L89 Big-Block. This month we’re looking at the last of the C3 Corvettes, the ‘82 Collector Edition Hatchback. While it wasn’t the stump-puller from the late ‘60s and early ‘70, the ‘82 Collector Edition was a very sweet machine. So, let’s get straight to it! – Scott
Every debutante has her day, that special day when she’s the bell of the ball. Corvette styling chief and lead designer of the C6 Corvette and the Corvette Stingray Concept car, Tom Peters was a proud papa on February 11,2009 when GM’s Ed Welburn debuted the Corvette Stingray Concept car at the Chicago Auto Show. Before we get into the rest of the event, let me get this out of the way in the beginning. In Spring ‘11 I had the opportunity to talk at length with Tom Peters for my Illustrated Corvette Series No. 170 2-page color special edition covering the latest and arguably the swoopiest Corvette concept car to ever wear the Corvette moniker. Tom was emphatic, “This is NOT the C7 Corvette.”
LinkedIn Plays Key Role in Getting K. Scott Teeters his Illustrated Corvette Series Book Deal! The Creation of the Illustrated Corvette Series by K. Scott Teeters. Scott Parkhurst connected with me because he was familiar with my illustration work with one of the many car magazines I’ve freelanced for. Here’s what’s cool about LinkedIn. As a member, you can post announcements that go out to everyone in your Connections List. One day I read an announcement that Scott Parkhurst was now the New Acquisitions Editor at CarTech Books. I thought, “Wait a minute. I sent those guys a proposal and they never got back to me.” I emailed Scott, told him that I had pitched CarTech Books months ago. Scott must be a real, “Do it NOW!” kind of guy because he got right on it. Within a few days, we had a verbal agreement to do the book!
