1999 Chevrolet Corvette Hard Top car

Corvettes were never designed to be people movers. They were designed to be fun-to-drive, all-American sports cars that can lay a patch of rubber longer than the buffet line at a cheap Vegas hotel. One of the biggest pleasures in life is jumping into a Vette and doing a big, smoky burnout. Every new Vette owner should try it at least once. Switch off the Electronic Traction Control, mash the throttle to the floor, and hang on. Do this in an automatic-equipped Vette and the initial lunge of torque feels strong enough to induce whiplash.

All fifth-generation Vettes feature world-class electronics, near-perfect suspension, and a rigid structure made possible by the twin, hydroformed side rails. However, none of this matters when it comes to peeling out from a stop light like a crazed teenager. The tire-twisting force is made possible by the 350 pound-feet of torque produced by one of the best OHV V-8 powerplants in the world--Chevrolet's 5.7-liter LS1. Even though the new design and its predecessor, the LT4, share very little in the way of actual hardware, the LS1 is an extension of previous Chevy small-block V-8s. Everything from the deep-skirted block to the lightweight pistons to the high-flowing aluminum cylinder heads were designed to fix the flaws suffered by previous engines. The stiffer block reduces flex, noise, and vibration. The lightweight pistons allow the engine to rev faster and higher. The cylinder heads provide for better combustion, which leads to more power and lower emissions. When assembled with other trick bits like a composite intake manifold and dual-wall exhaust manifolds, the engine cranks out a fiery 345 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 350 pound-feet of twist at 4400 revs. Even out of the gate, the LS1 makes 300 pound-feet at just 1500 rpm for a torque curve that's flat and wide.

                 SPECIFICATIONS
        1999 Chevrolet Corvette Hardtop

Base Price               $ 38,197
Price As Tested          $ 40,622
Engine Type              pushrod overhead valve V8, 16 valves
Engine Size              5.67 liters / 346 cu. in.
Horsepower               345 @ 5600 rpm
Torque (lb-ft)           350 @ 4400 rpm
Transmission             6-speed manual
Wheelbase / Length       104.5 in. / 179.7 in.
Curb Weight              3153 lbs.
Pounds Per Horsepower    9.1
Fuel Capacity            19.1 gal.
Fuel Requirement         unleaded premium
Tires                    front: P245/45 ZR17, rear P275/40 ZR18
                         Goodyear Eagle F1 run-flat
Brakes, front/rear       vented disc / vented disc,
                         antilock standard
Suspension, front/rear   independent unequal-length arm with
                         transverse monoleaf spring /
                         independent 5-link with transverse
                         monoleaf spring
Drivetrain               front engine, rear-wheel drive

                    PERFORMANCE
EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon
    city / highway / observed      18 / 28 / 19
0 to 60 mph                        4.8 sec
1/4 mile (E.T.)                    13.3  sec

Corvettes were never designed to be people movers. They were designed to be fun-to-drive.