The 638-horsepower LS9 from Chevrolet’s new Corvette ZR1 is the most powerful engine GM has ever made. The 1969 Camaro is (arguably) the most beautiful car GM has ever made. Combine the two, and you have a match made in heaven known (lovingly) as Jackass.
Made by Mark Stielow, the Jackass Camaro not only features the engine from the ZR1, but the GIGANTIC carbon-ceramic brakes as well.
Rounding out the package is a Tremec T56 six-speed out of a Viper, and an Art Morrison subframe to hold it all together.
In all, Mark says that it would have been “cheaper to just buy a ZR1”, but then you wouldn’t have the baddest car on the block.
What do you get when you combine the potent potential of the Corvette ZR1 with an Italian coachbuilder that gave shape to automotive legends like the Pininfarina P4/5?
You get the Mantide, an unfortunately named custom from Stile Bertone and head builder Jason Castriota. The Mantide is a carbon fiber creation that takes 220 lbs off the already svelte ZR1, giving the resulting car a 0-60 time of just 3.2 seconds on its way to a top speed of 217mph. Inside, outside, underneath and all around you’ll find custom touches that set the Mantide apart from just about any other car on the planet, and you better, considering they want $2 million from you if you’re going to be one of the lucky ten to own one.
But hey, look on the bright side: At least it won’t get confused for a Prius!
Given the chance, I’m sure Santa would gladly trade in his sleigh for a 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1.
Featuring a supercharged (positive-displacement Roots-type) 6.2L LS9 engine producing “at least 100 horsepower per liter”, 595 lb.-ft of torque, a six-speed transmission, 15.5 and 15-inch carbon-ceramic disc brakes, tuned suspension that gives more than 1g of cornering grip, magnetic selective ride control, carbon-fiber front fenders, hood, roof panel, roof box, front fascia splitter and rocker moldings, a polycarbonate window in the hood that offers a view of the intercooler, a heads-up display, low three second 0-60 times, and a 200+ mph top speed, it’s the baddest ‘Vette to ever leave the assembly line.
For comparison’s sake, the power-to-weight ratio of the new ZR1 is better than the Porsche 911 GT2, the Ferrari 599, and the Lamborghini LP640.
Want one?
Better start saving that Christmas cash, because you’ll need to write out at least six digits to get your own; but boy will it be worth it!
