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2006 Corvette Z06 Coupe Prototype Up For Auction

GM dropped cover on the C6 Corvette Z06 for the 2006 model year, revealing a lightweight, high-powered, track-ready sports car that blew away the critics thanks to its impressive supercar-levels of performance. Now, this early 2006 Corvette Z06 prototype model will be up for grabs in an upcoming auction.

Built at the GM Bowling Green plant on February 4th, 2005, this 2006 Corvette Z06 prototype endured a variety of testing and development sessions at various race tracks, all in the name of ensuring the Z06’s track-ready credentials. Among this prototype’s accomplishments was a run on the German autobahn by Tony Rifici, who took the two-door up to 200 mph in June of 2005. Further high-speed testing was conducted in Papenberg, Germany, where Patrick Herrmann averaged 198.6 mph in both directions, while Jim Mero took the helm for test laps at Spa-Francorchamps. Jan Magnussen is another big name that sat in the hot seat, clipping off a 7:42.99 lap time at the Nurburgring.

Without a doubt, the C6 Corvette Z06’s party piece is the naturally aspirated 7.0L V8 LS7 gasoline engine, which is capable of revving up to a 7,000-rpm redline. Output when new was rated at 505 horsepower, all of which is sent to the rear axle through a six-speed manual transmission.

Notably, this particular example was refreshed in 2008 with a new LS7 engine, a new transmission, and a new torque tube. Also of note is the interior, where we find Sparco Evo L racing seats and Simpson five-point harnesses, plus a harness bar in back.

As a prototype, this Corvette Z06 doesn’t have a VIN, and is not eligible to be registered or legally driven on the street.

Now, this C6 Corvette Z06 prototype is headed to the upcoming 2023 Mecum auction in Kissimmee, Florida, where it will be offered as Lot F97.2 at no reserve. The sale includes the original paperwork and supporting historical documentation.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. Neat car, for sure. Maybe some enterprising person will eventually succeed in getting it licensed for road use, as it should be.

    Reply
  2. Why would you buy a vehicle when you can’t even use it on the road that makes it rolling art only for collections which that’s fine if that’s what you want but to each his own

    Reply
  3. This is a museum piece. Even if it had a VIN, I would hesitate driving it on the road. Track, sure, road… Not so much.

    This is history, respect it for what it is. If you want to drive a Z06, buy one. They are about $40k.

    Oh, it will never be legal. Short of a dealer plate, but the lack of a VIN makes it unregisterable. Yes, older cars can get a state assigned VIN, but since 1981, they must be assigned through the US DOT.

    Reply
  4. I’m always amazed why prototypes are allowed to be sold. It’s not allowed in the USA either and prototypes without a chassis number are probably only available in the USA. Former test cars are not necessarily interesting because they are usually broken and worn out.

    By the way, a tip:
    As far as I know this is forbidden in Europe/Germany and these vehicles have to be scrapped or stored by the OEM.
    The vehicles may only be driven with an OEM license plate or dealer license plate as there is no regular registration – in Germany this is the KBA.

    Very important!
    But all these vehicles have a chassis number!!!

    Reply
  5. Should be going to the Corvette Museum!

    Reply

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