InsideLine just pitted the rear-wheel-drive, manually shifted, 505-hp 2012 Corvette Z06 Centennial Edition against Nissan’s high-tech, twin-turbo, 545-hp 2013 Nissan GT-R Premium, and the results as were the same as they were during  World War II. Score one for the good ol’ USA.

The Centennial Edition Z06 left the folks at InsideLine literally "wanting" the Corvette, thanks to its massive 7.0-liter engine, Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, Magnetic Ride Control suspension, Performance Traction Management, and hold on to your rear ends, improved seats that actually rated higher than the Nissan’s. Then there was the sound coming from the Corvette’s two-mode muffler system that the testers called “one of the most sonorous delights you'll ever hear from a driver seat,” compared to the GT-R, “which sounds about as good as your wife’s Hoover.”

Not that the Nissan was a slouch, though.

For 2013, Nissan has made many improvements, including a 15hp increase courtesy of increased intake efficiency and larger ducting for the intercoolers.

You’ve got to pay for such performance, however. Once known for its value compared to other supercars, the Nissan GT-R listed for $97,820 and with its only option Super Silver paint went out the door at a cool $100,820. The Z06 started out as a relative bargain at only $76,500, but by the time some $25,260 in options was checked off, the final total was a whopping $101,760.

But once drivers got behind the wheel, these cars lived up to that money, proving to be “spectacular” on track and twisty back roads. Online.com says they’re better than they’ve ever been, but the Z06 is the more fun vehicle. The Corvette “not only rules the track, it makes driving to the grocery store exciting.” The Nissan, meanwhile, earned the respect of the testers, “but it only really becomes thrilling when being pushed at eight-tenths or higher, a realm we rarely find ourselves in.”

Watch the video then head over to the forum to see what members are saying about this match up!

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Spy photographers have once again caught up with the 2014 C7 Corvette as it’s undergoing cold weather testing in Ontario, Canada. Instead of just pictures, we have video of what appears to be two C7 prototypes testing in the cold and one segment of tape actually captures the exhaust note coming from the engine.

The reactions to actually seeing and hearing the next generation Corvette have been interesting. On GM Inside News, the conversation centers on whether or not the C7 has AWD. Corvette Forum members are discussing the pros and cons of the apparent lengthening of the wheelbase, but overall they’re happy to finally get LED taillights.

Here’s the video courtesy of InsideLine.com:

I am very much liking what I see so far and am now understanding the earlier Ferrari references made by Lutz and others. That front nose is pretty long though. Is the Corvette Team pursuing an AWD system? After you watch the video, make sure you check out the conversation on our Facebook page as we take a closer look at the 2014 C7 Corvette.

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The 1961 Corvette Gulf Oil race car was one of the centerpieces of Mecum’s 2012 Kissimmee auction and it drew massive attention when it hit the auction block Saturday afternoon. Bidding on the Grady Davis Gulf Oil-sponsored Corvette was fast and furious at the beginning but eventually stalled at $850,000 and the car went unsold. The reserve was undisclosed and the auctioneer only said that it would take “more”.

The 1961 Corvette Gulf Oil racer was considered the most dominant Corvette racer of its time, winning almost every race it was entered. One of two Corvettes delivered by Yenko Chevy to Grady Davis, the Gulf Corvette made its debut at the 1961 12 Hours of Sebring where it took third place in GT. During the 1961 campaign, Corvette racing specialist Dr. Dick Thompson (aka The Flying Dentist) took over for driver Don Yenko midway through the season and took home wins at Bridgehampton, Indianapolis, Thompson, Road America and Watkins Glen to bring cement the championship.

The former race car was discovered in 1990 and restored to its 1961 Sebring configuration by author and photographer Richard Prince. Since its return, the Gulf Oil Corvette was indicted into the Corvette Hall of Fame and the Bloomington Gold Hall of Fame.

Saturday prior to the auction, the Corvette was on display out front of the auction hall and we caught up to the car just as a couple of the wranglers were getting ready to start it up and move it over to the staging lanes.

Early Corvette race cars seem to have their own distinct sound and as you can see, a huge crowd gathered around as the 283/315 hp fuelie was started up. Here’s a quick video from that moment:

Although its lack of sale disappointed the crowd, we know we’ll be seeing the 1961 Gulf Oil Corvette again!

Do you think this piece of history warranted more than a measly 850K? Or should it have sold? Head over to the Forum and sound off!

Perhaps it’s only appropriate that a modern-day ZR1 Corvette engine would be placed in the original body style that started the ZR-1 (yes, with a hyphen back then) craze way back in 1970.

We first told you about this monster of a 1971 Corvette in July 2011, and now our friends at High Tech Corvette have put together a video that shows just what the modern LS9 ZR1 engine can do when planted in a 1971 Corvette. The LS9 even peeks out from under the hood through a clear opening that marks the C6 ZR1s.

Their testing shows modern-day special creation manages 536 horsepower and 480 ft-lbs of torque, way better than the original ZR-1 ever did. The owner also added modern ZR1 power seats and Bluetooth radio to increase creature comforts, which just goes to show you that in the 21st century, anything goes! Also upgraded, of course, to handle the added power were the brakes, suspension, and drivetrain.

By the way, the original ZR-1 was a $1,221 option package that added an LT-1 engine but also deleted such niceties as power windows, air conditioning, and a radio since this was, after all, a serious race car! Only 53 such cars were ever built from 1970 to 1972 since most folks didn't want to do without those things.

This site in the past few days has featured 1963 Split-Window and 1971 models updated with super ZR1 power. What do you think is next: a C5 or a C4 or maybe even a 1953?

Is this baby insane or what? Head over to the Forums to see what members are saying about this wicked C3!

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One of the great things about being a Corvette fanatic is that we definitely aren't alone. There are literally millions and millions of fans of this special Chevrolet creation that will celebrate its 60th year with the upcoming 2013 model. Many celebrities are included in the ranks of Corvette lovers, and the website L82corvette.tripod.com has even gone so far as to compile a list of past and present celebrity owners.

That list includes folks like Scott Altman, pilot of the Atlantis Space Shuttle, C4, and Alan Bean, Apollo 12 lunar module pilot, Riverside Gold 1969 Coupe;

Famous musicians are also included, including Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen (1985 Coupe), ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard (Rally Red 1967 Roadster), and singers David Cassidy (white 1990s C4), Sheryl Crow (Ruby Red 1993 Roadster), and Jon Bon Jovi (1958 and Red 1990s C4).

The list of actors features George Clooney (Metallic Blue 1986 Roadster), Farrah Fawcett (Black 1962 and 2002 Z06), James Garner (Black C4 roadster), and Burt Reynolds (Torch Red 2000).

You can see the long list of celebrity owners that L82corvette.tripod.com has compiled, and by the way, the website also points out that the L-82 made its debut in 1973 as the throttled down smog successor to the original LT-1 and bowed out in the 1980 model. With a 9.0:1 compression ratio, 2.02-inch intake/1.60-inch exhaust valves, and hydraulic lifters, it was rated at 250 net horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 285 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. The L-82 has large port cylinder heads, pushrod guideplates, a long duration camshaft, a forged-steel crankshaft, moly rings, finned aluminum valve covers, a high capacity starter and a four-bolt block

Who is your favorite celebrity on this list? Were there any surprises? Head over to the Forum and see what members are saying about this site!

With the introduction of the C7 Corvette coming next year, we’re assuming that the engineering members of the Corvette Team are hard at work with shaking down the new car in a variety of environments. Proving this are these spy photos from our friends at both Jalopnik and Autoblog, who captured two cloaked C7 Corvette prototypes playing in the snow at an unknown location.

While the Jalopniks are turning this into a victory lap following their much publicized 2014 Corvette ZR1 renderings with a “See, we were right”, Autoblog’s post was a little more instructive in pointing out the differences between the covered prototypes and the current C6 street car.

As we found with the previous mules, the C7 Corvettes pictured in the spy photos does appear to have a slightly longer wheelbase. Right off the bat, we see that the front grill opening doesn’t stretch as far across the front as the current C6, and it also appears to have a wider opening from top to bottom. On the rear, the four exhaust tips are close together in a row instead of the off-center style of the C6.

There is no mistaking that this is a Corvette when looking at the profile. Something is going on in the B-pillar area that seems to give the roofline a more tapered look and the rear deck does appear to be slightly higher but that could be due to the covering. Autoblog also points out that the rear view mirrors are a different design than the current model with the mirror area is more squared-off.

When we talk about German-based Corvette tuners, the name Geiger would usually come to mind. However, there are others in the land of Bavaria who also take pride in tuning America’s favorite sports car. One such firm is named TIKT and their awesome 758-horsepower Corvette ZR1 is called the Triple X.

Corvette aficionados are well aware that the standard Corvette ZR1 comes equipped with 638 horses from the supercharged 6.2L LS9. TIKT gets to 758 horsepower and 671 lb/ft of torque with a number of upgrades including modified cylinder heads, new camshafts, more powerful valve springs, modified compressor ratios, a larger throttle valve and a custom exhaust system. TIKT even adjusted the ZR1′s stock cooling system which they claim now pushes up to four times as much cooling fluid through the LS9.

The tuning firm also created a new aerodynamic body kit including a newly restyled front fascia to allow proper cooling of the radiator while creating down force at the same time. Also helping in the down force department are new side skirts and a carbon fiber rear wing.

TIKT also went to work on the Corvette ZR1′s suspension. The rear leaf springs were retained and new wheel mounts brought the vehicle about 30 millimeters closer to the ground without any real lowering. With the new race shocks, the Triple X was brought approximately 50 millimeters closer to the road and keeping the Corvette firmly gripped to the road are new Zerra Ultralight Evo 2 wheels.

No pricing details have been released, but we can confidently say that the TIKT Triple X Corvette C6 ZR1 has both the look and performance that will make it feel right at home on the autobahn or for the weekend trip to the track. Anyone up for some laps on the Nurburgring’s Nordschleife?

We think the body kit looks pretty sick, and it's hard to argue with the extra ponies. What do you think? Head over to the Forum and sound off!

Each January all eyes on the automotive world focus on the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. All the major carmakers roll out their latest creations and concepts for the world to see. This year General Motors created a whole new display to highlight their portfolio of products. We grabbed a couple of tickets to the ritzy charity preview event so we could check out all the good stuff before the show opened to the public.

The mood at this year's NAIAS was different than in recent years. The wondering and questions regarding survival were gone. The focus was once again on growth and new technologies.

Automotive enthusiasts filled the GM display throughout our visit. While the focus this year was on the launch of the new Sonic and Malibu, Chevy did bring 2 Corvettes to the 2012 NAIAS. Tucked away in a corner near a bright green ZL-1 Camaro were a Carlisle Blue Grand Sport Convertible and Centennial Edition ZR1. The $130,000 ZR1′s Carbon Flash paint sparkled wildly under the bright car show lights. The GS convertible featured the Heritage package, 6 speed, and Titanium two-tone interior. Spending time with these 2 cars made us yearn for the summer when we can get our Corvettes out of winter storage.

Adjacent to the Corvettes were the Code 130R and Tru 140S concepts both sporting their Corvette badges we told you about last week. We're still not quite sure that they're deserving the iconic crossed flags.

Here are our pictures from our trip to the North American International Auto Show. For those interested, it runs through January 22nd at Cobo Center in Motown.

Chevrolet’s fastest Corvette drop top, the new 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible, will be the talk of the internet today as it well should be. Somewhat buried in the press release is that the very first saleable Corvette 427 wearing what we assume will be VIN 001 is scheduled to be sold at Barrett-Jackson’s collector car auction in Scottsdale next weekend.

Interestingly, Chevrolet is teaming up with Hendrick Motorsports for the auction, which basically means is that Chevy is bringing the car to auction and Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick will probably be the one to take it home as he has often done with Chevy’s low vin and special edition charity auctions in the past.

The sale of the 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible will happen at Barrett-Jackson on Saturday afternoon, January 21st at 2pm local time. The lot # for the new Corvette 427 is #3040 and the current auction description provides the following:

"A special Chevrolet model will be revealed during the auction where bidders have the opportunity to take home this one-of-a-kind vehicle. Proceeds to benefit AARP Drive for Hunger. Will be sold at approximately 2pm Saturday January 20, 2012.

Have you ever wanted to own a piece of history? This may be your chance. A special Chevrolet model will be revealed during the auction where bidders have the opportunity to take home this one-of-a-kind vehicle. **PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT AARP DIRVE FOR HUNGER** **WILL BE SOLD AT APPROXIMATELY 2PM SATURDAY JANUARY 21, 2012** "

In teaming up with Hendrick Motorsports for the auction, Chevrolet will donate the proceeds from the sale of the 427 Convertible to the AARP’s “Drive to End Hunger” initiative. The “Drive to End Hunger” is part of a multi-year sponsorship with Gordon’s No. 24 Chevrolet and it aims to address the growing problem of hunger among older Americans.

SPEED will be broadcasting the auction live on Saturday so make sure you set the DVR or tune in to see a preview of what the Corvette Team has been working on for the model’s upcoming 60th anniversary.