Skunkworks corvette prototype
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3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2024
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Skunkworks corvette prototype
I found a barn find and it’s a Canadian prototype skunkworks 2001 corvette I think. I can’t find any information on the car or what it is or what its worth before I purchase it I wanted to know if any one knew anything about these cars
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: SoCal.
Skunk Works was a private operation run by John Cafaro on the side. I believe it was in conjunction with John Caravaggio. Caravaggio is based in Toronto across from Detroit.
That said, I would doubt this is a true effort of these individuals given their skill sets.
George
That said, I would doubt this is a true effort of these individuals given their skill sets.
George
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Looks like a car that has just added some aftermarket parts - hard to say just how effective they were in improving the vehicle's performance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
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From: North Coast
Corvette White is right. They were out of Michigan. They would restyle the car and tune the suspension and engine.
I have seen a few but none of this looks like anything they did.
bBK is just off the shelf stuff. The intake says Skunk Racing so I don’t think that is part of the real Skunk Spectra Werkes.
Is there any body mods? The real cars were the best restyle of the era. Cafaro did the things he could not do so GM styling the C5..
Note the chopped roof into a speedster.
https://www.corvette-mag.com/issues/...les/inside-job
I have seen a few but none of this looks like anything they did.
bBK is just off the shelf stuff. The intake says Skunk Racing so I don’t think that is part of the real Skunk Spectra Werkes.
Is there any body mods? The real cars were the best restyle of the era. Cafaro did the things he could not do so GM styling the C5..
Note the chopped roof into a speedster.
https://www.corvette-mag.com/issues/...les/inside-job
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Skunk Works was a private operation run by John Cafaro on the side. I believe it was in conjunction with John Caravaggio. Caravaggio is based in Toronto across from Detroit.
That said, I would doubt this is a true effort of these individuals given their skill sets.
George
That said, I would doubt this is a true effort of these individuals given their skill sets.
George
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,801
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From: Northville, MI
Skunk Workes was a compay formed by Henry Iofino and John Cafaro in the Detroit Suburbs after they retired from GM. They built around 6 cars (C5 Z06) and did additional performance work work for individuals. Two were Convertibles and 4 FRC. The convertibles were black and yellow with the second car having the GM Hot Cam and making 500 hp. They also worked with Corsa to develop a titanium exhaust from header to cat back. The first prototype was on the Black convertible.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Pendleton Indiana
As mentioned above.... Looks to be a "Tuner" aftermarket company "Skunk2 Racing" ..... *NOT* to be confused with Cafaro/Carravagio's Skunk Werkes C5's which would definitely hold a higher premium than a standard C5....... Looking at these pics and the comment that this is a "Barn Find" to me just basically means a cheaply modified likely non running C5 that has sat for who knows how long...... Value would be significantly LOWER than a well maintained original C5 with similar milage/age. Most of the parts I see in the pics are just aftermarket painted covers and stick-on off the shelf do-dads.
I would highly question how the seller is positioning the car....... If they are claiming this is something special than run away. Good news if this really is a C5 Z06 and you can purchase at a very cheap price than it could be a fun project to bring back to life!
I would highly question how the seller is positioning the car....... If they are claiming this is something special than run away. Good news if this really is a C5 Z06 and you can purchase at a very cheap price than it could be a fun project to bring back to life!
Last edited by Tyler_RN_EMT; Nov 11, 2024 at 11:01 AM.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2024
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Thank you for the info
Thank you for all the info on this one I did end up purchasing the car it was under 5 seemed like a great deal either way. The odd part is he had a copy of the original Canadian title. And it says prototype on it which is odd
Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Pendleton Indiana
If by "under 5" you mean under $5,000 US you got one heck of a deal! Like almost free kind of deal..... You could part it out or repair and end up WAY ahead either way if that is the case!! Is this really a Z06 with an LS6? Would love to have more info and pics! Curiosity killed the cat on this one!
Drifting
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From: Tacoma WA
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Contact the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green with the VIN and buy the build sheet and window sticker. Then you will know exactly how it left the factory. Modifications that were made after it left the factory are only known by the PO that made the modifications.
Melting Slicks
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From: North Coast
I just looked up Skunk 2. They are a small company making tuner parts for imports. No Corvette parts anymore.
I would say this was a home done modified car and no more.
As for prototype that could have happened many ways in import dye to the modifications.
Do a Carfax and trace the cars history. See where it came from and where it has been. Also get the museum build sheet and window sticker. They normally say not for resale. A GM friend bought a drivetrain test car and that is what they normally say if you see one. Also it may say the car has modifications. These seldom get out but like most things it is about who you know.
I would say this was a home done modified car and no more.
As for prototype that could have happened many ways in import dye to the modifications.
Do a Carfax and trace the cars history. See where it came from and where it has been. Also get the museum build sheet and window sticker. They normally say not for resale. A GM friend bought a drivetrain test car and that is what they normally say if you see one. Also it may say the car has modifications. These seldom get out but like most things it is about who you know.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2021
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From: Mobile
405 is the stock z06 horsepower so it wouldn't make sense for a performance brand to badge that as souped up. Assuming it's a 02+ z06 car and not a base upgraded, which wouldn't make sense to badge z06.
Safety Car
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First thing I’ll do is remove that ridiculous cover that sits over the intake manifold, that thing prevents hot air to escape from the intake in a already hot engine compartment I don’t understand the genius who did such a thing