Best in Show: Corvettes at Carlisle 2023

Intro

Attending Corvettes at Carlisle is always a blast. Part of the event I spend trying to do a little research and finding out as much about the newest models as I can. But the rest of the time, I am just having fun looking at all the amazing Corvettes, talking to vendors and owners and enjoying the day. This article is all about that fun side. No breaking news here, or any detailed analysis of engine design. These are Corvettes that caught my eye for one reason or another. I made up some categories for each car and I present to you now the ten best in show Corvettes spotted at Corvettes at Carlisle 2023.

10. Best Race Car – 1960 Cunningham Corvette #3

There were so many great Corvette race cars on display it was tough to pick a favorite. But it is hard to argue against this Cunningham Corvette. This car won its class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1960. It was the first time in history that a Corvette ever won its class at the great race. The car pictured here was driven by John Fitch and Bob Grossman. It not only won its class that year, but it also finished 8th overall.

9. Best Pre-Production Car – 2024 E-Ray

The E-Ray has not yet entered formal production, so it was a thrill to be able to get so close to it at the event. Not only that, but Team Chevrolet was on hand to talk all about it. And they even started the car up for us and let us hear it rev. The E-Ray is an impressive machine.

8. Best Interior – 1962 Corvette ‘Cherry Smash’

This 1962 Corvette named ‘Cherry Smash’ has been a show car since day one. It runs and drives, but it only has 326 miles on it from new. It sports a 327 V8 with a Cragar blower that makes 650 horsepower. But look inside this thing. The interior is outrageous. 8-ball shifter, red metallic steering wheel rim, and all the plush upholstery you can take. It might not be your style, but you can’t deny the awesomeness.

7. Best Survivor – 1966 427 Corvette

You gotta love a good survivor Corvette, right? Especially if that survivor is a 1966 with a 427 under the hood. The car is Laguna Blue but has some serious patina. It might not look like a show car now, but it is all original. The engine, transmission, carpets, door panels, everything is as it was in 1966. And while it might look a little rough on the outside it reportedly runs great. What a cool Corvette.

6. Best Corvette For Sale – 1957 Corvette Fuelie

If your name happens to be Hulk and you are looking for a used Corvette, you can stop the search because this is your car. It is a 1957 Fuelie that recently had a $50k frame off restoration. Of course, the 1960’s metal flake paint remained. Other highlights of this car include a rebuilt 350 with 327 heads, new wiring, and checkout those wheels and tires. Asking price is $88K. Not cheap, but you certainly won’t be parking next to an identical Corvette any time soon.

5. Best Callaway Corvette – 1994 ZR-1 Twin Turbo Aerobody Coupe

The twin turbo engine in this car can produce an astounding 1,100 horsepower but is detuned to “only” 790 horsepower for street use. It breathes through Callaway custom headers with a center exit exhaust. The car also has Brembo brakes, a coil over suspension and more. But even with all that the star of the show is the Callaway Aerobody in Aqua Metallic. This is an absolutely stunning car, and even in a row of impressive Callaway builds it stands out.

4. Best Custom Paint Job – 2022 Corvette Stingray

Pictures do not do this car justice. At first glance you might think this is a wrap, but you would be mistaken. This is a custom paint job that was completed by Count’s Kustoms in Las Vegas. The black and yellow combination looks great, but what you can really only see in person is the dark blue honeycomb pattern that is ghosted all around the car. It is a striking effect and looks simply incredible.

3. Best Engine Presentation – 1972 Corvette

In 1972 your only big block option was a 454 ci V8 that made a rather disappointing 270 horsepower. Well, that power deficiency was addressed in a big way in this custom 1972 Stingray. Under the hood, and through the hood is a 502 ci big block with a supercharger. The combination is said to be good for over 700 horsepower. But even more impressive is the presentation that is taken to another level thanks to the 24k gold accents. When you walk around Corvettes at Carlisle this is one Corvette that is impossible to miss.

2. Best Trunk – C6 Corvette

The truck of a Corvette is not huge, but it is enough to fit a couple of soft bags or a set of golf clubs. Or a rolling stereo system. The owner of this Corvette clearly doesn’t care about putting anything in the trunk other than a high-power Sony sound system that will make this car the hit of any tailgate party. The way this system is integrated, and the trim is color matched to the exterior is so impressive that it almost looks factory.

1. Best Spoiler – C7 Corvette

Who wants downforce? This menacing matte black, gloss black, and carbon fiber C7 Corvette has plenty thanks to the massive rear spoiler and rear diffuser. The wide rear fenders and all the aero with the black paint make this Corvette look dead serious about performance. It was one of my favorite Corvettes at the show this year. 

Images: Joe Kucinski