The Power and Responsibility of Driving Someone Else's Corvette

A Total Loss

I hate writing articles like this. As much as we love to watch car crash compilations, or read about the latest Ferrari catching fire, it’s not something we ever want to happen to anyone we know; even less so when it happens in the hands of someone else. Having worked on cars in excess of $1,000,000, and driven some very rare machines, I’d like to share my thoughts on this latest piece of news. 

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The 2017 Corvette Z06 C7.R Edition

The 2017 Corvette Z06 C7.R is a special edition among special editions. Starting with the Z06 6.2 liter V8 that churns out a peak 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, this vehicle really is something different. On top of the Z06 features, it also has standard carbon ceramic brakes, various other carbon bits, and an ultra sticky version of Michelin's Cup tires. This is the Mohammed Ali of Corvettes currently offered from the factory.

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Fortune 500

Only 650 of these special editions were made, and just 500 for the United States. Now, 499 exist and that’s just it: One less person will be able to enjoy this car because a guy at a window tint shop took it for a spin. How many kids are going to miss the opportunity to see one of these and think, “I want to experience THAT.” Just 500 cars is an extremely low production number. It’s a shame to lose one.

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With great power comes great responsibility

I’ve worked for high end shops, and have driven everything from Ferraris, to World Rally Championship prototypes. I have never fooled around with a customer’s car because I have more respect for the customer than myself. You simply do not push the envelop with a clients car. Ever. No exceptions. As tempting as it may be, you have to have restraint. This window tint guy obviously made a huge mistake!

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What happened?

From what I can find, there is no explanation of what happened (other than the car ending up on its roof) so I’m going to offer my opinion based on nothing... other than a decade of coaching people in race cars. My prediction is this guy was messing around, and the back end got away from him when he gave it too much throttle. He then counter steered too late, or too much, and the back end pendulum swung back on him into whatever he hit, or into the ditch. High torque cars can get away from you very fast. It will be interesting to see what details emerge in time.

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Aftermath

If you own one of the 499 C7.R edition cars left, well you just had a bump in your investment portfolio, but that’s not the point. People should just respect other people’s property, and that’s the thing that makes me so mad. I guess it’s true what they say, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.” In 50 years maybe this classic will be even more sought after when others crash as well?

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