Widebody Lingenfelter C5 Corvette Packs 835 HP Punch

Rising from the Smog

Believe it or not, there was a time when even the mighty Corvette was mired in performance hell. That time was the later '70s into the early '80s, when pesky smog, economy, and safety regulations nearly killed off the performance car as we know it. Thankfully, there were a number of companies that popped up to help fill that void. Most notably, Callaway and Lingenfelter.

Blown Away

Lingenfelter Performance Engineering has actually been around since 1987. But they, along with Callaway, really came into national prominence for their work with the C4 Corvette. And by the time the C5 rolled around, both had perfected their craft. Lingenfelter offered a pair of equally incredible engine packages for the 2002 model year - a twin turbo setup, and a supercharged version like this one we spotted over at Mecum Auctions.

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Double the Fun

There was just one tiny problem, you see. GM was beginning to realize that they could make a tidy profit producing a super 'Vette of their own. Thus, the aftermarket guys had to keep pushing the envelope further and further. In the case of this particular Lingenfelter car, that meant more than doubling the factory car's output.

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Fully Loaded

Lingenfelter offered a number of packages for the 2002 model year, but this one packs virtually every option available. The widebody is the #7 produced that particular year and shows only 13,770 original miles.

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Large all Around

Large (for the time) 18x9.5 and 19x13 HRE wheels barely cover equally large Formula 1 Brembo disc brakes, which measure in at 14 inches up front and 13 inches in the rear. A set of full-on race struts and springs help keep the whole thing flat in the corners.

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Fully Custom

The exterior sports a very unique appearance, aside from the wider panels. The whole thing is covered in custom paint, and the overall appearance is distinctively different from your average C5 Corvette. The same goes for the interior, which is fully custom with carbon fiber bits scattered throughout.

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Doubly Loud

This Lingenfelter 'Vette truly has it all, including a fully custom stereo system constructed by Duke's. With a pair of amplifiers and sub housed in a custom box, we're guessing it's loud enough to drown out what lies under the hood.

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Prodigious Power

And what lies under the hood, of course, is the meat of what these super Corvettes were all about. The revised LS produces a hefty 835 horsepower, thanks mostly to a massive Magnacharger supercharger. It's also helped along by a Donaldson air intake and B&B cat back exhaust, which free up a few more ponies.

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Supercar Performance

As you might imagine, that beast of an engine helps these 'Vettes scoot down the track faster than even most of today's supercars. 0-60 took a mere 2.9 seconds, and top speed came in at an incredible 261 mph.

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Bargain Speed

Of course, all of that goodness cost you a lot of money back in 2002. As in, roughly $35,000 and up on top of the cost of a new Corvette. But amazingly, these older Lingenfelter Corvettes are proper bargains these days. Heck, this one sold for a mere $33,000. So if you're looking for a cheap C7 ZR1 alternative, look no further!

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