While traveling the Southern show circuit we recently stumbled on a true gem.  That gem is a customized 2001 C5 that belongs to Bobby G of South West Florida.  Bobby purchased his toy in 2003 as a 60th birthday present.  He had been searching for a C5 with a specific combination in mind.  That combination included a silver exterior with contrasting ebony interior and a manual tranny.  The car that Bonny finally acquired was in mint condition and only had 15k miles on the odo.

Bobby told us that the harsh weather conditions and high crime rate of his native Chicago residence had put the purchase on hold for several years.  When he moved to the sun soaked roads of Southwest Florida Bobby made his dream a reality. 

Save for a few minor body mods Bobby kept the car in a stock condition for several years. In 2007 everything changed when Bobby visited a local car show in Naples Florida.  Southwest Florida and especially the upscale Naples area, is home to some of the finest pieces of rolling stock in the country. He was bitten by the mod bug.  As many of you know when the mod bug attacks the results can be life changing.


At the show Bobby saw some really outstanding vehicles.  One car that that really stood out was a highly modified yellow and black 2001 Z06. Bobby became friends with the owner, Craig Decker, who happens to be a custom parts fabricator. With Craig’s and his car club’s (Corvettes on the Gulf) help and advice Bobby has transformed his stock C5 into a truly magnificent expression of the C5 art form. 

The C5 is a consistent trophy winner; the car due its many modifications is placed in the custom or modified classes.  The car is a true crowd pleaser and most of the spectators think it is a Chevy concept model.




                                                                                                                                     

The cars paint is factory silver grey with an added black racing stripe.  The C5 sports an ACI body kit painted black.  A C5R hood is complimented by Depo headlights painted in grey.  At the rear ZO6 air grills cool the rear brakes.  A set of ZR-1 fender flares front and rear from APSIS allow the use of wider ZO6 black rims and G-Force T/A rubber, (rear 295/35/19, front 275/35/18).

 

A rear air diffuser and a set of vertical doors really set off the look. Side louvers and blacked out parking and rear brake lights are nice touches.


                                                                              

                                                                                                      
The interior of the C5 utilizes ebony seats with red piping.  A complete carbon theme was provided by West Coast Corvettes. Contrasting red Bose speakers and red Sparco seat belts compliment the MOMO racing steering wheel. A Hurst shifter with pistol grip and floor mats with red piping finish off the theme.


 The engine is a slightly warmed over LS-1 that has dynode out at 410 horses.   A Vararam power duct, TPIS polished aluminum ram intake, 90MM Big Mouth throttle body and long tube headers give the C5 some extra motivation.



 A Borla Stinger exhaust with dual 4 inch tips give the C5 some added audio appeal. A custom tune pulls the mods together to deliver the extra power to the ground. 
                                                  
                   
The motor and associated parts have been treated to some custom paint work.   This includes an inside hood logo.  Custom paint work has also been applied to the intake manifold, surge tank, window washer tank, fender panels and radiator covers.
 Recent modification include a hydrocarbon nose piece, Varam power duct, cowl and wipers, side mirrors, a-pillar and rain gutters, battery den cover and center wheel caps.  
                                                                                                                                        
Suspension mods include Hotchkiss sway bars and a set of Bilstein sports shocks.  Bobby had the C5 lowered to enhance both handling and he overall boy racer look.  Drilled and slotted rotors are complimented with red aluminum caliper covers.  A racing fuel cap lets the crowd at the gas station know that this C5 is ready for anything.



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