Ron Fellows Championship Z06 And Indy Pace Car Replica Convertible Editions Make 2007 A Special Year For Chevrolet Corvette
Corvette enthusiasts in search of a unique ride have much to consider this year with the introduction of two special-edition models: the Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06 and the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica Corvette Convertible.
The special-edition Corvettes are distinguished by unique interior and exterior appointments and will be offered in limited, pre-determined quantities. In other words, when they're gone, they're gone.
'Chevrolet and Corvette have a long, storied history at Indianapolis, and the new pace car special-edition commemorates that heritage with what will surely be an instant collectible,' said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. 'Ron Fellows is also a part of Chevrolet's racing heritage, and he has been instrumental in the remarkable success of the Corvette Racing team in the American Le Mans Series. The special signature-series Z06 model that bears his name will forever link him to one of the greatest eras in factory racing, which has produced six consecutive ALMS GT1 manufacturers championships, and counting.'
Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06 
Marking his championship tenure with Corvette Racing's GT1-class domination in the ALMS, Corvette racing living legend Ron Fellows is celebrated with a specially prepared 2007 Corvette Z06 production model. All are distinguished by Arctic White paint (including the door handles) that is accented with a racing-style fender stripe and Ron Fellows' autograph.
The front fender graphics are reminiscent of the identifying graphics of the Corvette GT1 race car. They feature double Monterey Red Metallic stripes with Machine Silver borders and Fellows' autograph in a contrasting Victory Red shade, along with the callouts of the championship years when he was at the wheel. There is also a maple leaf logo motif incorporated with the graphics, a nod to Fellows' Canadian heritage. Indeed, the red-over-white color scheme of the car's paint and graphics represents Canada's colors.
This special Corvette Z06 is the first signed special edition in Corvette's 54-year history, and is the first Arctic White Z06 ever offered. Only 399 are planned for production: approximately 300 for the Únited States, 33 for Canada and 66 for other export markets.
Exterior cues include a full-width racing spoiler and a unique windshield banner. Additional standard equipment includes the well-equipped 2LZ package and chrome wheels. Special interior appointments include:
- Red seats, center console, door panels and instrument panel
- Red, leather-covered armrest with a Corvette-signature 'cross flags' logo that is hand-signed and numbered by - Ron Fellows
- Tech pattern interior trim
An accomplished road racer, Ron Fellows is inextricably woven into the Corvette Racing team's success. He helped test and develop the first Corvette C5.R race car and recorded the team's first win in 2000. Fellows also grabbed the ALMS GTS class championship in 2002 and shared that position in 2003 and'04. Fellows has been a part of all six consecutive ALMS GT1 manufacturers championships for Chevrolet, and was voted the most popular ALMS driver in 2004 and'05. Additionally, he has slipped behind the wheel of NASCAR Nextel Cup Chevy Monte Carlo SS race cars when the series hits road courses. He's also scored a pair of NASCAR Craftsman Truck series wins, three NASCAR Busch Series wins, 19 SCCA Trans Am wins and was the GM Player's Challenge champion in 1989.
The Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06 will be available this spring. It carries an MSRP of $77,500, including destination. OnStar and the navigation system are the only options; and when equipped with them, the price is $79,945.
Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica Corvette Convertible 
A 2007 Chevrolet Corvette convertible will pace the 91 st running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 27, 2007. As it was selected as the Official Pace Car, Chevrolet will supply several identically prepared and uniquely trimmed Corvette convertibles – in new Atomic Orange paint with distinctive gold ribbon graphics – that will serve in the official pace duties of the race, as well as supporting activities.
Five hundred production replicas of those official cars will be offered to the public – all of them convertibles. They'll be available beginning this spring.
The distinguishing features of the pace car replica convertibles include:
- Atomic Orange exterior color, including door handles
- Indianapolis 500 exterior graphics – including gold ribbon graphics that flow outward from the front fender vents and ' Indianapolis 500' door logos
- Special Indianapolis 500 fender badges
- Z06 rear spoiler
- New aluminum 'split-spoke' wheels in Sterling Silver
- Ebony seats with embroidered Indianapolis 500 logos
- Interior trim plate and pods painted Atomic Orange
- Atomic Orange engine covers
All of the pace car replicas are equipped with the Corvette's standard LS2 small-block V-8 and Z51 performance package. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, with the six-speed paddle-shift automatic optional. The navigation system with Bose audio, as well as OnStar, is standard.
Pricing for the pace car replica convertible is $66,995 MSRP, including destination. The paddle-shift six-speed automatic is the only option, which brings the price to $68,245.
The performance-bred Corvette handles its official pace duties in nearly factory-stock trim, with little more than race track-required safety equipment and strobe lights added – as well as, of course, the eye-catching graphics. In years past, many Indy pace cars required extensive modification to perform their on-track tasks. The 2007 Corvette's powertrain and suspension, including the 400-horsepower (298 kW) LS2 small-block V-8 engine, are more than adequate to maintain the speed, acceleration and handling required to lead the pack around the famed 'Brickyard' race track.
This year marks the ninth time Corvette has served as the Official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500. The previous years were 1978, 1986, 1995, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006. It also is a record fourth consecutive turn for the Corvette, as well as a record 18 th time for a Chevrolet, to be selected as the pace car.
Production replicas were not offered every time the Corvette was selected as the pace car. In fact, 2007 marks the first time Chevrolet has offered a regular-production replica since 1998. But along with the regular-production models, several dozen copies of all the pace cars have been used for official activities in support of their respective Indianapolis 500 races, such as parades. These cars – known as 'festival' cars – have become prized collectibles, along with the limited-edition regular-production replicas.
Source - GMPRS Custom Guitar Commemorates Special Edition Ron Fellows Z06 Corvette
PRS Will Present a Custom Guitar to Ron in Commemoration of His Career CHICAGO - On February 8th, the aisles at the McCormick Place in Chicago will be filled with auto enthusiasts from across the world where Chevrolet will introduce a special edition Ron Fellows Corvette. Ron has had a long and successful career racing everything from NASCAR stock cars to Formula cars. For the last 9 years, he has driven for the factory Corvette team, first in the C5-R and then the C6.R when it was released in 2005. Ron has podiumed 6 of 7 times at Le Mans, the famous 24 hour race in France, with two of these being class wins.
PRS Guitars began sponsorship of the Corvette Racing team during the 2005 racing season. PRS logos will be seen again on the cars for the 2007 season opener at the 12 hours of Sebring. The Maryland based guitar manufacturer built approximately 400 custom Corvette Z06 branded guitars in 2005 and 2006, offered in identical colors as the Z06 Corvettes and incorporated an inlayed Z06 fingerboard.
PRS will present a custom guitar to Ron in commemoration of his career. The guitar, based on the PRS Corvette standard 22, features a paint scheme that matches Ron's signature Corvette. PRS is also pleased that the guitar will be appreciated by Ron, a guitarist who already owns a Paul Reed Smith. 'Having a car named after me is amazing...having a one-off guitar made to commemorate this moment makes it even more special. Let's face it, I'm just a Neil Young wannabe. I love music; this instrument will have a great home in my growing collection of wonderful guitars,' says Ron Fellows.
Jack Higginbotham, President of PRS Guitars adds 'We have enjoyed a great synergistic relationship with Corvette and the Corvette Racing Team. High performance, made in America, high quality and an aspirational appeal are just some of the common ties that help to form the partnership. We own Corvettes, put them on track, and enjoy the performance and quality that has been engineered into the cars. We hope that owners of PRS guitars derive the same pleasure as we do from our Corvettes.'
The GM Racing-PRS Guitars partnership extends through March 2008.
Chevrolet built 399 examples of the specially-prepared Ron Fellows Z06 Corvette, with 300 destined for the US, 33 going to Canada, and 66 sent to export markets. In keeping with Ron's heritage, all Ron Fellows Z06 Corvettes were finished in Arctic White paint (including door handles) and accented with double Monterey Red Metallic racing stripes similar to those used to identify Corvette racers on the track, except these incorporated a Canadian Maple Leaf motif. Exterior upgrades include a full-width rear spoiler and a unique windshield banner.
The Ron Fellow Corvettes came with the 2LZ package, chrome wheels, special interior trim, red seats, center console, door panels and instrument panel, red leather-covered armrest with Corvette 'crossed flags' logo hand-signed and numbered by Ron Fellows, and Tech-pattern interior trim.
When new, these special Corvettes were priced from nearly $80,000. This particular example is a one-owner car that has been well cared for its entire life.
By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2015
