2004 Chevrolet Corvette

The Chevrolet Corvette maintains its well-earned status as the automotive and cultural icon that has been admired and sought after for a generation. For the 2004 model year, commemorative editions for each Corvette model are available so enthusiasts can celebrate the racing success of the Chevy flagship.

Also, the top-of-the-line Corvette Z06 - already hailed by enthusiast magazines as the best combination of performance, comfort and value in the automotive world - gets even better for 2004 with revised shock valving based on testing at the legendary Nürburgring race track in Germany.

Corvette also has earned two consecutive quality awards from J.D. Power and Associates and continues to win accolades for its surprising interior room, cargo space, comfort and fuel economy in a high-performance sports car.

Only a handful of cars in the history of the industry have shown the Corvette's ability to capture the fancy of so many consumers and hold it for so long. As the golden anniversary celebration continues, it is a testament to the ability of Corvette's engineers to keep the car as fresh and cutting edge as it was in 1953.

Corvette has remained relevant because it continued to embrace new designs and technologies such as those featured on the current line: Magnetic Selective Ride Control, Goodyear EMT 'run-flat' tires (coupe and convertible), active handling and a rear transaxle.

Commemorative editions
The commemorative editions recognize the success of the C5-R racing program. In 2002, the Corvette C5 continued to dominate the field with nine wins in 10 American Le Mans Series races, also nabbing the 2002 GTS Manufacturer Champion and GTS Team Champion awards. Combined with a second consecutive victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Corvette continued to make history.

The Commemorative Edition Coupe and Convertible include new Le Mans Blue paint with Shale interior, special badges and polished wheels. The convertible's top also is Shale to match the interior.

The Commemorative Edition Z06 also is Le Mans Blue and also includes a C5-R Le Mans stripe scheme, special badges, polished Z06 wheels and a lightweight carbon fiber hood.

Z06 ride tempered at Nürburgring
Over the period of a month in 2002, engineers put the Z06 through its paces at Germany's fabled Nürburgring racetrack to give the definitive street-legal sports car an even better ride. Since it was completed in 1927, the 12.8-mile (20.6 km) Nürburgring circuit has been the ultimate challenge for vehicle dynamics. The course has 177 corners, and in between them is every conceivable combination of radius, camber and gradient - not to mention altitude that varies by nearly 1,000 feet (305 m). No other track in the world places such extreme demands on a vehicle's suspension, brakes and powertrain, which is why Nürburgring is where the world's finest sports cars are regularly tested.

After a month in Germany, it was back to General Motors Milford Proving Grounds, where new shock absorber valving was 'dialed in' and balanced for optimum performance on American roads.

The result is a suspension that feels 'more tied down, more glued to the road,' said Harlan Charles, product manager for the Corvette.

Magnetic Selective Ride Control
The suspensions of the 2004 Corvette coupe and convertible continue to feature Magnetic Selective Ride Control, which debuted in 2003. It uses a revolutionary damper design that controls wheel and body motion with magneto-rheological fluid in the shocks. By controlling the current to an electromagnetic coil inside the piston of the damper, the MR fluid's consistency can be changed, resulting in continuously variable real-time damping. As a result, drivers feel a greater sense of security, a quieter, flatter ride and more precise, responsive handling, particularly during sudden, high-speed maneuvers.

The system isolates and smoothes the action of each tire, resulting in less bouncing, vibration and noise. On bumpy or slick surfaces, the system integrates with traction control to assure maximum stability. It also works with ABS to keep the vehicle balanced and poised. It is the only system without electro-mechanical values and no small moving parts. It consists of MR fluid-based, monotube shock absorbers, a sensor set and on-board controller.

Source - GM Corporation

The 88th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 30, 2004, will bring together two powerful symbols that stir the imaginations of enthusiasts around the world… Chevrolet and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway… as a 2004 Corvette Convertible will serve as the Official Pace Car of this year's Indianapolis 500.

Corvette will perform Indy 500 pace car duties for a record sixth time. This also marks the third consecutive year and 15th time overall that a Chevrolet product has served as the official pace vehicle – the most appearances by any brand.

'We're proud that this year's Memorial Day classic will showcase America's favorite sports car at the greatest spectacle in racing,' said Brent Dewar, Chevrolet general manager. 'As the 2004 model year is the last of Corvette's current design, pacing the Indy 500 acknowledges the significance the vehicle has played in American culture.'

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been the site of many memorable events since the facility opened in 1909. Similarly, Chevrolet has a rich heritage in racing that extends back to company co-founder and namesake Louis Chevrolet, a gifted engineer and talented race car driver who competed in the Indy 500 four times. More recently, Chevy Indy V-8 engines have won 103 open–wheel races, including seven Indianapolis 500 victories.

'The Indianapolis 500 and Chevrolet have had a long relationship,' said Tony George, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 'It's an honor to have Corvette lead the field and also to have the Chevy Indy V-8 competing for the win on May 30.'

The 2004 Corvette that will serve as the Indy 500 Pace Car is virtually identical to the Convertibles available today through local Chevrolet dealerships.

Like race cars, the duties of a pace car can be long and strenuous. During the last two races, for example, the Chevy pace vehicles cars led the field for a combined 84 laps (210 miles) of the total 400 race laps (1,000 miles) run, at an average lap speed of 75 mph. Even during green flag race conditions, the pace cars patiently run at idle, ready for action at a moment's notice. Very few modifications were made to the Corvette to prepare it for this year's role: heavy-duty transmission and power steering coolers, a lower restriction muffler system, four-point racing-type safety belts and a safety strobe light system.

A white and blue two-tone paint treatment incorporates Americana-themed graphics, tying into Chevrolet's new 'An American Revolution' marketing theme. The theme captures Chevrolet's pride and passion for innovation, and for success not only in motorsports, but also as it launches 10 new car and truck products in 20 months.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, employs about 325,000 people globally. Founded in 1908, GM has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM today has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 192 countries. In 2003, GM sold nearly 8.6 million cars and trucks, about 15 percent of the global vehicle market. GM's global headquarters are at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. More information on GM and its products can be found on the company's corporate website at www.gm.com.

Chevrolet has paced 14 previous Indianapolis 500 races, more than any other brand:

2003 - Chevy SSR

2002 - Corvette 50th Anniversary

1999 - Monte Carlo

1998 - Corvette

1995 - Corvette

1993 - Camaro Z28

1994 - Beretta

1986 - Corvette

1982 - Camaro Z28

1978 - Corvette

1969 - Camaro

1967 - Camaro

1955 - Bel Air

1948 - Fleetmaster

Source - GM

2004 Corvette Convertible Announced as Official Pace Car

The 88th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 30, 2004, will bring together two powerful symbols that stir the imaginations of enthusiasts around the world… Chevrolet and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway… as a 2004 Corvette Convertible will serve as the Official Pace Car of this year's Indianapolis 500.

Corvette will perform Indy 500 pace car duties for a record sixth time. This also marks the third consecutive year and 15th time overall that a Chevrolet product has served as the official pace vehicle – the most appearances by any brand.

'We're proud that this year's Memorial Day classic will showcase America's favorite sports car at the greatest spectacle in racing,' said Brent Dewar, Chevrolet general manager. 'As the 2004 model year is the last of Corvette's current design, pacing the Indy 500 acknowledges the significance the vehicle has played in American culture.'

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been the site of many memorable events since the facility opened in 1909. Similarly, Chevrolet has a rich heritage in racing that extends back to company co-founder and namesake Louis Chevrolet, a gifted engineer and talented race car driver who competed in the Indy 500 four times. More recently, Chevy Indy V-8 engines have won 103 open–wheel races, including seven Indianapolis 500 victories.

'The Indianapolis 500 and Chevrolet have had a long relationship,' said Tony George, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 'It's an honor to have Corvette lead the field and also to have the Chevy Indy V-8 competing for the win on May 30.'

The 2004 Corvette that will serve as the Indy 500 Pace Car is virtually identical to the Convertibles available today through local Chevrolet dealerships.

Like race cars, the duties of a pace car can be long and strenuous. During the last two races, for example, the Chevy pace vehicles cars led the field for a combined 84 laps (210 miles) of the total 400 race laps (1,000 miles) run, at an average lap speed of 75 mph. Even during green flag race conditions, the pace cars patiently run at idle, ready for action at a moment's notice. Very few modifications were made to the Corvette to prepare it for this year's role: heavy-duty transmission and power steering coolers, a lower restriction muffler system, four-point racing-type safety belts and a safety strobe light system.

A white and blue two-tone paint treatment incorporates Americana-themed graphics, tying into Chevrolet's new 'An American Revolution' marketing theme. The theme captures Chevrolet's pride and passion for innovation, and for success not only in motorsports, but also as it launches 10 new car and truck products in 20 months.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, employs about 325,000 people globally. Founded in 1908, GM has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM today has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 192 countries. In 2003, GM sold nearly 8.6 million cars and trucks, about 15 percent of the global vehicle market. GM's global headquarters are at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit.

Chevrolet has paced 14 previous Indianapolis 500 races, more than any other brand:

2003 - Chevy SSR 1986 - Corvette

2002 - Corvette 50th Anniversary 1982 - Camaro Z28

1999 - Monte Carlo 1978 - Corvette

1998 - Corvette 1969 - Camaro

1995 - Corvette 1967 - Camaro

1993 - Camaro Z28 1955 - Bel Air

1994 - Beretta 1948 - Fleetmaster

Source - GM