Yahoo Autos The C5 Corvette Was a Gamechanger in 1997
More than 20 years after its debut, it's easy to think of the C5 Corvette as simply a used car. That does it a disservice. Yes, it's a hell of a performance bargain today, but it's also one of the most important Corvettes in the model's history. This period MotorWeek review is a good reminder of what the C5 represented back in 1997.
The C5 was the first all-new Corvette in more than a decade, and it set the template used to this day. Its hydro-formed steel space frame was lighter and stiffer than the C4's chassis, and its new rear transaxle improved weight distribution and interior room. Even the floorpan had clever engineering-made of balsa wood sandwiched between fiberglass, a lightweight, stiff combination.
But as good as the C5's chassis was, it's not the star of the show. That would be the engine, the now-legendary LS1 small-block V8. With 350 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque, it was powerful, and thanks to an aluminum block it was lightweight too. Most importantly, the LS1 provided Chevy a great V8 platform to build on, and it gave enthusiasts everywhere an excellent base engine to hot-rod and swap into nearly anything.
So, when you're scrolling through Cragislist and happen to come across a choice C5 for $10,000, give it a second look. The C5 doesn't just represent cheap speed-it's an incredibly important car in Corvette history.
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