2003 Corvette 6-speed. From crash on the street to track day toy...

So I bought a 2003 Corvette yesterday. I have been looking for something to replace my B13 SE-R track car with. I was thinking something that can be used on track, the street and for the occasional aoutcross.

A C5 fit the bill perfectly. They are fast, have a large aftermarket, and are at the bottom of their depreciation curve. I would have preferred a Z06 but the price of admission is still a bit more than I was willing to spend for a toy.

So after searching for a month or so I pulled the trigger on a 2003 yesterday on copart.

It is a 6 speed with the optional magnesium wheels. Unfortunately it's not a Z51 but it looks like I can convert it for around $600.00. With the z51 Springs a set of konis and a c6 z51 front bar it should be mildly competitive in BS. It has the f55 suspension with the magnetic shocks. If they are in working order I should get a decent bit for them used...

Here she is in all her glory. 110k miles, from state farm. Purchased for the princely sum of $3850.00 plus fees. I pick it up this afternoon...

Color me interested. Even in running form these are getting attractively priced.
Carry on.

The covers on the tail lights make the rear look worse than the wrecked front, somehow. Is the frame still straight?

Hope it doesn't. It looks like it was not a hard hit. The airbags didn't even deploy.

The tail light covers are awful

Tigershark front bumper. Look it up. I've tried multiple times to use Copart to find something like this. But they never list manual vs auto and i usually give up.

Nice! This will be a fun one to follow along, I can tell..

Very nice!

Very cool.

Was the R in Corvette not colored in on purpose...? I'd guess with those taillight covers the answer is yes.

Edit: that tigershark font end is pretty cool looking.

Love the mag(nesium) wheels.

Oh, far out. You going to do the bodywork yourself or pay someone?

Wish you were closer to the mitten state, I've got a front c5 bumper sitting here collecting dust from when I found one locally to use as aero. My c5 is gone so it's not much use to me now.

On the trailer... I will update tomorrow when I start pulling it apart.

C5 Vette-kart?

One cart is enough for me...

C5 is the mother of all bang for the buck trackday cars. Awesome and good luck.

I paid for my house working on these cars on the side.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have.

You probably still have my number if its easier to call.

Holy hell that is cheap for a mildly wrecked C5! I'll be following along.

How did I miss this? I think the C5 is one of my favorites for the perfect mix of styling and performance.

In reply to pimpm3:

Don't take this the wrong way, but can I call dibs on the engine?

In the garage..

Started right up after I put in a fresh battery. I didn't get a chance to dig into it but first step will be assessing what needs to be replaced and what is fixable. Hopefully I can start playing with it tomorrow.

The front radiator support is junk from that picture. Time consuming pain in the ass to change, but not hard.

Is the rear quite a bit toe-in?
Glad it started. Did you try driving?

Sounds a lot like an anniversary car. There's a test from Car and Driver floating around with all the different C5 option packages and how they would like to see one built. FYI, I recall them wanting z06 spec stuff with the magnetic shocks.

I worked on the car today.

Started by washing off the dirt...

Wheels cleaned up nicely...

Notice the wood in the bead. I am guessing the car hit a bush which caused the damage.

This wheel has clear coat damage...

Based on the chrome taillights and this on the mirror I am beginning to think the previous owner was a bit of a douche...

Damage to the front corner of the hood...

Another picture after the bath

This wasn't damaged in the original pictures. I am guessing it happened at the auction when they used a fork lift to move the car. I think I can fix it...

Removed damaged fender and control arm.

This is cracked and needs to be replaced. It is glued to the frame.