Carbon Corvette Z06 is headed to Barrett-Jackson auction in April

You certainly didn't expect to pay sticker for the first Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon limited edition off the line, did you?

Carbon Corvette No. 1 will cross the block on April 3 at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Palm Beach, Fla., and like previous limited-run Chevys, this will definitely create a stir.

“The Corvette Z06 Carbon will surely be an instant collectible,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet marketing vice president. “For that reason, we see Barrett-Jackson as the premiere venue to sell the first retail Z06 Carbon.”

The Vette gets a slathering of ZR1 fixings, including Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, magnetic ride control, a splitter and the body-color spoiler. It's limited to just 500 copies.

But this isn't just a ZR1 chop job. This carbon machine marks the 50th anniversary of Corvette at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. For a sinister vibe, the car also is outfitted with blacked-out headlamps and mirrors, black 20-spoke wheels that ride on Michelin PS2 rubber and black carbon-fiber rocker panels.

Other carbon parts include the engine cover, steering-wheel emblem and embossed headrest logos. The exterior is highlighted by Euro-themed racing numbers, and the performance is accented by a retuned exhaust and carbon-coated transmission syncros.

All of this means weight is reduced--and speed is improved. Lap times could be bettered by three seconds over the regular Z06 at tracks such as Laguna Seca. The car comes in a new color called supersonic blue or in inferno orange and will be available this summer at dealerships.

General Motors
The Corvette Z06 Carbon limited edition comes with a slathering of ZR1 goodies and carbon parts which reduce weight and bolster performance. It goes on sale late this summer.

“For track use, the Z06 Carbon is the best balanced Corvette yet,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer. “It combines the lightweight and naturally aspirated Z06 engine with the road-holding and braking of the ZR1.”

Miss out on the actual carbon Corvette? Upgrades will be available with the new Z07 and the CFZ Z06 carbon-fiber packs.

General Motors traditionally has been very successful hawking its wares at Barrett-Jackson auctions. The first retail 2009 ZR1 fetched $1 million there, and the first retail 2010 Camaro went for $350,000.

GM also sold a limited-edition Z06 for $200,000 recently to benefit Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.

By Greg Migliore