A customer has asked POGEA RACING GmbH to modernize the '59 model Corvette convertible, according to its head, Eduard Pogea. He described the Corvette as having united the “classic automobile design in balance with the latest in modern vehicle technology." This project has a chassis that consists of an in-house tube frame built with the cooperation of Foose Design in the USA. This frame doesn’t just significantly improve the convertible's torsional stiffness as it serves as a solid base where the height adjustable coilover suspension could be mounted as well as the modern drive and brake systems. POGEA looked at a Corvette LS3 when it had wanted to find an engine that fits its heritage.
POGEA had fitted out this engine, which is used in the existing Corvette (MY 2011), with additional parts to improve its performance. Aside from the LS7 fuel injectors, aggressive camshafts and a direct, open intake with tip cone filter, the exhaust flow above all was tuned to an optimum level. This meant that the 6.2-litre engine features 45-millimetre diameter Edelbrock exhaust manifolds coupled with a stainless steel exhaust system with just 2 silencers. The V8 engine performance is raised to 485 HP / 357 kW at 4400 rpm and 585 Nm at 6200 rpm. Its engine power gets to the rear wheels through a manual 5-shift gearbox with ceramic clutch and a Dana 44 differential.
As the result of these tweaks, the totally reconditioned Classic could accelerate from a standstill to 100 kms/h in 3.9 sec. Contemporary deceleration values are provided by a generously-sized sports brake system taken from the Corvette LS5. The perforated, internally ventilated brake discs, which are sized 330 mm (front) and 300 mm (rear), are actuated at the front by six-piston and at the rear by four-piston callipers. To cope with the rising demands of the modified convertible, it gets stylish 3-part POGEA RACING wheels, 9.5Jx18 at the front and 12Jx19 on the rear axle. The perfect combination is believed to be Bridgestone Potenza 265/40 R 18 and 305/30 R 19 tires.
