--- title: "This Used to Be a Corvette" date: "2024-05-06" modified: "2024-05-06" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/this-used-to-be-a-corvette" categories: - "Chevrolet News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Chevrolet" - "Corvette" - "sports car" --- # This Used to Be a Corvette ![]() *Mecum* Do you live in a wealthy town overpopulated with Italian supercar owners but you don't have the funds to own one yourself? Then you might want to take a look at this 2008 Corvette Valarra that's headed to the [Indianapolis Mecum ]()auction on May 15. It looks like something made by [Zenvo](), or any other extreme supercar brand, but at a fraction of the price. What is a Corvette Valarra? It's essentially a [C6 Corvette]() with a body kit and some tuning. However, the body kit is extensive and completely transforms the look of the original 'Vette into something much more aggressive and exotic. It isn't as refined as something from Italy but is more closely aligned with ultra-rare, extremely aggressive supercars like the Zenvo ST-1 and Lykan Hypersport. But if stealing eyeballs away from your Ferrari-owning neighbors is the name of your game, this Valarra will surely do the trick. ![]() ![]() ![]() Since Valarra requires a donor C6 Corvette to create these custom-bodied sports cars, each one will be a little bit different. This specific one started off as a C6 Corvette 4LT with the Z51 package, with a 6.2-liter V8 making 430 horsepower. While Valarra offers various performance upgrades, like turbochargers and so forth, this engine is stock. It also packs a six-speed automatic transmission. The only performance upgrade this specific Corvette Valarra has is a BC Racing coilover suspension kit. It also sits on 22-inch Ferrada wheels at the back, with 20s up front. And since the Valarra is bound to get some unwanted police attention, it even has a remote-controlled hideaway license plate, so you can pretend you're Jason Statham from *The Transporter.* While this might not go over too well with die-hard GM fans, this specific car is painted in BMW M's Hockenheim Silver. It even has a removable, transparent roof panel, which is unique to Valarra Corvettes. ![]() ![]() ![]() Inside, nothing's really changed, so you're still sitting in what looks like a normal C6 Corvette. Which is fine, it's a nice enough interior, but it will remind you that you aren't actually driving something exotic or rare. It's hard to predict how much this car will sell for at auction, considering it has 77,000 miles on it. Valarra originally charged $18,000 for just the body kit, in addition to the cost of the donor C6 Corvette. However, Valarra no longer builds these kits, so this car's rarity could increase its value. If you want something truly outrageous that can steal attention away from your pesky supercar-owning neighbors but for less money, this Valarra might be for you. Or you can just buy a C6 Corvette and have a great sports car for far less money. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()