LIBERTY WALK IS BUILDING THE WORLD'S FIRST MANUAL C8 CORVETTE DRIFT CAR
Previous generations of the Chevrolet Corvette were great starting points for drift builds. With a front-mounted V8 engine and power going to the rear axle, a C4 or newer Corvette (older ones are too expensive) is ideal for both novice and pro drifters alike, but the current C8 Stingray is a different story altogether. With its V8 mounted in the middle of the car and a starting price around $70,000, the latest 'Vette is hardly a prime candidate for sustained abuse. Or is it?
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe
Professional drifter Matt Field took advantage of the low pricing of a flood-damaged example to create something truly unique, and more than a year later, it's almost ready. Meet the world's first manual-equipped C8 Corvette drift car.
A C8 Corvette In Name Only
Given that this build started as a flood-damaged purchase and will end with it being tortured at professional Formula D events, it's no surprise that the stock powertrain will not be retained. Instead, the C8 drift car will feature an (unspecified) LS motor mated to a sequential transmission. The steering rack, control arms, suspension, ECU, and brakes have been upgraded to aftermarket pieces, the latter thanks to Wilwood. Inside, the cabin has been stripped, cleaned, and repainted, and a custom roll cage has been both bolted and welded into place.
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The so-called Great Wall of Buttons that runs along the center console of regular C8 Corvette interiors has disappeared, but there are still some considerations to style, with a carbon fiber C6 Corvette dashboard now housing the driver cluster and hiding a stiffening brace between each A-pillar. More carbon fiber appears in each door panel, and the entire rear hood that covers the engine bay has been replaced by a carbon fiber piece from the experts at Anderson Composites.
Liberty Walk Aggression
With increased steering angles and a wider track, not to mention beefier wheels and tires, the Corvette needs a way of hiding its added girth, and the Liberty Walk widebody kit for the Stingray is the ideal solution, grabbing attention while serving a purpose. A complete kit costs around $20,000 if you don't need carbon fiber (pointless on a drift car that is already lightweight and will likely face regular scrapes and bumps) and adds a new bumper, new front hood, new front and rear fenders with larger rocker panels and side skirts, and a large fixed wing.
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It's been a long year-plus of hard work and patience to get the build 99% complete, and now it's just a matter of assembling everything and ensuring the C8 drift car runs right. Knowing the fantastic reputation of the LS motor, there won't be any problems under the hood. A manual C8 drift car may never be as cool as Ryan Tuerck's so-called GT4586, but it's darn close. Well done, Mr. Field.