General Motors performance-car enthusiasts love “LS” series engines—and for good reason. The LS came with lots of aftermarket support, relatively painless maintenance needs, and plenty of power on tap. Many hot-rodders choose LS engines for their restomods. Let’s take a look back at the vehicle that came with the initial iteration of the LS. It was the first-generation Chevrolet Corvette, and that engine was code-named “LS1.”
The Pick of the Day is a 2000 Chevrolet Corvette coupe listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Demotte, Indiana.
“Really clean C5 Corvette,” the listing says. Finished in Millennium Yellow (which cost $500 extra) over a black leather interior, the car has accrued just 83,000 total miles, and it looks to be well-kept both inside and out for being 25 years old.
The window sticker shows that this car was originally delivered to Terry Lee Chevrolet in Cincinnati following assembly in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The total vehicle price came out to $45,999, and the list of options was lengthy: highlights included removable roof panels, polished aluminum wheels, sport bucket seats with leather upholstery, a 12-disc CD changer, head-up display, dual-zone automatic climate control, performance handling package, six-way power passenger seat, performance axle, and more.
Two key custom upgrades set this Corvette apart from the rest: the first is a Borla exhaust, and the second is a set of newer wheels. The listing says they are from a Z06 model but, to me, they look like 18-inch 2010-13 Corvette “Grand Sport” wheels finished in gloss black. Either way, it’s a nice look that’s custom, yet still OEM in a way. The Hankook Ventus V12 Evo2 tires have lots of tread left on them. Plenty of rubber to burn!
And, of course, helping to burn that rubber is the famous LS1 engine found under the hood. It’s 5.7 liters in displacement and was considered a “Gen III” small-block. Features include an all-aluminum block with iron cylinder heads, a high-performance camshaft, individual coil packs, and an ECM-driven ignition system. GM rated it at 345 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque—more than enough power to move a 3,246-pound C5 Corvette with authority.
The seller includes a short video showing a start-up, interior overview, and exterior walk-around with the vehicle at idle. The LS sounds healthy, thanks in large part to that upgraded Borla exhaust system. It’s music to any car-fanatic’s ears.
The asking price is $16,750.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com