Pogea Racing Chevrolet Corvette 1959 Pictures 
Generations Apart: First C1 Chevy Corvette Gets Heart Plant From Pogea Racing
A new LS3 Corvette engine should keep this 1959 Corvette ticking over beautifully. Of course a chassis swap was also necessary to restrain its new surge of life and Pogea Racing teamed up with American company Foose Design to make an in-house tube frame chassis. Replacing the suspension with a coilover variety, fitting high performance brakes, a stainless steel exhaust system and Pogea Racing`s own 3-part wheels with Bridgestone Potenza tyres were also on the agenda.
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POGEA RACING updates 1959 Corvette with latest technology
"This Corvette unites classic automobile design in balance with the latest in modern vehicle
technology."
This is how Eduard Pogea, head of POGEA RACING GmbH outlines the `59 model Corvette
convertible modernised by his company on a customer`s orders. And continues: "Within the
space of only one year we developed, produced and adapted current technology to fit in an
American Old timer. Our objective was to marry contemporary driving characteristics, a
terrifically powerful engine, dependable brakes and a refined vehicle interior with classic
bodywork."
The chassis for this demanding project consists of an in-house tube frame manufactured in
cooperation with Foose Design in the USA. This frame not only significantly improves the
convertible`s torsional stiffness, it also forms a solid base on which to mount the heightadjustable
coilover suspension, as well as the modern drive and brake systems.
When it came to looking for an engine befitting its heritage, POGEA opted for a Corvette
LS3. This engine, used in the current Corvette (MY 2011), was fitted out by POGEA with
extra components to increase its performance. Besides LS7 fuel injectors, aggressive
camshafts and a direct, open intake with tip cone filter, the exhaust flow above all was tuned
to optimum level. Henceforth the 6.2-litre engine is free to howl its zest for life through 45-
millimetre diameter Edelbrock exhaust manifolds coupled with a stainless steel exhaust
system with only 2 silencers. At the same time as that V8 sound massages your eardrums,
the engine performance increases to an impressive 485 HP / 357 kW at 4400 rpm and 585
Nm at 6200 rpm. The engine power reaches the rear wheels via a manual 5-shift gearbox
with ceramic clutch and a Dana 44 differential.
With these modifications, the completely reconditioned Classic puts out excellent
performance: from 0 - 100 kms/h in a mere 3.9 seconds and with a top speed of 288 kms/h,
the two-seater is decidedly superior to the original basic model.
A generously-sized sports brake system taken from the Corvette LS5 provides contemporary
deceleration values. Perforated, internally ventilated brake discs , sized 330 mm (front) and
300 mm (rear) are actuated at the front by six-piston and at the rear by four-piston callipers.
The appropriately-styled 3-part POGEA RACING wheels, 9.5Jx18 at the front and 12Jx19 on
the rear axle, were specially developed for the increased demands of the souped-up
convertible. Bridgestone Potenza 265/40 R 18 and 305/30 R 19 tyres were selected as the
ideal combination.
A clever trick allows POGEA to house the enormous wheels in the rear wheel-wells:
widening them by doubling the original mudguards. As a result the rear end grows by a
handsome 37 centimetres to 2.09 metres overall width and is equipped with 4 LED rear light
clusters to become a real eye-catcher. The complete paint job in the original Ferrari colours
Rosso and Bianco contributes to the effect.
Red and white also dominate the vehicle interior with its perfect look and feel. A combination
of carpeting and smooth leather turns the vehicle interior into a sophisticated control centre.
A Vallelunga steering wheel with flattened lower rim and seats out of the Cobra ensure more
legroom compared to the standard interior. Together with an Alpine multi-media system
including satnav, a retro-fitted AC unit and servo-steering, POGEA upgraded almost all of the
car`s electronics to prepare the Corvette for reliable use in everyday traffic.
Performance characteristics:
Dimensions:
Length mm 4501
Width mm 2090
Height mm 1271
Wheelbase mm 2591
Weight:
Unladen weight kg 1130
Power-to-weight ratio kg/HP 2.3
Engine:
V8 cylinder, 6162 cm³, 485 HP / 357 kW at 4400 rpm, 585Nm at 6200 rpm
Gearbox:
5-gear, manual
Optional automatic gearbox
Performance:
Top speed kms/h 288
Acceleration 0-100 kms/h 3.9
Price:
Euro 225,000.-
(including VAT)
CAR MAKE & MODEL
Pogea Racing Chevrolet Corvette 1959 Pictures
CAR REF NUMBER
40940
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TOTAL VIEWS: 2,997
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