Twin Turbo: 2000 Chevrolet Corvette Lingenfelter – SOLD!

April 24, 2022, Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

One of the more intriguing areas of collector car ownership is the legions of high-performance models modified by respected names in the aftermarket tuning industry. Callaway is one such brand that comes to mind, along with Saleen. But one of the biggest household names is John Lingenfelter, who took numerous already-impressive machines and found oodles more horsepower to unlock. This 2000 Chevrolet Corvette is a twin-turbocharged model built by Lingenfelter, and the dizzying list of enhancements makes it seem like an absolute bargain at $35,000. This Corvette was originally listed in April 2022 on Craigslist in Bradenton, Florida with 78,000 miles on the clock. Now, the price guides don’t offer a listing for Lingenfelter-modified example, but the Hagerty Price Guide pegs a stock 2000 Corvette coupe in Concours condition at $33,000.

There’s always the undertone of debate around limited-production, high-performance models. Would a factory-modified car, such as a Z06, be a better investment? I used to think so, but now I’m not so sure. At the very least, I can understand why a C5 Z06 in preserved condition is always going to be worth more, but it makes cars like this one seem like an even better deal. Sure, you could spend $50K for a pristine Z06 that you’re likely somewhat cagey about driving, or $35,000 for this one that has an incredible amount of high-performance hardware on board. Still, it seems you can find cars like these and tons of SN95 Saleen Mustangs hanging around craigslist for a small percentage of their original price at any given time, but given they haven’t always been treated like collector cars, it’s likely pretty easy to buy one that’s been abused. If you happen to do the occasional high-performance track day or autocross event, the value-per-dollar factor screams even higher in favor of buying a muscle car massaged by the aftermarket. Throw in the fact that John Lingenfelter passed away a few years ago and you have a vehicle that truly represents a bygone era.

The seller references this video on featured on the HistoryKrell YouTube Channel features this vintage road test of a 2001 Corvette Lingenfelter Twin Turbo that gives you a sense of the performance potential of the car featured here:

Whenever you read a list of modifications for a Corvette or Mustang built by an aftermarket company, the assortment of improvements can be mildly eye-watering. But before we get into that, it’s important to consider some of the other virtues of this particular C5 Corvette. First of all, the color is spectacular: Bowling Green Metallic, which the seller reports to be one of less than 900 cars painted this way. Then there’s the nostalgia card, as Lingenfelter passed away in 2003, making this era of Corvette one of the last generations to be modified by the man himself. The performance improvements include everything from methanol injection and a Billy Boat exhaust to Baer HD brakes and HRE wheels. The twin-turbo kit provides a reliable 650 horsepower, but with some additional upgrades spelled out in the description, this Corvette is good for a dyno-proven 697 horsepower. The seller mentions that it is a handful to drive and that it will light up the tires at 80 miles per hour. The top speed is said to be 225 miles per hour, and if you drive it in a civilized manner, it will still get 29 miles per gallon. It seems like it’s hard to go wrong here for $35,000.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“2000 Chevrolet Corvette in Bowling Green Metallic(less than 900 made in this color) and tan interior with Lingenfelter 650 Stage 2 Twin Turbo. This was the last Lingenfelter Corvette engine designed by John himself. No. 18 in the series. Baer HD brakes, and HRE wheel/tire option were also added by Lingenfelter. Factory rated at 650hp. This one has several additional mods, including Fast 90 intake, 90mm throttle body, boost controller, 50mm blow-off valve, Alky Control meth injection, 1000hp rated Monster SC twin disk clutch, Billy Boat exhaust, tranny brace, and hardened axles. This car is scary fast, even for an experienced driver, it will light up the tires(drag radials) at 80 mph when the boost hits! 697whp on pump gas, without the methanol injection(I have dyno sheets to prove it). The body is near perfect, paint is 95%. The Interior is in amazing shape. Sport power seats are like new, leather is perfect. New headliner and sun visors. 78k miles, increasing daily. I am the 5th owner. Very nice custom Boston Acoustic sound system. Drag radials on the back and all seasons on the front are in great condition with lots of tread. I’m only selling it because I’m ready for a new toy. Without the add-ons, it will run in the 10’s in the 1/4 mile, and top out at 225mph. You can check it out here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXW13ebEdbc.“

Factory hot rod or aftermarket: which flavor muscle car do you prefer?