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I had driven more than 2000 miles from Chicago, paralleling
the course of historic Route 66, in search of a long,
lonely enough stretch of road that I could explore the
Corvette Z06's top speed of 198mph.
Route 66 passes through a quintessential tapestry of
America — from the Pacific shore, past the Grand
Canyon and the Native American communities of the
desert southwest, to the streets of St. Louis and Chicago.
Whether you are motivated by an interest in its history,
feel a nostalgic yearning for the good old days the route
has come to represent, or simply want to experience firsthand
the amazing diversity of people and landscapes that
line its path, Route 66 offers an unforgettable journey
into America, then and now.
In California's Mojave Desert I thought I had a chance. I
hadn't passed anyone in miles and could see that old 66
ahead was empty to the horizon. I dropped the six-speed
gearbox from 6th to 4th and floored it. Like a cathedral pipe
organ playing Bach's Toccata with all the stops out, the 7.0
liter, 505hp LS7 V-8 began to thunder and howl toward its
7,000 rpm redline.
Sixteen liters of air were being sucked in through the fuel
injector ram stacks at every revolution of the highly tuned
small-block. The dual stage mufflers opened to release
backpressure and their soul-stirring roar echoed off the
mountains as the head-up speedometer and tach display
changed digits faster than a premium gas pump totals
dollars these days.
105, 118. Think, look…stay on it. 139. The front end is
feeling light over the rough pavement. Stare at the horizon
‘til your eyes harden…and keep your foot planted. 145...
dip your gaze for an instant to check the HUD. 154 mph.
Things are beginning to blur. There's a slight rise
looming… Not today folks. The cross-drilled front and rear
disc brakes hauled the most powerful Corvette ever from
156 to 90 in two heartbeats. A bit of a yump and the car gets
up on its tip toes then settles again on the other side. My
shoulders relax, my fingers began to unclench.
Sanity, and the wife-in-my-head, nags. I settle down to a
speed that will allow me to further contemplate this grounded
F-16-of-the-road that waits for the command to take you
where you want to go, as fast as you want to go there.
ROUTE 66 AND A BOYHOOD DREAM
It was in 1960 that my Route 66 fantasy was born when
CBS launched Route 66. The black and white drama put
actors, Martin Milner as Tod Stiles and George Maharis as
Buz Murdock in a new (new each year that the series aired)
Corvette roadster and sent them down the road in search of
some meaning to life. The show ran for four years and
remains the most dramatically creative of any series that has
had a car in a continuing role.
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