Overclocker
08-10-06, 05:23 PM
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/il/news/2006/0809/bulgari.z06r.500.jpg
Bulgari is sponsoring a race-prepped Corvette Z06R in FIA GT3 competition in Europe.
Date posted: 08-10-2006
ROME — Nicola Bulgari, the wealthy Italian jeweler who is perhaps best known in the automotive world for his extensive collection of vintage Buicks, has a new passion: motorsports.
Curiously, the 64-year-old, who owns the ex-David Pearson NASCAR Buick Regal among other classic cars, is sponsoring a Chevrolet — specifically, a Z06R sorted by Corvette wizard John Heinricy — in FIA GT3 competition in Europe. Bulgari's car is one of several that are being campaigned by Callaway Competition, of Leingarten, Germany.
In the press materials, Bulgari is quoted as saying: "I've been an American-car enthusiast since my childhood days in Rome. At first it was the styling; then I came to appreciate the power, comfort and ride advantages that they had over the vaulted (sic) European luxury and sports car brands. As soon as I was old enough to drive, I bought an American car. And I haven't stopped."
In GT3, the Z06R is facing off against such challengers as the Aston-Martin DBRS9, the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe, the Ferrari F430 Challenge, the Lamborghini Gallardo, the Maserati GranSport Light and the Porsche Cup 997.
Bulgari's race-spec Z06R has a 7.0-liter LS7 engine capable of producing 530 horsepower. It runs on 98-octane fuel and rides on center-lock 18-inch magnesium wheels with Michelin tires.
Modifications include a full roll cage, six-piston front and four-piston rear vented disc brakes, rose-jointed four-wheel double-wishbone suspension and double-adjustable shocks. Exterior changes include polycarbonate windshield and backlight, carbon-composite body panels and an adjustable rear wing.
Bulgari's personal collection of 140 cars, most of them housed in Rome and in Allentown, Pennsylvania, includes more than 60 Buicks, ranging from a 1935 96S coupe to a 1996 Roadmaster wagon.
What this means to you: The very idea of race-prepping a Buick Lucerne must have seemed too daunting.
Source: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=116450#2
Bulgari is sponsoring a race-prepped Corvette Z06R in FIA GT3 competition in Europe.
Date posted: 08-10-2006
ROME — Nicola Bulgari, the wealthy Italian jeweler who is perhaps best known in the automotive world for his extensive collection of vintage Buicks, has a new passion: motorsports.
Curiously, the 64-year-old, who owns the ex-David Pearson NASCAR Buick Regal among other classic cars, is sponsoring a Chevrolet — specifically, a Z06R sorted by Corvette wizard John Heinricy — in FIA GT3 competition in Europe. Bulgari's car is one of several that are being campaigned by Callaway Competition, of Leingarten, Germany.
In the press materials, Bulgari is quoted as saying: "I've been an American-car enthusiast since my childhood days in Rome. At first it was the styling; then I came to appreciate the power, comfort and ride advantages that they had over the vaulted (sic) European luxury and sports car brands. As soon as I was old enough to drive, I bought an American car. And I haven't stopped."
In GT3, the Z06R is facing off against such challengers as the Aston-Martin DBRS9, the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe, the Ferrari F430 Challenge, the Lamborghini Gallardo, the Maserati GranSport Light and the Porsche Cup 997.
Bulgari's race-spec Z06R has a 7.0-liter LS7 engine capable of producing 530 horsepower. It runs on 98-octane fuel and rides on center-lock 18-inch magnesium wheels with Michelin tires.
Modifications include a full roll cage, six-piston front and four-piston rear vented disc brakes, rose-jointed four-wheel double-wishbone suspension and double-adjustable shocks. Exterior changes include polycarbonate windshield and backlight, carbon-composite body panels and an adjustable rear wing.
Bulgari's personal collection of 140 cars, most of them housed in Rome and in Allentown, Pennsylvania, includes more than 60 Buicks, ranging from a 1935 96S coupe to a 1996 Roadmaster wagon.
What this means to you: The very idea of race-prepping a Buick Lucerne must have seemed too daunting.
Source: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=116450#2