Ep 6. 2002 Corvette C5 Z06

In season 19, episode 6 of Wheeler Dealers, host Mike Brewer and mechanic Ant Anstead take on the challenge of restoring a 2002 Corvette C5 Z06. The car belongs to a car enthusiast who has owned it for 17 years, but sadly, it has been sitting unused for the past seven years. The guys plan to give the sports car a new lease of life, and sell it on for a healthy profit.

The Corvette C5 Z06 was one of the most powerful cars of its time, with a top speed of 175 mph and a 0-60mph time of just 3.9 seconds. However, to achieve this level of performance, the car had to be stripped back to its bare essentials, which means that it wasn't the most comfortable car to drive, with a harsh ride and plenty of road noise.

The first job for the Wheeler Dealers team is to give the car a thorough clean, inside and out. The Corvette has been sitting outside, exposed to the elements, for seven years, and it definitely shows. The dirt and grime on the bodywork are so thick that it's impossible to see the original paint color.

Next, the guys take the car for a test drive to see what needs to be fixed. They quickly discover that the car has a number of issues, including a leaking exhaust manifold, a worn clutch, and steering that is out of alignment. They also notice that the car is pulling to the left, so they suspect that there may be a problem with one of the wheels.

Back in the workshop, the first job is to fix the exhaust manifold. Ant removes the old one and replaces it with a new one, which is a relatively straightforward job. The guys then move on to the clutch, another job that Ant has done many times before. He removes the old clutch and replaces it with a new one, and also replaces the flywheel and pressure plate, which were showing signs of wear.

Next, the guys turn their attention to the steering. They discover that the front wheels are out of alignment, which is causing the car to pull to the left. To fix this, they use a laser alignment tool to correctly align the wheels.

Finally, the guys tackle the issue with the pulling to the left. They discover that one of the wheels is warped, which is causing it to drag on the road. To fix this, they remove the wheel and take it to a specialist shop where they have it repaired.

With all the major issues fixed, the guys turn their attention to the cosmetics. They give the car a full respray, bringing it back to its original bright red color. They also replace the brakes and rotors and give the interior a deep clean.

Once the car is ready, Mike takes it for a test drive to see how it performs. He's impressed with the improvements that have been made, and he feels that the car is now in top condition. The guys put the car up for sale, and after a successful negotiation, they manage to make a healthy profit on the sale.

Overall, the Wheeler Dealers team has done an excellent job of restoring the 2002 Corvette C5 Z06. They've fixed all the major issues and given the car a new lease of life, ready for a new owner to enjoy. The Corvette C5 Z06 is a classic American sports car, and the Wheeler Dealers team has done it justice with this restoration project.