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Beginning Jeff Nowicki, founder of Specter Werkes, was no stranger to the automotive industry and Corvette design in particular. Jeff's father, Ron Nowicki, was chief engineer for the Corvette studio during the development of the C4 and C5 models. Jeff's own career with General Motors began with Oldsmobile in their design department. His first assignment was to design the body for the Oldsmobile Achieva which was introduced in 1992. At the same time, though, he was running his own tuning business and racing Camaros on the side. Jeff, who was already experienced at driving race cars as well as setting-up Corvettes and Camaros for various road racing series, decided his talents could be more utilized in expanding his own high performance company Specter Werkes. As a result, he left GM in 1995 and his company began to take on a more focused shape, one that would center in on making the already capable Corvette into an eye catching production supercar. In early 1998, Specter Werkes had deals in process with Purifoy Chevrolet of Fort Lupton, Colorado as well as Cauley Chevrolet in West Bloomfield, Michigan. Since these dealers participated in development of the GTR, it was only fitting that they would become the two dealers to carry this limited edition supercar. Features that would include modified engine and suspension as well as a completely redesigned body. As an experienced automotive clay modeler, Jeff began with a normal C5 and applied clay until he achieved just the right shape. Once he was satisfied, the car was scanned and panels were fabricated from fiberglass. Both the term GSR and GTR were monikers being considered for his creation. Eventually GTR won out due to the rich history of the term GT along with the race inspired connotation of the C5-R racer. GM approved the concept and plans were underway to produce up to 25 cars the first year (1999) with 50 per year to follow.
C5 - The First GTR C5 was the first generation GTR created. Jeff looked at the C5 and said "that's a good starting point". He believed he could create a more aggressive looking, more functional Corvette by adding width to both the front and rear which resulted in changing out most body panels. By starting with the Z51 suspension package, achieving his targeted performance handling improvements was made simpler. Jeff's intent was to deliver great performance, but maintain ride quality. Something not common amongst high performance supercars. To account for wider tires, the front end was widened by 3 inches while the rear was increased by 6. This made the necessary room for application of P245/45ZR-17 tires up front and save P335/30ZR-18 tires in the rear. The car was also lowered 1/2 inch which helped increase downforce and improved handling. The result was the first GTR, a 1998 model with a 382 cubic inch, 430 hp engine that could pull 0.97g in the slalom, do 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, and look fantastic doing it. Jeff wanted to get 450 HP out of his engine modifications but was unable to do so due to limitations with the Corvette's stock computer. However, the torque curve provided a somewhat deceptive feel in that its acceleration was strong and smooth throughout the entire power band. As a result, the feeling of speed was not as noticeable as it would be in a sudden launch scenario. Pursuit of Power Since Jeff's motto is "too much is just enough", the pursuit of more horsepower was not far behind. In 1999, the limitations provided by the stock computer were overcome. Taking the same punched-out 382 cubic inch displacement along with a new set of computer modifications allowed the GTR's power to be increased to 465 hp. With new 19 inch rims clothed in 34530ZR-19 Michelin Pilots, the torque delivered was enough to cause the wheels to break loose when going from 2nd to 3rd at nearly 80 mph. By 2003 several power options had been added to line-up. Among them were a 556 hp 382 cubic inch small block, a 600+ hp 427 cubic inch big block, and a supercharged version that could develop 750+ hp. A Magnusson supercharger was also available that could be added to any engine for a flat 100 hp increase. Although 750 horses could be had, the only supercharged version ever produced was also the only 50th Anniversary Edition made. It used the stock LS1 engine modified with LS6 heads, valves, and cam along with a supercharger, headers, and cat back exhaust to make 555 hp when it was all said and done. Earnhardt GTRs In 2000 Dale Earnhardt Sr. ordered a pair of matching yellow GTRs. These were numbers 17 and 18 of the C5 GTRs produced. The intent of these cars was to capture the spirit of the father/son team who ran the 24 hours of Daytona together that year. Due to his untimely death in 2001, Dale Sr. was never able to see his GTR completed. The Pratt & Miller C5-R cars that ran took 1st and 2nd in the race and the actual wings from these cars were removed and installed on the tails of the Earnhardt GTRs. The cars can easily be distinguished in that Dale Jr.'s car has all the racing decals of his #3 C5-R while Dale Sr.'s does not. End of C5 In the end, only 29 C5 GTRs were produced. This was partly due to the very subtle nature of the bodywork modifications. Discerning a GTR from a bolt on body C5 was not immediately obvious. Customers who purchased a near $100k highly specialized automobile wanted a more radical design - one that demanded to be noticed. Subtle as the mods were, when placed side by side, the transformation was nothing short of incredible. The low production numbers makes the C5 GTRs among the rarest of the GM approved, highly modified C5 Corvettes.
C6 - A More Radical Design C6 is the second generation of GTR and carries on the tradition started with the first. Although customers who purchased the first generation loved the subtle design cues and outstanding performance that went into each car, an increasing number of potential customers began requesting a more radical alteration to the stock Corvette. Something that was tasteful and recognizable as a Corvette, yet stood out and commanded attention. Jeff Nowicki, founder of Specter Werkes delivered with the debut of C6 GTR number 001. It was a silver 2008 model sold to Rollie Purifoy, owner of Purifoy Chevrolet in Fort Lupton, Colorado. On July 24, 2008 introduction of this all new C6 GTR occurred to an eager crowd at Cauley Ferrari in West Bloomfield, Michigan. The car was an instant hit. Not only was it recognizable as a Corvette with its distinct new lines but the more aggressive racing influenced design would not allow it to be confused with a standard production Corvette. As with the original C5 GTR, little of what is seen on the car is stock. All but the roof panel and rear hatch are replaced by eleven hand-laid fiberglass panels and seven molded carbon fiber components. This addition of carbon fiber also helped to reduce weight. Carbon fiber components include the front splitter, rear diffuser, side mirror caps, and headlamp bezels. To not interrupt the smooth lines, door handles were removed and replaced with electronic actuators whose buttons are located under each of the wheel wells. Performance One of Jeff's goals in the C6 was just like that of the C5 GTR a performance suspension that is not punishing but completely drivable. Widened by only 1/2 inch as compared to a Z06 and 4.5 inches overall compared to a base model, the C6 version modifications are much more obvious than the 6 inch wide modifications of the C5 GTR. As such wheel size grew by one inch for both the front and back to accept zero pressure ZR-1 size tires - P285/30ZR-19 in the front and P335/25ZR-20 gracing the rear. To incorporate a smoother look on the wheels a "blind" bolt pattern was incorporated. This means the hardware usually seen around the perimeter of wheel center was moved to the inside of the rim for a cleaner look. Given this was the first time a set of wheels was manufactured this way, it may be the shape of things to come in future automotive performance. Suspension was lowered by 1 inch and, like the previous C5 GTR, engine modifications included adding extra cubes. The stock LS3 engine from a Z06 was modified to 414 cubic inches with the addition of plenty of go fast hardware. This includes rods, pistons, and newly machined heads to pump out 535 hp. As a result, 0 to 60 mph ticks off in just 4.1 seconds with capability of pulling over 1g on the corners. To achieve a little more kick, car number 001 was also fitted with an optional, more radical cam that cranked horsepower up to 615 horses. Lingenfelter Partnership Teamed with Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, Specter Werkes constructed a twin-turbo GTR to unveil at the 2009 SEMA auto show. This brand new supervette began life as a 2009 blue pearl 505 hp Z06. Chief among the new GTR hardware was extra carbon fiber, including: a heat extractor hood, front fenders, doors, rocker panels, rear fenders, rear fascia, and HRE CF40 wheels. Unlike the year before, many of these carbon fiber components remained unpainted. To keep up with the goal of innovation, the first ever 22 lb carbon fiber wheels were wrapped in zero pressure tires for truly outstanding performance. In addition to the twin intercooled true ball bearing turbochargers, a forged steel crankshaft, forged steel connecting rods, and aluminum pistons were incorporated. To keep up with the increased airflow from the turbos, a CNC port and polish of the cylinder heads was performed. Valving was improved with high performance dual valve springs, titanium retainers, and valve locks. A completely new turbo compressor/exhaust housing with integrated waste gate was designed to improve efficiency. All totaled, this combination cranked out a whopping 800 hp out of the already respectable 427 cubic inch LS7 engine.
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