thanks kindly Rob, and you can assume the new mid-engine Corvette has it's sights on Ferrari's and for about a third of the price. In particular the new Z06 that has an MSRP of around $106k. That car will have a different motor than the standard Vette, and actually one that's a smaller ci's displacement. And something else that's different about it and makes it very similar to the high revving Ferrari motors is a change from the typical cross shaped crankshaft to a flat plane crankshaft. If you're not familiar with a flat plane crankshaft the best way to compare it to a conventional crankshaft is to look at it straight down it's axis. All the throws will be inline and it would look like the letter "I" whereas the conventional crank will look like a cross with the throws opposed to each other. This design is new for Corvette, and like Ferraris and the other exotics, they share a relatively small displacement (I think the Z06 is around 287ci, but I would need to double check that) and use a flat plane crankshaft. This design will have the Z06 redlining somewhere around 8000 rpms, and it will now sound more like a Ferrari than the muscle car it was.

Wow, that sounds like a winning combination!!! Low body weight plus a high revving small(er) bore motor, sounds like a screamer, for sure!! Thanks for all that info. Cool factoid about those flat crankshafts, I wasn't familiar but I am now! I was really taken aback by how the frame and body lines came together in your images but never thought about the mechanical adjustments to stay competitive in that class of car. While I may never spend 100k to buy the vette but I am certain(without a lottery win) that I would never be able to grab a Ferrari for around $300k:-)! Nor would I keep my marraige in tact
Rob

You're right, I think it was he who said that Don. I think the E Type, and the XK's before it had what I call organic lines, almost like the body of a beautiful woman, shapely, rounded and very feminine. Some of the older Ferraris were like that too. But, all the exotics today are very edgy and angular looking, more masculine lines. However, in many ways I like and miss the looks of those organic feminine lines to today's looks. Another thing to consider with today's exotics is that they are much faster, many capable of speeds well in excess of 200mph, and with those speeds the design of the cars become more critical. Now air dams, ground effects, and spoilers are more required, and not just styling add-ons.