07/26/2025
Would you do this?
For some Corvette Z06 owners, driving the car isn't enough—they want to build part of it themselves. Chevrolet offers this opportunity through its Engine Build Experience, a $5,000 program that invites Z06 buyers to the Performance Build Center in Bowling Green, Kentucky. There, owners don gloves and tools to assemble the 5.5-liter LT6 V8 engine that will power their future car.
Under the guidance of a GM master technician, participants follow the same meticulous procedures as factory workers. This isn't a symbolic handshake—they actually install key components like pistons, valves, and cylinder heads. It’s a slow, precise process that can take a full day or more, but it turns a machine into something much more personal.
Once completed, the engine is fitted with a special plaque that includes the owner's name and the date of assembly. It becomes a permanent part of the vehicle—a small badge of pride and proof that the owner helped bring their supercar to life. For some, this hands-on moment is as thrilling as hearing the LT6 roar for the first time.
The program adds something money usually can't buy: a direct connection to the machine. It bridges the gap between consumer and creator, giving the Corvette experience an even deeper level of meaning. 🏎️🔧
