This week, Derek and Jason discuss every generation of the Chevrolet Corvette while ogling beautiful sculpts made by Amalgam Collection.

Derek explains that the C1 Corvette, in all of its various bodies, was perhaps better to look at than to drive, with a solid rear axle and (in early versions) a truckish straight-six engine. Jason hasn’t driven one, but feels like the Corvette recipe wasn’t fully baked until the C2 Corvette, which has perhaps the best-feeling manual-transmission shifter in history.

The C3 has amazing door handles and voluptuous Ferrari-esque fenders; the C4 was 1980s angularly stunning, and introduced the ZR-1, the Corvette From Hell, with its 4-cam, Lotus-designed, Mercury Marine-built 32-valve V-8. The C5 resurrected the Z06 option code from the 1960s, and the C6 was genuinely great to drive at the limit. Especially in outrageous ZR1 form, which used a supercharged V8 whose scream was only matched by those of the passenger.

It all came together with the C7, the first Corvette to be competitive on a world stage in all ways, including its interior. Still not a match for the more-expensive European stuff, it was a pleasure to drive in its distinctly American way: gruff, rough, heavy-handed and very, very fun.

The C8’s departure goes way deeper than its switch to a mid-engine layout. All of its controls are light and delicate, and its dual-clutch automatic transmission so smooth and deliberate that it feels synthetic. Just like the sound of its small-block engine, which is now artificiially piped through the stereo speakers.

Jason insists the Chevy Small Block is the best-sounding V-8 in the world and Derek doesn’t seem to disagree. But the C8’s understeer is enough to make him think twice before recommending it, even though we know forthcoming Corvette C8 hybrids will have torque-vectoring electric all-wheel-drive.

And last but not least, the boys discuss model cars: is it better to have literal models that match the real-world thing, or artistic interpretations? One works better in a garage or man-cave, the other is perhaps more appropriate on a coffee table. At least in houses where a significant other’s non-automotive taste needs to be considered.

This episode of The Carmudgeon Show was Supported by Amalgam Collection. Use the code "ISSIMI" on https://www.amalgamcollection.com/ to get free shipping on the CHEVROLET CORVETTE SCULPTURES (https://www.amalgamcollection.com/col...).

Terms and conditions: https://www.issimi.com/pages/amalgam-...

The Carmudgeon Show is a comedic, information-filled conversation with Jason Cammisa and Derek Tam-Scott, two car enthusiasts who are curmudg

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