Modified Corvette Of The Week: The Best, Uncovered

Summary

• The Chevrolet Corvette has a loyal and creative fan base that has led to a thriving modified/custom car community.
• Paragon Performance offers a Maxton Designs C8 Aero Kit that adds a custom, aggressive look to the Corvette with carbon fiber flared winglets for increased downforce.
• Paragon Performance specializes in customizing and enhancing performance vehicles and offers officially licensed GM parts for a perfect fit and finish every time.

Since the dawn of Corvette history, folks from far and wide have truly admired the iconic American sportscar for what it offered in base, and high-trim, form. It didn’t take long for the ‘Vette to inspire more creativity among the massive fan base. This has led to one of the biggest, and most creative, modified/custom car communities in the automotive world.

Just about every generation of the Chevrolet Corvette has a loyal community of those who enjoy the two-seater as a vintage babe, and those who prefer to add personal, distinguishing touches to their vehicle. Thanks to the versatility and range of customization of the Corvette, both officially licensed GM modifications and custom manufacturer mods can be purchased and installed with ease. A trusted, and experienced, proprietor of such C8 modifications is Paragon Performance, a custom vehicle and performance tuning firm that offers services for several Corvette Generations as well as other performance vehicles.

A good choice for C8 owners looking to add a dose of custom aggression to their Vette is the Maxton Designs C8 Aero Kit by Paragon Performance. The body kit takes the already sharp C8 and enhances its aero features with carbon-fiber-flared winglets that increase downforce while maintaining a lightweight quality. Paragon’s satin black C8 Corvette Z06 transformation is a prime example of how artistic and knowledgeable design can take a vehicle that already breaks the mold and put it in a category entirely on its own.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Paragon Performance, and Chevrolet.

A 2023 C8 Z07 Fit For Batman

Immediately eye-catching is the satin black paint finish and blacked-out accents. The C8 Corvette sports a sleek, sporty appearance from the showroom floor, but Paragon Performance opted to go full-on stealth with this customer’s build. This meant de-badging the Chevrolet sportscar to capture that incognito effect that Batman uses to his advantage.

The sleek, sharp winglets on the canard, front lip, and rear diffuser are akin to the dramatic angles and flares found on any generation of Batmobiles. Paragon was sure not to allow any unnecessary color to pop up on the exterior, lest they compromise the midnight coupe. This led the team to scour the exterior with a magnifying glass, blacking out and smoking any exterior elements. Parts including the wheels, taillight, splitter, diffuser, hood, and more are either coated in black or composed of carbon fiber. Which brings us to the next key design element.

Carbon Fiber Finds Its Way Into Nearly Every Facet

The use of carbon fiber is heavy in this C8, to say the least. The exterior sports numerous carbon fiber components, some replacing OEM parts, while others add to the Corvette’s appearance and performance. Not to mention, the lightweight properties of carbon fiber parts keep this Batmobile agile and, most importantly, fast!

Carbon Fiber Exterior Elements Include

• Front lip
• Custom wheels
• Grille bezel
• Canards
• Hood
• GM rockers
• Vent covers from CSS
• Carbon Aero wing
• Engine cover

Superb Aerodynamic Upgrades

Though Paragon Performance built this satin black C8 for a customer, they offer the body kit and Paragon-made accents for purchase on their website. The body kit in question is the Maxton Designs C8 Aero Kit by Paragon Performance and its design allows for easy installation and favorable benefits. Benefits include the aggressive look that the body kit adds, but more importantly, it creates more downforce. With the added grip and control, this C8 becomes much more than just America’s sweetheart sportscar. It becomes fit for a hero.

The aggressive splitter, canards, side skirts, and rear diffuser all sport the before-mentioned flared winglets – almost like mini spoilers for the lower portion of the body kit. As you move up the vehicle, carbon fiber framing can be seen cradling the air dam. From nose to tail, the contrast of satin black and glossy carbon fiber is just spectacular in this build.

Red-Dipped Interior And, You Guessed It, Carbon Fiber

From the outside, the only color that can be observed is the red Brembo brakes. However, a peek inside reveals something far more sinister. When you open the door, you’re overwhelmed with an endless sea of bright red that radiates a devilish, yet satisfying aura.

The red-dipped interior is only fractured by intermittent carbon fiber accents. These accents include switch covers, knob covers, and screen covers. Every OEM plastic or otherwise non-carbon fiber element was replaced by everyone’s favorite lightweight, extremely strong composite. This draws a significant comparison and cohesion to the exterior, as both feature copious amounts of carbon fiber. Yet, the exterior focuses on stealth, while the interior highlights flare. We’ll just chalk this up to human nature.

Sportscar Safety 101

The interior features sport seats, as is standard for vehicles of this caliber. But an added level of safety comes in the form of Sparco four-point harnesses for both passengers. The four-point harness is superior to the standard seatbelt as it reduces bodily trauma in the event of a high-speed accident. This is important to consider, as the Corvette, by design, encourages drivers to test the limits. Hopefully, any limits tested will be tested on a proper track and environment.

Officially Licensed Parts Promises A Perfect Fit And Finish Every Time

Since Paragon Performance is an officially licensed GM parts dealer, they can offer custom replacement parts with enhanced properties. Parts include carbon fiber accents and additions. More importantly, this means that, no matter which C8 variant you bring in, they’ll likely have the expertise and parts to upgrade your Vette without compromising the composition and integrity of the vehicle.

Their attention to car care comes through when they mention the jacking pucks they install. This measure helps avoid any damage caused by inexperienced mechanics or home projects. Also, a passive perk gained from the Maxton Designs C8 Body Kit is the splash protection. The flared edges provide a guard against upward flying debris including dirt and gravel, which helps protect the paint finish from scratches.

The C8 Corvette Continues To Make Headlines

The latest generation in the Corvette’s storied history is among the most controversial. This is thanks to the mid-engine transformation the Vette underwent for the 2020 model year, as well as the incredible performance stats it produces. Not only that, the C8 Corvette comes in at far less than the foreign supercars it competes with. The C8 has all the makings of a historical vehicle.

C8 Corvette Stingray Performance

(Source: Chevrolet)

As far as performance goes, the C8 has a solid spot on the list of fastest American production cars. That’s no surprise, though, as many American sportscars are calling it quits to rework their performance recipe. Something that those at GM did with the Corvette. The C8 transformation re-inserted the Corvette in the wider performance conversation, and those at GM claim they’re only getting started with the mid-engine Vette.

Future Corvettes Ventures

While little is concrete at this time, GM top brass and those close to the upcoming Corvette projects confirm that there is more on the horizon. A speculated C8 ZR1 was spotted at the Nürburgring, possibly benchmarking lap times for tuning purposes. Remember, the ZR1 was historically Corvette’s top-tier track variant. Even more nasty than the Z06 and Z07.

Aside from the ZR1 speculation, the news of an electric Corvette called the Zora has made rounds in the automotive world. The Zora, named after the “Godfather of the Corvette”, Zora Arkus-Duntov, is said to produce a whopping 1,000 horsepower or more. The electrically modified powertrain will be the most powerful to don the Corvette badge from the factory. Again, making the eighth generation one for the history books.

Paragon Performance Specializes In Fast Cars

Paragon is a word that means “The Best”. Considering Paragon Performance’s catalog of upgraded vehicles, officially licensed enhancements, and top-spec parts, it’s clear they strive to live up to the title. Browsing their website reveals a team of dedicated automotive enthusiasts who have made their passion other people’s pleasure.

The one-stop shop offers anything from custom fluid caps to entire suspension upgrades. The satin black C8 Corvette featured in this article sports Paragon Performance’s Stage I suspension kit which provides a stealthy 3/8-inch lowering. That pairs with the Maxton body kit to create a low-profile appearance that retains the C8’s front lift. Plus, they offer more than just Corvette upgrades.

Professional Touch Throughout

Paragon not only offers the parts for enhancing your vehicle, but they also offer services to install said parts. Though this may require putting your name on a waiting list, it’s important to never underestimate the difficulty of upgrading your vehicle. Having a professional provides peace of mind… and insurance.

Paragon Performance offers in-house dyno services for those looking to fine-tune their sportscar. With a team of experienced technicians and top-quality equipment, you’re all but guaranteed a significant performance boost when you drive off Paragon’s shop floor. Extensive services and quality products are sure to keep Paragon Performance in business for years to come. Which is good for everyone, as their craftsmanship and skill make for badass rides.