Who argues that in the event of societal collapse, and the world adopts a Mad Max-esque dystopia, we are forbidden from enjoying ourselves? The vendor of this C5 Vette certainly distances themselves from that notion, crafting what appears to be the ultimate post-apocalyptic racing machine which is available for bidding right now.
Listed for sale on Cars and Bids is this 1999 Corvette that has undergone a complete stripping down to its skeletal structure, significant modifications, and affectionately dubbed as the “Doom Buggy.” It resembles a vehicle plucked directly from the core car casting of any post-apocalyptic film or game. Insert this very Vette into the worlds of Mad Max, Fallout, or Rage, and it would seamlessly blend in without any alterations.
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To fashion the Doom Buggy, its possessor dismantled a C5 Corvette, shedding all exterior components. The lone remnant of factory exterior trim is its windscreen. Every other part has been whisked away. Left is merely a bare frame adorned with a roll bar and tube steel doors. The only semblance of “bodywork” on the Doom Buggy consists of a headlight fascia panel seemingly salvaged from an ancient Chevy pickup, an authentic wooden bumper crafted from what appears to be repurposed 1×6 lumber, and a wooden bed akin to a pickup bed in place of the trunk. Equipped to handle your weekly grocery runs, complete with adequate tie-downs. It’s a quirky buggy that I thoroughly adore.
Notably, it outpaces the typical C5 Vette it originated from. Swapping in a 5.7-liter LS6 V8 from a 2004 Corvette Z06, this version is mightier. While the standard Z06 generated 405 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, the seller fine-tuned this model by adding a custom exhaust and a 3.90:1 final drive. Further enhancements include a six-speed manual gearbox, Koni Yellow shocks, a Hurst shifter, and Corbeau Forza racing seats, amongst other alterations. The stock Z06 could sprint from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds, but I speculate that this Doom Buggy is substantially quicker, freed from burdensome body panels.
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Though not flawless, with some traction control system hitches and minor transmission leaks, this vehicle has experienced two accidents (likely leading to its body removal). Nevertheless, while this may not appeal to all, I doubt its buyers are prioritizing reliability.
With only a day remaining on this auction, the current offer stands at $5,200 at my time of penning this piece. Given the absence of a dedicated market for stripped-down Vettes designed for surviving a zombie outbreak, its valuation truly lies in the perception of the observer. As a performance vehicle, the Doom Buggy is undoubtedly a thrill, with the additional benefit of remaining enjoyable even in the face of global catastrophe.
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