Length: 01:42

From its humble beginnings in 1953 to today's raucous 505 horsepower Z06, the Chevrolet Corvette embodies American performance like no other car.One key component of the Corvette formula is value. And what's more American than a good value? Getting more for your money is practically our national maxim. Department stores have sales, fast food restaurants have dollar menus and Chevy prices the Corvette lower than it should. The 'Vette delivers far more performance bang-for-your-buck than its modest price justifies.For 2009 Chevrolet is upping the performance ante even more by building a Corvette that's hotter than the already scalding Z06. Dubbed ZR1, this alpha dog sports car has its eyes locked on Italy, ready and waiting to take down the six-figure prestige machines born there--at a price that's a lot less.