Mallett Corvette Hammers Home Its Prowess on the Highway
Mallett Corvette Hammers Home Its Prowess on the Highway
One of 45 built for the 1999 model year, Mallett 435 Corvette features LS1 V8 increased to 6.1 liters, forged aluminum pistons.
Ever since the Corvette debuted in 1953, there’s always been a shop or tuner looking to get more out of America’s sports car. Among them is Mallett Performance Cars in Charlotte, North Carolina. Anchored firmly in the center of NASCAR country, Mallett made its name by building the “fastest, highest-quality signature series C5 Corvettes available anywhere,” including the Mallett 435.
One such Mallett 435 C5 Corvette appeared on Bring a Trailer recently, giving us a look at one of the rarest shop-built ‘Vettes to ever terrorize the open road.
The 35th of 45 built for the 1999 model year, the Mallett 435 Corvette slotted between the shop’s Mallett 396 and the monster Mallett Hammer. This one lived in Pennsylvania and Virginia before the current dealership brought it to Ohio just a couple of months ago. And speaking of Pennsylvania, the ‘Vette was the cover star of the Corvettes at Carlisle 2000 program.
And why not? The centerpiece of the Mallett 435 is the LS1 V8. The 5.7-liter V8 made 345 horsepower from the factory in 1999. However, Mallett bumped up the displacement to 6.1 liters. Ported LS6 heads were placed atop the big V8, while signature “D”-port long-tube headers carried the sound down to the road. After some calibration and dyno tuning, the expanded V8 delivered 500 horsepower through a six-speed transaxle to the rear set of Mallett forged wheels and Michelin Pilot Sports.
Mallett also went to work behind the big V8 for the Mallett 435 package. Right away, the leather bucket seats greet lucky occupants with the “Mallett 435” logo stitched into the headrests. Five-point racing harnesses hold the occupants in place, while the roll bar protects their heads. A door plaque on the driver’s side and “Mallett 435” badging complete the package. The oddest feature on this Mallett 435, though, is along the lower trim. Textured black paint protects the rest of the car from rock chips. We suppose it adds a unique character to this monster.
It’s not every day a Mallett Corvette appears on the street. We suspect this Mallett 435 can’t wait to wake up the neighbors wherever it goes next.
Photos: Bring a Trailer
