1955 Chevy Bel Air Drags 2023 Corvette Stingray Z51, the Surprise Almost Happens

Since it was introduced for the 2020 model year, the C8 Corvette has never ceased to amaze. The team over at Chevrolet finally gained approval to make the 'Vette the supercar killer of everyone's dreams thanks to its first-ever mid-engine setup. But that wasn't enough – after the Corvette Stingray with up to 495 hp (Z51), they continued to innovate with the 670-hp record-breaking FPC Corvette Z06 and the first-ever 655-hp eAWD hybrid Corvette E-Ray.

Now, as per the incessant spying of development prototypes and Chevrolet's own teaser campaign, the summer will go up in (alleged) twin-turbo flames with the introduction of the Corvette ZR1. For the first time using a turbo instead of a supercharger, this ZR1 iteration will be the most powerful 'Vette ever, with an alleged pony count of around 850 hp. But we're still not there yet.

In fact, nothing forbids, and nobody says that regular folks shouldn't enjoy their hard-earned Chevy Corvette Stingray in the meantime – even at the local dragstrip. As an example, the videographer behind the SSDracer channel on YouTube has prepared more quick action of the 1/8th mile variety at Barona Dragstrip in Lakeside, California, with his latest acquisition, a 2023 Stingray.

This car enthusiast has set up the channel for his weekend racing exploits at the track – where he took all of his beloved cars, including the sold 2018 Chevy Camaro 1SS (6.2-liter V8, A8) or 2020 Honda Accord Sport (2.0-liter turbo, A10) plus his current roster of 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP with a supercharged 3.8-liter V6 and A4, a newer 2022 Honda Accord Sport, as well as a 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z51.

The latter, of course, is the main protagonist as of late. As such, we have seen it going against cool new stuff like a Tesla Model S Plaid or Y Performance, BMW M850i or M5, Ford Mustang GT, or even Mercedes-AMGs, Mopars, and Acura's NSX. However, it's a rarer occurrence to see it battling against older models – the videographer once caught a modified 2001 Chevy Camaro Z28 as well as a modded 2001 Pontiac Trans Am WS6.

Now, though, he's going back in time for a Tri-Five confrontation – against the ultra-beloved 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air. According to the description, the latter isn't original, and the owner instead modified it to cope with the rigors of Barona Dragstrip – a non-prep racetrack. As such, it's not as much about raw power but skill due to the non-prep surface and the short course.

Obviously, this racer is highly experienced because he's trialed and tested a bunch of cars at the track, and he's also easily considered a regular. Alas, it turns out his opponent was also highly skilled because, at first, the older 1955 Chevy Bel Air took command of the race with a subtly better takeoff.

The surprise was right then and there waiting to happen, but in the end, it turns out that Chevrolet did a mighty fine job with the 495-hp mid-engined Corvette Stingray Z51, and the modern sports car recouped the lost distance and ultimately took home a narrow 8.04s versus 8.72s victory at the 1/8th-mile course. Cool or not?