When you are 7-foot-1 like Shaquille O’Neal, most cars are off-limits. Even roomy SUVs like the Jeep Wrangler feel cramped. So when Shaq set his sights on Chevrolet’s C8 Corvette Z06, a car already known for its snug cabin, he needed serious modifications. Effortless Motors answered the call, and the result is a one-of-a-kind Corvette stretched to fit the big man himself.
20 Inches Longer
YouTube @ EFFORTLESS MOTORS
Very few cars can comfortably seat someone taller than 6-foot-6, and a low-slung sports car is usually impossible. Effortless Motors tackled the challenge by elongating Shaq’s Z06 by 20 inches, yet it doesn’t look like an unproportional limo-like Corvette. Unfortunately, we’ll only see the true difference when Shaq parks his next to a stock C8. The car wears a matte black finish with gloss accents, likely carbon fiber, and a massive rear wing, even larger than the stock Z06’s. The wheels appear to be factory-fitted, but Superman center caps add a personal touch that nods to Shaq’s nickname.
Still A Proper Performance Car
Underneath, the Chevy remains stock, which is no bad thing. The latest Corvette Z06 is already one of the most capable American cars ever built, powered by a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter LT6 flat-plane crank V8 with 670 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, enough to launch it to 60 mph in just 2.6 seconds. Effortless Motors added a roof scoop integrated into a cover over the rear window, but this was probably for aesthetic purposes only. Inside, Shaq’s car features a bold red interior that contrasts with the dark exterior. Like the standard Z06, it keeps its removable roof panel, though this version gives Shaq much more breathing room.
Shaq’s Big-Grin Test Drive
YouTube @ EFFORTLESS MOTORS
The car wasn’t even finished when Shaq first laid eyes on it, with new side windows still on the way. That didn’t matter. He hopped in, took it for a long spin. During the drive, you can see one of the greatest NBA centers of all time smiling like a kid in a candy store. Shaq’s garage has seen everything from cut-up Ferraris to enlarged Escalades, but this Corvette is something new. It finally gives Shaq something fast, fun, and practical to play around with without him having to leave his legs at home to do so.
