The 1975 Corvette base engine was rated 165 hp, and that was sufficient at the time. The base 4 cylinder engine in my 2006 Canyon was rated 175 hp and was available with a 5 speed MT. The C5 Corvette is lighter, has lower Cd, and less frontal area. It would be even lighter with the Canyon engine and transmission.
If I could average 38 MPG in summer driving in that Canyon, I would think that 50 MPG in a Corvette with that engine and the same mods would be very attainable. See the discussion:
https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthre...yon-17070.html. The Corvette might need skinny LRR tires to get to 50 MPG.
The 2017 to 2019 Colorado/Canyon was available with a 200 hp four cylinder engine and six speed MT that might be even better. It's been in the back of my mind for years, but I will never do it. I wish somebody would.
Maybe some ambitious person could start things by comparing the weight, Cd, and frontal area of a Corvette and 2006 to 2012 Colorado/Canyon? Then plug the numbers into the MPG calculator? Please?