Skip to main content
 

ABOUT US

About Mallet Performance Cars

In the hotbed of racing, Charlotte, North Carolina and surrounding cities, there’s a name that reigns supreme in modifying late model GM vehicles, and that name is Chuck Mallett of Mallett Cars. Mallett works closely with GM, knowing the cars inside and out, as well as helps them prepare vehicles for the annual SEMA Show.

Mallett Cars, Ltd. was founded in 1997 by 27-year racing veterans (45 years of competition experience), Chuck and Lance Mallett, to become the cornerstone of a new venture whose goal was to produce the fastest, highest-quality signature series C5 Corvettes available anywhere. Upon completing the C5 venture, Mallett Cars added C6 Corvettes, Cadillac V-Series, V8 Solstice and Sky and even SUVs to their exclusive lineup.

Mallett Cars has grown to become the leader in late model GM tuning with conversions ranging from mild street brawlers to insane 200+ MPH track dominators. If it makes a Corvette, Cadillac or truck faster, handle better or stop shorter, Mallett Cars has it. If you’re looking for race-bred performance that are all designed and tested in-house by competent and veteran racers and engineers, this is the only place you should be looking for aftermarket Corvette, Cadillac, Solstice and SUV parts.

All of Mallett Cars’ performance parts have been engineered to work together. This allows you to progressively upgrade your performance in stages, or all at once. Whether you’re on a budget, or looking for an “in-your-face” supercar, Mallett Cars will help you build the vehicle of your dreams.

Mallett Cars’ strict adhesion to a basic set of fundamental principles ensure a coordinated development of both chassis and engine components. When you order a Mallett Corvette, Cadillac or SUV conversion, it is a complete vehicle; a reliable, thorough enhancement of the vehicle platform, not simply an assembly of aftermarket components.

If you require only the most skilled and experienced builders to assemble your reliable, efficient and powerful dream car, contact Mallett Cars today.

History of Mallett Performance Cars

Mallett Cars Ltd. was founded in 1997 by Chuck Mallett, Lance Mallett and long time associate David Sarafian, to become the cornerstone of a new venture whose goal is to be the leading innovator of performance automotive products, and to produce the fastest, highest-quality signature-series 5th generation (C5) Corvettes available anywhere.

With more than 35 years of experience in motorsports, brothers Chuck and Lance Mallett grew up in a racing environment as both their father and uncles were actively involved with Ford factory-sponsored racing throughout the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s.

In the late 1970’s, the brothers decided to open their own body shop and specialized in custom paint work and meticulous restorations. With the dedicated help and input of their family the venture was a huge success, and Mallett Incorporated was born.

By the mid-80’s, Mallett Incorporated became actively involved in professional racing as paid consultants for the Chevrolet racing division, and competed in the Corvette Challenge series. The next decade was a very active time for the Mallett’s, and by necessity, Mallett Motorsports was created to service clients from the Trans-Am and World Challenge Series, as well as NASCAR and Winston Cup Championship events. Mallett Motorsports became well-regarded for their expertise in chassis design, tuning, and the construction of vehicles which will survive (and win) legendary endurance events such as the Daytona 24-Hour endurance race, the 12 Hours of Sebring, the 24 Hours of Mosport, and the 24 Hours of Mid-Ohio.

In the mid 90’s, Mallett Motorsports had changed its focus from professional racing to the construction of purpose-built, race-quality, specialty street vehicles and one-off competition vehicles. Four major projects which stand-out in this era are: The Twin-Turbo Corvette ZR1, the Corvette GTP Grandsport, the Case School of Engineering Formula Lightning electric racer, and a 1967 Camaro which was named the 1996 Hot Rod Magazine “Hot Rod Of The Year”.

With the imminent introduction of the 5th generation (C5) Corvette in 1997, a new opportunity was seized upon to boost the performance of this all-new Corvette platform, and Mallett Cars LTD was formed to concentrate exclusively on custom parts and modifications for this vehicle. To validate the design of the new “Mallett 435” conversion Corvette (introduced in 1998), a 1997 prototype C5 Corvette was built, and entered into the 1997 One-Lap of America race. The One-Lap street/track racing format provided an excellent opportunity to show that the Mallett 435 Corvette will outperform the competition such as the Dodge Viper, Porsche 911 Turbo, and even Chevrolet’s own legendary ZR1 Corvette. Placing 1st in class (2nd overall) in its debut event, the Mallett entry proved its durability and outstanding performance with top speeds in excess of 190 mph and high 11-second quarter-mile times. This vehicle, considered to be the first C5 race car, is still widening the Corvette performance envelope with its use as a development platform for Mallett Cars, and routine entry into competition events across the US.

Since the successful introduction of the Mallett 435 and 396 conversions in 1998, new conversion models continue to expand the product lineup such as the Mallett Z06 Hammer, SUV conversions, and most recently Cadillac CTS-V conversions.

Drawing on the talents of skilled craftsmen, and many years of competition experience, Mallett Cars coordinated development of chassis and engine components has reached a level of precision and reliability unsurpassed in the industry. This philosophy has earned Mallett Cars the respect and confidence of our customers and industry peers.