Category Archives: Auto History

It’s good to have friends or acquaintances at place where car stuff happens, even at ‘stealerships’.

I was on my way home from work when may phone rang, normally I don’t answer when I’m driving and almost never when the number isn’t in my contacts.  But I answered it (hands free people…hands free!!!) and the voice on the other end wasn’t immediately familiar.

“Tim, this is Scott, from —– Chevy.”  I  then remembered having a couple conversations with him about Vettes, one of them dealing with the chrome on the Grand Sport.

He continued by reminding me of our Corvette conversations and then said…”I have a the new Corvette in  and….”  I interrupted and in a high pitched tone said… “Can I see it!?!?!?!”  (sounded like a little kid, I’m sure.)  He said…”We getting it ready for the buyer to pick up….”  I interrupted again….”I’m two blocks away.  I can be there in five!!!” He responded “Yes, I can get you back there to see it.”

I give my C6 a little more air/fuel mixture and got there in 4 minutes.

The dealership was having one of those 24 hours sale and there was a live band, one of the local Corvette clubs had a row of 50’s – now Vette generations (minus the C7), a couple of 1920’s Chevy’s  and a T.V. news crew.

I parked in front and weaved my way though the cars and people and headed inside.  I was stopped by a salesman and asked for Scott.

(Reading this back to myself..you’d think I was picking up my  very own C7!!!)

Salesman led me inside and there was Scott in one of the salesman cubes.  He’s says “You want to see it?”  I said “Lets go.”  Trying to be a bit cooler than I was on the phone.

We chatted on our way to the rear of the facility and  I mentioned my numerous trips back to Kentucky and visiting the assembly plant.  I’ve seen the a C5 being built and a couple C6’s.  We got to the back of the building and headed outside to the prep-area.  No C7 in sight.

While Scott took a call I  wandered around the bays and then back outside.  Then as I turn to my right, I  heard the wonderful sound of American Muscle in low gear (given the C7 is 7 speeds I guessed it was in 3rd gear) and I saw a most magnificent machine moving toward me and then it hung a left  (all in slow motion ) and gave me a broadside view and parked in one of the prep bays.  There it was, my first in person encounter with the new C7 and the first C7 to be delivered in my area.

Once I got my legs moving (again in slow motion) I headed to the bay,  Scott had just joined me.  I had about 60 second of “alone time” before the crew was there and someone started shouting…”We have 5 minutes…lets move…we have only 5 minutes.”  It was like being in the pits at a NASCAR race or (I reflected later ) like a maternity ward when a baby is being delivered.

I managed to get my phone out and in the rushed atmosphere I managed get a good look at the interior and some outside shots, while dodging the “pit crew”.  It  was a thrill!!!

It truly is an impressive vehicle.

The interior is reminiscent of the C6 but clearing a step above.

Share your first encounter with AFCRMR, leave note below.

Tim