I watched the event on History Channel – more thoughts on that later. I didn’t actually see this particular Corvair, but I thought, wow that is a lot for this car.
$40k Corvair. I wonder what the largest sum every paid for a Corvair?
A crowd estimated at 10,000 people, including 3,400 registered bidders, helped to shape the spectacle at the Lambrecht Chevrolet auction in Pierce, Nebraska this past weekend. … 1963 Corvair Monza Coupe, 6 cyl. 4-speed …
So far GM has been mum on the C7 Corvette Stingray’s Nurburgring time but we just know that setting a fast lap would be on the table. Remember that 7:19.63 Corvette ZR1 time that was set by Mero in 2011? While they were …
Those that are in the know about Bonneville realize that the weather plays a huge part of the Bonneville Salt Flats racing season. There have even been times when Speed Week has been, like a baseball game, called on …
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.
General Motors has reportedly filed a patent for an all-new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission the company hopes to develop in the coming years. With similar seven-speed dual-clutch transmissions being increasingly used in supercars, including the …
If you live in the greater Detroit area or in one of General Motors’ favorite testing zones, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the C7 era is already upon us – Chevrolet Corvette Stingray coupes are thick on the ground in every color of the rainbow …
Supercars are very common on the wide, state-of-the-art highways of Dubai. But a new record-breaking Lamborghini, made out of gold and gems, is sure to turn heads.
According to Automotive News, GM is restructuring the build-your-own engine program and moving it to the Corvette assembly plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky. No word on when the program will go back online, but in the report, GM spokesman Bob Wheeler …
After you read this you might think, Corvette drivers are … well….Richard Craniums… but I think this is an issue with any car person with a car they love. My wife is like that with new cars – Nissan and two Lexus brand cars over the years. I’ve been less so, I think with my ’70 Mustang (now going to a large collector) and my two Corvettes (C4 and C6) – well maybe not.
But generally I don’t make people take their shoes off before getting in my car. No smoking of course and eating and drinking are fine. Spills will get you tossed out at the next stop however.
Got “Not in my car!!!” moment? Share it here.
Thanks for reading.
Tim
I love the unwritten rule that #Corvette drivers wave to each other on the road. Can’t wait to have my one one day. #ThanksMom
Corvette convertible drivers among the safest, study shows. We all know Chevy Corvette drivers are passionate about their cars. One clear indication of this is how safe they are when it comes to their driving – well, some may …
I really perked up when I ran across a web site that offered repair details on the Ford Falcon. So I called up the URL and saw Ford Falcon 2002-2005 repair manual and that’s got to be a mix up at the programmers desks. There aren’t any 2002, 03, 04 or 05 Falcons…come on!!! Well it just goes to show that we Americans (or maybe it’s just me) are a bit U.S. centric when it comes to cars. Then I Googled and realized that the folks ‘down-under’ do some cool stuff and Ford is a big part of that. Yeah..they are still using the Ford Falcon moniker.
But don’t expect to see that boxy little car that we stuff V8’s in and cram headers between the around the suspension, nope that’s gone. But you will find a couple of surprises.
Looks pretty pedestrian, doesn’t it? What if I told you it had….
Barra 220 producing 300 hp and 348 lb·ft or Boss 260 producing 350 hp and 370 lb·ft or Boss 290 producing producing 390 hp and 380 lb·ft.
NOT BAD!!!!
Or maybe you’d like a UTE – a WHAT? Well a Ranchero of sorts:
Including the first US models the Ford Falcon is now in it’s 7th Generation. Which includes and not so great looking new model (not even gonna show ya a pic) but this will impress you – The 5.0-litre ‘modular V8’ engine is currently the Ford Performance Vehicles’ V8 engine of two varieties, one rated at 422 hp and 402 lb·ft of torque (“Boss 315”) and the other at 449 hp and 420 lb·ft of torque (“Boss 335″).
Ok Ford – Down – Under….let’s see something retro!!!! Come on you can beat Chevy to the punch by creating something Felcon- Ranchero-ish before they bring out the El Camino!!! (I’m going to blog about Chevy later and use the line in reverse)”
Ford CEO Alan Mulally gives a pretty succinct explanation of what lead Ford to end Australian production, while trying to minimize the collateral damage to those invested in the manufacturing.
There are countless renderings of what the 2015 Ford Mustang could look like circulating the web revving up for what could be the biggest car debut ever.