Tag Archives: Corvette

New C7 – Encounter

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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.

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

Share your first encounter with AFCRMR, leave note below.

Tim

Is the Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray set to Receive Seven-Speed DCT?

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 …
Chevy begins shipping C7 Corvette Stingray

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 …

GM Press Release: 2014 C7 Corvette Stingray base price set at $51,995, up 3%

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GM Press Release: 2014 C7 Corvette Stingray base price set at $51,995, up 3% – Corvette Action Center – Corvette Forum.

 

DETROIT – The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray coupe will have a suggested starting retail price of $51,995, and the Corvette Stingray Convertible will start at $56,995. Both prices include a $995 destination fee but exclude tax, title, and license.

 

“The 2014 Corvette Stingray perfectly embodies Chevrolet’s mission to deliver more than expected for our customers,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet marketing. “The Corvette Stingray delivers a combination of performance, design and technology that very few manufacturers can match, and none can even come close for $52,000.”

Standard features on the all-new 2014 Corvette Stingray include:

  • Seating with lightweight magnesium frames for exceptional support, and eight-way power adjustment
  • Five-position Drive Mode Selector that tailors up to 12 vehicle attributes
  • New seven-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Matching
  • 6.2L LT1 V-8 engine with direct injection, Active Fuel Management, continuously variable valve timing and an advanced combustion system
  • Carbon fiber hood on all models, and a carbon fiber removable roof panel on coupes
  • Aluminum frame that is 99 pounds lighter (45 kg) and 57-percent stiffer than the previous model’s structure
  • Advanced, high-intensity discharge (HID) and light-emitting diode (LED) lighting
  • Dual, eight-inch configurable driver/infotainment screens, with next-generation Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system and rear vision camera
  • Bose nine-speaker audio system with SiriusXM Satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, USB and SD card and auxiliary input jack
  • Keyless access with push-button start
  • Power tilt/telescope steering wheel
  • An all-new, fully electronic top on the convertible that can be lowered remotely using the key fob

As shown at the North American International Auto Show, the Stingray coupe fitted with the major available options would be $73,360, including:

  • 3LT interior package, with leather-wrapped interior ($8,005)
  • Z51 Performance Package ($2,800)
  • Competition sports seats ($2,495)
  • Exposed-carbon-fiber roof panel ($1,995)
  • Magnetic Ride Control with Performance Traction Management ($1,795)
  • Dual-mode exhaust system ($1,195)
  • Carbon fiber interior trim ($995)
  • Sueded, microfiber-wrapped upper interior trim ($995)
  • Red-painted calipers ($595)
  • Black-painted wheels ($495)

The 3LT interior package includes: Bose 10-speaker surround-sound audio system; SiriusXM Satellite radio with one-year subscription and HD radio receiver; color head-up display; memory package; navigation system; heated and ventilated seats with power lumbar and bolster adjustment; premium Napa leather seating surfaces; and leather-wrapped dash and instrument panel, console and door panels.

The Z51 Performance Package includes: high-performance gear ratios; transmission-cooling system; larger 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels and tires; larger, slotted rotors and brake-cooling ducts; electronic limited-slip differential and differential cooling system; unique chassis tuning; and available Magnetic Ride Control active-handling system with Performance Traction Management. Equipped with the Z51 package, the Corvette Stingray is capable of accelerating from 0–60 mph in under four seconds, and more than 1 g in cornering.

 

Thanks for reading

Tim

Barrett Jackson – Recap Part IV – Test Drive 2013 Mustang 5.0

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Before we get to the drive, it’s worth noting that my daily driver is a base model  2007 Corvette 410 hp with a stage 3 clutch.  This puts down a lot of torque.  My other car is 1970 Mustang pushing out 300 hp and I dive that a couple times a week.

Last year, I drove the Ford Taurus SHO and that was a nice with plenty of pep. But I wasn’t ready for this years ride, 2013 Mustang 5.0.

The car manufacturers set up a small auto cross track, under a 1/4 mile in length, it had a starting line  and brief straight way in to a “switchback” turn, another straight way combined with a moderate turn and than the finish.

You are sharing the track with mild-mannered cars, like a Ford Focus and Chevy Cruz and the Corvettes and Camaros of Bondurant School and the Super Snake and Shelbys.  There is a lot going on.

So I hopped into the Mustang, along with a ‘handler’ ( he rides along) and we pull in to line behind two Bondurant Corvettes.  This Mustang is the automatic version of the 412 hp 5.0 and it feels small and light (much different than my C6).

The handler gives me the nod and I hit the gas.  The rear wheels spin for a second and the you can feel the 420 hp launch the car forward. I was at the switchback curve in about 3 seconds – didn’t notice the speedometer but the handler said ‘slow into..’ but I was in an out of corner.   The Mustang had excellent handling at about 50mph in a tight turn.  I told the handler I that I raced SCCA with my vette, but  don’t think that made him any more comfortable.  I finished curve and punched the gas and breezed through the short  straightway and then the final curve at about 60 mph and a quick braking and done!

Ok…again, I’m no big time automotive journalist, but I know cars. So, here are my impressions of the 2013  5.0 Mustang.

Interior was much better than previous years and it felt like sports when sitting in the seat, much like my Vette.  I’m not normally a automatic transmission enthusiast but this one shift smooth as ice on a professional hockey rink.  It launched really well, didn’t fell like 390 ft lbs of torque, felt straight and although a didn’t notice the band of rubber it  was sporting, it did feel grip well.  The car felt stable going into the two curves and it was enjoyable.

With more horsepower than my Vette it still couldn’t match the quickness of my C7  (oh….Freudian slip) …um  C6 with more torque  and almost 500 less pounds ( 3350 vs. 3800 curb  weight).

Over all I WOULD purchase a new Mustang – but something at the next level than the base model 5 liter.  The Boss 302 (maybe in the Laguna Seca) or the GT500)

Or something in a “Super Snake”??

Thanks for reading!!!

Tim

 

More 2014 C7 Owner’s Manual Details Appear – CorvetteOnline

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Yet another – leak!!!

More 2014 C7 Owner’s Manual Details Appear – CorvetteOnline.

http://www.corvetteonline.com

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Mopar Door Panel Project – The LeBaron

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Some time ago I wrote about repairing my 1984 Corvettes door panel.  The panel its self was not well made … read “cheap” and didn’t stand up well to time/use.  Unfortunately, I can’t say there was any improvement in “quality” of the door panels in my 2007 Vette.  But this project isn’t a Corvette door panel,  but my son’s Chrysler LeBaron.

The LeBaron is 1990’s car and the door panels are 1990’s cheap, no nice way to say that.  This quick project was didn’t start out about the door panel, other than we had to take it off to check the multiple window control switch.  The window controls were part of a plastic insert that also has the remote control for the drivers’ side mirror poked through it.  It stays put, normally by 3 prongs that push into “V” clips that are on stand-a-lone braces that are mounted on the door panel directly – but not well done.

Since the insert has slid down over the past few months, it seemed that either driving vibrations and/or normal door operations, so while we are in there we’d push the prong back in.  Seemed simple enough.

The back of the panel a fiber board/plastic composite – not really fiberglass but similar and it’s pretty sturdy.

Back side of the door panel.

Back side of the door panel.

Here you can see the brackets I mentioned above.  However, the way in which the bracket are attached to the board is meant to last forever.  They are held together with bits of glue in holes along the edges of the bracket.  In the heat of Arizona and the great condition our roads are in (tongue in cheek) this type of connection is not ideal.

Here you can see the glue and at the back of the bracket and that is oozed out into the holes.

Here you can see the glue  the back of the bracket and that is oozed out into the holes.

This image below is the results of the glue pulling off – separating from the fiber board.

Part clue - Part fiber board. This was laying at the bottom of the door panel

Part clue – Part fiber board. This was laying at the bottom of the door panel

I’ll finish this up in the next post.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

The Viper

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I re-posted a discussion on “Would You Take A Viper Over A ZR1?” (http://wp.me/pKHNM-1nH).  To me there is really no discussion to be had.  There is absolutely no way I’d select a Dodge Viper for a ZR1.  Heck, there’s no way I’d select a Viper over any Corvette (even the ugly, big butted C5’s).  Yup, even over the horse power difference.

It is mainly the design.  The Viper looks like the it’s either broken in the middle or was two cars shoved together.    Check this out?

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So here ya go  – the curve of the hood and rake of the windshield make he look “bent” at the vertical line drawn on the fender.  The bump where the side exhaust starts  the bent look.  The door is hinged inside what would normally be a fender brake cooling vent.  Then notice the back-end – it looks familiar, yes like a Mazda.   It really looks like a sports car got been by shoving a Mazda Miata in its trunk.

Now take a look at a 1992 Corvette ZR1.

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Let rake in the windshield and the brake vents are as they should be!!!  Great lines!!!

Collector for a 1992 Viper vs. the  1992 ZR1 is a little one sided with the Viper about $15k more than the Vette, so for investment purposes the Vipers the one to own.

Your thoughts?

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

 

Big Dog Garage: 1953 Chevy Wagon

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Big Dog Garage: 1953 Chevy Wagon.

 

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

1953 Chevy Wagon

This 1953 Chevy Wagon was bought new by my Grandfather as a delivery wagon for his grocery store.  My Uncle and Cousin had restored and maintained it until it was passed on to me.  This is the actual first car I remember riding in as a toddler.  I was fascinated by the chrome on the dash, and have been a car nut ever since.

After a lot of thought and conversations, I have decided what direction to go with the restoration of the Wagon.  At first, I wanted to preserve the original state of the car, but if I did that, it would be dangerous to drive in today’s traffic.  In 1953, there were no seat-belts and few other safety devices.  I really would like to enjoy the car as it was meant to be…. driving it as much as possible.  I would love to build it with a Big Block, but I am realistic so I plan to install the original Corvette engine and transmission from the ’78 Vette.  I also want to install disc brakes all around with radial tires.  Of course there is creature comforts like air conditioning I want to install.  I will keep the original look of the car with a few exceptions like wheels and over-sized tires.

 

Tucson Classic Car Show Mustang Row

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This was early dawn and a few of us early birds already lined up.

It was a great day. Over 400 cars!!!  I had the good look to be backed up to the Corvette Class row and right behind me was a friend with his BRAND NEW Carbon Grand Sport (see it in the other posts).

No trophies today, but a great time and a lot of beautiful cars.

Tim