Corvette Blog

Imagine a complete set of 36 Chevrolet Corvettes ranging from 1953 until 1989… all neglected in a dark, dingy apartment basement covered in inches of dust and damaged with flat tires and sagging convertible tops.

Well, for years that’s just where Pop Art icon, Peter Max, chose to store his collection of vehicles for an on-hold art project. Max originally purchased the collection of vehicles from Mr. Amodeo, who had won them as a prize from a 1989 VH1-sponsored contest!

Yes, at that time, VH1 was heavily competing with sister network, MTV. In an attempt to attract an older audience, freelance television producer for VH1, Jim Cahill, pulled together this promotion which “had to be big, but the theme of it had to resonate with baby boomers.”

Cahill brainstormed the perfect baby boomer prize – Corvettes! After gaining the approval from top execs, Cahill purchased the 36 vehicles in 1988. “I got to shop for all the Corvettes that I’d always wanted,” he said. “We actually assembled them pretty quickly.”

Fortunately for VH1, the promotion was a huge success, creating nationwide buzz and enticing 1.3 million callers to enter the contest by calling into a call-in number.

As for now, the collection of Corvettes has been relocated to a building in Upper Manhattan – just waiting for their next move or art debut…

[ The New York Times ]

Posted By Ryan In Classic Corvettes , Corvette Concept & Show Cars , Corvette Enthusiasts , Corvette Fun , Corvette News | 0 Comments Permalink

The biggest Corvette extravaganza is nearly 200 days away! So, mark your calendars now!

Date: Aug. 27 – Aug. 29, 2010
Location: Carlisle PA Fairgrounds
Gate Times: Thurs.-Sat. 7am-6pm & Sun. 7am-3pm

If you consider yourself a Corvette enthusiast, it’d be in your best interest to pack your bags for this long-weekend summer vacation to Pennsylvania. You’ll never witness anything like it!

Corvettes at Carlisle will unite again this year to form an aerial image of the American Flag, a tradition since 2008. However, this year the flag will be even bigger, comprised of 158 Corvettes - 57 red, 51 white, 35 blue and 15 silver.

Homes for Our Troops, a national, non-profit organization committed to helping our disabled and injured soldiers, will receive half of the event registration fee from those 158 individuals who take part in the flag creation.

If you have a red, white, blue or silver Corvette and you want to be apart of the flag creation, visit CarlisleEvents.com to submit your information.

To simply pre-register to attend Corvettes at Carlisle, call (717) 243.7855 or visit Store.CarlisleEvents.com and save $10!

[ CarlisleEvents.com ]

Posted By Ryan In Classic Corvettes , Corvette Concept & Show Cars , Corvette Enthusiasts , Corvette Events , Corvette Fun , Corvette News | 0 Comments Permalink

The first ever public unveiling of the Corvette occurred in January of 1953 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. Now with January 2010 upon us, we celebrate the Corvette’s 57th Birthday!

This favorite all-American sports ride has prospered through the years as GM continually changes and enhances its style, features and options to cater to consumer demands.

It’s quite remarkable to think back to when the first 300 Corvettes came off GM’s production line back in June of 1953… Check out a few of the minor modifications the Corvette has gone through during its 57 years of existence

Pretty astonishing, huh? What captivates you the most about the above chart? Blog with us here.

Posted By Ryan In 2010 Corvette , Classic Corvettes , Corvette Fun , Corvette News , Corvette Recognition | 0 Comments Permalink

Art Van recently celebrated their 50th birthday this month at the Warren Art Van Furniture store. Entertainment at this “Michigan Legends Charity Concert” included performances by The Original Vandellas, the Miracles and the Contours. The event raised money for the Gleaners Community Food Bank.

Amongst all this excitement, the night concluded with a 1959 “little red Corvette” give away. With more than 541,000 online entries placed between June and November, Traverse City resident, Tracie Sears, and husband, Todd, were the lucky winners of this fully restored classic car.

"I never dreamed I'd actually win! My husband and I drove down from Traverse City to see the concert, but I never expected to hear my name called as the winner!" exclaimed Tracie.

Not too shabby of a party favor, if you ask us!  Check out the video after the jump.

[ Art Van ]

Posted By Ryan In Classic Corvettes , Corvette Contests , Corvette Events , Corvette Fun , Corvette News | 0 Comments Permalink

Barrett Jackson visited us all again for another year during the middle of January 2009. As you may recall last year at Barrett Jackson, the big hype was placed on the $1,000,000 auction sale of a brand new 2009 ZR1 Corvette.

This year’s Scottsdale automobile auction brought about an older array of Corvette sales. Tuesday’s bidding began with the auctioning off the hot 1990 Corvette ZR-1, equipped with an active suspension. This vehicle was a crucial tool that GM engineers utilized to demonstrate hydraulic suspension systems. Only fifteen of the 1990 ZR-1’s were ever built, and the one that was auctioned off is one of two that is still in existence. “It’s a very important car to us,” claims retired GM engineer, Bob Johnson, who worked on the active-suspension project. “It’s a very, very sophisticated car.” The ZR-1 was auctioned off for $150,000.

Then, there was the 1989 DR-1, a convertible ZR-1 prototype, which dates back to the C4 Corvette era. This ‘Vette was the top seller out of the Corvette clan, and was auctioned off for $286,000. The 1989 ZR-1 Coupe press car, brought in a pretty penny too, selling for $198,000. Rick Hendrick was in attendance at the auction and paid up on yet another 1989 ZR-1 Coupe for $176,000.

The ZR-1s, however, were not the only type of Corvettes at the auction. Check out the complete list after the jump.

Though no Corvettes raised close to one million at this year’s Barrett Jackson, the above auctioned off vehicles prove that the Corvette heritage collection still has GOT IT!

[ Barrett-Jackson ]

Posted By Ryan In Classic Corvettes , Corvette Concept & Show Cars , Corvette News , Corvettes for Sale | 0 Comments Permalink

Owning any body-style Corvette is quite a thrill and privilege for many. However, there’s simply nothing better than owning a Corvette that you know was only manufactured 5 TIMES!

Back in 1963, Zora Arkus-Duntov, who was also known as the “father of Corvette”, conceptually built only 5 Grand Sport Corvettes. They were manufactured in an attempt to steal the competition from the Shelby Cobra. Plans fell through when General Motors decided to do away with motorsport production a year later.

Now with only 5 total Grand Sports built, it’s certainly difficult to find, let alone imagine the cost, associated with one of these precious vehicles. Well, it just so happens that the Grand Sport chassis #002 will be auctioned off!! It comes totally unrestored on the same exact body it was built on back in 1963. Previous owners include Roger Penske, Owner of the Penske Corporation, and George Wintersteen, President of Wintersteen Racing, Inc.

Can you imagine the cost of this baby? We would love to hear from you. Would this be a vehicle that you’d be willing to pay an arm and a leg for? Give us your thoughts.

[ CorvetteLegends ]

[ Grand Sport Registry ]

Posted By Ryan In Classic Corvettes | 0 Comments Permalink

Foremost, congratulations to General Motors! They celebrated their 100th birthday last month. In honor of their celebration, the auto manufacturer named off its top ten favorite vehicles since the company’s very beginnings.

Not surprisingly, the 1953 Chevrolet Corvette made the list!

The very first 1953 Corvette came off the production lines in Flint, Michigan. The entire Corvette body was hand built and constructed out of fiberglass. Though it was an attractive vehicle, its high costs and low performance ratings deemed the car unwanted. During the first year of its production, only 183 Corvettes were sold out of a total of 300 built.

Now, the 1953 Corvette was only one on the list of ten of GM’s favorites. The overall listing does not follow a ranking, as it is just arranged chronologically from latest to earliest in production year.

We want your opinions! Did one of your favorite GM vehicles not make the list? Are these cars worthy of winning the top 10 status?  Check out the entire list after the break.

[ Motor Trend ]
 

Posted By Ryan In Classic Corvettes , Corvette News | 1 Comments Permalink

Many of the classic cars and hot rods seen at George Matick Chevrolet during the Cruzin Telegraph event on Saturday were from the "Little Bit of Class" Classic Car Club of Detroit.

Try as I might, though, I couldn't find a Corvette on display, there were several other Chevies (our favorites).  Thanks to the folks of Little Bit of Class for sharing your special day with Matick Chevrolet!

[ Related Blog ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Classic Corvettes , Corvette Events | 0 Comments Permalink

A special pleasure for this writer was getting to meet cartoonist Larry Wright at Corvettes at the Summit.  Larry was relaxing next to his nearly flawless Machine Silver 2006 Corvette Convertible.

Larry's great sense of humor has put me in stitches for decades!  See a sample of his work past the jump.

Larry wrote about his day at this event, sponsored by the Corvette Legends Club, in the Detroit News.  Though Larry's photo's are better than mine, I did scoop him in one regard.  I got his picture!  Thanks Larry for the opportunity.

[ Detroit News Article ]

[ Related Blog ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Classic Corvettes , Corvette Events | 0 Comments Permalink

I just received my Corvettes at Carlisle newsletter, and read an exciting announcement from General Motors.  GM recently stated that they are planning to bring some rarely seen Corvettes from their fabled Heritage Collection to the annual August gathering.

The special Corvettes include a 1993 40th Anniversary Maroon ZR-1, a light blue 1989 DR-1 convertible, a red '89 Corvette ZR-1, a black 1990 Corvette ZR-1, and a red ZR-12 with a Falconer engine. This is an important display that connoisseurs of fine automobiles and ZR-1 enthusiasts won't want to miss.

The Corvette Blog will be there to photograph and report on this exciting display. For more information on Corvettes at Carlisle, visit the show’s website.

Posted By Bill Connell In Classic Corvettes , Corvette Events , Corvette News | 0 Comments Permalink

The 1992 Marocco II Corvette may be the Corvette no one has ever heard of.  Yesterday, AutoBlog reported that it is for sale.

I checked out my personal copies of some of the best books written on Corvette: Corvette: Fifty Years, Corvette Illustrated Encyclopedia, and Corvette: America's Star-Spangled Sports Car, The Complete History.  None of them mention this variant.

Do you think it could be the looks?

[ Amazon ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Classic Corvettes , Corvettes for Sale | 1 Comments Permalink

If you find yourself vacationing in a Corvette in southeastern Michigan this weekend, you may need to know that north and southbound traffic on Fort Street through what metropolitan Detroiters call the Downriver Area will be pretty heavy.  This is the annual Saturday event called the Downriver Cruise.

Not as immense as the granddaddy of them all, the Woodward Dream Cruise in August, this is a key celebration of American automotive ingenuity for those living south of Detroit.  Two other large shows like this erupt in southeastern Michigan every summer: the Cruisin' Gratiot in June and Cruzin' Telegraph in July.

Thousands of classic cars, always including many Corvettes, will be present for viewing.  Upwards of a half million spectators are expected to come enjoy the beautiful weather and great fun!

Try to find the Corvette Blog, if you can.

Posted By Bill Connell In Classic Corvettes , Corvette Events , Vacationing in a Corvette | 0 Comments Permalink

Each year the Bloomington Gold Corvette Show designates one year's Corvette for the designation "Special Collection".  This year the selected vehicle was the 1957 Corvette, celebrating as it is it's fiftieth year.  A special air conditioned hall at the Pheasant Run Resort, St. Charles, Illinois, was home to the selected vehicles for the duration of the show.

Given special attention in the display were several editions of the famous racing 1957 Airbox Corvette.  Several examples of the 43 that were built were present.  These cars were equipped with both (Regular Production Option) RPO684 which included the heavy duty brakes and suspension, and RPO579E, which included an airbox which increased horsepower by capturing cooler, higher density air, forcing it to the fuel injectors; and additional hosing ducts to cool the rear brakes to restrain the performance when necessary.  23 Airbox Vettes are known to survive today.

Posted By Bill Connell In Classic Corvettes , Corvette Events , Corvette Recognition | 5 Comments Permalink

According to John Gunner in his Gunner's Garage blog today, he was party to an interesting conversation at this past weekend's Bloomington Gold Corvette Event in St. Charles, Illinois.  Mike Yager of Mid-America Motorworks was telling Keith Martin, publisher of Corvette Market magazine, that he sees a new trend evolving in the Corvette hobby where having fun with your car is taking precedence over how perfect the car's condition is and how much it's worth.

I hope it's true.  A similar thought hit me hard when I was at Bloomington Gold, staring at this sign pictured at the right, showing as it does, a 1972 Corvette Stingray with only 4 miles on it!  And while the owner undoubtedly meant for that low mileage to increase the car's value, all I could think of was how the car's purpose had been distorted.

A vehicle equipped like this, with the 454ci engine, was meant for one thing really: on the ground flight!  Speed!  Cruising!   Sadly, the engine was never even broken in.  I really hope Yager is right.

[ Gunner's Garage ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Classic Corvettes , Corvette Enthusiasts , Corvette Events | 2 Comments Permalink

The massive Bloomington Gold Corvette Show is upon us!  Billed as "America's original Corvette show," Bloomington Gold is the place for all Corvette enthusiasts this week!  (Well, except for those at the race in Le Mans, France, of course).

The Pheasant Run Golf Course in St. Charles, Illinois (just west of Chicago) opens the gates Thursday morning.  The show runs through Sunday.

Over 3000 Corvettes are expected.  Hundreds of Corvette vendors will be present.  The best of the best will be there.  There's the auction.  There are certification programs.  There are classes.  Vehicles will be inducted into the Corvette Hall of Fame.  A fantastic good time to be had by all.  Hope to see you there!

[ Bloomington Gold ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Celebrity Corvettes , Classic Corvettes , Corvette Events , Corvette News , Vacationing in a Corvette | 2 Comments Permalink

This stunning 1953 Corvette is number 157 of the 300 cars produced that first year.  It was acquired by John McMullen twelve years ago, and at that time it was still fresh from a complete concours quality restoration.  It had just returned from the prestigious Bloomington Gold Corvette show, where the car was awarded a Gold Award – the highest prize granted.

With full Bloomington Certification, and still quite presentable, having mellowed only slightly from its Bloomington experience, this is undoubtedly one of the greatest 1953 Corvettes in existence today.

Sold Saturday at the RM Auction for $440,000.

[ RM Auctions ]

[ Blog Sale Announcement ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Classic Corvettes , Corvette News | 0 Comments Permalink

A rare 1953 Corvette will be sold tomorrow at an auction in Lapeer, Michigan.  The "no reserve" auction is being handled by RM Auctions on the grounds of the home of John McMullen, longtime successful Pontiac dealer.

McMullen is drastically trimming his world class collection of some 140 cars to less than a dozen of the world's best automobiles.  The Corvette joins two early Thunderbirds, a 1931 Duesenberg Model J, a 1934 Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria (shown), and many others.

The 9AM auction is open to the public in exchange for the purchase price of the $80 catalogue (which admits two).

[ Detroit Free Press Story ]

[ RM Auctions ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Buying a Corvette , Classic Corvettes , Corvette Events , Corvette News , Corvettes for Sale | 3 Comments Permalink

This summer's celebration of one of the engineering marvels of modern times includes a Corvette Show!  The amazing structural marvel of Michigan, the Mackinac Bridge, is celebrating its 50th birthday the weekend of August 25-26, and the 18th annual Corvette Crossroads Auto Show is part of the festivities.

What a great way to enjoy your Vette in northern Michigan this summer.  The Detroit News featured an article on the celebration yesterday, and additional details can be located at the website of the Mackinaw Chamber of Commerce.

Posted By Bill Connell In Classic Corvettes , Corvette Events , Michigan , Vacationing in a Corvette | 1 Comments Permalink

Although there were two significantly different front ends and three different rear ends to the C1 Corvette, they all shared a solid rear axle.  When the 1963 Sting Ray arrived, the solid rear axle was gone forever. However, a knickname was birthed for the C1: Solid Axle Corvettes.

The Solid Axle Corvette Club has brought Corvette enthusiasts together for thirteen years or so, and their Annual Convention is upon us in just about a month!  Join them in St. Charles, Missouri the week of June 11.  Complete details can be found on their website.

A tip of the hat goes out to Classic Motorsports Magazine for a story in the May print issue.

[ Solid Axle Corvette Club ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Classic Corvettes , Corvette Enthusiasts , Corvette Events , Vacationing in a Corvette | 1 Comments Permalink

The Spring Issue of Corvette Quarterly includes superb photos of the original Corvette Mako Shark concept car commissioned by Bill Mitchell.  Mitchell was fascinated with sea creatures, and his love for them gave birth to Corvette names like Manta Ray and the ubiquitous Sting Ray.

Also known as the XP-755, this vehicle is considered the missing link between the second generation C2 Sting Ray Corvette and the third, or Shark, generation.  Posters of the vehicle are available at ChevyMall.com

[ Corvette Quarterly ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Classic Corvettes , Corvette Concept & Show Cars , Corvette History | 3 Comments Permalink

With Katie Holmes in tow, Tom Cruise recently cruised to Mastro’s Steakhouse in Los Angeles, where it appears he obsessed over his 1958 Corvette.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a security agent for your Vette while just grabbing dinner?

[ Just Jared ] 

[ Corvette Blogger ] 

Posted By Bill Connell In Celebrity Corvettes , Classic Corvettes | 2 Comments Permalink

If you drove home a collectible Corvette you just won at the Palm Beach Barrett-Jackson Auction this past weekend, you may have spent as little as $11,000!  Can you believe it?  A customized 1970 Corvette went for just $11,000!

If on the other hand, you paid top dollar for a Vette at this auction, unlike the recent Scottsdale venue, it only set you back $192,500.  A gorgeous triple black Corvette convertible (shown at the right), billed as the "best restored 1959 Corvette in the world," took top Corvette dollar honors!  Twenty one other Corvettes were sold for in excess of $100,000. 

[ 1970 Vette ]

[ 1959 Vette ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Classic Corvettes , Corvette News | 0 Comments Permalink

Corvettes are everywhere at Barrett-Jackson in Palm Beach, Florida this week.  By my count, there are eighty-four classic Corvettes going to auction!

Twenty five C1 Vettes are available, including two of the one hundred Sportsman Red Corvettes built in 1954.  (Lot 709 is pictured.)  There are thirty two C2 Vettes, including a number from 1963.  Twenty three C3, five C4, and three C5 Corvettes round out the offerings.

The bidding begins this Thursday.  Be there, or follow the forty hours of live coverage on the Speed Channel.

[ Barrett-Jackson ]

[ Speed Channel ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Classic Corvettes , Corvette News , Corvettes for Sale | 1 Comments Permalink

The National Corvette Museum announced today that they are looking for a classic 1963 Corvette convertible or split-window coupe to display for nine to twelve months.

As you may know, the displays at the museum are not static.  You will see an ever-changing collection of Corvettes on subsequent visits, because only about 5% of the vehicles displayed actually belong to the museum!

Details of the arrangement can be accessed at their website.

[ National Corvette Museum ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Classic Corvettes , Corvette Enthusiasts , Corvette Museum , Corvette News | 1 Comments Permalink

Corvette has been selected as the Indy 500 Pace Car a remarkable nine times.  This year's vehicle will be the fourth year in a row!  The Chevrolet brand has served a record eighteen times!  Chevrolet marketing moguls have frequently helped to immortalize this achievement by producing a limited number of replica Corvettes for the buying public to purchase and enjoy.

For example, large volume Chevy dealers currently have the opportunity of selling the 2007 Corvette Convertible Z51 Pace Car Replica in Atomic Orange.  500 units will be built.

The National Corvette Museum commemorates this achievement of Corvette by displaying a large number of these unique originals or replicas.

[ 2007 Pace Car Blog ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Classic Corvettes , Corvette History , Corvette Museum | 0 Comments Permalink

Attentive visitors to the National Corvette Museum discover a direct connection from the museum to another organization entirely.  The story is simple, but often overlooked.

Many men from the National Corvette Restorers Society had possessed the dream that was fulfilled in 1994 when the museum opened.  Terry McManmom was the first to move on the dream way back in 1984.  At least four other individuals were also key in the creation of this fabulous facility: Ray Battaglini, Jon Brookmeyer, Dan Gale, and Darrel Bowlin.

Posted By Bill Connell In Classic Corvettes , Corvette History , Corvette Museum , Corvette Restoration | 16 Comments Permalink

The 2007 Callaway Corvette C16 has recently been in the news, but were you aware that older Callaway eye candy is available for viewing at the National Corvette Museum?

I think my favorite on my recent visit was this fabulous purple and silver 1995 ZR-1 Callaway ZR-LM Coupe.  Deriving 502hp from the 350 cubic inch engine and showing amazingly British good looks, this car was on loan from John Christenson.

Posted By Bill Connell In Classic Corvettes , Corvette Museum | 1 Comments Permalink

Those familiar with Corvette history are well aware that there was no 1983 Corvette.  The industry standard Corvette Black Book certainly shows no entry between the 1982 and 1984 Corvettes.

Imagine my amazement this past Saturday at the National Corvette Museum standing in front of a white 1983 Corvette! This unique Corvette is shown to the right.

The sign on the exhibit explains: "The planned 1983 Corvette brought forward some of the most far reaching design changes in Corvette's history.  Many changes included high-technology that had not been proven for automobile application....Although the technology was available, it had to be developed into the manufacturing process with the quality, reliability, and durability proven before production of saleable vehicles could begin.  The initial plan called for introduction of the newly designed 1983 in October 1982.  There were 43 pre-production models built (but) a decision was made to withhold production (for sale) until January 1983 and to serialize them as 1984 models.  The Corvette was named "Car of the Year" by Motor Trend Magazine in 1984."

Posted By Bill Connell In Classic Corvettes , Corvette History , Corvette Museum | 2 Comments Permalink

Have you ever seen a right hand drive Corvette?  If you're like most American Corvette fans, not ever.

But according to a well documented cover story in Vette Magazine for March 2007, this amazing, orange Australian Vette has been customized to accomodate those "wrong side of the highway" Down Under roadways.

[ FOR THE FULL STORY ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Classic Corvettes , Corvette History | 1 Comments Permalink

In case you missed it, the Barrett-Jackson Auction sold that amazing Last Sting Ray that we discussed in our January 15 post for a total of $660,000.   New owner Ron Pratt, holder of an extensive collection of vehicles, won the bid on Saturday.

ProTeam Corvette took home $600,000 and the auction house took their 10% handling fee.  Check the link below for video compliments of Corvette Blogger and YouTube.

[ Barrett-Jackson ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Classic Corvettes , Corvette History , Corvette News | 0 Comments Permalink

As the photograph suggests, we might all be a little upset if we were selling our 1960 Corvette Convertible, too!  This little fuelie comes from a three year frame off restoration.

Being auctioned with an Orange County Chopper with matching Corvette paint scheme as a set, the big auction day comes this weekend.

Posted By Bill Connell In Classic Corvettes , Corvette Events , Corvette Fun , Corvette News , Corvettes for Sale | 0 Comments Permalink

This is the week!  The 1967 Corvette Sting Ray Coupe identified as "Lot 1285" goes on the market this week at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.  You are running out of time to set up that million dollar line of credit that you might need!

This fabulous Vette has received a lot of attention lately, including cover page glory on the November/December 2006 issue of Motor Trend Classic.  This Saturday, January 20, is the day that lots 1200-1400 cross the block.

Posted By Bill Connell In Classic Corvettes , Corvette Events , Corvette Fun , Corvette History , Corvette News | 0 Comments Permalink

This gorgeous 1967 Corvette was delivered in the Fall of 1966 to beloved space hero Lt. Colonel Virgil "Gus" Grissom.

Gus was one of the original seven Astronauts and was the second American to enter space in July of 1961. He was the first American to ever enter space twice when he orbited the Earth several times in 1965 in the "Molly Brown" three-man capsule. He would have been the first human to ever enter space three times. However, he, Roger Chaffee, and Edward White were tragically killed in the Apollo One disaster on January 27, 1967.

Professional body-off-the-frame restoration is documented by photos. Winner of more than twenty awards including NCRS & Corvette Bowling Green award. This is the most historically documented Corvette ever built that is tied directly to the American Space Program.

Posted By Bill Connell In Classic Corvettes , Corvette Events , Corvette History | 0 Comments Permalink