Month: January 2012

It wasn’t easy combining the beauty of a 1963 Split Window with the mechanical prowess of a modern-day ZR1. But builder Anthony Luca managed to pull it off for car owner Joe Bongiorno – after more than 2,000 hours of work and much improvisation and deep thinking.

“Joe told me what he wanted, a ZR1 drivetrain in a ’63 split window body,” Luca said, “and told me to make it happen however I saw fit.”

To make the dream come true, they began with an original 1963 for the body, but Luca decided to call on an SRIII Supertub frame, which uses round-tube space frame design to make it much stronger and rigid than the stock chassis. They couldn’t use the modern ZR1 frame because it’s too wide for the ’63 body.

Of course, after all this work, everyone wants to see that gorgeous LS9 motor shining through the clear window of the hood, and Luca was able to pull that off even though it meant creating from a single piece of aluminum a new, offset engine cover that aligns perfectly with the see-through hood. You see, the original 1963 model’s engine sat off-center in the engine bay, so without the extra effort mentioned above, the clear window wouldn’t have matched up properly.

The rest of the exterior is pretty much stock, save for the hood and big ZR1 wheels and brakes. The interior, meanwhile, is a simplistic, custom job that features tan ultra-soft bison leather and a unique box that hides the ZR1’s complex electronics behind the custom center pod and seats.

The best part about the whole project, however, may be when Bongiorno turns the key and hears his custom ’63 ZR1 Split Window roar down the road. It’s a feeling not many Corvette owners will ever experience.

For an in-depth look at Joe Bongiorno’s 1963 Corvette ZR1, check out Chris Demorro’s article at Corvette Online.

Source:
CorvetteOnline.com

Related:
First Crate Engine Build Experience Customer Assembles His Own 505-hp LS7
SEMA 2011: 1959 Corvette ZR59 Concept
LS9 Gets Dropped into a Warbonnet Yellow 1971 Corvette

We tuned in to Saturday evening’s live stream of the Russo and Steele auction to catch some of rare Corvettes that were offered for sale. This 1968 L88 Corvette Roadster was one of the major attractions at the Scottsdale auction and it sure didn’t disappoint, selling for a cool $625,000. With the 10% buyer’s commission, price out the door was $687,500.

Russo and Steele’s catalog description of the L88 Roadster called it the best documented L88 Roadster in existence. Of 216 L88 Corvettes made in 1968, just 20 were roadsters and only this L88 roadster is believed to have been ordered with two tops. Fully documented with just two owners in its history, the car underwent a restoration and was once featured on the cover of Corvette Fever.

Bidding on the rare Corvette opened at $200,000 and never stopped until the hammer fell at $625,000. Here is the video of the sale:

I have to admit that the Russo and Steele ring guys are a lot of fun to watch. They get pretty enthusiastic when the car sells. We’ll have a couple of more Russo and Steele Corvette auction videos coming up so stay tuned!

Source:
Russo and Steele

Related:
[VIDEO] 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible Sells for $700,000 at Barrett-Jackson
January Corvette Auction Preview – Russo and Steele
Barrett-Jackson to Auction First 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible

What you drive says a lot about your personality, or so says Charles Kenny, a psychologist who tries to help major automakers understand why consumers choose certain cars.

In the old days, you had “Chevrolet men” and “Ford men.” Now psychologist Charles Kenny believes times have changed and that many consumers aren’t as loyal so much to brands as they are loyal to a certain type of vehicle, be it sports cars or SUVS or minivans.

So what’s the scoop on us Corvette drivers? Well, Kenny says we are seeking power and control, but mostly control.

“You will find that Corvette owners are more sensitive and refined than you would think. They’re not into hoarding it over other people the way that the Hummer owners are,” he said.

The other emotional need that can be fulfilled by a sports car like a Corvette is a desire for immortality.

“They get real upset if the paint job gets scratched. That’s very upsetting to a Corvette owner. They want these things to last forever, and they want to last forever,” Kenny said. “They’re never going to sell it. In fact, a lot of Corvette owners, when they buy a new Corvette, they keep the other one.”

Sometimes psychoanalysis can go a little too far. What if we Corvette fans just enjoy a beautiful car that can go fast and handle great?

What does driving a Corvette say about you? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Source:
News8000.com

Related:
Corvette Stereotype Reinforced with Custom License Plate
The Corvette Legend Started 59 Years Ago Today
[VIDEO] LMR Claims Title as World’s Fastest Corvette ZR1

With much fanfare, the 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition with the 60th Anniversary package drove up on the Barrett-Jackson auction block Saturday afternoon and was hammered sold for $600,000. Minutes later it was annouced that William Vannoy, the losing bidder in the auction, had also donated $100,000 to the sale to bring the total amount raised for charity to $700,000. Buying the rights to buy the VIN 001 2013 Corvette was Barrett-Jackson regular Ron Pratte.

The sale of the Corvette was highest at Scottsdale so far. Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports and driver Jeff Gordon teamed up to offer the Corvette and the $700,000 in auction proceeds will be going directly to the AARP’s Drive to End Hunger program.

The 60th Anniversary 427 Convertible was introduced with a quick video and then Chevy’s John Fitzpatrick introduced Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter. Here is a portion of Tadge’s intro:

“… we are sending the 6th generation Corvette out on a high note. Beautiful white car, you can see the accent colors. Our best technology, lots of carbon fiber on this car. Our best suspension technology, but best of all – 427 engine. Many of the most expensive, most coveted cars that have ever crossed this block have been 427 Corvettes and many folks will tell you this may be your last chance to get one.”

Here’s the video from the auction:

Chevrolet will be offering both the 427 Convertible Collector Edition and a 60th Anniversary package during the final year of production for the 6th generation Corvette. The next generation C7 Corvette will be introduced next year as a 2014 model.

At the heart of the the 427 Convertible is the 427 cubic inch 7-liter LS7 engine from the Corvette Z06. Rated at 505 horsepower and 470 ft-lb of torque. It’s the most powerful engine ever installed in a production Corvette convertible.

Pratte won the right to buy the VIN 001 Corvette and also included was a 2011 Jeff Gordon firesuit and a VIP trip to the 2012 Daytona 500. Pratte can also elect to build the 505-horsepower LS7 at the Performance Build Center as part of the Engine Build Experience and then join the Corvette for an exclusive owners tour as his car is assembled in Bowling Green.

Source:
SPEED

Related:
January Corvette Auction Preview: Barrett-Jackson
Barrett-Jackson to Auction First 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible
GM Unveils New 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible and 60th Anniversary Package

Article contributed by Mitch Talley

One of the great things about being a Corvette fanatic is that we definitely aren’t alone. There are literally millions and millions of fans of this special Chevrolet creation that will celebrate its 60th year with the upcoming 2013 model. Many celebrities are included in the ranks of Corvette lovers, and the website L82corvette.tripod.com has even gone so far as to compile a list of past and present celebrity owners.

That list includes folks like Scott Altman, pilot of the Atlantis Space Shuttle, C4, and Alan Bean, Apollo 12 lunar module pilot, Riverside Gold 1969 Coupe;

Famous musicians are also included, including Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen (1985 Coupe), ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard (Rally Red 1967 Roadster), and singers David Cassidy (white 1990s C4), Sheryl Crow (Ruby Red 1993 Roadster), and Jon Bon Jovi (1958 and Red 1990s C4).

The list of actors features George Clooney (Metallic Blue 1986 Roadster), Farrah Fawcett (Black 1962 and 2002 Z06), James Garner (Black C4 roadster), and Burt Reynolds (Torch Red 2000).

You can see the long list of celebrity owners that L82corvette.tripod.com has compiled, and by the way, the website also points out that the L-82 made its debut in 1973 as the throttled down smog successor to the original LT-1 and bowed out in the 1980 model. With a 9.0:1 compression ratio, 2.02-inch intake/1.60-inch exhaust valves, and hydraulic lifters, it was rated at 250 net horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 285 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. The L-82 has large port cylinder heads, pushrod guideplates, a long duration camshaft, a forged-steel crankshaft, moly rings, finned aluminum valve covers, a high capacity starter and a four-bolt block.

Source:
L82corvette.tripod.com

Related:
Corvettes on eBay: The A Team’s 1984 Corvette
Rick Springfield’s 1963 Corvette Sting Ray
Corvette Auction Preview: The Bob McDorman Collection