Month: March 2013

A few weeks prior to the Geneva Motor Show, the folks over at Edmunds got a sneak peak of the new C7 convertible Michigan. During their visit they also spoke to GM’s Director of Exterior Design, Tom Peters. In the 4 and a half minute video after the break, Peters and Edmunds’ Alistair Weaver discuss the merits of the all new topless Corvette.

The video opens with Peters discussing the new convertible and how it needs to appeal to all of the driver’s senses in order to enhance the driving experience. Another interesting tidbit is that the roadster has no additional structural reinforcements when compared to its coupe sibling.

We also get to see the actual top function through its full range of travel. The C7 replaces the rear-hinged tonneau panel of the C6 with a new mechanism that lifts the panel and moves it rearward parallel over the rear deck. Once the tonneau panel is out of the way the top lowers itself and stores neatly in its covert resting place. The manual front release latch has been replaced by a powered unit.

Later in the video it’s mentioned that the new Stingray Convertible is actually lower than the Porsche 911. They also talk about the 3-ply exterior top cover material and the mattress pad below it which is included in the construction of the new top assembly. Finally Peters talks about how important it is to call on design cues from the past and build on them to create a new heritage on the new generation of America’s sports car.

The 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible will be arriving at dealerships late this year a few months after the 1st coupes cruise of the lots.

The entire video from Edmunds is below.

Source:
YouTube

Related:
Introducing the 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible
Great Automotive Rivalries: 911 vs. Corvette

[VIDEO] GM Design Director Tom Peters Defends the 2014 Corvette Stingray’s Tail Lights

 

Maybe it pays to be a lawmaker in Washington, D.C., at least if you are a Corvette enthusiast.

Legislators got a special treat Thursday when General Motors CEO and Chairman Dan Akerson showed up on Capitol Hill with a special treat – a Cyber Gray 2014 Corvette Stingray coupe.

Akerson was in town to talk to the nation’s leaders about the progress the company has made since the 2008-09 government bailout.

That progress includes the dazzling new Corvette Stingray, which has been the talk of car buffs since its unveiling in January.

GM officials said Akerson made the trip to show lawmakers how the carmaker has gotten better and redefined itself over the past four years.

“(Akerson) used the opportunity to talk about the new company and where GM is today,” a communications official for GM said.

Milestones achieved by the new GM in 2012 include reacquiring Ally Financial Inc., to gain more control over lending and leasing to potential buyers, de-risking its pension plan by $29 billion for salaried employees and retirees, running up 12 straight profitable quarters, and reacquiring 200 million shares of common stock from the U.S. Treasury Department.

The $85 billion bailout forced GM and Chrysler into government-backed bankruptcy but has allowed the two carmakers to rebound into profitability.

Source:
mlive.com
Photo Credit – Chuck Bell

Related:
[VIDEO] GM Chairman/CEO Dan Akerson Raises $270,000 for Charity with Sale of 1958 Corvette
GM Chairman/CEO Dan Akerson: C7 Corvette ‘To Be One of the Most Beautiful Cars Ever Made’
[VIDEO] GM Chairman Akerson Comments on ‘Top Secret, Revamped’ C7 Corvette

 

Each year at the Bloomington Gold Corvette show attendees have the opportunity to increase their Corvette knowledge in a variety of areas in the GoldSchool. This year they’ve revamped the program slightly and will hold all of the classes on Friday June 28th. Click past the break for a complete rundown of the classes available this year.

The sessions at the Bloomington Gold GoldSchool this year are broken down into 2 sections: Seminars at $75 each and hands-on Workshops at $150 each. Classes are taught by the biggest names in the Corvette hobby including Lance Miller, Kevin Mackay, Terry Michaelis, and David Burroughs among numerous others.

Here’s the complete lineup of GoldSchool events:

Seminars

1. Searching Past Owners & Histories
2. Corvette Legitimacy; Tags, Pads & Documents
3. Finding and Buying Investment Grade
4. St. Louis Assembly Procedures
5. Bowling Green Assembly Procedures
6. Collecting/Investing: What to Buy & Why
7. Pre-Purchase Inspections; How to do Them Right
8. C5-6 Engine Performance Upgrades

Workshops (Hands-On)

1. Detailing Products & Techniques (by Adam’s)
2. Tuning & Maintenance; The C5-6
3. How to Restore:
   1. 1963-67 Exterior
   2. 1963-67 Interior
   3. 1963-67 Under Hood
   4. 1963-67 Chassis
4. How to Tell Original From Restored or Reproduction:
   1. The 1967 Exterior
   2. The 1967 Interior
   3. The 1967 Under Hood
   4. The 1967 Chassis

5A. The 1963 Exterior
5B. The 1963 Interior
5C. The 1963 Under Hood
5D. The 1963 Chassis

Click here for a PDF file with more detailed information on the GoldSchool seminars. Walk-in registrations will be available if space is available, but we recommend you register online.

Bloomington Gold 2013 will take place June 28-30, 2013 at the University of Illinois in Champaign, IL. Admission is $20 per day at the door and $15 per day in advance. 3-day passes can be had for $40 in advance or $50 at the gate. For more information on the show or to register for the seminars, check out http://www.bloomingtongold.com or give them a call at 309.888.4477.

Source:
Bloomington Gold

Related:
Bloomington Gold 2013 Registration Opens February 15th
Bloomington Gold Corvette Show Moving to Champaign, IL in 2013
2012 Bloomington Gold: Mecum Auction’s Top 11 Corvette Sales

 

This year’s NCM Bash will offer Corvette enthusiasts a special excuse to head to Bowling Green for the annual event that traditionally offers the first in-person look at the new models.

So if you’re tired of just drooling over photos of the C7 on the Internet, here’s your first chance to get up close to real 2014 Corvette Stingray coupes and convertibles – plus have a chance to hear many members of the Chevrolet team who were behind this marvel of design and engineering.

The Bash, set for April 25-27, will help the museum kick off the 2013 event season.

Seminars and walk-arounds with GM engineers and designers from Warren Tech Center, Milford Proving Ground, and the Bowling Green Assembly Plant are slated to give a very personal look at the seventh generation car. Attendees will be able to ask questions of the folks who actually had a hand in creating their dream car.

Members of the Corvette Racing team – including Program Manager Doug Fehan, Crew Chief Dan Binks, and driver Tommy Milner – will be there, too, sharing stories from the 2012 championship season and looking ahead to this season. A live auction will give attendees the chance to bid on unique and special items donated by Fehan and Corvette Racing.

A couple of Celebrity Choice Car Shows are on tap, with VIPs judging the Corvettes and handing out plaques to the winners.

Several activities for the ladies are also slated, including a shopping excursion to Opry Mills Mall in Nashville, Ladies’ Garage Seminar with GM’s female engineers explaining how their cars work and how to get them fixed, and a Ladies’ Oasis offering a variety of goods and services.

Events are also planned for all kinds of Corvette drivers, with an autocross for the racing enthusiasts and free guided road tours for those who like scenic drives.

You can see the complete event agenda and sign up at www.corvettemuseum.org.

Source:
National Corvette Museum

Related:
Corvette Museum Sets Groundbreaking for Motorsports Park in June
National Corvette Museum Announces 2013 Hall of Fame Inductees
National Corvette Museum to Celebrate Corvettes 60th Anniversary