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Corvette Auction Preview: 2013 Mecum Houston

Corvette Auction Preview: Mecum Houston

Our DVR’s will be working overtime this weekend as we’ve got a 2nd big auction taking place. While Barrett-Jackson is in Palm Beach, Mecum Auctions will be in Houston, Texas this weekend for their second event there. The expanded event takes place Thursday, April 4th through Saturday the 6th at the Reliant Center. Velocity will have 6 hours of live coverage each of the 3 auction days.

The Houston sale offers Corvettes from 1954 through 2012 model years this weekend. Of the 839 cars currently listed, 108 are Corvettes. Some of our favorites include a cool 1964 Hot Wheels tribute car, a pair of 1990 ZR-1’s each with less than 10,000 miles, and a fantastic yellow 1969 side pipe coupe. If you’re looking for something a bit different than you should take a look the 2010 coupe made over to look like the Stingray Concept from the Transformers movie franchise.

Here are 3 more Houston offerings worth a closer look.

Lot T207 – 1962 Fuelie Convertible:
This stunning Tuxedo Black on Red C1 was born July 19, 1962 and originally sold new by Commonwealth Chevrolet of Boston. It’s propelled by a matching numbers 360hp fuel injected engine, 4-speed transmission, and a 3.70:1 posi rear gear. Other options include a hardtop and off-road exhaust. It was the recipient of a recent body-on restoration which included new paint, interior, chrome, brakes, hubcaps and tires.

Corvette Auction Preview: 2013 Mecum Houston Corvette Auction Preview: 2013 Mecum Houston Corvette Auction Preview: 2013 Mecum Houston

Lot S246.1 – 1967 427/435 Convertible:
This all black C2 has several unique options including the numbers matching 435hp L71 427 engine, J56 big brakes, K66 transistor ignition, Vinyl hardtop only, A82 headrests, heater and radio delete, and side pipes. Clearly it was ordered with the race track and weight reduction in mind. The auction listing states that it is one of only 35 made without a heater and radio. Documentation includes the NCRS Shipping Data Report.

Corvette Auction Preview: 2013 Mecum Houston

Lot F217 – 1969 L89 Automatic Coupe:

Just 390 1969 Corvettes were built with the aluminum head L89 427/435 engine. The Mona Red on black car still retains that original numbers matching lump under the hood. Options on the car being sold out of the Gerald Byrd collection include an automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, and power windows. No mention of documentation is given in the auction listing.

Corvette Auction Preview: 2013 Mecum Houston Corvette Auction Preview: 2013 Mecum Houston Corvette Auction Preview: 2013 Mecum Houston

Mecum’s Houston Auction begins at 10am central time Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Velocity’s live coverage will air Thursday and Friday 3-9pm CST and Saturday 2-8pm CST.

If you can’t make it to this event or don’t get the Velocity channel you can still catch all the action live on Mecum’s website.

Source:
Mecum

Related:
1993 Lister Corvette Convertible Heading to Mecum Houston
[VIDEO] 1962 Corvette Fuelie Big Brake Tanker Sells for $242,000 at Mecum’s 2013 Kissimmee Auction
[VIDEO] 1963 Corvette Split Window Sells for $275,000 at Mecum’s 2013 Kissimmee Auction

 

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GM Selects 900 Chevrolet Dealers to Sell the 2014 Corvette Stingray

Chevy selects 900 Dealers to Sell the 2014 Corvette Stingray

Last week, Chevrolet confirmed that 900 of the 3,000+ U.S. dealerships have met the qualifications to sell the 2014 Corvette Stingray when it becomes available in late summer. Dealers had to qualify to sell the Stingray by selling at least four Corvettes in 2012.

GM made the decision to put the Corvette Stingray into those dealerships with the highest volume as they believe demand will initially outstrip supply and they want to ensure that those cars end up in customers hands and aren’t used as a showroom decorations. According to AutomotiveNews.com, those 900 dealerships accounted for 80 percent of all Corvette sales in 2012.

Dealers are still waiting for pricing and the order guide which should be available in the coming weeks. Once they are released, dealers will be able to submit orders for the new 7th generation Corvette.

Chevrolet dealers that didn’t qualify for the initial round of sales will have wait up to nine months before they can receive a Corvette Stingray. Many low volume dealerships are disappointed as the Stingray could be a huge draw to bring shoppers into the stores.

“Chevrolet provided dealers with guidance and requirements early in 2012 so dealers would know well in advance whether they would likely receive Corvette models during the initial six to nine months after launch,” Russ Clark, Chevrolet marketing director for performance cars, said in a statement.

Even though a dealership sold four or more Corvettes in 2012 to qualify, they still have several other qualifications to meet. First, they must designate Corvette Stingray specialists in both the sales and service departments. Sales specialists must complete a 1-1/2 day training session at the 2014 Corvette Stingray Dealer Sales Academy at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch in Pahrump, NV. The cost of the school is $2,000 per person excluding travel expenses. Service personnel will also undergo special training as well and the dealership must have purchased the special equipment and tools to service the cars.

“The Corvette Stingray provides a great opportunity to attract new customers to Chevrolet and your dealership,” says the letter, signed by Chevy sales chief Don Johnson and marketing head Chris Perry. “This is a once in a generation opportunity to demonstrate Chevrolet can deliver a beautifully designed, well-engineered, class leading performance car.”

When the 2014 Corvette Stingray does go on sale and you’re ready to place an order, check out our sponsors Dave Salvatore at Kerbeck Corvette and Mike Furman at Criswell Corvette who dealerships both qualified to receive the new Corvettes.

Source:
AutomotiveNews.com

Related:
Corvette Stingray Still Faces a Tough Road for Sales in Europe
2014 Corvette Stingray’s Color Configurator Allows You to Play with Paint and Wheel Options
Allocation Details for the 2014 Corvette Stingray Emerge

 

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Five Antique, Classic Cars for Sale in RI

Are you one of those drivers who looks at today’s vehicles and says: “Cars were so much better back then” – when carburetors managed engines, “climate control” meant rolling down a window, and every car had an identity instead of just a look? This week’s selection of cars for sale around Rhode Island is for you – here’s a list of five rides dating … (more)

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Kentucky OK’s Tax Incentives for the Corvette Assembly Plant

Kentucky OK's Tax Incentives for the Corvette Assembly Plant
Photo Credit: David W. Smith — Bowling Green Daily News

Good news for General Motors and its Bowling Green, Kentucky assembly plant where the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray will be built starting later this year.

Last Thursday, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority Board approved tax incentives for several expanding companies, including GM.

The decision by the board comes after GM had approved a $131.12 million expansion and refurbishing of the Corvette plant. The agreement will save the company $7.5 million in taxes, assuming GM winds up fulfilling the terms of the deal.

The incentives are offered to companies that commit to projects that will add jobs in Kentucky. In GM’s case, it’s estimated that the expansion currently underway will add 250 jobs that pay an average of $42 per hour, including benefits.

Other auto-related approvals by the KEDFA last week included:

Akebono Brake in Glasgow, final approval of $4 million to expand its brake-manufacturing operation;

Katayama America in Shelbyville, final approval of $440,000 to expand its plant where door sash assemblies and trim moldings for vehicles are made;

Angell-Demmel North America in Lebanon, $30,600 to expand its operations that produce aluminum trim for the automotive and appliance industries.

And in case you ever wondered if the companies do indeed have to live up to the deals, consider that the board last week approved a payback plan for Lexington’s Transposagen Biopharmaceuticals after the company created nine jobs instead of the agreed-upon 13 and at a lower average annual salary than the required $57,200. The company had borrowed $325,000 in December 2008, agreeing to the stipulations that had to be met by the end of 2012, and now will have to repay $39,523.26 for not living up to the deal completely.

Source:
Kentucky.com

Related:
IAC Adds Luxury and Style To 2014 Corvette Stingray Interior
SANLUIS Rassini Two-Piece Brake Rotors Chosen for 2014 Corvette Stingray
Spring Hill to Produce Body Parts for 2014 Corvette Stingray

 

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Learn How to Handle Your ‘Vette at April 13 Autocross Driving School

Michigan-based Corvette organizations leader and show organizer Larry Courtney reports the following news on driving clinics:

larry blog headshot
Larry Courtney

Want to learn how to handle your Corvette better? Corvette Club of Michigan (CCM) presents its annual Autocross School and Practice Day Sat., April 13, at the General Motors Hamtramck Plant in Detroit. The event is open to all Corvette owners.

Eventgoers will have the opportunity to work with an experienced driver, who will teach Corvette handling skills, while driving the low-speed Autocross. Come back Sun., April 14, to run the course and build up your skills.

Registration — 9-10 a.m. Admission — CCM and National Council of Corvette Clubs (NCCC) members admitted free; all others, $20.

Required — must wear M/SA2005 (or 2000 stickered 10 years old) helmet; loaners available.

Where — The GM Hamtramck Plant in Detroit is at I-94/Chene Street, just east of I-75.

Questions? Call Chris Scafero at (734) 748-9948, or email Scafero at cscafero@yahoo.com.

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[PICS] The 2014 Corvette Stingray at the 2013 New York Auto Show

[PICS] The 2014 Corvette Stingray at the 2013 New York Auto Show

Last week we attended the New York Auto Show and were able to see the new 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible. It made its American debut wearing Night Race Blue with the 3LT Brownstone interior. While We were very impressed by the new convertible model and its distinct “Corvette” profile, it was the interior that had us wagging our tongues. If you were impressed by the previous C7 interiors you’ve seen, the 3LT Brownstone redefines the standard of luxury available on the new Corvette.

Visitors to the North End of the Javits Center where the New York Auto Show was being held were greeted by the red 2014 Corvette Stingray Coupe hanging off the wall. That’s not a prop either. That’s the actual show Corvette that made the debut at Detroit and was on display at NAIAS.

Inside the Chevrolet display along the wall was the LT1 V8 Corvette engine on a stand and the aluminum frame structure was hanging on the wall above it. Like the previous auto shows, the Grand Turismo 5 driving simulators were set up to test drive a virtual Corvette Stingray.

Chevrolet introduced the new performance car line up just after 12:30 pm and then the media had free reign around the cars throughout the day. Traffic was very heavy after the press conference but gradually tapered off. You’ll see Corvette team members talking with the auto journalists and we spoke with several ourselves.

We continue to believe the C7 in both Coupe and Convertible models are game-changers for the Corvette program. Now you can choose the open air Convertible model and there are no compromises for electing to do so. The Convertible comes with the same 50/50 weight distribution as the Coupe and the new aluminum frame is nearly 60% stiffer than the previous generation’s Z06/ZR1 frame. All the performance goodies like the Z51 performance package, dry sump oil system and launch control are available. And now the interior looks as good as the exterior? Game Change!

Chevy also took the opportunity to show off the new optional 5-spoke wheels which were on the Convertible model. They will be available in painted silver and chrome and are 19″ fronts and 20″ rears. If you decide not to go with the Z51 package, these optional wheels can be ordered through the Genuine Corvette Accessories catalog.

Here’s our gallery of the 2014 Corvette Stingray at the 2013 New York Auto Show:

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[PICS] The 2014 Corvette Stingray at the 2013 New York Auto Show [PICS] The 2014 Corvette Stingray at the 2013 New York Auto Show [PICS] The 2014 Corvette Stingray at the 2013 New York Auto Show
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[PICS] The 2014 Corvette Stingray at the 2013 New York Auto Show [PICS] The 2014 Corvette Stingray at the 2013 New York Auto Show [PICS] The 2014 Corvette Stingray at the 2013 New York Auto Show
[PICS] The 2014 Corvette Stingray at the 2013 New York Auto Show [PICS] The 2014 Corvette Stingray at the 2013 New York Auto Show [PICS] The 2014 Corvette Stingray at the 2013 New York Auto Show
[PICS] The 2014 Corvette Stingray at the 2013 New York Auto Show [PICS] The 2014 Corvette Stingray at the 2013 New York Auto Show [PICS] The 2014 Corvette Stingray at the 2013 New York Auto Show
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[PICS] The 2014 Corvette Stingray at the 2013 New York Auto Show [PICS] The 2014 Corvette Stingray at the 2013 New York Auto Show [PICS] The 2014 Corvette Stingray at the 2013 New York Auto Show
[PICS] The 2014 Corvette Stingray at the 2013 New York Auto Show [PICS] The 2014 Corvette Stingray at the 2013 New York Auto Show [PICS] The 2014 Corvette Stingray at the 2013 New York Auto Show
[PICS] The 2014 Corvette Stingray at the 2013 New York Auto Show [PICS] The 2014 Corvette Stingray at the 2013 New York Auto Show [PICS] The 2014 Corvette Stingray at the 2013 New York Auto Show

The next stop for the 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible will be the 2013 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach auction this Friday where the first retail version will be auctioned for charity. CorvetteBlogger will be there as well so follow us on Facebook and 2008 C6 Corvette Options and Pricing | 2008carshop.com on 2008 C6 Corvette Options and Pricing

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