March 2014 - Page 3 of 19 - C6Performance Journal

March 27, 2014

[PICS] West Coast Customs Takes On the 2014 Corvette Stingray

The Corvette Stingray has been in production for roughly eight months now and we’re starting to see some owners and shops show off their custom work. One shop that is well known for their over-the-top designs and fabrications is West Coast Customs, who recently showed off a completed supercharged Corvette Stingray on their facebook page.

The brand new non-Z51 2014 Corvette Stingray arrived at West Coast Customs in December 2013 with only 24 miles on the odometer and the window sticker still attached. It was immediately broken down with most of its body panels removed. A procharger was added to the engine bay while their audio technicians when to work in the trunk.

Except for the hood and custom yellow/black wheels, the exterior customization appear to be mostly paint. The top was done in full black from the A-pillars to the rear hatch while certain areas of the car from the “fangs” on the front fascia to portions of the side were accented in black as well. A black Stingray fender badge and “CORVETTE” lettering on the back were also blacked out.

A clear window in the hood reminiscent of the C6′s ZR1 makes a return and shows off the newly painted yellow engine cover under it.

Interior customization included changing the door pulls, passenger grab handle and portions of the center console in yellow. The yellow accents continue around the top of the dash as well. Custom stitched suede inserts with yellow threading was added to the seats. As mentioned, the rear cargo area was transformed into a giant audio system.

Reviewing the photos on WCC’s facebook page, we see another Corvette Stingray with a Cyber Gray exterior and the Kalahari interior which is referred to as the “Continental Tires Corvette Stingray” undergoing the WCC treatment. A television crew is filming that car so look for it on an upcoming episode of West Coast Custom’s TV show which has new episodes coming in April on Fox Sports 2.

In the meantime, enjoy these pictures showing off the Velocity Yellow Corvette Stingray from WCC’s facebook page.

Source:
West Coast Customs on Facebook

March 27, 2014

Preparations underway for Auctions America’s largest Auburn Spring Sale to date

Auctions America announced two new private collections for its Auburn Spring weekend, May 8-10 at the historic Auburn Auction Park in Indiana.

March 27, 2014

Preparations underway for Auctions America’s largest Auburn Spring Sale to date

Auctions America announced two new private collections for its Auburn Spring weekend, May 8-10 at the historic Auburn Auction Park in Indiana.

March 26, 2014

A Closer Look at the 8-Speed Automatic for the 2015 Corvette Z06

One of the most talked about features on the 2015 Corvette Z06 is the new high performance 8-speed automatic transmission.

It was back in May of 2011 that we first learned that GM was developing an eight-speed automatic transmission for its high performance cars. But one of the things we didn’t know was that the Hydra-Matic 8L90 would be designed from the ground up specifically to handle the more than 635 lb-ft of torque generated by the 2015 Corvette Z06.

To make sure the new transmission was compact and light enough to fit into the Z06, engineers worked to remove mass while maintaining strength and durability. Plus, it had to work well the with new Gen 5 engine’s cylinder deactivations.

The new 8-speed transmission weighs 8 pounds less than its 6-speed predecessor and it offers a 5 percent better fuel economy than the previous six-speed automatic. Despite its small package, it can handle up to 738 lb-ft of torque.

Bill Goodrich, assistant chief engineer, 8-speed RWD transmissions told Engine Technology Now “Where we have low-stress areas on parts, we’ve cast, stamped or machined holes in them to remove unnecessary mass, while maintaining strength in the critical areas.”

The use of materials also played a key roll in mass reduction. The gearset carrier is made of aluminum, the clutch piston housing is made of magnesium. Steel is used where high stress areas need it the most.

“The transmission is made up of four separate gearsets and five clutches,” says Goodrich. “A key feature is that in every gear state we have three of the five clutches applied; with only two open, you minimize the drag and spin losses you get from an open clutch pack.”

In developing the Hydra-Matic 8L90 automatic transmission, the engineers benchmarked the Porsche 911′s PDK transmission and they claim to have matched or beaten those shift times through a combination of hardware and software.

While the new Hydra-Matic 8L90 transmission will first see action in the 2015 Corvette Z06, we can only hope that this next generation transmission will see duty in the Stingray in the near future as well.

Source:
Engine Technology Now

March 26, 2014

Chevrolet and Ron Fellows Offering New Corvette Stingray Course at Spring Mountain

Chevrolet and Ron Fellows Offering New Stingray School at Spring Mountain

Here’s some great news for C7 Corvette owners who want to experience the full capabilities of the 7th generation sports car in a safe environment.

Chevrolet and the Ron Fellows Performance Driving School at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch are offering a special two day program for $1,000 for new 2014 Corvette Stingray owners – a discount of $1,500 off the rate for the standard program.

The two-day course has been designed for drivers of all skill levels by Corvette Racing legend Ron Fellows.

“We designed the Corvette Stingray to make its owners better drivers through technologies such as the Driver Mode Selector, Active Rev Match, electronic limited-slip differential and more,” said Tim Mahoney, chief marketing officer, global Chevrolet. “Through the Ron Fellows Performance Driving School, they’ll learn to make the most of its technologies and delve deeper into the Corvette’s capabilities, resulting in a more exciting and fulfilling driving experience.”

The discount is available to all new Corvette Stingray owners and is good for up to one year from the retail purchase of the car. Only one attendee per vehicle is eligible for the discount and it applies to original owners only. Attendees are responsbile for their owner travel and accommodations.

“We are proud to be the official high-performance driving school for Chevrolet and the Corvette Stingray,” said Fellows. “Our goal is to ensure every driver leaves with enhanced driving skills, more confidence on the street and track and, most of all, a deeper understanding of his or her Corvetteâ€™s capabilities and how to safely enjoy the car to the fullest.”

The Ron Fellows Performance Driving School has a fleet of Corvette Stingrays used for instruction so owners can leave their personal Stingrays at home. The course will allow owners to spend extensive time driving the new Stingray on Spring Mountain’s 2.2 mile road course in Pahrump, Nevada. Three levels of instruction will cover novices to those with experience on the track.

“It’s more than simply going fast and learning when to turn and apply the throttle,” said Fellows. “Mind speed and decision-making are key elements in the high-performance world, and our car control exercises and on-track training will help drivers improve their ability to process information quickly and accurately, resulting in a better coordination of eyes, hands and feet to improve their driving skill. Itâ€™s great fun â€“ and drivers will definitely challenge their limits to find the limits of the new Stingray.”

For more details about the Stingray Driving School at Spring Mountain, call 800-391-6891 or click here and make sure you watch the video of Ron Fellows introducing the new driving program for Corvette Stingray owners.

Source:
Chevrolet

March 26, 2014

[VIDEO] Forgiato Widebody Corvette Stingray at Cars and Coffee

Via CorvetteVideos.TV

This Tangelo Orange 2014 Corvette Stingray was spotted at Cars and Coffee Irvine last weekend. It’s part of the special run of Forgiato widebody C7 Corvettes that were first shown at the 2013 SEMA show in Las Vegas.

Visit CorvetteVideos.TV for the best selection of hand-picked Corvette videos.

March 25, 2014

Former Corvette Racing Icon Jim Jeffords Passes Away

One of the most successful Corvette race car drivers from the 1950s passed away on March 6, 2014.

Jim Jeffords started his career as a Chevy racer after impressing Ed Cole with his driving behind the wheel of a Jaguar 140 on Memorial Day weekend 1956. That performance led to Jeffords being asked to race John Fitchâ€™s modified Corvette in the feature the next day.

Thus began a very successful, though short-lived career for Jeffords, who became well-known for his strong performances behind the wheel of the “Purple People Eater” Corvette in the late 1950s. With the backing of Nickey Chevrolet in Chicago, Jeffords entered 21 race weekends (42 races) with the 1958 and 1959 Purple People Eater Corvettes, winning an astounding 29 of them. He wound up winning the SCCA National B/P Championship both of those years.

Jeffords also purchased the legendary SR-2 Harley Early B/MP car and raced it, too.

Photo Credit: Vette Magazine

Jeffords’ outstanding performances in 1958 included lapping the field in a 20-lap race at Wilmot, setting the course record by 3 mph at Watkins Glen as well as a new track record at Vaca Valley, Calif., and becoming the first American driver to win Nassau Speed Week.

Purple People Eater III made a surprise appearance on the West Coast at Riverside in 1959 as Jeffords wound up losing by just 40 feet to Bob Bondurant. Jeffords later won an appeal to SCCA Chief John Bishop, who named him the winner.

His string of successes came to an end in 1961 when he began suffering from a mysterious allergy that left him in intensive care for nine months and almost killed him, forcing his retirement from racing.

Ironically, Jeffordsâ€™ death came just a day before the Purple People Eater, which had been restored by the late Chip Miller, was displayed by Chipâ€™s son Lance at the annual Amelia Island Concours dâ€™Elegance March 7-9 in Amelia Island, Fla.

Jeffords was inducted into the Corvette Hall of Fame in 2002.

Jim Jeffords, Lance Miller and the Purple People Eater at the Corvette World Tribute, Road America, Aug 2011.

Source:
Lance Miller on Facebook

March 25, 2014

NCRS Offering Factory Documentation for Chevelles, Novas and Camaros

Good news for owners of some 1965-72 Chevrolet muscle cars is coming from a most unexpected source â€“ the National Corvette Restorers Society.

NCRS has announced that it will begin selling shipping records for 1965-72 Chevelles, Camaros, and Novas sometime in the next three months â€“ a move that could offer hope to restorers seeking more information about their vehicles.

Shipping records, while not the Holy Grail, will still allow owners to find out the dealer code, dealer name, dealer address, and build date for their car, and that information could open the door for further discoveries.

In fact, NCRS official Mark Lincoln tells a story about one shipping record that helped a Corvette C2 big-block owner unearth documentation from the original owner of his car.

The Chevy dealer was still in business, and a former employee remembered the car, directing the current owner to the original buyer.

NCRS is converting the data now from microfiche to digital form, a time-consuming move that once completed will allow much easier access for current owners. Admittedly, some records may not be readable or may be damaged, but in those instances, NCRS will refund the customerâ€™s money.

Since there were 7 million Camaros, Chevelles, and Novas manufactured from 1965 to 1972, NCRS worries that it may be overwhelmed with inquiries once the program opens to the public.

Thatâ€™s a real possibility, but we salute NCRS for making the effort to help restorers of three more Chevy muscle car models.

While shipping records donâ€™t offer all the information that build records would, at least theyâ€™re a start in the right direction. These records could help prove or disprove a carâ€™s history.

For those holding out hope of finding other more in-depth records, donâ€™t hold your breath.

Apparently, build records of pre-1975 Chevy models have been destroyed over the years as efforts by former Chevrolet general manager Jim Perkins in the 1990s as well as a standing $1 million offer by Terry Michaelis, president of Pro Tem Corvette, to anyone who could produce complete build records for early Corvettes, both have gone unanswered.

NCRS will charge $50 for the shipping records when the service begins later this year.

Source:
Hemmings.com

March 25, 2014

SRT Viper Production Halted and Factory Race Cars Sidelined for the 24 Hours of Le Mans

SRT Viper Production Halted and Factory Racers Sidelined for the 24 Le Mans

While the Corvette Stingray continues to fly off the showroom floors almost faster than Bowling Green can produce them, the same canâ€™t be said for its long-time competitor, the SRT Viper.

In fact, Chrysler just announced that it would suspend production of the Viper for at least two months, leaving 91 hourly workers laid off at the assembly plant in Detroit.

While the Viper definitely has its loyal supporters, apparently the award-winning 2014 Stingray is slicing deeply into the market for two-seater sports cars. Some experts blame the rough winter weather, too, but it hasnâ€™t hurt the Corvette.

Compare the numbers. The Stingray sold 2,261 units in January followed by 2,438 in February for a total of 4,699. The Viper, on the other hand, moved only 91 cars during the first two months of 2014 â€“ combined!

It could be something of a miracle if the suspension of the Viper production ends anytime soon, considering that as of March 1, dealers reported an unsold stock of 756 cars.

Based on the sales figures for the first two months of 2014, it would take more than eight months to sell all the Vipers already produced.

While Chrysler claims that Viper never has been a big seller â€“ only 20,000 units have ever been produced over the past 20 years â€“ the pathetic sales figures in 2014 are definitely not what SRT wants to see.

Production of the Viper will wind down on April 14, with resumption planned for the week of June 23.

In addition to its slow sales woes, Autoweek has learned that the factory backed SRT Vipers will be backing out racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The SRT Viper returned to ALMS competition last year and made the trip to the Le Mans in 2013, its first since 2001.

In response to the news that Viper will be pulling out of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Corvette Racing program manager Doug Fehan says he is disappointed that the crosstown rivals at SRT will not be racing in France:

“As everyone knows, Viper played a key role in the initial days of the Corvette Racing program,” Fehan told Autoweek. “All those early battles created huge interest and enjoyment both stateside and at Le Mans. It is certainly disappointing to learn that our American countrymen won’t be joining us this year at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. They will certainly be missed by road racing fans from around the world.”

Source:
Autoweek

March 25, 2014

[VIDEO] Corvette Stingray at Captain America: The Winter Soldier UK Premiere

Via CorvetteVideos.TV

The brand new Corvette Stingray was a red carpet star at Marvel’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” UK Premiere, March 20th 2014 in London.

The stars from the movie were all on hand as well as the 2014 Corvette Stingray driven by the Black Widow in the movie.

Corvette Racingâ€™s Oliver Gavin was also there and he interviewed the stars from Captain America: The Winter Soldier in front of the 2014 Corvette Stingray.

Visit CorvetteVideos.TV for the best selection of hand-picked Corvette videos.