A BLOG for the Latest Corvettes: C8, C7 Stingray, C7, C6 Z06, Grand Sport, ZR1 and C5 / Z06!
The North Oaks Corvette Club‘s third annual “Corvette Generations” Car Show on Saturday, July 25 in downtown Birmingham, Mich., is limited to 120 Corvettes.
The $25 pre-registration fee is due July 6. Update: The fee is $35 from July 7 to the day of the show.
Check out these flyers for more details. It’s one of Michigan’s best Corvette shows.
“This year we featured the Z06 convertible,†said event organizer Larry Courtney, “and subtitled the show ‘Celebrating the Z06 Evolution.’â€
The first of the all-star line-up was the velocity-yellow, full-competition 2015 Z06 owned by Royal Oak, Mich. resident Bill Murchison, who was happy to share the high points of owning that car – and his two other ‘Vettes.
“This is as close to a race car that you can have on the street,†he said. “The tires have very little tread and perform miracles on dry pavement – they’re as amazing in the turns as on a straightaway.â€
Murchison also pointed out another design feature that looks great, but is, actually, purely functional. “See this feature that looks like a decorative side gill? Its purpose is to cool the transmission, brakes and rear axle.â€
Murchison’s stable of Corvettes includes a blue 2009 ZR1 (the most powerful ever made) as well the anniversary edition of the convertible 427 in white with silver-blue stripes.
Standing in the shadows of the GM World Headquarters at the Renaissance Center, Murchison praised the Corvette line: “They give you what they say they’re giving you in a beautiful, totally-drivable, timeless car. More than you’d hoped for!â€
And, scanning the aisles of hundreds of Corvettes and their owners, it was easy to feel that you’d arrived at the Emerald City of collectible autos, with organizer Courtney a most devoted wizard at the controls – though not behind any screen.
In the thick of the action, Courtney had several goals: to bring a fun, family event to downtown Detroit that honors and showcases a beloved make of car; to raise money for the Veterans Outreach Project of Southeast Michigan and Operation Care Package of Michigan, two charities that forward all proceeds to the cause of helping our veterans; and to keep Corvette owners updated, connected and able to share their special Corvette stories.
A Detroit News photographer also was on site to take some photos of the action. See those here.
Although Jerry Shoate of Detroit does not own a Z06, he does have stories to share about his “plain, regular, Corvette ’05 C6 series in red.â€
“This car is very comfortable,†he said. “Starting with the C5 series, they got more comfortable due to the updated suspension and body style. For example, the C3 is a nice, really collectible car, but it rides a little rough. We just got back from a 3,000-mile trip, and it couldn’t have been a better ride – plus the fuel efficiency was great! Oh, yeah, now that I’ve taken that road trip with my buddy, my wife says I’ve got to take her on one. She loves the ride, too!â€
Mahlon Cooks, Shoate’s friend and most recent road trip passenger, interjects and laughs, “Tell them how you dream about your car!â€
Cooks brought his black 2014 Stingray with the Z51 package. “This is a wonderful car,†Cooks says. “It’s quicker than my other two Corvettes (a ‘99 convertible and a ’77 L-82), but not as roomy. I do take it on highway trips. My favorite road is I-65 through Kentucky.â€
Although not one of the Z06 featured cars, the rare, Panama yellow 1958 C1, owned by Richard Pinke, was definitely a show-stopper with a special story.
“My dad bought me this car for my graduation in 1958 for $3,510 – a whole year’s pay for most!†As an owner of a tool-and-die shop in Panama City, Fla., where Pinke and his family lived, Pinke’s dad could foresee problems in that field.
“My dad said, ‘Go to school and be an engineer.’ So, I moved to Michigan and did just that and worked as a Cadillac prototype engineer,†he recalled.
Pinke’s car, stored in a Florida warehouse until it was brought to Michigan in 2006 with 167 miles on it, was still almost ready-to-go. “I replaced the tires, hose and battery and drained the brake fluid, adding silicone fluid.â€
Everything in this gorgeous auto is original – even the straps that appear to be seatbelts. “Of course, these cars did not have seatbelts then,†said Pinke. “We’ve never been exactly sure why, but those are parachute straps with the label of ‘Irving Airchute Co.’â€
As Larry Courtney (whose U.S. flag wrapped Corvette is sponsored by Matick Chevy as was the event) walked among the rows of gleaming Corvettes and happily chatting with owners and visitors, glad of the success of another huge event, he thoughtfully shared what really makes the Corvette unique: “The person behind the car.â€
Guest post and photos by Honey Murray
Posted July 3, 2015
Beautiful sunny weather greeted some 300 Corvette owners and their guests at the annual “Corvettes in the D” celebration along the Detroit River on Sunday, June 28.
After a rash of rainy and windy weather prior to the big event, Vette aficionado and “Corvettes in the D” organizer Larry Courtney laughed that, “The sun is always out for our events.â€
Courtney, owner of the charismatic red, white and blue flag-wrapped Corvette convertible that is an anticipated staple of Corvette events around the country, said he “had a ‘special conversation’ about Sunday and, of course, the sun was shining for us – and we’re very glad! The turnout was great!â€
This third Annual “Corvettes in the D” at GM’s Renaissance Center headquarters along the Detroit River, sponsored in part by General Motors, Corvette Central, Matick Chevrolet and Michelin Tire, was organized as a celebration of the Z06, as well as a fundraiser for veterans.
With the beautiful weather, Courtney said the anticipated 300 Corvettes provided a rainbow stream of perfect chassis, purring engines, and grinning drivers and passengers.
“We chose to feature the Z06 Corvettes this year because we knew that the convertible was coming out soon and the new Z06 would be a terrific machine,†explained Courtney. “So we put together seven great examples of the C5, C6 and C7 Z06 Corvettes to display, in addition to several other displays and Corvette activities, including sessions with the Corvette Mechanic.â€
With a stroll down the “Z06 spotlight lane,†event-goers could view these special cars and talk with their owners. The chosen cars, brilliant in the sun, included:
With the event’s celebration of the ZO6, each Corvette participant received a goodie bag – packed with care by Courtney’s wife and co-organizer, Verna Courtney – and containing a glossy, info-packed souvenir book that shares fascinating photos and facts about everything from Louis Chevrolet breaking Barney Oldfield’s closed-course, one-mile world record and Chevrolet’s partnership with Will Durant in the formation of the Chevrolet company, to Chevrolet’s place in the NASCAR era, photos and stories from Corvette owners and a list of Corvette events and related websites.
The book also shares structural, technical and design descriptions of the 2015 Corvette Z06, labeling the model as “the most capable Corvette ever,†the first Corvette Z06 to offer a supercharged engine with an eight-speed, paddle-shift automatic transmission and, thanks to a stronger aluminum frame, a removable roof panel.
Young visitors were treated to a kids’ goodie bag, containing a special Z06 coloring book and crayons, a die-cast collectible model car, flashlight, pens, keychain, sticker sheet and stickers: all part of expanding the fun of being around Corvettes and their owners as they share stories and information while raising money for area veterans.
The Courtneys chose two local groups as charities benefiting from the Corvettes in the D admission donations: The Veterans Outreach Program of Southeast Michigan, based in Redford Township, and Operation Care Package of Michigan. Both are 501C charities, and both are staffed by volunteers, pay no salaries, and provide all proceeds to the cause.
The Veterans Outreach Program of Southeast Michigan helps veterans get the benefits to which they are entitled while providing counseling, job placement, education and housing. Operation Care Package of Michigan packs and sends goodie boxes to those serving overseas.
“Not only are Corvette owners some of the most fun people, they are also among the most generous,†said Courtney. “Sometimes I receive checks for the charities in the mail long after our events – and from visitors who live in other parts of the world.â€
For more information about donating to the charities, the special souvenir publication or the 2016 event, email Larry Courtney or call him at 586-218-8616.
Guest post story and photos by Honey Murray
Posted June 29, 2015
Chevrolet News, June 24, 2015
Chevrolet will offer a convertible model of the all-new 2016 Camaro, featuring the segment’s most advanced top.
Check out Chevy’s cool Camaro video here.
The 2016 Camaro is the only convertible in the segment to offer all of the following:
• Fully automatic operation with latches that automatically release and secure the top
• Capability of opening or closing at speeds up to 30 mph
• Remote opening with the key fob
• A hard tonneau cover that deploys automatically, providing a more refined, finished appearance when the top is lowered and stowed.
The electro-hydraulic power roof system features multilayer construction – including acoustic and thermal barriers – designed for a comfortable, quiet driving experience in all seasons. The top emulates the sleek silhouette of the Camaro coupe.
“The 2016 Camaro coupe will set the benchmark for the segment in terms of technology, performance and design,†said Todd Christensen, Camaro marketing manager. “Adding the most sophisticated top in the segment brings another level of refinement – and driving enjoyment – to the Camaro convertible.â€
The new Camaro convertible arrives in early 2016.
Like the Camaro coupe, the convertible benefits from a stiffer, lighter structure that helps reduce total vehicle weight by at least 200 pounds compared to the model it replaces. Consequently, the Camaro convertible retains the coupe’s sharp chassis tuning and nimble reflexes.
“From the beginning, the Camaro’s architecture was developed to incorporate a convertible with uncompromised driving dynamics,†said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “Customers will appreciate what they don’t feel: quivers, cowl shake or an under-damped chassis typically found in a four-seat convertible.â€
The architecture also enables the Camaro convertible’s sleek design, allowing the top to fold down completely beneath the belt line. The hard tonneau cover automatically covers the folded top, creating a finished appearance.
“With many convertibles, you have to affix a tonneau cover manually – if it’s done at all,†said Tom Peters, design director. “The Camaro convertible’s automatically deploying hard tonneau not only makes it easier to enjoy convertible driving when the inspiration hits, it ensures the car always looks its best.â€
The sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro offers higher levels of performance, technology and refinement and is designed to maintain the sporty car segment leadership earned over the past five years.
Offered in LT and SS models, it provides a faster, more nimble driving experience and a broader powertrain range.
Six all-new powertrain combinations are offered, including a 2.0L Turbo rated at an SAE-certified 275 horsepower, an all-new 3.6L V-6 producing and SAE-certified 335 horsepower, and the LT1 6.2L V-8, which is SAE-certified at 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque – the most powerful Camaro SS ever. Each engine is available with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission.
Camaro’s leaner, stiffer platform and slightly smaller dimensions are accentuated by a dramatic, sculpted exterior. Meticulously tuned in the wind tunnel, the exterior contributes to performance through reduced aerodynamic lift for better handling, while enhancing highway fuel efficiency.
Inside, the driver-focused cabin integrates class-leading control technologies, including a new Driver Mode Selector, configurable instrument cluster and a customizable ambient lighting feature.
The 2016 Camaro coupe and convertible will be produced at General Motors’ Lansing Grand River assembly plant in Lansing, Mich.
FAST FACT: In 1967 – Camaro’s first model year – the available convertible model came with a manually operated top. A power-operated top was a $52.70 option selected by 47 percent of buyers.
Posted June 24, 2015
By Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press Auto Critic
Originally published June 21, 2015
How did the one-millionth Chevrolet Corvette get to be No. 1,000,000? No, not just by coming after No. 999,999, smart-aleck. Go sit in the corner.
Months of planning went into figuring out which Corvette would make history, and exactly when it would be built, former Corvette model-year manager Jeff Yachnin told me last week. Yachnin spent 17 years on the Corvette team.
We were talking because I got a look at the historic car undergoing restoration at GM Design headquarters in Warren, just outside Detroit. The car was damaged — virtually totaled, to the untrained eye — when a 30-foot sinkhole swallowed it and seven other cars at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Ky., on Feb. 12, 2014.
Chevrolet saw the millionth ‘Vette coming and preparations began years in advance.
Read more by Mark Phelan here.
The race day experience included discounted grandstand seat tickets to the Grand Prix and Chevy’s Hospitality Tent and Corvette Corral parking on the island, a starter’s breakfast program at Matick, speakers and more. Almost 100 Corvette owners and their guests wheeled into the dealership Saturday morning before heading to the island with a Redford Township Police escort.
WJBK Fox 2 News promoted the event earlier in the week. Watch Matick General Sales Manager Paul Zimmermann, who recently was selected as one of the 2015 Automotive News 40 Under 40 Retail, talk about the Grand Prix event and the new C7 here.
Matick’s Corvette Caravan Experience sold out, reports George Matick Chevrolet’s Ryan Esler. To attend the 2016 event, email Ryan well before race weekend, which is usually near the end of May. Corvetteblog.com will feature stories on the 2016 caravan beginning in January.
Enjoy the ride!
P.S. We also love to hear good news. Click here to learn how the Grand Prixmiere fundraiser, presented by Chevrolet on the Friday of race weekend, raised $1.1 million for the Belle Isle Conservancy. The funds will help maintain, renovate and improve the huge island park located in the Detroit River.
Matick Chevy Corvette Caravan’s Breakfast Gathering.
Matick Chevy Corvette Caravan’s Guest Speaker Ken Lingenfelter.
Matick Chevy Corvette Caravan Host Racecar Driver Danny Kellermeyer Talks with Guests.
Matick Chevy Corvette Caravan Guest Gregory Frost and His Friend, Sonja.
Photos by Lindsay Emeigh
Posted June 2, 2015
Chevy News update Dec. 1, 2014
They’re finally on the way to dealerships!
Chevrolet began shipping the 2015 Corvette Z06 coupe from its Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Kentucky on Saturday.
That means some early customers could receive their supercars later this week.
“It has been an incredible opportunity to work on Chevy’s most capable model,†said Jeff Lamarche, plant manager of General Motors’ Bowling Green Assembly Plant. “It truly is an amazing car, and we’re thrilled to get them into the hands of our eager customers.â€
The new Corvette Z06 offers the most choice for customers in the model’s history. It is the first Z06 to offer an available eight-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission and, thanks to a stronger aluminum frame, a removable roof panel.
In addition, it is the first time since 1963 that the Z06 is available as a convertible – which will arrive in early 2015.
The new LT4 supercharged 6.2L V-8 engine is SAE-certified at 650 horsepower (485 kW) at 6,400 rpm and 650 lb-ft of torque (881 Nm) at 3,600 rpm – making the 2015 Corvette Z06 the most powerful production car ever from General Motors and one of the most powerful production cars available in the United States.
To balance performance and efficiency, the LT4 leverages a trio of advanced technologies – direct injection, Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and continuously variable valve timing –with a new, more efficient supercharger.
The LT4 helps make the Corvette Z06 the most capable car in the brand’s history. The Z06 accelerates from a rest to 60 mph in only 2.95 seconds when equipped with the all-new, available eight-speed automatic transmission – and achieves it in 3.2 seconds with the standard seven-speed manual transmission.
A quarter-mile sprint takes just 10.95 seconds with the eight-speed automatic and 11.2 seconds with the seven-speed manual. With both versions, the Corvette Z06 hits 127 mph at the end of the quarter-mile.
When it comes to braking performance, the Z06 can stop from 60 mph in only 99.6 feet. That’s the best braking performance of any production car GM has ever tested. Additionally, the Corvette Z06 achieves 1.2 g in lateral acceleration compared with the Corvette’s previous best 1.13 g.
All test results were achieved with Z06 coupes fitted with the Z07 Performance package, which adds Brembo carbon ceramic brake rotors and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.
The Z07 package also features the most aggressive aerodynamic package available on the Corvette Z06, which delivers the most downforce of any production car GM has ever tested.
The Z06 also offers the industry-first Performance Data Recorder – or PDR – which enables users to record high-definition video, with telemetry overlays, of their driving experiences on and off the track. The racing-derived system is included with the available navigation system.
What could be better than competing for two T1 racing championships?
Driver Danny Kellermeyer and his Matick Chevrolet/Corvette Central-sponsored D.J. Racing Corvettes won the 2014 Waterford Hills Road Racing (WHRR) T1 Championship and finished the season with the most posts in the SCCA Great Lakes Challenge.
“We enjoyed a lot of great race weekends this summer and finished WHRR at the top of our class,†says Kellermeyer, owner of D.J. Racing Enterprise of Ortonville, Mich. “Race fans said the competition this season was really fun to watch. We had a lot of close racing and people were going crazy. You could hear them moaning and cheering. It was fun to listen to them and all their comments during and after the races.â€
The 2014 Waterford Hills title is Kellermeyer’s 31st championship claimed since 1989 and his fourth in a row in the WHRR T1 Class.
This championship consisted of 18 races during the 2014 season.
“To win these races, I had to be on top of my game at all times. Our Matick Chevy-sponsored #37 yellow Corvette was on the podium all but once,†Kellermeyer adds. “And 61 percent were for first place.
“Competition was tough from not only the other Corvettes, but from high-performance cars like Porsche and BMW. The Corvette of Jim Bambard and the Porsche of Christian Cook were tough, but the heaviest completion came from Tony Mac in his BMW,†says the veteran champion. “Many times the start of the race would see all the lead cars side by side lap after lap in heavy competition.â€
Kellermeyer won both the WHRRI and the SCCA Great Lakes Challenge a few years ago. But while he finished this season with the most points in the SCCA T1 competition, he did not win the title.
“I was the top on points in the championship running, but didn’t have the percentage of races completed due to conflicts in my race scheduling this season,†Kellermeyer says. “No one in the T1 class, as well as a lot of the classes, had completed their new rules so no one will be crowned the T1 champion.â€
Kellermeyer’s D.J. Racing Team also set a milestone this season, accumulating 110,701 road-racing track miles. That’s about 4.5 times around the world.
“Our team is always strong and competitive,†says Kellermeyer, who has be actively racing Corvettes since 1989. “We thrive on each other’s energy. Robert and Jonathan Pfeffer of Indianapolis, Ind., joined in at the Mid-Ohio races this year. We tend to help each other and give each other track tips and find we can dial the track in much faster when we have multiple cars.â€
D.J. Racing has supported up to five cars during a racing season. Corvette dealer Matick Chevrolet in metro Detroit has sponsored Kellermeyer for the past three seasons.
In this news report, Mark Reuss, GM’s executive vice president of global product development, purchasing and supply chain, explains what can happen when the auto company and a dealership collaborate.
Click here to view the interview conducted by Tom Worobec.
Reuss specifically addressed how the team at George Matick Chevy in metro Detroit helped him deal with problems at GM and how to solve them.
Reuss and Alan Batey, executive vice president and president, North America, were on hand for the grand revealing of the renovated George Matick Chevrolet. Also attending to show their support of Matick’s ambitious expansion plans were Brian Sweeney, U.S. vice president of Chevrolet, and Steve Hill, GM’s vice president of U.S. sales and service.
Matick, one of the largest Corvette dealers in the Midwest, celebrated its $7-million renovation project with a VIP reception attended by the GM executives, community leaders, business partners, and friends Sept. 18 in the stunning new car showroom at the 13-acre dealership.
Our “Danny Boy” of DJ Racing Enterprise in Ortonville, MI, has been zippin’ busy these past few weeks.
Buzzing from event to event in his Matick Chevy- and Corvette Central-sponsored racecar ‘Vette, driver Danny Kellermeyer has been busy as a bee (and looks like one, too, in his honey-bee yellow shirt and car and always-black pants).
First off:
The C6 Corvette and its driver, Danny, are on target for not only one, but also possibly two championship honors for the 2014-racing season.
With two more Sports Car Club of American (SCCA) races to run, Danny is leading the Touring 1 (T1) SCCA Great Lakes Divisional Championship.
He is also leading the T1 Waterford Hills Road Racing (WHRRI) Championship in Clarkston, MI, which has three races yet to go.
T1 is the ultimate class for production-style cars. These cars do not resemble cars that come off the showroom floor. T1 is the stomping grounds for not only Corvettes, but also Porsches, BMWs, Vipers and other high-horsepower production cars.
Incidentally, this year, Danny’s Corvette was somewhat handicapped with the addition of more weight and an intake restrictor plate in an effort to equalize the class.
“It’s a tougher class this year,” Danny tells us. “We had a little more power last year that we could rely on, but this year we are equal with the other cars. It has produced tighter and closer racing.
At any race, you will see leaders change positions and lots of door-to-door racing. We have been running strong, taking the SCCA championship lead after Mid Ohio and taking the WHRRI points lead.”
What’s Next?
Danny and his cars will next be on display at the grand reveal of the completely renovated Matick Chevrolet in Redford Township, MI.
There’s an evening VIP event planned for Thursday, Sept. 18, and an open house for everyone from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20. Danny will attend both events and will be on hand all day Saturday to talk about racing and his Corvettes.
“Back To The Bricksâ€
The Matick Chevy-Corvette Central-sponsored DJ Racing Enterprise Corvettes do more than race.
DJ Racing’s display at the Back To The Bricks show in Flint.Driver Danny and his little yellow racers also show up at various auto events. Recently, the DJ Racing team displayed its racecars at “Back To The Bricks†car show in Flint, MI.
Danny reports that event organizers were happy with their turnout of the thousands of cars on display and an estimated 450,000 spectators.
An event highlight was a “Corvette Reunion,” which drew some 800 Corvette lovers and their Corvettes during the same day as the Woodward Dream Cruise in Detroit.
Danny and his crew enjoyed a prime spot, displaying three of their racing Corvettes along with teammate Tom Janos’s C6 racecar.
A highlight of the display area was the beautiful 1954 black Corvette, owned by General Motors Executive V.P. Mark Reuss.
“I signed our posters ’til my hand hurt,†shares Danny. “The day started with a 3 a.m. set-up, and we were busy ’til tear-down in the afternoon. These display-and-show days give us the opportunity to talk to a lot of our fans and let them see the Matick Chevy–DJ Racing Corvettes up close.”
