Last month, Donald Pulver and Dick Robinson were chatting at Robinson’s auto shop, which occupies an unremarkable gray warehouse in this northern Philadelphia suburb.
100 years of Chevrolet icons, both good and bad
Having been kicked out of General Motors, the company he created, William Crapo Durant co-founded the Chevrolet Motor Co.
MCACN 2011: Motion Maco Corvette Unveiling
If you follow us on Facebook,you saw us give you a sneak peak at this car last Saturday. Purchased from “Mr. Motion” Joel Rosen about 10 years ago, it recently completed a very lengthy, very thorough, and (we imagine) a very expensive restoration. It was unveiled for the very first time last weekend at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals in Chicago by the current owner Dan McMichael, Joel Rosen, and Martyn Schorr. You can check out some more photos its debut after the break.
In 1965 Joel Rosen saw the famous Mako Shark styling car at the New York auto show. About 6 years later, Motion Performance began marketing and selling turnkey shark Corvettes in addition to conversion kits and the infamous Phase III GT. The example seen here was built as a show car delivered on November 2nd, 1974. The lucky owner was Anthony Dedentro of Jackson Heights, New York.
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Unique features to this car were the bubble taillights, custom diamond-tufted interior, and air conditioning. Motivation came courtesy of a 350ci engine. Sticker price was an astonishing $17,039.75 when new. Keep in mind that a base 1970 Corvette coupe was only $5,192.
In person, this car is visually stunning. From the perfect sparkling chrome to the custom shark-themed paint, no detail was missed during the restoration. Each time we walked by it, we notice yet another special detail or feature. The car had a crowd around it all weekend, especially when the flip-nose hood went for a short period of time.
For more info on this car, check out MakoShark2.com.
Related:
The Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals Blow into the Windy City this Weekend
Baldwin-Motion Phase III Corvette at Eyes on Design Show
Last Baldwin-Motion Phase III GT Corvette Found
Ride of the Week: 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
“This car has been in my family since it was brand new,” Myers says. “My father bought it brand new in 1986 and drove it everyday for eight years.
[VIDEO] Corvette Daytona Prototype Turns First Laps
![[VIDEO] Corvette Daytona Prototype Turns First Laps](http://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/112211_1.jpg)
With much fanfare, Chevrolet unveiled the new Corvette Daytona Prototype last Tuesday at the Daytona International Speedway. The next day, Spirit of Daytona driver Antonio Garcia had the honor of turning the first laps during the GRAND-AM Rolex Series test day. Those laps were captured on video and you can see (and hear) the new Corvette-branded race car after the jump.
Garcia and the Corvette DP hit the track last Wednesday during the morning testing session for a 30 minute shake-down, the first time the new Corvette DP has been on any track. Afterwards, Garcia commented on the experience:
“The car definitely looks good,” admitted Garcia, who returns with Spirit of Daytona this season. “This is just the first day so we have to take it step by step. This week is all about learning as many details about the car as possible and getting it ready for the December test. It’s all just a learning process at this point.”
“The car doesn’t really feel that much different than last year,” said Garcia. “Basically 80 percent of what we had last year is on this car. The difference is there is a lot more room for improvement now. Last year I think we hit our ceiling, we got everything out of that car that we could. Once we learn this new car I think we’ll be much faster everywhere.â€
In addition to Spirt of Daytona, three other GRAND-AM teams have committed to run the Corvette DP next season. Those teams, SunTrust Racing, GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing and Action Express Racing are expected to have their new Corvette DP’s ready for the next test session at Daytona next month.
As someone who hasn’t watched a lot of GRAND-AM Racing, I’ll admit that I am intrigued by the new Corvette Daytona Prototype. The fact that it has the familiar sounding throaty V8 similar to the Corvette C6.Rs goes a long way. Will you be tuning in to GRAND-AM next year to follow the new Corvettes? Sound off in the comments below and let us know what you think.
Source:
YourTrackPass.com
Related:
Chevrolet Unveils 2012 Corvette Daytona Prototype
Corvette Racing’s Gavin to Race in Grand-Am in 2011
Performance Build Center Open House
If you know the history of Corvette engines, and if you love seeing these engines assembled, there is no better place to visit than the GM Performance Build Center in Wixom, Michigan. All Corvette dry-sump equipped engines are built here, in this northwestern suburb of Detroit, and every engine is assembled by hand.
I was pleased to find myself at the Open House this past August, and both "the show" and the enthusiasm of the Corvette fans who were present were very impressive. I was there with a 2011 Callaway Corvette Grand Sport 3LT Convertible, and the indefatigable Chris Chessnoe of Callaway Cars was there, as well, with his 100,000 mile Callaway Corvette Grand Sport 3LT Coupe demonstrator (both pictured below).
We were inches away from the assembly jigs, so seeing it all "up close and personal" is easily done (as the photo to your right demonstrates). The assembly technicians are extremely loquacious, so obtaining all the details about the steps of the process was easy.
This event was timed to coincide with the week of the Woodward Dream Cruise, and was just one more of many reasons to be "hanging in the D" for all things automotive in the middle of a Detroit August! Be sure to visit this venue the next time you are in Michigan!
Rumormill: The LFA-powered Lexus GS rumor that won’t die
When society finally crumbles and the human race vanishes from the face of the Earth, the cockroaches will still be passing around certain automotive rumors.
Motor Trend Features Corvette Inspired Callaway SportTruck
Described by Steve Temple as a "Stealth Bomber," the Callaway Corvette-inspired Chevrolet SC540 SportTruck recently made a huge impression on his journal, Motor Trend. Other enthusiastic comments include:
"The performance on the SC540 SportTruck is transformational: One moment you’re cruising along, looking nonchalantly down from your cabin window at exotic, low-profile sports cars. The next, your rig goes ballistic, showing them your tailgate as other drivers stare wide-eyed in disbelief. Getting bested by a pickup just ruined their day, and you’re smiling smugly all the way back to the hay barn.
"Yet this performance pickup is not some high-strung, temperamental muscletruck. Callaway engineers were able to attain these increased power levels with virtually no reduction in fuel mileage, along with predictable drivability, and meeting emissions standards for all 50 states. That sounds like having your cake and eating it, too."
The factory estimated 5 second run-up to 60 miles per hour is realistic. As I have written before, I have driven this truck, and it is impressive front to back and wall to wall. I really enjoyed my serving of cake! Check out the article at Motor Trend. This truck can be ordered from George Matick Chevrolet!
Corvette Values: 1996 Corvette Grand Sport Convertible
BD in Florida submitted this 1996 Corvette Grand Sport to Corvette Values:
1996 Corvette Grand Sport Convertible, VIN #1G1YY3251T56007XX. Admiral Blue with Red/Black leather interior. All original with no modifications. 20,000 Miles, LT4 350/330 HP. Options include F45 suspension, U1F Delco Bose Stereo, UJ6 Low Tire Pressure Warning System, Run Flat Tires. Documentation includes window sticker and shipping documents.
Find out how we valued this Corvette Grand Sport Convertible after the jump.
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1996 Corvette Grand Sport Convertible, VIN #1G1YY3251T56007XX. This VIN indicates this Corvette is a bona fide factory Grand Sport Convertible, not a replica. We know this because the Grand Sport Editions had a dedicated VIN.
The total Grand Sport 1996 production was 1,000 units: 810 were Coupes and 190 were Convertibles.
The Grand Sport package included the new version of the 350 motor, LT4, pumping out 30 more HP than the base LT1 motor. The new LT4 was rated at 330 HP and was packaged with the 6-speed manual transmission.
The Grand Sport paint was Admiral Blue with a White center stripe and special detailing. The Convertible top was White. From an interior perspective, two selections were available for this model in 1996: Black and Red/Black. The rare interior selection for the 190 Convertibles produced was Red/Black with only 53 buyers making this selection. This Convertible has one of the rare interiors.
From an options perspective, this Corvette has the F45: Selective Real Time Damping System, a $1,695 option reported to be selected by only 42 of the Grand Sport Convertible buyers with Red interiors.
At a recent Bloomington Gold seminar on collectible Corvettes, the 1996 Grand Sport was one of the models discussed. The consensus was the 1996 Grand Sport Convertible with its limited production run has the potential to become one of the true late model collectibles.
In addition, our tracking data shows few of this year and model are for sale and most of the ones brought to auction are not sold based on a high reserve price. We recorded ‘no sale’ prices in the $41,000 to $45,000 range in recent months.
Facts to consider in appraising this Corvette is collectibility, rare options like the Red interior and mileage. We place a value on this 1996 Corvette Grand Sport Convertible at $58,000.
Corvette Appraisals:
With rapidly changing Corvette values, make sure your insurance coverage keeps up with your Corvettes value by having it appraised online at VetteFinders.com. Our online appraisals are only $69.95 and are usually completed within three business days. Click here to start your Corvette appraisal now.
Source:
VetteFinders.com Appraisal Service
Related:
Corvette Values: 1988 Corvette Coupe
Corvette Values: 1958 Corvette Roadster
Corvette Values: 1978 Silver Anniversary Corvette
Marchionne says Jeep Wrangler will only be built in Ohio
The Jeep Wrangler is as much American icon as the Ford Mustang or Chevrolet Corvette , and Toledo, Ohio is rightly proud of its off-roader. If it’s up to Sergio Marchionne , Wrangler production won’t happen anywhere outside the northern Ohio town.