Month: August 2012

During the run-up to the sale of the 2009 Corvette ZR1, we saw many buyers turning to eBay to secure their chance to buy the 638-horsepower sports car. Both dealers and individual sellers jumped into the fray and we saw some outrageous auctions designed to play off the hype and “want factor” of those who wanted to be among the first to own.

That’s all well and good when the car is actually in production and for sale, but here is a case of an individual attempting to auction a 2014 C7 Corvette – the next generation Corvette that’s not expected to arrive at dealers for another year or so.

According to the eBay auction which has since been taken down, the seller appears to be a private party who is offering the opportunity to order the 2014 Corvette when it becomes available. The assumption is that he has secured a place in line with an unnamed Chevy dealer and is offering that position for a 10% “Non-refundable” deposit:

“You are bidding on a new 2014 Chevrolet corvette. You add the options you want. This is your chance to be one of the very first owners of a 2014 corvette. This is the deposit only. remaining balance is due when car arrives. There is a 10% nonrefundable deposit. deposit payment is due at end of auction.”

After CorvetteOnline and several other websites pointed out the auction, we awoke this morning to find the eBay listing has been removed or is no longer available. Despite the sellers 100% reputation, this auction had red flags all over it – lack of accurate information about the car, use of renderings from Car & Driver instead of actual photos and of course the major red flag is that the car isn’t even in production yet!

Here are the screenshots of the now-removed eBay auction:

It’s great that there is a ton of interest and excitement building about the next generation Corvette and as this auction showed, there were at least 13 bidders who hopped on that bandwagon in the quest to be among the first to own. But buyer beware if you are dealing with private sellers at this point in the game.

Source:
CorvetteOnline

Related:
Houston Dealer Selling A Corvette ZR1 for $70,000 Over MSRP
Corvettes on eBay: First 2010 Corvette ZR1 VIN 0001
Seller of Fake L88 Caught by Corvette Community

 

The Edelbrock name is legendary when it comes to performance.

Legendary hot rodder Vic Edelbrock and his daughter Christi recently took a few moments to talk about their supercharger for the Corvette Z06 with Adam Carolla and Matt D’Andria, hosts of the online video series CarCast. You can see their interesting conversation on this video we found.

For around $7,000 installed, a performance hound can bolt on one of these Edelbrock superchargers and instantly see an increase in horsepower of about 160 to an amazing 680-hp, Vic says.

And with that installation, which can take anywhere from one to two days, depending on whether you have to upgrade the fuel pump if you have the standard C6 motor, “you’ve gone from fun car to super car” with the installation, Carolla says.

Christi points out that you can buy an older C6 and upgrade it with this supercharger and be running against cars that cost twice as much.

“And you’re not changing the camshaft and compression,” Vic says. “It’s all right there. We’re very, very excited.”

And when you hear the roar of that supercharged motor when Vic brings it to life and revs it up for Carolla, you’ll be very, very excited, too.

The beautiful red Z06 that’s featured in the video includes the carbon fiber package, the brake package, the traction package, in other words, the works. As Vic says, “you could put a number on the side door and you could go racing!”

The Edelbrock website says the Edelbrock E-Force Supercharger systems deliver excellent horsepower and torque in a complete, street-legal kit that fits under the factory hood.

The core of each system is the Eaton Gen VI 2300 TVS Supercharger rotating assembly, which features a four-lobe design with 160 degrees of twist for maximum flow, minimum temperature rise, and quiet operation for excellent drivability.

And it’s even available with an optional reasonably priced powertrain warranty!

Hosted by Carolla and D’Andria, CarCast covers everything from hot rods to super cars, delivering serious expertise with a good sense of humor. Automotive designers, racers and celebrity car enthusiasts come to CarCast for a real, unscripted, lively discussion of all things on four wheels. Recent guests include Jay Leno, Vic Edelbrock, Bobby Rahal, Chip Foose, Billy Gibbons, Patrick Warburton, Zachary Levi, Patrick Dempsey, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Bill Goldberg. The show is produced by Jeff Fox and the audio engineer is Chris Laxamana.

Source:
Adam Carolla’s CarCast

Related:
Callaway Shows Off First Supercharged 60th Anniversary 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible
Lingenfelter Announces 670 Horsepower Package for LS3 Corvettes
[PICS] Purifoy’s Custom 2012 Corvette Grand Sport

 

Here is an honest to goodness Corvette barn find that just saw the light of day in California. According to a posting on the Corvette Forum by “Bruce at Billet”, this original one-owner 1963 Corvette was last on the road in 1979. It was parked in that barn for whatever reason, where it sat untouched for 33 years.

The owner always told his daughter that “when I pass on you will have the Corvette” and sadly that day recently came.

The poster on the forum makes the comment that the previous owner could be described as a “hoarder” in that he never got rid of anything. There were 5-6 cars on the property with the Corvette and another car barricaded inside this barn. It took the family several days to clear the area in order to open the garage to get at the two cars parked inside. (We don’t know what the makes/models of the other cars were).

Not much is known about the options on the Corvette other than it has an automatic transmission. As it’s claimed to be all original, it would be powered by a 327 cubic inch V8 and is most likely to be either the 250 horsepower base engine or the optional L75 300 horsepower variant.

Reading deeper into the forum posting, the daughter and her husband are planning on pulling the Corvette out and taking it to a shop so they can get it running again. Hopefully, they will take it to a shop that knows classic Corvettes and will take care of the new owners as well as the Sting Ray.

Only one photo has been shared on the forum so far, so click here for the larger version.

Source:
Corvette Forum

Related:
No. 1 Briggs Cunningham 1960 Le Mans Corvette Racer Found
Corvettes on eBay: 1961 Corvette is a True Barn Find
Wasting Away: 1963 Corvette Split Window Coupe

 

Our friends at Corvette Central have two special offers this week to help get you through the Dog Days of Summer. Through August 9th on orders of $199 or more, Corvette Central will offer customers in the continental US and Canada Free Shipping, and those outside the USA and Canada can get 10% Off. For the free shipping offer, use Coupon Code “HOT12″. To save 10% on your international order of $199 or more, use the coupon code “HOT12F”. Some restrictions apply.

Another way you can save on shipping is if you are attending Corvettes at Carlisle August 24-26, 2012. Place your order by Monday, August 20th and you can pick it up at the Corvette Central booth at Carlisle.

And if you’re at Corvettes at Carlisle, make sure you stop by to say hello and check out our 1963 “Split-Mod” Chassis. Corvette Central will be at spaces D87-D92 and E87-E89.

Click here to shop now at Corvette Central

 

You might say two old friends will be celebrating a special anniversary later this month.

The second annual Corvette World Tribute is slated on Sunday, August 19 at Road America, where 60 years of Corvettes will be marked with a variety of special events.

Corvette and Road America go way back. In the early days of the marquee, Chevrolet executives would stage sneak previews of future models and develop high-performance packages for production models. The track has also been a battleground for decades of Corvette road racers, from the original solid-axles to the C6.Rs of today’s American Le Mans Series.

In fact, Road America’s annual American Le Mans Series event set for August 16-18 will precede the Corvette World Tribute.

“The relationship between Chevrolet and Road America runs deep,” says Russ Clark, Chevrolet Product Marketing Director, Midsize/Performance Cards and GM Racing. “It’s fitting that two icons of American racing, Chevrolet and Road America, have joined forces. Road America is known as ‘America’s National Park of Speed,’ and Corvette is America’s iconic sports car. We’re very proud to celebrate our mutual heritage here in the heartland of America.”

Road America officials feel the same way.

“We’re honored that Road America has played a key role in Corvette’s racing heritage from the track’s opening in 1955 to today,” said George Bruggenthies, Road America president and general manager. “We’re excited to celebrate this longstanding association at the second annual Corvette World Tribute and equally excited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our Corvette Corral.”

There will be lots to do during the Corvette World Tribute at the Wisconsin track, including autocross and slalom courses, a concours featuring People’s Choice awards, a road rally, Karting Challenge, and track sessions for touring and race-prepared Corvettes.

The National Council of Corvette Clubs (NCCC) and the Kettle Moraine Corvette Club are helping Road America organize the event. Go to www.roadamerica.com for more information.

Source:
PaddockTalk.com

Related:
[VIDEO] Corvette Racing Series Episode 9: Corvette World Tribute
[VIDEO] Over 40 Corvette Race Cars Rumble at the Corvette World Tribute
The Quest Documentary is Now Available on DVD

 

Gavin and Milner Score Third Win of Season, Take GT Championship Lead

LEXINGTON, Ohio, Aug. 4, 2012 – In Olympic terms, Corvette Racing drivers Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner won the gold today in the GT class at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge, the sixth round of the American Le Mans Series. Instead of medals, Gavin and Milner were awarded silver trophies and the maximum championship points as they notched their third win of the season in the No. 4 Compuware Corvette C6.R.

The pair reclaimed the lead in the driver standings with a .283-second victory over the No. 45 Porsche of Joerg Bergmeister and Patrick Long, and extended Chevrolet’s lead in the GT manufacturer championship. The win was the eighth for Corvette Racing at Mid-Ohio, but the first in the GT class after a string of three consecutive runner-up finishes that began in 2009.

The No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R of Jan Magnussen and Antonio Garcia was running third with 20 minutes remaining when contact with a GTC Porsche punctured the left-front tire and damaged the suspension. The Corvette crew repaired the car and returned Magnussen to battle, but the 12 minutes lost in the pits dropped the No. 3 Corvette to 13th at the finish.

Gavin made the decisive pass for the victory immediately after the final round of pit stops with one hour remaining in the two-hour, 45-minute race. Gavin caught Magnussen on his out-lap and then passed race leader Bergmeister with a daring outside move to notch his third ALMS win at Mid-Ohio and the 37th of his career.

“I had one lap on my new tires, and I caught Jan going into Turn 2,” Gavin said. “My crew chief radioed that Joerg was on cold tires and told me to go for it! Last year I passed him around the outside into Turn 4, and I did the same again. I thought I could pull it off, and I’m so pleased that I did.”

Bergmeister responded by putting intense pressure on the Corvette as the pair raced nose-to-tail in the closing laps.

At the end of the race, there wasn’t much between us and I got caught up in some traffic,” Gavin reported. “It was tough, and those last few laps were really hard. I’m thrilled with the result and what it means for the championship. This is exactly what we needed after a couple of difficult races.”

Milner started sixth on the GT grid, but rocketed to third on the first lap. He held that position until the first pit stop at the 30-minute mark as the team got both Corvettes in just seconds before a full-course yellow closed the pits. That strategy vaulted the Corvettes to second and third when racing resumed.

“I had a great start,” said Milner, who scored his third career ALMS victory today. “I’d like to say that I planned it, but it was more about being in the right spot at the right time. I gained three spots and then the Corvette crew did a great job with the first pit stop. That was a brilliant call that put me ahead of the BMW. I ran down the No. 45 Porsche, but just couldn’t get close enough to pull off a pass. I tried on the restart on Turn 2 and got alongside him, but couldn’t make it stick.

“The pit stop and Oliver’s out-lap made the difference,” Milner explained. “The stop was flawless and that got us ahead of the No. 3 Corvette, and then the No. 45 Porsche. It was a perfect day from the crew – the right calls and flawless execution.”

Crew chief Brian Hoye agreed: “Pit stops did make a difference,” he said. “We’ve been practicing over and over, week after week. We knew it was going to come down to a pit stop in one of these races, and the hard work paid off today.”

Garcia started fifth but was bottled up at the start as the field raced two-wide around the narrow 2.25-mile, 13-turn circuit. He was seventh after the first lap, but worked his way back to fifth two laps later. Garcia also benefited from quick pit work on his first stop, emerging in third after the pit stop cycle.

“We were packed up at the start, two and three wide, and at that point you are stuck in one line,” Garcia said. “An LMP spun in front of us and I lost positions. I made up as many spots as I could, but the Ferrari was very fast and aggressive. A great pit call by the Corvette team gave us the opportunity to run up front again and make a charge on the Porsche. I had a very quick car, and every time they opened a gap in traffic, I could make up time. We got caught in some traffic on my in-lap for the second stop; it was a good call by the No. 4 car to get a clean run into the pits a lap earlier.”

Magnussen was in hot pursuit of the Porsche for second place when he was caught out by a GTC driver in Turn 6. “He opened the door and then slammed it shut,” Magnussen said. “I came up to the GTC car and he opened the door for Joerg to go through. I was a car length behind and was going through on the same gap, and just as I made the move, he shut the door. I was committed and I hit him. We’re racing for positions and running for a championship. We all have to race, and I feel bad for all the guys. I had a great car and great pit stops.”

Today’s victory gave Gavin and Milner a 12-point lead in the unofficial standings over BMW drivers Joey Hand and Dirk Mueller (93-81). Magnussen and Garcia are one point back (80). Chevrolet increased its lead in the GT manufacturer championship to 20 over BMW (114-94) with four races remaining.

Corvette Racing’s next event is the Road America Road Race Showcase at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis., on Saturday, August 18.

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge GT Results (Top 10)
Pos./Car No./Drivers/Car/Laps

1. 4 Gavin/Milner, Corvette C6.R, 115
2. 45 Bergmeister/Long, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 115
3. 55 J. Mueller/Auberlen, BMW E92 M3, 114
4. 17 Henzler/Sellers, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 114
5. 56 D. Mueller/Hand, BMW E92 M3, 114
6. 01 Sharp/van Overbeek, Ferrari 458 Italia, 113
7. 44 Neiman/Holzer, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 113
8. 02 Brown/Cosmo, Ferrari F458 Italia, 112
9. 48 Miller/Maassen, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 112
10. 91 Wittmer/Farnbacher, SRT Viper GTSR, 111

Source:
CorvetteRacing.com
Photo Credit: John Dagys/SPEED

Related:
Corvette Racing’s Jan Magnussen Chasing an ALMS Win at Mid Ohio
Corvettes Qualify Fifth and Sixth for ALMS Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge
Corvette Racing at Mid-Ohio: Midterm Report and a Rivalry Renewed
Corvette Racing Second in ALMS Grand Prix of Mosport