Month: February 2013

For months now, in the aftermath of the Jalopnik renderings, critics of the polarizing new C7 rear end have been threatening to perform “plastic surgery” on their own and change what the GM designers came up with.

Now it appears that those who don’t like the new treatment at the back of the 2014 Corvette Stingray can really do something about it, thanks to the folks at www.corvetteitalia.it.

GTspirit.com says Corvette Italia is offering a Nostalgic Tail Kit for the C7 that will transform it to look like the south end of a northbound C6.

The $2,800 kit includes a fiberglass rear end, C6 taillights, wiring, and bulbs, along with tools and diagrams, not to mention the cost of shipping.

Based on what Corvette engineers have already explained to us about the C7, though, this kit might cause some problems for your new Stingray since the series of vents and intakes are not just for looks but have been designed with specific important functions in mind. For example, the rear intakes on the top of the C7 fenders are designed to cool the differential and transmission by shooting the air out the vents on the outside of both tail lamps. This kit would apparently eliminate those exit vents.

We’re interested in finding out what Corvette experts like Chief Engineer Tadge Jeuchter would think about the possible ill effects of the retro tail lamp treatment.

Maybe it would be better for those folks who don’t like the new rear treatment to just be satisfied with, oh say, a C6 Grand Sport or 427 Convertible instead.

Source:
GTspirit.com

Related:
2014 Corvette Stingray Rendered as the C7.R Race Car
[PIC] Rendered 2014 Corvette Stingray in Matte Black with a Cargo Carrier
Spring Hill to Produce Body Parts for 2014 Corvette Stingray

 

When the final car crossed the block in Kissimmee, Florida at Mecum’s 2013 event and the totals were in, the stage was set to determine the winner of the “Superbowl” of auctions. Over the last several weeks it was hard to avoid all of the auction coverage that took place in Scottsdale, Arizona, headlined with the extravaganza staged by Barrett-Jackson, and the east coast contender, Mecum. To many readers it may have seemed a bit confusing as to just what was the “premier” auction event in January, Barrett-Jackson or Mecum. I’m not sure that we can designate which auction was “best” since that is a subjective evaluation and dependent on individual tastes. But for those of you who have a penchant for numbers, we can provide you with a numbers comparison to help you decide the destination of your 2014 plane ticket.

It should be pointed out that both Barrett-Jackson and Mecum staged outstanding events and produced the best results in their storied histories. Those of you who have either consigned or bought a collector car at auction realize there are several variables aside from sales and fees to consider when deciding which auction may suit your needs.

First lets look at the venue. Barrett-Jackson takes place over seven days from January 13th through the 20th in Scottsdale, Arizona. Due to the number of consignments Mecum requires ten days, January 18th to the 27th in Kissimmee, Florida. Barrett-Jackson reported that they saw a significant increase in attendance this year topping 300,000, approximately a 20% increase. Mecum announced attendance of over 75,000 whether they stayed a few hours or ten days. Both auctions are laden with other activities giving more of a festival atmosphere to the events. But in the attendance category Barrett-Jackson takes the lead.

This leads to the first of the significant categories of difference in the two spectacular events. A major objective of both auctions was to increase consignments over 2012′s results. Mecum’s 2012 Kissimmee auction captured the title of the world’s largest collector car auction based on consignments with 2,158 cars. Mecum set the aggressive goal of 3000 cars for 2013 and though they fell a little short at 2,610 cars, it was still a 20% improvement and enough to maintain the title. Mecum is a reserve type auction and as a result some cars do not meet the consignor’s reserve and go unsold. Of the 2,610 cars crossing the block at Mecum’s 1,811 sold, almost a 70% sell through. Barrett-Jackson also improved consignments over 2012 with 1,343 cars sold versus 1296 in 2012. Barrett-Jackson differs from Mecum’s in that it places reserves on only very few high value cars and as a result Barrett-Jackson’s sell through is in the 98% range. So looking at the number of cars sold the nod goes to Mecum’s with 1,811 cars sold, 35% more than their Scottsdale rival Barrett-Jackson who sold 1,343.

Perhaps the top three categories for a successful auction are consignments, cars sold, and dollar sales. As we look at these it is important to keep in mind that the type of consignments (re: quality, rarity, significance, provenance) will greatly affect the dollar sales results.

For example Barrett-Jackson offered their salon collection, (53 classic, high value, rare collectible cars) which realized over $29 million alone and drove the Average Selling Price per Car (ASP) up. Mecum also offered high value collectible classic cars but they also had a larger number of entry level cars of various quality to sell, which tends to drive the ASP down. So when we review one component of sales, Average Selling Price (ASP), you must keep in mind it is affected by several variables including attendance. Just to show how variable the ASP can be; RM Auction had an ASP of $485,500 per car during their one day sale in Scottsdale auction this year. But in the Superbowl of Auctions B-J takes the honors with an ASP per car of $81,200, up $12,000 per car from last year. Mecum’s ASP for this year $39,500 per car, up over $2,000 per car over 2012.

A few other interesting facts in the area of sales: Barrett-Jackson had ten cars that sold for over $1.0 million. Two world’s records were set (a 1956 Chrysler Diablo Concept car sold for $1.375 million and a 1947 Talbot-Lago T 26 Grand Sport sold for $2.035 million) in addition to the original 1966 George Barris’ Batmobile which sold for over $4.62 million.

The final numbers (though Mecum’s could go up slightly due to their “Bid Goes On” feature which continues to try and sell cars that did not reach the consignor’s minimum) are:

Barrett-Jackson $108,766,000 a 17% increase over 2012.
Mecum $71,636,000 a 23% increase over 2012.

Nod goes to Barrett-Jackson for Total Sales and Mecum for % Increase.

So where are we? Pretty much split down the middle:

• Attendance – Barrett-Jackson
• Consignments – Mecum
• Cars Sold – Mecum
• Average Selling Price per Car – Barrett-Jackson
• Gross Sales – Barrett-Jackson
• Total Sales Increase % Over 2012 – Mecum

I guess this pretty much answers your questions. What a great Superbowl of Auctions, the only thing missing was the Clydesdale advertisements! Now that everything is perfectly clear, it all comes down to the type of car you want to either consign or buy with consideration given to quality, rarity, desirability, type, historical significance, provenance, documentation and the list goes on and on. Then factor in these important “Auction Superbowl” numbers and you should be able to make an easy informed decision! If that doesn’t work for you then you can always just decide if you’d rather spend the week in Arizona or Florida or you can always flip a coin (that’s the way it was decided who would purchase the $4.6 million Batmobile.) Probably as good a way as any to decide.

Rick Tavel writes about automobiles with an emphasis on Corvettes and the hobby in general. You can email him at ricktavel1@gmail.com

Source:
Barrett-Jackson and Mecum

Related:
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The Top 10 Corvette Sales of Barrett-Jackson’s 2013 Scottsdale Auction
Mecum’s 3,000 Car Kissimmee Auction Proves that Size Does Matter

 

General Motors has announced that they will be moving their Performance Build Center from its current home in Wixom, MI to the Corvette Assembly Plant in Bowling Green, Ky. The low-volume production facility currently hand assembles all of the dry sump motors (LS7, LS9, and LS3 with manual tranny) for Corvettes. Previously, they also produced the powerplants for the Cadillac STS-V and XLR-V.

The Performance Build Center’s move will be accompanied by a $3.5 million investment in the Bowling Green plant and is scheduled for the first quarter of 2014. GM made the announcement as part of a consolidation of several of their Powertrain engineering sites.

The PBC relocation will allow Corvette owners to now build their own engines and watch their cars be assembled all in one location.

“This is exciting news for the Corvette Assembly Plant and the community of Bowling Green,” said plant manager Dave Tatman. “We host thousands of guests each year, many of whom are here to see their Corvette being built. Bringing the Performance Build Center here simply adds to the thrill of purchasing a Corvette and increases satisfaction for our customers and employees.”

The PBC move is in addition to the already announced $131 million investment for Bowling Green Assembly. That plan includes a new body shop and renovations and upgrades throughout the facility. The new announcement will include about 20 new or retained jobs and is on top of more than 150 jobs that have already been added to Bowling Green.

“General Motors is an important key to the continued economic growth of South Central Kentucky,” said Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear. “This latest investment into the Bowling Green Corvette Assembly plant will not only enhance GM’s commitment to the region but will provide added appeal to the many visitors they host each year. It is beneficial to the local community, the state of Kentucky and all involved.”

These pictures were taken at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant when the PBC’s move was announced:

Production of the 2014 Corvette Stingray is expected to begin somewhere in the middle of 2013 and cars should hit dealer lots late summer / early fall.

Source:
General Motors
Photo Credit: Sarah B. Gilliam for General Motors

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CorvetteBlogger Visits the GM Performance Build Center

 

The Corvette ZR1 has been praised for its brakes ever since it was introduced to the world for the 2009 model year.

That outstanding braking power has come courtesy of the Italian supplier Brembo.

Now the company is expanding its Michigan plant to allow for the production of Brembo brakes to be installed on all 2014 Corvette Stingrays, the first time it has supplied every Corvette down to the base model.

The expanded factory in Homer, near Jackson, will assembled brake discs and calipers into corner units that include bearings and knuckles that will then be shipped to the Corvette assembly plant in Bowling Green, Ky.

The Brembo brakes feature four-piston fixed calipers that – guess what? – were derived from racing, which seems to be the buzz word at Corvette these days.

The brakes are equally at home on the street or on the track when it comes to exceptional stopping power.

Highlights include 12.6-inch front rotors and 13.3-inch rear rotors that have 35 percent more swept area than previous-generation brakes, improving stopping distance by 9 percent.

Larger 13.6-inch dual-cast, slotted front rotors and 13.3-inch slotted rear rotors are included with the Z51 Performance Package on the C7, which offer 6 percent more swept area than the C6 Grand Sport. They are also cooled front and rear for improved track performance, improving stopping distance by 5 percent.

All Corvette brakes will offer fixed front and rear calipers that offer more even pad wear, reduced drag and improved modulation.

Since opening its North American headquarters in 2010 in Plymouth, Brembo North America Inc. has invested $150 million in the market with plans to invest $100 million over the next few years to expand its North American presence. Brembo has grown its North American operations to roughly 482 employees in Plymouth, Homer and Mexico. The market now accounts for more than 20 percent of Brembo’s total worldwide sales, second only to Germany.

Source:
Detroit Free Press via Corvette7.com

Related:
Allocation Details for the 2014 Corvette Stingray Emerge
Spring Hill to Produce Body Parts for 2014 Corvette Stingray
Corvette Assembly Plant to Add 170 Temp Workers for C7 Corvette Launch