Nobody provides more complete, current auction results than Vette

Volume 2 Number 4
www.vettenvestments.com
April, 2015
Auctions America, Fort
Lauderdale, FL March
1965 Corvette Roadster, 369/425, Sold at
#54.5K
1966 Corvette, 327/300, Sold at #$82.5K
Corvette Expo, Sevierville, TN
1967 Corvette Coupe L71 427/435. Sold
at $181.5k
LOT 408: 1967 Corvette L71 427/435
Coupe. Sold at $160K
1972 Chevrolet Corvette LT1 Sold at
$181.5k
1960 Restomod, High bid of $61k
RM Amelia Island. March..
LOT 404: 1962 Corvette Restomod LS3
Sold at $96.8
Greensboro, NC
1990 Chevrolet Corvette $181.5k at
$181.5K
197 Roadster, 327/300, Unold at #24.5K
1953 Corvette Sold at $275K
1954 Chevrolet Corvette Sold at $93.5k
1963 Roadster, 327/300, Unold at #$35K
Nobody provides more complete, current auction results than
Vette-N-Vestments, NOBODY!
Hello Corvette Family!
We hope that you are looking forward to spring time.
We attended, and are reporting this month on the Greensboro
Auto Auction, Auctions America and CorvetteExpo sales this
month. Also this month you will see the DE Foeller sale and
GAA. Houston and Indianapolis are on our radar for the near
future.
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Editor & Publisher………………..….. Marshall Fancher
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"We were very proud to have so many Corvette owners on hand to
watch the No. 3 C7.R become the first team and driver combination to
win their class in both the Rolex 24 At Daytona and the Sebring 12
Hours in 15 years," Campbell added.
Saturday's win was Magnussen's fourth at Sebring - all with Corvette
Racing. Garcia won for the second time at the event to go along with
his 2009 victory, also with Corvette Racing. Briscoe likewise is now a
two-time Sebring winner.
On the other end of the spectrum, the No. 4 Corvette C7.R of Oliver
Gavin, Tommy Milner and Simon Pagenaud left the race with less than
two hours remaining with a mechanical issue. The trio had challenged
for the class podium in the race's opening half.
After two races in the TUDOR Championship, Chevrolet and Corvette
Racing lead all three point tables. Chevrolet increased its lead in the
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and body styles and provides high/low/average prices for
each model. Includes % change in average price from
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and
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Corvetteology, LLC Reproduction in any manner, either in
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courtesy, corvetteracing,com
CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: A Florida
Sweep for No. 3 Corvette C7.R
Briscoe, Garcia, Magnussen follow Rolex 24 win with Sebring 12
Hours victory
GTLM Manufacturer championship, as does the No. 3 Corvette C7.R in
the team standings.
The No. 3 Corvette C7.R also won its second straight race in the
Tequila Patrón North American Endurance Cup and leads in driver and
team championship points. Chevrolet extended its lead in the
manufacturer standings.
The next round of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship is the
Tequila Patrón Sports Car Showcase from the Long Beach (Calif.)
street circuit on Saturday, April 18. FOX Sports 1 will air the race
starting at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 19. Live radio coverage will be
available via IMSA Radio.
ANTONIO GARCIA, CORVETTE RACING NO. 3 CHEVROLET
CORVETTE C7.R - RACE WINNER
UPCOMING AUCTIONS APRIL
1.
2.
3.
Ninth class win at Sebring for Corvette Racing since
2002
No. 3 Corvette C7.R increases early-season GT Le
Mans championship lead
No. 4 Corvette strong early before mechanical issues
sideline challenge
SEBRING, Fla. - Corvette Racing won in class for the ninth time at the
63rd Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida as
Ryan Briscoe, Antonio Garcia and Jan Magnussen added Saturday's
GT Le Mans (GTLM) victory to their Rolex 24 At Daytona win from
January. The trio started the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship
season with consecutive victories and lead in GTLM points after two
rounds.
Garcia won by nearly one minute as the Corvette Racing team played
out its fuel strategy perfectly. Garcia pitted with 54 minutes remaining
and stayed consistent as two cars ahead of him fell into trouble.
Briscoe recovered from a small spin in his opening stints to post his
fastest laps of the race, and quick pit work by the Corvette Racing crew
and a key out lap by Magnussen early in the race gained two positions
during a full-course caution period.
The winning Corvette completed 330 laps for 1,221 miles.
"The win by the No. 3 Corvette C7.R team in the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours
of Sebring was a total team effort by everyone at Corvette Racing,"
said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. Vice President, Performance
Vehicles and Motorsports. "The win was the result of great driving,
quick pit stop by the crew and strong race strategy. Congratulations to
Jan Magnussen, Antonio Garcia and Ryan Briscoe and the team on
winning today.
Apr 9-11, Houston, TX Mecum Auctions Vehicle
Auction. NRG Center One NRG Park. PH: 262-2755050 or www.mecum.com
April 10,11 Gulf Coast Classic Auction
Premier Auction Group Muscle Car City Museum, 10175
Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Apr 17-18= Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction,
Palm Beach County Fairgrounds
West Palm Beach, FL www.barrett-jackson.com
Apr 17-18 Branson Auction, Branson. . MO The
Branson Convention Center, 200 E Main
St. www.bransonauction.com. [email protected]
. PH: 800-335-3063.
Apr 17-19 , Dallas TX. Dallas Spring Auction. Leake
Auction Company. PH: 800-7229942. www.leakecar.com
Apr 23-25 Mecum Auctions Kansas City Spring
Auction. Kansas City Convention Center – Bartle Hall
301 West 13th St., Kansas City MO. PH: 262-2755050 or www.mecum.com.
April 25 NV, Las Vegas. Morphy Auctions Auto Auction.
PH: 877-968-8880. www.morphyauctions.com
GAA AUCTION ACTION
Article and Data by Bob Kroupa
Dean Green, President of Greensboro Auto Auction, Inc., once again rolled out the red carpet for all in attendance at the
auction, held March 5-7, 2015.
Over 500 vehicles crossed the auction block representing early 1930's models to a 2015 Ford Mustang. Top sales honors
went to a first-class 1932 Ford Street Rod that sold for $161,000! The sales percentage for the auction was a respectable
67% with a number of sales still pending.
Corvettes were well represented with three being registered in the top ten sales of the auction. First was a 1963 Blue
Resto Mod Coupe with an LS1 motor that sold for $55,500. Close behind was a 1965 Yellow Roadster, 396-425, that sold
at $54,500. Representing the early models was a 1961 Red Roadster, 283-270, that found a new home at $53,500.
See complete results of the GAA Auction in this issue. Then mark your calendar for July 23-25, 2015, the next sale date
of the GAA Auction in Greensboro, NC. Additional GAA information can be found at gaaclassiccars.com.
GAA CLASSIC CARS AUCTION-GREENSBORO - MARCH 5-7, 2015
Year
Body Miles Trans
1959
1961
1962
1963
1964
1964
1965
1965
1967
1969
1969
1969
1970
1971
1971
1971
1971
1972
1973
1978
1978
1978
1982
1990
1991
2002
2003
R
R
R
68K
C-Resto
C-Cust
R
C
R
R
T
T
86.6K
T
T
R
T
69K
T
T
T
40K
T
PC
SA
T
57K
CE 67K
ZR1 8.6K
R
34K
Z06 7K
Z06 26K
4-S
4-S
4-S
A
4-S
4-S
4-S
4-S
4-S
4-S
4-S
4-S
5-S
4-S
4-S
4-S
A
4-S
A
4-S
A
A
A
6-S
6-S
6-S
6-S
Motor
2-Tops Opt Whls Side Ex
283-245
X
283-270
327-360FI
LS-1
327-300
327-350
396-425
396-425
427-435
X
427-400
427-390
427-435
350-350
454-365
454-365
LT1
350-270
LT1
454-275
L-82
350-330 NOM
L-48
350-200
LT4
LS1
LS6
LS6
Cert
X
X
X
X
A/C
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
N
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Color
Cond
BLK
RED
MRN
BLU
RED
RED
SLV
YEL
GRN
BLU
BLU
BLK
BLU
WHT
BLU
YEL
RED
GRN
WHT
BLK
SLV
BLU
BEIGE
RED
RED
YEL
YEL
2
2
3
2
3
3
2
1
1
2
4
1
2
1
3
1
2
2
2
1
3
U
3
1
2
1
1
LEGEND: C=Coupe, R=Roadster, T=T-Top, PC=Pace Car, SA=Silver Anniversary, CE=Collector Edition, GS=Grand Sport,
AN=Anniversary, CW=Callaway, Z06 and ZR1=High Performance, PE=Premier Edition, CM=Commemorative Edition
MILEAGE: K=1,000 miles
CERTIFICATION: B=Bloomington Gold, N=NCRS, T=Triple Crown
CONDITION: 1=Excellent, 2=Good, 3=Street Drive, 4=Poor, needs paint, body and/or interior work, U=Unrestored
Price
59,500
53,500
68,000
55,500
25,500
39,000
61,000
54,500
75,000
33,500
25,000
57,500
23,000
36,000
19,500
34,000
16,750
38,500
20,500
25,500
18,500
5,600
14,500
21,000
19,500
25,500
25,000
Sold
NO
YES
NO
YES
YES
NO
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
NO
NO
YES
NO
NO
NO
YES
YES
YES
NO
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
NO
JIM PLIHCIK reporting.
Auctions America never disappoints with its quality and diversity of cars crossing the auction block. The overall quality of all lots,
including Corvettes, appeared to be higher this year. This year the auction block was relocated to the north end of the building providing
a better flow and overall “auction experience” for this great venue. Attendance was very good and there didn’t seem to be a shortage of
determined bidders. All in all, 37 Corvettes crossed the block with 24 finding new owners, a 65% sell rate. The remarkable cars were
noted in the third generation Midyear and early 70’s along with an outstanding 54, 61 and a 61 custom that sold for 96.8K before
premium. The comparable 61 FI sold for a strong 110K before fees. It was obvious that a great time was had by all, including myself.
Auctions America, Ft. Lauderdale FL 3/27/15-3/29/15
Lot #
380
464
372
521
690
312
424
502
155
173
404
473
712
237
217
368
530
465
191
388
408
500
446
414
163
223
447
104
355
309
103
308
102
604
234
114
391
Year Body
1954 R
1954 R
1954 R
1955 R
1956 R
1957 R
1958 R
1958 R
1961 R
1961 R
1961 R
1961 R
1963 C
1963 C
1964 R
1965 C
1965 C
1966 C
1967 C
1967 R
1967 C
1967 C
1967 R
1968 R
1969 R
1969 R
1970 C
1971 C
1971 R
1981 C
1982 C
1990 C
1992 R
1993 R
1996 C
2003 R
2007 *
Motor
Trans Cond Color
Cert A/C Miles 2-top OpWhl SidEx Price
A
2
Wht/Red
40k
60,000
A
3
Blu/Tan
7k
52,800
235/150 A
1
White
N
90k
85,000
265/195 3
2Red/Tan
58k
84,000
265/265 A
3
Black
55k
69,500
283/220 A
2Copp/Tan
54k x
60,000
283/245 4
2
Red/Blk
64k
62,700
283/270 4
2Blu/Blu N
108k
93,500
M
Red
65k
52,800
283/283 4
Blk/Slv
70,400
LS3
6
1Silver
x 18k
96,800
283/315 4
1Black
N
6k
110,000
V7
Black
70,000
327 4
3+
Wht/Blk
68k
90,000
327/350 4
3Red
32,000
396/425 4
2+
Grn/Grn
94k
70,000
327/300 4
2Red/Tan
41k
x
45,000
427/435 4
3
Blk/Blk
23k
x
x
42,900
427/400
Ylw/Blk
x 46k
x
93,500
427/435 4
2+
Red/Red
7k
x
x
97,500
427/435 4
1
Slv/Blk
B, N
26k
x
160,000
427/435 4
2Red/Blk
5k
x
89,100
427/435 4
1
Blu/Blk NBT
126
x
181,500
427/435 4
1
Red/Blk
100 x
x
88,000
427/390 4
2Yellow
41k
40,700
427/390 4
3
Blu/Blk
74k
x
42,500
LT1
4
2+
Green
BN
75k
60,000
454/365 A
2Red
x 3k
32,450
454/425 4
3
Ylw/Blk
x 53k
x
45,000
350ci V8
3
Red
x
x
13,000
350/200 A
3
Silver
x 25k
x
16,225
LT5 375h5
3+
Grn/Tan
22,400
LT1
A
2+
Red/Wht
x 2.5k
13,475
350/300 6
2+
Maroon
x 18k
27,500
300h V8 M
3
Silver
x
12,500
344h
6
Yellow
x
x
22,500
600h V8 6
2Blk/Pnk
49,500
LEGEND: C=Coupe, R=Roadster, T=T-Top, PC=Pace Car, SA=Silver Anniversary, CE=Collector Edition, GS=Grand Sport,
AN=Anniversary, CW=Callaway, Z06 and ZR1=High Performance, PE=Premier Edition, CM=Commemorative Edition
MILEAGE: K=1,000 miles
CERTIFICATION: B=Bloomington Gold, N=NCRS, T=Triple Crown
CONDITION: 1=Excellent, 2=Good, 3=Street Drive, 4=Poor, needs paint, body and/or interior work, U=Unrestored
Sold
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
Y
CORVETTE EXPO
Bob Kroupa and yours truly reporting
Byron Cooper presented his 38th Anniversary Corvette Expo Show in Sevierville, TN that included his long-standing auction. The
auction was open to all vehicles, however this auction is specially noted for the number of Corvettes that are consigned to cross the
auction block. In fact, thirty-seven Corvettes were represented and accounted for fully 50% of the auction vehicles.
Many of the Vettes were special including a 1963 Roadster that was purchased at Corvette Expo over 30 years ago. Another was a
1995 Polo Green Coupe - absolutely NEW! By 'new' in this case, we mean it had only been driven 319 original miles. It found a new
home with a Dealer at $17,500.
In addition, C5 and early C6 Vettes were in abundance selling from $9,700 to $19,600. See complete results of Corvettes auctioned in
this edition of our Market Letter.
Mark you calendar for October 16-17th for the next Corvette Expo Show and Auction. See you in Sevierville!
CORVETTE EXPO - SEVIERVILLE, TN - MARCH 21, 2015
Year
1960
1963
1963
1963
1966
1968
1969
1970
1974
1974
1978
1980
1984
1992
1993
1994
1995
1998
1998
1998
1999
1999
1999
2000
2000
2001
2001
Body Miles Trans
R-Resto
R
R
R
R-Resto
R
T
R
55K
R
48K
R
T
71K
T
46K
C
84K
C
C
36K
C
70K
C
320
C
105K
C
117K
R
86.6K
FRC 66K
R
82.5K
R
71K
C
57K
C
104K
Z06 78K
R
30K
2002/1953 R
36K
2004 C
28K
2004 C
58K
2004 C
119K
2004 R
73K
2005 C
154K
2005 R
81K
2005 R
125K
2007 R
64K
2009 Z06 34K
4-S
4-S
A
A
A
4-S
4-S
4-S
A
A
A
A
A
A
6-S
A
A
A
A
A
6-S
6-S
6-S
6-S
A
6-S
A
A
6-S
A
A
6-S
A
6-S
6-S
A
6-S
Motor
350 NOM
350 NOM
327-300
327-300
LT1
350 NOM
350-350
350-300
L-48
L-48
L-48
L-48
350-205
LT1
LT1
LT1
LT1
LS1
LS1
LS1
LS1
LS1
LS1
LS1
LS1
LS6
LS1
LS1
LS1
LS1
LS1
LS1
LS2
LS2
LS2
LS2
LS7
2-Tops Opt Whls Side Ex Cert
X
X
X
X
A/C
Color
Cond
X
BLU
RED
WHT
RED
RED
YEL
MRN
BLU
RED
RED
BLK
RED
BLU
BLK
RED
BLU
GRN
SLV
SLV
RED
MRN
PWTR
BLK
BLK
RED
RED
PWTR
BLK
BLK
GRY
BLK
SLV
YEL
WHT
BLU
BLU
RED
1
2
1
3
1
2
4
1
3
3
3
3
3
4
2
3
1
2
2
2
1
3
2
3
3
2
1
1
2
2
3
2
2
1
2
2
1
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Price
Sold
62,000
34,000
35,000
30,250
57,000
17,500
10,600
30,000
12,000
11,500
12,500
6,000
4,300
2,700
9,500
5,700
17,500
8,700
7,600
11,900
12,250
11,600
15,000
7,500
9,700
17,750
17,000
NO
NO
NO
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
NO
NO
NO
NO
YES
YES
NO
YES
YES
NO
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
NO
YES
YES
NO
NO
YES
NO
NO
YES
YES
YES
YES
NO
NO
41,000
18,500
12,500
10,500
16,500
14,100
19,600
16,500
24,500
36,000
LEGEND: C=Coupe, R=Roadster, T=T-Top, PC=Pace Car, SA=Silver Anniversary, CE=Collector Edition, GS=Grand Sport,
AN=Anniversary, CW=Callaway, Z06 and ZR1=High Performance, PE=Premier Edition, CM=Commemorative Edition
MILEAGE: K=1,000 miles
CERTIFICATION: B=Bloomington Gold, N=NCRS, T=Triple Crown
CONDITION: 1=Excellent, 2=Good, 3=Street Drive, 4=Poor, needs paint, body and/or interior work, U=Unrestored
DE Foeller 2015
Lot #
466
401
751
433
411
489
742
514
550
702
738
767
733
758
560
549
475
Year
1958
1965
1969
1970
1973
1978
1984
1985
1985
1985
1994
1994
1995
1995
1998
2009
2010
Body Motor
R
R
C
R
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
R
C
R
C
C
Trans Cond
2
1
3+
2+
3
3
2+
2+
2
3
2+
3
3
3
2
2+
2
Color
Cert A/C Miles 2-top OpWhl SidEx
Red/Wht
Blue
Burgundy
White
Green
Blue
Gold
Gold
Silver
Silver
Red
White
Black
Red
Red
Silver
Yellow
Price Sold
48,000 Y
59,000 Y
22,000 N
23,750 Y
16,000 N
5,100 N
8,500 Y
13,750 Y
5,000 N
5,300 Y
32,000 N
6,800 Y
7,700 N
7,500 N
13,900 Y
34,000 N
26,000 N
LEGEND: C=Coupe, R=Roadster, T=T-Top, PC=Pace Car, SA=Silver Anniversary, CE=Collector Edition, GS=Grand Sport,
AN=Anniversary, CW=Callaway, Z06 and ZR1=High Performance, PE=Premier Edition, CM=Commemorative Edition
MILEAGE: K=1,000 miles
CERTIFICATION: B=Bloomington Gold, N=NCRS, T=Triple Crown
CONDITION: 1=Excellent, 2=Good, 3=Street Drive, 4=Poor, needs paint, body and/or interior work, U=Unrestored
Corvette Concepts:
originally
appeared
in Car
Collector
Conventional door handles rather than
The Corvette Shooting Brake Nomad
Magazine in August of 2009 written by
push-buttons were employed and the
by Rick Tavel
David Adler and David W. Temple.
exhausts exited through a port on each
Unfortunately Car Collector Magazineis no
quarter panel. Since the overall height (54
longer in publication but we are grateful to
inches) of the Nomad was low, the top of
have the legacy of some excellent articles.
the roof was visible. Harley Earl saw a need
The article gives an interesting summary of
to give this area some sort of visual
one of the more interesting and beautiful
interest; ultimately, a series of grooves
concepts designed after the original
running side-to-side on the roof, aft of the
Corvette - the Corvette "Shooting Brake" or
B-pillars, was chosen. Overall length and
as it is better known the Chevrolet Nomad.
width measured 191 and 71 inches,
At the same time the concept Nomad was
respectively. Wheelbase spanned 115
developed a fastback version of the 1954inches – 13 inches more than a Corvette.
55 Corvette was also developed - it was
1954 Motorama-Corvette and Corvetteknown as the Corvair - a name used later
based Show Cars
for Chevrolet's small, economical and rear
Upholstery for the bench seating was in a
engined car introduced in 1959. The
combination of blue, white, and silver
production Corvair had little resemblance to
leather and fabric. The rear seat could be
the conceptt car shown at the New York
folded forward to sit flush with the cargo
Motorama. According to the Car Collector
floor. Overhead, a series of chrome bows
Magazine article in 1954, GM was
decorated the white headliner. Embossed
1954 GM Motorama (Photo: GM)
considering an expanded line of Corvettes
stainless steel covered the cargo floor. The
and showed two Corvette-based prototypes
lower rear panel under the tailgate opened
Corvetted - April 5, 2015 - Portions
– the Nomad (S.O. 1954) and the Corvair
downward allowing access to the spare tire.
originally
printed
in Car
Collector
(S.O. 2071) – were crafted along with a
Rumors persist that a ’54 Nomad still exists,
Magazine by David Adler and David W.
mildly modified Corvette wearing a
but an equally compelling account of one
Temple
prototype detachable hardtop (S.O. 2000)
being scrapped is just as persistent; two
There has been much written about
for the 1954 GM Motorama.
examples being built would nicely explain
Corvette concepts, experimental and
Carl Renner was put in charge of styling the
both stories.
prototype models created during the
two-door Nomad station wagon. Its side
Corvette’s sixty-two year history. One of the
trim was similar to the 1953 Corvette
best and most concise is this article that
prototypes, but extended to the doors.
Auction Preview Cars
Apr 9-11, Houston, TX Mecum
Auctions NRG Center One NRG Park.
PH: 262-275-5050 or www.mecum.com
1962 Fuelie, Chip Miller
1992 ZR1, Black Rose, 9,800
miles
1963 SWC
1954 Roadster
2009 ZO6, 8,600 Miles
1963 Grand Sport Replica
Apr 23-25 Mecum Auctions Spring
Auction. Kansas City Convention Center –
Bartle Hall 301 West 13th St., Kansas City
MO. PH: 262-275-050 or www.mecum.com.
1969 Roadster, 427/390HP
1967 Coupe, 300HP, Top Flight
Apr 17-18 Barrett-Jackson
Collector Car Auction, Palm Beach
County Fairgrounds; West Palm Beach, FL
www.barrett-jackson.com
1963 SWC
1961 283/210HP
Apr 17-19 , Dallas TX. Dallas
Spring Auction. Leake Auction
Company. PH: 800-7229942. www.leakecar.com
1967 Roadster 427/435HP 4Spd
1967 427/435, AC
1972 Roadster, 427/365HP
1969 Roadster, 427/390HP
1982 3,900 Miles
courtesy, corvetteblogger.com
Could
Ed
Welburn
be
giving
viewers
of
Velocity’s Americarna show a sneak peak at the 2016
Chevrolet
Camaro
and
the
rumored
midengine Corvette Zora ZR1?
Or is it just wishful thinking?
Americarna host Ray Evernham recently toured GM’s
design facilities with Welburn, the Global Vice President
of Design, and definitely got an eye full of “candy.”
On the show, we get a behind-the-scenes look at the
inner sanctuary of GM design, where art truly meets
science. Welburn tells us that GM was first to use clay to
design cars in the 1920s, and they still do today, only
now computerized equipment helps carve out the rough
design in clay before turning over the fine tuning to
talented designers with their hand-held tools.
We meet Christine Park, Lead Designer, Chevrolet
Design Studio, who reveals to Evernham that she is
currently working on a Chevrolet sports car concept car.
On the computer screens where she is toiling are
images of what could be future Chevrolets that surely
were placed there on purpose by management, wouldn’t
you think?
On her main screen, we see a car that would be a pretty
nice version of the upcoming second generation of the
new 2016 Camaro, and in the background is another
image of a cool looking car that looks to us like it could
well be the mid-engined Corvette rumored for years.
We’re sure Welburn and his team will get a chuckle out
of all this speculation about the images they chose to
display. For all we know, they might just be rejects from
a stack of hundreds. On the other hand, though, could
the designers just be trying to get a clandestine feel for
public sentiment without laying all their cards on the
table?
Only time will tell, but if these images turn out to indeed
be future Chevrolet sports cars, we’d sure like to be first
in line to buy one!
1967 GT Class-Winning Corvette Returns to 2015 Sebring in Gallery of
Legends Display
by BRUCE TROXELL on MARCH 12, 2015
Sebring International Raceway is one of the oldest continuously
operating racetracks in the U.S., holding the country’s first endurance
race way back in 1950. The initial 6-hour race format was expanded to
12 hours in 1952 and now, some 63 years later, it remains as one of
the world’s top sports car endurance races. The latest Twelve Hours of
Sebring begins at 10:40 a.m. on March 21, 2015 when 47 cars will take
the green flag for 12 hours of non-stop, door-to-door racing.
Sebring Gallery of Legends
If you go, not only will you be able to cheer Corvette Racing on to
victory, but you’ll get to see the GT class winner of the 1967 Twelve
Hours of Sebring, the Sunray DX Corvette L88. The Sunray DX
Corvette will be making a special appearance at Sebring’s Gallery of
Legends during race weekend, in the company of such cars as the
1965 winning Chaparral, the 1999 winning BMW LMR, the 2004
winning Penske Porsche RS Spyder P2 and many other great
racecars.
1967 Sunray DX Corvette L88
The Sunray DX Corvette finished first in the over five-liter GT class and
tenth overall, marking a successful debut of Chevrolet’s famed L88
engine in international endurance racing. Driven by Don Yenko and
Dave Morgan, the fire-breathing L88 propelled the coupe to a fastest
lap of 3 minutes and 14 seconds, and proved reliable enough to move
the Corvette up to first from its 24th starting position, completing the 12
hours without any mechanical drama.
Without the special connections of Chevrolet dealer and Corvette racer
Don Yenko, the car may not have made the starting grid. The Sunray
Oil Company consulted Don around the beginning of March in 1967
about their racing plans for the year, which included racing a Corvette.
Don knew of the impending release of the special racing L88 engine,
which was not supposed to happen until after the Sebring race on April
1, 1967. Don made calls to Ed Cole, then Chevrolet Division Manager,
and Zora Duntov, Corvette Chief Engineer, and a new L88 was
hurriedly made available. Co-driver Dave Morgan went to Corvette’s
St. Louis assembly plant and personally drove it back to Yenko
Chevrolet in Canonsburg, Pa.
exclusively raced at all levels for twenty years and survived to retire to
a pampered life. We think that fits anyone’s definition of a legend.
For tickets, events schedule and more information, please visit
the Sebring website.
Sources:
Sebring International Raceway
Racing Sports Cars
95customs.com
Hemmings
Michelin’s Lee Willard Issues Statement on Cracked C7 Corvette
Tires
by KEITH CORNETT on MARCH 11, 2015
In the three short weeks until Sebring, the coupe was race prepped
including adding a 42-gallon fuel tank and installing one of only 10 sets
of L88 specific headers that were ever made by Chevrolet Engineering.
It helps to have friends in high places!
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We all know now that the L88 was a superlative racing engine, but at
Sebring in 1967 it was untested in actual endurance racing
competition. The L88 was a 427 cu. in. V8 with a mind-bending 12.5:1
compression ratio, an 850 CFM Holley carburetor and cold air
induction. In production trim, it was estimated that the engine produced
between 550 and 570 hp. For racing, the output could be bumped up
to 600+ hp at 6,500 rpm.
Sunray DX Corvette Continues Winning After Sebring
Following the success at Sebring, Dave Morgan campaigned the car
throughout the Midwest and won the SCCA Midwest Division title in
1967. As if that wasn’t enough, the Corvette refused to retire gracefully
when the Sunray DX team moved on to new 1968 Corvettes. At the 24
Hours of Daytona in 1968, Sunray entered two ’68 L88s along with our
’67. Once again, the ’67 finished first in the GT class driven by Dave
Morgan and Jerry Grant. Dave Morgan summed it up best when he
said of the Sunray car, “That was one of the most reliable race cars
I’ve ever driven.”
The ’67 retired from international competition and, as is typical of old
racecars, passed through a series of owners and was actively raced
until 1987 when it was registered for street use for the first time in its
life.
Epilogue
1968 marked the end of Sunray DX racing when Sunray Oil Company
merged with Sun Oil Company at the end of the year.
Noted Corvette and racing enthusiast Richard Prince bought the ’67
racer in 1990 and after substantial research into the car’s history had it
meticulously restored as it was for Sebring in 1967. This year’s Sebring
will be your chance to visit with a racing legend—a Corvette that was
Photo Credit: sdtoothdoc/Corvette Forum
Corvette Forum user “sdtoothdoc” was pretty excited to finally be
receiving his new eight-speed automatic Corvette Z06 last week, but
that excitement has been tempered after he noticed a series cracks on
his high performance Michelin Pilot Super Sport Cup 2 tires.
In the C7 Z06 forum, the new Z06 owner posts:
“Hey guys…my A8 Z finally got here in San Diego and took her home a
few miles away. As suspected, all 4 tires have cracks like Dennis’s
from Las Vegas. When at the dealer, they said that 4 other Stingrays
all have the same cracks in the tires. “
Corvette tires aren’t cheap and a new set of the Super Sport Cup 2
tires can go for more than $2,000. And nobody wants to pony up
another $2,000 after just taking delivery of their new sports car. So
what’s going with these tires cracking?
Michelin engineer Lee Willard who is the tire manufacturers’ liaison
with the Corvette engineering team offered the following statement on
the forum:
“This winter has been extremely harsh in much of the country and
some recently shipped Corvette tires may exhibit cracking. In general,
summer tires should never be driven on or moved in temperatures
under 20°F because they may crack. Tires should be carefully
inspected at the dealership before taking delivery of a vehicle. Never
use a tire with freeze cracks, breaks, or damage to the sidewall or
tread. For those residing in colder climates, Corvette owners should
have a plan for vehicle storage during cold winter months. If your
garage drops below 20°F regularly, consider removing tires and storing
them inside. If you live in colder climates and want to drive your vehicle
in temperatures below 40°F we strongly recommend investing in a set
of winter or all-season tires.”
Without weighing into the debate about how smart it was for General
Motors to begin building and shipping their high performance sports
cars equipped with summer tires in the dead of winter, we do know that
many of the Z06s that were recently built ended up sitting outside in
either the plant’s lot or at their secondary storage location in Spring
Hill, TN as the cars underwent their quality checks prior to shipping.
We have spoken with two high volume Corvette dealers, Rick Conti in
Ohio and Mike Furman in Maryland and both have reported not one
instance of cracked tires on any of the Corvettes they have recently
delivered. Mike told us in an email that “I deliver 40 per month and
have 35+ in stock all Winter long and have not had one case of
cracked tires yet.”
So far it appears that the tires on sdtoothdoc’s affected Corvette Z06
will be replaced by the dealer and most likely they will be returned to
GM as a warranty claim.
We don’t expect this to be the last we’ve heard on the situation and
we’ll keep you up to date on any other news related to cracking tires on
the new Corvette.
Source:
Corvette Forum