Autoblog

eBay Find Of The Day: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray press kit for charity

Chris Tutor — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Auctions, Chevrolet, GM

Members of the motoring press who were invited to the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray reveal all left with a pretty sweet press kit. The individually numbered black box within a black box contained not only a chunky little flash drive, but a paperweight adorned with an actual Stingray badge.

Before we even left the press reveal, at least one had popped up on eBay. There are several there now, including one being auctioned by Chevrolet for charity. Chevy's auction features number 1 of the 2,014 produced. Not only that, but the interior black box has been signed by "key GM executives."

With just about a half a day left on the timer, the bidding has reached more than $1,500 for this piece of rare Vette memorabilia. Considering it's the first kit in the series and the money will go to the American Cancer Society, we can't really argue with the steep price. Happy bidding, Corvette fans.

eBay Find Of The Day: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray press kit for charity originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jan 2013 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: GM scouring the globe for next Corvette design, first time looking beyond U.S.

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, GM, Design/Style

Chevrolet 50th Anniversary Corvette Stingray Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Chevrolet Corvette is a uniquely American invention. It's the quintessential sportscar from the land that brought us baseball and apple pie. Interesting, then, that General Motors would choose to seek out design studies from its various styling studios from all around the globe, particularly those in Europe.

According to AutoWeek, though, that's just what GM's vice president of global design, Ed Welburn, did late last year when the time came for The General to start drafting proposals for the next-gen Corvette. Why would GM consider looking at European design flavors for its oh-so-American, V8-powered, rear-wheel drive sportscar? Demographics. According to Welburn, "We have challenges in the States with the Corvette. The average age of the customer is really rising."

That average age, for those keeping track, is 54 years-old (so says the Power Information Network). And it seems that the import-favoring younger generation in America isn't all that interested in the current 'Vette, a fact that has undoubtedly played a part in the Corvette's 48-percent sales decline in 2009 over the previous year.

One thing's for certain - its certainly not the Vette's all-conquering performance that's holding it back. Perception seems to be a bigger problem. "We have to develop a design that feels trimmer, meaner, to go along with the incredible performance that the car has," said Welburn, referring to the notion that many believe the current Corvette looks too big despite being roughly the same size as the benchmark Porsche 911. We might also suggest that GM needs to gag the beancounters who will undoubtedly threaten to nickel-and-dime the quality out of the next Vette's interior.

Whatever the case, Welburn knows the car can't stray too far from its heritage. "It can't mutate into something that gets so far away from Corvette that it is no longer a Corvette," he said. It seems the future may hold very interesting things for the iconic Corvette within the next two or three years. We anxiously look forward to seeing what Chevrolet manages to cook up.

Gallery: Chevrolet 50th Anniversary Corvette Stingray Concept revealed again

[Source: AutoWeek]

Report: GM scouring the globe for next Corvette design, first time looking beyond U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Harley Earl's own '63 Corvette Stingray convertible on the auction block

Noah Joseph — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Performance, Auctions, Chevrolet, Specialty

Harley Earl's 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible - Click above for a high-res gallery

Legendary sportscar marques deserve their own dedicated auctions, and lately they've been getting what they deserve. RM Auction has been running a Ferrari-only event at the Maranello factory for a few years now, while Bonhams has been doing the same with Aston Martin at Newport Pagnell for even longer. But while the Corvette may technically be a model and not a brand, it has its own rabid following and its own history. Which could help explain why Mecum is holding a dedicated Corvette auction later this month in St. Charles, Illinois. The Mecum Bloomington Gold Corvette Auction will feature an array of Vettes from Chevy history, and this is undoubtedly the highlight: Harley Earl's personal Stingray convertible.

As the grand-daddy of American car design, Earl earned his place in history. And to help commemorate his achievements, General Motors presented him with this unique 'Vette in 1963, shortly after the car made its debut at the Chicago Auto Show. The car featured a unique metallic blue paintjob with white highlights and a blue leather interior, 300-horsepower fuel-injected 327, unique side exhaust and an array of special instruments in the glovebox.

Earl drove the car for two years - he even drove it at Daytona as the 500's Grand Marshall in 1965 - and then sold it to a war vet who drove it to California and back with local newspaper coverage. The car was then lost for decades before a group of amateur racers bought it at auction with the intent to drag race it before identifying it as something special. It then changed hands among Corvette collectors before receiving a full restoration. The car's status and storied history, more of which you can read about in the press release after the jump, are sure to fetch a pretty penny when this Vette crosses the auction block on June 26.

Gallery: Harley Earl's 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible

[Source: Mecum]

Continue reading Harley Earl's own '63 Corvette Stingray convertible on the auction block

Harley Earl's own '63 Corvette Stingray convertible on the auction block originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago 2009: GM finally rolls out Corvette Stingray Concept [w/VIDEO]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Performance, Etc., Supercars, Chevrolet, GM

Click above for high-res gallery of the Corvette Stingray Concept

General Motors used the Chicago Auto Show to introduce the world to its latest concept vehicle, the Corvette Stingray, which will be featured in the upcoming Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen movie on June 26th. According to GM, the vehicle is nothing more than a styling buck that was influenced by the original 1959 Stingray racer when it was spotted by director Michael Bay while he was touring GM's operations looking for inspiration for the first Transformers movie. Don't expect this concept to spawn any sort of production vehicle, which, needless to say, is a shame.

In robot mode, the Corvette Stingray Concept will take the form of Sideswipe, who will reportedly be a skater with wheels for feet. The General doesn't have anything in the way of new product to show off here in Chicago, so it's using the blockbuster movie to drum up interest instead. It's working... sorta.

Hit the jump for a video of Ed Welburn discussing the design of the Corvette Centennial Concept, along with GM's press release.

Gallery: Chicago 2009: Corvette Stingray Concept LIVE

Gallery: Chicago 2009: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept

Continue reading Chicago 2009: GM finally rolls out Corvette Stingray Concept [w/VIDEO]

Chicago 2009: GM finally rolls out Corvette Stingray Concept [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: 2009 C3R Retro Corvette Stingray

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Performance, Chevrolet, Rendered Speculation

Click above for high-res image gallery of the C3R concept

Might it be possible that the General would consider going retro for its next Corvette? It's worked wonders for the current crop of remade pony cars, with Chevy's own Camaro being a prime example. Some might argue, though, that the modern 'Vette has never really strayed from its core ethos of offering big performance for a relatively low price, so perhaps it's not in dire need of visiting the past for inspiration. On the other hand, its current styling is an evolution of the C4 design and doesn't bear much resemblance to past classic generations.

One enthusiast by the name of Christian Cyrulewski has taken matters into his own hands by using the third-generation Corvette as inspiration for a rebodied C6, the current version of America's sports car. This is the second version of the C3R, as it's designer calls it, and it's received some tweaks since last time we showed it to you, with more to come we're told. Design elements like the Mako Shark-inspired front fender peaks and steeply flowing rear buttresses from the early C3 series are present, as are hideaway head lights, which were a Corvette staple until the latest C6.

While there are no firm plans to produce a car based on these renderings, past indications are that Cyrulewski would like to see the first C3R running down Woodward Avenue for next year's Dream Cruise. We'll be there, of course, and will definitely keep our eyes peeled for the C3R.

Gallery: 2009 C3R V2.0

[Source: Serious Wheels]

Pics Aplenty: 2009 C3R Retro Corvette Stingray originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA Preview: Rossi 66 melds Corvette C2 looks with C6 hardware

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: SEMA Show, Classics, Performance, Chevrolet

Click on the image to enlarge and view another angle of the Rossi 66

There is a trend in the works that takes a modern Corvette chassis, jettisons the stock fiberglass bodywork and adds a new shell that mimics the look of an older, classic 'Vette. We have seen Classic Reflection Coachworks' take on the '62 'vert with C5 underpinnings, and now a company by the name of Blue Fusion has tackled the iconic split window. One problem: their press release continually refers to the 1966 split window, which doesn't exist as the only year the two-piece rear glass was produced was '63. But, let's not let silly little things like facts get in the way. The resultant Rossi 66 cribs the workings of a modern C6 Corvette and adds a unique Sting Ray look.

Blue Fusion plans to debut its Rossi 66 at the upcoming SEMA event in November, assuming that the company is able to find the funding it needs to actually produce its first car. So far, all we have to look at are the renderings below, though we can clearly see that the '66 '63 body looks much better grafted onto a modern platform than the '62 does. We'll see if it makes an appearance in Sin City later this year.

Gallery: Blue Fusion Rossi 66

[Source: Blue Fusion via Jalopnik]

Continue reading SEMA Preview: Rossi 66 melds Corvette C2 looks with C6 hardware

SEMA Preview: Rossi 66 melds Corvette C2 looks with C6 hardware originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: Matthew McConaughey's 1971 Corvette Stingray Convertible

John Neff — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Auctions, Etc., Chevrolet

The Universe in its unquestionable wisdom has seen fit to make Matthew McConaughey a star. Apparently the A-list actor sees the irony in this fact just like we do and has decided to give a little back to the cosmos. McConaughey is auctioning off his 1971 Corvette Stingray Convertible on eBay Motors with all proceeds earmarked for Oprah's Angel Network's Hurricanes Katrina and Rita recovery efforts. Currently the bidding is up to $40,040 with 25 bids.

McConaughey purchased the Stingray at a car show in 1998 and has driven it all over Texas with the top down. In his own words the car is being sold because "it will help so many with the necessities in life... [and] I can't pull my Airstream with it."

[Source: eBay Motors via Luxist]

eBay Find of the Day: Matthew McConaughey's 1971 Corvette Stingray Convertible originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Jul 2006 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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