1,000,000th Corvette Surprise Rescue!!!

http://corvettemuseum.blogspot.com/2014/03/millionth-corvette-unexpectedly-saved.html

“Initially there was no intention to bring the Millionth out, but as we got in there and saw more this morning we did feel like this might be our best chance,” said Danny Daniel, President of Scott, Murphy and Daniel Construction.

Danny indicated that they pulled the car by one wheel from where it was lodged and it swung free into the cavern. They were then able to lift the car and place it to rest, upside down on the bottom of the sinkhole. Finally, the Corvette was hooked up by its two tires for final lifting out of the sinkhole, much like the process to retrieve the 1993 40th Anniversary.

“Went like a champ, we were tickled to death,” added Daniel.

“The Millionth Corvette has been through a lot, but the damage at first glance seems to be less extensive than what it could have been, especially given the precarious spot the car landed,” said Bob Hellmann, Facilities and Displays Manager at the Museum. “The undercarriage and frame look to be in good condition and everything is repairable.”

The Millionth Corvette was built at 2:00pm on July 2, 1992 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Just like the first 1953 Corvettes, it bears a white exterior, red interior and is a convertible. The car was donated to the Corvette Museum by General Motors. In a press release from 1991, Jim Perkins, General Manager for Chevrolet at the time, said “We’ve been looking for a way to support the goals of the museum, which are to enshrine a great car and the great people who made it an American institution.” This donation came two years before the museum that exists today had opened its doors.

1milthCorvete 1millthCorvette2

 

She looks a little rough to me.

I have to take a minute to give job well done to the crew working the rescue.  Lots of people appreciate their efforts.  I having pulled a RV from a 100 ravine with a tow truck, it’s nerve racking job….these guys are pros.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

Aaron Robinson: So Long, Convertibles – Column – Car and Driver

Aaron Robinson: So Long, Convertibles – Column – Car and Driver.

Thought I’d share this article from Car and Driver.

My first car was a convertible – 1966 Impala. It was given to me in 1976 when I graduated high school.  I lived in upstate New York and being young I could squeeze out a good 5 months of top down.   But speeds were slower then and gas was cheap so cruising wasn’t half your paycheck and you could still hear the stereo.  But when it got down to the middle up winter in the Adirondacks, nothing stopped the code from getting in and you sure could tell how light the car was when you had to drive on snow and ice.

My next convertible was my 1984 Corvette, of course wasn’t really a rag top but a targa top, which is a perfect alternative to a folding cloth top and much better than a mere sun roof.  But I know live a weather environment 180o from where I had my first convertible.  Here in southern Arizona you can maybe squeeze out 5 months where it’s great to run with the roof off without melting like a carton of gelato in a microwave oven or freezing your assets off when it 29 – Yeah it gets that could here!  However, depending on how sensitive to hot and cold you are and whether you mind lifting the lifting the top out of the rear cargo area you in the summer time often start out the morning with the top in the back and pop it on when the temp climbs past your liking.  EXTRA BONUS – it keeps the cool air in 90% better than the cloth top.  I enjoy by C6 topless.

Oh, as a side note the C4 top was a pain to remove – the C6 much easier to remove and replace!!!

You might know this car.  Yup my c6.  Only Corvette to show up.

 

Rag Top '66 Impala

Rag Top ’66 Impala

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

Tucson Classics 7 Annual -BEST Car Show in Southern AZ – Highlights!!! Part 2

The thing about attending regional car shows in your region is there’ a very good chance that you are going to run some of the same cars, even in a show as big as this one.  Oh..don’t get me wrong I love looking at them but writing about the same cars is not very rewarding.  So I’m going to show you some of the cars I really enjoyed.

 

Of course I’m always drawn to the Vettes.

DSC_0157

Maybe something in Satin?

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Or maybe something with a bit of a sting-er

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Or how about an Anniversary Grand Sport!!!
DSC_0135 DSC_0136 DSC_0137 DSC_0181

And this one made me miss my old C4.

DSC_0176 DSC_0177 DSC_0178 DSC_0179 DSC_0180

Lots more to come from the Tucson Classic car show – including – dashes and one particularly rare and extremely AWESOME car!!  (Oh..and it’s not a Corvette!!!)

Thanks for reading.

Tim

car show corvettes

Car Show Corvettes at Carlisle – CarShowRegistry.com

Corvettes at Carlisle. (8/26/2011 — 8/28/2011 ) Carlisle Events (717) 243-7855 1000 Bryn Mawr Road Carlisle, PA 17013 USA www.carlisleevents.com. Show Details One of the largest and most fun-filled Corvette events in the world, the 

BEST Car Show in Southern AZ!!!! Tucson Classics 7 Annual !!

I kid you not…this is one of the most enjoyable car shows.  You get to park your classic, muscle, racer, import or special purpose vehicle on the grass (yeah…lots of it) – no nasty dirt or melting tar parking areas.   Grab that blanket out your trunk and spread out under a tree and enjoy!!!!

Oh….did I mention that for $5.00 you get into the show and you get a change to win this!!!!!

Win This Car

Go to Tucson Classics Car Show and get a ticket!!!!

I’ll be here.

Thanks for reading

Tim

 

Are ‘Vette owners more extreme about their cars than most? | Corvetteforum

Are ‘Vette owners more extreme about their cars than most? | Corvetteforum.

Sharing this from the Corvette Forum.

After you read this you might think, Corvette drivers are … well….Richard Craniums… but I think this is an issue with any car person with a car they love. community-ocd-600x396 My wife is like that with new cars – Nissan and two Lexus brand cars over the years.  I’ve been less so, I think with my ’70 Mustang (now going to a large collector) and my two Corvettes (C4 and C6) – well maybe not.

But generally I don’t make people take their shoes off before getting in my car.  No smoking of course and eating and drinking are fine.  Spills will get you tossed out at the next stop however.

Got “Not in my car!!!” moment?  Share it here.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

DL0RENZ0

I love the unwritten rule that #Corvette drivers wave to each other on the road. Can’t wait to have my one one day. #ThanksMom
Study Shows Chevy Corvette Drivers Among Safest | Chevy …

Corvette convertible drivers among the safest, study shows. We all know Chevy Corvette drivers are passionate about their cars. One clear indication of this is how safe they are when it comes to their driving – well, some may 

 

Build Your Own Engine – Bowling Green, KY

If you’ve read my posting for a while you’ll recall my trips to the great state of Kentucky and my trips to the place the worlds most recognizable car is assembled.

Yes I’ve taken the Corvette assembly plant tour more times than anyone I know, hell when I retired I’m going to volunteer to work the tour route in the plant.  I love Bowling Green!!!!

The last time I visited they were building out the plant for the Chevy Volt and working on the new section for the C7 Corvette.  These upgrades mean more work for the plant and those doing “God’s work” (LOL).

Well there is more.  Corvette has had a program where the an soon to be owner of a new Corvette can pay to build the engine for his car in the Performance Build Center (http://corvetteblock.com/2011/11/performance-build-center-open-house/).  That may be the coolest idea I’ve heard.  Well this program is being moved from Michigan to the Bowling Green  assembly plant.

I think that is great news!!!!  You an build your engine, watch it installed in your car and drive it out of the factor!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

Barrett Jackson – Recap Part IV – Test Drive 2013 Mustang 5.0

Before we get to the drive, it’s worth noting that my daily driver is a base model  2007 Corvette 410 hp with a stage 3 clutch.  This puts down a lot of torque.  My other car is 1970 Mustang pushing out 300 hp and I dive that a couple times a week.

Last year, I drove the Ford Taurus SHO and that was a nice with plenty of pep. But I wasn’t ready for this years ride, 2013 Mustang 5.0.

The car manufacturers set up a small auto cross track, under a 1/4 mile in length, it had a starting line  and brief straight way in to a “switchback” turn, another straight way combined with a moderate turn and than the finish.

You are sharing the track with mild-mannered cars, like a Ford Focus and Chevy Cruz and the Corvettes and Camaros of Bondurant School and the Super Snake and Shelbys.  There is a lot going on.

So I hopped into the Mustang, along with a ‘handler’ ( he rides along) and we pull in to line behind two Bondurant Corvettes.  This Mustang is the automatic version of the 412 hp 5.0 and it feels small and light (much different than my C6).

The handler gives me the nod and I hit the gas.  The rear wheels spin for a second and the you can feel the 420 hp launch the car forward. I was at the switchback curve in about 3 seconds – didn’t notice the speedometer but the handler said ‘slow into..’ but I was in an out of corner.   The Mustang had excellent handling at about 50mph in a tight turn.  I told the handler I that I raced SCCA with my vette, but  don’t think that made him any more comfortable.  I finished curve and punched the gas and breezed through the short  straightway and then the final curve at about 60 mph and a quick braking and done!

Ok…again, I’m no big time automotive journalist, but I know cars. So, here are my impressions of the 2013  5.0 Mustang.

Interior was much better than previous years and it felt like sports when sitting in the seat, much like my Vette.  I’m not normally a automatic transmission enthusiast but this one shift smooth as ice on a professional hockey rink.  It launched really well, didn’t fell like 390 ft lbs of torque, felt straight and although a didn’t notice the band of rubber it  was sporting, it did feel grip well.  The car felt stable going into the two curves and it was enjoyable.

With more horsepower than my Vette it still couldn’t match the quickness of my C7  (oh….Freudian slip) …um  C6 with more torque  and almost 500 less pounds ( 3350 vs. 3800 curb  weight).

Over all I WOULD purchase a new Mustang – but something at the next level than the base model 5 liter.  The Boss 302 (maybe in the Laguna Seca) or the GT500)

Or something in a “Super Snake”??

Thanks for reading!!!

Tim

 

2014 Corvette Stingray

So by  now you’ve heard and mostly seen the new C7 Corvette for 2014.

I don’t think there’s been a more redesigned Vette since the 1984 C4.

5 Driving modes

7 Speed Manual transmission

99 lbs lighter than the C6

Direct Injection with push-rods in a small block

And Camaro taillights!!!

Here are some pics:

2014-Chevrolet-Corvette-6.2L-LT1-engine-623x389 2014-corvette-stingray-01 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

Tell me what you like and what you don’t!!

Tim

More 2014 C7 Owner’s Manual Details Appear – CorvetteOnline

Yet another – leak!!!

More 2014 C7 Owner’s Manual Details Appear – CorvetteOnline.

http://www.corvetteonline.com

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