A little SEMA preview! 800+ HP Corvette
SEMA is coming up next week, and I don't know who else out there is excited, but I sure am. Every year SEMA turns up some of the most interesting, intriguing, and outlandish modified and tuner cars out there, and I expect this year to be no exception to that rule. Some early images and ideas from different companies have begun to come in, and this Specter Werkes Corvette GTR was too awesome to not share with you.
This machine, which sports twin Lingenfelter turbos on an LS7 is an absolute beast! They claim 800+ HP as well as LBs Torque. These are absolutely gut-wrenching numbers that would surely throw any driver or passenger right in to the back of their seat (if not through the seat completely!). That's not all that Specter Werkes has done though. They've outfitted this machine with a laundry list of goodies:
Carbon Fiber Wheels
StopTech STR Big Brakes
Full Corsa Exhaust system (which Corsa system it is though, I'm curious about)
Carbon fiber body work and accents, as well as custom interior trim and modifications for weight reduction
Specter Werks GTR Corvette
In all, this looks like one very mean machine! While the ZR1 couldn't best the fighter jet in the MotorTrend video a few weeks back, I bet this machine could give it a run for its money. As I hear more from/about SEMA I will be sure to keep you updated!
(Sadly, I am not able to make it out there myself this year, but I have friends and family attending, so I'll require copious picture phone messages from the event so that I may relay my information to you, dear reader!)
Source: SpecterWerkesGTR
Corvette Racing’s Win at Mosport Voted ALMS Story of the Year! A big ‘atta’boy for the ZR1
Photo Credit: AmericanLemans.com
American Le Mans fans have voted Corvette Racing's first GT2 win at Mosport in August as the series story of the year. If you remember, Mosport was just the third race in the GT2 class for the new ZR1-based Corvette C6.R. It was also Johnny O'Connell's 100th start in an ALMS race. The #3 Corvette C6.R fended off an epic challenge by the #62 Risi Ferrari in the closing minutes at Mosport, but Jan Magnussen was able to stay in front for the win.
The vote for Story of the Year wasn't even close. The Mosport win for the GT2 Corvette garnered 21.4 percent of the vote through a poll at AmericanLemans.com. Highcroft Racing’s amazing two day rebuild of an Acura ARX-02a on Friday and Saturday at Petit Le Mans was second with 17.8 percent. Flying Lizard Motorsports five consecutive GT2 victories from St. Pete to Mid-Ohio was third in the voting. Gil de Ferran’s career-ending victory with Simon Pagenaud at Laguna Seca placed fourth, and Risi Competizione’s sweep of the three major endurance events in GT2 – Sebring, Le Mans and Petit Le Mans was fifth.
Earlier this month, American Le Mans fans also gave Corvette Racing’s Program Manager the “From the Fans” award for the second consecutive year.
Source: CorvetteBlogger
Nice to see that GM is doing well!
By DAN STRUMPF (AP) – 17 hours ago
NEW YORK — Just a tiny fraction of General Motors customers have returned their cars for refunds under the automaker's heavily advertised money-back guarantee program — and most buyers aren't even choosing to participate in the plan, opting for a rebate instead.
About 400 vehicle buyers, or "less than 1 percent" of sales since the program launched, have signed up for GM's 60-day money-back guarantee program, spokesman Tom Henderson said Tuesday. The rest took a $500 rebate, he said.
Of those 400 vehicles, just 15 have been returned in the four days since customers could begin doing so, Henderson said.
GM launched the money-back guarantee program on Sept. 14 with an advertising blitz, including TV spots starring GM Chairman Ed Whitacre, in a bid to get on-the-fence vehicle buyers to consider GM products after its stint in bankruptcy court this summer.
The program runs through Nov. 30 and allows customers to return any new 2009 and 2010 Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC or Buick vehicle for a refund of the purchase price and sales tax if they are unsatisfied with their vehicle.
The policy allows buyers to return their vehicle between day 31 and day 60 of ownership, meaning the first refund requests started coming in on Thursday. Reasons for the returns have been "across the board," Henderson said.
One returnee was the buyer of a Chevrolet Corvette, who bought the sports car with a manual transmission and found it "painful to shift," GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz told reporters during a briefing last week. Once the buyer returned the Corvette, he wound up exchanging it for the same model — but with an automatic gear box, instead.
The return had nothing to do with dissatisfaction with the car other than the choice of transmissions, Lutz said.
"He brought it back because he made a mistake," he said.
A report Monday by CNW Research said the program has been successful in getting consumers to consider buying GM products. The program has "spiked interest in the company's products far beyond any recent previous effort," the research firm said.
AP Auto Writer Tom Krisher contributed to this report from Detroit.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Nothing more classic than a Corvette.
CLASSIC CHEVROLET CARS-
There are few material things in life that are as priceless as an American classic car, specifically, the Chevrolet.
Invented in the early 1900s, the original Chevrolets — whose namesake, Louis Chevrolet was actually a race car driver for the Buick brand — were envisioned as being manufactured for the wealthy, this is evidenced by the introduction of the “Classic Six”, one of Chevrolet’s earliest models that also had a whopping price tag of over $2000 — a significant price for that day and age, and one very few people could actually afford.
It was also because of this difference in the idea for the vision of the company that the partnership of Louis Chevrolet and William Durant — the founder of General Motors and the one who hired Mr. Chevrolet to drive the Buick vehicles in promotional races — went their separate ways. This bit of history is often included in the story told by those selling classic cars, as it helps illustrate the richness and uniqueness of the Chevrolet brand.
As the years progressed, Mr. Durant continued to compete with Ford and Dodge by introducing automobiles with advancements in engine and body innovation and creativity that ultimately laid the groundwork for the Chevrolet models to surge in popularity.
For instance, the Chevrolet Corvette; arguably one of the most sought after for those buying and selling classic cars. Introduced in 1953, this car has been a mainstay in the antique automobile industry — and is also still in production today — and with such inventive ideas as using fiberglass for the body to make the car faster and more aerodynamic, it is the end all, be all in the classic car market. Few cars hold this distinction: the Ford Mustang is one, and the Chevrolet Camaro is also one.
Source:AllCarz
MotorTrend First Test of the Grand Sport
Really starting to love the idea of a higher performance Corvette convertible. The new Grand Sport is absolutely growing on me, and this one here on MT looks great. These guys seem to like the new Grand Sport as much as I do.
Cool Car Show, would like to attend!
All-Chevy car show to give away engine
Fairway owner Greg Heinrich's collection of 50-plus Corvettes, muscle and vintage Chevrolets will be open to the public. Above is a limited-edition Duntov Turbo from Heinrich's garage.
Fairway Chevrolet and the Las Vegas Corvettes Association will host an "All-Chevy" car show on Sunday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the dealership located at 3100 E. Sahara Ave, near Boulder Highway.
The show, which benefits YMCA of Southern Nevada, will feature Chevrolets and other Chevy-powered cars, including a Ford with a Chevy engine and a Buick with a Corvette engine. Fairway owner Greg Heinrich's collection of about 50 Corvettes, muscle and vintage cars will be open to the public, and a raffle will take place. The raffle's grand prizes include a General Motors Corp. engine, a Golden Nugget vacation package and 20-inch wheels and tires for a Chevrolet.
Former NBA basketball player and custom-car enthusiast Jerome Williams (aka Junkyard Dog) will be on hand.
The event is free for spectators and $25 to compete in the car show. Car show participants will receive an event T-shirt, goodie bag and dash plaque.
MotorTrend races a Corvette ZR1 vs. A Blue Angel F/A-18 Hornet Fighter Jet
Source: MotorTrend
GM Vice-Chairman makes a stop in Midland
MIDLAND (WJRT) -- (10/02/09)--General Motors Corp. Vice Chairman Bob Lutz made a stop in Mid-Michigan Friday.
By Matt Franklin
He talked about the New GM post bankruptcy. Lutz was in Midland to open the Northwood University International Auto Show.
Lutz says GM is getting down to business. That means producing and selling cars that people want -- cars some dealers can't even keep on dealer lots.
Also, it means making the tough decisions, but he says it's the only way for GM to survive.
The rain may have dampened the opening of the Northwood University International Auto Show in Midland, but that didn't stop Lutz from beaming as he talked about the progress GM has been since coming out of bankruptcy.
"Our new vehicles like the Camaro are sold out. The new Chevy Equinox is sold out. The GMC Terrain is sold out," he said.
As GM travels down the road to recovery, it has been operating on billions of dollars in government loans. It has shed four of its brands and cut thousands of workers.
Lutz is optimistic those drastic changes are now in the rear view mirror.
"I think we are through the most of it," he said. "With the last round of cuts and capacity reductions, brand elimination and everything, I think we have practically all of it behind us."
Lutz says it's a new day for GM, one that is focused on high-quality products and a high-performance culture.
"If you don't produce, we aren't going to keep you very long. This is the way successful companies operate," he said. "We love our employees, but we don't love them if they don't produce."
Going forward is the primary goal for the automaker now.
"Financial results. The sooner we make money, the sooner people will believe we're back on the road to recovery," Lutz said.
Source: ABC
Bruce Willis selling his ’67 Corvette Convertible at Barrett-Jackson Auction
Bruce Willis, a movie star who should need no introduction, is preparing to sell three vehicles at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Vegas October 7-10. Among these three vehicles is an absolutely beautiful 1967 Corvette Convertible with a 427 c.i.d. / 435 HP Tri-Power 4-speed manual. This is an absolutely gorgeous car, and I am a little saddened to know that Mr. Willis is prepared to part with such a gorgeous piece of machinery. Hopefully it finds its way in to the hands of another great, famous, collector (Leno maybe?). It is listed as lot 659.3 on the Barrett-Jackson website, and will be an absolute treasure for whomever the winning bidder is. Its no secret that the Tri-Power is truly a rare and coveted collector's item, and who doesn't love a classic red 'Vette?!
67 Corvette Convertible
Bruce Willis' 67 Corvette Convertible
435 HP Tri-power Engine, what a beaut.