by Alex Misoyannis This week saw the reveal of the all-new 2020 C8 Chevrolet Corvette, the first mid-engined model in its 66-year history, and the first to be offered in Australia as a factory vehicle. But how did we get here? Let’s rewind…. C1 Corvette (1953-1962) The history of the Corvette begins in the years following World War II, when American soldiers returning from Europe were bringing home two-seat sports cars from carmakers like MG, Jaguar and Alfa Romeo. General Motors designer Harley Earl noticed the market opportunity and, following the release of the rival Nash Healey roadster in 1951, got to work on ‘Project Opel’. The fruits of his labour appeared in 1953, with the unveiling of the first-generation Corvette in New York. The two-seat, two-door convertible was constructed from fibreglass – a revolutionary material at the time, rarely used for car building – and was based on a Chevrolet sedan platform. Under the bonnet was a 110kW … [Read more...] about Chevrolet Corvette: Through the generations
1958 chevrolet corvette
2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA45, 2020 Jeep Gladiator, 2019 Corvette Grand Sport: This Week’s Top Photos
Mercedes-Benz has a new generation of its CLA compact sedan on its hands and this week we spotted a prototype for the high-performance CLA45 from Mercedes-AMG. We hear the car will come with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission and over 400 horsepower. 2021 Land Rover Defender spy shots - Image via S. Baldauf/SB-Medien Another vehicle we spied was Land Rover's redesigned Defender. The icon was phased out in 2016 due to emissions regulations, but Land Rover plans to introduce a new generation later this year with a brand new design. 2020 Jeep Gladiator We had our first experience in Jeep's new Gladiator, a mid-size pickup ready to do battle against the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, and Toyota Tacoma. We found the truck dressed for battle in our first drive review, though it was not without its flaws. 2019 Mercedes-AMG CLS53 Another vehicle we tested was the Mercedes-AMG CLS53. Thanks to its mild-hybrid powertrain, you get V-8 performance with the thirst of a six, though you also miss … [Read more...] about 2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA45, 2020 Jeep Gladiator, 2019 Corvette Grand Sport: This Week’s Top Photos
Jay Leno Drives his 1957 Corvette
Chevrolet was uncertain about the Corvette’s future in 1957. The car was launched four years earlier with only 300 sold. But sales began to become profitable by 1955, when the ancient six-cylinder was replaced by the new V8. After fighting in the brutal Korean war, a soldier rewarded himself by ordering this 1957 Corvette in Inca Silver. In order to save weight, he ordered the car without the convertible top, heater, radio, or even courtesy lights. This featherweight supercar is the epitome of 50s performance, so its amazing to watch Jay Leno Drive his 1957 Corvette. Inca Silver was Corvette’s first Acrylic Enamel paint, thanks to DuPont owning a majority stake in General Motors. Corvette gained a posi-traction rear differential, and Chevrolet Chief Engineer Zora Duntov made it the first American car to have 1 horsepower per cubic-inch. The 283ci engine with 283 horsepower was not only revolutionary, it launched the plastic fantastic to a winning streak that … [Read more...] about Jay Leno Drives his 1957 Corvette
Corvette Delivery Dispatch with National Corvette Seller Mike Furman for Sept. 16th
Criswell Chevrolet’s Mike Furman delivers new Corvette Stingrays, Grand Sports, Z06s and ZR1s to his customers who come from all parts of the country to work with the nation’s top individual Corvette seller. For this week’s dispatch, Mike delivers new Corvette dreams coast to coast with six customers profiled from five different states! Some good stories this week as Sarah gets a Grand Sport, a Corvette Z06 heads to Florida where its garage mate will be a Ferrari, and Mr. Criswell gives up his ZR1 convertible tester for a customer in Nevada! As always, a great selection of vintage Corvette and period photos are ready to be scrolled! Visit Mike’s facebook page for even more photos and videos of his new Corvette deliveries: CorvetteFurman. ~C5 was the start of the generation talk for Corvettes. It wasn’t until then the term C anything even existed. On that note I started with Corvettes during the tail end of the 3rd Generation (1978) and sold thru the … [Read more...] about Corvette Delivery Dispatch with National Corvette Seller Mike Furman for Sept. 16th
1967 Corvette Owner Goes to Court Over a Canadian Corvette with the Identical VIN
1967 Chevrolet Corvette please rev up? The owner of a classic Sting Ray has won a legal battle in his on-going attempt to prove his 1967 Corvette is the real deal and that another C2 with a matching VIN in Canada is a fraudulent copy. Robert Bonanno of Florida considers his vintage Corvette to be the authentic one and has been trying to make Saskatchewan Government Insurance give him the name and address of the owner of a Sting Ray registered with the same VIN in Saskatchewan. Actually, the Saskatchewan Information and Privacy Commissioner told SGI in March 2017 that the name and address should be given to Bonanno, but the insurance company did not comply, citing privacy reasons under Canada’s The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. That non-compliance eventually forced attorney Bryan Shook of Shook Legal, which is representing Bonanno, to take the case to the Court of Queen’s Bench, which ruled Aug. 31 in Bonanno’s favor. Bonanno found out about … [Read more...] about 1967 Corvette Owner Goes to Court Over a Canadian Corvette with the Identical VIN