Comments:
INSIDE THE CORVETTE COCKPIT
Button layout is sensible IF you know which are iyours. Driver's set of controls at the front of the line, and Passenger at rear:
Driver Air Temperature, Seat Heat, Fan & On/Off, Pass Seat Heat, Pass Temperature
There's much more legroom (length) than I had suspected. Guy is the car now is about 6'3"
The Hawaiian guy is about 5'6"
Glove box comes down well forward of my wife's knees
INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND TRUNK
We'll see how this wing works out in parking lots. It isn't very noticeable in this color.
The door handle is under the wing.
Rear lights are okay and the scoops and grilles are are flow-through functional
I took my Camera, My Wife and My Wallet
Thanks to InDebtButOnTime (an appropriate name for a watch nut), I got myself rousted up from the easy chair, leapt into the Volt and raced across town to see the local appearance of the Vette.
The dash is complex but more integrated than we thought at first glance
Button layout is sensible IF you know which are iyours. Driver's set of controls at the front of the line, and Passenger at rear:
Driver Air Temperature, Seat Heat, Fan & On/Off, Pass Seat Heat, Pass Temperature
There's much more legroom (length) than I had suspected. Guy is the car now is about 6'3"
The Hawaiian guy is about 5'6"
Glove box comes down well forward of my wife's knees
INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND TRUNK
Very interesting and modern angles everywhere - very Lamborghini-like
This vehicle is the medium trim level, #2 seats, with alloy sill plates and some engine dressing, plus Z51 package. The salesman estimated a fully-loaded car at $80k. They plan on getting “hundreds” and say they’ll sell for sticker price.
A 12V power port and luminous "get out" button (as if anyone big enough to read the diagram could get trapped in there).
EXTERIOR DETAILS
Sorry for the fuzzy focus
This vehicle is the medium trim level, #2 seats, with alloy sill plates and some engine dressing, plus Z51 package. The salesman estimated a fully-loaded car at $80k. They plan on getting “hundreds” and say they’ll sell for sticker price.
A 12V power port and luminous "get out" button (as if anyone big enough to read the diagram could get trapped in there).
EXTERIOR DETAILS
We'll see how this wing works out in parking lots. It isn't very noticeable in this color.
The door handle is under the wing.
Rear lights are okay and the scoops and grilles are are flow-through functional
NOTE: Some of the wives had that look which just says "there goes the new patio" or "guess our kids will have to get jobs to go to college" or "so much for the Mediterranean cruise".
I liked this orange one as it reminded me of our electric Fiat.
Gran Sport Package, only $70k
While wandering, we had a couple street tacos, and a churro wafle with ice cream (YUMMM) plus some drinks, courtesy of Bob Stall. Then we looked at customer cars... like this retro body kit. The seats inside were awesome - they looked like an AP Royal Oak strap with the high-texture alligator hide
An eyeful and earful of engine in this Malibu.
14 inch tires in rear tubs
Then a Blonde Lady Vette came in, with blonde driver, blonde wood kit inside, and beige top and striping
But Pride of the Show was this blue carbon monster. It was immaculate and had a few cubic ounces of carbon fibre lovingly applied everywhere!
And that's it for the Corvette viewing today.
PS - they have trucks for sale too
Cazalea
THE PARKING LOT
As I could charge my Volt while hanging out, we looked at all the customer cars (and 2019 inventory) -- all $6500-7500 below sticker price to move them all out.
I liked this orange one as it reminded me of our electric Fiat.
Gran Sport Package, only $70k
While wandering, we had a couple street tacos, and a churro wafle with ice cream (YUMMM) plus some drinks, courtesy of Bob Stall. Then we looked at customer cars... like this retro body kit. The seats inside were awesome - they looked like an AP Royal Oak strap with the high-texture alligator hide
An eyeful and earful of engine in this Malibu.
14 inch tires in rear tubs
Then a Blonde Lady Vette came in, with blonde driver, blonde wood kit inside, and beige top and striping
But Pride of the Show was this blue carbon monster. It was immaculate and had a few cubic ounces of carbon fibre lovingly applied everywhere!
And that's it for the Corvette viewing today.
PS - they have trucks for sale too
Cazalea
I think you’ve convinced us. Next task: convince yourself and your wife. That two-seater is perfect for you both😀 [nt]
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The only ting which doesn't convince me at all is the interior... Not that much place and I totally dislike the dashboard. I want to drive a car, not an Airbus nor a Boeing. [nt]
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Yes - it feels like a business class airline seat without lay-flat
And the seats both face front
However, even though the tunnel is high it’s not wide so it doesn’t crowd you. Nothing so bad as a TVR Griffith, for example, or a Viper.
Viper
I didn't know the TVR cockpit. But I was in shock with the Viper's. [nt]
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Corvettes have always had good engines and bad interiors, haven't they? [nt]
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Well, Corvette interiors have been stylish
But seldom of highest quality materials or precision assembly. And not always capable of standing up to the weather— most Corvettes have had t-tops or been convertibles. Or standing up to modification-crazed owners .... please raise your hand if you’ve ever swapped a radio, cut holes for speakers, added a CB, changed seats, etc ✋🏻👍
After seeing the car ....
How do you feel about the Corvette leaving it’s traditional front engine layout and style, for this very different car ?
It's okay with me
My main experience / history with sports cars is Lotus. I have had a Europa Twin Cam (mid-rear engine), a Caterham Seven (front mid-engine), Elan S4 (front engine RWD) and Elan M100 (front-mid FWD). All seemed very Lotus to me, for many reasons beyond petite dimensions, light weight and excellent road handling.
Looking at the people — I couldn’t see anyone who wasn’t excited but then it was a curious, self-selected sample today.
Engine position aside, it’s a visually-striking, powerful V8 American car with room for 2, a removable roof, big tires and imposing presence and sound. Plus good value versus the competition’s models and unlimited scope for personalization.
One other thing - the Corvette has had a rear transaxle and RWD for a long time. So “in theory” they’ve only pushed the driver forward and the engine back.
Although I have only owned one Corvette, I have always admired them since 1958 when I sat in one in a dealer’s showroom. Is still think it’s a hot car.
Will I buy one? Can’t say yet.
Cazalea
Looking at the people — I couldn’t see anyone who wasn’t excited but then it was a curious, self-selected sample today.
Engine position aside, it’s a visually-striking, powerful V8 American car with room for 2, a removable roof, big tires and imposing presence and sound. Plus good value versus the competition’s models and unlimited scope for personalization.
One other thing - the Corvette has had a rear transaxle and RWD for a long time. So “in theory” they’ve only pushed the driver forward and the engine back.
Although I have only owned one Corvette, I have always admired them since 1958 when I sat in one in a dealer’s showroom. Is still think it’s a hot car.
Will I buy one? Can’t say yet.
Cazalea
Thanks for your reply...
and in my opinion (without trying the car) It’s a bold move for Chevrolet and the engineering team. Porsche are definitely considering making the 911 mid engined. Only a combination of tradition and typically conservative Porsche design has held this move back and Porsche motorsport already have a mid engine version racing.
I’ve had many cars over the years, but keep a Corvette in my collection. My opinion, for what it’s worth, is order one and just enjoy it. We are only on this planet once and just looking at that car makes me feel good. Enjoy !
I like the red truck
Thanks for again a great photo series
I appreciate how you allow us to peek into your live
I appreciate how you allow us to peek into your live
Thanks for this nice report and great shots!
From your title, it does not look like you used your wallet. Will you consider buying one?
Best,
É.
Best,
É.
It's a bit complicated (like buying a SS Rolex)
No production orders are being taken until they release the final price & options lists in a few weeks.
However, “reservations with a deposit” have been accepted since the unveiling last week.
If they aren’t going to make what you want (options/price combinations are still unknown) you can get out & money back.
If they make it and you don’t like the car when it arrives, you can back out & money back OR you have 24-hrs to pay up with bank draft.
First cars should be produced by Oct-Nov and arrive in January; they will build until June and after that, switch to 2021 models.
Chevy dealers are currently selling about 1500-2000 Corvettes a month. That should increase dramatically with the new car - a rep told me they’re hoping to reach 50,000 a year vs 20-25,000 currently.
My local dealer is 26th in the list of the top 50 Corvette dealers. They sold 65 Stingrays last year. They’ve been promised 100+ in the short 2020 year.
I have a reasonable chance to get one but the big big dealers are in NJ, FL & TX.
How do I know all this?
I’m seriously considering.
However, “reservations with a deposit” have been accepted since the unveiling last week.
If they aren’t going to make what you want (options/price combinations are still unknown) you can get out & money back.
If they make it and you don’t like the car when it arrives, you can back out & money back OR you have 24-hrs to pay up with bank draft.
First cars should be produced by Oct-Nov and arrive in January; they will build until June and after that, switch to 2021 models.
Chevy dealers are currently selling about 1500-2000 Corvettes a month. That should increase dramatically with the new car - a rep told me they’re hoping to reach 50,000 a year vs 20-25,000 currently.
My local dealer is 26th in the list of the top 50 Corvette dealers. They sold 65 Stingrays last year. They’ve been promised 100+ in the short 2020 year.
I have a reasonable chance to get one but the big big dealers are in NJ, FL & TX.
How do I know all this?
I’m seriously considering.
Keep us updated then! It would be good to know how it drives, cars on pictures are tempting but not enough for me:) Best, É. [nt]
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