HOT News 

DETROIT – Cadillac announced today it will return to racing in 2011 with a race-prepared version of its CTS-V Coupe competing in the Sports Car Club of America World Challenge, North America’s top production-based racecar series.

The move returns Cadillac to a series where it competed from 2004 to 2007. Competing in the GT Class with the CTS-V Sport Sedan, Cadillac captured the Manufacturer’s Championship in 2005 and 2007 and the Driver’s Championship in 2005.

Cadillac will field two teams in the upcoming SCCA World Challenge GT Class with a racecar based on the CTS-V Coupe. The CTS-V line, which also includes the CTS-V Sedan and CTS-V Wagon, was recently named to Car and Driver magazine’s 10 Best list for 2011.

“Returning to racing in the SCCA World Challenge is a great way to demonstrate the performance and capability of the CTS-V Coupe,” said Don Butler, vice president for Cadillac marketing.   “The racecars in this series are production based, which allows us to validate our performance against the best of our competitors on the track, and not just the showroom.”

Cadillac is working with Pratt & Miller, a New Hudson, Mich., engineering firm which specializes in motorsports, to develop the CTS-V Coupe racecar. While some of the production CTS-V components will be modified due to the unique demands of racing or to meet the SCCA series’ technical rules, every effort is taken to maintain as much production content as possible.

“The SCCA World Challenge lends itself well to a natural transfer of knowledge,” said Jim Campbell, GM vice president for Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “The series will become a key test-bed for Cadillac. We anticipate using what we learn on the racetrack to ensure the V-Series stays on the cutting-edge of performance.”

The first event in the SCCA World Challenge is March 25-27 in St. Petersburg, Fla. Johnny O’Connell, a three-time GT1 champion in the America Le Mans Series, and Andy Pilgrim, who won the 2005 SCCA World Challenge GT class in a Cadillac, will be behind the wheel of the CTS-V racecars.

Introduced for the 2003 model year, the CTS-V has quickly earned a reputation among luxury sports car buyers. For the 2011 model year, Cadillac added the CTS-V Coupe and the CTS-V Sport Wagon to the CTS-V Sport Sedan, creating an impressive family of performance vehicles. The CTS-Vs feature Brembo brakes, a supercharged 6.2L V8 delivering 556 horsepower and a Magnetic Ride Control suspension system that can read and react to the road 1,000 times a second.

Started in 1944, the SCCA organizes and supports racing at all levels from amateur to professional. The World Challenge series is designed to provide teams, manufacturers and aftermarket suppliers a competitive production-based race series in which to prove their products. The races follow a 50-minute maximum time limit, with the number of laps and total distance determined by track configuration, lap times and race conditions.

December 6, 2010
2011 C6 PRODUCTION UPDATE
Members –Corvette’s Chief Zora Arkus-Duntov said it best…
“All Corvettes are high performance cars:  the difference is only in degree.”

For those of you who have been waiting for the long delayed Z06 Carbon Limited Edition (ULZ), your wait is almost over! They will start production toward the end of January 2011.

Z06 Carbon Limited Edition

As you may recall, this unique (ULZ) Carbon Package includes:

·        Either (28U) Inferno Orange Metallic or (GLB) Supersonic Blue Metallic

·        Suede Interior with Body Color stitching

·        Z07 Brembo Performance Breaking including Michelin Wheel Package

·        19” Front/20” Rear Black 20-Spoke Wheels

·        All New aggressive sounding Dual Mode Exhaust System – a Z06 Exclusive!

·        Black Mirrors and Headlamps along with Body Color Door Handles

·        Carbon Fiber Body Parts, Black Front Splitter and Side Rockers along with Raised Hood and Fenders

·        Full-Width ZR1 body color Rear Spoiler

·        Special Z06 Carbon Badging

·        Production Limited to 500 with unique VIN numbering

·        Will excel in track events with ZR1 chassis and lightweight naturally aspirated LS7 Engine

·        3 seconds per lap improvement versus 2010 Z06

·        50 years of Le Mans racing technology and heritage for the street

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION UPDATES:
Those of you who have been asking about the (34T) Blue Convertible Top should expect it to begin production in late January 2011 along with the Interior Stitching Option (36S) Yellow, (37S) Blue and (38S) Red.

The new for 2011 (ERI) Battery Protection Package is flowing down the production line right now! 

A production option for Base Coupes and Convertibles that members seem to be asking about is the previous Superior Z51 Brake System. This brake system from the deleted Z51 Handling Package has now been resurrected for 2011 and made available as a standalone option Brake System Option (J55) which includes Larger Rotors, cross-drilled, 13.4” (34cm) front and 12.8” (32.5cm) rear with a bargain option price of $500. [NOTE: If you order (F55) Magnetic Selective Ride Control for $1,995 (J55) will also be included.]

December 3, 2010
IF IT’S DECEMBER, IT MUST BE TIME TO CHECK IN WITH THE CORVETTE PRODUCTION ELVES!
Members –A BIG HO! HO! HO! to our Bowling Green Corvette production “Elves” that have been busy producing 6,946 2011 C6s through Monday, November 22, 2010.

Everyone’s Dream Toy production breaks down as follows:

TOTAL PRODUCTION      6,946              100%

• Base Coupes                         1,659              24%

• Base Convertibles                    394                6%

• Grand Sport Coupes              2,623              38%

• Grand Sport Convertibles      1,307              19%

• Z06*                                           355               5%

• ZR1                                            608               9%

ELVES LOVE TO PAINT!

Corvettes 10 colors for 2011 produced through November 22, 2010 are as follows:

• 10U     Arctic White                                         8%

• 17U     Blade Silver Metallic                          6.6%

• 28U     Inferno Orange Metallic                     5.5%

• 41U     Black                                                20.7%

• 45U     Velocity Yellow Tintcoat                     5.6%

• 57U     Cyber Gray Metallic                          10.8%

• 70U     Torch Red                                        16.4%

• 85U     Jetstream Blue Metallic Tintcoat        5.3%

• 98U     Crystal Red Metallic Tintcoat           12.1%

• GLB    Supersonic Blue Metallic                    9.1%

* Z06 has two Options of note. (1) The new Z07 Performance Package Option which includes ZR1 Brembo Ceramic Brakes along with the wonderful Michelin PS2 Tires and Magnetic Selective Ride Control has been selected on 58.9% of the 355 Z06s built to date. (2) The new CFZ Carbon Fiber Package Option which includes Black Carbon Fiber Splitter, Rockers, and Roof Panel plus full width body color rear spoiler has been selected on 53.8% of the 355 Z06s built to date.   

 

November 18
General Motors will host an open house event at all 54 of its U.S. manufacturing locations and the Customer Care and After sales warehouses by the end of 2011 to give the American public the opportunity to learn more about the company’s people, products and plants. 

Each location will pick a date for their facility and invite the community to attend as a way to show the importance of partnerships to the company’s success.

“Thanks to the support we have received from various stakeholder groups, we have a strong U.S. manufacturing footprint that employs thousands of people,” said Diana Tremblay, GM Vice President of Manufacturing and Labor Relations. “These open houses are our way of showing our appreciation to the communities where we operate.

“Our manufacturing processes and the highly skilled team members who work in the plants and warehouses are an impressive combination that enables us to produce high quality vehicles on a daily basis – a critical factor to any successful business model,” she said.

Since July 2009, GM has invested more than $3 billion in the United States and created or retained more than 7,900 jobs in 21 plant communities.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to see the skill and dedication of our UAW men and women who are proud of their accomplishments in building the finest vehicles not only in this country, but in the world,” said Joe Ashton, UAW Vice President-GM Department.

Although GM’s Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Kentucky is the only facility with a regularly scheduled tour program, GM locations across the country accommodate as many tour requests as possible from the community, the media and school groups.  Many UAW and GM employees volunteer to go into local classrooms to discuss the importance of manufacturing to the U.S. economy and the value of a strong math and science education.

November 3

2011 CHEVROLET CORVETTE JAKE EDITION CONCEPT
He started off as a discreet logo in 2005 that symbolized a tenacious attitude of the Corvette Racing team and ever since, the skull mascot known as Jake has grown to embody the determination and triumphs of the team. Now, Chevrolet designers have created the Corvette Jake Edition Concept, a special Grand Sport convertible concept vehicle that celebrates Corvette’s racing spirit.

The Corvette Jake Edition is a Grand Sport Coupe, with Z06 wheels featuring the Competition Gray finish. The matte Jake hood graphic from the GT1 commemorative model adds a subtle visual statement, while a host of other accessories round out the car’s unique appearance. Most of the parts added to this special Grand Sport are available today as Genuine Corvette Accessories or through any Chevrolet dealer’s parts department.  

“Jake is more than the mascot for Corvette Racing, he personifies the Corvette spirit,” said Dave Ross, design manager. “We designed this concept to demonstrate how any enthusiast could create his own Jake special model with parts available from any Chevrolet dealership.”

Some of the accessories used to create the Corvette Jake concept are not currently available, but are planned for future release, including Jake-logo floor mats, console lid, wheel center caps and more. Other parts, including the hood graphic and Z06 wheels, are offered as Genuine Corvette Accessories.

“The Corvette has long inspired car enthusiasts to personalize it. The Jake concept shows one very unique way to do it,” said Ross. “With the great variety of accessories and other parts available, there’s virtually no limit to how you can make your Corvette stand apart from all others.”

VEHICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Exterior:

• Black color
• Corvette Z06 wheels in Competition Gray
• “Corvette”-logo windshield header graphic (concept)
• GT1 Championship Edition Jake-logo hood graphic
• Jake-logo wheel center caps (future)
• Jake-logo fender badge (concept)
• Jake-logo underhood blanket and lighting package (future)
• Chevrolet Accessory full-width rear spoiler in Cyber Gray

Interior:

• Ebony leather with titanium stitching and red accents on the seats
• Chevrolet Accessory interior trim kit
• Chevrolet Accessory racing pedal kit
• Chevrolet Accessory “Jake” floor mats (future)
• Chevrolet Accessory “Jake” console lid (future)

Performance:

• LS3 6.2L V-8 with Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission
• Chevrolet Accessory Tech-pattern engine cover

CLICK HERE! For "Jake" CORVETTE GS Concept Photos

October 28
Corvette Engine Build Booth Coming to SEMA
Chevrolet exhibit will include “build your own” Corvette engine demonstration!
Skilled engine builders from General Motors’ Performance Build Center (PBC) will slowly assemble the LS9 6.2L supercharged engine that powers the Corvette ZR1 on the floor of this year’s SEMA show in Las Vegas.

Booth  #23743 within the Chevrolet display will be the place for SEMA attendees to watch and ask questions as the engine comes together during SEMA’s Nov. 2-5 run. 

The skilled engine builders will be demonstrating the Corvette Engine Build Experience, an industry-exclusive program open to Corvette buyers. The program allows customers who order a 2011 Corvette Z06 or ZR1 to pay an additional $5,800 to assemble their car’s LS7 or LS9 engines at the PBC.

When a customer selects the PBC option for a 2011 Corvette Z06 or ZR1 and the dealer submits the order to Chevrolet, a special concierge contacts the customer to verify participation and help coordinate arrangements. While travel arrangements to and from Detroit are the customer’s responsibility, the Chevrolet concierge helps schedule the engine build; coordinates the customer’s activities at the Performance Build Center in Wixom, Michigan; assists with booking local lodging and meals, and arranges local transportation.

Recently, Todd Schnitt, host of a Tampa-based syndicated radio show, built the LS9 that powers the ZR1 for which he recently took delivery. He described his experience as “over the top.” 

Skilled builders at the PBC individually hand-build each Corvette Z06 LS7 7.0L engine, Corvette ZR1 6.2L supercharged LS9 engine and a variation of the Corvette Grand Sport’s LS3 6.2L engine. The PBC incorporates the best practices of low-volume niche manufacturers and the established quality and manufacturing standards at GM to ensure the highest-quality specialized engines. Engines built as part of the Corvette Engine Build Experience program are covered by GM’s five-year / 100,000 mile warranty.

The LS9 engine produces 638 SAE certified horsepower and propels the Corvette ZR1 from 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds. It is built with titanium connecting rods, forged pistons, a dry sump oiling system and four-lobe 2.3L supercharger.

Your webmaster will be at this exhibit, more info to follow!

 

October 6
FINALLY … A SIMPLE WAY TO CLEAN YOUR LUG NUTS!
Members –You can now throw away the make-shift "rag on a stick" or Q-tips you have been using for years to clean those recessed lug nuts on your wheels. Check out this new lug nut cleaning tool from Michael Wilson And Company, LLC, Corvette supplier for unique parts. Once you have used this unique cleaning brush you won’t go back to your old ways. This tool is a “must have” for every auto enthusiast who wants to detail their wheels to perfection with the least amount of time and effort!  Simply add a little soap and water to the brush, push it over the lug, twist it with the easy-to-use T-handle and your car’s lug nuts and wheel cavities will look like new in seconds. This product P/N 200901 typically retails for $10.99-$12.99 which includes an extra sponge head. Order one for you and any of your buddies. You will be their new hero!

Lug Nut & Wheel Cleaning Brush P/N 200901
 

• Makes Cleaning Recessed Lug Nut Wheels Quick & Easy
• Cleans Both Lug Nut & Wheel Recess With A Simple Twist Of The Brush
• Convenient T-Handle Design (Also Notched To Hang On Wash Bucket)
• Works On Almost Any Wheel (Cleans Wheel Cavities From 1-3/8 to 2” With Lug Nuts From ¾ to 13/16”)
• Replaceable Foam Cleaning Head Yields Scratch-Free Results
• Includes (1) Extra Foam Cleaning Head

Order your Michael Wilson And Company, LLC Lug Nut & Wheel Cleaning Brush P/N 200901 now from one of our Corporate Members listed below: 

• Corvette Central [Corporate Member WC003]
  www.corvettecentral.com
  1-800-345-4122
   

•  Eckler’s [Corporate Member WC004]
  www.ecklers.com
  1-800-284-3906
   

•  West Coast Corvette [Corporate Member WC014]
  www.westcoastcorvette.com
  1-888-737-8388
   

• Breathless Performance Products [Corporate Member XC030]
  www.breathlessperformance.com
  1-954-925-7725
   

•  Zip Products [Corporate Member ZC059]
  www.Zip-corvette.com
  1-800-962-9623

September 21
TRACK YOUR CORVETTE ORDER ONLINE!!
No longer will we be in the dark about the status of our new Corvette order.
GM has introduced a new “Track Your Order” feature to allow customers to view the relative status of their Corvette or any other Chevrolet order. In addition to the event status, a representation of the customer’s Corvette will be displayed with the majority of the accessories/options rendered. click on this link: www.chevrolet.com/ordertracking
 

September 2
2011 CORVETTE INFO!
Want the latest scoop in the 2011 CORVETTE? You've come to the right place!
Notes on the 2011 C6 Corvette that all the GM folks were using at Corvettes at Carlisle
CLICK HERE to download in PDF format...

September 1
CORVETTES MAY BLOW THEIR TOPS ( Reported by the NY Times )
GENERAL MOTORS Owners of 2008-9 Chevrolet Corvette convertibles may have trouble keeping a roof over their heads. In T.S.B. 08312A issued on July 1, G.M. said that the top fabric might begin to separate from its retainer bracket near the windshield. At speeds over 100 m.p.h., the roof material could tear from the front all the way to the rear window. A new retainer bracket should keep things together. This repair program runs through May 31, 2011.
Contact your Chevrolet Dealer for more information.

July 27
NEW CORVETTE PLANT MANAGER
At 8 am this morning it was announced that Bob Parcell, plant manager at GM Bowling Green Assembly, has been reassigned as the plant manager at Lordstown Assembly in Lordstown, Ohio, effective August 1. Bob will lead the launch the brand new Chevrolet Cruze. Dave Tatman, current plant manager at Warren Transmission, will be Bowling Green's new plant manager.

Here's the GM Press Release:

General Motors Names Bob Parcell, Plant Manager, Lordstown Complex
Dave Tatman Named Plant Manager, Bowling Green Assembly

BOWLING GREEN, KY – GM Bowling Green Assembly Plant Manager Bob Parcell has been appointed Plant Manager, Lordstown Complex, effective August 1, 2010.  Dave Tatman, current Plant Manager of Warren, Willow Run and Parma Transmission Operations, will succeed Parcell as Bowling Green Assembly Plant Manager.

In his new position, Parcell will be responsible for the oversight of the Lordstown Complex in Lordstown, Ohio, which is currently launching the brand new Chevrolet Cruze, an important new small car in GM’s product line-up.  Bob is no stranger to launching critical products as he previously led the very successful launch of the new Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain in Canada before coming to Bowling Green. He will bring expertise and leadership to Lordstown Assembly.

Parcell says, “Although my time in Bowling Green was short, I will always have fond memories of the great employees at Bowling Green Assembly and the people of Bowling Green and Warren County.”

Parcell began his GM career in 1979 as a General Motors Institute (GMI) co-op student at the Fisher Body Flint, Michigan Plant.  In 1983 he was transferred to the Chevrolet-Pontiac-GM of Canada Grand Rapids Plant, where he held a variety of supervisory positions in Manufacturing, Plant Engineering and Maintenance.  In 1994, Parcell transferred to the Mansfield, Ohio, Metal Center as Area Manager.  In 1996, he was named Director of Manufacturing Engineering and in 1997 he was promoted to Assistant Plant Manager at Mansfield. In 2000, Parcell moved to the Metal Fabrication Division (MFD) headquarters in Troy, Michigan, when he was promoted to Operations Manager for Contiguous and Service Plants.  The following year, he was named MFD Program Manager for Trucks, and in 2002, Parcell was promoted to Plant Manager of the Parma Metal Center. In 2004, Parcell was named Plant Manager of GM Wentzville Assembly Center in Missouri, and in January 2006 took on the role of President, CAMI Automotive - an independently incorporated joint venture between Suzuki Motor Corporation and General Motors of Canada Ltd., located in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada. He was appointed as Plant Manager of Bowling Green Assembly on October 1, 2009.

Dave Tatman
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Dave Tatman was appointed plant manager of the General Motors Bowling Green Assembly Plant, the world’s only producer of the Chevrolet Corvette, in August 2010.

Born in Zanesville, Ohio, Tatman received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Ohio State University in June, 1980 and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Michigan in December, 1985.

In June 1978, Tatman began working for GM as a college intern, and in 1980 Tatman was hired at Willow Run as a college graduate-in-training. He held a number of supervisory and management positions over a 12-year period before being transferred to Powertrain’s Advanced Development Center in Pontiac as superintendent in Product Engineering. In 1995, Dave moved to the Powertrain Plant in Bay City as a business team manager. From 1997 to 2000, Tatman held the position of manufacturing executive at GM of Canada St. Catharines. In January, 2000 Tatman returned to Pontiac, working at Powertrain Headquarters as the director of North American Manufacturing Quality Systems. In 2001, he moved to the Toledo Transmission Plant as production manager and in 2004 was named plant manager of the Livonia Engine plant. He recently completed a seven-month assignment at Powertrain Operations in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil. Then, November 1, 2008, Tatman was named plant manager of the Willow Run Site, and on August 1, 2009, he added Warren Transmission and Parma to his responsibilities.

Dave has a deep belief that GM, its plants, and its employees need to be responsible corporate citizens in the communities in which they reside and do business.  He has “paid forward” in all of his assignments by getting involved in his local communities through the United Way, local Chamber of Commerce, church activities, and museum and economic development boards.  Dave and his wife, Barbie, have two grown sons, John and Phil.  John, 23, lives and goes to school in Ann Arbor, MI, and Phil, 21, lives and goes to school in Bellingham, WA, in the great Pacific Northwest.  Their daughter, Parke, is 17 and an enthusiastic Hunter Jumper equestrian, so the move to Kentucky is right up her alley!  In his free time, Dave is a passionate outdoorsman, no matter what the season.  He enjoys fly fishing, bird hunting, skiing, hiking and climbing. 

 

July 13
AMERICA STILL BUILDS ROCKETS!

 

July 12
BUILD YOUR OWN CORVETTE ZR-1 or Z06 ENGINE! FOR A PRICE.

For members who want to be personally involved in creating their Corvette, Chevrolet’s new Corvette Engine Build Experience allows them to literally build the engine for their new car.

In what is believed to be the world’s most hands-on super car program, customers who order a 2011 Corvette Z06 or ZR1 can choose an option to help assemble their cars’ LS7 or LS9 engines at General Motors’ Performance Build Center (PBC) in Wixom, Mich.

“Corvette owners are some of the most passionate – and most involved – enthusiasts in the industry,” said Jim Campbell, U.S. vice president, Chevrolet marketing. “The Corvette Engine Build Experience offers customers an unprecedented opportunity to participate, hands on, in creating the car.”

In addition to building their own engines, Corvette buyers can attend driving school in Arizona or Nevada, take delivery of their vehicles at the National Corvette Museum or watch their vehicles being built at the Corvette assembly plant in Bowling Green, Ky.

“In a way, this is a dream program for a Corvette customer. I would have jumped at the chance to build the 427 in my ’67 ’Vette, and that didn’t have half of what goes into one of these modern precision engines,” said Tom Stephens, GM vice chairman, Global Product Operations. “Today's LS7 and LS9 Corvette engines are pinnacle achievements in engineering, and to personally involve our customers in their final creation shows the depth of Chevrolet’s commitment to make lasting connections with the customer.”   

The Engine Build Experience is an option with a suggested retail price of $5,800. When a customer selects the PBC option for a 2011 Corvette Z06 or ZR1 and the dealer submits the order to Chevrolet, a special concierge contacts the customer to verify participation and help coordinate arrangements. While travel arrangements to and from Metro Detroit are the customer’s responsibility, the Chevrolet concierge helps schedule the engine build; coordinates the customer’s activities at the Performance Build Center; assists with booking local lodging and meals, and arranges local transportation.

At the PBC, the customer doesn’t merely view the engine’s assembly; he or she builds it under the supervision of and support from skilled technicians. When the engine is assembled, a personalized nameplate is added to the engine next to the builder’s name. It is then sent to the Corvette assembly plant for installation in the customer’s car.

The Corvette Engine Build Experience is possible because of the hand-assembly processes used at the 100,000-square-foot PBC. Technicians hand-build the Corvette Z06’s LS7 7.0L engine, the Corvette ZR1’s 6.2L supercharged LS9 engine and a variation of the Corvette Grand Sport’s LS3 6.2L engine. The PBC incorporates the best practices of low-volume niche manufacturers and the established quality and manufacturing standards at GM to ensure the highest-quality specialized engines.

Like all engines assembled at the PBC, Engine Build Experience engines are covered by Chevrolet’s five year / 100,000-mile transferable powertrain warranty.

The Engine Build experience is the latest program Chevrolet offers for Corvette owners. Other programs include:

• Corvette plant tour, where customers can follow their vehicle down the Bowling Green assembly line
• Corvette Museum delivery, where customers take delivery of their new Corvette at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green
• Corvette ZR1 Driving School, which offers complimentary attendance at either Bob Bondurant’s Corvette Driving School in Arizona, or Ron Fellows’ Corvette Performance Driving School near Las Vegas.

“Simply put, no other sports car manufacturer can match the level of personal customer involvement that Corvette offers,” Campbell said. “The Corvette Engine Build Experience takes this personal involvement to an unprecedented level.”
 

 

 

July 8
NEW FREE MONTHLY CORVETTE E-ZINE LAUNCHES ON INTERNET
The Registry has learned  a new free monthly Corvette e-zine, published its debut on-line issue on July 1. Described as “the premier free monthly on-line magazine for all Corvette owners, enthusiasts, collectors, restorers and aficionados,” AllAboutVettes.com is 100% advertiser-supported and is entirely free to readers – no subscription or sign-up is required.

Being edited and produced by veteran Corvette book author, contributing editor and Corvette historian Tom Benford, AllAboutVettes.com publishes a new issue on the 1^st of each month and every new issue contains more than 50 pages of upgrades, restos, history, how-to’s, tech, tips, new products, reviews, features, show coverage and more.

Additionally, AllAboutVettes.com also features prizes, monthly contests, promotions, give-aways and special offers for readers.

Manufacturers and PR agencies should email press releases and new product news relating to info@allaboutvettes.com. For advertising inquiries email adsales@allaboutvettes.com.

June 24
FIRST 2011 GRAND SPORT GOES TO REGISTRY MEMBER
On Friday, June 11th, 2010, C5/C6 Registry member Mark Thomas (X2102) and Karen Ries were at the Corvette Plant to watch their 2011 Grand Sport coupe come off the assembly line.  Their Grand Sport was the first 2011 regular production corvette to come off the line.  The vin number is 00048.   Mark drove his Grand Sport  to the end of the assembly line as, there were ten empty jobs between his Grand Sport and the last 2010 Corvette.

Mark purchased his Grand Sport from Dave Gill Chevrolet in Columbus, Ohio.  Dave Gill Chevrolet is celebrating their first year anniversary as a Chevrolet Dealer after being a Pontiac/GMC dealer for almost 20 years. 

June 22
CORVETTE -  OFFICIAL SPORTS CAR OF KENTUCKY !
Today was an Historic day in Bowling Green. Corvette is now the official state sports car of Kentucky.

For 30 years America's Sports car has  been manufactured exclusively in Kentucky. Now its the state's official sports car. Today, on the hood of a new ZR1 Corvette, Governor Steve Beshear performed a ceremonial signing of House Bill 104, which designates the iconic car as the official state sports car of Kentucky.

Bowling Green Dealers, GM Bowling Green Assembly Plant Retirees, Corvette Club Members and Enthusiasts were invited to attend the ceremonial signing of HB #104 designating the Corvette as the Official Sports Car of Kentucky.

Those attending arrived at the plant administration building (building immediately after Parking Lot D / denoted by flag poles and Corvettes on display) between 1:45PM. and 2:00PM and were escorted to the coliseum where the ceremony occurred.

At 2:15PM, Governor Beshear and other elected officials spoke at the  GM Bowling Green Assembly Plant - Employee Coliseum.

The ceremony lasted approximately 30 minutes.

Click Here for full GM Press Release

 

June 16
2010 Corvette Production Stats
Production for the 2010 Corvette Model year ended June 11, 2010. 12,194 Corvettes were produced. We've provided a breakdown of the production by Model and Color....

CLICK Here!

 

 

June 7
GM RELEASES 2011 CORVETTE MODEL YEAR PRICING!
GM has released the MSRP pricing for the 2011 Corvette. Pricing for all Corvette models except the Corvette ZR1 have increased just $20 over the prices of the 2010 Corvette.

For the ZR1, pricing has increased $2,920 to $109,800 for the base model. CLICK HERE FOR PRICE GUIDE.

 

June 4
Return to France to Honor Automotive Milestone, to Fulfill Father/Son Lifetime Dream  Lance Miller and Team Travel to Le Mans to Raise Awareness for Chip Miller Charitable Foundation

In the Le Mans Museum, currently awaiting its caretaker, Lance Miller, Partner and Co-Owner of Carlisle Events, Inc., is one of the rarest and most historic American automotive icons anywhere in the world. The magnificently-restored by Kevin Mackay and his team at Corvette Repair Inc. the #3 1960 Briggs Cunningham Corvette, the first Corvette ever to win a Le Mans Class (GT 5000) race, is ready to head back out to the track where it claimed its famous victory five decades ago.

Lance Miller -- son of the late Chip Miller, co-founder of world-renowned Carlisle Events, Inc.-- proudly is bringing his beloved father’s lifelong dream to official realization in these early days of June. On June 12th, the #3 1960 Cunningham will be piloted around the Le Mans track by its only surviving original co-driver, John Fitch, for a celebratory parade lap. The Miller Family’s Cunningham #3 – which held its winning status for over 40 years until 2001 – will be back to France’s premier racing venue with 92-year-old Fitch at the wheel deftly guiding the historic Corvette around the Le Mans circuit exactly 50 years after the history-making win in 1960.

To underscore the significance of the #3 car’s accomplishment, in 1960 the four Corvettes at Le Mans were the only cars representing the United States at the time. Not only did the #3 Cunningham win its class and hold the glory for 40 years, it only lost the title to another Corvette when, in 2001, a C5R won the GT class and ironically finished 8th overall, precisely the same as the #3 had done 41 years prior.

In a phone interview with John Fitch prior to his departure for Europe, the one-time P-51 Mustang pilot, engineer, and hall of fame racecar driver underscored the significance of these milestone victories by exclaiming Corvettes, of yesteryear and today, are true racing forces to be reckoned with due to American innovation. Fitch firmly supports "Yankee ingenuity all the way!"

Fitch went on to point out that "[Lance] is a faithful son to see his dad’s dream through" after four years of intensive logistical planning with hundreds of involved parties including General Motors. While the pomp and prestige of the Cunningham #3’s return to France is extraordinary, Lance Miller, Judy Miller (Chip’s wife), John Fitch, and Angela Morsa (President of the Chip Miller Charitable Foundation) would concur the highest goal is to honor Chip Miller. Their aim, through the fulfilled dream of returning to France with the Cunningham #3 and Fitch, is to raise much-needed awareness to the Foundation and the fight against the little-known disease called amyloidosis. It is this not-well-understood condition which cut Chip Miller’s remarkable life short with his passing on March 25, 2004.

Amyloidosis occurs when excessive amounts of abnormal protein, called amyloid, build up in one or more organs to cause a malfunction. As an abnormal protein, amyloid originates in bone marrow. The heart, kidneys, nervous system and gastrointestinal tract are most often affected by the disease.

The Chip Miller Charitable Foundation (www.chipmiller.org), as per its mission statement, was created "…to empower people with the knowledge and understanding of amyloidosis for early detection, ensuring a better quality of life for those afflicted with the disease and to help science find the cures."

Lance Miller is steadfastly hopeful that his team’s epic journey across the Atlantic will exponentially build awareness to the dreaded disease that left an irreplaceable hole in both his family’s collective life as well as the world’s automotive community.

To learn more about how you or your organization can make a difference, visit www.ChipMiller.org.

Within just days of heading to the airport to meet up with the priceless #3 Cunningham, Miller reflects on his father, mentor and best friend. "My father was often heard saying ‘life is good!’ He not only lived through these simple words, he taught me and many others to live by them as well. I’m fortunate to have had him as a major part of my life…I don’t take a second we had together for granted. ‘Dad, this trip is for you…enjoy the view!’"

Information about the Chip Miller Charitable Foundation is available to consumers and journalists via the Internet at:

www.ChipMiller.org
CONTACT: Angela Morsa, Foundation President, (215) 885-3351

New York Times Link: Lemans Reunion:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/06/automobiles/06LEMANS.html?pagewanted=1&hpw

 

May 26
SO MUCH FOR RETIREMENT!
A company called Transonic Combustion just added Bob Lutz to its board of directors, which, of course, has got everyone in the industry like me wondering, just who the heck is Transonic? It’s a California company with offices in Michigan that has come up with a new fuel-injection system that relies on high pressures and precise electronic controls. The company says it will not release more info about it, at least not yet. But it has an impressive board, including Lutz, former GM and Delphi executive Don Runkel, and private equity investor Vinod Kholsa. With people like that on its board, seems to me we’ll be hearing more about Transonic Combustion

May 24
CHEVROLET HONORS CORVETTE RACING LEGENDS
MONTEREY,  – Chevrolet saluted the men and machines that laid the foundation for Corvette Racing's success in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a special Corvette Legends of Le Mans program at the American Le Mans Series Monterey on May 21-22. The event brought together Corvette drivers and race cars of the past and present. 

Fans paid tribute to the pioneers of Corvette performance and gave a spirited send-off to the Corvette Racing team in its final U.S. race before the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 12-13. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Corvette's first participation in the world's most prestigious sports car race.

Chevrolet paid tribute to Dr. Dick Thompson, who co-drove Briggs Cunningham's No. 2 Corvette at Le Mans in 1960. Thompson was reunited with the restored white and blue Corvette that is now owned by Bruce Meyer. Dick Guldstrand appeared with the Dana Chevrolet Corvette that he co-drove with Bob Bondurant at Le Mans in 1967. The iconic red, white, and blue No. 9 Corvette was provided by current owner Harry Yeaggy. One of the star-spangled Greenwood Corvettes that went to Le Mans in 1973 was displayed courtesy of owner John Thompson. The first 2011 Corvette Z06 built (VIN 001) with special white and blue Le Mans graphics by GM Design completed the Corvette quartet.

Thompson and Guldstrand participated in a media reception on Friday, relating their experiences at Le Mans in the days when the Mulsanne Straight stretched for miles without chicanes and only two drivers shared a car. Two-time Le Mans winner Ron Fellows and current Corvette Racing drivers Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta, Johnny O'Connell, and Jan Magnussen contrasted their adventures at Le Mans with the modern Corvette C6.R race cars. On Saturday, fans lined up for autographs from Thompson and Guldstrand at the Corvette Legends of Le Mans display in the ALMS paddock.

Corvette Racing ambassador Ron Fellows drove the 1960 Cunningham Corvette on the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca circuit during a photo shoot. "I don't think I've ever had sustained goose bumps for so long," said Fellows, who scored Corvette Racing's first Le Mans class victory in 2001 with teammates Johnny O'Connell and Scott Pruett. "The first thing that struck me when I fired it up was a familiar sound – after 50 years, the cars look different, but there is still that awesome Chevy V-8 sound. I was surprised by how nice it was to drive – it starts and stops fine, and has good power. But high-speed cornering must have been interesting back then. The Kink at the end of the Mulsanne Straight must have been a real thrill for these guys back in 1960!"

Johnny O'Connell drove the 1967 Guldstrand/Bondurant Stingray, and he was impressed. "You can't drive a car like that without realizing that what those guys did was amazing," said O'Connell, the only American driver to score four class wins at Le Mans. "That car is all beast, and the strength needed to turn that thing was incredible. It really made me appreciate those guys as race car drivers and athletes. That was state-of-the-art technology in 1967, and driving a Corvette C6.R gives me an appreciation for how far Corvette has come over the years. Drivers back then were a different breed. I can't even imagine how difficult and challenging it was."

Video interviews with the Corvette Legends of Le Mans can be viewed on the ALMS YouTube channel CLICK THE LINK below:

Dr. Dick Thompson
http://www.youtube.com/user/ALMSOfficialVideos#p/a/u/0/RHxhJ62JoSQ

Dick Guldstrand
http://www.youtube.com/user/ALMSOfficialVideos#p/a/u/0/FJ_8Wlu7rsY

Corvette Racing’s next event is the 24 Hours of Le Mans at the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans in Le Mans, France. The 24-hour race will start at 3:00 p.m. CET on Saturday, June 12. Portions of the classic endurance contest will be televised live on SPEED.

 

May 13
2010 PRODUCTION UPDATE
Members – The following C6 Corvette information was released to the membership at the C5/C6 Bash regarding the 2010 model year production figures.

The following C6 production numbers are effective as of April 14, 2010:

Total Model Year Production:  10,487

COUPE Production is 25% of Total Production with a total of 2,605

• 1LT      44%

• 2LT      14%

• 3LT      39%

• 4LT        3%

EXTERIOR COLORS

• Black                                       26%

• Torch Red                               17%

• Crystal Red                             15%

• Cyber Gray                             14%

• Blade Silver                             10%

• Arctic White                             8%

• Jetstream Blue                         7%

• Velocity Yellow                         4%

NOTABLE OPTIONS BY %

• Glass Roof (RPO CC3)                                             18%

• Dual Roof (RPO C2L)                                                14%

• Automatic Transmission (RPO MXO)                        72%

• Selective Ride (RPO F55)                                          13%

• Navigation (RPO U3U)                                                25%

• Performance Dual Mode Exhaust (RPO NPP)           41%

• Base 5X5 Aluminum Wheel (RPO QG6)                    34%

• Base 5X5 Competition Gray (RPO QX1)                    5%

• Forged Chrome Wheel (RPO Q9V)                            61%
   

CONVERTIBLE Production is 8% of Total Production with a total of 856

• 1LT        8%

• 2LT      11%

• 3LT      75%

• 4LT        6%

EXTERIOR COLORS

• Black                                       23%

• Torch Red                               16%

• Crystal Red                             21%

• Cyber Gray                               8%

• Blade Silver                             13%

• Arctic White                            10%

• Jetstream Blue                         4%

• Velocity Yellow                        5%

NOTABLE OPTIONS BY %

• Black Top (RPO 41T)                                     68%

• Beige Top (RPO 35T)                                     25%

• Gray Top (RPO 37T)                                        6%

• Automatic Transmission (RPO MXO)                        84%

• Selective Ride (RPO F55)                                          29%

• Navigation (RPO U3U)                                                56%

• Performance Dual Mode Exhaust (RPO NPP)          48%

• Base 5X5 Aluminum Wheel (RPO QG6)                    21%

• Base 5X5 Competition Gray (RPO QX1)                   2%

• Forged Chrome Wheel (RPO Q9V)                           77%

GRAND SPORT COUPE Production is 31% of Total Production with a total of 3,211

• 1LT      14%

• 2LT      11%

• 3LT      65%

• 4LT      10%

EXTERIOR COLORS

• Black                                       23%

• Torch Red                               19%

• Crystal Red                             14%

• Cyber Gray                              15%

• Blade Silver                               8%

• Arctic White                              7%

• Jetstream Blue                        10%

• Velocity Yellow                          6%

NOTABLE OPTIONS BY %

• Glass Roof (RPO CC3)                                               21%

• Dual Roof (RPO C2L)                                                 18%

• Automatic Transmission (RPO MXO)                         60%

• Navigation (RPO U3U)                                                 50%

• Performance Dual Mode Exhaust (RPO NPP)            75%

• Sparkle Silver Aluminum Wheel (RPO PYC)               17%

• Competition Gray Aluminum (RPO PYD)                    11%

• Chrome Wheel (RPO PYE)                                         73%

• Grand Sport Interior Package (RPO Z15)                    21%

• Hash Marks for Fender (RPO 17A) Silver                    10%

• Hash Marks for Fender (RPO 40A) White                    2%

• Hash Marks for Fender (RPO 90A) Charcoal               4%

• Hash Marks for Fender (RPO 75A) Burgundy              5%

GRAND SPORT CONVERTIBLE Production is 20% of Total Production with a total of 2,065

• 1LT        3%

• 2LT        4%

• 3LT      71%

• 4LT      22%

EXTERIOR COLORS

• Black                                       21%

• Torch Red                               27%

• Crystal Red                             14%

• Cyber Gray                             11%

• Blade Silver                              5%

• Arctic White                             7%

• Jetstream Blue                         7%

• Velocity Yellow                         6%

NOTABLE OPTIONS BY %

• Black Top (RPO 41T)                                     79%

• Beige Top (RPO 35T)                                     13%

• Gray Top (RPO 37T)                                        8%

• Automatic Transmission (RPO MXO)                        70%

• Navigation (RPO U3U)                                               69%

• Performance Dual Mode Exhaust (RPO NPP)         79%

• Sparkle Silver Aluminum Wheel (RPO PYC)              9%

• Competition Gray Aluminum (RPO PYD)                   6%

• Chrome Wheel (RPO PYE)                           85%

• Grand Sport Interior Package (RPO Z15)     30%

• Hash Marks for Fender (RPO 17A) Silver     14%

• Hash Marks for Fender (RPO 40A) White       6%

• Hash Marks for Fender (RPO 90A) Charcoal             5%

• Hash Marks for Fender (RPO 75A) Burgundy            5%

Z06 Production is 4% of Total Production with a total of 402

• 1LZ      14%

• 2LZ      43%

• 3LZ      43%

EXTERIOR COLORS

• Black                                       23%

• Torch Red                               13%

• Crystal Red                             15%

• Cyber Gray                             20%

• Blade Silver                             6%

• Arctic White                            8%

• Jetstream Blue                        7%

• Velocity Yellow                         8%

NOTABLE OPTIONS BY %

• Navigation (RPO U3U)                                               71%

• Sparkle Silver Aluminum Wheel (RPO Q10) 12%

• Competition Gray Aluminum (RPO Q44)                  17%

• Chrome Wheel (RPO Q8A)                                       55%

• Original Chrome (RPO Q76)                                     16%

 

ZR1 Production is13% of Total Production with a total of 1,348

• 1ZR     3%

• 3ZR     97%

EXTERIOR COLORS

• Black                                       26%

• Torch Red                               13%

• Crystal Red                             11%

• Cyber Gray                             18%

• Blade Silver                               8%

• Arctic White                             9%

• Jetstream Blue                        10%

• Velocity Yellow                        5%

NOTABLE OPTIONS BY %

• Navigation (RPO U3U)                                               97%

• Sterling Silver Aluminum Wheel (RPO Q6A)             5%

• Competition Gray Aluminum (RPO Q6J)                    8%

• Chrome Wheel (RPO Q6B)                                        87%

2010 Top Genuine Corvette Accessories LPO  

• Aluminum Racing Pedal Package (RPO VEB)            6%

• Convertible Wind Diffuser (RPO VLN)                         10%

• Ron Fellows Spoiler (RPO 5V5)                                   8%

2011 CORVETTE Order Guide is now online for you to download
Pre-plan your New Corvette Order! Click Here!

May 6
CORVETTE Recall
General Motors is recalling 2005 and 2006 models for a steering-column problem. About 40,000 cars produced between March 2004 and January 2006 could be affected.

The problem is that repeated movement of the tilt-and-telescoping steering column could cause a signal interruption, resulting in a warning message appearing and the brakes coming on. This could make the sports car pull to the right or the left. If the driver doesn't respond, a crash could occur, NHTSA said. The recall began on April 30, and authorized Corvette dealers will complete the necessary repairs free of charge.

May 5
Carlisle Goes to France!
Many of you either know or have heard that I’ll be headed to Le Mans, France for the world’s most prestigious 24 hour race in the world this June. My plan is to take our 1960 Cunningham Corvette back over to Le Mans for its fiftieth anniversary – the vehicle was the first Corvette to ever win its class at Le Mans and held its title for over 40 years! My father dreamed of this effort and I’m going to follow through on his behalf. The original driver, Mr. John Fitch, now 92 years of age is still well and plans on attending the event with us.

This link shares a PDF file of the presentation I conducted last weekend in Bowling Green, KY at the National Corvette Museum that shares information on our effort:
 http://www.registryofcorvetteracecars.com/1960-bc-corvette.pdf.

This past weekend was a mind blower for me… GM ended up unveiling a 2011 VIN#1 anniversary #3 Le Mans Corvette (one of one) – this is unheard of as you can imaging. Having GM make a one off car hasn’t happened for years & years… Needless to say I was thrilled to see the car last weekend and I wanted to share the enthusiasm with all of you. Check it out here: http://www.corvetteblogger.com/2010/04/30/very-first-2011-corvette-is-a-tribute-to-50th-anniversary-of-first-le-mans-win/.

Lance Miller

 April 27
Red, White and Blue Corvette Owners – We need you!!
At the 2010 Corvettes at Carlisle show, we will again create a Corvette American Flag tribute.  This time we’re making it even better, with the addition of 54 cars for a total of 158 Corvettes needed.  The tribute will be on Friday, August 27th.

We’re looking for white, bright red and Admiral Blue (or similar) Corvettes.  T-tops are OK.  So are convertibles, if you’re willing to cover the top with a piece of red, white or blue fabric.

Flag participants need to be registered for the Fun Field.  Half of your Fun Field registration will be donated to Homes For Our Troops, which builds specially adapted homes for severely injured veterans.  This is a very worthwhile organization and we want to make sure we put together a great flag to support them and honor all veterans.  We need your help!

If you have any questions, or to apply for the flag, please email me at jennm@carlisleevents.com  or call 717-243-7855x113.  Please share with all of your Corvette friends.  Thank you!!