C7 2014-19

My story of searching for, buying and restoring my 1967 Corvette Roadster goes back many, many years. It started after getting married, graduating from college and landing a full-time job. This is when I began my quest to find a mid-year Corvette as my daily driver. But let me begin the story years earlier so I can explain how I got to that point.

During the last two years of high school and the four years that I was in college, I worked part time in a gas station. We lived in an affluent area in northern New Jersey so I had plenty of opportunities to repair and drive high-end cars of the time. The mid-year Corvette was one of my favorites. Besides working at the gas station, I had my own small restoration and body shop and had developed a reputation in the area for doing fabrication and fiberglass repair on Corvettes.

Future Collectible: 2013 Corvette 427: The 2013 Corvette 427 Convertibles are no longer being built (since the new 2014 C7s are well into their production cycle), but these special Corvettes will become highly sought after and collectible from here on in. With a limited production run of 2552 units and the highest priced model in 2013 (at $76,900), the 427 Convertible basically has guaranteed collectability written all over it.

An easy-drivin’, head-turnin’ ’66 Corvette turns heads and wins trophies

This ’66 “Coupester” is a complete frame-off resto-mod, powered by an LS7 engine mated to an automatic transmission. It features SSBC disc brakes all around, Bilstein shocks, single mono-leaf carbon fiber transverse springs (front and rear), complete custom interior, console with Auto Meter gauges, vintage A/C, and many more subtle mods, including charcoal graphics.

Of course, Corvettes (of all generations) are wildly popular. It only stands to reason that there are about a gazillion “accessories” for them. I’m not talking about wing kits and carbon fiber scoops, either. I’m talking about the toy industry. Everything from kiddie pedal cars, Power Wheels, model kits, RC cars, ad infinitum…

Apollo 12 astronauts (L-R) Charles 'Pete' Conrad Jr., Richard Francis Gordon Jr., and Alan LaVern Bean with their identical 1969 Corvette Stingray coupes. The coupes features a 390-hp, 427 V8 and black-accented Riverside Gold color scheme designed by Bean. Photo by Ralph Morse / Time & Life Pictures / Getty Images.

Shortly after returning from his historic flight to space in 1961, Alan Shepard got a surprise gift from General Motors -- a dazzling white 1962 Chevrolet Corvette.

The gift would spark a budding relationship between NASA astronauts and the automaker, and experts say the association helped to define the Corvette as the iconic American sports car.

When the enemy is at the gates, you arm yourself and brace for an attack. When you are the enemy, you let loose a fusillade. With high-priced exotics and domestic sports cars alike in its crosshairs, we already knew the 2015 Corvette Z06 was out for blood; our deep dive on the car told us all we needed to know on that count. But official power figures had been kept secret. Now that they’re out, it’s clear that the Chevy is going to be beating down some gates.

As you may have noticed, the auction world is L88-crazy right now. These Corvettes have always been a strong draw with well-heeled collectors, and with the recent jaw-dropping sales of a 1967 model and another L88 headed to Seattle in less than two weeks, enthusiasts are waiting to see if the crazy prices will continue. But this time it’s a C3 version, which have been missing the limelight as of late, so GM Authority thought we’d give this 1969 L88 some consideration.

After purchasing a new carpet kit, remove the pieces from the box and lay them out flat. This will help take the folds and creases of packaging out of the rug before it goes into the car. If the weather permits, lay the carpet outside in the direct sun with the plastic backing facing up- allowing the sun’s heat to soften the mold and ease in the installation.

In case you’ve been out of touch with the Corvette world for the past few decades and weren’t aware of this show (highly unlikely!), each August the Corvette faithful swarm the Carlisle, PA fairgrounds. This event is by far the largest Corvette gathering in the world, boasting more than 5000 examples of America’s Sports Car each and every year.

Not only is there the massive 82 acre field of cars to peruse, there’s also owner participation in autocross, dyno testing, burnout contests and a full-on parade through historic downtown Carlisle. And let’s not forget the Corvette giveaway, a huge swap meet, an all-Corvette car corral, a Manufacturer’s Midway and Installation Alley.

Chevrolet announced today that it will make the Corvette Atlantic and Pacific concepts from last year’s SEMA show available as special design packages for the 2015 Corvette Stingray.

The two design packages will be available from the launch date of the 2015 Corvette, which is slated to go on sale later this year. Chevrolet says a strong a response from enthusiasts helped influence the decision to put both the Atlantic convertible and Pacific coupe into production.

“One of the design goals for the Corvette Stingray was to provide customers with the flexibility to tailor the car to their personality,” said Kirk Bennion, Corvette exterior design manager. “The Atlantic and Pacific Design Packages were originally designed to showcase how the Stingray could be configured as a luxury sport GT car or as a high-performance motorsport car.”