2004 Chevrolet Corvette C6 & Other News - Inside Track

C6 TeaserInspired by Gary Cowger, president, General Motors Engines, North America, and comments he made during his briefing to Chevrolet management in Traverse City, we will tease you with brief highlights of the '04 Corvette.

Mr. Cowger said, "This January in Detroit, we'll reveal the next generation of what has consistently been the most anticipated new car over the last half century. Of course, I'm talking about the C6 Corvette. Let me give you just a teaser and details about the C6.

"First, it will be more powerful. In baseball terms-and this is a quiz-think about Ted Williams' unmatched feat from 1941: his batting average. Second, it will have a more athletic stance: a longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs. For the first time since 1962, it will have fixed headlamps. Unlike the traditional pop-ups, this will allow the use of modern, high-technology lighting. You'll notice the Corvette badge is a bit different as well, trimmer and more athletic to match the stance of the car itself."

Realizing this is the Corvette's 50th anniversary year, GM is paying homage to the success of the C5-R racing program with commemorative Le Mans Blue editions of the coupe, convertible, and Z06. Other new exterior colors for '04 are Arctic White, Machine Silver, and Magnetic Red. The Z06 will have a carbon-fiber hood and revised shock valving based on extensive testing at Germany's fabled Nurburgring racing circuit. The new shocks give the suspension a feel that is "more tied down, more glued to the road," said Harlan Charles, product manager for the Corvette.

So there you have it-the new C6 will have open headlights, bigger horsepower, and a trimmer, more athletic shape. Bring it on!

And The Building Continues ...During the 50th Anniversary Celebration, over $170,000 was raised toward the building campaign planned to add an additional 60,000 square feet to the Museum. The building addition is a $6 million project for which the Museum plans to raise funds within the next two to three years. A series of fundraising campaigns is planned, and additional information and special gift incentives will be available in the coming months. The first campaign, "Building for Corvette's Next 50 Years," will conclude December 31, 2003. Donors will receive unique appreciation gifts featuring themed artwork. Donations to the campaign may be made as a "one-time" gift or can be made by pledging a specific amount each month, quarter, or year. To make donations or for more information on the building campaign, visit www.corvettemuseum.com/building/index or call (800) 53-VETTE.

On The BlockTraveling through Missouri, Minnesota, Illinois, and New York, we covered Corvettes sold at Special Interest and Collector Car Auctions. The majority of Corvettes that crossed the auction block were in average street-driven condition. There were a few in excellent restored condition. As usual, the Corvettes that commanded top dollar were those with the optional high-performance engines, rare options such as factory air conditioning on the mid-years ('63-'67), and those with low original mileage.

Few solid-axle Corvettes crossed the auction block; however, a '54 in average condition, sold for $30,000, and one in excellent restored condition changed owners for $44,500. The high sale for the early models went to a '59 roadster with the 283ci/290hp fuel-injected engine for $44,000.

All years were represented in the mid-year department. As one would expect, the high price went to a '67 coupe with the 427ci/435hp engine. It sold for $60,000. Close behind was the sale of a restored '65 roadster with the 396ci/425hp engine for $56,000. A '65 coupe with the 327ci/300hp engine and only 15,000 original miles changed owners for $35,000. In the '68-'82 series, the high sale was a '68 427ci/435hp roadster that went for $36,500. A '71 T-top with the LT1 engine sold for $24,600, followed by a '71 454ci-engined roadster with factory air for $23,000.

In the "Good Buy" department were several sales that included a '64 coupe with a non-original engine for $18,400, a '65 coupe with only 20,000 original miles and factory air for $23,200, a '70 roadster with the base engine and both tops at $10,100, and a '96 coupe with the base LT1 engine at $14,300.

The Corvette Sales Picture From Mecum AuctionIn addition to the landmark sales at the Mecum Bloomington Gold Rush Corvette auction, there were a host of Corvette sales that gave a great overview of the current status of the Corvette market. In total, 153 cars crossed over the auction block during the event. Note that the special and historic editions such as L88s and Bunkie Knudsen's Corvette are not included in these numbers.