New "Country Club" race facility to openClub Motorsports Inc. (CMI), which is developing New England's first motorsports country club (www.clubmotorsports.com) in Tamworth, New Hampshire, has a new twist on things. A first-of-its-kind concept for New England, Club Motorsports' Valley Motorsports Park development is located in wooded land off Route 25 in Tamworth, approximately two miles west of the intersection of Routes 25 and 16. Described as a "ribbon through the woods," the road course will be available for use by its members, much like a golf country club. It's expected to begin operations in August.
There will be no stands or stadium seating, as the road course isn't designed to be a spectator facility. The $14-million Valley Motorsports Park development includes a 3.3-mile, 21-turn, European-style road course for drivers of cars and motorcycles to develop and practice their driving skills and attend performance and safety driving schools. In addition, Valley Motorsports Park will feature a vehicle dynamics area for driver development, short- and long-term garage buildings, a locker room and shower facilities, vehicle maintenance facilities, and a professional driving school. The Clubhouse will feature spectacular views of the White Mountains, function rooms, a pool, tennis courts, an automobile museum, additional locker rooms, a closed-circuit media center, short-term lodging, and an elegant restaurant on its top floor.
Anyone interested in a membership or job opportunities at the facility should contact Scott Tranchemontagne (603) 625-5713, ext. 222. If you need us, we'll be at the club.
A Piece Of HistoryThe National Corvette Museum is offering enthusiasts a chance to own a piece of the original Corvette assembly plant in Flint, Michigan. The plant, which gave birth to America's first 300 Corvettes, was razed in 2003. The National Corvette Museum was able to acquire the bricks, and they're available to collectors for a $100 donation. Each brick will be numbered; specific serial numbers can be requested for a $200 donation. To order a Flint brick, call (800) 53-VETTE or visit www.corvettemuseum.com/flint-bricks.
And There's No Waiting ListMattel has released its Hot Wheels version of the new C6 Corvette. This 1:18-scale Corvette highlights the features of the new model with a detailed LS6 engine compartment and doors that open to a realistic-looking interior. The wheels also turn. Hot Wheels and Chevrolet Corvette have worked in partnership for the past 36 years to produce Corvette Hot Wheels models for all ages. For this model, both companies worked side by side to ensure authenticity, with the Hot Wheels team making frequent visits to Detroit. Commemorate the introduction of the C6 before it hits the showrooms.
On The BlockBarrett-Jackson Auction RecapCorvette Prices SoarIn January, Barrett-Jackson held its annual Scottsdale, Arizona, special-interest and collector-car auction. It drew record crowds for the four-day event, and over 700 cars crossed the auction block with total bidding exceeding $34 million. The high Corvette sale went to an '87 Callaway "Sledgehammer" coupe at $205,000. This Corvette was modified by Callaway and recorded a top speed of 254.76 mph. Close behind was the sale of a restored '53 Corvette, one of only 300 built, which found a new owner at $195,000.
Normally we report about Corvettes at or above the $50,000 threshold, and there were 35 cars over that level at the Barrett-Jackson Auction. These sale prices are not the norm, and our latest data indicates the '53-'82 models are showing positive appreciation results. Many are reflecting double-digit appreciation, however, not at the level of prices reported at this auction. If this is an indication of upcoming prices, this is certainly good news for Corvette owners.
The early models ('53-'62) were well represented with 19 Corvettes up for sale. A restored '54 in showroom condition brought $100,000, followed by another '54, modified with C4 Corvette suspension, brakes, and a 327ci/350hp engine that sold for $98,000. A restored '59 fuel-injected Corvette went for $110,000 and a red, fuel-injected '62 with a body-off restoration brought $94,000.
The mid-year models ('63-'67) led the $100,000-plus parade with seven cars selling at that level. Top honors went to an L89 aluminum-head '67 roadster (one of 16 built that year) at $195,000. A '63 Sebring Silver coupe with the original fuel-injected engine and 40,000 original miles changed owners at $137,500. Of the other five $100,000-plus sales, four roadsters and one coupe, all with original matching-numbers 427ci/435hp engines and documentation, sold in a range of $105,000 to $135,000.
A '68 T-top with a rare L88 engine, 427-430, one of 80 with this option, sold at $157,000. Also reaching the $100,000 mark was a '72 T-top with an LT-1 engine and the ZR-1 package, one of only 20 built.
A very rare '91 Callaway twin-turbo Speedster with a ZR-1-based engine drew a considerable amount of attention. It was one of two built, and went to a new owner for $175,000. Representing the late-models was another Corvette from the Callaway stable. It was a '97 Callaway C12 coupe that was owned by the late Ely Callaway Jr., founder of Callaway Golf. Final sale bid: $105,000! The same bidder purchased all four of the Callaway cars.
Following are the sales results for Corvettes at this auction:Legend: R=Roadster, C=Coupe, T=T-top, CW=Callaway Turbo, CWR=Callaway Roadster, CWS=Callaway Speedster, CRC=Challenge Race Car, GS=Grand Sport Replica, ZR-1=High-Performance Coupe.
Source: A&B Investments, Ltd., publishers of the Vette-N-Vestments Corvette Price Guide and monthly Corvette Market Letter.
To get pricing information on your Corvette, simply head to www.corvettefever.com. Once there, click on "What's It Worth?" and you'll find additional information and instructions on securing a personal response from Bob Kroupa regarding your Corvette's value. You can also send your letter to: Bob Kroupa, Corvette Fever, On The Block, P.O. Box 77764, Greensboro, NC 27417-7764.