Random Photo of the Month: The Corvette Crossed-Flags Emblem

The Crossed-Flags Emblem

The crossed-flags emblem has been a part of the Corvette since the first car rolled off the assembly line, but did you know that the first emblem actually had the American flag as one of the flags?  This was quickly changed before the first production car was completed after GM found out that using a representation of the American flag is illegal.  The red replacement flag was created in the fleur-de-lis design as a nod to the French background of the word Chevrolet.

The emblem is redesgned for each Corvette styling generation.  The photo above is the first crossed-flags emblem, a picture of a nose badge on a C1 Corvette.  The C7 emblem was recently released to the public in anticipation of the next styling generation on the 2014 Corvette.

Random Photo of the Month: The Corvette Hood Scoop

The Corvette's first hood scoop came with the first Big Block engine on the C2 Corvette Sting Ray in 1965.  This was at the start of the muscle car era, which continued until emissions regulations ended the pursuit of big engines.  The hood scoop was was further enhanced on the C3 Corvette in the years to follow, as pictured above.  Hood scoops were also a popular after market add-on signifying pure power in the muscle car era.

Random Photo of the Month: The LS1 Chevy Small Block Corvette Engine

 

 

 

The LS1 is an all-aluminum small block V8 engine first produced in the 1997 Corvette.  This compact, but powerful, engine was the third generation of GM's small block engine that had been a lasting feature of the Corvette since the 1950s. 

 

The LS1 brought the Corvette to a new level of performance.  Besides being the lightest and cleanest running engine ever to be put into a Corvette, this newly-designed small block was capable of generating an output of 345 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque--the highest output ever achieved in a production car at the time.  Tweaks and minor improvements in 2001 bumped the LS1 output to 350 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque giving the C5 Corvette a maximum speed of 175 mph and a 0-60 time of 4.7 seconds. 

 



Random Photo of the Month: Headlights on the C6 Corvette

 

 

 

Redesigned Headlights on the C6 Corvette

 

It's true that innovative design changes have been ingrained into the Corvette's DNA over the past 60 years.  However, no other design change on the C6 Corvette created a bigger stir than the covered headlights when they were introduced in 2006.  True blue Corvette owners and die-hard Corvette enthusiasts were decidedly unhappy, even angry, with the elimination of the cool pop-up headlights that had been a Corvette signature since the 1960's.  "GM is ruining the Corvette," fans lamented.  "Why are they changing something we like?"  It seemed that the car would never be the same, and that fans would reject the C6 design as a dud. 

 

That didn't happen, of course.  Now that several years have passed, we now know that car lovers didn't give up on the Corvette.  The headlight controversy came and went, and the Corvette continued to be loved by car enthusiasts everywhere.  There were even a few bright spots, pun intended.  The upgraded headlight technology was a positive for Corvette racing teams.  The shielded lights held up better in endurance races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans that included long grueling hours of night racing, and the lamps themselves emit more light.

 

I wonder what surprises will be coming when the C7 design is unveiled for the 2014 model year.  I've heard rumblings that a complete design overhaul is in the works, which is likely to cause another round of fan angst.  I don't know about you, but I'll be "waiting with bated breath." 

Random Photo of the Month: The Groundwolf Car

 

Took this photo at a Corvette show in South Dakota.  It's a nicely restored C1 Corvette.  Looks very fast.  I'm curious about the Groundwolf story.  Not sure if Groundwolf is the owner, the custom pinstripe painter, or something else.  I Googled Groundwolf and found some interesting possibilities.

 

Groundwolf is:

1.  A barrel aged IPA craft beer by DC Brau Brewing Company.  The beer took its name from hops, an ingredient prevalent in IPA beer recipes.  The hops plant is called "groundwolf"  because it overgrows neighboring plants.

 

2.  A swift-running ground dwelling spider known for its hunting prowess.  Ugly, hairy, and quick to pursue it's prey--not something I hope to ever encounter.

 

3.  A transformer categorized as a laser beast with land attack powers.  Whatever that means.

 

Groundwolf also is a popular internet name in various places.  

 

My curiosity about the Groundwolf car is now even more intense.



Photos from the Black Hills Corvette Classic 2012: Hot Summer Nights

Hi Corvette fans.

I'm recently back from a road trip to the Black Hills Corvette Classic (BHCC) in South Dakota. This is a fantastic annual Corvette event held in one of the most scenic areas of the country. I can report that the weather was warm and sunny throughout the trip, no surprise there.

We spent our first night in Sioux Falls to attend the Hot Summer Nights festival in downtown Sioux Falls. The festival was well attended by Corvettes this year.  Photos below.

Interesting vanity plate.  Says "Keepn it" but there's a for sale sign on the top left corner of the windshield. 

This is an incredible 1963 split window coupe that was prominently parked at an intersection at the event.  The car had a historical license plate from South Dakota which was a sharp addition to an amazing car.  Wow!

 Notice the Corvette Wave "glove man on a stick" next to the seat.  Save the Wave!

This is actually the back end of a trailer attached to a C5.  The trailer is an exact replica of the car.  I like the "shoes" plate.   I may need to borrow this thing the next time we go traveling in the Vette.  You can never have too much room for shoes!  

As you can see, a good time was had by all.  See you next year.

Random Photo of the Month: Black Hills Corvette Classic

Hot Summer Nights in downtown Sioux Falls

It's that time of year again, Corvette fans, time for the Black Hills Corvette Classic.  Hurray!  The "BHCC" is an awesome Corvette event that crosses the state of South Dakota starting in Sioux Falls and ending in Spearfish.  The 2012 BHCC is July 17-21.  This year's schedule includes Corvette drag races, charity poker runs, autocross races, road tours, seminars, and more.

The BHCC is one of my favorite Corvette events.  If you go, don't miss Hot Summer Nights on Wednesday, July 18.  It's sure to be one of the best summer festivals of the year. 

NCM Motorsports Park

Video (link) from the National Corvette Museum describing the new motorsports park being constructed across the freeway from the museum.

I'm looking forward to seeing this once it's done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo1iZvbDk0Q

Random Photo of the Month: Lowest Original Miles on a 1972 Corvette

This is a picture of the 1972 Corvette convertible with the lowest original miles:  only 4 actual amiles on the odometer.  That's one for the record books.  I took the picture at the Bloomington Gold Corvette show in 2007.  The photo below lists the factory installed options on the car and the VIN number.

It would take a lot of will power to keep this one in storage rather than driving it.  What a beauty.

Speed Post by D: Live Mecum Auction

The Mecum Auction is being broadcast on the Velocity Channel today through Saturday.  The broadcast is featuring mucles cars and collectibles at the live auction being held in Indianapolis this week.

Speed Post by D: Corvettes Win at Laguna Beach

Corvettes placed first and second at Laguna Beach in the ALMS series this weekend.  This is the second consecutive win in the GT class by Corvette in the series by the #4 car for Corvette Racing.  Congrats Corvette!

See more at
http://www.alms.com/articles/what-day-monterey-corvette-wins-gt-steals-show

Random Photo of the Month: The 427 Engine

The 427 Engine

This is a photo of a gorgeous C2 with a 427 engine that I saw at a show a few years ago.  The first 427 engine was offered on the 1966 Corvette in two versions, a standard L36 at 390hp and a high performance L72 at 425hp.  The 427 transformed the Corvette, placing it with the top muscle cars of the era.  The 0-60 rating of the L72 was 4.8 seconds, blazing speed that marked this car as the fastest production Corvette offered to date. 

The Big Block 427 engine eventually led to the development of the distinctive "stinger" hood scoop design in 1967.  These are nice looking cars. 





Random Photo of the Month: C5 Rim Reflection

I took this photo on a sunny summer day in the Black Hills of South Dakota.  The rays of the sun created a sparkling reflection that bounced off the rims onto the road.  Cool!





Speed Post by D: Formula 1 Racing

The Formula 1 race from Bahrain is being televised on the Speed Channel this morning.  In progress.  Started at 7:30 am Eastern time (6:30 Central).

Random Photo of the Month: The ZR1 Corvette

The Ultimate Corvette

Dubbed "the ultimate Corvette" by GM, this amazing car received numerous Car of the Year awards when it was first introduced in 2009.  It's been all uphill from there.  The 2012 ZR1 comes equipped with a handcrafted LS9 supercharged V8 engine that produces 638 hp and a top speed of 205 mph. 

I think I'm in love.

Random Photo of the Month: The C6 Callaway Corvette

Callaway Corvettes at Bloomington Gold in June, 2011

The C6 Callaway Corvette package includes a list of delightful upgrades including a 652 hp supercharged engine, increased flow rate fuel injectors, an upgraded cold air intake, an upgraded stainless steel exhaust, a "Powerbulge" hood, exclusive Callaway "Supercharged" badging, and more.  In 2012 Chevrolet is re-releasing the RPO B2K Callaway package to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Callaway option by offering the Callaway as a 2012 Limited Edition Corvette. 

We actually saw Reeves Callaway, founder of the Callaway Corvette, on-site at the Bloomington Gold event in 2011 in a promotional appearance with the Callaway Corvettes above.  Nice cars. 

Reeves Callaway started his career as a driving instructor at Bob Bondurant's High Performance Driving School in 1973.  He later became well-known for his aftermarket turbocharger kits that eventually led to his Callaway Corvette fame.

Speed Post by D: The Rolex 24 at Daytona

I'm announcing "Speed Post by D" as a new feature in My Corvette Blog.  "D" is my Better Half.  He's a Corvette Racing fan and a big time TV watcher.  These posts will feature updates and notices of various Corvette appearances in races, TV shows, and other media events.

This first post is a heads up that the Corvettes are racing in the Rolex 24 at Daytona today and tomorrow (a 24-hour event).  This race is in the Grand-Am series and is being televised on the Speed channel.  Live audio is also available on line on the Grand-AM Road Racing website at http://www.grand-am.com/
Continuous updates of the standings are also posted on this site (click LIVE NOW).

Not My Favorite Car

Here's a link to the top ten strangest looking cars (including a Corvette) at the Barrett Jackson car auctions this month.  That's one ugly Corvette.  What a shame.  It was a perfectly good car when it left the factory...

http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/ten-strangest-cars-barrett-jackson-auctions-211740816.html

Random Photo of the Month: Solid Axle Corvette Club

 

The Solid Axle Corvette Club (SACC) is a devoted the "solid axle" C1 Corvette, produced from 1953 to 1962.  The solid axle refers to the rear axle housing of the early Corvette which was a single "straight" shell that included the rear differential and the rear axle parts.  The solid axle was replaced by an independent rear suspension starting with the 1963 model year. 

Many beautifully restored C1 Corvettes are owned by SACC members.  I took this photo at the Bloomington Gold show in 2007.