Last C7 Corvette Set For Auction to Benefit Wounded Veteran Charity

James Gilboy of The Drive covered the story last week about the very last available C7 Corvette, which is going to be sold at a charity auction this June. It has been confirmed that the car to be sold at an auction is a black 2019 Chevy Corvette Z06, flaunting 650 horsepower and an equal torque rating placing it robustly and firmly within the supercar category. It's the model that achieved a 7:13.9 around the famed Nurburging track in an independent test, and a perfect car to honor hard-working military members from all walks of life. 

GM, GMC, and Chevy proudly support the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which is committed to helping injured and fallen members of the military. It was named in honor of the New York Fire Department's Stephen Siller, a firefighter who was killed in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Over the past five years, GM has collaborated to provide more than $10 million into the foundation, which uses the money to build mortgage-free housing for individuals affected by seriously wounded former members of the armed forces.

The Z06 is currently scheduled to make its appearance on the auction stand on June 28, at the Barrett-Jackson event in Connecticut. Last year during a similar function, the 2019 ZR1 fetched $925,000, and so hopes are quite high for this year's model to climb into six or seven figures. It has been difficult to get any official comment about the stoppage in production for the C7, but most unconfirmed sources agree that this is the end of the road for the car for now. Six very exciting decades and as many model generations of outstanding sales success have clearly assured the Chevy Corvette of its well-deserved place in the automotive hall of fame.

As the folks on staff at Autoblog claimed, “little else in all of cardom looks as low or as long as this car in profile”. While in actuality the C7 is just a touch longer than a Porsche 911, it just has a longer and sleeker stance, and all of us here at Jim Butler agreed there was really nothing else like it on the road. Instead of coil springs, Chevy continued with composite transverse leaf springs because they provide the compact stature that delivers the Corvette's jaw-dropping appearance. The engine in the C7 made 50 lb/ft more torque than the previous model's V8, and the 0 to 60 test was completed in an impressive 4.2 seconds. Within this review by the folks at Roadshow, you see the many reasons they claim that the Corvette is “Simply one of the best performance car values available anywhere”.

Chevy C8 Corvette's July Release Date Confirmed Via Autoweek

Chevy has finally made the move to publicly state what many spy shots and heavy doses of rumors have alluded to for quite some time: the new-generation C8 is certainly coming, although a few details have yet to be ironed out. Autoweek.com reported on this topic over the last week along with these official photos, showing the car in camouflage. More details will be released July 18, and you can sign up to receive updates at Chevy's website with everything regarding the C8 here.

The unofficial buzz around the industry claims the C8 will likely be powered by the upgraded 6.2-liter LT1 V8, newly named LT2. That engine will feature direct injection, active fuel management, variable valve timing, high output, and be constructed out of aluminum. Everyone is curious about the potential of higher-powered versions, and they are rumored to be powered by a twin-turbocharged V8, most likely based on the Blackwing V8 that debuted with the CT6-V. Most experts believe that these model will boast between 900 and 1,000 hp, and there may be a hybrid version sporting an electronically powered front axle.

With these additions of electrons to the C8's powertrain, it could very well boast four figures of horsepower, and it is pretty thoroughly understood that the C8 will have an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. It has also been reported that Tremec has been developing a dual-clutch to replace the current Corvette's 8-speed 8L90 auto. Many profess that it will indeed be a very sad day for gearhead purists if the C7 truly is the last manual Corvette, and we're not positive, but may be shaping up that way. In a supposed order guide that the good folks of Jalopnik leaked, there are a lot of references to Z51, so it would be safe to assume that the high-performance package isn't going anywhere.

The rear tires look a bit fatter with 305 width, when stacked up next to the 285 on the C7. One Corvette custom that may be added into the mix is the fiberglass body, and active aero may also be present to root the car firmly at the high speeds it will be able to dish out. It also looks at this point like there will be four different options for the roof, and one is a dual roof equipped with visible carbon fiber, and a see-through top. The Performance Data Recorder is expected to be on board, and there may also be a brand-new 12-inch navigation system. Many suspected that the C8 would be unveiled last January at the Detroit Auto Show, but it was simply not the time.

This solidly proven and salacious vehicle that has been chosen 16 times for pace car duties at the Indy 500 has always stoked sheer wonder and respect in the auto realm, and the C8 is going to be one of those cars that is sure to become an instant legend. We'll keep you posted here about all the details, and we are overly anticipated about the arrival of this famed and well-engineered Valkyrie of the track!

Gm Authority Features Auction-Bound 1970 Chevy Chevelle Restomod

One of the pastimes that all of us here at Jim Butler have much love for is talking about old cars with each other. Sure, the present offerings are amazing: the bells, whistles, chrome accents, tech features, and nearly autonomous future are mighty things to behold for any auto lover. The classics are still a poignant and very unapologetic display of raw muscle, part of the many reasons for their mass appeal. The task of owning a classic car is not for everyone, since broken parts, hours of contemplation, and lack of modern engineering can make them a very time-consuming project.

The writers on staff at the GM Authority blog had a great feature this week about a 1970 Chevelle, and how they admired its style from yesteryear combined with restomod tech during a revamp to prep it as auction-ready. Barret-Jackson has taken on the duty of consigning this particular model for an auction this year in sunny Palm Beach, and we definitely don't think it will have any problems finding a very enthusiastic taker. While the design you can see here maintains its classic 1970 Chevelle looks, it absolutely possesses a few traits that will attract the buyer who loves design tones from even the likes of the Jaguar camp and a few other Italian influences.

Underneath the bulky and aggressive frame is a Schwartz Performing racing chassis, which astutely rivals some of the best in existence from the upper ranks of high-performance cars. The 6.2-liter, LS3 V8 engine makes a robust 480 horsepower, and its all mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and out to a 9-inch rear end. There are also power disc brakes from Baer, a RideTech air suspension, and an interior that is completely reupholstered in a candy apple red hue. We really enjoy how the brutishly appealing style of “Death Proof” vehicles from the Tarantino classic slowly but surely find their way into influencing everything that's good about old school muscle car remodels: this model is lean, mean, and by all means ready to rumble.

Hot Rod Magazine wrote in 1970 that “The past is gone. The future may never see a car like this. It is one of the brutes, and all it needs is a way of staying in contact with terra firma” regarding this very model that year. You can see within this great blog post that purists who think that there's “no replacement for displacement” were never truer to their roots than during the times when greats like Zappa, Pink Floyd, and Led Zeppelin were beginning to hone their chops and make their early groundbreaking records. The big block Chevelle first appeared in 1965 as the Z16, and is a very legendary piece of pristine automotive creation. Hood pins, cowl induction hood, and stereo stripes were all part of the SS Chevelle's appearance, and there is no doubt why it was instantly heralded as “King of the streets”.