70 Years of Corvette

Welcome back everyone to our vehicle of the month series. This March we are going to mix it up a bit and talk about a very special vehicle type as we celebrate it's very special birthday…

As you may have heard, Corvette is celebrating it’s 70th anniversary this year, which, for eight generations, has blurred the lines between American muscle and European sports-car characteristics, while remaining an unforgettable cultural icon. The Classic Corvette Club UK were invited to feature each generation of this great marque at the London Classic Car Show this past weekend. The club's members put together a truly jaw-dropping line-up of Corvettes at Olympia, London where the three day show took place. 

The Corvette lads certainly knew how to keep things entertaining! Their stand was a real show-stopper, a genuine spectacle. Their cars were drop dead beautiful and perfectly polished, furthermore, the members were open to share their personal car stories with the public - which has entirely reinvented the whole experience of discovering and admiring each of the displayed motors. And how did they do that? Well...

(we're feeling pretty proud about this next part...)

A few weeks before the event, the Classic Corvette Club, got in touch with us to see if we can help make their celebrations extra special, and make it easy for their exhibiting members to share more about their precious vehicles than meets the eye. With the use of our Facts Discs, absolutely everyone attending the Classic Car Show UK has had the opportunity to view individual travel, restoration journals or history snippets from the impressive Corvette line-up.

There was a 1999 Corvette that has visited a friend's chateau in France (that featured on 'Escape to the Chateau DIY').

This next one, a Corvette ZR1, came all the way from the national Corvette Museum in Kentucky. It has since driven to the Corvette Fame in Valkenburg, Netherlands, had fun at Daytona International Speedway and a cheeky photo snap at the Hever Castle.

There was also a 2006 Chevrolet Corvette C6 Coupe LS2 6.0 litre V8 Auto. Machine Silver with black Targa top. Black leather interior. 3LT option pack. Z51 Performance Package. Borla custom exhaust, upgraded stereo with Apple play. Bose speakers and Head up Display. 

An impressive motor. 

If you couldn't make it to the London Classic Car Show, I want to also share this particular 1968 C3 Chevrolet Corvette with you - a personal favourite. 

It has spent a little bit of time at the mechanics, having a fully rebuilt engine (a completely rebuilt 427 big block - 390bhp). Completely solid, treated and painted chassis and new suspension was fitted. 

It got new brakes all round and was prepped, primed and left to harden (to stop any paint sinkage). 

Then it had a new interior of factory specification fitted along with original steering wheel and finally it got painted with original colour LeMans blue. Next step - new hood and glass. Final checks… and it was ready to be shipped to UK. 

Pure Beauty. And would you look at that sunrise! 

This stunning girl had a complete engine rebuild in 2017. We’re talking new pistons, rings, crank ground with new bearings, camshaft with bearings. Also new oil pump, timing chain set and gaskets.

And the most fun bit that I have learnt about her? She is available for photo shoots or videos!

All I can say is this, even the tiniest of insights into these motors helps us - the admirers, fellow enthusiasts, dreamers - to fill in gaps in our imagination and personify them. Their individual upbringing is what makes them so truly unique and eye-catching, so if your club is looking to host or exhibit at any event or showcase this year, let's get talking, and see how we can help your members give people a real show of the classic world.