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2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Starts at $51,995
DETROIT – The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray coupe will have a suggested starting retail price of $51,995, and the Corvette Stingray Convertible will start at $56,995. Both prices include a $995 destination fee but exclude tax, title, and license.
“The 2014 Corvette Stingray perfectly embodies Chevrolet’s mission to deliver more than expected for our customers,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet marketing. “The Corvette Stingray delivers a combination of performance, design and technology that very few manufacturers can match, and none can even come close for $52,000.”
Standard features on the all-new 2014 Corvette Stingray include:
- Seating with lightweight magnesium frames for exceptional support, and eight-way power adjustment
- Five-position Drive Mode Selector that tailors up to 12 vehicle attributes
- New seven-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Matching
- 6.2L LT1 V-8 engine with direct injection, Active Fuel Management, continuously variable valve timing and an advanced combustion system
- Carbon fiber hood on all models, and a carbon fiber removable roof panel on coupes
- Aluminum frame that is 99 pounds lighter (45 kg) and 57-percent stiffer than the previous model’s structure
- Advanced, high-intensity discharge (HID) and light-emitting diode (LED) lighting
- Dual, eight-inch configurable driver/infotainment screens, with next-generation – Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system and rear vision camera
- Bose nine-speaker audio system with SiriusXM Satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, USB and SD card and auxiliary input jack
- Keyless access with push-button start
- Power tilt/telescope steering wheel
- An all-new, fully electronic top on the convertible that can be lowered remotely using the key fob
As shown at the North American International Auto Show, the Stingray coupe fitted with the major available options would be $73,360, including:
- 3LT interior package, with leather-wrapped interior ($8,005)
- Z51 Performance Package ($2,800)
- Competition sports seats ($2,495)
- Exposed-carbon-fiber roof panel ($1,995)
- Magnetic Ride Control with Performance Traction Management ($1,795)
- Dual-mode exhaust system ($1,195)
- Carbon fiber interior trim ($995)
- Sueded, microfiber-wrapped upper interior trim ($995)
- Red-painted calipers ($595)
- Black-painted wheels ($495)
The 3LT interior package includes: Bose 10-speaker surround-sound audio system; SiriusXM Satellite radio with one-year subscription and HD radio receiver; color head-up display; memory package; navigation system; heated and ventilated seats with power lumbar and bolster adjustment; premium Napa leather seating surfaces; and leather-wrapped dash and instrument panel, console and door panels.
The Z51 Performance Package includes: high-performance gear ratios; transmission-cooling system; larger 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels and tires; larger, slotted rotors and brake-cooling ducts; electronic limited-slip differential and differential cooling system; unique chassis tuning; and available Magnetic Ride Control active-handling system with Performance Traction Management. Equipped with the Z51 package, the Corvette Stingray is capable of accelerating from 0–60 mph in under four seconds, and more than 1 g in cornering.
About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.5 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.
Monte Doran
Camaro, Corvette
Phone 313-665-4243
Mobile 313-348-2317
monte.doran@chevrolet.com
Source: Chevrolet
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United States Postal Service Puts Its Stamp On Mecum In Indy
Muscle Car Stamps Dedication Tour Continues at Original Spring Classic May 14-19
Walworth, Wis. – As the original, largest and best muscle car auction in the world, Dana Mecum’s 26th Original Spring Classic has established itself as the premier venue for all things muscle and consequently the perfect place for the U.S. Postal Service to highlight its five new limited edition stamps featuring iconic muscle cars. The stamps will be featured on display and be available for purchase throughout the entirety of the Indianapolis auction this May 14-19 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
Surrounded by the tens of thousands of muscle car enthusiasts that attend the auction each year, the Postal Service will celebrate the raw power of the American performance vehicle at the Spring Classic event with two stations where the stamp collections will be featured. Available in everything from uncut press sheets for framing to envelopes with affixed prints, the highly collectible stamps feature the 1966 Pontiac GTO, the 1967 Shelby GT500, the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona, the 1970 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda and the 1970 Chevelle SS. Not surprisingly, Mecum’s Indy auction lineup is already flush with several representative examples of each of these five iconic muscle machines.
“The Muscle Cars stamps celebrate an exciting era in American automotive history,” said Greater Indiana District Manager Bernice Grant. “Typically equipped with big, powerful engines, these high-performance vehicles first roared onto our roads in the 1960s.”
The Muscle Cars Forever stamps are the third issuance in the America on the Move stamp series. The artwork was created by Tom Fritz of Newbury Park, Calif., under the art direction of Carl T. Herrman of North Las Vegas, Nev. The Muscle Cars stamps are being issued as Forever stamps in self-adhesive sheets of 20 (four of each design).
The U.S. Postal Service’s stamp stations will be open each day of the six-day auction. Customers may view the America on the Move: Muscle Cars Forever stamps as well as many of this year’s other stamps on Facebook at facebook.com/USPSStamps, on Twitter @USPSstamps or on the website “Beyond the Perf” at beyondtheperf.com/2013-preview – the Postal Service’s online site for information on upcoming stamp subjects, first-day-of-issue events and other philatelic news.
Thirty-two hours of Mecum’s Indianapolis auction will be broadcast live on Discovery’s Velocity Network with the entire auction streaming live on Mecum’s website at www.mecum.com. The Indy auction is open to buyers, sellers and spectators. Gates open at 8 a.m. each day and general admission can be purchased at the door for $20 per person; children 12 and younger will be admitted at no cost. For more information on the auction or to register as a bidder, visit www.mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050.
About Mecum Auctions
Nobody sells more than Mecum. Nobody. The Mecum Auction Company is the world leader of collector car and Road Art sales, hosting auctions throughout the United States. The company has been specializing in the sale of collector cars for 26 years, now offering more than 15,000 vehicles per year and averaging more than one auction each month. Established by President Dana Mecum in 1988, Mecum Auctions remains a family-run company headquartered in Walworth, Wis. For further information, visit www.mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050. Follow along with Mecum’s social media news and join us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram.
About the United States Postal Service
A self-supporting government enterprise, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 151 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes. The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. With 32,000 retail locations and the most frequently visited website in the federal government, usps.com, the Postal Service has annual revenue of more than $65 billion and delivers nearly 40 percent of the world’s mail. If it were a private sector company, the U.S. Postal Service would rank 35th in the 2011 Fortune 500. In 2011, the U.S. Postal Service was ranked number one in overall service performance, out of the top 20 wealthiest nations in the world, Oxford Strategic Consulting. Black Enterprise and Hispanic Business magazines ranked the Postal Service as a leader in workforce diversity. The Postal Service has been named the Most Trusted Government Agency for six years and the sixth Most Trusted Business in the nation by the Ponemon Institute.
Auction Schedule:
Dana Mecum’s 26th Original Spring Classic
Indiana State Fairgrounds
1202 E. 38th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46205
May 14-19, 2013
Admission:
$20 per person per day, children 12 and younger admitted free
Preview:
Gates open daily at 8 a.m.
Auction:
Vehicles start Tuesday through Sunday at 10 a.m. with Road Art Tuesday through Friday at 9 a.m., Saturday (Grumpy’s Stuff) at 8 a.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.
Live TV Schedule: Wednesday-Saturday 1-9 p.m. (All Times Central)
Source: Mecum Auctions
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Stephen Cox: Mercury Cyclone for Dummies
As under-appreciated muscle cars go, the enigmatic Mercury Cyclone is about as obscure as they come. But I still love them.
First of all, “Cyclone” was a cool name. Most modern car names are garbage. The Intrigue wasn’t. The Hummer didn’t. The Citation couldn’t go fast enough to earn one. The Probe… well… insert your own joke here. And every Prizm, Tempo and Aztec ever built should be loaded aboard the Enterprise, launched into space and used for photon torpedo practice.
But “Cyclone” was an awesome name for a car. And today, that car is shockingly affordable and among the best buys on the muscle car market.
Let us now delve into the mysteries of this wonderful machine with a brief, general discourse on chronology and basic identification.
Many listings only mention the Cyclone beginning in 1968, when technically, the Cyclone was introduced as a sub-model under the Mercury Comet (another cool name) in 1964. The Cyclone became a separate nameplate in the Mercury lineup in 1968; hence the confusion. The 390 cubic inch V8 engine was standard equipment for the GT version in ‘68.
A new “CJ” model became available the following year. Offered only in ’69, the CJ came with a special handling package, four-speed manual transmission and a 335-hp 428 engine that actually produced nearly 500 horsepower. The one-year-only CJ was truly a wicked street machine and remains among the most desirable Cyclones on the classic car market.
The smokin’ hot Cyclone instantly drew the attention of Mercury executives who wanted to cash in on the growing popularity of NASCAR racing. After all, Ford’s high-winding 429 big block engine was available and the Cyclone was already blessed with the aerodynamically friendly “Sportsroof” (Ford’s commercial name for the fastback configuration). A marriage with the 429 seemed the perfect means of whacking the competition in NASCAR.
So Mercury hopped up the model’s image with the new Cyclone “Spoiler” in 1969. Optional engines included the 351, 390, and the stupid fast 428 with Ram Air package. The car was an amazing street machine with any engine, but the 428 Cobra Jet-equipped Cyclone Spoilers were simply off the chart.
Yet from a competition standpoint, there remained one big problem. The Cyclone (including the Spoiler version) had an extremely peculiar front grill that featured receding concaves inside each headlamp. These concaves were a styling hit with the public but an aerodynamic nightmare on the racetrack, collecting huge amounts of air at high speeds in parachute-like fashion.
Mercury engineers solved the problem in the most simplistic way. They re-designed the Spoiler’s nose. The new front end was longer and included a new, straight grill that was slightly narrower and eliminated the concaves entirely. The result was dubbed the “Cyclone Spoiler II,” and it was this body style that would go into action on NASCAR tracks.
Both the Spoiler and Spoiler II were available in street versions. Surviving cars are easily distinguishable by checking the front end. The concave, “W grill” cars are Spoilers; those with flat noses are Spoiler II’s.
On the track, the NASCAR version of the Cyclone Spoiler acquitted itself well by scoring eight wins in two seasons despite the dominance of the legendary Plymouth Superbird.
But in 1970, both the Spoiler II and the CJ were dropped from the Cyclone lineup. The Spoiler II fell victim to NASCAR rules that rendered the aero cars obsolete. The CJ was destroyed by unelected government busybodies bent on preventing humanity from having any fun.
Still, the Cyclone didn’t go down without a fight. The Spoiler remained in production and was now available with a stripped down, emissions-approved version of the once-mighty 429.
The GT version was also available in 1970 with a sporty trim package and an assortment of engine options.
By 1971, sales were waning and the Cyclone was no longer a stand-alone model. The only way to get one was to order a Mercury Montego with the Cyclone option package. And there was no chrome Cyclone badge to be found anywhere on the car. The Cyclone name was recognized only by a small decal just behind the wheel on the front quarter panels.
The 351 Cobra Jet was now the top engine option as government regulators slowly strangled the performance market to death. By 1972 the party was over. The Cyclone disappeared from the Mercury lineup.
The most sought-after models today are the Spoiler and Spoiler II versions. The 1968-70 GT’s are a relative steal, with pristine models available for under $20,000.
If you’re in the market for a unique, authentic muscle car with killer performance at a bargain basement price, the Mercury Cyclone will be hard to beat. Here is a list of Cyclones that sold at the Mecum auction in Houston last weekend:
• 1968 Cyclone GT with 390 engine and 4-speed manual transmission, $16,000
• 1969 Cyclone CJ with 428 engine and automatic transmission, $19,000
• 1969 Cyclone Spoiler with 428 engine and 4-speed transmission, $26,000
• 1969 Cyclone Spoiler II with 351 engine and automatic transmission, $22,000
• 1970 Cyclone GT with 429 Cobra Jet engine and 4-speed transmission, $20,000
• 1970 Cyclone Spoiler with 429 Cobra Jet engine and automatic transmission, $30,000
• 1971 Montego Cyclone with 351 engine and automatic transmission, $24,000
Stephen Cox
Sopwith Motorsports Television Productions
Co-host, Mecum Auto Auctions
#20 Boschett Timepieces/Ed & Co. Racing Supplies ARCA Truck
Read Stephen’s book on the Can Am Champion L&M Porsche 917 – free online
http://www.facebook.com/SopwithMotorsports
http://www.twitter.com/SopwithTV
http://www.youtube.com/SopwithMotorsports
Photo Credit: Mecum Auctions
Source: Global Media/Sopwith Motorsports Television Productions
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Auctions America Announces Exciting List of Attractions for its Auburn Spring Collector Car Weekend
· Final countdown underway to Auctions America’s Auburn Spring collector car weekend, May 9 – 11 at the historic Auburn Auction Park in Auburn, Indiana
· Sale lifts the gavel on approximately 500 quality collector cars and features full day of memorabilia
· Latest auction highlights include a 1930 Packard Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton, a 1938 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Coupe, and a very rare 1967 Ford Fairlane 500XL R-Code in addition to the previously announced John Soneff estate collection
· Weekend also features broad range of ancillary events, including a meet and greet with Richard Rawlings of Discovery’s hit TV series, Fast N’ Loud, along with BMX and Jet-Powered Smart Car demonstrations
· Digital catalog now available online at auctionsamerica.com
AUBURN, Indiana – As its highly anticipated annual Auburn Spring sale draws closer, Auctions America is delighted to announce an exciting list of additional attractions for the multi-day event.
In addition to the auction and the previously announced Antique Automobile Club of America Central Division National Spring Meet and Carlisle Events’ car corral and swap meet, the upcoming Auburn Spring weekend will feature a series of attractions for the whole family. Hot rod aficionados will have the opportunity to meet Richard Rawlings, star of Discovery’s hit TV show, Fast N’ Loud and owner of world-renowned hot rod shop Gas Monkey Garage during a special appearance at the Auburn Auction Park. Richard will be onsite May 9 for an autograph session in the main auction arena. The Saturday event program also incorporates extreme entertainment for all ages, including the high-flying, interactive Solution Action Sports BMX demonstration, as well as a Jet-Powered Smart Car demonstration, the latest creation from Wild West Entertainment. Full attraction details are available at auctionsamerica.com.
“This year’s Auburn Spring event offers a complete collector car weekend for motoring enthusiasts,” says Donnie Gould, president, Auctions America. “In addition to a diverse roster of quality collector cars and memorabilia slated for the auction block, the weekend will also incorporate a number of other attractions set to celebrate the automotive hobby. We look forward to welcoming clients new and old back to the Auburn Auction Park for what promises to be another memorable weekend.”
Savvy collectors are also well catered for with more than 500 collector cars expected to cross the auction block during the weekend. Leading a long list of recent highlights confirmed for the sale is an AACA National First Prize winning 1930 Packard Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton, richly presented in black with green leather interior and a black convertible top and fitted with the desirable “Super 8” inline eight-cylinder engine. The sale will also lift the gavel on a striking 1938 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Coupe with Fleetwood coachwork and finished in yellow with a new red leather interior and black canvas top. Equipped with a desirable V-16 engine measuring 431-cid, 185hp, it features twin carburetors and a three-speed column-shift manual transmission along with skirted fenders, streamlined louver trim, a vee’d “egg-crate” grille, covered dual sidemounts with attached mirrors, and abundant and distinctive brightwork; along with a meticulously restored, Candyapple Red 1967 Ford Fairlane 500XL R-Code showing just 2,877 miles from new and featuring an extensive, documented period drag racing history.
Additional recent entries include:
· a freshly-restored 1903 Cadillac boasting excellent performance by the standards of its day and featuring 12-spoke wood wheels fitted with white tires and eye-catching brass components;
· a desirable 1929 Hudson Dual Cowl Phaeton with coachwork by Biddle and Smart, and one of only seven known to exist;
· a handsome 1935 Lincoln Mark K V-12 Series 301 Seven-Passenger Limousine powered by a 150hp, 414-cid V-12 engine with three-speed manual transmission and recognized as a Full Classic by the Classic Car Club of America; and
· a freshly-restored 1952 Jaguar XK120 SE Roadster complete with Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certification
In addition to the automobiles, the Auburn Spring sale will also feature a dedicated single-day of automotive memorabilia on Thursday, May 9, including select pieces from the respected John O’Quinn and Wade Jennings Automotive Artwork collections.
A limited number of consignment opportunities for the Auburn Spring auction are available. For further information or to discuss consignment opportunities, please contact an Auctions America specialist toll free at 877-906-2437 (or +1 260-927-9797 outside of North America) or visit auctionsamerica.com.
EVENT DETAILS – AUCTIONS AMERICA AUBURN SPRING
Sale dates: May 9, 2013, auction commences at 12 p.m. ET; May 10-11, auction commences at 10 a.m. ET.
Preview dates: May 8-11, doors open at 9 a.m. ET.
Location: Auburn Auction Park, 5536 County Rd. 11A, Auburn, Indiana, 46706
Admission: A full event pass can be purchased for $25; daily passes are available for $10 each. Children 12 years and under will gain free admission. Please note the auction brochure/catalog does not include admission into the park.
Full event details and a digital copy of the catalog along with a frequently updated list of consignments are available online at auctionsamerica.com. For those unable to attend the event in person, Internet, absentee, and telephone bidding options are available, and the auction will stream live at auctionsamerica.com to provide real-time coverage of the event.
About Auctions America
Formed in July 2010, Auctions America specializes in the sale of American classics, European sports cars, Detroit muscle, hot rods and customs. Headquartered at the historic Auburn Auction Park in Indiana, Auctions America boasts an expert team of full-time vehicle specialists, who offer over 140 years of combined experience buying, selling, racing and restoring collector vehicles, making them uniquely qualified to advise on all aspects of the hobby. To learn more about Auctions America, visit auctionsamerica.com, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @auctionsamerica.
Photo caption:
1938 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Coupe (Photo Credit Teddy Pieper © 2013 Courtesy of Auctions America)
Media Information:
Meghan McGrail – mmcgrail@auctionsamerica.com or 519-437-3061
Beth Ridenour – bridenour@tprm.com or 407-474-6698
Source: Auctions America
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Mecum Kicks Off Spring With $25 Million Auction In Houston
Walworth, Wis. – It was not a quiet weekend for Houston’s Reliant Center as Mecum Auctions brought the sounds of revving engines and falling hammers echoing through the venue packed with collector vehicles and car enthusiasts from across the nation. The three-day auction held April 4-6 saw 1,034 cars cross the block and nearly 200 pieces of Road Art and memorabilia. With a sell-through rate of 72 percent, auction sales reached a $25,062,931 total.
The cars were the stars filling the Reliant Center to capacity with an incredible “something for everyone” mix of muscle cars, classics, hot rods and more. Discovery’s Velocity Network broadcast the auction action live all three days as a total of 740 cars exchanged hands.
Hammering at $220,000 and garnering the top sale was a 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback (Lot S134) with its original drivetrain and interior. The local-to-Texas restoration is a low-mile and extensively documented example of its breed, one of only 499 built and a one-owner vehicle for the past 20 years – all coveted features that helped drive the desirability of this already revered muscle car. Bringing a $185,000 sale and grabbing the second seat on the top 10 sales list was an extremely rare-production Cadillac, a 1931 V-12 Roadster (Lot S159.1) complete with accessory trunk and rumble seat complementing its distinguished vintage flair.
The complete top 10 sales for Mecum’s second annual Houston auction include (all sales reflect hammer prices):
1. 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback (Lot S134) at $220,000
2. 1931 Cadillac V-12 Roadster (Lot S159.1) at $185,000
3. 1954 Buick Skylark (Lot S130) at $140,000
4. 1959 Chevrolet Corvette Resto Mod (Lot S227) at $135,000
5. 2009 Dodge Challenger (Lot S258) at $130,000
6. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe (Lot F190) at $125,000
7. 1972 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS (Lot S254) at $125,000
8. 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe (Lot F233) at $122,000
9. 1958 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible (Lot F203) at $107,500
10. 1970 Plymouth Superbird (Lot S251) at $107,000
For access to complete auction results and other member benefits, sign up for the free InfoNet service offered at www.Mecum.com.
Not only was Houston a marked success, but Mecum proved once again that two auctions in one weekend isn’t too much for the world leader in collector car and Road Art sales. As more than 1,000 cars crossed the block in Houston, nearly 200 tractors simultaneously went under the hammer at the Spring Gone Farmin’ Vintage Tractor Auction in Davenport, Iowa, April 5-6 achieving an astonishing 98 percent sell-through rate. Full results for the tractor auction are also available via the Mecum InfoNet.
The gavel never rests for long in Mecum hands and in just weeks the next event will be held in Kansas City, Mo., April 25-27 followed by Dana Mecum’s 26th Original Spring Classic this May 14-19 in Indianapolis. To consign a vehicle or to pre-register to bid at one of Mecum Auctions’ upcoming events, visit www.Mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050.
About Mecum Auctions
Nobody sells more than Mecum. Nobody. The Mecum Auction Company is the world leader of collector car and Road Art sales, hosting auctions throughout the United States. The company has been specializing in the sale of collector cars for 26 years, now offering more than 15,000 vehicles per year and averaging more than one auction each month. Established by President Dana Mecum in 1988, Mecum Auctions remains a family-run company headquartered in Walworth, Wis. For further information, visit www.mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050. Follow along with Mecum’s social media news and join us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram.
Source: Mecum Auctions
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