92 year old LaLanne Still Enjoys Corvettes

Jack LaLanne is America’s oldest and most loved fitness expert. He opened the first modern health spa in America in 1936 and brought physical fitness to national TV in 1951. His inventions include the first weight pulley machines using cables, the first weight selectors, and the first leg-extension machine. He was the first fitness trainer to have women work with weights, and he encouraged the disabled and elderly to exercise for their own health. But there’s something you probably don’t know about Jack LaLanne.

His passion has always been fast cars-the faster, the better. In-between his fitness routines and motivational talks across the United States, Jack gets behind the wheel of his fourth Corvette, an ‘05 coupe. Yes, you read that right: Jack LaLanne, at 92 years young, is the proud owner of America’s premier 400hp supercar. Figuring he was the oldest Corvette-owning celebrity alive, we asked him for an interview. Somewhat surprisingly, he agreed.

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Who Buys Corvettes?

Chevrolet sold 36,000 Corvettes in 2006 (source: GM). J. D. Power and Associates reports that 47% are sold to people age 36-55 and an astounding 40% are sold to customers age 56 and up. Not surprisingly, 84% of Corvette buyers are men (source: J. D. Power).

 

GM Corvette Engine Assembly LS2

Corvette engine assembly animation.

 

650 HP Supercharged Blue Devil Corvette Cannot Be Stopped

It appears the “Blue Devil” Corvette already is so quick it has even outrun a freeze on large and powerful rear-drive cars at General Motors, and it’s not even finished yet.

“That one is too late to stop. That’s almost finished. It’s in the final stages of tuning,” Bob Lutz, vice chairman in charge of product development, told CARandDRIVER.com during a recent interview in which he outlined a series of rear-drive projects that have been put on hold until the auto maker knows how strict the proposed new corporate average fuel efficiency (CAFE) regulations will be.

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Tom Cruise’s 1958 Corvette

 

1958 Silver Blue Corvette

 

Z06 Ron Fellows Edition in U.K.

The Corvette Z06 ‘Ron Fellows edition’ has been introduced to mark the contribution of the Canadian racer to the success of the Corvette racing programme and is available in strictly limited numbers in the UK.  Just 399 are planned for production, with 33 destined for Europe.  The highly exclusive model is distinguished with Ron Fellows’ autograph, the first signature to appear on a Corvette in the brand’s 54-year history, plus unique Arctic White paint accented with a racing-style fender stripe, a full-width racing-type rear spoiler and polished 10-spoke aluminium wheels.  Just six of the Corvette Z06 ‘Ron Fellows edition’ will be available in the UK.

 

Sales Down in Europe

Total2005

Total2006

Jan-Mar2006

Jan-Mar2007

Variance

% Diff

Mar 06

Mar 07

Corvette

1,332

1,270

330

348

18

5.5%

162

136

 

How the Corvette Revolutionized the Sports Car Industry

Harley Earl was an automobile design expert at Chevrolet who noticed the influx of small European sports cars into the United States after World War II. He knew there was a market for a two-seat roadster and convinced Chevrolet to introduce their own version: The Chevrolet Corvette.

In 1953, the first Corvette’s were unveiled. The cars were unique in their construction. Instead of the steel bodies common for the time, the Corvette was actually built from a much lighter material—fiberglass. This innovation, combined with its Earl-designed appearance, however, was still not enough to make the car an overnight success.

At the time, Chevrolet was known for producing inexpensive, but unexciting vehicles. The Corvette, despite its sex styling and innovative construction was “just another Chevy” at heart, and lacked the performance sports car enthusiasts craved. The original Corvettes featured a less-that-impressive V6, a two-speed automatic transmission, and a brake system taken directly from the regular Chevy line. In essence, the original Corvette was a sports car in appearance alone. Sales lagged and there was even talk of discontinuing Earl’s pet project after a few years.

Sales were simply too low. Although the fiberglass design wowed potential buyers and critics within the sports car industry and the appearance of the Corvette was beyond reproach, the car simply lacked the kind of performance those searching for a true sports car expected to find.

Then came Zora Arkus-Duntov. The Russian émigré and engineer found a home at Chevrolet, and a project in the Corvette. In 1955, Chevrolet introduced its first V8 engine. Arkus-Duntov redesigned the V8 especially for the Corvette and placed the bigger, more powerful motor into the small-bodied car. He also replaced the old two-speed “powerglide” automatic with a 3-speed manual transmission. Suddenly the Corvette was no longer just a pretty face. The Corvette became a legitimate competitor for the other major U.S. sports car, Ford’s Thunderbird, and its popularity soared dramatically. Arkus-Duntov is often considered the father of the Corvette due to his line-saving alterations.

Over fifty years later, Corvette remains a leading name is sports cars and is currently offering its sixth generation of products, including a rumored high performance model known as the Blue Demon.

The Corvette is now known as the “poor man’s super car” and is noted for its relative affordability and impressive reliability records.

But before there was a Blue Demon, a Z06, or any of the Corvette C classes that sports car enthusiasts love today, there was Harley Earl and a cute design with a V6 they called the Corvette. Chevrolet embraced the idea of a truly American sports car, and with the help of a Russian émigré, built one of the most popular and lasting sports car labels in the world.

http://autos.savvy-cafe.com/how-the-corvette-revolutionized-the-sports-car-industry-2007-04-07/

 

1959 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster – Sold at $410,101

This car is number 7,565 of the 9,670 Corvettes produced in 1959. This car is one of the 745 factory built 290HP fuel injected cars. We have really been enjoying owning this Corvette. I am the third owner. The feeling this car gives you either as a driver or passenger is pure bliss. This is a very tight first generation Corvette. The suspension provides good support. It is a car that can be driven and enjoyed just as much on the road as in your Corvette decorated garage. We logged just under 300 miles on this Vette Saturday, March 25th, 2007

This car shows one exterior respray of the original Roman Red paint. Only 1,542 Corvettes in 1959 were produced in Roman Red. This is a factory two-tone paint optioned Corvette with Shorecrest White coves. This original body is in exceptional condition. The factory bonding seams can be seen underneath the finish on the front fenders at the proper locations. The fit and finish on this car is very nice. This is an older single stage non-clearcoat paint. It appears to be Laquer. It has been hand polished to a mirror shine. The body shows a smooth, straight surface. The door jambs and trunk area still show original paint. Inside the glove box is a factory decal describing GM’s revolutionary new paint finish. The exterior shows good paint adhesion all over.

This Corvette still wears the original exterior stainless trim and chrome. Never restored, the brightwork on this car could be taken to the next level with fresh chrome or enjoyed as it is. The chrome on this car has definately aged with grace. We prefer the original look. It is hand polished and looks great. After all, this car is such a time capsule to begin with!

This is one of only 745 built 290HP special fuel injected Corvettes of 1959. This is still evident by the factory high redline tachometer, fuel injection emblems and mounting holes, breather ducting vent, and the date coded (1B Main Case) original Borg Warner T-10 close ratio 4 speed transmission. Today the engine is a 1979 Corvette 350 block. We do not have the fuel injection unit or original block. The 350 c.i.d. engine is rebuilt and runs strong. It has been fitted with this cars original valve covers, exhaust manifolds, and a C1 Corvette breather to appear stock.

• This car shows a total rebuilt braking system
• replaced lug nuts and studs
• new Firestone Deluxe Champion wide whitewall tires
• Original wheels restored with spare
• polished original hubcaps/spinners
• date coded original 12 volt generator w tach drive
• shocks have been replaced
• stock rear end with 3.70 gears
• 350 c.i.d. NOM rebuilt
• factory dual exhaust
• date coded original Borg-Warner T10 close ratio 4-spd. transmission
• White soft top
• AM/FM Corvette custom cassette (ipod ready) w dual cone speaker
• windshield washers
• heater

 

New Corvette Forum

Huntington Beach, CA — April 6, 2007 — SmokinVette.com, a Huntington Beach, CA privately owned Corvette Forum, would like to announce our completion of Stage II web design. The site was designed by Corvette enthusiasts for the Corvette enthusiast. The sites intended purpose is to showcase and provide answers to your every day questions regarding Corvette maintenance, technical, aftermarket upgrades, product review, do it yourself guides, performance vendors and much more.

Corvette owners are able to register for a free profile where they can post or answer questions, upload their “SmokinVette” photos and video’s into our Vette Gallery. This “Corvette forum is open to all generations of Corvettes” including: C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6 and Z06 Corvettes. Once registered within minutes a complete profile can be set up showcasing the owners Corvette.

Corvette forum is open to all generations of Corvettes

SmokinVette.com has two main project Corvettes: #1 is a 2005 Z51 Automatic transmission. This car has received a complete make over that includes:

Lingenfelter/Starcraft Hood, Rear Fascia, Chin Spoiler and Side skirts, AP Racing Big Brake kit, Magnuson Super Charger, B&B Bullet’s, B&B X Pipe, Lowered, Z06 Quarter Panels, Black Powder Coated Z06 Wheels, Bilstein Sport Shocks,170 thermostat, Nology “Hotwires”, Lingenfelter Air Intake, Custom Tune by Haddad Motorsports, Boston Pro 60 6 1/2″ 2 way w/1″ Alloy dome tweeters (front speakers), Boston SL 65 2 way 6 1/2″ (rear speakers), 2 JL Audio 10″ subs in custom made box, Alpine PDX 600 Watt Amp (powering front speakers) & Alpine PDX 1000 Watt Amp (powering the rear subs).

This Corvette is nearly ninety percent complete and dyno’d with current modifications at 489 HP / 490 TQ. Upcoming modifications include performance suspension, Snow Performance water/methanol injection, Meziere electric water pump, Kooks 1 7/8″ headers and 3″ X Pipe.