Mike Furman@Criswell

I sold my first Corvette 5 decades ago (4 Generation Changes) and thought I would share some pictures and stories from over the years. Time flies that is for sure. The reason I am able to do this...my General Manager (Ken Allen) back in the day was like a Father to me and he passed away 1 yr ago and his long time Girlfriend sent me a ton of Malcolm Konner Auto Group photos. I had lost much of my collection in Hurricane Sandy a few yrs back so it was like finding Gold when I received these items. Ken Allen taught me everything I know about the car business from 1978-1989. I moved to Maryland and he retired to Vermont but we spoke several times per yr, I miss those phone calls...I ended each call thanking him for what he instilled in me. I know he got a huge kick out of my praise much like a Father for his son.

Ken Allen (1983)


Mike Furman 1983


Serving in the Service Lane, Gary Konner far right. 1983


Marty and his cart.


Mike Furman 1984


Mike Furman 1985...selling the first 1986 Olds Toronado(FWD).


My very first Corvette I owned, 1959 Corvette dual quads.


In 1985 one of my fellow salesman had challenged me to a Wrestling Match. He (Steve Powers) said I couldnt pin him in under 30 seconds. I said I could do it in 8 seconds or less...so we set a date at night after hours to all go up to my old high school gym. The match lasted 3 seconds. A ton of laughs! The back story is that I Wrestled on full scholarship for U of Maryland and Steve was incredulous that I could pin him that quick.

Gary Konner and I before the match.




Headlock throw had Steve sailing.









Konner Chevy was the top selling Corvette team from the late 60's thru 1991 when the Konner family sold the business. I enjoyed every moment working for them.





In 1986 GM and Chevrolet approved a Special Edition Corvette commemorating Malcolm Konner who had passed away suddenly a few years earlier. Only 50 were built and they came off the line all at the same time. As I remember it, many of the new owners (pre sold) and the Konner Family went down to Bowling Green, KY to drive them home...and the ones that didn't get driven home were put on transport trucks following the parade of Corvettes. To this day that special edition remains the only car ever to salute a Dealer. Malcom Konner was a great man!






I have this patch and an original front license plate from back in the day.


Every year the Konners would have a huge Corvette Show and Zora Duntov and his wife Elfie would attend along with the likes of Larry Shinoda. Any one from the NY, NJ area back then remembers these shows. The Duntov's would stay at the Konners home. I have/had plenty of autographs, the one below was on my 1988 Corvette that had belonged to Zora's personal Secretary of 25 yrs.


In 1986 a rising comedy star named Eddie Murphy was making a name for himself on Saturday Night Live. He walked in and bought 10 Corvettes for he and his "entourage"...and then the following week Joe Piscopo bought 5 Corvettes. Eddie Murphy was a "Fresh Air Kid" from Long Island, so he made some career for himself.


On a Saturday night in 1986 I took my girlfriend to Konner Chevrolet in my friends 1955 Olds for a Sock Hop in the dealership. Mr Ken Konners daughter had her Sweet 16 Birthday party there and I took everyone for rides (no seatbelts). I taught his daughter how to drive so she could get her drivers license, but not in this Olds!


In 1987 Reeves Callaway and the Konner Auto group began their partnership for selling Really Fast cars! The first year of Callaway Corvettes 188 were sold, 38 of them by Konner Chevrolet. Even the legendary Sledgehammer was sold thru Konner Chevy.


This Front plate is in my collection, it's from the 70's.


This oil reminder door jamb sticker is from a 1970 Corvette.


In 1986 I attended Corvette show at Hawthorne Chevrolet and took these pictures.







Outside the service lane late 80's.


Newspaper ad from 1989.


and Konner racing article 1989


Outside the dealership Fall 1990.


In 1993 my son Tyler and I in my 1961 Corvette.



Early 90's outside Criswell Chevy.






at Damascus Chevrolet.




Customer taking delivery of his new 2003 Z06.


In the Summer of 2004 Chevrolet sent me to VIR, one of my favorite Race Tracks to test the all new C6 vs the Porsche and BMW's.



Sept 2004...our first 2005 Corvette. Precision Red cpe 6spd manual. The customer that ordered it backed out at the last second so I bought it.



In my office at Damascus Chevrolet.


Then the next Summer GM sent me to Bob Bondurant to test the all new Z06 coming out for 2006. I met Bob on his Segway.



Met up with Dave Hill at Corvettes at Carlisle August 2005. Told him I had a Z06 on order so we talked at length about his company car, yellow Z06 behind us.


I liked it so much I ordered a new 2006 Z06 in Lemans Blue.
Here are pics of my car at the factory.




...and it arriving at Damascus with 1 mile on the odometer.





In 2011 I won the first of my two National Corvette Sales Contests that GM held. Grand prize was a week in Paris and a speed train down to the Lemans 24 hr Race. I stood on the Starting line minutes before the race started with 250,000 fans in attendance. I still get chills thinking about those experiences. Watched the race from the Chevrolet suite just above the Corvette pits.


The last truckload of C6's arrive March of 2013. Criswell had 220+ new C6's in stock that day. Sold out in 5 mos to make room for the C7.


I'm proud Adam chose me to represent his company for these Adam's Polishes Gift boxes now being sent out to any one that buys a new or used Corvette from me.







Testing the new Stingray at Spring Mountain Sept 2013.


I have tons of other pictures etc, the one I need to find is from 1979. I delivered a used 1969 Corvette to a guy and I visited him the next Sunday at his Gas Station. Go to my Corvette dedicated web site to see more info/pictures and videos. www.corvettefurman.com
Stay tuned!

Mike Furman Selling Corvettes for 37 yrs now!
301 212 4420
Criswell Chevrolet
Gaithersburg, MD
www.corvettefurman.com

jschindler

Mike, that is a fantastic piece of work documenting some highlights of your career. I envy you! Thanks for sharing your story.

Mike Furman@Criswell

I did the best I could considering I lost so much in Hurricane Sandy.

Thanks, Mike

Flh Den

What a great pictorial history. You can still see the enthusiasm in your dealings with a corvette customer. You are the best Mike, thanks for sharing.

PS. I'll bet you could still pin most of us in 3 seconds or less. My kid brother was a wrestler and I know the commitment it takes to excel in that sport.

Mike Furman@Criswell

Thank you!

Mike

skipper972

Mike, what a great life in pictures!

Mike Furman@Criswell

Thanks! It's been fun. I will be 55 this Summer so I still have some years left...hopefully. I think I have job security.

Mike Furman

rmorin1249

You tell a great story. It is refreshing to see a story about someone loving what they do for a living. Great job and I hope to do business with you soon.

jdurhan

What a great read and walk down memory lane. Mr. Konner sure was a good mentor, I'm sure he is smiling now.
I'll bet you wish you still had the Dual Quad 59 now, that was a beauty. Thanks again Mike. I always look forward to Sunday's and posts
Have a great day
Jim

DocHolliday

Mike - this is quite honestly the best post I've read on this forum. Such a fantastic collection of history and a clear indication of your passion and enthusiasm for the car that so many of us love to spend our time enjoying.

Really happy for you being able to recover some of your lost memories and thank you for sharing them with all of us.

Dadman1950

Mike, An impressive career that you and your fans are proud of!
Especially enjoyed the Malcolm Konner info, since I used to live in Westfield, NJ and frequented Malcom Konner in Paramus many times.
BTW do you remember a small NJ business that sold vintage Corvettes and Cobras called the Glass Car Company? They were in business around 1978.

3GenVettes

Mike,

For many of us cars in general and Corvettes in particular a passion that we love. For you to have incorporated that passion into a lifetime is truly remarkable and I greatly appreciate all the history that you bring to life not only with your posts but also with our personal conversations.

Your busy season is all year around and spans decades. Best wishes for this new year and the decades to come.

Larry

AORoads

It is great to have these all in pictures. Wonderful look back.

ladder13

Great pictorial, Mike. I hope you have many more years doing what you do so well.

Mike Furman@Criswell

Thank you Colonel...and Thank you for your Service!

Mike Furman

Mike Furman@Criswell

Thanks Jim!!

Mike Furman

Mike Furman@Criswell

These pictures and posts bring up many fond memories.

Mike Furman

cb98coupe

I remember Malcolm Konner Chevrolet and driving by there . It was a really nice dealership ( I believe route 4 ) I do remember them being the Corvette people when I was living in New York . Very cool Mike .....

gilbybarr

Very interesting history....thanks for sharing. Guess you have the Corvette in your blood! Love the old photos. My first was a '68 coupe, white with a red interior (photo from '74). Stayed with that color combo in my C6. Too bad I haven't been able to stay with that much hair!

Patman

Very cool post Mike! I wish we had someone like you selling Corvettes up here in Canada! It is so evident that you have so much passion for the brand!