Yes! I think I remember 
reading that was the plan, at least initially? IIRC the new car would be a limited production high end addition to the line, not replacing the C7 Stingray?
The Mid-Engine Corvette Plan
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Forgot to mention, keep building the regular, affordable Corvette Stingrays.
Price doesn't bother me, I've never bought a new Corvette, always used. There's nothing on them that rusts in California, and pre-heavy electronics they're reliable as the sunrise.
Price doesn't bother me, I've never bought a new Corvette, always used. There's nothing on them that rusts in California, and pre-heavy electronics they're reliable as the sunrise.
Last edited by sub006; Feb 25, 2016 at 12:15 AM.
Safety Car
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The useless rumor of the day is that Cadillac wants this car. There's talk of an internal discussion taking place over where this car best fits.
Richard Newton
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Richard Newton
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Army
Well,it's a funny thing but the historical facts and trends show something very different than that.
There has been consistent initial demand, increasing appreciation, and strong resale demand for the big 3 American iron of both the original late 60s/early 70s Ford GT40 street version and the 2005 era Ford GT. Similar demand with advance orders and deposits is already being seen for the 2016 Ford GT.
I know several collectors who have both european super cars and Ford GTs.
It is that type of demand that Chevrolet is hoping to emulate with a limited production high end rear mid engined Corvette. Whether it will succeed or not is debateable, but there is no question that it can and has been done.
There you have it.
There has been consistent initial demand, increasing appreciation, and strong resale demand for the big 3 American iron of both the original late 60s/early 70s Ford GT40 street version and the 2005 era Ford GT. Similar demand with advance orders and deposits is already being seen for the 2016 Ford GT.
I know several collectors who have both european super cars and Ford GTs.
It is that type of demand that Chevrolet is hoping to emulate with a limited production high end rear mid engined Corvette. Whether it will succeed or not is debateable, but there is no question that it can and has been done.
There you have it.
Drifting
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If the numbers for that car are really 300-400, there are a lot of options for that kind of money. I seriously doubt that a mid-engined Corvette will be an alternative for someone with pockets deep enough to afford a 488 Ferrari or any number of other exotics.
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I also doubt a mid-engined Corvette would be the LT1/LT4 mentioned in the article (for a lot of reasons, weight, space, emissions, fuel econ), it would probably be a small twin turbo V6 like the new Ford GT is going to use.
Doug
Doug
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I doubt it will be 300/400k. If so I agree it is a losing financial proposition.
The fact is the Ford GT has a bloodline that has always competed with exotics for dollars. Not so much the Corvette which has competed with other volume sports cars.
And, the concepts we have seen so far are not wildly differentiated from other mid engine supercar looks. Styling sells cars as Harley earl knew.
I would suggest that one corvette- all of them mid engine and priced reasonably would do more to keep the line fresh and marketable than this small batch thing.
I any event, the c5/6/c7 have all been excellent contenders against most competition when they rolled out. Changing the formula is probably going to happen but will alienate many older buyers and even the few younger ones like myself - but perhaps replace them with many many more. But not at $400k.
The fact is the Ford GT has a bloodline that has always competed with exotics for dollars. Not so much the Corvette which has competed with other volume sports cars.
And, the concepts we have seen so far are not wildly differentiated from other mid engine supercar looks. Styling sells cars as Harley earl knew.
I would suggest that one corvette- all of them mid engine and priced reasonably would do more to keep the line fresh and marketable than this small batch thing.
I any event, the c5/6/c7 have all been excellent contenders against most competition when they rolled out. Changing the formula is probably going to happen but will alienate many older buyers and even the few younger ones like myself - but perhaps replace them with many many more. But not at $400k.
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A real irony here is that low production and limited availability is exactly what promotes desirability - as any good marketing type knows. The trick is to announce and promote that ahead of time and create an aura of exclusivity, rather than have to disclose it at the end in an atmosphere of failure..............
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Thanks to the outside contribution of Eric Broadley and his small-block Ford-powered Lola GT that showed Dearborn the way.
All that happened AFTER Enzo said no when Ford tried to buy Ferrari. AIR it came down to Ford wanting to put "Ford-Ferrari" on the Maranello factory and Enzo insisted on "Ferrari-Ford".
It was expensive, but they finally did beat Ferrari on the track.
All that happened AFTER Enzo said no when Ford tried to buy Ferrari. AIR it came down to Ford wanting to put "Ford-Ferrari" on the Maranello factory and Enzo insisted on "Ferrari-Ford".
It was expensive, but they finally did beat Ferrari on the track.
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That's DeNuyschen (sp?) talking, the ex-Audi chief who GM hired as President of Cadillac two years ago. His cures for sales sagging include brilliant moves such as moving the entire Cadillac staff to New York City so they can see how the wealthy people they want to sell to really operate, and (yesterday) saying instead of stocking or building cars to order, having regional pre-built inventories ready for instant delivery instead of having dealers stock cars, using iPads as virtual showrooms instead (remember the Chrysler "sales banks" of the 1970's-1980's?). I don't predict a long GM career for this guy.
Wow - I "wonder" why he's the ex Audi chief............... and who in GM hired him................. could it be the former CEO, a notorious non car guy?
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Army
That's DeNuyschen (sp?) talking, the ex-Audi chief who GM hired as President of Cadillac two years ago. His cures for sales sagging include brilliant moves such as moving the entire Cadillac staff to New York City so they can see how the wealthy people they want to sell to really operate, and (yesterday) saying instead of stocking or building cars to order, having regional pre-built inventories ready for instant delivery instead of having dealers stock cars, using iPads as virtual showrooms instead (remember the Chrysler "sales banks" of the 1970's-1980's?). I don't predict a long GM career for this guy.
Hot shots with MBAs that think they'll set the world on fire....
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I would suggest that Tesla has led people away from the traditional dealership in small numbers and I'm not sure some revamping of the way we buy cars is all bad. I'm not saying I will buy a car based on an iPad presentation.
Evidently Cadillac sales slumped last year as the German luxury makes grew. Yes Cadillac continues to make some impressive cars but if no one is willing to risk a change how will the brand thrive?
Cadillac should be appealing to me and my friends if their future is bright, yet not a single person I know has considered one in memory. Not a husband, not a wife, and we surely are the demographic they need now and in the years to come.
Last edited by ChattanoogaJSB; Feb 25, 2016 at 04:24 PM.
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Tesla still does dealerships - just only factory owned ones, not franchises.
They want to keep all the profits - if they ever make one selling cars - and control for themselves. That's probably a very good thing, especially when it comes to service and maintenance of the vehicles, as many of us owners of newer Corvettes know from visiting most Chevrolet dealerships...........
I wonder who would do the service and maintenance under this proposed new Cadillac business model?
They want to keep all the profits - if they ever make one selling cars
- and control for themselves. That's probably a very good thing, especially when it comes to service and maintenance of the vehicles, as many of us owners of newer Corvettes know from visiting most Chevrolet dealerships...........I wonder who would do the service and maintenance under this proposed new Cadillac business model?
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Why not Beverly Hills, Highland park, TX or maybe closer to home, Grosse Pointe?
Or maybe he just can't stand Detroit cretins, lack of delis on every corner and is more comfortable mingling with the Hamptons or Park Avenue set?
Doug
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A $300K exotic and your going to take it to your local Chevy dealer for service with all the SUVs, Trucks, Malibu's???
I have a new Z06 and no one at the dealership knew about the free 500 mile oil and filter change required by GM. And they had to send out to get the required Mobil 1 oil. And didn't realize there are two drain plugs. Others per Corvette Forum have had similar experiences with their Z06's.
I have a new Z06 and no one at the dealership knew about the free 500 mile oil and filter change required by GM. And they had to send out to get the required Mobil 1 oil. And didn't realize there are two drain plugs. Others per Corvette Forum have had similar experiences with their Z06's.