red2012

Just curious to know if the mules and the reveal car are built somewhere in Detroit or at the BG plant or even somewhere else for that matter.

cam30era

Early C7 test mules were based on C6s, modified in Waren, Michigan. Recent C7s, including the NAIAS reveal car(s) are assembled in Bowling Green.

oldvtr

Did you get this info from someone at the factory? I thought C6 production doesn't end until sometime in February so change-over work cannot begin until then. That work will likely require a few months effort. Based on what is presented in "All Corvettes Are Red"about the C5 development experience, I suspect all C7 prototypes to date and the show car(s) are relatively hand made - especially since the frame is changed significantly from the C6.

Jet Streaming

Mules are hand built in warren Mi at a special facility. I'm going to guess the auto show cars will have already been built at Bowling Green or at least finished and painted at the plant.

cam30era

C7 prototype components are now being shipped to BG. You are correct about the frame being significantly changed. I don't know for sure, but it may be shipped in for prototype builds prior to change over in March.

Jet Streaming

What they usually do is put the new frames (most likely brought to the plant already assembled) right on the line with the other C6s this also helps when they re configure the line for full production so they can see where assembly problems might be once they start the reconfiguration process.

sspeed30043

I got to go on a GM plant tour back in 1995 , we eventually
finished at the Warren Tech Center and got to see C5's being built
by hand. Also, nothing like walking thru the Hydramatic plant with a hangover :-)

BuckyThreadkiller

They have plenty of room in BG to have a small pilot car assembly area. Remember they had the entire C6 and XLR production running there. They could be setting up the tooling for C7 and build them concurrently with the C6.

burtonbl103

Iagree and the plant has been closed for tours for months now so they can retool and build them. They are being built there now . Probably at night 3rd shift. When I did my museum delivery and was at the plant. A few of the workers told me and showed me some prototype engines ( which ended up being the ls7 a year before it was out (z06) . They said they always come in at night to build prototypes

Z_Rocks

A dealer who had actually seen the C7 (who thinks it looks like Ferrari F12) said, most the mules were mix of C6 and C7. A pure C7 is something to dream for...

Unfortunately, any of these new shots from the operator manual (that has been floating lately) I showed him, he would not respond with yes or no.

jb_va2001

I'd take that as a "yes."

jb_va2001

In August I saw a C7 mule on a trailer under a cover in BG. I doubt it had been built in BG since they were still in full C6 production and giving visitor tours daily until Sept 13. I believe they were using the C7 to get input on the assembly process from the BG team.

Cheers,
JB

cam30era

I was wrong about this. All C7 prototypes have been built in Warren, Mi. Until January 27th. Then every 37th vehicle will be a C7 engineering prototype for about one month (until C6 production ceases).

MikeyTX

Deep in the Black Forest ............. by elvs.

Adam Boca

Not true...3rd shift is only maintenance staff....