New C-8 Reveal today in Rochester NY

[Dan D.]

Re: New C-8 Reveal today in Rochester NY

We visited the C8 Corvette at VanBortel Chevrolet. They let everybody sit in the car and were taking orders.

While sitting in the driver’s seat I felt isolated from passenger seat. There is a tall “wall” between driver and passenger. Top of the wall has a entire row of switches/buttons for various functions. Others at the dealership sad it was like being in a cockpit of a fighter airplane. The LED screen is positioned so only driver can see it. I feel the passenger as navigator needs to see it too. Seat is comfortable and a lot of leg room. Ease of entry and exit is about same as C7. No way my wife and I could fit everything for a road tour. Not even a week end trip could be managed.

The top center section is removable but is stowed in the rear extra stowage area. So if the top is off you have no stowage in the rear.

This car appears to be a race car first and street car as wishful thinking. The front spoiler is too low to handle our roads without fear of damage. Rail road tracks and driveway curbs another concern for spoiler damage. Our C7 is susceptible to this type damage if no care in maneuvering over these obstructions. I would have no interest in a C8 but it was fun checking it out. It was stated by some this is a car directed at the next generation not us old gray haired guys. Maybe that’s true. The door when open has a spear like duct trim that sticks out beyond the door perimeter that appears to be obstructive.

You will need to see it in person to form your own opinion of what you like and don’t like. All this is just MHO don’t let it influence your ideas on the car, see it for yourself and make your own opinion.

My wife and I saw the car Friday at VanBortel's. We got there a little after 1:00 and cars were lined up and down the street It was a small traffic jam. The place was mobbed. They were letting in groups of 20 or 30 people every 20 minutes to see the car. Our wait time was 2 hours.

The dealership owner, Kitty VanBortel, was there talking to the crowd, but we did not.

Lots of Corvettes were there, but only saw 1 C1. A Lamborghini pulled in and 2 guys got out and walked up to the line.

They were giving out free food. Hots, hamburgers, Italian sausage, cold drinks and chips. Large tent set up.

I don't know how many cars they sold, but I could easily see 6 or 7 over the course of the 8 hours, which if so would be about a half a million dollars of revenue. Not bad for a one afternoon showing!

I thought they would be driving it from dealership to dealership, but apparently not so. There was a large black 5th wheel trailer parked outside that said 'Corvette' on it and had Kentucky license plates.

Gene's observations are accurate. Form your own opinions, but all and all it was a fun afternoon.

-Dan-

[Michael J.]

Re: New C-8 Reveal today in Rochester NY

Wow! With that kind of hype and overcrowding, I will wait a while to let it all die down.

[Tom S.]

Re: New C-8 Reveal today in Rochester NY

Gene and Dan,
Just wondered if you noticed the Dye Transfer on the seats from bodies getting in and out. The GM Tech rep told me they plan to "scrap out" the seats every 2-3 weeks and their driver will change them. He also stated the car could not be fired up during open business hours, only while during the 4 hr each way set up and Dismantle process due to insurance/GM regulations. He said it is slightly nosier than a C-7 decibel wise. This body does not have the Waterborne Paint system on it too. It's a shame this car will eventually be crushed along with the other 5, even the blue one being rebuilt after the fender bender.

[Gene M.]

Re: New C-8 Reveal today in Rochester NY

Gene and Dan,
Just wondered if you noticed the Dye Transfer on the seats from bodies getting in and out. The GM Tech rep told me they plan to "scrap out" the seats every 2-3 weeks and their driver will change them. He also stated the car could not be fired up during open business hours, only while during the 4 hr each way set up and Dismantle process due to insurance/GM regulations. He said it is slightly nosier than a C-7 decibel wise. This body does not have the Waterborne Paint system on it too. It's a shame this car will eventually be crushed along with the other 5, even the blue one being rebuilt after the fender bender.

Tom please don’t sob. For the spotlight these cars are getting a few seats is nothing to GM. GM can not sell these cars because they are prototypes and possibly do not meet DOT requirements and legal mumbo jumbo. So to insure they do not get into the public’s hands..............the crusher gets them when GM is done with them. The C8 is definitely different and has a lot of feature others might like. But as for my taste it is too far removed from the features I like in the C7 design. As I’ve stated check it out for yourself and form your own opinion.

[Dan D.]

Re: New C-8 Reveal today in Rochester NY

Tom please don’t sob. For the spotlight these cars are getting a few seats is nothing to GM. GM can not sell these cars because they are prototypes and possibly do not meet DOT requirements and legal mumbo jumbo. So to insure they do not get into the public’s hands..............the crusher gets them when GM is done with them. The C8 is definitely different and has a lot of feature others might like. But as for my taste it is too far removed from the features I like in the C7 design. As I’ve stated check it out for yourself and form your own opinion.

Tom, I did not notice any dye transfer, but then again I was not looking for it either.

I don't plan on ordering one any time soon, but then again if it was in my garage, I would not kick it out into the street either. What money wont buy these days!

-Dan-