Ordering off the sheet, vs. take whatever the dealer had on the lot

[Michael J.]

I am curious, after talking to some other people about another make where ordering off the order sheet was discouraged and even impossible, how many C2s were "special order" at the dealer (in other words, you checked the boxes and waited for your car as personally equipped) vs. ones that just got taken off the lot as is, no choices.

It would seem, since there is such a variety of equipment on C2s today, many must have been ordered as desired by the new owner.

[Bill H.]

Re: Ordering off the sheet, vs. take whatever the dealer had on the lot

Michael: The 1964 Coupe I own was ordered by the previous owner, with specific options she wanted, in July 1963, and delivered to her in Sept. 1963. I do have both the original order sheet, and the delivery sheet, and the options do match, as the car was ordered.

[Dennis O.]

Re: Ordering off the sheet, vs. take whatever the dealer had on the lot

When I ordered my '67 coupe in March of '67, I had pored over the available options for several weeks before placing the order. An L79, because I could disguise it as a 300 and get cheaper insurance. I was 24 at the time and they did send someone to check it. The 300 HP sticker on the air cleaner lid really fooled 'em; didn't even notice the finned aluminum valve covers! An AM/FM radio because that was all that was available, even though I cringed at the price. Tinted windows and a leather interior because they were relatively cheap. Of course a 4 speed and a 3.70 rear end with posi-traction. Power brakes because 4 wheel un-assisted discs were a bit much for my then wife. Sunfire yellow because that's what she wanted as well. I believed then and believe now that that color was a poor choice for a coupe. That's about it. I seem to remember that if you wanted one "off the lot", it would probably be a white convertible with powerglide (more appeal to the general public). Oh yeah, the car equipped that way stickered at $4995. I got him down to $4130, because at that period of time, most of the potential buyers were salivating over the new "Mako Shark" styled car that was coming out in '68. Even though I now have a '68 yellow convertible, I'm glad I didn't wait.

[Michael D.]

Re: Ordering off the sheet, vs. take whatever the dealer had on the lot

...how many C2s were "special order" at the dealer (in other words, you checked the boxes and waited for your car as personally equipped)...

What you mention as "special" actually describes the typical new Corvette order process. Most Corvettes were ordered by their original owners, but keep in mind, dealerships could also order cars.

[Terry D.]

Re: Ordering off the sheet, vs. take whatever the dealer had on the lot

Michael I would say most cars were ordered. The smaller Chevy stores did not want to get stuck with a Corvette at the end of the year. With so many options, it would be hard to know what the public wanted. I worked at a medium sized Chevy store in Kent Ohio in the 60"s and they would get one, maybe two new Corvettes when they first come out, but after that it was order only. Most people who spent that kind of money (as mentioned in previous post, over $4000) wanted to pick their options and color combos. There were some dealers, one in Akron in particular, who would take all the Corvettes he could get at the end of the year from the factory. Because of the rebate program GM had he could sell them as brand new at a really good price............................................. .......... Terry

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Ordering off the sheet, vs. take whatever the dealer had on the lot

I am curious, after talking to some other people about another make where ordering off the order sheet was discouraged and even impossible, how many C2s were "special order" at the dealer (in other words, you checked the boxes and waited for your car as personally equipped) vs. ones that just got taken off the lot as is, no choices.

It would seem, since there is such a variety of equipment on C2s today, many must have been ordered as desired by the new owner.

Almost all cars in the 50'S & 60'S were ordered. Most dealers had just a few cars to look at & were low option bait & switch cars. Only the big dealers even had a Corvette at the dealership.

[Terry M.]

Re: Ordering off the sheet, vs. take whatever the dealer had on the lot

My first Corvette (1969) had been customer ordered and production delayed so the original customer moved on. I took it "from the floor." I don't know how you want to count that one. My second (the 1970 LT1) was dealer ordered and I took it as soon as it came in. It was close enough to what I wanted (mostly that engine) that I was willing to sacrifice the other items. I have learned to love it over the years.

I once ran into a person with a 1969 Corvette from the same dealership who bought that from stock. The dealer had ordered the same colors (in & out) as mine, but that one was a drop top with a 400 hp engine. It would have made a nice mate to mine. I think that dealer had a Jones for blue/blue cars.

[Michael J.]

Re: Ordering off the sheet, vs. take whatever the dealer had on the lot

Thanks guys, that's what I thought happened, just checking more experts since I was not financially able to get a new car until the late '70s . My '67 L71 was also ordered, mostly without options, and with a "PLS RUSH" designation on the tank sticker, so he wanted it fast. But I have found at least one car in the '60s that was not ordered but produced in batches and shipped to dealers for take it or leave it sales. That was the Shelby Mustang. All information shows they allowed no checking of boxes, cars were just equipped mostly the same way, with a set % of paint and interior colors, and the dealers would commit to a certain number without any control over what they got. I just thought that was odd, and it was compared to Corvette, which cost about the same in the day.

[Ken R.]

Re: Ordering off the sheet, vs. take whatever the dealer had on the lot

I "special" ordered my 65 in Dec 64 as I prepared to graduate from college. No way was I not getting just what I wanted. Vicki would have liked an automatic, but no way was I having a powerglide in my corvette back then. As others have said, most dealers didn't want to have an expensive corvette setting on their showroom floor. A high school friend also ordered his 67 from same dealer.