tMichaelis Corvette Perspective

Racing improves the breed…

The Mark IV’s development was a direct result of Chevrolet’s search for more performance than the W-series could find within unusual canted-deck, flat bottom cylinder head design. The secret of the Mark IV was its heads that angled the valves in two planes to create a semi-hemispherical combustion chamber with gently-curved runners and efficient valve location. The ultimate development of the Mark IV big block was the L88 Corvette. Each engine was individually built, assembled, blueprinted and tested off-line in the Tonawanda engine factory.

The word on the L88 hardly got out in 1967 and only 20 were built. Awareness grew in 1968, when 80 were delivered, followed by 116 in 1969, the last year in production. The L88’s reputation far exceeded its exposure and these 216 Corvettes have become the most sought and valuable of all Corvettes. Many were raced, gathering laurels in North America and in Europe. Others were raced less formally on side streets and service roads.

Only 80 L88 Corvettes were built in 1968; the same number of 1968 Corvettes came with the M22 close ratio, heavy duty ‘Rock Crusher’ transmission. Only 81 Corvettes with the J56 special performance brakes were built. PRO Export Preparation is so rare and unusual it doesn’t appear on published options lists for 1968 Corvettes.

Modern Corvettes boast blazing performance in their Z06 packages but their performance pales in contrast with this brutal, exhilarating 1968 and 1969 L88.

Buyers who lived in the right place, got along well with their Chevy dealer and knew the right codes and terminology could tailor their Corvette exactly to their liking and with just a little edge over even owners of comparably-powered Corvettes. One example of a tiny but significant advantage was ‘Export’ cars which avoided some of the power-robbing and weight-adding emission control equipment. No car could better benefit from incremental improvements of export preparation than the L88 Corvette.

Built off-line in a corner of Chevrolet’s Tonawanda, NY engine factory, the L88’s attributes were legendary. It was Corvette’s answer to the Cobras and Ferraris, a full-bore racing engine that appeared on paper to be sufficiently unattractive than all but the well-informed, serious racers would overlook it. The L88 option appeared on Corvette’s option list as a 430hp version of the 427 cubic inch engine. In rating the L88, Chevy quit the dyno run well below the rpm where it had maximum torque, much less maximum horsepower. In actual fact every L88 cranked out 550 or so horsepower.

Every part was individually weighed, blueprinted, fitted. You didn’t get air conditioning with the L88 engine. You could get your L88 without emissions control equipment by specifying PRO if the ordering dealer and any watchful order processor upstream let it through.

Racing improves breed, but the old time sensations are bigger, better and more exciting.

**SOURCE: Bonhams & Butterfields Auction Catalog, Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club, Friday, August 17th, 2007

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It is very hard to argue the attraction of a big block, tri-power, solid lifter, Mid-Year Corvette roadster. If there were illustrations of examples of the definition of ‘macho’ in the dictionary it’s likely the Corvette would be there, alongside avalanche-busting and cage fighting.

There is nothing, in the least, subtle about 427/435 Corvette. Rude, loud and unruly only mildly describes the engine and drivetrain’s characteristics. In a coupe the sound and furor were contained within the passenger compartment. In the roadster it was all out there in the open.

Constraining their excesses is a challenge. Their noise, tenderness, and elemental sensations are in pointed contrast to the quiet luxurious climate controlled refined sport cars that have redefined ’sporting’ in the 21st century’s first decade.

Today, however, it is those very characteristics that endear the rudest wildest Corvette to collectors.

Many people think of the 1967 Corvette as the best Corvette ever built. Its reputation owes at least something to the fact that Chevrolet never intended that it be built at all.

Chevrolet’s stingy allocation of engineering resources for the Corvette delayed the third generation Corvette. There wasn’t time for the usual model change tweaks, so the ‘67 Corvette was remarkably clean, functional and free of the fussy stylist touches that tend to clutter up the final years of a generation.

One in four 1967 Corvette buyers opted for tri-power 427s under the hood and their popularity has been affirmed by collectors ever since.

A sporting individual in 1967 who wanted the ultimate in performance with just a hint of sybaritic (devoted to pleasure and luxurious ease) accommodations, chose the 1967 Chevrolet Corvette roadster and checked off L71 on the order form. It added $437.10 to the invoice but in return the prospective Corvette owner got the 427 cubic inch/435 horsepower engine with solid lifter camshaft and three two-barrel carburetor intake. The progressive throttle linkage fed the engine off the center carb most of the time but suddenly opened up the other two-barrels when the pedal was matted.

It was in many respects the best of both worlds. Fairly docile low-and mid-range performance in everyday use while running on the center holley two-barrel with the sure and certain knowledge that another quarter inch or so of throttle movement would unleash the furies.

The powerglide automatic is a matter of personal preference, but for any Corvette collector who finds the heavy clutch of a big block four-speed to be a challenge it is a shining opportunity.

The freedom to choose from vast options list has resulted in some very unusual, and sometimes unique, combinations, especially among relatively low production models like Corvette.

That’s an attractive concept and it has continued to demonstrate its attractiveness in the subsequent 40 years until today the 427/435 hp big block Corvette is one of the most desired and avidly sought after of all collector cars.

**SOURCE: Bonhams & Butterfields Auction Catalog, Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club, Friday, August 17th, 2007

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When considering the purchase of a Corvette it is important to be armed with good information from a reliable (credible) source. For this reason, Mike Antonick’s The Corvette Black Book is a must have essential for any Corvette enthusiast or potential purchaser. The Corvette Black Book contains 160 pages including a minimum of two pages for each car produced, glossary of terms, historic dates, instructions, trend graphs, Corvette chronology, and photos/specifications. The Corvette Black Book also has an extrapolation section to help you zero-in on Corvettes with genuinely rare option combinations. This is the genuine pocket sized Corvette Black Book. Order a Corvette Black Book today!

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Investments can be risky endeavors. Stocks are at the whim of daily news breaks and the real estate market is suffering from its own ups and downs. Investing in the 21st century feels more like a night in Vegas than sensible decision making. All of this is leading some people to seek out fun alternative choices. For those individuals who desire a sound investment (and one that is more exciting than stocks and bonds) buying a classic car can be a rewarding financial venture.

An undeniably exciting market, classic Corvettes are seeing a surge in popularity as America’s love affair with automobiles is fostered by television networks like the SPEED channel, ESPN, the Discovery Channel and a growing number of high-profile events like the Barrett-Jackson auction and the Mecum muscle car auctions, just to name two.

I believe that the investment aspect of owning a Corvette is only in its infancy.

Several factors are signaling a rise in buying classic Corvettes as financial investments. For one, demand for investment-grade, vintage Corvettes has steadily increased and has a solid growth pattern that dates back to the early seventies. There is a growing number of Baby Boomers – anyone born between 1946 and 1964 – who have raised their kids, paid for college tuition and now have money to invest in hobbies and passions that have been tucked away for 20 years.

Baby Boomers hold the largest ever collection of dispensable, discretionary income, and they want something special to enjoy the wealth they’ve accumulated. Corvettes hold such an iconic status in America that they’ll always be in demand. Plus, international demand, natural disasters and auto accidents shrink the supply of Corvettes, which translates into a greater value for those that remain.

To further demonstrate classic cars’ investment potential, the duPont Registry recently compiled a list of the top 10 classic cars that will make money for their owners. Among the list was the 1967 Corvette Convertible 435 hp 427. This vehicle is the “Holy Grail” of classic Corvettes. Additionally, famed car editor Keith Martin has introduced Corvette Market, a magazine solely dedicated to the Corvette marketplace. In his recent “Guide to Car Collecting,” Martin tracks the 1,000 most expensive cars of 2006 and cites 22% (221 vehicles) were Corvettes; almost 10% (97 vehicles) were 1967s.

Corvettes are truly undervalued, especially when compared to the recent sales of some muscle cars (tin cans and Rust-o-leum) that make headlines when sold at high-profile events. These tin cans have no long-term track record other than zero to sixty, but older Corvettes, especially 1953-1972, have a solid pattern of growth that dates back to the early 1970s. What drives it? Read on…

Corvette Popularity Knows No Boundaries
Today’s market is a world market and not just restricted to North America, which is demonstrated by ProTeam’s sales in the last 12 months. From the United States to countries across the globe like Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan – and recently countries like Russia, Hungary, Croatia, Kuwait, South America and soon China – enthusiasts are digging deep into their pockets to purchase a classic car that is truly special to them. Within the next 10 years, China will become a dominant purchaser of classic cars. As China continues to industrialize, they will create pockets of wealthy people who want worldly collectibles. Even one-tenth of 1% is a lot of people in China. With more and more vehicles being sold to international customers, there will most likely be fewer Corvettes available for North American consumers.

And this rarity leads to more precious classic cars and, ultimately, a boost in value and equity. What To Buy: Over the last 15 years, the collectible car market has outperformed Wall Street, portfolios and the innocuous 401Ks. Consider these examples, 1) A 1953 Corvette bought five years ago from ProTeam for $105,000 recently crossed the Mecum Bloomington auction block for $296,625 – a steal compared to other recent auction sales this year! 2) In February 2002, a customer purchased a Rally Red 1966 ProTeam Corvette equipped with a 425 hp 4-speed for $63,500. The car was sold at the Barrett-Jackson auction in January 2007 for $143,000. 3) And a 1963 sold by ProTeam in January at auction for $255,000 made a 31% leap in price when sold six months later for a cool $367,500. 4) Three years ago, a couple purchased a ’67 black tri-power, freshly restored Corvette from ProTeam for $230,000. Since then, they’ve turned down numerous offers in excess of $400,000, unwilling to part with their “baby,” as they refer to it. 5) And how about the 435 hp black 1967 that sold in June 2007 for $467,250 at public auction…a car that sold new for around $5,000.

To make the most of Corvette purchases: Buy the best Corvette you can afford today, because the Corvette you buy is the Corvette you’ll have or want to sell some day. • Buy cosmetics – buy paint and chrome, unless you have a shop and knowledge to control your costs. • Research – arm yourself with knowledge provided in the numerous Corvette publication and hire a true expert to examine your potential purchase. • Don’t trade off cosmetics for a numbers match drivetrain because it will always cost more to restore (paint, trim, chrome, etc.) a Corvette needing restoration versus putting the proper numbers motor back in your vehicle, if that’s your venue. Numbers have become secondary to cosmetics, and it’s about time. • Realize that Corvettes are old cars and they require more attention than that new Chevy or Ford setting in your driveway (especially if they aren’t taken for periodic “work outs.”) • Be a smart seller. High-profile events like the Barrett-Jackson and Mecum Muscle Car auctions will get you more money for your car than newspaper and trade publication advertisements. Plan ahead if you’re considering selling your baby: seek good lot numbers (pay a premium if you must) and baby-sit your car during the event to answer questions and show pride in your car – it is a reflection of you, and people simply pay more if they like the seller.

Ultimately, the best part of investing in classic Corvettes is the joy of owning them. Join a club, go to a cruise-in, put your Corvette in local shows and wave to other Corvette owners, because the Sunday afternoons spent shining your Corvette, followed by a relaxing summer drive make this investment worth every penny.

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This is the world’s greatest classic car show, auction, and festival and it’s much more than an auction at the Kruse International Auction Park.

It’s a whole bunch of fun events that takes place and is hosted by the absolutely friendliest midwestern city of Auburn, Indiana (pop. 12,802). This is about the classic car culture and the extremely important role that this small city in northeast Indiana has played prior to, during, and since the roaring twenties.

Here is a list of some of the events that take place during this event of events: Hoosier Tour • ACD Festival Kick-Off Luncheon • Kruse International Auction • 5th Annual Regional Art Expo Fine Arts Fair • Sundaes on Friday Ice Cream Social • Downtown Cruise-In • Hole-In-One Contest • Club Cricket • 38th Annual Antique Show and Sale • Duesy Walk • Kids Art Tent • Parade of Classics • NAPCAR Bed Race • Cornhole Tournament • Waiter Obstacle Course • ACD Festival Night Parade • Auburn Historic Tour • Auburn Festival Antique Show • Cricket Cafe • 28th Annual Arts and Craft Show • Breakfast with the Sculptures.

Visit ACDFestival.org for event list, times, and places and hotel/motel list. Plan to arrive early and stay late and remember to choose your events of particular interest carefully as you will not be able to see it all in the short five days of your visit.

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The Better Business Bureau came out with its annual report of reports. Of the 451,814 complaints filed over the past twelve months, contractors lead the field with just over 19,000 inquiries received. Auto repair related businesses ran a distant 2nd with just under 7,000; 6th place went to new auto dealers (franchised) with 4,500 inquiries, and 25th place went to used car dealers with under 2,000 registered inquiries. As a used car dealer, there is a certain pride knowing our industry has cleaned up its act and reputation in the past decade as the number of complaints decrease. We are now securely nestled between carpet upholstery cleaners (#24) and photographers (#26). For the record, it is true that a dead man tells no tales as funeral services had the fewest complaints with only 547 reports filed. ProTeam has its sight set high as our number one goal is to inspire the same passion for the Corvette that we have in each of our customers and that begins with great service from doorway to highway.

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ProTeam Corvette’s original 21,000 actual mile Red 396-425 hp Coupe (stk. #339W) was never tested on the show circuit. Bloomington Gold 2007 was its first trip under the judges clipboard and it came away with the most elusive of prizes: The Bloomington Gold Benchmark® award. Only twelve Benchmark® awards have ever been awarded to 1965 Corvettes out of a total 172 Corvettes that have ever received the Benchmark® status. The Benchmark® can only be awarded after earning a Survivor® award (a car is judged on originality of paint/body, interior, chassis, and engine after completing a 30-mile road course) and then must be Bloomington Gold certified (rigorous scoring standards based on show quality and historic accuracy) by the Bloomington judges. Only then can a car be considered a touchstone for which all other Corvettes should be measured; not a bad couple of afternoons for a rookie. See this 1965 Red Benchmark® Corvette (stk #339W) and the eighteen Corvettes we brought home Bloomington Gold 2007 online at ProTeamCorvette.com

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It’s with great sadness that I write this tribute for Lou Groebner as Lou was a very special person and he was proof that it is not the cars that make our Corvette community so special, it is the people! The cars are what first drew us together as a magnet and now “the people” are primary and the cars are secondary.

We have Special Collections for our cars. We have Hall of Fames for our cars. We need more Hall of Fames for the special people who have done so much for the hobby… for you Uncle Lou!!

Having just returned from the Bloomington Gold show, I reflect back on the Special Collection, not the cars but the people we see each year.

Uncle Lou, you will be missed but you’ll be in our hearts and memories as you were very special and so deserving of a spot near the door in the Special Collection of exceptional Corvette people.

Louis Groebner Obituary, Chicago Tribune, June 21st, 2007

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There are two truths when it comes to marketing in the 21st century, 1) consumers are bombarded with more marketing messages than in any other time in history, 2) consumers want to feel good about themselves when they do make their purchase.

These axioms are a negative and positive for charity car raffles. How do they reach above the din to deliver their message while increasing ticket sales? Open a page in Hemmings and it would appear an impossible task. It is daunting but not impossible… for those willing to put together a winning game plan and follow through on that plan.

Having built and presided over the largest Corvette collection in the world, I am inclined to tailor my message to Corvette raffles but let me remind you that Corvettes have become the most popular raffle marque. People come back to these same raffles year after year… as long as they are reminded. America’s sports car and doing good works go hand in hand; most every Corvette club is affiliated with a charity of choice and a fundraiser planning committee.

Before putting your signature at the bottom of a sales contract and sitting with the raffle car at local cruise-ins full of high expectations on diminishing returns, let me give you two words of advice: contact and convenience. 1) Keep the people who have already donated to your charity a second (third, fourth, and fifth) chance to help your cause by compiling the names into an easy to access database. 2) Don’t make the people jump through hoops to get a raffle ticket. We live in a digital age. Think electronic from the way you choose to disseminate raffle information to the way you exchange money for a ticket.

This is a topic that is of great interest to me. I’ve been intimately involved in charity car raffles for over 20 years. I am proud to have increased ticket sales with these two principles in mind contact and convenience. Would you like to talk more? Drop me a line at: terry@proteamcorvette.com

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The Suisse Racer is a purpose-built race-proven GM export Corvette big block coupe, VIN 194375S115982. It was delivered new to GM Auto Koch in Luzern, Switzerland in 1965 and raced by the original owner Guido Wermelinger.

A freshened-up 396 ci, 500 hp 4-speed engine reside in this beast of a time capsule with special heavy duty suspension and period factory aluminum heads among this Corvette’s many pearls. The Suisse Racer is ready for the track from the interior (roll bar, race seats, and harnesses) to the subtle racing red paint scheme that is suprisingly understated.

ProTeam Corvette brought this storied Corvette out of hibernation and immediately tested its heart on the track during the MAMA (Midwest Automotive Media Association) event May 2nd, 2007 at Road America, Elkhart Lake Wisconsin. The Suisse racer received rock star treatment as it delighted the more than 60 leading automotive journalists and other VIP’s gathered to test-drive vehicles at the Road America raceway during the two-day event. It performed like a champion.

The Corvette now sits on display in Napoleon. What has set this Corvette apart is the European race history and the General Motors S.A. Bienne body/trim/engine/trim plate that is installed alongside the original VIN plate and St. Louis body/trim plate. What this elusive Corvette is missing are the historical footnotes that would allow this car its rightful spot among some the best in the marque.

If you have information on this Suisse Racer’s owner and/or race history, photos, import documentation, homologation information, FIA records, etc., let me know. Your efforts will not go unrecognized.

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