tMichaelis Corvette Perspective

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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1967 Corvette Historical Facts (condensed version)
The 1967 Corvette Celebrates its 40th anniversary this year (2007) and marks the end of the Corvette’s second generation (1963 to 1967). The 1967 Corvette is unequivocally the high water mark or holy grail for Corvette collectors in the know and has an appreciation record that tracks well back to the mid 1970’s with many selling for the six figure range today.

Recently a 1967 Corvette coupe VIN #22940 (known as the Last Sting Ray) sold for $660,000.00 and the preceding day a 1967 L-88 received a bid in excess of 1.5 million dollars.

A. 1967 Corvette were produced from September 1966 through July 1967 with a total production of 22,940 of which only 8,504 were coupes.

B. 1967 Corvette had functional side fender vents with five slots.

C. 1967 Corvette had a blue GM Mark of Excellence label attached to the back of each door above the latch.

D. 1967 Corvette engine combinations were: 327-300 hp (6,842 produced), 327-350 hp (6,375 produced), 427-390 hp (3,832 produced), 427-400 hp (2,101 produced), 427-435 hp (3,754 produced), 427-435 with aluminum heads (16 produced), 427-430 [L-88] (20 produced).

E. 1967 Corvette L-88 engines exceeded 500 hp but were intentionally understated to restrict its appeal to non-racing clients.

F. Some of the rare options were: C-48 heater & defroster deletion (35 produced), L-88 engine (20 produced), L-89 engine (16 produced), M-22 heavy duty transmission, N03 36 gallon fuel tank (2 produced), and N89 cast aluminum bolt-on wheels (720 produced).

G. 1967 colors were: Tuxedo Black (815 produced), Ermine White (1,423 produced), Rally Red (2,341 produced), Marina Blue (3,840 produced), Lyndale Blue (1,381 produced), Elkhart Blue (1,096 produced), Goodwood Green (4,293 produced) , Sunfire Yellow (2,325 produced), Silver Pearl (1,952 produced), Marlboro Maroon (3,464 produced), and ten (10) 1967 Corvettes had non-standard paint or just plain primer.

H. The 1967 was the last year of the famous Sting Ray (two words).

source: Corvette Black Book, Mike Antonick (2006)

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1965 Corvette Historical Facts (condensed version)
The 1965 Corvette production marked the end of the famed Rochester fuel injection and the beginning and end of the famed 396-425 hp Corvette Big Block!

A. 1965 Corvettes were produced from August 1964 through August 1965 with a total production of 23,564 of which only 8,186 were coupes.

B. 1965 marked the last year of the Rochester fuel injection (771 produced).

C. 1965 marked the first and last year of the 396 ci-425 hp engine for the Corvette (2,157 produced).

D. 1965 marked the first year that four-wheel disc brakes were available as standard equipment.

E. 1965 Corvette engine combinations were: 327-250 hp (2,551 produced), 327-300 hp (8,358 produced), 327-350 hp (4,716 produced), 327-365 hp (5,011 produced), 327-375 hp (771 produced), 396-425 hp (2,157 produced).

F. Some of the rare options were: C-48 heater and defroster deletion (39 produced), F-40 special suspension (975 produced),J61 drum brakes/credit (316 produced), N03 36 gallon fuel tank (41 produced), N14 side mount exhaust (759 produced ) and 4.56:1 ratio rear end (789 produced). Other very rare racing options also were available but that information has not been printed as of yet.

G. 1965 colors were: Tuxedo Black (1,191 produced), Ermine White (2,216 produced), Nassau Blue (6,022 produced), Glen Green (3,782 produced), Milano Maroon (2,831 produced), Silver Pearl (2,552 produced), Rally Red (3,688 produced), Goldwood Yellow (1,275 produced), and five 1965’s had non-standard paint or primer.

H. Chevrolet built two 1965s after production officially ended July 31st.

I. The first 1965 was painted 1964 Satin Silver and coded ZZ (Cadillac’s code for the same color) and currently belongs to a ProTeam client.

source: Corvette Black Book, Mike Antonick (2006)

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1961 Corvette Facts (condensed version)
1961 Corvettes were produced from September 1960 through July 1961 with a total production of 10,939. All 1961 Corvettes were convertibles with over half receiving an auxiliary hardtop.

A. Exterior styling was facelifted for 1961. It was the first Corvette without heavy “teeth” in the grill area. The rear was completely restyled with four taillights, now a Corvette tradition.

B. Exhausts exited below the body on 1961’s

C. The grill for ‘61 was finished in argent silver

D. Popular & Optional Engine Combinations Were: 283ci, 315hp engine (fuel injection) - 1,462 produced; 283ci, 270hp engine (2×4 carburetor) - 2,827 produced; 283ci, 245hp engine (2×4 carburetor) - 1,175 produced.

E. RPO-687 included special front and rear shocks, air scoops/deflectors for front brakes and air scoops for rear brakes, metallic brake facings, finned brake drums with cooling fans, and quick-steering adaptor of which only 233 were produced!

F. This was the last year for use of 283ci engines in Corvettes. This was the last model with “wide” whitewall tires.

G. 1961 Colors were: Tuxedo Black - 1,340 produced; Ermine White - 3,178 produced; Roman Red - 1,794 produced; Sateen Silver - 747 produced; Jewel Blue - 855 produced; Fawn Beige - 1,363 produced; Honduras Maroon - 1,645 produced.

H. Jewel Blue exterior paint was exclusive to 1961

I. Contrasting cove colors were last available in ‘61, as were dual-four carburetors.

1962 Corvette Facts (condensed version)
1962 Corvettes were produced from August 1961 through August 1962 with a total production of 14,531. All 1962 Corvettes were convertibles with over one-half receiving an auxiliary hardtop.

A. Engine displacement for 1962 increased from 283ci to 327ci. Dual-four barrel carburetors were not available. 1962 Corvettes could not be ordered with coves painted to contrast body color. This was the first model with rocker panel moldings. The conventional trunk design of the 1962 was the last until 1998. This was the last year for electric generators and solid rear axles. This was the first year to have tires with narrow whitewalls. The grill for 1962 was finished in black anodized, gold anodized, or gold anodized painted black.

B. Popular & Optional Engine Combinations were: 327ci, 340hp engine - 4,412 produced; 327ci, 360hp engine (fuel injection) - 1,918 produced; 327ci, 300hp engine - 3,294 produced.

C. RPO 687 included special front and rear shocks, air scoops/deflectors for front brakes and air scoops for rear brakes, metallic brake facings, finned brake drums with cooling fans, and quick-steering adaptor of which only 246 were produced.

D. 1962 Colors Were: Tuxedo Black ; Fawn Beige - 1,851 produced; Roman Red; Ermine White; Almond Beige - 820 produced; Sateen Silver; Honduras Maroon.

E. 1962 Corvettes were the last with a solid rear axle which marked the end of the Corvette’s first generation.

The 1962 Corvette celebrates its 45th anniversary this year (2007) and marks the end of the Corvette’s first generation (1953 to 1962).

source: Corvette Black Book, Mike Antonick (2006)

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The Last Sting Ray rolled across the Block at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, January 20th, 2007 garnering a world record bid of $660,000.00

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