Unwrapping the new 2014 Corvette Stingray

Many people enjoy looking at new cars. That new car smell is intoxicating to the automotive enthusiast. So much so, someone marketed and sold a facsimile of that smell as an automotive air-freshener. The excitement over a new car is greatly increased when a hot new model is introduced. Years ago, manufacturers would go to great lengths to keep the new models a secret until they were unveiled to the public. Those days are gone. Now you can see cars sometimes two years in advance of their release in big Hollywood movies, spy photos, or on the internet.

What does a car nut have to do to get excited anymore? Answer: take it to the next level. How you may you ask? Let me tell you…..

I have a very good relationship with my local Chevrolet dealer, Dublin Chevrolet in Dublin, CA, and with Bill Finch, the head Service Advisor, in particular. He is a Motorhead like me, and texted me when they received the first 2014 Corvette C7 at the dealership. At my request, he was kind enough not to remove any of the pre-delivery wrapping or do any of the dealer prep until I got there. I wanted to be not only the first one to see it, but to personally help take it out of the package. Merry Christmas to me!

The Corvette was waiting for me in the back of the shop, wrapped completely in a white, skin-tight, custom-made travel cover designed to allow the car to be started and moved without removing it. The cover has a dual purpose. It protects the cars finish and its identity during the trip from Bowling Green, Kentucky, to the dealership. As I slowly and carefully removed the cover with the help of Bill and one of the techs, another cool detail of the new Corvette Stingray came into view with every inch that was revealed. I took my time, stopping to take photos of the torch red machine. This operation was not to be rushed, but to be savored and enjoyed like a fine single-malt highland scotch. I unzipped the driver’s access section of the cover and slipped gingerly behind the leather-wrapped wheel, and fired up 460 horsepower of American thunder. Yes, it sounds great, it looks great, it feels great, it smells great, it is great!

This car, fully prepped and detailed of course, was revealed to the public at a special unveiling event at Dublin Chevrolet, Saturday, October 5th.