BlueOx

FWIW..lost in all the whining about this reveal was the fact that this car goes directly to dealers and you won't find it in the order book.
Watch the video at about 5:40.

From Rick Conti's blog...

Dave@Ciocca

I just read the GM info on this car meant for dealers. The purpose of this car is for larger Corvette dealers (dealers who sold 7 or more Corvettes last year) to have a car to "Premiere" on their showroom floors.

GM understands how most early cars are pre-sold to customers and they want there to be vehicles on showroom floors so they are making these cars available for dealers to display to the public. For a "display" car they wanted a new color, new interior and every option so that the public could see it all in once place. Also, they wanted to use that same car to showcase some of the accessories.

GM would like dealers to keep this car for display purposes until there are some stock units out there and this car WILL NOT count against the dealer's original allocation.

Dave

ONOFiveO

Makes sense. Many like me need to see, feel, and experience the car before placing an order. Been there and done that - wish I'd waited before I bought my last car, not having seen some of the various options and colors in person. I have no issue with the premiere edition.

Big Dan 427

Wow they consider a large Corvette dealer one that sold 7 or more?

CRABBYJ

So Dave, what are the chances we will see one of these "Primier" Edition C7s at Carlisle displayed at Kerbeck's Tent?

Dave@Ciocca

Yep. Remember, to qualify to be part of the C7 launch a Chevy dealer needed to sell 4 Corvettes during the last calendar year. Out of over 3,000 dealers only 900 did that. The average dealer sells 2 per year.

Dave

JoesC5

So, demand is so low for the C7, that GM is pushing 500 "special" cars through the plant, ahead of pre-sold orders, to sit on the dealer's show room floors trying to drum up interest. Makes me wonder just how many "pre-sold" orders there are in the system.

I don't remember that being needed for the 1953 launch or the 1963 launch or the 1968 launch or the 1984 launch or the1997 launch or the 2005 launch.

harley2

Ok, just start building them (500) so we can get on with the rest of the orders!!

CRABBYJ

Good point, but only about 3-4 Days production at around 18 C7s/hour.

Big Dan 427

Interesting fact Dave, thanks for responding.

JoesC5

Yep, and those 900 dealers sell 80% of the Corvettes sold. There are 14 dealers in St Louis that will be getting C7's in the first round. 9 dealers surrounding Little Rock Arkansas(Arkansas has a low population) will have C7 's in the first round of production.

No shortage of dealers selling C7's, especially around population centers(where most of the buyers are).

BlueOx

Gee, wasn't the very first 1953 a show car? I guess you don't remember how few 1953 Corvettes were sold. Kinda hard to compare the different market years.

LouB57

That was the first thing I said yesterday.

It should have been apparent to everyone that this is meant to go directly to the Dealer showroom, so they have something unique on display.

Which is why the comments about changing your color, or changing your mind on getting the car.....are just silly.

BlueOx

There is a lot of silly around here.

Dave@Ciocca

You are missing the point. I was here when the C5 and C6 launched and we went months without regularly having a car on the showroom floor for people to look at. Some people don't want to order a car until they've had a chance to see it in person, sit in it, etc. This is actually a very cool thing GM is doing so that there are cars out there for people to see in the showrooms!

Dave

BlueOx

Makes sense. We have heard a LOT of folks wanting to sit in the new seats to see if they really are better and how much better. They also want to compare the GT and Competition seats.

MikeyTX

Which brings up an interesting point. Is the split 50/50 for seating on these special ed cars ?

BlueOx

Good point. I don't know how manufacturers deal with showing this kind of optional seat.

MikeyTX

And, will the high volume Corvette dealers get more than one of these in addition to the initial issue if this becomes a big seller.

ZZR1200

They should have left out that silly luggage premiere as it took away from the fabulous car. You would think it was an announcement for GM getting into the luggage business.

Oh well, let's move on.