Classic American September 2021

Welcome to our Corvette Special issue – we’ve tried to include as many Corvettes from as many different eras, but in reality to do the topic justice, we’d really need a telephone directory-sized publication, so you might look upon these as our highlights of the marque. It’s an amazing story really, as the Corvette didn’t have a particularly auspicious start, with its lacklustre sales and wheezy six-cylinder engine. In fact, it was almost cancelled; thank goodness it wasn’t, as we wouldn’t be enjoying the remarkable and amazing cars in this month’s edition. While rival American sports car the Ford Thunderbird went off in a very different direction pursuing sales volume and luxury, the Corvette has always stayed true to its unique and inspirational DNA. It was, is and always will…

With its mid-engine configuration, redesigned chassis and coilover suspension, the C8 Stingray marks the biggest rethink of the Corvette formula since the car’s inception in 1953. Making its public debut just a few months before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the C8 has been impacted by production disruptions, parts shortages and price hikes. Even at a base price of $62,195, the 2022 Stingray offers a lot of bang for the buck stateside. Offered in three trim levels, 1LT, 2LT and 3LT, the 2021 model is offered as either a coupe (with removable targa roof panel) or a convertible. Behind the seats is an all-aluminium 6.2-litre V8 cranking out 490 horsepower at 6450rpm and 465ft-lb of torque at 5150rpm in US trim. Featuring dry-sump oiling, direct injection and an 11.5:1 compression…

The good news is (and it’s only good news in Classic American this month!) that shows are back in full swing. Pent-up demand, a glorious summer and the necessity for staycations means they were busy, busy, busy, as Keith Harman discovered at this year’s Pendine… It was with a collective sigh of relief that the Vintage Hot Rod Association’s members, friends and families, and spectators of course, were able to return to Pendine again after a two-year lockdown absence. Entrants arrived on Friday, with the afternoon set aside for scrutineering the cars, as the anticipation and excitement of returning to the hallowed track built up. Overall the number of entrants was slightly down from previous years, with cars from Europe particularly conspicuous by their absence. But at least this meant that everyone got…

Slap-bang in the middle of July’s sweltering heatwave, Historics hosted its largest sale in its 10-year history which was held at the picturesque 100-acre site at Windsorview Lakes, Berkshire. The total entry offered in hall, on the phone and online was 201. Known for representing the wide breadth of the classic and collector car market, Historics opened its consignment window still wider here with a selection of classic motorcycles, a duo of notable classics boats – including a Riva Junior motorboat – and even a brace of shepherds’ huts looking entirely at home in the classic surroundings. A total of 50 classic car marques spanning 10 decades were represented, the earliest consignment being an eye-catching 1910 Cadillac Model 30 Roadster, resplendent with its brass fixtures and fittings, which sold for £33,600.…

Sad news for those looking forward to enjoying Americana at Newark Showground in September – it’s been postponed until 2022. Organisers Ashfield Promotions released a statement explaining that the difficult decision had been made due to a variety of factors, including potential staff shortages due to track and trace and supply chain issues for food and drink, as well as a lack of clarity on government guidance. The statement finishes by stating: “If you have bought a ticket online, please contact alttickets.com for a refund. If you bought RV or caravan tickets please contact ashfieldhamc@gmail.com with your name, bank a/c no and sort code and we will issue a refund.” Let’s hope things are back to normal in 2022!…

This stunning concept made its debut at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show and offered a glimpse of an alternative Corvette C7 or C8 even, had GM chosen to take a different direction to the one it did with the C7 and then its current mid-engined C8 offering. In many ways this concept chimes more with current automotive engineering values, offering as it did a hybrid powertrain, with a V8 engine featuring cylinder deactivation and mild hybrid technology. Introduced four years before the C7, the Stingray concept not only showcased the last front-engined Corvette, but it echoed the legendary 1963 Corvette Stingray, with its split rear window treatment, as well as the 1959 Stingray Racer. The concept came about as the result of an internal design challenge for a retro-styled but modern…