Last week, we told you a parts shortage had halted production of the Chevrolet Corvette C8.
Now the lines are rolling again.
The parts-shortage shutdown followed production shutdowns due to a UAW strike and the coronavirus pandemic.
Reports now indicate that 800-850 units of Chevy’s flagship sports car are now rolling off the assembly line in Bowling Green, Kentucky each week, with plans to continue production of 2020 models deep into December, perhaps right up until the holiday break that ends the year.
This after a second shift was added earlier this month to help catch up to demand.
I just drove the C8 for the first time, and contributor Chris gave it high marks, so demand for the ‘Vette is understandable. It’s a damn good car, and of course it’s also the first model year of a new generation. Always catnip when it comes to iconic models — buyers want to be among the first.
Production of the 2020 has been a mess, but what hasn’t in 2020? The report suggests some 2021s could also be built before year’s end if the production shutdowns don’t mess with the planned timeline too much, but who knows? When it comes to making plans, the only certainty in this crazy year is uncertainty.
[Image: Chevrolet/GM]
Gold chain crack is kind of idiotic – more than just Guidos can appreciate incredible performance at a great value.
It’s just a joke about the Vette owner stereotype.I don’t really believe all Vette owners are gold-chain wearing Boomers. And yeah, we can all appreciate this car. I have a review coming at some point and spoiler, this thing is damn good.
Tim, I thought you were against stereotypes. Obviously only for certain groups!
Tim, I thought you were against stereotypes. Obviously only for certain groups!
True. I think the three-times-divorced-and-looking-for-wife-number-4 set has moved on to pickups.
Really, most Italian-Americans have completely assimilated, and you don’t see “obvious” Vitos like The Fonz or Vinnie Barbarino anymore.
If you do see a very loud, obnoxious young man with gold chains and a flashy car, he’s more likely to have ancestry in a broad swath stretching from Poland and Russia, though Armenia and “Persia”, and into India.
And the car won’t be a ‘Vette or Trans Am, it will be a Bimmer with neon lights and stanced wheels.
Gold chains were 30-40 years ago. Vette guys are now into jean shorts and New Balance sneakers with white socks.
(full disclaimer: I sometimes wear New Balance sneakers with white socks. Never jorts though.)
I’m hoping you at least wear the “no-show” socks with the New Balances.
I despise no show socks, if I’m gonna wear ’em, then you gotta see ‘um!! :-)
Just checked… nope – no gold chain, no ex-wives, yet somehow has a C7. Maybe they don’t check your credentials as much when you buy used.
I’m sorry sir but I’m going to have to take you in for questioning.
I’m already in trouble because I drive mine in the RAIN! and it often goes nearly two weeks between baths. The Corvette police are always giving me the stink eye.
Rain? Sir you have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law.
Like the GT350 if its been hit with rain then the vette is totaled. Might as well part it out.
Cherish that C7 Vette, she’s a beauty. Sadly, they may never never go there again. C2, C3, C4, C7…?
Personally, I prefer the looks of the C6. But regardless, there will be PLENTY of good, well-cared-for examples around for years and years to come.
You’re def right about that. I’d love to have a mint white C4 ZR-1 for starters, later a nice C7
And yeah it’s all subjective but on the 6… for me i like the rear-end, but mostly just can’t get past the front end with those awful light assemblies. A grey Grand Sport is a looker though
Perhaps this news is the candle in a dark room that we all need.
Better be a very dark room because that lead photo sure makes the Vette look terrible. All awkward lines and angles.
#truth
This is one of the few new vehicles GM has not screwed up. I just wince when I see a GM pickup truck drive by.
What a disgrace!
I must be getting old, because I just can’t get excited about cars like this anymore. Maybe it’s because there are four door sedans now that are equally quick on the street. As for track use, wouldn’t a cheap 2000 pound race-optimized car be better suited to that task?
Its a big car no doubt, but there are not many street cars pulling a 0-60 time in 2.8 seconds AND taking on the twisty bits as well.
The main reason I got my C7 is it can be a long distance GT-tourer, a fine daily driver, as well as a fantastic track car. Plus you can buy standard parts/consumables at your local auto parts store since its not some crazy exotic or expensive German machine.
The problem with pure, stripped down track cars is the accessibility to new drivers. Its one of the reasons I got rid of my 350Z, its traction control was either on or off. My skills were not good enough to drive with the nannies off but with them on they stepped in way too often. The Corvette has PTM (Performance Traction Management) with 5 levels of control. The car can be driven very hard and fast, yet still have a margin safety for HPDE events. Plus without a trailer and tow vehicle driving a stripped Miata to a track 2 or more hours away is a nightmare.
Yes, I think you are getting old.
“As for track use, wouldn’t a cheap 2000 pound race-optimized car be better suited to that task?”
Yes, if the only task is driving on the track. Most of us aren’t there every weekend, but still appreciate owning something that’s capable when asked. The other 99% of street miles are more important and that’s where cars like this shine.
Probably if your going full send on the track and planting it into the wall isn’t off the table. Then something like ye ‘ol miata is a good choice since you can wreck and replace as you please.
The vette offers so much performance that you dispense with the trailer and throw the helmet in the passenger seat. Show up, have fun and as long as you haven’t scrubbed the tires down to the belts ( or weather permitting if you’ve worn them within an 32nd of their life ) drive home and clean everything up then plan something else with the car.
That’s what I do. I drive at 8/10ths on track which mitigates some risk. Enjoy the day blasting around Sebring or Homestead then put the car in Tour mode and relax with soft mag-ride setting on the way home.
This is another reason why I let my 350Z go… it was good on track but not really an enjoyable daily driver – too loud, too rough. It got to the point where the wife wouldn’t even ride in it. I had to make the call to either convert it to a pure track car (strip interior, aero mods, etc) or find something that could perform split duties. This is where the Corvette shines.
QUOTE: “I must be getting old, because I just can’t get excited about cars like this anymore. Maybe it’s because there are four door sedans now that are equally quick on the street. ”
4 door sedans doing 0-60 in 2.8??
For 59 Grand???
I think there are a lot of us out here that are suffering from an advancing case of “OLD”, but it beats a terminal case of “DEAD”!! :-)