A few year's ago,
Chevrolet was serious’
consideriz:2 discontin
ing the legendary

Corvette.

General Motors was awash
in red ink and the Corvette
was considered an expensive,
tow volume, out-of date
sports car thar required mil-
lions of dollars in investment
to bring it up to world stan-
dards.

To the bean-counters, the
Corvette wasn't a financially
viable proposition cven
though it was, and is, the
best-selling sports car in
North America.

Fortunately, cooler mar-
keting heads prevailed as the
otcntial loss of Chevrolet’s

alo car was considered. With
45 years of colorful history
behind it, many racing victo-
ries, numerous hit songs writ-
ten about it, a museum built
in its honor, and a huge and
loyal following of Corvette
owners, a decision was made
to redesign the Corvette
without changing its essential
character as an all-American,
fiberglass-bodied, front-
engined, rear-wheel-drive,
V&-powered sports car.

The new Corverte, like
that other American icon, the
Jeep TJ, was improved in the
areas that needed improving

Well, now you will...
KIRK KOHN (formerly of

Photo submitted

REDESIGNED for the first time since 1984, the 1997 Corvette Coupe has a 345 horsepower, 5.7-litre OHV V8 engine, staridard four-speed
automatic transmission or optional six-speed manual, independent suspension, and traditional fiberglass body. Test drive the 1997 ‘Vette

at Dick Irwin Chevrolet, 845 Marine Dr., North Vancouver (387-5231).

— ride comfort, ease of
entry, interior design, trunk
space, body rigidity, and
noise and vibration suppres-
sion. And all the while main-
taining the attributes that dis-
tinguish it from Japanese and
European sports cars — a
lusty overhead valve V8
engine that sounds like it
means business, a front
engine /rear-wheel-drive lay-
out for optimal front to rear
weight balince, a long hood
and short rear deck, a wide,
curvaceous low: i
and comparatively good value
for the money.

The Corvette coupe (with

removable roof panel)
debuted in January of this
year and a convertible model
follows early next year.
Styling was heavily influenced
by the previous model (intro-
duced in 1984), but there are
some (gasp!) Japanese and
European influences in there

Built to
Rain, Raging

too. The front three-quarter
section especially, borrows
some handsome styling traits
from the now defunct Mazda
RX-7.

Dimensionally, the new
Corvette is longer (26
mm/1.0 in.), wider (74
mm/2.9 in.), and lower (34

mao/1.3 in.). But most sig-
nificantly, the wheelbase is
210 mm (8.3 in.) longer.
This provides a more com-
fortable ride and adds valu-
able interior room and cargo
space. The door sills are sig-
nificantly lower, making it
easier to get in and out of

ra

this very low sports car.

Ar the rear are four tradi-
tional oval taillamps, some
racy-looking cooling slats,
and centrally-positioned dual
exhausts. The only thing
about the Corvette’s design

See Corvette page 37

& q

Survive Torrential

ial

Performance Car Stereo) is now
hanging his hat at CARTUNES
i} Sound and Cellular in Coquitlam.
# Kirk would like to thank all of iis
{ valued customers and hopes to see
them all at CARTUNES.

2700 Barnet Hwy. Coquitlam

1/4 mile west of Coquitlam Centre

942-1686

Visit our wetsdte. www cartune.co.t

a. @VEN Traffic ...
SAVE 3 , 00 on all 97 Blazers

until October 20, 1997 ONLY!

tion this ad and receive an additionai
$1,000 bonus savings

LORMOTIVE

COLLISION SPECIALISTS
B.C.A.A. - A.R.A.

APPROVED CENTR

a. shop

ALL MAKE COLLISION REPAIRS
“LIFETIME GUARANTEE”
Alternative transportation arranged
TALKING & Estimates *

YELLOW PAGES S x : f
299-9000 Consultation S ms 4 dh di ia is
ener fr. » -~_.845. Marine Drive, North Vancouver

Va??? i815. 985-7455
_ (South side, oné block east of Capilano Mall).

Me