George Sparks

Car Model: Corvette C8 (2020 - Present)

Model Year: 2024

Trim Level: 3LT

City & State: Lake View, NY

Exterior Color: Ceramic Matrix Gray

Interior Color: Tension Blue

Story:

When my wife, Karen, and I were at the 25th NCM Anniversary Celebration and saw the 2020 C8's for the first time. We were excited with the "next" generation of Corvette. The Corvette Team knocked it out of the park! We decided to wait for two (2) years before placing an order. Wanted to make sure all the "bugs" were out. Thus, on Janurary 29, 2022 we placed our order for what we thought would be a 2022 C8 Stingray, Ceramix Matrix Gray and Morello interior. As you all know, due to COVID, Strike, tornados, and supply chain issues. Our order got pushed into a 2023. However, the Morello interior color was no longer an option of 2023. So the search for a different interior began. As time dragged on, our dealer contacted us and had a buyer for our 2002 Z06. Not wanting to be without a Corvette, especially for the short driving season in Buffalo, NY. Our "dealer" suggested a "used' 2020 C8 that was Ceramic Matrix Gray with a Tension Blue interior. Karen and I said NO WAY....definitely NO BLUE interior. Since this was a phone conversation he suggested that we view the car in person. Grudingly we did. Much to our amazement, the 3LT Tension Blue interior grew on us and well...as they say the rest was history. But it isn't. This was just going to be an "in between Corvette" while waiting for our ordered C8 to be built. As time dragged on, July 29, 2023 our dealer called and said that we are going to be moved to 3000 status! Nothing can be changed once that happens. We agreed on our options, minus the "forged wheel" option due to most likely contraint issues. We said that we would contact Ed at Wheel Craft and do a wheel exchange. The dealer said that most likely we would be getting a 2023 but that the exterior color was supposed to be discontinued. The following week our Dealer notified us that the order was accepted and that we should have our C8 as a 2023. With whatever transpired, we were going to have a 2024, with Ceramic Matrix Gray. Following the "tracker" just showed other customers ordering and getting their Corvettes, but not us. We were at the top of the list for 2024's but nothing. During Thanksgiving week, our dealer called and said that our 2024 C8 would be built during the week of December 4th. It was actually built on December 4th. Having optioned for the R8C NCM delivery we scheduled our arrival date as December 29, 2023. No we did not drive our long awaited Corvette home, had private transportation pick up and deliver to our dealer to have NY State inspection, PPF and Ceramic Coating applied and finally delivered to our home January 29, 2024. Yes, we drove it -weather/temperature permitting and even attended the 2024 BASH. Oh, we did trade our "in between" C8 back to our dealer. They picked it up December 9, 2023. It had 7200 miles on it when we first got it. We turned it in with 26,980 miles! Not bad for 18 months and living in the SNOW BELT of Buffalo, NY. We enjoy our Corvette and not only do we get compliments on the beautiful color of exterior and interior, but the CHROME wheels along with the Chrome badge option against full body color option is the WOW factor that is soooo wonderful. Thank you Ed for all your patience, talked about this at the 2022 BASH, you never gave up and waiting along with us for our DREAM RIDE.

Modifications:

1. Bright PVD Chrome Wheel Finish; Wheel Craft - www.WheelCraft.com

2. ENGINE COVER; AMERICAN HYDRO CARBON - https://americanhydrocarbon.com/

3. ILLUMINATED DOOR SILLS; AMERICAN CAR CRAFT - https://www.americancarcraft.com/

4. PPF AND CERAMIC COATING; VAN BORTEL CHEVROLET ROCHESTER NY