Corvette's Illustrious History Showcased in Depth by Car and Driver

The allure and excitement of the Corvette is not an element that can just be described with one sentence or photo, and the folks at Car and Driver put together a great piece illustrating the rise of this car that all of us here at West Chevy have loved for decades. As we pieced through it wide-eyed here on the lot, it did a fantastic job of showing us how this iconic vehicle rose through the ranks to get to where it is today. During the early 1950's, it was evident that a powerful sports car was necessary to assure that the GM namesake would remain successful.

First produced under the code name Project Opel, the sports car was a very American take on the British sports cars of the time, pieced together from a fiberglass body, and a 3.9-liter straight-six engine mated to a fairly minuscule 2-speed automatic transmission. After making its debut to a very warm reception during GM's 1953 Motorama show in New York City, the Corvette became the fairly rare entrant that then went on to be mass-produced on the line. Production was slightly rushed following the model's debut, the two-seat roadster uses fiberglass body panels, and relied on the much more powerful Blue Flame inline-six for power source.

Chevy produced 300 Corvettes in 1953, and sold just 183 of them. Many thought that at the time, this happened because it was not civilized enough to be a touring car, nor all-inclusively engaging enough to appeal to die hard sports-car enthusiasts. During 1955, new life came in abundance to the Chevy brand, when they finally shoved their 4.3-liter V-8 under the hood in one of our most sensible plays ever. For the first time ever, the Corvette truly offered sports-car performance of an upper caliber. For the 1956 year's offering, the front end was revised, and was very reminiscent of the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Coupe, while scalloped sides added a look that was a bit more distinct. A second carb was available, and raised power output to 225 horse.

During the early 1960's, the Corvette went under the knife once gain, and emerged sporting a revised front end with a new dual-headlight design for 1958... other changes include an updated interior that featured the move of the tachometer from the center of the dashboard, to a location below the speedometer in the driver's line of sight. During 1965, one of the most iconic Corvettes ever was released, and the brake improvements as well as the placement of a “big block” V-8 engine under the Corvette's hood, and this was one of those oh-so-sweet-in-red models that produced monstrous 425 gross horsepower. This power rating shot up to 435 horsepower for 1967, when there was a second 427 – cubic – inch V-8 added to the Corvette Lineup as well.

The Sharknado was one of the coolest styling essences of the late 60's, as designer  Larry Shinoda had things based off of the Mako Shark II concept car. The three-speed automatic transmission replaced the prior two-speed unit, and the very powerful and appealing Stingray was on deck to enlarge the stroke of the standard V8, bringing the displacement up to 5.7 liters. The 1970's saw some pretty great Corvettes: even though this was one of the most iconic times ever, we skipped ahead on the slideshow to 1983, when Chevy released the Fourth-generation Corvette as a 1984 model.

It was completely redesigned from the ground up, and welcomed additional clearance, as well as a lower center of gravity. A 205-hp, 350 cubic inch V-8 is the only engine offered, and mates to either a 4-speed automatic transmission, or Chevy's 4+3 manual gearbox, which offered overdrive gears for two, three, and four.

The announcement of the ZR1's arrival for 2019 is making all of us here in Knoxville  pretty anxious: there were many changes to the Corvette during the 2000's as well, and these were the years when it became so much more modern, and sleek. The emergence of the Z06 in 2006 was a major milestone for the brand, and many customers immediately fell in love with the lightweight aluminum frame, as well as the LS7 engine. We loved virtually thumbing through this Ode to Corvettes, and invite you down to West Chevy for a test drive of the latest and greatest ASAP!

2019 Chevy Silverado Chassis Cab 4500 HD: The Tops For Those Topping Off Their Coffee Mug

 Every day right here in Knoxville and across the great nation of America, many business owners brew their first cup of coffee, look over their daily schedule, and make plans to act on their thriving dreams. Building, implementing, designing, logging shipments, and hauling all are components in the best dream of all: being one's own boss, and providing services and goods to other hard-working individuals takes perseverance and grit. It's no surprise that trucks go hand in hand with business, as they possess all of the needed qualities for nearly anyone with multiple hefty tasks at hand. The New Silverado chassis cabs are a great addition to the Chevy lineup, because elements like utility, first responder calls, and landscape work can be dependent on the ability of the truck to drive, own, and upfit.

The Silverado will now be available in 2WD and 4WD, aptly powered by a Duramax  6.6-liter diesel engine, with 350 horsepower, and 700 lb-ft of torque, as well as Allison transmissions with a Power Take Off Option. The frame is now designed with one-piece straight rails that do not have brackets or rivets on top, that can sometimes interfere with the hasty mounting of custom-made bodies. This is a truck that has been designed to be very easy to service, with its clamshell hood and wheel cut of up to 50 degrees, that can give technicians a much clearer line of access to the engine than trucks that have older-style hoods. For tougher-than-average days on the job, this is a truck with a twin-tank fuel capacity of up to 65 gallons, and a factory-installed air suspension that helps with the roughest of roads or bumpiness.

The busy builders, fleet managers, and other customers have faced a large  dilemmas when their GVWR needs to exceed 19,500 lbs, and some will pay for expensive aluminum bodies in the attempt to save weight, so they can remain in the Class 5 Chassis category. Some business owners have to spend extra money to purchase a truck that is larger, and the Silverado 6500 HD is able to protect their bottom line, and give them capability to expand, minus the extra large expenditure. We engineered this truck with some of the most precise turning radius that exists, and you'll also enjoy trademark distinctions such as the flowtie, a cool silhouette of the Chevy emblem designed for the task of increased cooling efficiency.

When things really begin to get busy, the smartly-positioned Diesel Exhaust fluid fill  on the right fender behind the front wheel is ideal for easy refills, and the forward-tilting engine cover and wheel cut design provides service techs with quick and all-inclusive access to service the engine. You have the ability to stay seamlessly connected with the available built-in 4G LTE Wi-Fi, keeping you up to date on everything from traffic and weather changes, to important deliveries and drop-offs. This new breed of Silverado also has a single-piece frame rail for enhanced durability, and a wide range of cab-to-axle offerings for upfit integration. You'll want to visit us soon right here at West Chevy, to make sure you check out all of the features on this working man or woman's ideal vehicle, to make sure that every single day you spend on the job site is equipped with the best in backup to take you across the finish line!

2019 Camaro LS and LT News: High-powered Sports Car Swagger Coming Soon

 There is nothing quite as enticing and appealing on a hot Knoxville summer night as a high-powered sports car such as the Camaro: while blasting the stereo, touting an engine that's ready to do battle, and tires that have the ability to eat up the pavement, it is as iconic as it gets. The trusty and triumphant rival to the Ford Mustang is literally bursting at the seams to prove itself with the 2019 model: new front-end styling includes the fascia, grille, dual-element headlamps, LED signature lighting, and hood. Headlamp designs and specific fasica for the LS, LT, and RS trims are some of the new features on tap that you'll enjoy with purchase or lease of this hellaciously vicious coupe or convertible.

Also new for this year is the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 radio system, featuring a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, depending on model choice. Offering greater personalization and a more intuitive user interface, cloud connectivity is ultimately leveraged to make navigation features better, voice recognition, usefulness of the app, and much more. Another trait that diehard Camaro fans are going to really swoon over is the revised ambient lighting: available new blended color choices are the perfect complementing accent for the Turbo 1LE Package. It combines the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with a custom tailored suspension package, and is a sure-fire guarantee as far as guaranteeing that your performance on the track will stand out heftily with photo-finish results!

As you prepare to complete the journey to track-ready preparedness, pay close 

 attention to the 2019 Camaro's available Turbo 1LE Package: the FE3 suspension with larger-diameter front and rear stabilizer bars, dampers that are specifically tuned, stiff rear cradle bushings, and cross-axis ball joints in the rear tow links are all included. Anyone with the desire to take up the track full-on Andretti style will definitely fall in love with the SS-style split front/rear tire sizes, and the 275 hp as well as 295 lb-ft of torque produced by the engine. During the times when the action becomes seemingly unstoppable, you'll be able to make swift use of the heavy-duty brake package, with low-metallic performance pads, and nearly 50/50 weight balance.

When the 2019 Camaro hits the lots here at Jim Butler, any speed-savvy contender will want to be first in line to check out the cool items featured with Competition Mod: it included performance instrument readouts, launch control, shift lights, and much more. For those who need something a bit faster to fulfill their need for speed, the 3.6-liter V6 engine ups the ante, as well as does the !LE Package, it features track-tested Camaro SS components, useful technologies such as FE3 suspension, Brembo brakes, and heavy-duty cooling, while improving cornering grip by an impressive .97 G. We are all beyond excited to check out the updates on a car that was temporarily discontinued from 2002-2009; The Camaro has since been doling out careening improvements to make up for its extended absence!

Bison Trademark in works for AEV Concept, Colorado ZR2 to Continue Market Dominance

 As summer in Knoxville continues with its high-intensity heat rays, blue skies, and later sunsets, anyone who has recently purchased a new car or truck here at West Chevy may be on the hunt for things to do to occupy their time. We wanted to make sure to let you know about all of the regional disc golf courses here: There are 99 holes within an hour of Knoxville, and the uneven terrain does a great job of keeping the game challenging, with both mountain and lakeside courses on the list of things to do. Check out Inskip Park, Morningside Park, and Roane County Park for a few examples of where you can do this fun outdoor activity that is a great source of exercise and fresh air.

Trucks are most definitely many Knoxville resident's favorite way to see summertime destinations like champion frisbee golf courses, and last year during the SEMA Show, the popular concept for the ZR2 AEV was unveiled. As folks at Off-Road.com pointed out last week, AEV makes use of the bison for their logo, symbolizing abundance, and sacred qualities of life. GM has now filed to trademark the name ZR2 Bison with the U.S. Trademark and Patent Office, and all of us here at West Chevy could not be more excited. The multiple upgrades include long travel front and rear springs, 35-inch BF Goodrich tires, a new skew of skid plates, and Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers.

 One of the most exciting features on the Colorado ZR2 was the Multimatic Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve dampers, which give the truck the ability to run in superior fashion at high speeds in the desert, and precise handling while climbing rocks. During the day-to-day commute, this suspension system improves ride quality, and performance on city streets as well. Other benefits that are bound to help you in Arizona's wild that are included with the ZR2 are locking front and rear differential, larger rear axle, front central arms, rock slider body armor, as well as brand new front and rear bumpers that are now specifically designed to boost the angle of approach and departure.

There is a chance that the Bison may move in an entirely different direction from the ZR2 AEV concept, since the trademark was first filed under the guise of the Brazilian trademark office. Currently, Brazil receives the Global Colorado model, which features a few differences. Although some of the details remain a bit unclear, you can always count on us to provide details about any changes that arise. Motor Trend deemed the Colorado ZR2 as their front-running “Truck of the Year” for 2015 and 2016, and last year's formula was beefed up heavily in terms of the game-changing suspension system. Before the Bison model descends on Knoxville, come to visit us here for a test drive of the current ZR2: we'll show you the many reasons why it is superior to the Tacoma TRD Pro, and ready and able to dominate multiple terrain demands during the days of summer!

Multiple Reasons To Celebrate an Iconic Model: The Blazer Through The Years

Many turbulent and beautiful things were happening worldwide back in 1969: the world was changing so fast, that there was definitely a demand for rugged and powerful vehicles to commute, work, and play with. From free-loving hippies at Berkeley and the surf breaks of Southern California to the wooded areas right here in Tennessee, America was cultivating a love affair with the outdoors, even during the most history-changing times. The very first Chevy Blazer model was the true and perfect interpretation of “Truck blended with a car”, and combined the versatility of 4-wheel-drive with convenience options such as power steering and brakes. It was a trusty vehicle that paved the way for many various updates and innovations as the years went on.

In a USA Today feature this past week, there was a cool visual spread that portrayed just how consistently awesome the Blazer was, and many of us fondly remember it as “The vehicle that drummers loved”, since the back provided ample space for gear that needed to be transported swiftly from gig to gig. The photo spread then delved quickly ahead to 1992, but we were OK with that: this is when one of our favorites, the full-size Blazer, first was available. Sporting the addition of sidesteps, this easily became the #1 favorite vehicle for many and was optimal for use in heavy weather. A choice review on Cars.com deemed it as “Dependable, comfortable, and fun”, and it was a symbol of not only rugged American pride but the ability to jump off-road at the drop of a hat.

1992 was when the Blazer made the transition to the full-size C/K pickup, and it was forever streamlined. Square edges were rounded off, large expanses of tinted glass were brought in, and there were a few drastic improvements to the interior that made it immediately more user-friendly. The next year's model offered a 4-speed electronically controlled transmission, that closely monitored the rate of fuel injection, ignition timing, idle speed, and internal engine temperature. The 4-speed was much quieter, and there was still the presence of the 5.7-liter, 210 horsepower, V-8 under the hood. The towing rating was 7,000 pounds, and this version was introduced when consumers were beginning to switch to sport-utility vehicles as a viable alternative to the very popular luxury cars of that time.

1999 marked the introduction of the very awesome and able 4-door Blazer, and there was a limited-edition “Trailblazer' appearance package that was available as an upgrade to the LS and LT trims. Here you could now acquire gold-accented alloy rims and trim, along with some very cool upgrades to the interior and exterior. Passenger airbags were now standard, as well as headrests for the rear bench. A front grille that bore similarity to the Chevy C/K's pickup line was present to replace the older system that was made up of single-headlight, and 4-wheel disc brakes now became standard equipment.

As all of us in sales and service here at West Chevy are anxiously preparing for the release of the 2019 Blazer, we have also been fondly remembering the early S-10 Blazer from 1982: this was a sizable and sturdy model that was always ready for off-road fun, yet did not feature the same removable hardtops that their full-size counterparts at the time did. The 1.9, 2.0, and 2.2-liter types of diesel were all discontinued after 1985, then being replaced by the larger 2.5-liter engine. The V6 was equipped with a throttle-body fuel injection system for 1986, just in time to bolster improvements to fuel economy, and overall performance. The version on deck for 2019 feels a bit more like an SUV crossover, and some may be wondering if it will offer enough bang for the buck: we can firmly attest here at West Chevy of Knoxville that after one simple test drive, you'll be ready to claim ownership to this current version of the outdoor lover's flagship getaway hybrid!

The Need to Stay Awake in Knoxville: Chevy's Simulation To Combat Drowsy Driving

Many of the customers that have come to visit us and test drive vehicles have been amazed at the safety features they offer. We have been so excited to see very useful tools such as lane change assist, all sorts of varied cameras with many angles, and other new features that are blazing a path to near autonomy in the driving realm. It's not the notion that Chevy and other brands want their drivers to be lazy on the road, it's the preventative nature that collides with finite-honed technology to assure that a quick response is allocated for nearly any situation. Weather changes such as slick roads are particularly frightful, and having every tool possible to assist you during inclement trouble is a welcome comfort to anyone on the road.

Getting behind the wheel without enough sleep now accounts for nearly ten percent of crashes in the U.S., and as the summer driving season begins to roll out full force, Chevy engineers have gone to the time to develop a very unique concept to address this telltale safety hazard of drowsy driving. When you participate, weights are strapped around your wrist, chest, and ankles, and you notice right away that there is an added difficulty when you walk! During the test, a 20 mile per hour speed is maintained, and vision is taken away for literally just one second.

Every four seconds, the driver has a very intense one-second flash of different sensation, and one immediate outcome was that a driver lost control and hit a cone on the spot. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 60 percent of adults admit to driving very drowsy, and a shocking 37 percent have fallen asleep at the wheel. One great tip from the professionals is that if you can't remember the last few miles or couple exits, it's time to be proactive and get off the road. It's great to have the ability to use your Chevy's technology to avoid drifting or other hazardous incidents that would disrupt your safe journey.

Within any busy Knoxville commuter's life, there are elements that can seem tough to control, gradually affecting our sleep cycle until it may seem too late. New jobs, changes in school, location, and any other family issues can add to the problem of someone who does not get enough rest, and this study showed just how dangerous that can be. If you DO find yourself in a situation where you feel as if you have pulled an all-nighter or are low on steam, look to your left and right, as well as behind you, even more frequently.

 Vehicles that are traveling faster than you are may make you prone to accidents, as well as sudden turns in the road. Some of our favorite vehicles such as the Traverse, Equinox, Tahoe, and Silverado all come with examples of the most well-thought-through safety precautions that exist. Part of the battle when it comes to the ultimate in road safety is up to you: natural supplements such as Valerian root and melatonin may help you reach a healthy sleep state, as well as an ample dose of exercise. If you find yourself stuck downtown relentlessly carving out your stake in the daily grind you can check out Charles Krutch Park: right in the middle of downtown Knoxville, you get some much-needed breathing room, and can attempt to chase away the worries of the cubicle while appropriately upping your heart rate!

Chevy Equinox: The Ideal SUV for Knoxville's New and Emerging Talent

Young professionals are one group of car buyers here in Knoxville that we feel we really need to give props to for all of their hard work and achievements. As spring now begins to turn pleasantly into summer, there are so many right here in our city who are making their toughest choices ever about life after school, holding down multiple jobs, and looking for the perfect opportunities to display their talents with every step they take. With very talented and unique individuals on the hunt for the ultimate vehicle for their changing needs, Chevy has really upped their game in the very popular SUV category, and the newly redesigned Equinox is perfect for those who have their daily lives full of many tasks.

There is space for 5 to be seated comfortably, and the new design for the Equinox has the features and attitude to fly past the competition in all areas. This is the most practical and punchy rival on the market to battle competitors such as the Rav-4 and CR-V, with much attention in the engineering department allocated to making sure that the most active type of driver has an exhilarating, yet practical experience. For the type of driver that needs to take more than just the occasional long jaunt with the entire family, the state of Tennessee is one amazing location for anyone experiencing the desire to find solitude or adventure. If you can't break away from the city, you can still have a blast on Sharps Ridge Memorial Park Trail: located in the heart of Knoxville, you still get an ample stretch of the legs, and opportunity to clear your mind.

The lighter weight is one of the characteristics that anyone driving the new Equinox will notice first: 400 pounds have been shed from the SUV, and this very noticeably tightens the turning radius by 2.5 feet. Every single inch of the 63.5 cubic feet of space in the Equinox is utilized to maximum potential, to assure that every passenger or very last accessory needed can be included on the ride. The 60/40 seat folding option allows a greater amount of open space for anything like extra sports gear, burgeoning photography business equipment, or demanding double duty at the next Nashville trade show.

The 1.5-liter turbo engine has no trouble averaging 30 miles per gallon on the highway, and if you are on the search for more flex, the 2.0-liter doles out 252 hp, with gas consumption staying the same, at an average of 24 mpg. The complete array of active safety tech on board includes safety alert seat, forward collision warning with following distance indicator, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert.

For the times when staring at the mile markers become tedious, the 7-inch touchscreen for infotainment is now standard, with an 8-inch available. Car and Driver claimed that the Equinox is “Expertly damped, with well-controlled wheel motions, and no sense of body float”. Every individual who is an emerging talent powerhouse will find a dream SUV in the Equinox, which is available for test drive right now with us here at West Chevy: come to visit during the first sunny days of summer, and check out closely the many ways this SUV is the perfect choice for you!