Besides celebrity status, what do Sir Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, and George Clooney have in common? Need a clue? McCartney’s is metallic blue, Clooney’s was built in 1958, and Springsteen’s in 1960. Yes, it’s a car, but it’s not just a car. It is what Tork magazine calls, “the ultimate American dream machine…blending radical design, raw power, and cultural impact like no other.” The answer can only be the Chevrolet Corvette — a classic beauty, a cultural icon, and just plain old cool!
After débuting in 1953, Corvettes continued to turn heads as a top-of-the-line American two-door, two-seater sports car. Eight engineering generations later, Chevrolet’s hippest creation remains synonymous with superb performance and distinctive styling. The classic image of that gorgeous 1962 Corvette — Roman Red, of course, with dual headlights in the front fenders and a 250-hp standard Corvette V8 — is the epitome of automotive perfection and style.
Love at First Sight?
So, what is it about a Corvette that attracts a buyer? Ranging from a mid-life crisis to a lifetime goal, there are a myriad of reasons. According to Matthew Hess, Corvette Specialist at Ciocca of Atlantic City, many of his customers “…are legacy buyers. People who are looking to relive their history, bond with their family, or drive the premier American sportscar.” Although Hess has been selling Corvettes for only a few years, he really knows the car and “gets it” — as in understands and delivers exactly what a Corvette customer wants. In 2024, Hess was one of the top ten salesmen for the Philadelphia region as well as a two-time Mark of Excellence employee.
One of Hess’s recent customers, Lynne Forgette, experienced several disappointing bumps in the road trying to find her “dream car” — a 2025 Corvette Riptide Blue 2LT coupe. Since 40% of all Corvettes are custom-ordered and built to spec, getting the car of your dreams is not always easy. After getting the run around from various dealerships, she finally landed at Ciocca and met Hess who easily made her dream a reality. Forgette, who loves her new car, felt it was “the best car buying experience I ever had thanks to Matt and Ciocca Corvette. I wish I would have found them sooner.”
What’s Corvette Hot for 2026?
The entire 2026 Corvette lineup will offer a redesigned cabin — a thumbs up for some folks and a big fat thumbs down for traditionalists. The first big change is the elimination of the “Great Wall of Buttons” design. Instead, there will be more and larger screens including a 12.7-inch diagonal center console display, an expanded 14-inch diagonal driver information center, and an all-new 6.6-inch diagonal touchscreen auxiliary display. In addition, the E-Ray Performance App will display real-time power and torque flow. Another plus is the infotainment system that includes Google’s voice-activated control features like interior temperature, navigation, and even song/media selections.
Also, for the first time ever, Corvette will offer asymmetrical interior layouts. For example, the Adrenaline Red and Jet Black scheme visually separates the driver and passenger areas. Other interior options include Sky Cool & Medium Ash Gray with Habanero accents or Very Dark Atmosphere (a chocolate brown tone with black and tan accents). Even the cupholders have been redesigned to include hand-wrapped inserts with ambient lighting that display the Corvette’s crossed flags insignia at the bottom.
Exterior Redesign
2026 introduces some Corvette cool exterior options. Just to mention a few: an asymmetrical center stripe (Edge Red/Carbon Flash), standard body-color rocker panels, and optional blue brake calipers. In addition, two new exterior paint colors have been added — Roswell Green Metallic and Blade Silver Metallic.
Another feature to look for in the upcoming line is the new electrochromic roof option. With the touch of a button, you can easily adjust the roof glass tint to low, medium, or full according to your needs.
Ready to Order?
If you want your dream of owning a Corvette to become a reality — top down, the wind blowing through your hair, and all eyes turning as you whiz by — early summer is a perfect time to get your order into the queue. Hess offers some advice for potential Corvette owners, “Our dealership is one of the largest Corvette dealerships in the country with large allocations. June is the start of the ordering cycle for 2026. We should be able to get orders to new customers right away or in the next allocation cycle or two.”
