When it came to buying his Corvette—the same Corvette that could be yours at the MEN’S EVENT—Larry Mizel was an ideal customer.
At least, that is how Mike Neufeld, who was the Corvette sales representative at Daniels Long Chevrolet in Colorado Springs, remembers it.
“He said to me, ‘Just build it the way you want it, build me something nice,’” Neufeld recalls. “I had never had the opportunity to do that for someone. It is nearly a one-of-a-kind car the way we optioned it.”
That Corvette will be one of the highlights of MEN’S EVENT on October 29, when it will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. The lucky winner will drive home a 2021 Corvette Stingray Coupe with only 1,400 miles on it. It includes the 3LT equipment group—“The nicest trim package there is,” Neufeld says—and the Z51 performance package, in case they want to race it on the track in their spare time.
“As a collector of classic cars, I can say that Larry’s 2021 Corvette Stingray with the Z51 and 3LT packages fits that description well,” says JEWISHcolorado Board member Lorne Polger. “Road and Track called the 2021 ‘vette’s performance, ‘beyond spectacular.’ It accelerates 0-60 in under 3 seconds with over 1 g (one gravity) on the skidpad. The car is as comfortable on I-70 for a weekend trip to Vail as it is on the track. The winning bidder will enjoy and appreciate this future collector automobile.”
Matt Most, a Corvette driver often seen peeling out of the JEWISHcolorado parking lot, raved about the car in his own inimitable style: “Join the American Muscle Minyan,” Most says. “Larry’s certified kosher Corvette is a Hebrew hot rod!”
Talk a little longer with Mike Neufeld, and you realize this car is more than just a very special ride. It’s really a love affair.
‘Sporty and classy’
Mizel came to the right person when he was connected to Neufeld through Regina Cimino. Neufeld has been around Corvettes for nearly 20 years and sold the majority of them at Daniels Long Chevrolet in Colorado Springs. He has also worked with one of the largest Corvette clubs in America, based in the Springs, and he has owned two Corvettes.
“They have always been known as the true American sports cars,” says Neufeld. “You get a car that is built in America, and they have had their own following for decades.”
Corvettes even star in movies—“Animal House” (1978), “Terms of Endearment” (1983), Boogie Nights (1997) and, perhaps the most Corvette-centric film of all, “Corvette Summer” (1978).
At first, Mizel thought he wanted his Corvette to be red, but eventually he changed his mind.
“The more he thought about it, the more he decided that red was ‘too flashy’ for him,” says Neufeld. “In the end, he settled on silver flair metallic, which is also a terrific color.”
The Z51 performance package with extra cooling, performance exhaust, and gearing that helps the car track better, helps make it into a race car. You can even record a video of yourself going around the track.
But you don’t have to be an aspiring race car driver to love this car. Mizel’s Corvette also has magnetic ride control and performance traction management, so it switches seamlessly from track performance to daily driving.
When Neufeld talks about the car’s interior, he gets even more passionate.
“It’s red and black leather suede two-tone with red stitching,” he says. “I posted pictures of it on social media and people reached out to me to ask how I was able to even order that custom interior. When you see it in person, it’s stunning.
Mizel’s Corvette is trimmed in silver and black—with no chrome. The wheels, mirrors, and accents are all done in carbon flash black, a look that Neufeld calls “sporty and classy.” Neufeld will be at the MEN’S EVENT to see who will take home this “beautiful car.” He would love to see it go to the right owner because, he says, “It may not be red, but it’s still racy.”