The recent unveiling of the 2024 Corvette E-Ray seems to have impressed hardcore Chevy enthusiasts, leading to a queue of fans eager to be among the first to place their orders.
Corvette lovers from around the country lined up overnight in Nashua, New Hampshire, this week to get their names on MacMulkin Chevrolet’s order books. That’s because the dealer was the biggest Corvette dealer on earth in 2022, so Chevrolet gave it the honors of receiving the first Corvette E-Rays when they’re built, per WMUR.
According to a Facebook post by Gabe DeFeo, an administrator for the C8 Corvette, Z06, E-Ray For Sale & Parts Facebook fan page, there were at least 100 people in line at the dealership at certain points in the night, despite temperatures that dipped below freezing.
More: 2024 Corvette E-Ray AWD Hybrid Is The Quickest ‘Vette Ever, Hits 60 In 2.5 Seconds
Indeed, fearing for the safety of the people lined up for the car, MacMulkin Chevrolet posted to its website on the evening of January 29 that it was accepting early check ins to allow customers to reserve their spot in line.
According to images and videos from the dealership, though, that didn’t stop a large number of buyers from lining up and treating the event like a (somewhat toned down) tailgate party. A video posted to Facebook shows a group of people with a pack of beer and several empty pizza boxes, which is unheard of, according to Tony Dillberg, the sales manager at MacMulkin Chevrolet.
“They’re not waiting online, they’re standing in line, they brought their camping chairs, they have heaters, they’re looking for places to plug in,” Dillberg told WMUR. “I’ve been in the auto business for 25 years, I’ve never seen customers wait outside overnight for any vehicle.”
According to the dealership’s website, everyone in line had to be willing to put down a $4,000 refundable deposit in the form of a personal or certified check, and those with an order number will not be allowed to transfer the deposit or the spot at any time, which should hopefully help deter some flippers.
Unveiled in January, the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray is powered by a hybrid powertrain that combines a 6.2-liter V8 and an electric motor that together deliver 655 hp (488 kW/664 PS) and help the car accelerate to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 2.5 seconds, making it the quickest production Corvette ever. That pace comes at a price, though, and the Corvette E-Ray has an MSRP of $104,295.