It’s amazing the difference 24 hours can make. Starting out this week, everyone was straining over grainy, camo-riddled images in search of the next tidbit of information to hint toward the next generation Corvette.

Then, by the end of day yesterday, information was flowing out over the internet faster than the speed of supercharged light. EVERYONE was now talking about the C8, mid-engine Corvette. General Motors even introduced the car’s very own website! Now, thanks to General Motors’ announcement, we know that the padding and camo comes off publicly on July 18th of this year. There’s been so many spy shots of the car at various angles that likely, the only thing different might be seeing it in a different color.

We’ve seen C8s and C8.Rs driving, fueling and even breaking-down in spy photos, so what makes these different? How ’bout a date, covering the doors and windshield decrying the July date of the official reveal?

The biggest difference we noted, was the amount of information flowing out of General Motors by less than corporate venues. Many employees went to social media outlets to finally be able to vent a little about the car that they’ve toiled over for so long, but couldn’t talk about. Imagine building what you felt was the best Corvette ever, but you couldn’t tell anyone. The job carries its own pressure, so unlike the free-flowing, ever-hungry internet that we’ve become so accustomed to today.

Our friend and Corvette design-‘gineer, Kirk Bennion, went to Facebook and remarked, “While spy photos showing the C8’s low-slung silhouette and vastly different proportions have circulated on the internet for years now, what you’re looking at are the first real photos of the car that Chevrolet has supplied—and the first time the company has even acknowledged the existence of what might be the auto industry’s worst-kept secret.”  So true, and we’re sure he’s feeling a little relieved to finally be able to share the fruits of the team’s labors.

Likewise, General Motors did a little de-pressurizing by spilling several tidbits of info to those on social media. Publicly admitting there IS a C8 Corvette was a biggie. But also, they shared info about a special auction that would be taking place for the chance to own the last C7 Corvette. Did you get that? LAST C7. For those hoping that the two generations would be rolling out the roll-up doors in Bowling Green together, this may not be the answer you’ve been hoping to hear.

You can’t get more official than having GM’s CEO, Mary Barra, being chauffeured by Corvette chief engineer Tadge Juechter.

General Motors Chairman and CEO Mary Barra made the announcement yesterday at the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s annual Footsteps to the Future Gala in New York. The car would be auctioned to support the foundation and its commitment to injured and fallen military members, first responders and their families.

The last C7 will be a black Z06, which will be auctioned off during the Barrett-Jackson Northeast sale in Connecticut June 28.

Barra stated,“The sale of this iconic Corvette will help the foundation continue its good work, and pave the way for the Next Generation Corvette that we will introduce on July 18.” The final seventh gen Corvette — a black 2019 Z06 model — will be auctioned at the Barrett-Jackson Northeast sale in Connecticut June 28. Registration information is available on Barrett-Jackson’s website. Every dollar of the winning bid will go to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, named for New York City firefighter Stephen Siller, who died during the Sept. 11 attacks.

Mary Barra and the C8 Corvette.

So, while we don’t know exactly what those leaked colors may look like on the actual car yet, we do know that it won’t be long. And, we can put to rest any thoughts of production of two different generations of Corvettes at the plant. We know the end of the C7 generation is in sight and, we know what the last car will be and where you need to go to get it. Of course, there’s more questions than answers, but the extent of information that has flowed out over the web in just 24 hours will give enthusiasts enough to digest for a while. Perhaps until sometime in July.