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Here's the story on how I purchased my 14th Corvette...from myself. ~ I sold my 1992 Corvette Convt with only 8,190 miles knowing full well that I had asked GM for an extra 2014 Z51 Cpe allocation so I wouldn't effect any of my sold orders...the plan came off without a hitch. After delivering close to 400 Stingrays since October 1st, Yesterday I rode home in my 14th Corvette that I have owned over the past 36 yrs that I have been representing America's #1 Sports car for Chevrolet! I special ordered a 2LT Z51 with the Comp seats, micro fiber inserts which gives me the micro fiber steering wheel and 7spd shifter/boot. I opted for Black wheels, Red Calipers, Navigation, Perf Exhaust, Mag ride, Stingray floor mats and rear cargo mat along with the dual roof pkg. The new Stingray is a dream on so many levels...for those of you that already own one...you know...for those of you that don't...you will know sooner then later because this 7th Generation Corvette is a World Class Sports Car!
In September Criswell Chevrolet hired a new Sales Manager named Jason Witte, with the unexpected passing of our General Sales Mgr, Brian Geist (57), on January 1st...Jason stepped into the GSM role with great experience. I had hired Jason as a 20 yr old and trained him many yrs ago. When I told him about my pending Stingray deal he asked me if it was possible that he could write some words about my Stingray delivery. Here in his own words...my Manager, even though I was his mentor...Jason shooting from the hip.
Jason and I
"On the last week of December 2002 I met Mike Furman for the first time at Damascus Chevrolet in Damascus, MD. After a nerve racking interview, my new GM Mike Furman offered me a Sales Position. I was about to begin my career in the Automotive Business at the age of 20 and couldn’t be more excited. Damascus Chevrolet was a very small family owned 3rd Generation dealership in a country town. I remember the first words that came to my mind regarding Mike Furman were “organized, athletic, professional, and a little intimidating”. I was a Chevy fan all my life and all the new vehicles surrounding me gave me goose bumps. However nothing got me as excited as the Corvettes.
One Corvette in our dealership inventory was a 2003 Anniversary Edition Convertible. It was sitting in our Service Department covered in plastic. Mike hustling by as I was admiring the car stated that he dealer exchanged the car was from a South Dakota Chevrolet dealer for a Customer of Mike's. This was one of many Corvettes we sold that year (2003). Mike grew the Corvette sales at Damascus many times over in a very short time. No small feat in a small Country town.
I look back and am grateful that I was with Chevrolet during the introduction of the 2005 C6. I remember sitting in Mike’s office when the first truckload of C6’s arrived Sept 2004. It was a quiet evening and Mike ran out to the truck to inspect the new cars. The first C6 was a Precision Red coupe. The new C6 coupe was a sold order that the buyer had backed out of just days before. Mike stepped in and bought the very first C6 ever from Damascus Chevrolet. It was a very fun time during the introduction of the C6 and eventually the C6 Z06.
After six years in the car business I stepped away but still stayed in contact with Mike. Now years later, we once again are part of the same team at Criswell Chevrolet. Words can’t express how excited I am to experience the C7 introduction with Mike Furman. Mike is a true professional and does everything the right way. His work ethic is second to none and he gives everything he has to Clients. Mike has been a positive part of my life through many different stages. Today his new Laguna Blue Z51 Coupe arrived at Criswell and I am very excited to be a part of Mike’s new Stingray delivery. Mike without question has worked very hard and certainly earned it. Congrats!" Jason Witte GSM Criswell Chevrolet
You tube video of my Stingray delivery from start to finish yesterday!
The truck arrives~
First glance at it~
Getting to see it without the travel cover is 10 minutes away~
Getting stocked in~
Cool view~
Have my build sheet~
Me, Harry Criswell, Kevin Szot GM and Jason Witte GSM
Harry Criswell and I~
Headed Home~ Corvette Wave to all!
Mike Furman~Ambassador for the Corvette Museum~
In September Criswell Chevrolet hired a new Sales Manager named Jason Witte, with the unexpected passing of our General Sales Mgr, Brian Geist (57), on January 1st...Jason stepped into the GSM role with great experience. I had hired Jason as a 20 yr old and trained him many yrs ago. When I told him about my pending Stingray deal he asked me if it was possible that he could write some words about my Stingray delivery. Here in his own words...my Manager, even though I was his mentor...Jason shooting from the hip.
Jason and I
"On the last week of December 2002 I met Mike Furman for the first time at Damascus Chevrolet in Damascus, MD. After a nerve racking interview, my new GM Mike Furman offered me a Sales Position. I was about to begin my career in the Automotive Business at the age of 20 and couldn’t be more excited. Damascus Chevrolet was a very small family owned 3rd Generation dealership in a country town. I remember the first words that came to my mind regarding Mike Furman were “organized, athletic, professional, and a little intimidating”. I was a Chevy fan all my life and all the new vehicles surrounding me gave me goose bumps. However nothing got me as excited as the Corvettes.
One Corvette in our dealership inventory was a 2003 Anniversary Edition Convertible. It was sitting in our Service Department covered in plastic. Mike hustling by as I was admiring the car stated that he dealer exchanged the car was from a South Dakota Chevrolet dealer for a Customer of Mike's. This was one of many Corvettes we sold that year (2003). Mike grew the Corvette sales at Damascus many times over in a very short time. No small feat in a small Country town.
I look back and am grateful that I was with Chevrolet during the introduction of the 2005 C6. I remember sitting in Mike’s office when the first truckload of C6’s arrived Sept 2004. It was a quiet evening and Mike ran out to the truck to inspect the new cars. The first C6 was a Precision Red coupe. The new C6 coupe was a sold order that the buyer had backed out of just days before. Mike stepped in and bought the very first C6 ever from Damascus Chevrolet. It was a very fun time during the introduction of the C6 and eventually the C6 Z06.
After six years in the car business I stepped away but still stayed in contact with Mike. Now years later, we once again are part of the same team at Criswell Chevrolet. Words can’t express how excited I am to experience the C7 introduction with Mike Furman. Mike is a true professional and does everything the right way. His work ethic is second to none and he gives everything he has to Clients. Mike has been a positive part of my life through many different stages. Today his new Laguna Blue Z51 Coupe arrived at Criswell and I am very excited to be a part of Mike’s new Stingray delivery. Mike without question has worked very hard and certainly earned it. Congrats!" Jason Witte GSM Criswell Chevrolet
You tube video of my Stingray delivery from start to finish yesterday!
The truck arrives~
First glance at it~
Getting to see it without the travel cover is 10 minutes away~
Getting stocked in~
Cool view~
Have my build sheet~
Me, Harry Criswell, Kevin Szot GM and Jason Witte GSM
Harry Criswell and I~
Headed Home~ Corvette Wave to all!
Mike Furman~Ambassador for the Corvette Museum~
