Corvette Blog

Without a doubt, one of the nicer aspects of large Corvette enthusiast gatherings (like Funfest) is the gathering of the club members.  Usually, clubs caravan to the events, which is fun all by itself.  There's the feeling of being a part of something bigger that is so cool!

Upon arrival at the event, the clubs put up a tent or a canopy (or two) and hang a sign.  There are plenty of lawn chairs, often coolers, and even barbecue grills (especially if someone has brought a Corvette trailer queen), because there's always plenty of room in that haulin' Silverado for extra stuff!

When CorvetteBlog is on the road, we like to visit with the clubs, make friends, constantly learn more about the Corvette hobby, and introduce folks to CorvetteBlog.

Honestly, we hope more readers will lead to more folks buying new and used Corvettes from our parent company's inventory, or placing an order for a new Vette right from CorvetteBlog.  We continue to offer GM Supplier Pricing to CorvetteBlog readers, so we invite your conversation.  It can truly save you money!

There were some eighty clubs registered this year, but we weren't able to meet you all.  I've listed the Corvette Clubs we did have the pleasure of meeting at the Funfest.  Check out their websites.

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Events , Indiana , Michigan , Midwest U.S. | 2 Comments Permalink

Today's blog is a milestone.  This is the 500th time we've written a post.

CorvetteBlog began a little over a year and a half ago, and now boasts of having had over 50,000 visitors over the most recent twelve months!  And we feel like we're just revving up!

We appreciate your taking the time to check in with us (many of you daily) to read the latest information about exciting activities in the world of Corvette.  We try to highlight key gatherings of Corvettes, vendors who provide goods and services for Corvettes, information on historic Corvettes, the Corvette Racing Team, factory incentives, and the latest news on ordering a new Vette.

We will continue to go to the big shows like Bloomington Gold, Corvettes at Carlisle, and the Corvette Funfest.  We will make an annual trek to Bowling Green, Kentucky to see our friends at the National Corvette Museum or at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant.

What's next?  We do want to provide a better resource for Corvette clubs, so we are reorganizing the look of our front page to make the Corvette Club portion stand out better.  And, by the way, if you click your country or region, and don't find a link to your club, we want to improve on that, too.  With hundreds of clubs in operation, it will take a while to get everyone linked, but if you'd like attention sooner, write us.  We will put you toward the head of the list (the "squeaky wheel" concept)!

By the way, please tell your Corvette driving friends about us.  And here's to the next 500 blogs!

Posted By Bill Connell In Australia , Austria , Carolina , Corvette News , Czech Republic , Denmark , East Ohio , Eastern Canada , Eastern U.S. , Finland , Florida , France , Germany , Hungary , Indiana , Italy , Luxembourg , Michigan , Midwest U.S. , New Zealand , Northeast U.S. , Northwest U.S. , Poland , Puerto Rico , Roadrunner (AZ, NM, Western TX) , Rocky Mountain , South Africa , Southeast U.S. , Southwest U.S. , Sweden , Switzerland , The Netherlands , United Kingdom , Venezuela , West Coast , West Ohio , Western Canada , Western U.S. | 4 Comments Permalink

On our way from the Detroit metro area to Corvettes at Carlisle today, I'm happy to say that we saw a lot of Corvettes!  And, the wave has been saved.  At one rest stop, we saw the Capital City Corvette Club with their bevy of beautiful rides, and later we chased a Corvette Grand Sport down Pennsylvania Route 30 for dozens of miles in our stealthy black 2001 convertible.

Before we hit the twisty, country roads of Pennsylvania, though, we were glad we stopped in Sheffield, Ohio for a lunch stop at Quaker Steak and Lube.  You might inquire as to why this is pertinent to the Corvette enthusiast.  Please do, because this restaurant is a Corvette lover's lunchtime or dinnertime dream!

On the walls of the entire restaurant were automotive parts, racing items, and memorabilia.  One large area is devoted to all things Corvette, with the rear end of a C5 mounted against the wall, an entire C3 mounted on another wall, and even a C6 up on a garage lube rack (under which patrons may sit).

By the way, the wings and sandwiches were pretty good, too, but I'm no food reviewer.  Restaurants by this name are all over the Midwest, though I'm sorry to say, none are in Michigan.  Additional photos past the break. 

[ Related Blog ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Events , Michigan , Vacationing in a Corvette | 2 Comments Permalink

We had previously blogged about the Mackinaw City (Michigan) Corvette Show,coming up this next week on Friday and Saturday.  Now, the Baymont Inn & Suites of Mackinaw City is making a special offer to all who mention the Corvette Blog when making reservations: the daily rate will be reduced by $30!

If you stay at the Baymont, you will be located right next door to the show grounds!  You can park your vehicle and walk back to the hotel for your comfort and convenience.

This is a wonderful event and a great fun-filled weekend you will not want to miss!  Contact the hotel at 866-331-7737 to make your reservations NOW!  Please mention the Corvette Blog to receive your discounted rates!  The folks in Mackinaw City say, "We hope to see you here in the town that LOVES COMPANY!" 

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Events , Michigan , Vacationing in a Corvette | 0 Comments Permalink

The Seventh Annual America's Corvette Show is now history.  Held Saturday at the General Motors Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, it coincided with a celebration of the 1957 Chevrolet also being held on the grounds.  As a result, CorvetteBlog was able to secure some great photography of many other classic Chevies, and even the Camaro Coupe and Camaro Convertible Concepts.

Hundreds of classic Vettes were joined by a nice selection of Corvette vendors and corn dog hawkers in the humid sunshine.  A charity benefit silent auction, celebrity judging and autographs, and remarks from the likes of GM bigwigs like Gary Cowger, Troy Clarke, Ed Peper, and Tom Wallace made it a great day for Corvette enthusiasts.

Visit CorvetteBlog throughout the week as we report vendors we interviewed and show cars we saw.

[ Corvettes America ]

[ Related Blog ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Events , Michigan | 0 Comments Permalink

Michigan hosts its biggest Corvette Show of the year this Saturday at the GM Tech Center in Warren.  On the spacious grounds of the facilities where GM does so much of its research and development, hundred of Corvettes of virtually every variation will line up for judging.

The event will be held rain or shine from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.  Parking is free, but there is a fee of $8 for spectators over 12.  Corvettes America provides three ways to win with Celebrity's Choice, Show & Shine, and People's Choice competitions.

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Events , Michigan | 0 Comments Permalink

Dozens of classic Corvettes showed up on Saturday for the annual Cruzin Telegraph event just west of Detroit.  Coincidentally enough, the cruise was held on Telegraph Road from the community of Redford at the north, running south through Dearborn Heights and Dearborn, and finishing in Taylor.

It seemed to this writer that the numbers of both cars and spectators were down this year.  Perhaps having the organizing committee disband this spring had an impact after all!

Although isolated Corvettes could be spotted here and there along the entire route, they did seem to concentrate in two areas of the cruise: at George Matick Chevrolet in Redford in the morning, and at Taylor Chevrolet.  The Corvette Legends Club enjoyed the hospitality of Matick; the Downriver Corvette Club was hosted by Taylor. 

[ Related Blog ]

[ Corvette Legends Club ]

[ Downriver Corvette Club ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Events , Michigan | 0 Comments Permalink

This will be my final blog on the Corvettes at the Summit Show this past weekend, but I'd like to share a few photos of cars or aspects of cars that I thought were notable.

The gills on the Black 2002 C5 of Jack Theurer from Ontario (purchased from Mid-America):

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Events , Michigan | 0 Comments Permalink

Corvette enthusiasts are united in their adoration of America's Sports Car.  Corvette enthusiasts are divided, as is everyone else in the world, by geographical location.

No group in the world has done a better job in giving Corvette enthusiast bodies organization than the National Council of Corvette Clubs.  This group lists some fifteen regions of Corvette clubs in the United States, and provides links to pretty much every country in the world that has organized their Corvette enterprise.

Effective this date, Corvette Blog officially salutes this fine organization, the regional U.S groupings, and the Corvette clubs around the world.  We will attempt to provide links to every group as time allows.

If you represent a club anywhere in the world, and wish to be one of the first to appear on Corvette Blog, please contact us.

Posted By Bill Connell In Australia , Austria , Canada , Carolina , Corvette Enthusiasts , Czech Republic , Denmark , East Ohio , Eastern Canada , Eastern U.S. , Finland , Florida , France , Germany , Hungary , Indiana , Italy , Luxembourg , Michigan , Midwest U.S. , New Zealand , Northeast U.S. , Northwest U.S. , Poland , Puerto Rico , Roadrunner (AZ, NM, Western TX) , Rocky Mountain , South Africa , Southeast U.S. , Southwest U.S. , Sweden , Switzerland , The Netherlands , United Kingdom , Venezuela , West Coast , West Ohio , Western Canada , Western U.S. | 0 Comments Permalink

Not your everyday daily driver!  Ron Smith (and spouse) from the Flint, Michigan area showed off their 1991 Arctic White Corvette Convertible at the recent Corvette Legends sponsored show in Canton.

Ron has specialized in tracking down the uniqueness of his Vette.  He has determined that, based upon body color, suspension, radio, transmission, leather seats, and blue soft top, he has one of only two ever produced.  In addition, he has tracked down the identical Vette to the state of Florida.

This is a man so proud of his Corvette that he drives it everywhere.  The 177,000 miles on this vehicle are a testament to its dependability to Ron and the two previous owners!

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Events , Michigan | 0 Comments Permalink

To whom would you turn for fiberglass or rolled composite panels to repair your Corvette?

Gary Everett from American Custom Industries in Sylvania, Ohio was present with an extensive display at the Corvettes at the Summit event this past Saturday.  ACI specializes in hoods, fenders, and other fiberglass / molded composite panels for 1963 - 2008 Corvettes.

Gary made a point that their fabrication technique is "hand laid" rather than "press molded" so the quality is enhanced.  ACI is likely the company you need!  Visit their website for all the helpful details if you are in need or repair or restoration.

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Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Equipment , Corvette Events , Corvette Parts , Michigan | 0 Comments Permalink

Not every Corvette owner has been able to collect signatures of Corvette chief engineers and Corvette Racing Team race drivers.  And, of those few who have, even fewer would have those signatures painted in silver on the engine covers of his Corvette!

Yet, this is exactly what David Newman of Oregon, Ohio has accomplished!  Every engineer's signature is there, except for Zora Arkus-Duntov.  I saw there the signatures of Johnny O'Connell, Ron Fellows, and many others.

David's 2005 is lovingly nick-named the "Silver Bullet", and his business card shows a picture of his prized automobile.  It was a pleasure to meet David this past weekend at the Corvettes at the Summit event.

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Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Events , Michigan | 2 Comments Permalink

The Corvette Blog visited the Corvettes at the Summit event in Canton, Michigan on Saturday.  Overcast skies (see picture) didn't keep some 120 Corvettes from showing up for the judging and fun.

I met some really nice folks from Ontario, Ohio, and Michigan, and saw a nice selection of Vettes, from two 1954 C1's to a 2008.

One of the interesting cars on display was a 1978 Corvette 25th Anniversary Indy 500 Pace Car replica owned by Joe Walker.  Joe won the car a couple of years ago at a church raffle in Minnesota, and brought the car back home to Michigan.  The license plate reads: 1RAFFLE.

The Detroit Free Press carried a story on the event  Saturday.

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Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Events , Michigan | 0 Comments Permalink

The city of Canton, Michigan is host tomorrow to the Corvettes at the Summit Car Show.  The Summit is the central city park is this growing city in the western region of metropolitan Detroit.

Sponsored by the Corvette Legends Club, the venue is quite attractive as the Vettes ring the pond.  The day's events include competitive judging, a 50/50 raffle, and a road tour into Washtenaw County to the west or Oakland County to the north.

If you stop by to see this beautiful collection of America's Sports Car, keep your eye open for Corvette Blog!

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Events , Michigan | 0 Comments Permalink

Yes, a Chevrolet dealership on the route of the upcoming annual Cruzin' Telegraph event is looking to provide parking space for a Corvette Club for FREE!

If you are an officer of a Corvette Club, and your club would like to avail yourselves of free parking space on the west side of Telegraph Road the day of the Cruise, please contact Corvette Blog A.S.A.P.!  Respond with a comment below with you name and phone number, and the Blogger will give you a call.  (Your information will not show on our website).

[ Cruzin' Telegraph ]

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Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Events , Michigan | 0 Comments Permalink

I have a potpourri of views of Corvettes I saw last Saturday at the Corvettes at Canterbury event in Lake Orion, Michigan.

First, two pictures of Sam & Tammy Martin's heavily chromed 2000 Pewter Silver Metallic Corvette Convertible.  Their license plate shows their commitment: IN2VETS.  My wife liked Tammy's 2-1/2 pound Shih Tzu puppy, too!

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Events , Michigan | 2 Comments Permalink

Like so many Vette lovers, Shirley & Tony Caruso have owned their blue 1963 Sting Ray convertible for many years, but have only been able to drive and enjoy it for a shorter time.  Their pretty Sunday driver was at Corvettes at Canterbury recently when I caught up with them.

Tony said that the car is Shirley's, but it was hard for her to get a word in edgewise as he told their restoration stories, like having the uncompleted car decorated with Christmas lights in the garage.  They like to attend shows, visit with friends, and put up with nosy bloggers like myself.  Thanks for your story, folks!

[Corvettes at Canterbury ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Events , Michigan | 0 Comments Permalink

John Clark of Brighton, Michigan will not be participating in Drive Your Corvette to Work Day this Friday in his Marina Blue 1967 Corvette Sting Ray.  And it's not because he's contrary!  He's blessed with being retired.

I met him this past Saturday at the Corvettes at Canterbury car show, where his sharply restored Sting Ray caught my eye.  John is the fifth owner of this little beauty with the white stinger on the hood.  John explained to me that in 1967, the optional stinger, which raises part of the hood, was available on small block cars, but was required on big block engines like his 427 cubic inch, 390hp engine to provide clearance for the air cleaner.

Also shown is one of the nicely restored side exhausts.  Care to guess the original cost for side exhausts (per the window sticker)?  They were only $131.65!

Related:

[ Drive Your Corvette to Work Day ]

[ Corvettes at Canterbury ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Events , Michigan | 2 Comments Permalink

The Corvettes at Canterbury Show was a pleasant way to spend the first Saturday of summer.

The venue, Olde World Canterbury Village near Lake Orion, Michigan, was a beautiful setting.  The shops there are in the various buildings of the historic farm of William E. Scripps, publisher of the Detroit Evening News in the early 1900's.

The Corvettes were parked around the various buildings, so a stroll to all the sites took me by all of the cars.  A nice collection of perhaps two hundred vehicles were present for review.  Owners were chatty, and, not surprisingly, we made some new friends for the Corvette Blog.

I trust the GMC Corvette Set club raised a good amount for Leaders Dogs for the Blind with their auction and other activities!

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Events , Michigan | 0 Comments Permalink

140 Corvettes from a club called the GMC Corvette Set will gather tomorrow morning at Olde World Canterbury Village, Lake Orion, Michigan for fun and fund-raising.

The beneficiary of the event, Leader Dogs for the Blind, is highly regarded in the greater Detroit metropolitan area (and beyond) as a provider of superior service animals to the community.  My friend Craig has benefited from the companionship of four of these fine creatures over the decades, so I’ve come to know the quality of this organization.

So, if you find yourself just north of the Palace of Auburn Hills, home of the Detroit Pistons, tomorrow, stop in to see the great cars, and to bid in the silent auction.

Registration begins at 8am.  You might just see the Corvette Blog there, too!

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Events , Corvette News , Michigan | 1 Comments Permalink

This summer's celebration of one of the engineering marvels of modern times includes a Corvette Show!  The amazing structural marvel of Michigan, the Mackinac Bridge, is celebrating its 50th birthday the weekend of August 25-26, and the 18th annual Corvette Crossroads Auto Show is part of the festivities.

What a great way to enjoy your Vette in northern Michigan this summer.  The Detroit News featured an article on the celebration yesterday, and additional details can be located at the website of the Mackinaw Chamber of Commerce.

Posted By Bill Connell In Classic Corvettes , Corvette Events , Michigan , Vacationing in a Corvette | 0 Comments Permalink

We're always looking for new and exciting Corvette-focused events. Do you have a Corvette Club or have a special event focusing on the Vette? Let us know about it. Click here to email us at CorvetteBlog and we'll do our best to get you noticed.

We love Corvettes.

Posted By Ryan In Australia , Austria , Canada , Carolina , Corvette Events , Corvette Fun , Czech Republic , Denmark , East Ohio , Eastern Canada , Eastern U.S. , Finland , Florida , France , Germany , Hungary , Indiana , Italy , Luxembourg , Michigan , Midwest U.S. , New Zealand , Northeast U.S. , Northwest U.S. , Poland , Puerto Rico , Roadrunner (AZ, NM, Western TX) , Rocky Mountain , South Africa , Southeast U.S. , Southwest U.S. , Sweden , Switzerland , The Netherlands , United Kingdom , Vacationing in a Corvette , Venezuela , West Coast , West Ohio , Western Canada , Western U.S. | 0 Comments Permalink