when is a CORVETTE show a corvette show???????

[Dan D.]

Re: when is a CORVETTE show a corvette show???????

I think that this thread is one of the most enjoyable that I've read since I joined. There were so many good points brought out and some great insights, weather intended or not, into the personalities of some of the writers. The fact remains; we are all car enthusiasts...with a penchant for Corvettes. Within our hobby, all should be welcome. We should guard against becoming "elitists." You know...just because I have an older one...I can't be bothered with newer car owners or vice-versa. Why would I resent anyone bringing any generation car to a show or a cruise? I can choose to look or not look. I can choose to engage in conversation or not. Actually, I would much rather hear an excited owner of a Gen 7 talk about his car than hear some salesman in a showroom. As to how and when we use our cars...that's a matter of personal preference...and that also should be respected. As for myself...I drive my car a lot. Now, I realize that a '72, 350, low optioned convertible is not number 1 on anyone's "Dream-Find" list. But, at 77 years old...I really don't need anything I don't use. It's a big world out there... I've got to believe there's room for everyone.

[Michael J.]

Re: when is a CORVETTE show a corvette show???????

Back in the '70s and '60s, how old were the Corvettes that came to shows?

I saw mostly '30s, '40s and '50 cars at shows. And in our town there were maybe only 2-3 '50s and '60s Corvettes, and those guys never brought them to the shows, it was for older cars.

[Brad K.]

Re: when is a CORVETTE show a corvette show???????

I've known all along that I wanted to DRIVE my Corvette as much as possible after I was finished with the show circuit.....Especially a couple years ago after the Great Race came through our town in Southeast Missouri. I have never in my life seen such a group of true car enthusiasts.....all the cars in the group were from the 1900's through the 1930's and all I saw were huge smiles across their faces. They had just driven thousands of miles across the country and they were all lined up and down our main street and people were everywhere. Some of the cars were worth millions of dollars and their drivers and mechanics were all talking freely with the residents just like they had known them all their lives.....It was kind of like gearhead nirvana. Engines and drive trains and body styles and manufacturers that I'd never heard of were all there. I stayed 'til the wee hours talking with people about anything and everything unique with their cars. Car shops all over town stayed open late so everyone had access to special tools to do any repairs that the drivers needed.....at zero cost! The shops were just happy to be a part of the excitement.......I knew then more than ever that I wanted to involved in something like this!

[Stuart F.]

Re: when is a CORVETTE show a corvette show???????

Dan;

Well said. I'm with you. I try to keep my 63 as close to original as possible, and it's been a long time since I was interested in judging. I am 76 years old and intend to enjoy it as long as I'm able. It is getting harder to do each year. I rarely go to shows or cruisins any more, specially if it means I will have to drive home after dark. I had new eyes put in this past spring, but it didn't help much with the night light flares.

My main enjoyment now is with Sunday morning drives, and an occasional car show for the social aspect of it. I find the spectators more interesting to talk to than either the snobby classic or new Vette owners. Occasionally I will meet a fellow Vietnam era vet or a fellow enthusiast who appreciates a one owner numbers matching old "piece of crap". I've even promised parts of my car to some real diehard types if I ever replace them, I.e. My original carpeting, etc.

At 47k, my engine has never been apart, same goes with my tranny, but I can still hold my own in a convoy of C-6's and 7's on the highway (though I try to limit my rpm's to 5500 to save my original block and rods, etc.).

Again, good post Don as a fellow future Octagonerian (?, I'll learn how to spell that if I make it there).

Stu Fox

[Gary C.]

Re: when is a CORVETTE show a corvette show???????

Stu,

Try some shooting/driving or plain glasses with night glare and UV filters (usually amber or yellow polarized) to cut the night headlight glare. Works for me.

Gary
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[Stuart F.]

Re: when is a CORVETTE show a corvette show???????

Stu,

Try some shooting/driving or plain glasses with night glare and UV filters (usually amber or yellow polarized) to cut the night headlight glare. Works for me.

Gary
....

Gary;

Thanks for the tip, but how does one convince the wife that you're ok to drive at night. I sometimes have trouble making turns at dark intersections, I.e. Turning left into a dark Blvd is my worst problem. I have to make my turn before I can find the RH side of the street. Came close to driving onto the median with her in our driver. Women don't forget those scares - ever!

Stu Fox

[David R.]

Re: when is a CORVETTE show a corvette show???????

Back in the '70s and '60s, how old were the Corvettes that came to shows?

Our Corvette club has been around since 1968. I recall some of the old-time members talking about the first few "shows", which were basically just decisions to get together at a member's house or a shopping center parking lot. Bear in mind that in 1968, even a '53 Corvette would have been only 15 years old - equal to a 2000 Corvette today. The majority of solid-axle Corvettes were regarded then as little more than sporty used cars . . . and the way they were treated (and the values placed on them) pretty much reflected that. The clubs were for like-minded enthusiasts, and few if any people were "restoring" Corvettes. That came later. I don't recall there being too many local car shows at all, other than a large hot rod & custom car show every year. There certainly weren't too many Marque shows, and while muscle cars were in their heyday, they were everyday drivers.

[Michael W.]

Re: when is a CORVETTE show a corvette show???????

Our Corvette club has been around since 1968. I recall some of the old-time members talking about the first few "shows", which were basically just decisions to get together at a member's house or a shopping center parking lot. Bear in mind that in 1968, even a '53 Corvette would have been only 15 years old - equal to a 2000 Corvette today.

And that's my point- it was OK to see 15 year old or newer Corvettes at a show then, but somehow it's not OK now.

[David R.]

Re: when is a CORVETTE show a corvette show???????

And that's my point- it was OK to see 15 year old or newer Corvettes at a show then, but somehow it's not OK now.

Well, some folks may have a problem with it. I don't - in fact, as I said in a previous post, the later-model Corvettes seem to attract a younger crowd to Corvette shows . . . and I think that can only be a good thing. Just my opinion, of course. I also have a C6 convertible in addition to my 1962, and I enjoy taking that car to shows, too.

[Gary C.]

Re: when is a CORVETTE show a corvette show???????

Stu,

Those would be good questions for you to ask your ophthalmologist.

My night driving glasses are RX and take my prescription to a tad bit better than 20/20 for both eyes.

Gary
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[Rich C.]

Re: when is a CORVETTE show a corvette show???????

And that's my point- it was OK to see 15 year old or newer Corvettes at a show then, but somehow it's not OK now.

EXACTLY RIGHT!

However there is always the mindset that "every Corvette built after mine is not REALLY a Corvette". I don't really get that bunch. Personally I like checking out all Corvettes! Maybe you can have an exclusive C-1 and C-2 only show. See how many people show up! GEEZ stop belly-aching!

1973 LS-4 454 Coupe, owned 25 years
1996 LT-4 CE Coupe
Hop Nosh IPA- currently on tap!

[Brian M.]

Re: when is a CORVETTE show a corvette show???????

There were so many fewer shows back then, and most of the cars were 20+ years old. Hi Mikey

[Richard M.]

Re: when is a CORVETTE show a corvette show???????

Today I was in the company of 150 Corvettes at the Melbourne show. A great day with some C1's, 2's, 3's, 4's and lots of 5's, 6's & 7's. 1956 was the oldest there. I think about 10 or 12 C1's.


2015 winners rich[3].jpgblack beauties 2015[3].jpgrichs 59 white[3].jpg

A real treat for me. 1959 Vin #0003 FI PW red/red/white.... awesome car. Had '58 trunk floor panels and other '58 parts. Owner and I became friends right away, and live not far from each other and traded emails & phone numbers and will visit each other soon. Funny, he said he was at the far end taking pictures of my car, and I was at the other end taking pictures of his car. We laughed about it. We both took home a TOP 25 plaque.
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See, this is what it's all about. It's not only the cars, it's meeting new friends and just plain having fun, whatever year Corvette shows up.

[William F.]

Re: when is a CORVETTE show a corvette show???????

Yes, I think there should be C1 and C2 only shows, and only restored ones. the classics, only.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: when is a CORVETTE show a corvette show???????

Yes, I think there should be C1 and C2 only shows, and only restored ones. the classics, only.

Remember when many members quit NCRS because they let in the C-2'S. I also think the C-3'S are considered classic cars. I personally would not go to any car show that has mostly newer cars no matter what make /model. It's like going to a department store when you want to go to a museum.