Drive at the limit: Eckler's Corvette Performance Parts and PBOC (Porsche/BMW Owners Club) have joined forces to offer you the terrific opportunity to drive your Corvette at the Road Atlanta or Roebling Road race courses under the supervised instruction of certified teachers. The two-day driving school will include classroom driving principles, 2 hours of skidpad-control lessons, and 211/42 hours of in-car, supervised track-time instruction. The cost for this driving experience is $275 for the Saturday and Sunday school.
The Road Atlanta school is March 13-14, 2004, and the Roebling class is August 14-15, 2004. For details on enrollment and safety requirements, visit www.pbocflorida.com or enroll by e-mail to paul.lesinski@ecklers.net. You can also contact Eckler's at (800) 327-4868, ext. 312.
Bloomington Gold & Primedia: Bloomington Gold announced a plan to reach over 100,000 Corvette owners. Ed Saari, Director GoldMarket, announced that Bloomington Gold reached an agreement with PRIMEDIA, publishers of Corvette Fever and Vette magazines for the production of the official '04 Bloomington Gold Event Program.
It will be published in the July issues of both magazines, reaching subscribers on approximately May 1 and the newsstands on May 15. In the past, the program reached the public upon entering the show; with this change, Corvette enthusiasts will be informed and able to make their plans months before the show. Jerry Pitt, publisher of Corvette Fever, stated that "PRIMEDIA is excited to bring together the best-selling Corvette magazines in an effort to produce, with Bloomington Gold, the granddaddy of Corvette Shows, this 2004 Bloomington Gold Event Program."
The 32nd Annual '04 Bloomington Gold show will be held June 24-27 at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Illinois. For more info, visit Bloomington Gold's Web site at www.bloomingtongold.com.
NCM Board Changes
The National Corvette Museum Foundation Board of Directors announced leadership changes to the board of directors beginning in January. Larry Martin, NCM Lifetime member and former president and current member of the River Cities Corvette Club in Louisville, Kentucky, assumed the office of chairman of the NCM board beginning January 1. Buzz Nielsen, NCM Lifetime member and active member of many Corvette clubs and organizations, was elected chair elect to the board. Victoria Hicks of Georgia and Buzz Marston of California have been elected for two-year terms as board members at large. Both are Lifetime members of the Museum. Congratulations to these leaders at the National Corvette Museum.
More Choices
During a time when many companies are downsizing and jobs are scarce, Mid America Direct is expanding. The company recently purchased a 36,000-square-foot facility to develop its manufacturing operations in an effort to meet steadily rising demand. Under the Performance Choice by Mid America label, the manufacturing realm of Mid America directly impacts its customers, turning out the highest-quality products at the most reasonable prices within the industry.
The facility was purchased after the company's asset acquisition of a prominent Dearborn, Michigan, supplier of reproduction Corvette products. Performance Choice operations are already up and running at the new facility, including foam molding, vacuum forming, injection molding and die-electric presses, interior packages, seat upholstery, molded carpet sets, floor mats, door panels, shifter consoles, headliners, convertible tops, and interior trim. These products are manufactured for various Corvette models, and will continue to expand in selection and availability.
Corvette Fever Joins The Hot Rod Power Tour
The '04 Hot Rod Power Tour, presented by General Motors and cosponsored by Flowmaster, will travel from the Lone Star State to America's dairyland this summer, and Corvette Fever will be along for the ride. This annual trek of everything from classic hot rods to late-model performance vehicles will launch from Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, June 5, and conclude in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Friday, June 11.
This seven-day, seven-city tour once again brings the automotive enthusiast and automotive aftermarket together to celebrate their combined passion of all things automotive. Last year, more than 200,000 participants and spectators enjoyed the nation's largest motorized traveling extravaganza, latest project vehicles from General Motors, and a range of activities at each Tour stop including manufacturer displays, a dyno challenge, and product giveaways.
Painless Performance provides the spark for opening night, hosting the Kick Off Cruise Night in Arlington, Texas, at The Ball Park in Arlington. The Tour gets underway on Sunday, June 6, traveling to the CityPlex in Tulsa, Oklahoma, then on to the picturesque Osage Beach State Park in the Lake of the Ozarks region of America's heartland on June 7.
On Tuesday, June 8, the Tour travels to Gateway International Raceway in St. Louis, the "Gateway to the West."
A visit to the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds will be on the tour card, as the endless procession of cars and trucks motor into Davenport, Iowa, on Wednesday, June 9. The Windy City is next with a cruise night at the Arlington Race Track in the Chicago area on Thursday, June 10. The '04 Hot Rod Power Tour will wrap up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, at historic Lambeau Field on Friday, June 11. INA Insurance hosts the activities for the final leg of this automotive rolling party with the Grand Finale Cruise Night. This last stop will be busy as the long-haulers receive their final goodies and the '05 tour is unveiled.
INA Insurance serves as the "Official Insurance" of the Hot Rod Power Tour, presented by General Motors and cosponsored by Flowmaster. Also providing additional support for the Tour are Kanter Auto Transport (the "Official Transport), BFGoodrich (the "Official Tire"), and Keisler Automotive Engineering that produces five- and six-speed manual overdrive conversions for Corvettes.
Pre-registration for the Hot Rod Power Tour is $55 prior to May 28. Registration includes a vehicle decal, credentials for the driver and one passenger, plus all Tour stops and activities. For further information and registration, call (877) 413-6515 or visit www.hotrod.com.
Corvette enthusiasts will gather together each morning at pre-determined Wal-Mart locations to depart as a caravan. Join the fun and sign up today!
On the Block
The First V-8 Corvette sells for $250,000This month, our coverage of Corvettes sold at Special Interest and Collector Car auctions took place at the Mecum Collector Car Auction in Chicago. The majority of Corvettes up for sale were in good to excellent condition, with a few street-driven quality cars in the mix.
The high sale bid for Corvettes went to a special '54/'55 Zora Duntov experimental Corvette. It was the first experimental Corvette to be equipped with a V-8 engine. Well documented and authenticated, the car included the original GM Experimental Log Book and a letter from Zora confirming the car and its accomplishments. It was the first Corvette to exceed the 150-mph speed barrier by running 160-plus miles per hour with Zora behind the wheel at the GM Mesa/Phoenix Proving Grounds in December 1954. The sale price: $250,000!
Another investment-grade Corvette was a '69 T-top with the L88 (427-430) engine option, one of only 116 built that year. In never-restored condition with only 2,534 actual miles and heavy documentation (the tank sticker and Protect-O-Plate), it sold for $160,000.