Chevy/Vettefest To Honor MillerThis November, Chicago Chevy/Vettefest and Carlisle Events will host the Chip's Choice reunion.
Go to any major Corvette event, and chances are Chip Miller was there. He cofounded Carlisle Events in 1974, and was a pioneer and driving force in the Corvette hobby. So it was not surprising that Chip was at Chevy/Vettefest in Chicago last November, displaying his Dale Earnhardt C5-R Corvette and enjoying the cars he loved. In December, Chip was diagnosed with amyloidosis, a rare, incurable disease. He passed away March 25.
This November, Chevy/Vettefest will be a celebration of Chip's life. At his summer Corvettes at Carlisle shows, he selected 15 to 20 extraordinary Corvettes as "Chip's Choice." In 2001, he honored Chevy/Vettefest by selecting only Triple Crown award winners as Chip's Choice. In all, over 200 Corvettes have earned Chip's Choice, and many of them will be featured in a major Chevy/Vettefest Showcase this fall.
The Fall Chevy/Vettefest will also feature a luncheon for Chip Miller's family and friends, sponsored by Mike Yager of Mid America Motorworks. The tribute is co-chaired by Chip's son, Lance, and Ken Hanna of Mid America Promotions, promoters of Chevy/Vettefest.
A portion of the proceeds from the Fall 2004 Chevy/Vettefest will be donated to the Chip Miller Charitable Foundation, which was established to help find a cure for amyloidosis. The Fall Chevy/Vettefest will be November 20 and 21 at the McCormick Place Exposition Center in downtown Chicago.
Donations can be made to The Chip Miller Charitable Foundation, 1000 Bryn Mawr Rd., Carlisle, PA 17013; www.chipmiller.org.
For more information, contact Mid America Promotions, 6750 W. 74th St., Suite A, Bedford Park, IL 60638; (708) 563-4300; www.midamericapromotions.com
Coming EventsOctober 15-16, Titusville, FL. Eckler's Corvette Reunion at 5140 S. Washington Ave. Info: (321) 385-1113; www.ecklers.com.
October 24, Orland Park, IL. NCCC Rallye sponsored by Windy City Corvettes. Info: Larry Kesselring or Jan Gillespie (815) 773-2334; www.windycitycorvettes.com.
October 30, Maitland, FL. Roger's Cruz-In for Corvettes starting at 8 a.m. This charitable event will be a judged wash 'n' shine car show with proceeds for the Russell Home for Atypical Children. A new C6 class will be open and there will be plenty of fun, food, music, and door prizes. Info: www.rogers corvette.com.
November 5-7, Sierra Vista, AZ. Corvette Thunder. This long weekend involves social events, dinner party, and three NCCC-sanctioned events: concours, rallye, and low-speed autocross. Info: www.thundervetteset.homestead.com; williamsj@theriver.com.
November 20, Melbourne, FL. Space Coast Corvette Club's Corvette Show. Registration 8:00-10:30 a.m. Awards at 3:30 p.m. Info: (321) 288-4467; www.spacecoastcorvettes.com.
Vette Rod GodsIn keeping with our Vette Rods news and views in this issue, our friend and contributor Richard LeGasse has information on a new Vette Rod chassis system you may not have seen before. The SRIII system has been in the works for three years, and company owner Mike Stockdale has done an excellent job with the new program, according to LeGasse, who should know as the builder of new Vette Rods.
According to LeGasse, the key details of this chassis are:* Round-tube design* Can use either C4 or C5 front suspension components* Can use either stock or narrowed-width rear suspension* Uses QA1 coilovers in front and either coilovers or a monoleaf rear spring* Requires no external body modifications* Retains stock bumper and gas-tank mounting* Features a removable transmission crossmember* Can be set up to work with '63 through '82 Corvettes* Available as Stage 1 (frame) or Stage 2 (with suspension components installed)
Contact: SRIII Motorsports, 12647 Old Plank Dr., New Lenox, IL 60451; (815) 462-4138; www.sriiimotorsports.com/pages/691639/index.htm; sriiiframes@juno.com.
Clubbed Over The HeadWe're trying to build up our Club Of The Month news items. Please send us a sharp photo of your club and some background information, and we might just pick you for a little notoriety in Corvette Fever. Write to Corvette Fever, Club Of The Month, 3816 Industry Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33811.
Postal Service To Immortalize CorvettePostage stamps featuring images of five classic cars from the '50s were unveiled in August by the U.S. Postal Service in Pebble Beach, California. The Sporty Cars of the '50s commemorative stamps will be issued in 2005.
"We understand the power our stamps have in helping celebrate our American history and culture-in this case, the innovative brilliance of our automotive technology and design," said Anita Bizzotto, chief marketing officer, U.S. Postal Service. "They will be a reminder of the unique style and culture of the '50s."
Featured on the stamps are a '52 Nash Healey, a '53 Chevrolet Corvette, a '53 Studebaker Starliner, a '54 Kaiser Darrin, and a '55 Ford Thunderbird. The new stamps highlight the sporty look of American cars designed in the '50s, with sleek, aerodynamic lines and innovative looks of European sports cars American GIs favored upon their return from World War II.
"America's love affair with the automobile stems, in a large part, from its use as a form of personal expression," said Sandra Kasky, co-chairman of the 54th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. "We are what we drive. These stamps represent our love of style and performance, the same attributes we celebrate every year at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance."
At the GM Motorama in New York City in January 1953, the new fiberglass-bodied, two-seater Chevrolet Corvette was unveiled to the public, and quickly captured its imagination while setting the bar for competition. Only 300 models were produced that year, all hand-built and white, with a red interior and black convertible top, a marked departure from other GM designs. Its sporty appearance promised speed and high performance for its fun-seeking drivers.
The '50s Sporty Cars stamps were illustrated by Art Fitzpatrick of Carlsbad, California, and the designer/art director is Carl Herrman of Carlsbad.
Current U.S. stamps and stationery, as well as a free catalog, are available by calling (800) STAMP-24. In addition, a selection of stamps and other philatelic items are available at the online postal store at www.usps.com/shop. Custom-framed art prints of original stamp art are available at www.postalartgallery.com
Cruising Without Your CorvetteThe National Corvette Museum announces the NCM Corvette Cruise, April 2-9, 2005, that features seven days of cruising with your Corvette pals aboard the Grand Princess. This is the third year for the Corvette Cruise, and this year's trip to the western Caribbean will make stops at Cozumel, Costa Maya, Belize City, and Grand Cayman. The NCM Corvette Cruise Package Includes:
* Seven nights aboard the Grand Princess* All meals, snacks, and 24-hour room service* Broadway-style shows and entertainment* Dinner at Sabatini's or Sterling Steakhouse* Private NCM events with loads of prizes* NCM seminars with special guest speaker* Private cocktail party* All port charges and tax* Your choice of two unique shore excursions
Mark your calendars and make your reservations now by visiting www.corvettemuseum.com/cruise. For information, call Vicki toll-free at (877) 857-2165 or e-mail vickiw@trvlpartners.com.