Oppose Federal "Cash for Clunkers" Program

If it's one thing that Corvettes and their owners do best, it's tour in style. Think of it: Planning for a weekend adventure, then ensuring that this adventure isn't filled with misadventures by giving your Vette its proper pre-trip preparation. Even if you don't need to change your oil or other fluids, and every system on the car works just fine, quality time spend hand-washing it inside and out (at least a day before you leave) is worth it. Corvettes are head-turners--no sense in attracting attention to one wearing the "souvenirs" of your last road trip!

Spread around the shelves of my study are copies of virtually every book ever published on the Corvette. These include the three editions of Karl Ludvigsen's Corvette-America's Star-Spangled Sports Car. the first edition from 1973 was the book that started my collection, and I understand that a new edition is due shortly. Well over 100 books have been produced on the Corvette since then, seven of them written by yours truly. On the shelves above the books are the magazines, including a complete set of GM's own Corvette News going back to 1971 when I bought my first Corvette-a '66 convertible. In the glovebox was an invitation to a free subscription to this superbly produced publication; all you needed was to send in your VIN. I have renewed ever since, addicted to the outstanding photography and graphics, which even improved when it was renamed Corvette Quarterly and was a paid subscription.

For many of us, Corvette race cars over the years have created much of the mystical attraction to America's only sportscar. The racing team with the longest winning streak in Corvette racing history is a huge part of this rich racing heritage. The V.V. Cooke Chevrolet SCCA racing team actually got its start with the meeting of V.V Cooke Jr. and the Barker brothers, Allan and Donald, in 1958. At the time, V.V. Jr. was competing in his personal '58 fuelie, while the Barkers were racing their Austin Healeys. To some Vette owners, an afternoon drive on a rural road with the sounds of a dual exhaust and the feel of a four-speed shifter in your hand is heaven on earth, while others, like the Barker brothers, had to prepare and take their Corvettes to the limit in competition.

It's funny how so many celebrities move into the spotlight, shine like a star for a brief moment, and then disappear, never to be heard from again. But it is with unforgettable fondness we remember them in the brilliance of their prime.

I love driving in the United States. Americans have mastered the art of making driving an easy and relaxing process-stay in your lane, leave a safe distance to the car in front, stop at red lights and re-start on green, and turn away from Do Not Enters. Whether listening to CDs or chatting with friends, it demands little involvement, particularly with an automatic transmission and air-conditioning to keep you cool, and very little sense of timing is required by the driver. The United States is a popular destination for the British vacationer, who was attracted first by the Florida theme parks and the cheapest car rental in the civilized world, competitive motels, and a common language. They soon fall in love with the sausage and pancake breakfasts, and are surprised by the universal politeness and courtesy.

Seatbelts have been in Corvettes since the C1. While we all have our opinions about whether or not we like to wear a seatbelt, many Corvette owners have to install them if they want their car to be correct. Since seatbelt use is now a federal law, many of us may install them for that reason alone. Whether or not the car originally came from the factory with seatbelts, if you do decide to install them, you might as well install the correct set that's applicable to your car, as the designs have changed drastically over the years.

By now, everyone knows of the havoc caused by Hurricane Katrina. Never before in our country's history has such an enormous number of Americans suffered so greatly from a single-or even series of-natural disasters. There's nothing we can say about the devastation and tragedy that hasn't been said a million times already. To help the victims as best we can, Year One has started the Hot Rodders' Relief Fund to collect donations for the Red Cross relief efforts. Every penny collected will go to the Red Cross.

Advertising has always played a big part in the marketing and salessuccess of the Corvette, and this CD-ROM chronicles it all. CorvetteAds, The Marketing of America's Sportscar v2.0 is a collection of nearly400 nostalgic ads that captured the hearts of the American drivingpublic. Running under the Windows 95, 98, ME, or XP operating systems,the software installs easily and gives you a choice of running theprogram from the CD-ROM or copying the advertisements to your harddrive. An easy-to-use removal utility is also included should you electthe latter and decide to erase the ads from your hard drive later.

Let your opinion be heard by taking this short survey. Your input is greatly appreciated!

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Forty years ago, Sebring set the stage for some highly competitive racing among Cobras, Ferraris, and Corvettes. Difficult weather and trying mechanical situations added a challenging dimension to an exciting event. In light of recent C5-R successes and the impending start of yet another season of American Le Mans Series competition, a look back at the effort put forth by the privateer Corvette camp lends amazing perspective.

Starting this month, we're focusing on signature engine-part builders and some of their latest offerings. This is in no way intended to be a complete listing of products, but rather a sampling of what's out there in the market.

With GM's versatile Gen III small-block gaining popularity as the foundation for a wide range of high-performance engine buildups, market demand for an affordable LS1 stroker package has become increasingly intense. In response, SLP Performance Parts has devised a revolutionary new Gen III stroker short-block assembly, one that offers unexcelled performance and durability at a truly accessible price.

Chip MillerIn March of this year, Chip Miller, founder of Carlisle Productions, passed away. An empire builder, Chip was loved by his family, his employees, and the car-enthusiast community. His kindness and dedication to the hobby have already been missed by those who knew him well. Bill Tower's column is dedicated to his numerous encounters with Chip over the past 30 years.-Cam Benty

Renewing Old FriendshipsYou never know what past encounters you might reconnect with later in life.

In an effort to create a story about John Greenwood and his racing exploits, I spoke with many contributors. Despite finding some interesting images in the Primedia archives, I was pleased to find that Dave Friedman's new book, Corvette Thunder, 50 Years of Corvette Racing 1953-2003, covered the subject beautifully and quite candidly. The book is amazingly detailed and chock-full of the best images I've ever found, not only regarding John Greenwood, but also the entire topic of Corvettes in competition. To that end, we have excerpted the following images and captions from the book and created the article you find here. We thank Dave and Chuck Koch for their help in making this article come together.

Mike Brockman has been a driver of note for many years. He's piloted just about every form of car and truck fast through the curves of Watkins Glen to the wild of Baja, and even spent some time as the chief test driver for Motor Trend magazine. He's lived in the fast lane for most of his life.

General Motors will recall certain Chevrolet Corvettes to correct a condition in which the vehicle can operate when the electronic steering column lock fails to unlock. The vehicles included in this recall are:

The doctor is in and he has the cure for what ails you. What you need, Sonny, is a big-block Chevy engine where that puny small-block now resides. This magic pill is sure to get you off the couch quickly and back in the driver seat feeling much better.

The poster offered in the September 2002 issue's Inside Track section is still available for $14.95 + $3.95 S&H (Total $18.90). To order, please make your check payable to
K. Reynics, and send to: Poster, 115 Scoles Ave., Clifton, NJ 07012.

For more info, call (973) 473-7396 or e-mail cweed115@aol.com.

On this page you’ll find your chance to check out three stories from Corvette Fever before you even get the issue as well as a look back at issues you may have missed!

To order a back issue, call 800/429-0106.

Dan Gale, one of the five original founding members of the National Corvette Museum, and arguably the driving force behind its creation, suffered a stroke on September 22, and passed away on October 4 in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

It is widely agreed that without Dan’s efforts, the dream of a museum dedicated exclusively to the Corvette would never have become a reality. His zeal for the project was so extreme that he left his home in Massachusetts and spent three years in a Bowling Green motel, pushing the project along on a fulltime basis.

Ralph Kramer, public relations director for Chevrolet from 1986 to 1993, spoke of Dan’s “genius” in building the NCM Annex in a Bowling Green shopping center in 1990. It gave a sense of reality to the dream and kept everyone focused on the goal.

Dan was the first vice president of the museum’s Foundation, and succeeded Ray Bataglini as president in 1993. He served on the board of directors from 1988 to 1995, part of that time as its president.

Museum Director Wendell Strode attended the funeral, bringing with him the heartfelt condolences of the entire Corvette community. He commented, “Dan had a deep love for the National Corvette Museum. While other Corvette enthusiasts were involved in the concept of a library, archives, and museum, it was Dan’s enthusiasm, creativity, work ethic, determination, resourcefulness, untiring efforts, and plainspoken style that turned an idea into a crusade, into The National Corvette Museum. This is the legacy that Dan Gale leaves to Corvette enthusiasts and the one we should all remember him by.”

Our deepest sympathy to his wife of 23 years, Karen, and children Heather, Darrin, Peter, and Chris.

Rest in peace, Dan.