Allentown Area Corvette Club, Inc. ‘Vetter’s Letter May 2020 Volume 27, Issue 5
President Joe Iervolino From the val Office 973-219-6307 [email protected] Hello everyone! Vice-President Gary Warmkessel I hope this message finds you all healthy and safe as we weather 610-767-3605 the current health storm that is upon us. In looking ahead to [email protected] planned car events, the foreseeable future prospects are dim with many events Secretary Carol Jenkins being canceled and/or rescheduled. As you all know, the canceling of our Spring‐ 610-417-8836 fest show was a difficult decision and we sincerely hope our Fall show can/will [email protected] proceed as planned. Treasurer Mike Best One thing is for certain — all those small businesses and charities that benefit, 610-767-6079 directly or indirectly, from these events are being severely impacted. When nor‐ [email protected] malcy returns to the order of things, we need to remember the contributions of Membership Laura Hegyi all those who sacrificed for the benefit of others and the small businesses that 610-730-2695 suffered during this crisis. The best we can do is to keep all this in mind and pa‐ [email protected] tronize, with priority, small businesses and also remember hospitals, where so Activities Jeff Mohring many made personal sacrifices and endured hardships for our benefit. As a soci‐ 610-392-6898 ety we have a tendency to forget with time; in my humble opinion, this should [email protected] not be one of those times! In my lifetime and perhaps yours, never can I recall Merchandise & Clothing our country shut down as it is today. We must never forget but rather remember! Elizabeth Garnto [email protected] As you all are aware, we have canceled our club meetings for the month of May, NCM Ambassador and we will revisit this decision for the month of June. I hope and pray we may be Al Fuller 610-972-0560 (Continued on page 3) [email protected] Newsletter Editors Kevin & Michelle Minnich 610-530-0923 AACC Meetings [email protected] Webmaster The Allentown Area Corvette Club meets at 7:30 pm at the Paragon Hall at Michelle Minnich Se‐Wy‐Co Fire Company (3621 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bethlehem, PA). 610-530-0923 [email protected] There is ample parking, so please do not block the fire engine doors.
Sponsored by: Upcoming Club Meetings: Jun. 10 & 24 July 08 & 22 Aug. 12 & 26
398 Stoke Park Road Due to COVID‐19 social distancing mandates, AACC’s meetings for May are canceled. Bethlehem, PA We hope everyone remains healthy and look forward to seeing you all again soon! Allentown Area Corvette Club Page 2 ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020 Members
SPECIAL NOTE: The listing below appears different than usual. We want to reinforce canceled events. May 2020 All events are TENTATIVE pending evolving COVID-19 restrictions. . Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 This Month 02—Faulkner Car Show 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 X 03—Get Out and Walk 13—Club Meeting (p.1) 17—Skytop Lodge Cruise & 10X 11 12 13 14 15 16 Lunch 22—Iron Pigs Game Night 17 18 19 20X 21 22 23 23—Eaglesmere Car & Plane Museum 25—Memorial Day Parade & 24X 25 26 27 28 29 X 30X Fallen Soldier Visit (p.6) 27—Club Meeting (p.1) 31 X 30—Springfest Judging Clinic X
Coming Up 06/03—Putt-U Club Night Membership Corner 06/06—AACC Springfest 06/18—Kingfish American Bistro As of our planned meeting on April 27th there were: Dinner (p.6) 235 active members 06/25-29—Watkins Glen Trip 4 potential members (p.6) 07/11—Chicken Run (p.6) The Board of Directors did not vote in any New Active Members during March. 08/02—Das Awksht Fescht Corvette Display The following are currently Potential Members: 08/16—AACC Summer Picnic Angel Solivan ...... Orefield, PA...... ’06 Cpe 08/26-30—Corvettes @ Carlisle Bill Hawk, Jr...... Bethlehem, PA ...... ’02 Cpe Jeff Haycock ...... Bangor, PA...... ‘99 Cnv, ‘18 Cnv Join our group on Steve Magan...... Bethlehem, PA ...... ’86 Cnv
Thank you for your interest in our club!! We look forward to seeing you at upcoming AACC meetings & events. Page 3 AllentownCorvetteClub.org Members ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020
AACC’s Sponsor Thinking of You
Official Chevrolet Dealer: April was a very sad month with the deaths of a lifetime club member and three parents. Unfortunately, the social distancing kept us from comforting one another in per‐ son, but thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in this difficult time. Club member Gail Rovinsky’s mother, Edith Raduka, passed away April 6th. 298 Stoke Park Road Because of COVID‐19, arrangements are on hold indefinitely and an obituary Bethlehem, PA 18017 has not been published. 877 260‐1080 FaulknerMotors.com Club member, Susan Hornung, a former club president and active lifetime member for 25 years, passed away on Sunday, April 19. Her obituary appears
on the next page. AACC’s Charity Also on April 19th, club member Jeanette Marakovits’s father, Ruben Rodri‐ guez, passed away. His obituary appeared in The Morning Call and at https://www.schislerfuneralhomes.com/obituary/ruben‐rodriguez. Services are private. Vivian Noll, mother of club member Bev Kark, passed away April 28th. Her obituary appeared in the Express‐Times and on Strunk Funeral Home’s website http://www.strunkfh.com/obituary/Vivian‐C.‐Noll/Williams‐ Township‐PA/1872641. Services will be private. 5611 Hemlock Place If you know of a member who is hospitalized, had surgery, or lost a loved Orefield, PA 18069 610.533.1923 one, please notify VP Gary Warmkessel ( [email protected], Angel34.org 610‐767‐3605) or another board member.
AACC’s Board More from the Oval Continued...
(Continued from page 1) Board Chair ...... Mike Cutro
Current Officers: able to resume a greater degree of normalcy in all things important in our ...... Joe Iervolino lives in the month of June...... Gary Warmkessel ...... Carol Jenkins In the interim, be safe, stay healthy and enjoy your time with your families! ...... Mike Best Spending some time in the garage with your cars is a good way to break up the daily routine. If you’re like me, there’s not much left to detail on my car. Elected Board Members: ...... Jim Fagan In fact, I believe I’ve cleaned where the GM designers never intended. While ...... Jim Flader life is not what it once was, if you are reading this, you are blessed! ...... Marty Hegyi ...... Dennis Kuhns Think Positive! Joe Iervolino Joe AACC President Allentown Area Corvette Club Page 4 ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020 Members
Goodbye, Susan Sun., Apr. 19 | Sadly, we must again announce the passing of a fellow club member. Susan Hornung, a former club president and active lifetime member for 25 years (joined 1995), passed away at home, surrounded by her family. Her obituary was published on Trexler Funeral Home’s website: https://trexlerfuneralhome.com/ and in The Morning Call. Please keep Susan’s husband, Dave, and their family in your thoughts and prayers. Susan E. Hornung, 73, of Emmaus, passed away Sunday, April 19, 2020 in her home after a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. She was the wife of David Hornung, with whom she shared over 51 years of marriage. Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Doris (Parry) Schneck. After graduating from Emmaus High School in 1964, Susan was a paralegal for 20 years. She then loved work‐ ing as a realtor and broker, devoting 30 years at RE/MAX, Allentown before retiring in 2017. She was a member & of the Church of the Mediator, Allentown. She was a life member & past president of the Allentown Area Corvette Club, participating for 25 years with their various activities and touring the country on their trips. Survivors: Husband David; sons Troy and his wife Tammy of Havertown Pa, Erich of Allentown Pa; sister Carol Dorn‐ blaser of Boca Raton, FL; 2 granddaughters Keira and Julia. She was predeceased by her brother Thomas Schneck Jr. and sister Peggy Whitby. Memorial services to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers contributions may be given in memory of Susan to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Re‐ search, c/o Trexler Funeral Home, 1625 W. Highland St. Allentown, 18102.
AACC is a charitable club. There are many opportunities to get involved in Cares! your community. The following were recently shared with members. As news of the Coronavirus abounds and each of us deals with it in a manner that protects our families, loved ones and ourselves, there may come a time where (for whatever reason) a bit of assistance may be required. In this difficult time a little kindness can go a long way. Certain of our Club members have offered to run an errand or provide a measure of support to a fellow, physically limited or ill member in need of such assistance. Examples of this assistance would be to pick up a prescription, a much needed food item or transportation to an appointment.
Presently there are four of our members willing to provide this assistance, any member wishing to be added to our list can do so by contacting Joe Iervolino ([email protected], cell# 973‐219‐6307). Most importantly, any mem‐ ber wishing assistance can do so by also contacting me. I hope and pray this virus dissipates and normalcy to our lives returns. In the interim be well, stay healthy and God Bless you and your families. Page 5 AllentownCorvetteClub.org Members/News ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020
Club Clothing Chair: Elizabeth Garnto (‘98)
A&D Fashions Embroidery (Emmaus, PA) will place our club logo on anything from www.sanmar.com and www.alphabroder.com, or apply it to your own item for $6. Email Elizabeth with the item number/description and size ( [email protected]). Once your order is placed, please mail a check payable to "A&D Fashions Embroi‐ dery" and either mail to Elizabeth Garnto, 720 N 2nd Street, Emmaus, PA 18049 or pay her at a meeting.
New: C5 and C7 logos are now available for $10 each.
Thank You, All by Gail Rovinsky (‘20) Ken and I would like to thank everyone for your kind words and cards expressing condolences on the passing of my Mom. In this time of social distancing it was so comforting to have you reach out to us. We wish you all peace and good health and Ken and I look forward to when we can meet as a club again.
Virtual hugs to all, Gail Rovinsky
Clear Your Calendars
Wed., Apr. 22 | As of the planned late‐month meeting, AACC chairpeople are hopeful some of these canceled events can be rescheduled at future dates:
Phantoms Hockey Night (was Mar. 21)
SR71 Blackbird Presentation (was Mar. 25)
Brick Tavern Inn (was Apr. 29)
Get Out and Walk (was May 03)
Skytop Lodge Cruise & Lunch (was May 17)
Eaglesmere Car & Plane Museum (was May 23)
Putt‐U Mini Golf Night (was Jun. 03)
Stay safe and keep those Corvettes fueled and ready to roll — we will again be on the road before too long!! Allentown Area Corvette Club Page 6 ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020 Events
Fallen Soldier Home Visit Chair: Valerie Ferguson (‘17) Mon., May 25 | Although the City of Bethlehem (PA) canceled the 2020 Memorial Day Parade, Valerie Ferguson still hopes to lead the Support The Troops Fallen Soldier Visit — a short drive and stop to pay respect and honor two local servicemen who were killed in the War on Terrorism.
Because social distancing can be practiced, this event is expected to occur. More information on the meeting location and departure time will be announced via email.
Kingfish Bistro Dinner Chair: Laura Hegyi (’69, ‘07, ‘17) Thu., Jun. 18 | Join your AACC friends for a wonderful dinner at one of our member’s restau‐ rants — Kingfish American Bistro & Wine Bar (3833 Freemansburg Ave., Bethlehem, PA 18020; www.kingfishbethlehem.com). This event is tentative — let’s see what decisions the Gover‐ nor makes during May regarding restaurant operations. We’re hopeful to be able and support Cheryl & Randy Beck.
Watkins Glen Race Trip Chair: Dennis Corona (‘07) Thu.‐Mon., Jun. 25 to 29 | Dennis Corona, with the help of few others, will lead a trip to Watkins Glen, NY for a long weekend of touring, tasting, and racing. The destination is the IMSA 6 Hours at the Glen race. Scott & Jeanette Marakovits will arrange group dinners and other non‐race activities during the trip. The race is still scheduled as of April 21st. The ability for people to gather will impact the track’s food concessions and the GM tent (Corvette Corral). The track gave no word regarding refunds. IMSA is hopeful to resume their 2020 racing season and we are ready for things turn around soon!
Chicken Run Chair: Jeff Mohring (‘04, ‘16) Sat., Jul. 11 | It’s soon time again for the AACC Chicken Run. As in the past, plans are to meet behind Cracker Barrel (I‐78 and US‐100) at 10:15am for the Driver’s meeting. We depart at 10:30am and will take a leisurely 45‐minute drive along Old Route 22 to our lunch stop — Kauffman’s Bar‐B‐Que Restaurant (Bethel, PA) www.kauffmansbbqrestaurant.com
This is a rain or shine event. Corvettes are optional but bring your 2‐way radios. Kauffman’s accepts only CASH $$. Page 7 AllentownCorvetteClub.org Events/News ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020
Mystic Seaport Trip Host: David Hausman (‘07) Thu.‐Sun., Sep. 17‐20 | Looking for a long weekend getaway this fall? David Hausman has just the cure — a four‐day trip to Mystic Seaport, CT. Arrive in less than 4 hours. Stay at either Hyatt Place or Hilton Mystic. Special activities include: 2 organized dinners, special parking at the hotel, and coordinated activities with the Corvette Club of CT. Explore the area by visiting Mystic Seaport’s Museum or Aquarium, Olde Mystic Village, Submarine Force Museum, Newport Auto Museum, the planetarium, or charter a schooner and hit the open seas.
No participant limit. Cost: $900‐1,000. Call David at 610‐217‐7208 for more information.
Oktoberfest on Lake George Hosts: Harry & Athena Newman (‘14) Thu.‐Mon., Oct. 08‐12 | Harry and Athena Newman put together a long weekend trip to the Lake George, NY area to celebrate Oktoberfest! Planned activities include: tour of West Point Military Academy, Hudson Walking Bridge, Roosevelt Museum / Vanderbuilt mansion, lunch at the Culinary Insti‐ tute of America, “Lake George Village Oktoberfest,” dinner cruise on Lake George, and a visit to Adirondack Winery. The schedule is a bit flexible so opportunities exist for stops at Sagamore Resort, Hyde Collection of Art, Caves Park, and outlet stores. More information and a sign‐up sheet will be coming soon.
Preview the featured event at https://lakegeorgeoktoberfest.com/lake‐george‐octoberfest/
GM Sells 3,820 New Corvettes in Q1 by Keith Cornett (CorvetteBlogger.com) Thu., Apr. 02 | General Motors released its 1st Quarter 2020 sales report yesterday and it shows that a total of 3,820 Corvettes were sold during the time period. The number is a 3.1% decline from the 3,943 corvettes sold during the same time period in 2019. As a bright spot, the quarterly figure is 329 units more than were sold during the fourth quarter of 2019.
2020 was supposed to be the year of the Corvette, and by all accounts, it still can be for the second half of the year should we be able to escape the cloud of uncertainty that has America and much of the world locked indoors due to fears of spreading the coronavirus. The first Corvettes were delivered in March before the plant shut on Friday, March 20th and so far there is no update on when the plant will reopen.
We believe that approximately 2,741 new 2020 Corvettes or so have been built so far, and the good news for those owners is that Jack Cooper Transportation is still hauling the completed 2020s to dealerships. Depending on the state
(Continued on page 8) Allentown Area Corvette Club Page 8 ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020 News
3,820 New Corvettes in Q1 Continued...
(Continued from page 7) you are in, your Chevy dealership may still open, although some states have deemed just the service departments as essential. The good news is that we have heard of dealers going out of there [sic] way to get the new Corvettes (which have already been invoiced) to their new owners[,] either through off‐site deliveries or via home delivery though the Chevy Cares program.
We have also seen some of the unsubstantiated rumors about Chevrolet closing out the 2020 model or production not restarting until July or August[,] and I can tell you that as of this moment, these are simply not true. As soon as we have the latest word from Chevrolet and GM we will share it here, but try not to get sucked into some of the doom and gloom out there because GM hasn’t put out a date when they will restart production.
For those of you wanting to get a great price on a 2019 C7 Corvette, Chevrolet is offering up to 84 months of interest‐ free financing or you can get $2,000 in Customer Cash. Check with your Chevy dealers for details.
2020 Lifespan: One Day by Jeremy Welborn (CorvetteBlogger.com) Sat., Apr. 04 | What should have been the first of many weekends enjoying ownership of a new 2020 Corvette sud‐ denly came to an abrupt end for “June Bug” and his new Stingray on Saturday. A black sedan apparently ran a traffic light at the intersection of North Tamiami Trail and Imperial drive in Sara‐ sota, Florida, and was subsequently T‐boned by the new Corvette. Fortu‐ nately, June Bug reported on Facebook that he and his passenger, Ruby, are okay with only minor head and hand injuries.
Just 24 hours earlier, Joel Curto, Internet Sales Manager at Cox Chevrolet in Bradenton, Florida, had shared several photos on Facebook of the new Sebring Orange 2020 Corvette being delivered to dealership and later to June Bug and Ruby. Curto posted, “Wow awesome day for you June Bug… it finally came in…think like you said this is #7 between you and Ruby…thanks again for your friendship and business all these years.”
June Bug and Ruby picked their 2020 Z51 Stingray up at Cox Chevrolet on Thursday, April 2. Photos of the new Corvette parked in the driveway were also shared Thursday evening. The accident occurred on Friday afternoon, just 24 hours after delivery. Today, June Bug posted, “Guess it wasn’t meant to be. Thanks for all the support and outreach. Face‐ book is amazing.” Page 9 AllentownCorvetteClub.org News ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020
Erroneous C8 Window Stickers by Sam McEachern (gmauthority.com) Tue., Apr. 07 | Deliveries of the 2020 Corvette C8 began early last month and customers all over the country are now excitedly taking delivery of their new mid‐engine sports cars. One customer’s excitement was a bit hampered, how‐ ever, when he noticed a discrepancy on the window sticker that came on his car.
On a Facebook page called “C8 Corvette Owners (And Friends),” a Corvette C8 owner posted a photo of the two win‐ dow stickers that came with his vehicle. One of the stickers correctly indicated the car’s engine was built in the United States, as well as its eight‐speed dual‐clutch transmission. The second window sticker that came with the car seemed to suggest otherwise, showing the transmission was actually built south of the American border in Mexico.
We were equally as confused as the vehicle owner when we saw this, so we reached out to General Motors for some clarity. Luckily for C8 Corvette owners, this is simply an error with the window sticker and GM is not building its dual clutch transmissions in two different plants.
“The dual‐clutch transmission is made in the United States,” a GM spokesperson confirmed in a statement over email. “Early labels were incorrect so a corrected version was also sent to owners.”
We also inquired as to how many erroneous window stickers may have been sent out, but did not receive an answer. With deliveries having only been ongoing for about a month now, though, GM appears to have noticed and rectified this printing error rather quickly.
The eight‐speed dual‐clutch transmission used in the 2020 Corvette C8, also known as the TR‐9080 DCT, was designed by Tremec and is manufac‐ tured at the company’s plant in Wixom, Michigan. The transmission uses two wet clutches and also houses the standard mechanical differential or the optional electronic diff, also known as the eLSD. The 6.2L LT2 V8 engine that it links up with it is built at GM’s Tonawanda Engine plant in Buf‐ falo. The transmission and engine are both sent to GM’s Bowling Green Assembly plant in Kentucky to be installed into the vehicle.
As the 2020 Corvette C8 window sticker indicates, more than 60% of the components that make up the sports car are sourced from either the United States or Canada. Allentown Area Corvette Club Page 10 ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020 News
Class Action Lawsuit Over C7 Wheels by Mitch Talley (corvetteblogger.com) Tue., Apr. 14 | It’s been reported for years that some owners are experiencing problems with their wheels cracking on C7 Z06s and Grand Sports.
A Pennsylvania law firm is asking affected owners to contact them to take part in a class‐action lawsuit against General Motors. Kehoe Law Firm, P.C., says the class action has been filed in United States District Court, Northern District of California on behalf of owners of 2015‐2019 Corvette Z06s and 2017‐19 Grand Sports.
The suit alleges that the wheels “are prone to bending and cracking, necessitating costly repairs and replacements” and that such cracking “can puncture the tires, causing air leaks and tire blowouts.”
According to the complaint, said defect is a result of making the rims out of a cheaper cast material instead of being forged, and also because GM used less material than necessary to try and save unsprung weight (or weight that is not borne by the cars’ sus‐ pension), resulting in cracks under normal driving conditions because the rims are too weak.
The suit also argues that Chevy is systematically denying claims about the wheels made by owners during the three‐year, 36,000‐mile bumper‐to‐bumper warranty, forcing owners to pay thousands of dol‐ lars on their own to repair and replace the wheels.
U.S. purchasers or lessees of either a Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (2015‐Present) or Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport vehicle (2017‐Present) designed, manufactured, marketed, distributed, sold, warranted, and/or serviced by General Motors LLC are encouraged to contact Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. Michael Yarnoff, Esq., (215) 792‐6676, Ext. 804, [email protected], [email protected], or John Kehoe, Esq., (215) 792‐6676, Ext. 801, [email protected], to discuss potential legal claims.
Numerous stories about wheel cracking problems have been posted for years on Corvette Forum. Car & Driver maga‐ zine even reported that it had to replace or repair six damaged wheels over the course of its 40,000‐mile test period with a 2017 Grand Sport.
In 2017, Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter weighed in on the subject with the following response to an Ask Tadge question on the Corvette Forum:
“A frequent sequence of events is that a wheel gets bent by a road hazard but the damage is initially almost undetect‐ able to the driver. Maybe the driver notices a little more vibration, but many times not if the wheel is only slightly out‐ of‐round (just a millimeter or two). A wheel that is not perfectly round puts stress in the rim that varies with each wheel rotation. Over time fatigue cracks can form after thousands or even millions of cycles. The wheel doesn’t look any differ‐ ent but begins to leak air at the rim. Since it is hundreds or thousands of miles after the damaging event, the driver often can’t remember hitting anything that would justify a crack in the wheel. I have actually experienced this myself.” Page 11 AllentownCorvetteClub.org News ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020
Did COVID-19 Claim the C8 ‘Vert? by Brandan Gillogly (hagerty.com) Tue., Apr. 14 | With auto production shut down as part of the measures to quell the spread of COVID‐19, many hope‐ ful car owners are having to wait for their orders to be fulfilled. That wait may be especially tough for those with 2020 Corvette orders, as the long‐anticipated first production mid‐engine Corvette just started shipping before its Bowling Green assembly plant went quiet. That could mean we may not see the first‐ever production hardtop converti‐ ble Corvette until 2021.
We reached out to Chevrolet to get an update and confirm if the rumor of delayed C8 convertible production was true. The response we got didn’t confirm anything. Kevin Kelly, Senior Manager of Chevrolet Car and Crossover Communica‐ tions told us that “Due to the current situation, we will resume production on Corvette when it is safe to do so.”
That could mean that those with the first allotments of 2020 Stingrays will have a much more exclusive Corvette than they had intended. It also means that one of the very few 2020 Stingray convertible pilot cars that are currently being driven by Chevrolet employees may wind up with a special place in the National Corvette Museum. The 2020 Corvette convertible may not be as rare as the 1983 model that never went on sale, but it will likely end up as a similar footnote in the Corvette’s long history.
GM Mexico Converts to Face Masks by Sam McEachern (gmauthority.com) Wed., Apr. 15 | General Motors has announced it will produce up to 9 million face masks at a manufacturing facility in the Mexican state of Toluca as part of its efforts to fight the COVID‐19 pandemic. GM will begin producing the Level 1 surgical masks later this month and will distribute a portion of them to public hospitals located in Mexico City and the San Luis Potosí, Guanajuato and Coahuila states, where the company currently has various manufacturing and business operations. The rest of the masks will be used by GM employees and its local distributors.
“For General Motors, it has been a priority to support the communities that need it most during the almost 85 years we have been in Mexico,” said GM de Mexico President and CEO, Francisco Garza, in a translated statement. “For this reason, we are very interested in contributing to the battle against the COVID‐19 pandemic in our country and in sup‐ porting first‐line doctors and nurses whom we recognize for their great effort to save lives in the face of pressing cir‐ cumstances. I am very proud of the group of employees who decided to participate to support us in this work, we are guaranteeing them maximum hygiene care to prevent any risk of contagion,” Garza added.
The face masks will be built in a facility that normally manufactures GM’s turbocharged 1.5L four‐cylinder engine, which is used in the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain, among other vehicles. About 1.5 million of the masks will roll off the line monthly over a 6 month period, it says.
GM says it is also looking at manufacturing other types of masks with greater protection than the Level 1 masks at the facility. It is currently searching for additional raw material to do this, however, which is in short supply as the world scrambles to get frontline healthcare workers the proper PPE. Allentown Area Corvette Club Page 12 ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020 News
GM Discontinues C7 Roof Accessories by Alex Luft (gmauthority.com) Wed., Apr. 15 | The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette is finally here, but only if you’re one of the lucky few who managed to take delivery of the all‐new, mid‐engine sports car before GM factories, including the GM Bowling Green plant that makes the Corvette, were idled as a result of the ongoing COVID‐19 outbreak. The short‐lived C8 production (for now) means that the mid‐engine beast is a very rare‐ticket item, with less than 3,000 produced as of this writing. What is much more plentiful, however, is the last‐generation Corvette C7. Production of the last front‐engined Corvette ceased several months ago to make room for the C8. And now, GM is slowly beginning to discontinue the various accessories for the front‐engined Vette, such as the various C7 Corvette roof options.
GM Authority noticed that the three roof panel options previously offered by GM are no longer available in the Chevro‐ let Accessories catalog. The three roof panel options include: Body‐color roof panel Visible carbon‐fiber roof panel with body‐color surround (~$2,500 option) Transparent roof panel with body‐color surround (~$2,100 option)
The body‐color panel was included as standard on C7 Corvette Coupe models, the carbon‐fiber roof panel provides a visible texture on the central roof panel, while the transparent roof offers occupants ample viewing of the sky above. The transparent panel was also tinted, ensuring that occupants won’t get scorched if the sun happens to be directly overhead.
When the C7 was still in production, Chevy offered the three panels in bundles, much like it currently does for the C8. For those who purchase an additional roof panel, Chevrolet can also sell you a black storage bag with the Corvette Crossed Flags Logo. Though the individual roof panel options are no longer available, the bag is still offered for $130 (GM part number 23148691).
Like on the C8, all three panels are removable on the C7 Coupe, which means owners can switch to unlimited head‐ room with an open targa top design at the drop of a hat, so to speak.
To us, the transparent roof option is the coolest of the three, though it does have a few drawbacks. For starters, there’s the price: the accessory was priced at a whopping $2,100, which certainly ain’t chump change. There’s also privacy is‐ sues for those that don’t like the idea of folks peering down into the cabin on the road or in parking lots. Finally, we hear there’s increased road noise inside the cabin with this piece. That said, those drawbacks could be worth it for Cor‐ vette C7 owners that want as much natural light and upward visibility as possible, but without the “in‐the‐elements” feeling of an open targa top.
If you’re a C7 owner and want one of the three roof options, you might get lucky as a few dealers and GM parts resel‐ lers still have units in stock, though that won’t last forever.
Meanwhile, Chevy is offering all three of the aforementioned Corvette roof panels as an option on the all‐new mid‐ engine C8 Corvette. The body‐color panel is standard, the transparent panel is a $995 option, and the carbon‐fiber panel is a pricier $2,495 option. Page 13 AllentownCorvetteClub.org News ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020
GM Now Making Face Shields, Gowns by Sam McEachern (gmauthority.com) Mon., Apr. 20 | General Motors has ramped up its PPE production efforts to help healthcare workers on the frontline of the COVID‐19 pandemic. The automaker was already making facemasks and ventilators to help address supply short‐ ages at American hospitals, but it has now expanded into making latex‐free face shields and protective medical gowns. Additionally, it is now also making aerosol boxes – a plastic cube that surrounds a patient’s head when they are intu‐ bated, protecting medical workers from exposure if the patient coughs or sneezes.
GM said these projects were led by employee volunteers that were looking to apply their automotive‐production skills to help healthcare workers. The employees delivered handmade test samples to local hos‐ pitals for feedback before perfecting the designs and putting them into production.
“It’s amazing how much our employees have accomplished in such a short time,” GM President Mark Reuss said in a statement. “People from all corners of the company have really stepped up to help, and to lend their talents, time and energy to battle coronavirus.”
GM also said it is currently coordinating with the state of Michigan to identify hospitals that are in need of additional PPE. Some protective gowns have already been delivered to Henry Ford Health System hospitals in the state, while some aerosol boxes have also been given to certain Michigan hospitals.
The automaker’s Additive Manufacturing and Design Fabrication Operations teams came up with the face shield design on Monday, March 23rd and by Friday, March 27th had already finalized the design and began manufacturing shields. The shields are cut from a single piece of polyester using a table cutter that is normally used to make dashboards and other plastic parts for the automaker’s concept vehicles. GM supplier Argent International is making the 12‐inch elastic bands that hold the shields in place.
In addition, GM’s interior upholstery division has undertaken the job of producing medical gowns, while its fabrication team designed the plastic aerosol boxes.
“Our team members are experts at solving problems on the fly and creating things from scratch,” said GM design fabri‐ cations director, Steve Hart. “The dedication, abilities and spirit of collaboration from our skilled tradespeople has been humbling. They are working longer hours than ever on a voluntary basis to fulfill urgent requests from doctors, nurses and other professionals on the front lines.”
The shields, medical gowns and aerosol boxes are being made at the same Warren facility [where] the automaker was already producing fabric medical facemasks. [GM] is also making ventilators at its electronics components plant in Kokomo, Indiana as part of a $490 million government contract that it was given under the Defense Production Act.
GM is encouraging any hospitals or healthcare workers in need of PPE to make a donation request by contacting it at [email protected]. Allentown Area Corvette Club Page 14 ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020 News
Buy The 1964 Pontiac Banshee by Stephen Edelstein (motorauthority.com) Tue., Apr. 21 | A unique concept car has surfaced in an unlikely place. The sole 1964 Pontiac Banshee coupe concept car spent decades stashed away. Now it's on the used car lot at Napoli Kia in Milford, Connecticut, with a price tag of $750,000. That price includes a $3,950 discount, incidentally.
Motor1 was the first to spot the listing on Sunday.
The Banshee was one of General Motors' early concepts for taking on the Ford Mustang. Known internally as XP‐833, it was penned by then‐Pontiac boss John Z. DeLorean. Underneath the sleek fiberglass bodywork, which seemed to forecast the later C3 Corvette and Opel GT, was a modified Pontiac Tem‐ pest platform. The Tempest's Y‐body platform featured a rear transaxle driven by a flexible metal driveshaft often called "rope drive." Two running prototypes were built: this silver coupe and a white convertible.
The coupe is a driveable car, with an inline‐6 engine under the hood, connected to a 4‐speed manual transmission. It has just 1,498 miles on the odometer, according to the listing.
GM never built the Banshee, fearing it would compete with the Corvette. Pontiac got its Mustang fighter in the form of the Firebird, which shared the GM F‐body platform with the Chevrolet Camaro and used the Banshee's taillights. The two Banshee prototypes were hidden away until they could be purchased by GM employees. The coupe stayed with its original owner until 2006, when it sold for $210,600 at a Barrett‐Jackson auction.
The buyer was Len Napoli, a noted Pontiac collector and owner of Napoli Kia of Milford, Connecticut. His father opened a Pontiac dealership in 1958, and the family ran it until GM pulled the plug on the excitement division. Napoli has tried to sell the Banshee a few times over the years. It popped up on eBay in 2010, then again in 2011, and it went to auction in 2015, but it failed to sell all three times.
This time Napoli has unusual circumstances (and the media coverage that attracts) to drum up inter‐ est. Rare cars appear for sale online and at auc‐ tions frequently, but you don't usually see a one‐of‐ a‐kind concept car for sale during a pandemic while kicking tires at a used car lot. Page 15 AllentownCorvetteClub.org News ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020
Demographics of Corvette Buyers by Keith Cornett (CorvetteBlogger.com) Tue., Apr. 21 | Our friend and Chevy representative serving customers in Canada is Morgan Crosbie of Finch Chevrolet in London, Ontario. Morgan is back with a new video on his Cars and Crosbie YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa8owkVEu1o&feature=youtu.be that tackles the current demographics of the C8 Cor‐ vette buyer and he asks the question on everyone’s mind, “Is the C8 Corvette attracting younger buyers?”
We know that the aging demographics of the Corvette buyer was one of the key factors for GM to create a mid‐engine Corvette, and the early results are so far encouraging. I do think its [sic] important to note that only 2700 new C8 Cor‐ vettes have been built and only a subset of those have found their way to Canada. Morgan tells us the survey was con‐ ducted from previous customers as well as those who have an order pending for a current or future C8.
Morgan went through his client list and con‐ ducted a survey of age groups and the group that leads the purchases of the C8s are those between 40‐49. In the findings, he notes that he had 5‐6 buyers in [their] 70s in the last year with the C7, but not one of those buyers in the age group has purchased a C8 from him. He tells us his biggest gains are coming in the 30‐39 age group, which he says is up 12 buyers for the C8 vs the C7.
In discussing the numbers, one of the interest‐ ing comments made by Morgan based on talking with Corvette club members and others who attended their C8 Corvette unveiling suggests that the older age groups may be waiting 1‐2 years before purchasing a mid‐engine Corvette while the younger buyers who are now the leading consumer spenders are jumping right in.
As far as those conquest buyers (those that come from owning another luxury performance brand), Morgan says that some of the trade‐ins for the C8 Corvette include a Gen 2 Ford GT, Lamborghini Gallardo, Dodge Viper, and even an Aston Martin DB9. Allentown Area Corvette Club Page 16 ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020 News
Barrett-Jackson Auctions Go Online by Keith Cornett (CorvetteBlogger.com) Tue., Apr. 21 | Collector cars to go? With the world shut down to the [c]oronavirus, Barrett‐Jackson is moving to an online‐only auction to be held May 8th‐May 17th. The May 2020 Online Only Auction will feature 75 premium hand‐ picked collector vehicles as well as 250+ pieces of authentic auto memorabilia. The auction will be hosted by online bidding platform Proxibid.
Barrett‐Jackson is sharing a few of the selected vehicles consigned to the Online Only auction and the list includes three desirable Corvettes:
1963 Corvette Split‐Window
1990 Corvette ZR‐1
2007 Corvette Z06
“Barrett‐Jackson was the first collector car auction company to introduce live internet bidding to the industry in the early 1990s,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett‐Jackson. “Today, that same innovative spirit has led to our new online auction platform that will deliver the same level of trust digitally as we do in person. All of our bidders will be carefully pre‐screened and our vehicles reviewed with the same care as at our live events, making our online auc‐ tions the perfect extension of the Barrett‐Jackson experience.”
Barrett‐Jackson has promised that the Online Only auction will contain the same great elements as their live events. If you are interested in becoming a bidder or reviewing the docket, view the May 2020 Online Only Event Page.
“No other company connects the collector car community like Barrett‐Jackson,” said Jackson. “Over the last nearly 50 years, we’ve built a brand that’s come to represent more than just the auction of collector cars. Our relaunched online auction platform is the perfect extension of the Barrett‐Jackson experience. It won’t just feature a diverse docket of cov‐ eted collector cars you expect from our auctions, it’ll fan the flame of passion we share as enthusiasts.”
In promoting the Online Only auction, Barrett‐Jackson is showing this video of the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray Sport Coupe built by Jeff Hayes. The Split‐Window Coupe is powered by a GM hot‐cam LS3 that makes 540 hp:
https://www.corvetteblogger.com/2020/04/21/barrett- jackson-to-host-online-only-auctions-beginning-may-8th/
Source: Barrett‐Jackson Page 17 AllentownCorvetteClub.org News ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020
Protocols For Re-Opening U.S. Plants by Sam McEachern (gmauthority.com) Tue., Apr. 21 | The Detroit Big Three and the United Auto Workers are currently discussing safety measures they must take to protect workers from COVID‐19 once their respec‐ tive assembly plants are able to re‐open.
General Motors, Fiat Chrysler and Ford are looking to re‐ start some of their U.S. assembly lines in early May. The three automakers are in talks with the UAW to put a deal in place that would allow them to produce vehicles while also protecting workers from contracting COVID‐19.
UAW president Rory Gamble has said the companies must supply adequate testing to employees and “create an envi‐ ronment where workers are comfortable to self‐report symptoms and self‐quarantine, without penalty.” He also wants UAW members to be able to self‐quarantine without losing pay, as workers may not be willing to report symptoms if they believe they will lose their paycheque [sic] as a result.
In addition, the UAW wants automakers to provide adequate PPE to its workers if they return, such as face masks. GM is producing millions of face masks at its Warren Transmission plant in Michigan, which are currently being sent to hos‐ pitals and to UAW employees producing ventilators at its Kokomo, Indiana components plant.
Other protocols that may be put in place to protect workers include checking their temperatures when they arrive on‐ site, having them fill out daily health questionnaires and providing special wristbands that vibrate when workers get too close to one another. Automakers will also frequently sanitize workstations and employee common areas, such as lunchrooms.
The Big Three are eager to restart their production lines after losing billions during the COVID‐19 shutdown, but Gam‐ ble said they must not restart production lines too soon, as this could only prolong the pandemic and, in turn, further their losses.
“If this is going to work, we need to do this right. And importantly the return to work date should be dictated by the science of the contagion curve, not economic factors,” Gamble said in a statement. “If we do this wrong, we all only have a prolonged economic hardship.”
The Big Three previously formed a COVID‐19 task force to discuss best practices for keeping workers safe amid the pan‐ demic. In a statement sent to Automotive News, GM spokesman Jim Cain said “there will be one industry solution,” for keeping workers safe, with all automakers implementing similar safety protocols at their assembly plants.
“We all share the same interest in sharing perspective,” Cain added.
Ford and FCA are looking at restarting certain production lines by May 4, according to AN, though some lines are not expected to start back up until late May. It is not yet clear when GM may restart its lines, though it is likely looking at a similar timeframe. Allentown Area Corvette Club Page 18 ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020 News
‘67 L88 Convertible Heads To Auction by Jonathan Lopez (gmauthority.com) Tue., Apr. 21 | We here at GM Authority see plenty of impressive classic sports cars cross our desks, but this 1967 Cor‐ vette L88 stands out, and for a number of reasons, too.
Let’s start with the basics. The Corvette L88 was a special‐order performance package developed under Zora Arkus‐ Duntov, a man known as the “father of the Chevrolet Corvette,” which aimed at imbuing the Chevy sports car with full‐ fledged race‐spec performance. To that end, the L88 included a modified 427 cubic‐inch V8 rated at 435 horsepower (although actual output was believed to be closer to 550 ponies), as well as upgraded performance suspension, heavy‐ duty M22 four‐speed transmission, heavy‐duty disc brakes, and Positraction differential.
General Motors produced only 20 examples of the Corvette L88 in 1967, and although the competition‐ready vehicle was offered to individual buyers, its high price and high‐strung de‐ meanor were primarily aimed at race teams.
That makes this particular Corvette L88 particularly desirable, but there’s far more to the story than performance and rarity. First ordered by privateer racer Cliff Gottlob, this was the last midyear Corvette to leave the factory, and now stands as the most successful Corvette L88 racer of all time. Included in its long list of race results is a second‐place finish in the GT class at the 1970 Daytona 24 Hour Endurance race, as well as hun‐ dreds of podium finishes, over 150 overall victories, and a re‐ cord 52 consecutive wins.
Throughout its lifespan, this 1967 Corvette L88 traded hands among a number of Corvette cognoscenti, including Jim Krug‐ hoff, David Burroughs, Bill McDonagh, and Dana Mecum, and throughout it all, the car has been meticulously preserved, even down to the cosmetic im‐ perfections gained on the racetrack.
Combining rarity, pedigree, provenance, a race‐winning resume, originality, and meticu‐ lous documentation, this 1967 Corvette L88 is now referred to as “The Ultimate L88,” and has been recognized with an induction into Bloomington Gold Great Hall as one of the 50 most significant Corvettes of all time, and a spot on the lawn at the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Now, it’s headed to auction as Lot R255 at the Mecum Auctions Indy 2020 event, scheduled to take place June 23rd through the 28th. Page 19 AllentownCorvetteClub.org News ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020
GM to Supply Partners: Hold your HP by Don Sherman (hagerty.com) Wed., Apr. 22 | In response to the current pandemic, GM’s executive director in charge of program management, Mi‐ chelle Braun, recently issued a blanket order pausing all future car and truck development—including for the Corvette. Industry leakage dropped this document in our editorial laps.
While there is (understandably) no forecast indicating when work will resume and what the new timing for these pro‐ jects will be, this communication does at least provide insight as to what the General had planned for future Corvettes. The chart that follows mixes some of our speculation with accurate details from the hold order and other leaked docu‐ ments. When businesses resume normal operations, what follows could come true a year or so after the indicated model years. In particular, the power and torque figures pre‐ sented below are estimates con‐ sistent with our previous report‐ ing.
Though it might be delayed, along with the Stingray converti‐ ble, plenty of additional Corvette goodness is awaiting us in the years ahead.
Eli’s MVP ‘Vette Sells for $140,000 by Keith Cornett (CorvetteBlogger.com) Wed., Apr. 29 | We told you a couple weeks back about retired NFL quarterback Eli Manning offering up the 2011 Corvette Grand Sport for the ALL IN Challenge, a fundraiser for [c]oronavirus relief efforts . . . consisting of unique prizes and experiences offered up by celebs, musicians, and professional athletes.
Manning was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of Super Bowl XLVI after defeating the New England Patriots 21‐17 in February 2012 and he was awarded the C6 Corvette from Chevrolet. In his original Instagram video, he showed off the convertible Grand Sport as he offered to hand‐deliver the car and grab some lunch while also throwing in a quick driv‐ ing lesson to the lucky winner of the car!
Thanks to ESPN, we lea[r]ned that Eli’s Corvette was sold for $140,000 with those proceeds going to organizations that include Meals on Wheels, No Kid Hungry, America’s Food Fund, World Central Kitchen and Feeding America.
The sale of Manning’s Corvette brings in some great money for those charities, but it’s far from being the highest‐ selling experience for the ALL IN Challenge. That honor goes to Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Tom Brady (I love writing that) whose prize package of tickets to his first Bucs home game as well as his jersey and cleats sold for $800,000.
(Continued on page 20) Allentown Area Corvette Club Page 20 ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020 News
ALL IN Challenge Continued...
(Continued from page 19)
Other interesting experiences that have closed include: $525,000 – Golf and Dinner and with Peyton Manning. $320,000 – Meek Mills Rolls‐Royce Phantom $240,000 – A Double Date with Russell Wilson and wife Ciara $220,000 – A game of HORSE and Court‐ side Lakers Tickets with Magic Johnson $200,000 – Golf and Daytona 500 with Bubba Watson and Denny Hamlin
The ALL IN Challenge was organized by Michael Rubin, Fanatics.com executive chairman and a partner with the Phila‐ delphia 76ers. When you visit allinchallenge.com, you will see all the different experiences being offered by celebrities from sports, music, and movies. So far more than $24 million has been raised and there are still a couple hundred ex‐ periences still available.
During the Super Bowl XLVI post‐game show, it was a 2012 Corvette Centennial Edition Grand Sport Convertible that was initially awarded to Manning. There were some rumors afterward that he had rejected the car, and as he calls the 2011 Grand Sport his MVP Corvette, there must have been some truth to that.
IMSA Wants to Race, But... By Keith Cornett (CorvetteBlogger.com) Thu., Apr. 30 | IMSA president John Doonan held a conference call on Wednesday and according to Racer.com he said: “We are still focused on going racing at Watkins Glen at the end of June.” That race is Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen scheduled for June 25‐28th.
The new IMSA president also addressed several other issues noting that the event schedule for 2020 was likely to be shortened as a cost‐saving measure for teams. Calling it a “sincere sensitivity to costs,” Doonan says that “Some teams have received funds from the CARES Act, but not all.” (The CARES Act is the small‐business stimulus package that has added two rounds of funding for those businesses that qualify.)
Doonan also sees the possibility of fans coming to the races with those venues with large expansive areas like Watkins Glen and Road America allowing plenty of social distancing.
(Continued on page 21) Page 21 AllentownCorvetteClub.org News ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020
Return to Watkins Continued...
(Continued from page 20)
The other main issue the series has to overcome is about getting those teams and competitors from overseas into the USA for the late June race. Doonan says 40% of the paddock travels to the USA to work and drive in the IMSA series. Doonan says “International border closures, state to state, and corporate travel is very restricted at this moment,” he said. “Our paddock is also affected by international travel.[”]
Lastly, there is currently a testing ban for the WeatherTech Championship series but Racer.com notes that some classes could get permission to start testing in a few weeks.
KY Manufacturing Returns May 11 by Keith Cornett (CorvetteBlogger.com) Thu., Apr. 30 | With the latest news from the UAW and the State of Kentucky regarding the coronavirus shutdown, it looks like we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. And for Corvette fans, that means the resumption of the 2020 Corvette production could be here as early as May 18th.
The Big 3 domestic automakers have been negotiating with the United Auto Workers on when manufacturing can re‐ start at the various facilities across North America. There’s a lot of moving parts to get manufacturing up and running as it’s not just the factory that needs to restart, but all the vendors and suppliers also need to be back to work as well. With the states having their own individual shelter in place orders, that could be dicey for the next month or so.
Michigan’s stay at home order for non‐essential workers was extended through May 15th. Yesterday, Kentucky’s Gov‐ ernor Beshear issued guidance for when various businesses could reopen and set May 11th as the date for when manu‐ facturing and automotive dealerships can resume operations. Reopening plans for the state of New York where the C8 Corvette’s LT2 V8 engines are assembled at the Tonawanda Powertrain facility are also still in the works. The good news there is that upstate New York wasn’t as hard hit as New York City and indications are that New York’s reopening plan could be rolled out regionally with manufacturing slated as one of the first sectors to be reopened.
...When workers return to manufacturing at the Corvette Assembly Plant, there will be new protocols set up to keep everyone as safe as possible. GM has said that the safety protocols for workers will include: Health and temperature screening, Heavy workplace cleaning, Social distancing strategies, Following top medical and scientific data including guidance from the CDC.
When it comes to recalling workers, UAW spokesman Brian Rothenberg said, “UAW President Rory Gamble has said the single focus should be on the health and safety of members and the litmus test should be whether your own family member would be safe going into that plant.”
The Corvette Assembly Plant shut down at the end of March 20th with approximately 2700 new Corvettes assembled to date. The production of the 2020 model year is expected to run through the end of August. Allentown Area Corvette Club Page 22 ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020 Sponsor
SERVICE AND PARTS: We are open. Call us or schedule an appointment online. Hours are flexible for extreme cases. SALES: Although our showroom is closed to the Public, you can still shop online and communicate with one of our sales representatives via phone, text, or email to setup a remote delivery or schedule an appointment for pick-up of your vehicle
Please check back periodically for updates. https://www.faulknermotors.com/coronavirus-health-and-safety
ALL CORVETTES Current AACC members receive 10% off GM Service, Parts and Accessories. See a Team member for vehicle discounts. Always present your membership card.
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include a free Toll-Free: (844) 295-8117 Parts Manager ...... Russ Galante 1-year AACC membership! www.FAULKNERMOTORS.com Page 23 AllentownCorvetteClub.org Sponsor ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020
Watch the video https://www.chevrolet.com/chevy-cares-were-open? eVar36=RREPS0612_MASTRRCH01_16387943988#whatwedo
For more than 100 Years Chevrolet has been inspired by extraordinary acts of courage and self‐ lessness in the face of enormous challenge. There are quiet heroes among us and we’d like to help celebrate those who do what needs to be done. To care for others. To put food on the ta‐ ble. To deliver the essentials. Or, just to brighten someone’s day. We do it to keep us moving forward. Because we’re all in this together. It’s what we do around here.
We all know an everyday hero. Whether it’s a nurse working long hours, someone stocking shelves around the clock, a first responder suiting up daily or a teacher coming up with new ways to keep students engaged. We’re sure you have some great stories about these hard‐ working people on the frontlines during these uncertain times and we want to hear them.
Share yours. #WhatWeDo Allentown Area Corvette Club Page 24 ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020 NCM
NCM Ambassador’s Corner by Al Fuller (’19) Hello Everyone!! I hope this finds all of you well and keeping safe. Somehow, I’m feeling highly confident that many of our Cor- vettes are the absolute cleanest they’ve been in a long time…now if we could only drive them! While we all appre- ciate the efforts to follow guidelines, and it seems to be flattening the curve (one of the “catch phrases” from 2020), I know we all would prefer to be socializing after a long drive to a great restaurant. I’m hopeful those days will be here before we know it, but we need to remain diligent in our efforts to repel this nasty enemy. The NCM has been hard at work to try and keep the Corvette Community active, albeit remotely. The recent “On- Line Car Show” was a resounding success, with over 1000 entries. Many thanks to those in our club who partici- pated. They are also offering numerous on-line activities to keep us abreast of Corvette doings while we remain in our homes. I know Kevin will provide specifics elsewhere in our newsletter, so I will not be redundant, but feel free to email me with any NCM, C8 purchase, or detailing questions….I’ll help where I can.
There has been some discussion about upcoming large events. As of now (April 30) the Bash is still scheduled for the end of May, but there are concerns about a large group gathering that soon. The news also reports that (again, as of now) IMSA is still planning on holding their Watkins Glen Race at the end of June, with the sprawling, wide open nature of the grounds being a positive. Carlisle is still on as well, and they are planning a special “People’s Choice – Best of Show” award/contest. Similar to the NCM on-line show, initial entries (you must be registered for Corvettes at Carlisle) and initial voting will occur on-line, on Facebook. Starting the first day of May, June & July, the first 30 entries will be selected, and the field will be narrowed by on-line voting, with the winner being chosen from the remaining Finalists during the event. Again, please contact me for more details.
I wish you all continued health and happiness, please continue to stay safe and Save The Wave!
Best, Al Page 25 AllentownCorvetteClub.org NCM ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020
NCM News & Events Museum Launches Virtual Enhancement Fund Thu., Apr. 02 | In these unprecedented times, the Museum has developed a new way to continue our mission ‐ free online educational content for children learning at home as well as interested adults.
Vettecademy offers topics related to Corvette history, the Museum and other automotive areas (like basic mechanic 'how tos') with a new videos debuting each weekday on the Museum’s Facebook page and YouTube.
For Corvette enthusiasts wanting even more deep dives into the history of America’s iconic sports car, the Museum launched a second video series, Fully Vetted. New content is posted each Tuesday and Thursday on the Museum's web‐ site.
We respect your concerns and anxiety in this time of unknown. However, if you are financially able and philanthropi‐ cally inclined, please consider a gift to our newly formed NCM Virtual and Digital Enhancement Projects Fund, designed to help us continue bringing content like Vettecademy, Fully Vetted and other future projects to your fingertips.
Make a Tax Deductible Contribution at https://www.corvettemuseum.org/support/give-now/
The Week's Episodes of Vettecademy and Fully Vetted Thu., Apr. 09 | If you haven't already tuned in to the past week's episodes of Fully Vetted and Vettecademy, don't worry! We have all the episodes available for viewing online!
Check out the most recent episodes you may have missed!
FULLY VETTED ‐ The Entombed Corvette ‐ Tommy Morrison Tribute
VETTECADEMY ‐ Episode 12: The One and Only 1983 ‐ Episode 13: Car Safety with Andy Pilgrim ‐ Episode 14: Concept Cars ‐ Episode 15: Toy Car Wash ‐ Episode 16: Horsepower
New episodes are uploaded each weekday to YouTube, our website and Facebook!
Watch Fully Vetted at https://www.corvettemuseum.org/learn/about-corvette/fully-vetted/ Watch Vettecademy at https://www.corvettemuseum.org/explore/educational-programs/vettecademy/ Allentown Area Corvette Club Page 26 ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020 NCM
NCM News & Events Continued... Museum in Motion Le Mans: Spots OPEN for New Dates! Thu., Apr. 16 | This September Corvette Racing will battle against the world's best GT cars in the most famous race of all ‐ and we will be there with a group of enthusiasts to cheer them on! Join the National Corvette Museum for an eleven day adventure through London, Paris and Le Mans September 11 ‐ 22, 2020.
This year's trip will be led by Museum President and CEO Dr. Sean Preston and his wife Jillian, as well as Museum Direc‐ tor of Operations Stephanie Morrill and family. Highlights of the adventure include Portobello Market, Westminster Abbey, Churchill War Rooms, Windsor Castle, Hampton Court Palace, Tower of London, a private River Thames Cruise with luncheon, flight on the London Eye, evening theatre [sic] performance of Come from Away, Montparnasse, Seine River Cruise, [Champs‐Élysées], Arc de Triom‐ phe, private evening cruise with dinner de‐ parting from the Eiffel Tower, Parade of Pilots and plenty of time at the Circuit de la Sarthe.
Only 12 spots are remaining. Check out the complete itinerary and reserve yours today!
Learn more at https://www.corvettemuseum.org/event/mim-lemans/
WINNERS ANNOUNCED IN NATIONAL CORVETTE MUSEUM’S ONLINE CAR SHOW Thu., Apr. 23 | In an effort to keep Corvette enthusiasts engaged in the wake of many spring and summer automotive events being cancelled due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, the National Corvette Museum launched a new online en‐ deavor – a celebrity choice car show. For just $10 per entry, Corvette owners could upload and submit their cars in a number of categories in hopes of being selected and recognized by one of the VIP judges.
Participation in the show exceeded the expectations of the Museum, with over 1,000 entries being submitted by more than 900 households across the United States and several foreign countries.
While enthusiasts were excited to register, celebrity judges were just as excited to review the entries and make their picks. “When the Museum talked to me about doing an online car show I said ‘what a great thing to do, yeah – count us in, we’re involved,’[”] shared Mike Yager, Corvette Hall of Fame inductee and [“]Chief Cheerleader[”] at Mid America Motorworks. “Hundreds and hundreds of people responded, what else are we going to do, go to a car show, even if its online.”
Retired Corvette Chief Engineer David Hill echoed Mike’s sentiment. “Congratulations on your online car show. I was pleasantly surprised at how many entries you had, and I read almost every C5 entry. What delightful stories. Thanks to those who took the time to show and tell.”
Participating as judges include retired Engineers and Chief Engineers Gib Hufstader, Dave McLellan, David Hill and Tom Wallace, Designers Peter Brock, Jerry Palmer and Tom Peters, racers Tony DeLorenzo, John Heinricy, Andy Pilgrim and (Continued on page 27) Page 27 AllentownCorvetteClub.org NCM ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020
NCM News & Events Continued...
(Continued from page 26)
Johnny O’Connell as well as Racing Program Manager Doug Fehan, past GM Corvette Plant Managers Jeff Lamarche, Dave Tatman and Wil Cooksey, Corvette Hall of Fame inductees Reeves Callaway and Mike Yager, Corvettes at Carlisle’s Lance Miller, and Museum Presi‐ dent/CEO Sean Preston.
In addition to win‐ ning selections several judges also awarded honor‐ able mentions. A total of 33 Cor‐ vette owners and one Corvette Club were selected as recipients of the 36 awards.
“We have been thrilled with the level of participation and engagement this new endeavor has achieved,” shared Dr. Sean Preston. “Many of the participants indicated that they have never visited the Museum, so this was a great way to engage them. Even some of our members who are not able to visit often said the show allowed them to participate in a Museum event from home and helped them feel connected to us. We plan to do this again in the future! Thank you again to our sponsors and judges for their participation.”
See it all at https://www.corvettemuseum.org/winners-announced-in-national-corvette-museums-online-car-show/
Get Virtual One-On-One Assistance with Your Corvette Thu., Apr. 23 | “After searching for forever, I found the car I had coveted. The car was exactly what I wanted at the price to which I was also committed. The performance of this car is something which I can learn with time. What was holding me back was the DIC. In my 8500+ [hours] of flying time I have seen many types of instruments, but never any‐ thing like the C7. When I discovered the Museum’s one‐on‐one I knew I could find help. Stacy called me at the ap‐ pointed time and one hour later my problem was solved. I am able to get any instrumentation I want at the moment I want it. The system is still complicated but I am able to navigate like I want. Now I am able to concentrate and enjoy driving my Corvette, and that makes me very happy. On a cold start I no longer fumble looking for what I want and I (Continued on page 28) Allentown Area Corvette Club Page 28 ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020 NCM
NCM News & Events Continued...
(Continued from page 27) can enjoy watching the tach red‐line at 2500 RPM before it eases up to its normal place after warm up. The car is full of surprises and Corvette 101 helped me learn a few.” ‐ David B.
Want to get some one on one instruction in your C7 or C8? Contact the pros to schedule a slot! Cost is $50 per hour.
Learn more at https://www.corvettemuseum.org/visit/delivery-programs/corvette-101/
Performance Gallery, Mid-Engine Corvette and Entombed Corvette Exhibit Sneak Peek Thu., Apr. 30 | Our team has been hard at work behind the scenes since last November, working to refresh a number of spaces in the Museum. We are excited to announce that by the end of the month, those updates will be complete and ready for visitors to enjoy. We have a special opportunity for only 100 of our loyal enthusiasts, a FIRST LOOK sneak peek of the new E. Pierce Marshall Memorial Performance Gallery, new 'Vision Realized' Mid‐Engine Exhibit and new 'Entombed Corvette' display.
The sneak peek will feature a guided virtual tour of the spaces, led by Derek Moore and Bob Bubnis, behind the barrier access with glimpses inside the cars and under the hood, the opportunity to hear the race cars rumble and purr as they're cranked up, special greetings from the racers who were behind the wheels including John Heinricy and develop‐ ment engineer Gib Hufstader, plus the chance to hear from Doug Fehan and Pierce Marshall Jr. and ask questions. As a bonus, be the only people to see the progress being made on a NEW mid‐engine exhibit created by General Motors.
Access to this once‐in‐a‐lifetime opportunity is available for a $100 tax deductible donation to the Museum. The virtual, interactive experience is Thursday, May 7 at 11 am CT.
Secure your spot at https://webservices.corvettemuseum.org/Client/Login.cfm
National Corvette Museum 2020 Events 350 Corvette Drive MiM Branson Experience ...... May 26‐30 Bowling Green, KY 42101 Michelin MCM Bash...... May 28‐30 © National Corvette Museum 2020 MiM Dragon Run @ Biltmore ..May 31‐Jun. 03 MiM Colorado Springs ...... Jul. 12‐17 MiM @ Le Mans...... Sep. TBD Current NCM Raffles LeMans26th Anniv. Celebration...... Sep. 03‐05 Visit https://raffle.corvettemuseum.org for tickets. Le Mans Race Weekend @ NCM..... Sep. 19‐20 ‘20 Elkhart Lake Blue Cpe | 2000 Tix. @ $100...... May 29 ‘20 Blade Silver Cnv | 1500 Tix. @ $200 ...... Jun. 18 MiM National Parks Tour...... Sep. 20‐26 ‘20 Torch Red Cpe | Unlim. Tix. @ $20 ...... Sep. 05 MiM 1‐Lap of Kentucky 2020...... Dates TBD Page 29 AllentownCorvetteClub.org Classifieds ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 5 | May 2020
Neither Allentown Area Corvette Club nor the Newsletter Editors are responsible Corvette Classifieds for ad content or for any exchanges as a result of ads published.
If you have something Corvette-related to sell, contact the newsletter editors to run a free ad for six (6) months. Ads may be removed at any if space is necessary for new posts. Contact Kevin & Michelle Minnich at [email protected] or call 610-530-0923.
1961 Roadster — 283/230HP, 4-spd., Roma red with matching coves, black int., Wonderbar radio, 53,175 orig. miles. 2 tops, restored in 1979, new exhaust in 2019. Complete car, spare parts included, possibly non-original block). Runs well. Serious inquiries only. Asking $90,000 (Terry,
610-826-3393 or [email protected])2002 1964 Roadster — Riverside Red with Black interior and White top, Original 327 / 300HP, Muncie M20, Posi Rear, Knockoff wheels, PS, Base coat-
clear coat paint, many new parts. (Hellertown, PA) $44,900 (Barry, 484-821-6968)1909 AACC CAR!! 2000 Black Fixed Roof Coupe — Ebony leather int., Z06 clone with Z06 floor mats, badging, side ducts, 6-spd Manual. Aftermarket Bluetooth radio with Kicker sub and amplifier, digital speedometer on windshield, drilled & slotted rotors, red powder-coated calipers. Includes
C5 soft cover (black) and factory floor mats. 54,150 miles. $16,000 obo. (Jaden, 610-428-4517)1910 2003 50th Anniversary Coupe — Anniversary Red, Auto, fully loaded, new tires, 38,000 original miles. Local car. Asking $22,500 (will consider all
offers). (Bob, 908-627-1955)1908 AACC CAR!! 2003 Electron Blue Coupe — 1SB Preferred Equipment Pkg., Heads-up display, AT, Magnetic Selective Ride Control, Polished
aluminum wheels, Transparent removable roof, 11k miles. $20,000. (Joe, 610-762-8860)1912 AACC CAR!! 2010 Velocity Yellow 3LT Convertible — Ebony leather int. with Black top, Automatic, Dual Mode Exhaust, Bose, Heads-Up,
Heated Seats, Power Top, etc. 28k miles. $29,900 obo. (Ken, 267-249-8362)2001 AACC Car!! 2013 Night Race Blue Metallic 427 Convertible — Blue top, Light Cashmere int., 60th Anniversary Edition, Chrome wheels, light-up
WindResistor, 1SB package. Garage kept with 24,360 miles. Asking $49,900 (Paulinea, [email protected] or 609-351-0172)1909
1966 Big Block Used Engine Parts — KB203-060 Pistons with pins and connecting rods. Make offer. (Bob, 610-330-0848)1907 1966 Parts — Dual exhaust from 427 motor, lower rear exhaust panel, two side metal rocker panels. (Maurice, [email protected] or 610-
392-4289)2002- 1974 Ignition & Spark Plug Wire Shields — 5 chrome ignition pieces and 3 non-chrome spark plug wire pieces. Make offer.
(Bob, 610-330-0848)1907 C5 SpeedLingerie Bra — Pewter color. Well cared for & safe to 120 mph. Seller will pay shipping. New: $599, asking $250 obo.
(Ernie, 610-504-8707)1906
C6 Accessories — Roof Panel Sunliner, Black w/ holes (removable/reusable) great sun protection. $25. (Valerie or Blair, 610-438-8885)1808 C7 Accessories — Shelf for hidden space behind Nav screen, $25; LT1 Performance interior badge (mounts below heater controls, $50;
Clear plastic floor mats, $20; Formed plastic sill protectors with Velcro mount, $40; WeatherTech black floor liners, $75. (Joel, 610-533-2259)1909
C6 Aluminum Wheels and Tires — From a 2010. Great condition with plenty of tread. $1500 obo. (Ken, 267-249-8362)2001
7,000-lb. Revolution 4-Post Lift — 5’-3” rise and 15’-10” length, 110V. $2,000. (Joe, 610-762-8860)1912 Franklin Mint 1:24 Scale Models – ALL NEW IN BOX. Corvettes (‘53, ‘55, ‘56, ‘57 racer, ‘58, ‘63 Cpe, ‘67 L88, ‘68 427, ‘78 Silver Anniv., ‘86 Cnv, ‘93). Also Franklin Mint ‘70 Datsun 240Z, MRCFUJIMI ‘90 Nissan ZX, Brookfield ‘96 Viper GTS, Griot’s ‘55 M-B 300 Gullwing and ‘64 Ferrari GTO.
Also rare wooden and plexiglass 8-car display case. Donald (Bethlehem, PA; 610-866-3180, [email protected])2001
1965-66-67 Corvette Coupe — Prefer a small block and stick. A/C would be a plus. (Ken, 267-249-8362)2001 Seeking Corvette Garage Storage — Long-time AACC member seeks garage space for 1 Corvette near Bethlehem.
(Rich, 610-865-4961 or 610-428-0436)2002 ALLENTOWN AREA CORVETTE CLUB, INC.
P.O. Box 90896 Allentown, PA 18109 Phone: 610-530-0923 [email protected]
298 STOKE PARK ROAD BETHLEHEM, PA 18017
Sales (877) 260-1080 Service (877) 625-6238
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