The official newsletter of the Corvette Club of Northern Delaware February 2016

Transcription

1 Vettester The official newsletter of the Corvette Club of Northern Delaware February 2016 Celebrating Valentine s Day CCND style In this Issue of the Vettester : Corvettes at 1954 Motorama CCND goes to the Philadelphia Auto Show C7.Rs duel at Daytona

2 CCND JANUARY MEETING MINUTES Minutes from the last CCND meeting 1/12/2016 The January meeting was called to order by President Steve Blanchies at 7:30 PM. Steve welcomed all club members, including new members Chris and Lisa Popiel and, returning, Diana and Terrance Hancock. He announced that John Daub volunteered for the open secretary position. Vice President: Mike Metcalf reported 74 renewals to date and a total of 132 members. Some more renewals should trickle in for January. Treasurer: Secretary: Show Chair: Social Chairperson: Newsletter Editor: Member at Large: Webmaster: Business Manager: The treasurer s Nov. and Dec. reports were given by Harvey Smith and he said the March annual report will be completed on schedule. John Daub took minutes with Fred Krumm s assistance. Bob Avery is working with Ruby Tuesday on Cruise Nights but they have changed their community give-back program; they do want us there. Need to decide whether we stay there but we will ask the Ministry of Caring if they would like to set up an information/donation booth (Fred to follow-up). Motion, 2 nd and all in favor of staying at Pike Creek for Mr. Cook suggested help for Bob on Cruise Nights but Bob says a call for volunteers will suffice. Bob plans to pick 2 dates for our Concord Mall shows (avoiding Father s Day this year). February 21 is deadline to provide final information on our shows for various publications. Lynn Adelman reported that 55 attended the Christmas Party and the Mendenhall Inn was popular. Next dinner event will be Jan. 26 at Café Napoli (Doodle). She asked for ideas from members for dinners and events. Mike Metcalf suggested a trip to the Air Mobility Command Museum in Dover. Fred Krumm had nothing to say! Members still in shock. Paul Van Valkenburg received the new pin stock. Let Paul know if you want one (free to recent members who never received one, small fee for other members who lost theirs). Jane Murray reported that she is updating website. She brought brand new spray bottles which were extremely popular. She will continue to bring them as she gets them in surplus. Jim Davis thanked Harold Holeman for his Novistretch sponsorship.

3 NCCC Governor: Club Historian: Committees: Governor Jim Henderson had no report. Bob Cook reported no activity for the month. Still making history. No updates this month. Old Business: Steve gave Harvey a gift for 20 years as treasurer! Steve reported that we received thank-you notes from the YWCA and Stockings for Soldiers Mecum canceled their contract with YCCC so we will not join them. Our semimonthly breakfasts will continue at Rt. 40 Diner and ChesDel. Hollywood Grill did not meet our needs (seating and parking). May do cruise breakfasts during the summer. New Business: Steve reported that Lone Star on Rt. 13 closed but they would like us to move to their Rt. 202 location (parking and room size issues). We need to find a new meeting home; this month tried Skyline Grill (old Three Little Bakers location). Issues to address are their staffing and availability of a room for both dinner and meeting; food, pricing and parking are good. Motion, 2 nd and all in favor to stay at Skyline Grill for February meeting. Need to move meeting time to 7:30 PM for February due to January service speed. Bob Avery will schedule a Feb. 2 trip to the Philly car show by . Mike noted that we did not do a Christmas in July at the Ronald McDonald house last year. Do we want to do it in 2016? He will bring it up again for a decision in the next month or so. 50/50: Larry and Mary Lou Gilbert -- won $42! Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM Respectfully Submitted, John Daub, Secretary NEXT MEETING DATE IS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2016

4 PO Box 10132, Wilmington DE Meeting Agenda for February 9, 2016: Call to Order Welcome New Members CCND Officer Reports President: Steve Blanchies Vice President: Mike Metcalf Treasurer: Harvey Smith Secretary: John Daub Show Chair: Bob Avery Social Chairperson: Lynn Adelman Committee Reports: Adopt-a-Family, Picnic & Christmas Party Communications Old Business New monthly meeting location New Business Concord Mall Shows Adjournment 50/50 Rocky Newsletter Editor: Fred Krumm Large: Paul van Valkenburg Webmaster: Jane Murray Business Manager: Jim Davis NCCC Governor: Jim Henderson Club Historian: Bob Cook CCND Window Stickers -- $ 5 each. Mount inside or outside CCND Window Stickers -- $ 5 each. Mount inside - clear background CCND Coffee Cups -- $ 6 each CCND License Plates -- $28 each. See Jim DeFord 2016 Concord Mall Shows ~ tentatively April 17 & October Pike Creek Cruise Nights: Apr 2 nd, May 7 th, June 4 th, July 2 nd, Aug 6 st, Sept 3 rd, Oct 1 st Next Meeting: March 8, Please be generous to your server. During the meeting can all members please put your Cell Phones on VIBRATE...thanks

5 Corvette Dreams Courtesy of myautoworld.com suggested by John Perrott

6 1954 Corvette dream cars -- Corvette convertible coupe, Corvette Corvair fastback, and Corvette Nomad wagon For the 1954 Motorama shows, General Motors Styling Section created not one but three distinct Corvette dream cars: the Corvair fastback coupe, the Nomad station wagon, and the convertible coupe. All three shared some recognizable Corvette features, such as the front grille and fascia treatment, but were given certain unique styling elements in order to set them apart. The Corvair and the convertible coupe maintained the same wheel base and overall length as the 1953 Corvette. The Nomad wagon had a longer wheelbase and was approximately two feet greater in overall length. The 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Corvair concept was a 2-door fastback, 2- passenger coupe. When it made its debut at the 1954 GM Motorama in New York City, it was originally a ruby red color but was repainted light sea foam green for the Los Angeles show in March. The Corvette convertible coupe was closest in styling to the production model. Shown in a muted yellow hue, its main distinction was a fiberglass removable hardtop that gave this Vette new "allweather utility" as touted in the Motorama brochure. This feature would appear in production as an aftermarket accessory beginning in 1955, officially becoming an option for the 1956 model year. It was built with a fiberglass body and was touted as a "new aerodynamic design" for the closed sports car class. The streamlined roofline swept back into the jet exhaust-type rear opening. The Corvair used the Corvette front end; though it sported ribbed air intakes on the hood that routed fresh air to the interior and fender vents that allowed heat to escape

7 the engine compartment. The Corvair had a wrap-around windshield and the roof was aircraft-inspired sweeping back into the chrome-trimmed licensed plate housing, which resembled a jet-fighter exhaust port. Inside, the body appeared to have the roof grafted right on to a production Corvette, as there was no storage area behind the seats. The stock trunk area was used with a deck lid contoured to the new roofline. The seats had the production fiberglass divider between them, just like a stock Corvette roadster. The remainder of the interior was largely stock, with custom white seats and chromed interior C-pillar trim pieces. The chassis and power train of the Corvair was strictly Corvette. Unfortunately, sluggish sales of the 1954 Corvette deterred GM management from moving forward with the fastback coupe. The time for a Corvette fastback eventually did come, however, though nearly a decade later on the iconic 1963 split-window Sting Ray. The Corvair nameplate would be recycled later for the 1960 Chevrolet Corvair rear-engine compact car. The Corvette Corvair was rumored to have survived the crusher, but no trace of it has shown up. Also rumored that there was actually more than one car built, but no paperwork has surfaced that can verify this. The 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Nomad concept station wagon, designed by Harley Earl's design staff, was introduced at the 1954 General Motors Motorama in New York City. Like Corvair, Nomad was

8 another name that Chevrolet would tag onto a production vehicle in the near future. Although resembling a Corvette, and in fact using many Corvette components, the Nomad was built on a modified 1953 Chevrolet chassis. From the windshield posts forward, it was a strictly stock Corvette. The Nomad combined the sleek styling of a sports car with the versatility of station wagon. Built with a "glass fiber reinforced plastic" body, it was two-door -- with space for six passengers. By utilizing the modified 115-inch Chevrolet wagon chassis, enough space was provided for this seating capacity. The Nomad also had an electrically operated rear window that automatically retracted into the tailgate when unlocked -- or could be remotely controlled by a button on the instrument panel. The Nomad was most lauded of the three Corvette dream cars for Pieces of the 1954 concept "Corvette Station Wagon" were actually put into production in 1955 as the Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad Wagon. The silver-blue and white Nomad was fitted with a Corvette 150-horsepower, 235 C.I.D., 6-cylinder engine with a 2-speed Powerglide transmission. This 2-door fiberglass show car station wagon had room for 6 passengers. The tailgate had electrically-powered glass. The interior was finished in blue and white leather with a fold-down rear seat and a ribbed headliner. Trivia freaks what s that stunning gold fastback lurking in the background? See your editor at the next club meeting for answer.

9 . Philadelphia Auto Show Photos by Bob Avery and John Daub It all started on the train! Newark Amtrak station, Tuesday, February 2, 8:58 AM. A relaxing ride up to Jefferson station (ex-market Street East) in Philly. Destination? The Philadelphia Convention center and the 2016 Auto Show. Our numbers grew as a few additional CCND ers boarded at the Claymont station. By 10:30, we had arrived in Philly. Our first stop was the eclectic Reading Terminal Market. Food choices galore. Breakfast? Lunch? WHATEVER! Nobody left hungry. And then, the cars. We love em all but especially the Vettes; old AND new

10 One of the few times your editor saw the Z06 C7.R Edition not engulfed by a crowd!

11 Exciting GTLM Duel at 2016 Rolex 24 at Daytona Courtesy of and IMSA Gavin, Milner, Fassler take second victory in No. 4 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R Closest finish in Rolex 24 race history Garcia, Magnussen, Rockenfeller second in No. 3 Corvette Second straight Rolex 24 win for Corvette Racing and third since 2001 For Corvette Racing, the question entering the 54th Rolex 24 At Daytona was simple: How do you top 2015? Last year, the team s pair of Corvette C7.Rs won the Rolex 24 and the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida in the GT Le Mans (GTLM) class -- and then the team won the 24 Hours of Le Mans! The beautiful Ford GTs struggled in their 2016 GTLM debut The answer was delivered Sunday, January 31 in an epic 1-2 finish, with the 2015 Le Mans-winning No. 4 Corvette C7.R of Oliver Gavin edging the 2015 Daytona and Sebringwinning No. 3 Corvette C7.R of Antonio Garcia to the line by seconds, the closest class finish in the history of the Rolex 24. What you saw today was simply the two best road racers in the world with the two best cars in the world, said Doug Fehan, Corvette Racing program manager. You d be hard pressed to find a better race than this. You don t spend 23.5 hours working this hard and not let those guys continue to race.

12 Fehan assured Garcia once he moved into second that there would be no team orders. After that, the battle for the win was on in the season-opening IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race. Once he shed the No. 912 Porsche 911 RSR of Earl Bamber to take second, Garcia set his sights on Gavin and the two ran nose-to-tail over the final 20 minutes. With three minutes remaining, Garcia briefly passed Gavin entering Turn 1, but ran wide, allowing Gavin to retake the position. Garcia got a run coming out of the bus stop on the final lap, but came up just short in a drag race to the stripe giving the win to Gavin and co-drivers Tommy Milner and Marcel Fassler. Garcia and co-drivers Jan Magnussen and Mike Rockenfeller finished second, while Bamber rounded out the podium in the No. 912 Porsche North America entry along with Michael Christensen and Frederic Makowiecki. All I could think about was my boss, Doug Fehan and what he would say if we did touch, said Gavin. Then on the last lap I was thinking I had just enough on him, but then he towed up behind me. It was like the line was just going away from me. I couldn't get to the line fast enough. I've just seen a picture of it, actually, and it was pretty close. Editor s Note: I watched the incredibly exciting ending live; yelling so loudly that it startled my wife in the other room! I had a rooting interest because, a bit more than a year ago, winning co-driver Tommy Milner had chauffeured me for a few hot laps in the DSOM C6 around the new NCM track. The young man scared the $#!+ out of me! (and I m sure he was just doing 8/10 or so). He is a real gentleman; I was thrilled to see him get the BIG win

13 Lynn s Corner CCND activities Café Napoli was a big hit with lots of wonderful tasting food and great conversation. I hope we continue to have well attended outings and I am looking forward to seeing everyone at our next event. February Outing -- Big Fish Grille LUNCH Saturday, 2/27/ Justison St, Wilmington, DE Please join us for LUNCH at 12:00 noon at Big Fish Grille located on the Riverfront in Wilmington, DE. Please respond via the doodle for this event if you plan on attending with the number in your party. Please let me know if you have any questions, lynnadelman@gmail.com. Hope to see you on the 27th. Breakfast Schedule: February Chesdel, 9:00 AM March 3 -- Route 40 Diner, 9 AM March 17 Chesdel, 9 AM Please lynnadelman@gmail.com with your favorite restaurants or suggestions for future events. Thanks and hope to see you soon! ~ Lynn Major Upcoming 2016 Shows and Events: Multi-Club Boat Cruise ~ out of Baltimore ~ March 20, 2016 (flyer attached) o 38 have signed up so far (10 from CCND) o Parking $190 at cruise port. OR night before in Baltimore ~ Best Western $140 plus tax ~ Beachcombers Cruise. Parking, breakfast and transfers to & from port. Corvettes for Chip ~ Sunday, May 1, 2016 NEW MEMBERS!!!! Diana Hancock Gray 1969 Automatic Convertible John DeLuca -- Black 2015 Manual Coupe February Birthdays: Feb 6 John Perrott Feb 7 Denise Cervelli Feb 11 Vilma Perry Feb 20 Sharon Holeman Feb 21 Don Nayden Feb 23 Walter Rupp Feb 27 Ron Stewart

14 So far, 5 CCND couples have signed up

15 CCND Membership Application Come be a part of the Corvette Club of Northern Delaware. Simply complete the form and mail to the address below with your $35.00/yearly payment. We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting. You can also complete this membership application online at: CCND Membership Application-Fee $ Name: Spouse Name: Address: City: State/ZIP: Birthday: month/day Spouse or S/O: month/day Phone: Home: Work: Cell: address: Vette Info: Year: Coupe/Conv: Auto/Manual: Color: Additional Information:

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