celebrating our 40th 1974-2014 the blue...
TRANSCRIPT
Celebrating our 40th Anniversary
1974-2014
The Blue Flame
September 2014 Visit Website: www.neovc.org
Sponsored by Tim Lally Chevrolet
Bedford Ohio
Trivia...Ford, who made the first pick-up trucks, shipped them to dealers in crates that the new owners had to assemble using the crates as the beds of the trucks. The new owners had to go to the dealers to get them, thus they had to "pick-up" the trucks. And now you know the "rest of the story."
Save The Wave !!!
Our business meetings are held the
first Wednesday of each month
at
Tim Lally Chevrolet, 19000
Rockside Road, Bedford, OH
44146
Light dinner is at 6:30 PM,
followed by the business meeting
at 7:30 PM. Our next (regular) meeting will be
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
2014 Club Officers
Office Name Email Phone
President TR Aldrich [email protected] 330-274-8649
Governor/Competition TR Aldrich [email protected] 330-274-8649
Treasurer/Membership Gene/Bonnie Strine [email protected] 330-562-8447
Secretary Betty Manolio [email protected] 440-442-6061
Social Sam Mansell [email protected] 440-669-3690
Social Bob/Betty Miller [email protected] 440-399-7072
Newsletter Editor Sam Mansell [email protected] 440-669-3690
Webmaster Tom Fetchik [email protected] 330-524-5009
Trustees Dave Zuranski
Sam Mansell
Ted Mowinski
Corvette News
Should Chevy Build a Mid-Engined Corvette Hypercar?
We heard a rumor earlier in the week that Chevy might be considering a mid-engine layout for its new Corvette
ZR1. That rumor comes via Motor Trend; and, while we take it with a grain of salt, there is some history to
back it up. After all, the idea of a mid-engined Corvette has been around since 1959. The question is, can it be
successful in the market?
Ah, when the standard Stingray isn’t enough, buyers can opt for the high-performance Z06. There’s even a
convertible one, too. What you get then is a 650 horsepower supercharged V8, with new aerodynamics, a stiffer
suspension, and a better gearbox. It’s America’s super coupe.
The really strange thing with the new Z06, though, is that it gets more power than even the outgoing ZR1.
Interesting, considering the ZR1 is supposed to be the top-of-the-line performance variant for the Corvette. That
could either mean a new ZR1 isn’t happening or it’s going to be completely bonkers.
And it brings us to our final point — the Corvette ZR1. With the Z06 already pumping out 650 horsepower, that
means the ZR1 could reach stratospheric heights in power. Could we see a P1 and 918 rivaling Corvette with
900+ horsepower? Could it use a hybrid, mid-engined drivetrain? We don’t know.
What we do know, though, is that if Chevy does decide to build an almighty ZR1, we really hope they gun for
the big boys. Do it for America.
New Corvette Feature Keeps an Eye on Valets
If you own a luxury or sports car, whenever you hand the keys to a valet, you imagine the car going on a high-
speed joyride like the Ferrari in the 1980’s cult movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." Now, General Motors has an
option on the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette that takes those worries away. GM says it's the most extensive attempt by
an automaker to thwart valet joyriders, although it's not the first.
C7 Corvette news
When an automaker launches a new car, particularly one as iconic as the
Chevrolet Corvette, it takes a risk. If General Motors Company [NYSE:GM]
had any concerns beforehand, it certainly won't now, as first-year C7
Corvette production already gets close to the last three years of C6
production combined.
Corvette Museum News
The National Corvette Museum Board of Directors held their quarterly meeting and finalized plans for repair of the Museum’s Skydome building, and the eight Corvettes affected by the February 12, 2014 sinkhole collapse.
After careful review of additional information and revised plans with price quotes from the construction company, the board voted to completely fill in the sinkhole.
“We really wanted to preserve a portion of the hole so that guests for years to come could see a little bit of what it was like, but after receiving more detailed pricing, the cost outweighs the benefit,” said Museum Executive Director Wendell Strode. “At the June board meeting, the information available at that time indicated a cost of around $500,000 more to keep the hole, but after incorporating additional safety features and vapor barriers for humidity control, the price tag rose to $1 million more than the cost to put the Skydome back how it was.”
Keeping even a portion of the sinkhole would require 35-foot retaining walls to be built inside of the sinkhole, additional micro piling, visible steel beams running through the hole, and soil nailing. All of these additional structural features are to ensure the safety of the sinkhole and prevent cracking and breaking of the sides in the future, which could result in stability issues, but take away from the natural look of the original sinkhole. The board also considered future maintenance issues that could arise if the hole was kept and the possibility that the hole wouldn’t look like a naturally occurring sinkhole any longer.
“The interest in our new attraction has been phenomenal, so we do plan to leave it ‘as-is’ through our Vets ‘n Vettes event November 6-8, 2014, after which time we will begin the process of remediating and filling the hole,” Strode added.
Chevrolet and the National Corvette Museum will restore three of the Corvettes that were damaged when they were swallowed up by the sinkhole.
Chevrolet will restore the 2009 Corvette ZR1 prototype, known as the Blue Devil, and the 1-millionth Corvette produced – a white 1992 convertible. The GM Heritage Center will oversee this process. In addition, the restoration of the 1962 Corvette will be funded by Chevrolet, but will be handled by the National Corvette Museum. A restoration shop has not yet been determined. The remaining five cars were determined to be too badly damaged to warrant restoration. They will remain in their as-recovered state to preserve the historical significance of the cars and what happened on February 12, 2014. They will become part of a future display at the Museum.
In total, General Motors will provide nearly $250,000 in support to help the Museum recover from the sinkhole. The National Corvette Museum celebrates its 20th anniversary this weekend as it welcomes the Corvette enthusiasts nationwide who have helped expand and support the non-profit Museum.
“Our goal was to help the National Corvette Museum recover from a terrible natural disaster by restoring all eight cars,” said Mark Reuss, GM Executive Vice President, Global Product Development. “However, as the cars were recovered, it became clear that restoration would be impractical because so little was left to repair. And, frankly, there is some historical value in leaving those cars to be viewed as they are.”
It’s a sentiment echoed by Corvette enthusiasts from around the globe.
“There has been an outpouring of messages from enthusiasts the world over, asking us not to restore all of the cars,” said Wendell Strode, executive director for the National Corvette Museum. “For Corvette enthusiasts, the damage to the cars is part of their history, and part narrative of the National Corvette Museum. Restoring them all would negate the significance of what happened.”
Timelines for the start and projected completion dates for the three Corvettes’ restorations have not been established. They will be announced later.
Sinkhole summary
On Wednesday, February 12, 2014, at 5:44 a.m., National Corvette Museum (NCM) personnel received a notification from their security company about motion detectors going off in the Skydome area of the museum. When those personnel arrived on site, a sinkhole was discovered, eventually measuring about 45-feet wide, 60-feet long and up to 30-feet deep.
Security camera footage showing the Skydome floor’s collapse has been viewed nearly 8.3-million times on YouTube.
The sinkhole swallowed eight historic Corvettes – two on loan from GM and six owned by the museum:
1993 ZR-1 Spyder (on loan) 2009 ZR1 “Blue Devil” prototype (on loan) 1962 Corvette 1984 PPG Pace Car 1992 1-millionth Corvette 1993 40th Anniversary Corvette 2001 “Mallett Hammer” Z06 2009 1.5-millionth Corvette.
On March 3, the 2009 Blue Devil was the first car recovered and, despite significant damage, was started and driven out of the Skydome. The 1.5-millionth Corvette and Mallett Corvette were the last cars pulled from the sinkhole, on April 3 and April 9, respectively – after workers were initially unable to find them amid the collapsed earth.
All eight cars were placed in a special display, fueling a nearly 70-percent jump in museum visitor traffic in the months after the sinkhole appeared.
Construction is expected to take approximately 6 months to complete. The Museum will remain open during the process, and the work in the Skydome will be viewable via a Plexiglas wall.
The Museum plans to create a meaningful sinkhole exhibit within the Skydome, featuring the cars involved, 3D interactive images of the sinkhole, videos, photos and more.
The Museum is located at I-65, Exit 28 in Bowling Green, KY - just one hour north of Nashville, TN and less than two hours south of Louisville, KY. Open daily, 8 AM-5 PM CT, admission to the Museum is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors age 65 and over, $5 for kids age 6-16 and children age 5 and under are free. Access to view the sinkhole is included with regular admission. Guests who enter the Skydome to view the sinkhole must be age 8 or older. For more information on the Museum, visit
their website at www.corvettemuseum.org or call 800-538-3883.
Our Corvette and Chevy Show 8/17/2014 at Tim Lally Chevrolet
The day started out with heavy rain; it looked like a washout but then it cleared up around
8:30 AM and the cars started coming in. There were a total of 98 cars--85 Corvettes and 13
steel-body Chevys.
Eric Gordon was presented a trophy for his 1966 Corvette 427 Roadster
Representing the club is Gene Strine (Treasurer/Membership)
Governor/President’s Report
Great job by all who worked the Lally show. Not the turn-out we had hoped for but enjoyed by all that attended. Weather and other events, plus the fact that attendance has been off at a lot of venues this summer added up to lower participants. Still plenty of good weather left--get out and attend an NCCC event! Lots to do--shows, rallyes, and low speeds--check the Regional calendar. Don't forget we have three more sanctioned events coming up Sept.21. They are put on by Crooked River Corvette Club and any participation will be good even if you just come out to work--you can still make it to the social at Farley's Sunday night. Hope to see you somewhere and chat.-TR
Membership/Treasurer Report
Total Members: 57
September Birthdays
Sam Mansell.............3
Rick Farley ...............9
Dean Cole...............25
Cathy Jecmen .........28
September Meeting Minutes
The meeting was called to order by the President at 7:10 PM, with 32 members in attendance. He listed a number of events of interest that are still upcoming for the fall season. The Treasurer announced that our Car Show had been a success. We have two upcoming Social Events, on September 21st.--the Farley’s have invited us to their home at 6:30 PM. Let Stephanie know if you will bring an appetizer or dessert. On October 12, we will have our Clambake at the Mowinskis. They would like you to call with your choice of the same. The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 PM Betty Manolio, Secretary
We have 40th Anniversary Patches available at $5.00
Each-- buy them at the meetings or contact Gene Strine
Club Social Our last social was at Brio in Legacy Village. We had a good meal and enjoyed the Corvette camraderie. Coming up: a social at Rick and Stephanie Farley's home on Sunday September 21 at 6:30 p.m. We are asked to bring a appetizer or dessert to share. Please confirm with Stephanie by September 14 and tell her what you will be bringing. Rick and Stephanie's phone is 440-227-5000. They live at 7580 Appleblossom Lane , Chessterland, 44026 All, This is a return to our former non-traditional Clambake. Location: Mowinski Home 5816 Argyle Dr. Hudson, Ohio
Our Club will provide one dozen clams per member. Additional clams available @5.00 per dz. We need to know at reservation time.
Kathleen and Ted will provide "Clam Chowder". beverages and a grill for those who may wish to cook.
Members will provide heavy appetizers/deserts. One or both :) Please call or email to 234-380-1135 or [email protected] We need to know what you will bring to the feast.
This should allow for us to build our treasury for future events and outings.
We will be away from 9-22 till 10-3 soooo email would be best. Final deadline for clams 10-6.
We look forward to seeing you all-------- Kathleen & Tedmo
Brio’s 8/20/2014
Save this date
December 13 -- Christmas Party at Jimmy Daddona’s, 6200 Enterprise Pkwy, Solon @ 6 PM
Subject: Michigan Introduces Bill to Ban Most Aftermarket Exhaust Systems Legislation (H.B. 5726) to prohibit motor vehicle repair facilities from modifying an
exhaust system to “produce noise in excess of OEM stock decibel levels” has been
introduced in Michigan. Under the bill, a person who violates this prohibition would be
forced to pay a fine of $10,000 for each violation. Entire bill can be viewed here.
We Urge You to Contact Members of the Michigan House Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee (List Below) Immediately to Oppose H.B. 5726.
Under Michigan law, a motor vehicle repair facility means “a place of business which
engages in the business of performing or employing persons who perform
maintenance, diagnosis, vehicle body work, or repair service on a motor vehicle for
compensation . . .”
2014 Corvette Caravan Report
I thought I would report on the highlights of our trip on the 2014 Caavan. The Caravan started in Strongsville at
7AM, and as you know Connie does not do mornings. So we drove to Columbus, the firt stop on Monday night,
and you guessed it, we went to the Hollywood Casino.
On Tuesday, we meet up with the Caravan at Coughlin Chevrolet for a light lunch and we were on our way to
the Dayton Air Force Museum. About 1000 Corvettes were launched!
W arrived at the museum for tours and self guided walks. After that we caravanned to Covington, KY for the
evening where we had a terrific dinner at the Hoffbrahouse. And of course, we headed to Casinos for the
evening.
In the morning we met at 7AM and were off to the Kentucky Speedway, where we were able to do 5 laps
around this great speedway.
At speed
After we had our fun, we
headed to Churchill Downs, In Louisville, KY
After we had our fun, we headed to Churchill Downs, In Louisville, KY
Connie's new buddies
We left Louisville for a rest area and did we get rain!
We got to the Corvette Museum with better weather!
Of Corse we visited our brick
The iconic dome
Enough Said
The sink Hole was HUGE!
The destruction was incredible
The 2000 Nassau Blue car was on display, I have one of the other ones
We drove to Nashville where there is ALWAY a party atmosphere
I think you always knew this
You have a question?
At our hotel waiting to head back, More RAIN!
