OJ Webster was the first National Corvette Museum Ambassador of the Capitol City Corvette Club. Following are a series of articles that OJ wrote for the clubs’ newsletter in that first year. Much of what he has written is still relevant, even today.
Ambassador’s Corner…
By O. J. Webster
As I sat and ponder over this, my first article, many thoughts come into my mind concerning what I should and should not write about. As most of you know I have never been at a loss for words, especially when the subject is Corvettes and the National Corvette Museum. I promised our editor I would write an article for the newsletter each month so I guess I should prioritize my thoughts. The first thought I think I should discuss is our relationship with the National Corvette Museum. I think most of you would agree with me, the relationship is not as good as it could be. It was stated in the Ambassador’s meeting last year, at the Museum, “at least 50 to 75 percent of the membership of every Corvette club should be members of the museum.” Some clubs have 100 percent membership to the museum, however, “most” do not. Unfortunately, we are one of the “most.” About six months ago when I asked the question at a meeting, “How many are members of the NCM,” there were only five or six hands that went up. Now, with several new members, the results may be different. I guess what I’m driving at is this: Anyone professing to be a Corvette enthusiast should be a member of the National Corvette Museum, after all, “it is the most comprehensive nonprofit museum ever dedicated to a single automotive nameplate.” Of course, as a member, you would certainly want to visit it. If you are not a member, go visit the museum and let your mind and heart guide your decision whether or not to become a member. I know you’ve read the statement, “The Legend Is Alive.” Well, yes it is, and it’s roots are at the NCM in Bowling Green, Kentucky. This is not just a place you visit. It’s a place you go to look, listen, absorb, and feel the legend around you. The next time you see me, ask me about the MUSEUM…Ask me about the FEELING…Ask me about the LEGEND…but I warn you, it won’t be a short answer! I sincerely wish each of you happy Corvette motoring, and remember…keep the shiny side up!! THE LEGEND LIVES…SAVE THE WAVE!
Ambassador’s Corner…
By O. J. Webster
As we go through life we are influenced by various experiences encountered along the way. Some of these experiences change our lifestyle for a short period of time while others actually change our life forever. I believe Corvette ownership is one experience that can change your life forever. After all, practically every Corvette enthusiast I’ve ever met seems to have a story to tell concerning how their life changed after the purchase of their first Corvette. I have found most of these stories very interesting. I continually marvel at the number of similarities that parallel my own story. I decided to tell my story in this article. As you read, notice the similarities with “your own story.”
It all started at the age of eighteen, when I drove a Corvette in my hometown Christmas parade. It was one of the most unforgettable experiences in my young life. Although most of my time behind the wheel was at parade speeds, I can still clearly remember the awesome feeling of power and the sound of thunder, even at low RPMs. I remember feeling like I was someone else, as if I were on drugs or alcohol, during the time I was behind the wheel. I was immediately hooked, and little did I know it would be decades before I would ever own one.
My ownership experience didn’t come until December 1997. Both of our sons were married and on their own. Slowly, my life-long dream seemed to be within reach. I believe it was a combination of luck, fate, and a wife that finally threw in the towel on “the Corvette issue,” that actually made my dream a reality. After all, I had ordered an anniversary model in ’93, and then allowed my wife to talk me out of it, and into a BMW instead. Her concern then was the car was too small, and too hard to get in out of. She voiced numerous other concerns, most of which I no longer recall. So, needless to say, I bought the BMW.
For six months prior to that memorable day in December ’97, I had been stopping by the local Chevy dealership, asking questions about the C5, picking up brochures, and any other information I could get. The C5 was an all new Corvette and it really got my attention. More importantly, most of my wife’s concerns with the ’93 had been eliminated with the C5. However she was still a long way from saying, “let’s order one!” At this point, “luck” and “fate” stepped in.
During the Thanksgiving weekend I was in New Orleans conducting training classes for my company when I received a message from the Chevy dealership at home. The message stated, “we have a new red six speed on the showroom floor that needs a test drive.” That was more than I could take! I immediately began negotiating via the telephone from New Orleans, returned home the next week, and resumed the telephone negotiating, as well as negotiating with my lovely wife. At this point, the next two days become a long story, but suffice it to say I finally took delivery of my new C5 on December 5, 1997. How did this dream come true, change my life? Well, it has truly been a “fast ride” since that day in December.
I guess the first major change I recall was selling my golf clubs. Within two weeks of ownership I knew I would no longer have time for golf. I haven’t missed those clubs once. In addition, I used to watch a lot of TV on weekends, especially football and NASCAR racing. Since taking delivery of my C5, I have not watched an entire sporting event on TV. I also subscribe to five Corvette related magazines. These require a certain amount of time to read, scan, look at the pictures, and in some cases, study selected articles. Another major change for me is membership in five Corvette clubs and associations. I consider myself a very active member in at least three of the five. Again, a lot of time required for this.
Yet another change, I recently felt compelled to put a black and white checkered tile floor in the garage. I was convinced it went with the C5 like peanut butter goes with jelly. For eleven years the concrete floor was good enough for Mercedes Benzs, and BMWs, but the Corvette just cried for this new floor. You know, now that it’s complete, I was right, my C5 and that checkered floor were meant to be together.
In addition to all this, I had to establish a separate file to keep track of Corvette functions, hotel reservations, times and places, etc. In the next four months, my wife and I have six out of town Corvette functions to attend. Prior to taking delivery of the C5 we didn’t go out of town, over night, six times in FOUR years. As a matter of fact, in reviewing our records, I just realized we only spent three nights in hotels during the two years prior to the C5, and in the eighteen months since the C5, we have spent twenty-seven nights in hotels.
I would certainly be remiss if I didn’t mention this last “change.” At last count, I had managed to spend in excess of $5000 on Corvette accessories, to include Corvette after market products, wearing apparel, and other miscellaneous items. Although my wife says I’m “sick,” I have always been able to justify each and every expense, at least in my own mind. After all, I can always say, “I’m sorry, the Vette made me do it.” You know, it seems to work.
I guess, just as with anything else in life, different things, change different people in different ways. Corvettes are no exception. I honestly believe the first Corvette in YOUR life changed it, maybe not to the degree mine was changed but it was changed. Maybe in some cases your life was changed more than mine. I also believe, when we purchase our first Corvette, we don’t plan on all these changes taking place, they just do! These are stories that should be written somewhere for every Corvette enthusiast to read. I find each and every one of them very interesting. .After all, that’s part of what keeps the Legend Alive! I recently wrote in a previous article, “Corvette ownership has given me a whole new meaning to living life to the fullest.” I guess that statement pretty well sums it up for me! Let’s keep the legend alive, SAVE THE WAVE, and by all means, keep the shiny side up!
Ambassador’s Corner
By O. J. Webster
In my position as club ambassador to the National Corvette Museum, I work very closely with the entire staff at the museum. For me, it has become one of the most enjoyable aspects of owning a Corvette. The opportunity to get Corvette information first hand, and to share ideas and suggestions with the staff is unbelievably satisfying. So much so, I was beginning to feel guilty, that I was having too much fun with the museum, and my club was missing out on most of it. As a result, I decided to share some of the NCM story with you. If you are a member of the NCM, you are part of this story, If you are not a member, help us make the story bigger in Montgomery, Alabama.
Actually the story started in 1984 at the National Corvette Restorers Society’s (NCRS) national convention. It was there, a suggestion was made by one of its members, Terry McManmon, to establish a central Corvette Library and Archives. A federal law already existed that would allow for a not-for-profit organization to create and administer such as establishment. This meant that all donations to such an organization would be tax deductible. The idea was born, now what?
After numerous phone calls, letters, meetings, and discussions at various NCRS functions, the idea finally took a big step forward in 1986. It was once again, at their National Convention, the NCRS voted to form the NCRS Library, Archives, and Museum (LA&M) Committee. After a lot of bureaucratic red tape the idea was finally going in a positive direction. Then in 1988, Ray Quinlan offered his 1953 Corvette to the organization if a museum was established. With that offer, the scope of the project changed dramatically. It became clear that a museum should be the focus of the committee. The original idea of the “library and archives,” would be housed in the museum.
In May 1988, Terry McManmon, now chairman of the NCRS’s LA&M Committee was invited to attend a meeting with General Motors executives at the Bowling Green Corvette plant. At this meeting, Darrel Bowlin, Manager of Human Resources Development, at the plant, presented a concept of a Corvette Museum that he had been developing. Darrel’s idea had begun in 1985 as a means for GM to display its Corvette prototypes and show cars. Although well received, the executives wanted “not for profit” status and non-GM funding. A combination of the NCRS committee, Darrel Bowlin’s concept, and the in house enthusiasm seemed like a means to the end. Now, Terry understood exactly why he was invited to the meeting. The two separate concepts became one.
The foundation held its initial board of directors meeting in the fall of 1989. Officers were elected, and by-laws were drafted and approved. More importantly, the organization was officially named the NCRS Foundation, and the building would be called “The National Corvette Museum.” However, during the summer of 1990, it became clear the name of the organization was limiting the scope of the fundraising. The name of the organization was changed to the NCM Foundation. In November 1990, the Museum Annex was opened in a store front at a shopping center in Bowling Green, Kentucky. This is where it started, but thankfully, for every Corvette enthusiast in the world, it did not stop there.
In the fall of 1991, a Capital Campaign began to raise funds for a more appropriate and permanent facility. Among the many contributions, the NCRS alone donated over $100,000. In addition, the foundation successfully raised 10 million dollars in bonds from the local banking community and local governments. Construction of the building and displays began in the summer of 1993. The grand opening took place in the fall of 1994, 10 years after the idea was first mentioned at the National Convention of the NCRS.
Since the grand opening, ongoing operations remain the primary focus. In 1998 an additional 25 acres of adjoining land was purchased at a cost of $800,000. When you talk with the folks directly involved with making all this happen, you cannot help but become emotionally involved. Just as it was established on “blood, sweat and tears,” it continues to exist on “blood, sweat, and tears.” After all, the NCM is a self-sufficient, non-profit organization, with no outside financial support. The only support is its membership. The membership consists of Corvette enthusiasts who have made a commitment to “keep the legend alive at all costs.” However, there are over 800,000 Corvette owners, and only 4,000 NCM members. Where are you? We need you! To Corvette enthusiasts everywhere, I would say to you, “Ask not what the NCM can do for you, instead, ask what you can do for the NCM!” One of the more recent accomplishments of the NCM is its outstanding website. This is just one service the NCM provides to all Corvette enthusiasts.
The National Corvette Museum continually strives to become the ultimate educational and research center of the Corvette. In its dedication to accomplish this goal, the museum seeks out every avenue in which to provide information to Corvette enthusiasts around the world, as well as to the general public. Through the efforts of the National Corvette Museum’s Internet site, the interactive exploration of America’s only sports car is preserved.
The website, http://www.CorvetteMuseum.com, features numerous topics. Dedicated to providing information about the Corvette’s past, present, and future, the site also provides information about the Museum. The website allows Corvette enthusiasts to participate in activities connected with their passion. The NCM Auction, Forum, Vette Chat, Press Releases, Corvette Store, and Events Calendar are just a few of the many exciting topics presented. There are other interesting sections such as, the NCM Delivery, Memberships, and About US.
As the NCM continues to celebrate the Corvette Legend, many more features will be added to enhance the site. Some of these improvements will include a members only site, trivia section, and a Hall of Fame. Most recently, the webcam section was added. This consists of four strategically placed cameras throughout the museum that are linked to the website and display in real time (updated every 30 seconds) the actual happenings at the museum. You can actually watch a new Corvette delivery take place at the museum. This is truly a first class organization that does more to promote the Corvette than any organization in America. Check out the website, it will make you proud to be a Corvette owner. Join the museum today, it will make you proud to be YOU!
Remember, when you support the National Corvette Museum, you are supporting the number one organization that supports the car that brings a smile to your face every time you get in it. Now that is worth a lot! Regardless, keep smiling, keep waving, and keep the legend alive. Most importantly…be careful in the fast lane, and keep the shiny side up!
Ambassador’s Corner
by O. J. Webster
Once again I revert back to an article I wrote about 10 years ago. When I first started writing Corvette articles, I had several ideas for topics that I thought would interest most Corvette enthusiasts. After having written a few articles, one topic continued to intrigue me. The topic, the “Corvette enthusiast,” or more specifically, “what are the general characteristics that identify a Corvette enthusiast?”
I have chosen to edit and post this article on our club web page because I believe every individual driving a Corvette today can relate to the points made in this article. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it 10 years ago. For me, nothing has changed…it could easily have been written yesterday!
The dictionary states that an enthusiast is, “one who is filled with enthusiasm; one who is ardently absorbed in an interest or pursuit; a zealot, a fanatic; a possessed person.” Does this definition apply to you as a Corvette owner? In an effort to answer the question, “What is a Corvette enthusiast,” I decided to do some unscientific research. I asked over 75 Corvette owners for input. I felt this was one subject that should be based on some degree of data gathering. Besides, I was very interested in how I measured up to the majority. Good, bad, or indifferent, I wanted to know where I stood among Corvette enthusiasts. The data was gathered while attending three major Corvette functions during April, 1999. This article is based entirely on that data. Although the data was gathered 10 years ago, I do not believe the results would be any different today. Therefore I have no hesitations about submitting this again in 2009 for your reading pleasure and information.
During the data gathering process, a lot of discussion was offered concerning the Corvette enthusiast’s role in promoting and preserving the history and traditions of the Legend. As a result, there were two almost unanimous responses. First, “a Corvette enthusiast belongs to at least two Corvette organizations, one local, and one national, whose objective it is to promote the history and traditions of Corvette ownership.”
As a member of a local club, the Corvette enthusiast contributes to the community acceptance and involvement in Corvette history and tradition. This community involvement helps to keep the Legend alive by generating enthusiasm and knowledge throughout the younger generation, as well as influencing and recruiting new enthusiasts. Although most enthusiasts may also be a member of a national club, they tend to support it with much less enthusiasm than their local club. I can identify with that finding. Although a member of three national Corvette organizations, I support only one with enthusiasm, and even then, not as strong as I support our local club.
The second most unanimous response was, “a Corvette enthusiast is a member of the National Corvette Museum, the mecca of Corvette history and tradition.” Corvette enthusiasts join the Museum primarily to show support for its continued existence, and to experience the pride and prestige of membership. Of course, there are far more benefits to joining the NCM than I could write about in this article. It just seemed that the overall feeling among the enthusiasts I spoke with, was, “what can I do to support the Museum,” not, “what can the museum do for me.” One profound statement I heard was, “as a Corvette enthusiast, you personify a distinctive American tradition. As such, you should be an active champion of the Corvette heritage through membership in the National Corvette Museum.” Personally, I felt very good about the responses pertaining to NCM membership, as I hold a Lifetime membership to the NCM. So far, so good! It seemed like I was doing all the right things right!
Another response I heard very often, was “sacrifice.” It seems as though a Corvette enthusiast is prepared to sacrifice money, time, family, other priorities, and when possible, job requirements, for Corvette club functions, car accessories, repairs and general upkeep. Again, I could relate to most of the comments concerning sacrifice. I remember selling my Ping golf clubs within two months after taking delivery of my first Corvette, knowing I would no longer have time for golf. I haven’t missed those clubs once. From an economic standpoint, simply owning a Corvette is a sacrifice for most of us. Yes, I have made numerous sacrifices since purchasing my first Corvette, but even I have to draw the line when it comes to some of the sacrifices I heard during my research.
(One quick thought here: After 10 years of Corvette ownership, I did miss those golf clubs. As a result, I recently purchased another set and am currently finding time to play once a week. I might add, this only occurred after I completely retired.)
When all is said and done, “What is a Corvette enthusiast?” Even after all this research, I believe the real answer is in the heart and mind of each Corvette owner. We are enthusiasts based on our own established criteria, not someone elses. It’s what we perceive it to be…It’s what makes ownership fun, enjoyable, and exciting. These are the reasons we made the sacrifices to own a Corvette. Corvette enthusiasm varies with personalities. We simply do what feels good, and I know every time I get into my Corvette, it “feels good”. It also felt good before I joined any clubs, before I joined the NCM, and before I made any sacrifices. It’s just that each time I do one of those things, the “feel good” increases for me! That’s my “criteria,” and I sure don’t measure other enthusiasts against my criteria!
Am I a Corvette enthusiast? In my heart and mind, I am 100% pure enthusiast, regardless of whether or not I meet someone else’s criteria. When I look in a mirror I see a pure Corvette enthusiast, and that’s all that matters. When we begin to conform to someone else’s criteria, the “feel good” diminishes. Besides, the dictionary said “one who is ardently absorbed in an interest or pursuit,… THAT’S ME: a fanatic,…THAT’S ME; a possessed person,…THAT’S ME! Yes, I’m a Corvette enthusiast! You are too, or you wouldn’t have read this article! Save the Wave, keep the Legend alive, and by all means, keep the shiny side up!
Ambassador’s Corner
By O. J. Webster
Once again this article was originally written approximately 10 years ago. I have edited it to make it time appropriate for today. Enjoy…
As we go through life we are influenced by various experiences encountered along the way. Some of these experiences change our lifestyle for a short period of time while others actually change our life forever. I believe Corvette ownership is one experience that can change your life forever. After all, practically every Corvette enthusiast I’ve ever met seems to have a story to tell concerning how their life changed after the purchase of their first Corvette. I have found most of these stories very interesting. I continually marvel at the number of similarities that parallel my own story. I decided to tell my story in this article. As you read, notice the similarities with “your own story.”
It all started in 1964 at the age of eighteen, when I drove a new Corvette in my hometown Christmas parade. It was one of the most unforgettable experiences in my young life. Although most of my time behind the wheel was at parade speeds, I can still clearly remember the awesome feeling of power and the sound of thunder, even at low RPMs. I remember feeling like I was someone else, as if I were on drugs or alcohol, during the time I was behind the wheel. I was immediately hooked, and little did I know it would be decades before I would ever own one.
My ownership experience didn’t come until December 1997. Both of our sons were married and on their own. Slowly, my life-long dream seemed to be within reach. I believe it was a combination of luck, fate, and a wife that finally threw in the towel on “the Corvette issue,” that actually made my dream a reality. After all, I had ordered an anniversary model in ’93, and then allowed my wife to talk me out of it, and into a BMW instead. Her concern then was the car was too small, and too hard to get in and out of. She voiced numerous other concerns, most of which I no longer recall. So, needless to say, I bought the BMW.
For six months prior to that memorable day in December ’97, I had been stopping by the local Chevy dealership, asking questions about the C5, picking up brochures, and any other information I could get. The C5 was an all new Corvette and it really got my attention. More importantly, most of my wife’s concerns with the ’93 had been eliminated with the C5. However she was still a long way from saying, “let’s order one!” At this point, “luck” and “fate” stepped in.
During the Thanksgiving weekend of ‘97 I was in New Orleans conducting training classes for my company when I received a message from the Chevy dealership at home. The message stated, “we have a new red six speed on the showroom floor that needs a test drive.” That was more than I could take! I immediately began negotiating via the telephone from New Orleans, returned home the next week, and resumed the telephone negotiating, as well as negotiating with my lovely wife. At this point, the next two days become a long story, but suffice it to say I finally took delivery of my new C5 on December 5, 1997. How did this dream come true, change my life? Well, it has truly been a “fast ride” since that day in December.
I guess the first major change I recall was selling my golf clubs. Within two weeks of ownership I knew I would no longer have time for golf. I haven’t missed those clubs once. In addition, I used to watch a lot of TV on weekends, especially football and NASCAR racing. Since taking delivery of my C5, I have not watched an entire sporting event on TV. I also subscribe to five Corvette related magazines. These require a certain amount of time to read, scan, look at the pictures, and in some cases, study selected articles. Another major change for me is membership in five Corvette clubs and associations. I consider myself a very active member in at least three of the five. Again, a lot of time required for this.
Yet another change, I recently felt compelled to put a black and white checkered tile floor in the garage. I was convinced it went with the C5 like peanut butter goes with jelly. For eleven years the concrete floor was good enough for Mercedes Benzs, and BMWs, but the Corvette just cried for this new floor. You know, now that it’s complete, I was right, my C5 and that checkered floor were meant to be together.
In addition to all this, I had to establish a separate file to keep track of Corvette functions, hotel reservations, times and places, etc. Since taking delivery of our first C5, my wife and I have gone out of town hundreds of times to attend Corvette functions. Prior to taking delivery of the C5 we didn’t go out of town, over night, six times in FOUR years. As a matter of fact, in reviewing our records, I just realized we only spent three nights in hotels during the two years prior to the C5, and in the first eighteen months after the C5, we spent twenty-seven nights in hotels.
I would certainly be remiss if I didn’t mention this last “change.” At last count, after trading my ’98 Coupe for a 2003 50th Anniversary Pace Car Coupe in December 2002, I have managed to spend in excess of $50,000 on Corvette accessories, to include Corvette after market products, wearing apparel, and other miscellaneous items. This is over a period of twelve years. Although my wife says I’m “sick,” I have always been able to justify each and every expense, at least in my own mind. After all, I can always say, “I’m sorry, the Vette made me do it.” You know, it seems to work.
I guess, just as with anything else in life, different things, change different people in different ways. Corvettes are no exception. I honestly believe the first Corvette in YOUR life changed it, maybe not to the degree mine was changed but it was changed. Maybe in some cases your life was changed more than mine. I also believe, when we purchase our first Corvette, we don’t plan on all these changes taking place, they just do! These are stories that should be written somewhere for every Corvette enthusiast to read. I find each and everyone of them very interesting. After all, that’s part of what keeps the Legend Alive! I recently wrote in a previous article, “Corvette ownership has given me a whole new meaning of ‘living life to the fullest’.” I guess that statement pretty well sums it up for me! Let’s keep the legend alive, SAVE THE WAVE, and by all means, keep the shiny side up!
Ambassador’s Corner
By O. J. Webster
As your NCM Ambassador, I am re-submitting this article with some updates for your reading pleasure and hopefully to get your “NCM juices” flowing. During the first few years of the Capitol City Corvette Club we had a club newsletter for which I wrote an “Ambassador’s Corner” article each month. The following is the second of those articles. I have updated it from the original version for appropriateness, since ten years and 19 additional visits have elapsed since I originally wrote it. As you read this article, please remember this was written immediately after returning from my second visit to the NCM in April, 1999. The emotions and memories expressed in this article were life changing for me, and I think they are worth sharing with the Corvette community once again. I still experience most of those emotions every time I pull into the NCM parking lot.
In April of 1999 I attended the second annual C5 Birthday Celebration hosted by the C5 Registry and National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Attending this function provided some experiences I thought would be interesting to all Corvette enthusiasts.
My association with the C5 Registry and the National Corvette Museum began in March 1998, shortly after taking delivery of MY FIRST CORVETTE. That’s when I attended the first C5 Birthday Bash at the NCM. To this day, that remains the most memorable and exciting weekend of my lifetime. While at this function, I joined the C5 Registry as member number W507. Today, the Registry has over 10000 members. .
That’s how it all started for me, but I want to share some of my observations, perceptions, emotions, and experiences from this particular visit to the NCM in celebration of the second annual C5 Birthday Bash. There were approximately 300 C5s and approximately 500 people in attendance. This group was the most positive, supportive, and energetic Corvette enthusiasts I’ve ever met. I guess you could call it a “real Corvette Family Affair.”
Several of these folks have owned Corvettes for years, so it is safe to say there were thousands of years of Corvette experience in attendance. One individual from Ohio actually owned 9 Corvettes at the time. Several others owned multiple Vettes. Everyone had numerous stories and experiences and were willing to share them, as well as any advice and counsel desired. The spontaneous parking lot conversations, alone, made the trip worthwhile. There I was with 16 months of Corvette experience, right in the middle of all this. How could I not be absolutely obsessed with my Vette, when everywhere I turn, someone was offering ideas, or other pearls of wisdom that only comes from experience. I simply soaked up every bit of it, like a dry sponge suddenly exposed to water. An encounter I would not have had, if it were not for MY CORVETTE, the C5 Registry, and the National Corvette Museum!
One of the most memorable moments of the weekend occurred Friday afternoon at the Corvette plant. Approximately 400 of us went over to the plant and formed two lines at the employee exit doors. Some of us were armed with large posters that said, “Thanks for my C5,” “I love my C5,” “WE appreciate your great work,” etc. Others of us had a double handful of candy bars. Just inside the door, a few members were positioned to give each employee a C5 pin as a token of our appreciation. The pins were specifically developed for this occasion and provided by Mike Yeager of Mid America Designs. After receiving their pin, and passing through the door, the employees walked between two lines of Registry members, 50 to 75 yards long. The aforementioned signs were displayed enthusiastically, and the candy bars were given out graciously, while accompanied by “thank yous,” whistling, and applause like I have never heard. I personally witnessed a full gambit of emotions from the employees. There were tears, embarrassment, humor, bewilderment, and shock. There was a lot of appreciation displayed by everyone that day in Bowling Green. The plant manager stated that our gesture was a first in automotive manufacturing history, where a group of customers actually gathered at an assembly plant to thank the employees for their work. It was indeed a very touching moment for everyone involved, certainly a moment I will never forget. A moment I would not even had experienced if it were not for MY CORVETTE, the C5 Registry, and the National Corvette Museum!
I know some Corvette enthusiasts have never had the opportunity to meet, and talk one on one with Will Cooksey, the Corvette Plant manager, or Dave Hill, the chief engineer of the C5, or John Cafaro, the chief designer of the C5, or Jim Minnicker. Who is Jim Minnicker? He was the C5 power plant manager, and the co-driver of the Corvette entry in Car and Driver’s One Lap of America race, as well as the Chairman of the Board for the National Corvette Museum. I’m also certain most Corvette enthusiasts have never had the opportunity to meet and talk with John Heinrichy, a co-driver for the General Motors sponsored Corvette Racing Team. In addition, I’m sure most enthusiasts have never had the opportunity to sit down with John Lingenfelter and Chuck Mallet to discuss Corvette performance issues. I experienced all of this in one short weekend. Once again, an experience I would not have had, if it were not for MY CORVETTE, the C5 Registry, and the National Corvette Museum!
As most of you know, I am now in possession of my second C5 and have been for over six years. After all this time, nothing has changed. Although most of the folks mentioned in the article are no longer in those positions, they were when the C5 was developed, and for that, they will always remain “larger than life” to most Corvette enthusiasts. As a matter of fact, most of them still come to every C5 Birthday Bash and their autographs remain the most sought after memorabilia of the weekend!
What am I saying? Enjoy your Corvette life to the fullest! Make every effort to get involved with Corvette organizations. Become an active member and take advantage of opportunities and experiences when they present themselves. I don’t know a lot of things, but one thing I know for sure, it always hurts to say, “Gee I wish I would’ve…”. I also know, buying my first C5, joining the C5 Registry and the National Corvette Museum, have given me a whole new understanding of “enjoying life to the fullest.” I love MY CORVETTE and all the ownership experiences it has provided for me. After all, it’s part of “keeping the legend alive.” SAVE THE WAVE, and keep the shiny side up!
Ambassador’s Corner
By OJ Webster
I have stated several times before, the camaraderie and team spirit among Corvette owners is an amazing phenomenon. I realize that sounds pretty vague, but I thought I would share some specifics to support that observation. Although the whole experience of Corvette camaraderie and team spirit was new to me, it has been recognized, spoken about, and written about by Corvette enthusiasts for years. Since this “one for all, and all for one” attitude is what actually keeps the legend alive, I felt like it would be a good subject for this article. Besides it never hurts to revisit such an amazing phenomenon. For the purpose of this article, I will refer to it as COTS, (Corvette Owners’ Team Spirit).
It was only a couple weeks after purchasing my first Corvette that I had my first experience with COTS. My wife and I had stopped by the Maxwell AFB Service Station to see if they had anything I needed. As we were leaving, my wife said, “hey that guy at the gas pump is waving at us, and now he is running after us.” I glanced in the rear view mirror to see this guy trying to wave us down, so I stopped and backed up. He approached the window, introduced himself, and said he wanted to inform me of a new Corvette Club that was getting started in town and he thought I might be interested. Boy, was I interested!!! We must have talked for 20 minutes about Corvettes. He was driving a great looking black, 1967 convertible. This individual was Denny LeVan, and he will forever be remembered as my first Corvette buddy. What makes this story even more unique, is the fact that Denny was a Colonel in the USAF, and I’m a retired Chief Master Sergeant. Now, for you military types, when is the last time you heard of a Colonel chasing down an enlisted man in a parking lot just to share information? The moral of this story is, COTS can even break through age old “military barriers.”
My second experience with COTS came with a phone call to the National Corvette Museum (NCM). In early spring of 1998, a few months after becoming a Corvette owner, I decided to call the NCM to inquire about visiting the museum. The individual who answered the phone was a prince of a guy who absolutely overwhelmed me with professionalism, courtesy, and information, all in a real team spirit manner. He talked to me for over 30 minutes, as if I was the only one he had to talk to. He informed me of an upcoming event that I might be interested in, the first annual Birthday Bash for the C5, hosted by the museum and the C5 Registry. During this conversation, I joined the museum, and was given a telephone number to make reservations for the Birthday Bash. I was assured this would be a weekend I would never forget. This individual was Marty Cassidy. He was my second major encounter with COTS. You know, he was right, that weekend will go down as one of the most unforgettable in my lifetime. That brings me to my third COTS experience.
The Birthday Bash weekend was my third, and perhaps greatest COTS experience. This was the weekend I was introduced to the C5 Registry. As my wife and I walked into the NCM for the first time in our life, the first individuals to speak to us were Dan Adovasio and Jake Drennon, co-directors of the C5 Registry. At that point, I had absolutely no clue what a “C5 Registry” was. Dan began to answer my questions as if the entire day was devoted to me. His patience and understanding were absolutely unbelievable. I learned a lot of things during that thirty-minute conversation, one of which, was what a “job number” is, and where to find it on the C5. I joined the registry as member #W507. We met and made more new friends in that weekend than we had in several years. The keyword here is “friends,” not just acquaintances. This has been proven to me numerous times since that weekend in March ’98. As a matter of fact, if new friends were wealth, I’d be a millionaire, and all simply because I bought a Corvette. As I look back on that weekend, it’s hard to understand how all that happened to me simply because I bought a new car! Of course, it wasn’t just any car, it was…A LEGEND! Yes, COTS is a real phenomenon, and the legend is alive, I know, because I have truly “been there, and experienced it!”
My next experience actually brings the story closer to home. Naturally, I’m referring to our own Capitol City Corvette Club. Actually, this experience started back in December ‘97 when Denny LeVan chased me down in that parking lot. It continues today! I still remember that first meeting in January ’98 when we had a total of 7 members in attendance, because that’s all we had! Look at us today, one of the largest Corvette Clubs in the state. The friends I’ve made, the relationships I’ve developed, the fun I’ve had since December ’97 is unequalled in my lifetime. Yes, COTS is real!
There are numerous other examples of COTS in action. I remember when the Mid-Alabama Corvette Club invited our club to their picnic. Most of us went up there not knowing anyone, or very few, and left there counting our new friends. In addition, I personally have had similar experiences with the Gulf Coast Corvette Club in Biloxi, Mississippi, the Circle City Corvette Club in Dothan, Alabama, and the Confederation of Corvette Clubs in Louisiana. These experiences, all pleasant, unforgettable memories, only occurred because of the unbelievable Team Spirit of Corvette owners.
Once again, I must say, Corvette ownership has given me a whole new meaning to, “living life to the fullest.” Think about that for a minute, then think about your life without a Corvette in it. How would it differ? Think about how many friends you have today as a result of Corvette ownership. Sure, the world is full of happy people that have never owned a Corvette, and most of them probably have friends too. However, I wonder how many of them can walk into a parking lot full of strangers and immediately feel like they have come home to family and friends. I can honestly say that in my 53 years of life, I have never walked into a group of strangers and been made to feel so comfortable so fast as I was in ALL of the preceding experiences. I have personally never experienced anything like the Corvette Owners Team Spirit. Although I had never thought about it before, now I know we are indeed, “keeping the legend alive,” because the Corvette Owners’ Team Spirit feeds it constantly. As long as there are two Corvettes on the road, the legend will never die! Save the Wave! Take care, and keep the shiny side up!