Allentown Area Corvette Club, Inc.
April 2020 Volume 27, Issue 4
President Joe Iervolino 973-219-6307 [email protected]
Vice-President Gary Warmkessel 610-767-3605 [email protected]
Secretary Carol Jenkins 610-417-8836 [email protected]
Treasurer Mike Best 610-767-6079 [email protected]
Membership Laura Hegyi 610-730-2695 [email protected]
Activities Jeff Mohring 610-392-6898 [email protected]
Merchandise & Clothing Elizabeth [email protected]
NCM Ambassador Al Fuller 610-972-0560 [email protected]
Newsletter Editors Kevin & Michelle Minnich 610-530-0923 [email protected]
Webmaster Michelle Minnich 610-530-0923 [email protected] Sponsored by:
398 Stoke Park Road Bethlehem, PA
Hello everyone!
As I sit before my computer preparing this communiqué, I am feel‐
ing much like many of you, I suspect, reveling in the splendor of my
in‐home self‐imposed isolation with little or no direct contact with the outside
world. Lots of internet and phone contact, however. This isolation makes for a lot
of time to think about things, those important and those not: most importantly
how securing in place can/will save lives, how quickly life as we knew it and our
priorities have changed, and how the pretty car in my garage is all shined up with
nowhere of importance to take it.
We are all being asked to make changes to our lifestyle/behavior for the sake of
our continued good health. Spending a lot of time on the internet or streaming TV
movies and such are normal activities, but continued daily doses can get old. Still,
we should do the responsible things for our own sake and the well‐being of our
families. It is a good time for some virtual fellowship and brotherhood, reaching
out to our neighbors/friends to make sure they’re OK. Toward this end, I am
pleased to say that a good number of fellow club members called me and volun‐
teered to help me with the AACC Cares initiative. I am encouraged by this
thoughtful gesture, for it demonstrates the moral fiber of our club as we are all
being called upon to make tough decisions and lifesaving sacrifices.
(Continued on page 3)
From the val Office
The Allentown Area Corvette Club meets at 7:30 pm at the Paragon Hall at
Se‐Wy‐Co Fire Company (3621 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bethlehem, PA).
There is ample parking, so please do not block the fire engine doors.
AACC Meetings
Upcoming Club Meetings:
May 13 & 27 June 10 & 24 July 08 & 22
‘Vetter’s Letter
Due to COVID‐19 social distancing mandates, AACC’s meetings for April are canceled.
We hope everyone remains healthy and look forward to seeing you all again soon!
This Month
SPECIAL NOTE: The listing below appears different than usual. We want to reinforce canceled events. All remaining events are TENTATIVE pending COVID-19 restrictions. .
08—Club Meeting (p.1)
22—Club Meeting (pp.1,6) with SR-71 Blackhawk presentation
04/24 & 25—Spring Clean-Up @ Seifert’s Home (p.7)
04/29—Brick Tavern Dinner (p.7)
05/02—Faulkner Car Show (Raindate 05/16) (p.7)
05/03—Get Out and Walk (p.7)
05/17—Skytop Lodge Cruise & Lunch (p.8)
05/22—Iron Pigs Game Night (p.8)
05/23—Eaglesmere Car & Plane Museum
05/25—LVMAC Memorial Day Parade & Fallen Soldier Visit (p.8)
05/30—Springfest Judging Clinic
06/03—Putt-U Club Night
06/06—AACC Springfest @ PSU-Lehigh Valley (p.8)
06/18—Kingfish American Bistro
Page 2 Allentown Area Corvette Club ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020
Coming Up
Membership Corner
Join our group on
As of our planned meeting on March 22nd there were:
236 active members 3 potential members
The Board of Directors did not vote in any
New Active Members during March.
The following are currently Potential Members:
Angel Solivan ..................................... Orefield, PA............................’06 Cpe
Bill Hawk, Jr. ...................................... Bethlehem, PA .......................’02 Cpe
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.
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30
April 2020
Members
X
X X
Page 3 AllentownCorvetteClub.org ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020
Thinking of You Doris DiGuiseppi, mother of club member Sharon Carney,
passed away on Thursday, Mar. 5th. Her obituary ap‐
peared in The Express Times and can be found at
http://www.strunkfh.com/obituary/Doris‐A.‐DiGuiseppi/Palmer‐Township‐
PA/1869644. Services were private. Memorial contributions may be made to
Camelot for Children, 2354 W. Emaus Avenue, Allentown, PA 18103 or at
www.camelotforchildren.org.
If you know of a member who is hospitalized, had surgery, or lost a loved
one, please notify VP Gary Warmkessel ([email protected], 610‐767‐
3605) or another board member.
AACC’s Sponsor Official Chevrolet Dealer:
298 Stoke Park Road Bethlehem, PA 18017
877 260‐1080
FaulknerMotors.com
5611 Hemlock Place Orefield, PA 18069
610.533.1923 Angel34.org
Board Chair .................... Mike Cutro Current Officers: .................. Joe Iervolino .......... Gary Warmkessel ................. Carol Jenkins ...................... Mike Best Elected Board Members: .......................Jim Fagan ...................... Jim Flader ...................Marty Hegyi .................Dennis Kuhns
AACC’s Charity
AACC’s Board
Members
At a club level, our recent decision to cancel our Springfest Show is among
the tough ones, as it is the club’s major source of money for our charitable
giving. Be assured this decision did not come easy. It was very much neces‐
sary for the health and well‐being of our members and the public at large.
We have contacted Angel 34 to advise them of the cancellation and they are
fully on board. We gave thought to delaying the show a couple of months
but found we then would be competing for the same audience as our Fall
Show. We have secured a date with Penn State for 2021 – June 5th – and had
initial discussions with Ken Lingenfelter to be guest speaker next year. All
this information will be given to Dave Hausman and his committee for their
further pursuit.
At present, our Fall Show is our single source of funding for our charity work,
so we hope and pray that things settle down and the spread of the virus sub‐
sides and becomes more manageable, predictable and treatable come Sep‐
tember.
In the meantime, our prayers to you and your families for continued good
health. Perhaps with some luck, we can even manage to retain some sem‐
blance of a normal car season yet this year.
Think Positive!
Joe Iervolino
AACC President
(Continued from page 1)
More from the Oval Continued...
Joe
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.
Club Clothing Chair: Elizabeth Garnto (‘98)
0 to 60; Corvette Quick Facts from here & there during March 2020 Have the C8 itch and plan to be in Miami, FL? You can rent a 2020 Ceramic Grey Matrix coupe on Turo for only
$299 for 24 hours. It’s VIN #195, a Z51, and has the top-of-the-line 3LT package.
https://turo.com/us/en/car-rental/united-states/miramar-fl/chevrolet/corvette/772880
Men are 25% more likely to run red lights than women.
Car and Driver broke the news that automakers are extending their production shutdown into April. Details can be
found at https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a31926726/us-automakers-production-shutdown-extended.
Looking to get into a C8? There are over 150 available nationwide, according to a https://cars.com search and
some are even on the ground right now at MSRP but hurry, they sell almost as fast as they sprint to 60 mph!
With Nevada’s Governor ordering the closure of all non‐essential business for 30 days, Spring Mountain and the
Ron Fellows Performance Driving School announced they will be closing the facility until April 20th.
Page 4 Allentown Area Corvette Club ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020 Members/News
AACC is a charitable club. There are many opportunities to get involved in
your community. The following were recently shared with members.
Cares! 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.
RECAP: Meeting Highlights Tue., Mar. 11 | There were some key announcements during our last regular
meeting. To open our meeting, Jeff Yates (Faulkner’s Internet Sales Manager)
presented Joe Iervolino with the dealership’s 2020 sponsorship check. THANK
YOU VERY MUCH!
President Joe later announced that Angel 34 named us an Honorary Restau‐
rant Tour 2020 Sponsor for the Sep. 13, 2020 event. This annual event takes
over downtown Bethlehem — 16 locations, 30 vendors, 28 food dishes, 10
signature drinks (choose 7). A $34 ticket gets you
everything! Tickets must be purchased in advance
and are limited. Registration will take place at Edge Restaurant and parking is free in
Bethlehem during this event! Visit https://angel34.org/events/restaurant‐tour‐2020.
Finally, our contract was extended to hold meetings at Se‐Wy‐Co’s Paragon Hall into early 2021.
Recap: Lunch at Wert’s Café
Sat., Mar. 14 | We managed to sneak in a group lunch just before the COVID‐19 restrictions came into place. We en‐
joyed lunch at Wert’s Café (515 N. 18th St., Allentown). Many took advantage of their special burger featuring buffalo
chicken dip atop their classic patty. Yumm!! Attendance was less than the planned 50 guests as some already began to
shelter. Thanks to Jeff Mohring for again arranging this fun luncheon.
Photos by
Kevin Minnich
Page 5 AllentownCorvetteClub.org ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020 Recaps
Page 6 Allentown Area Corvette Club ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020
POSTPONED: SR-71 Blackbird Presentation
Wed., Mar. 25 | AACC President Joe Iervolino still expects to share (declassified) information
on his days working as a Principal Design Engineer on the SR‐71 “Blackbird.”
A new date will be selected once we resume regular meetings. The presentation will follow a
shortened club meeting, is expected to last 40 minutes, and everyone is welcome to attend.
Recaps/Events
Sat. Mar. 21 | Originally planned for Thursday, March 19 through Sunday, March 22, the
auto show was “indefinitely postponed” due to COVID‐19. AACC planned to display our
Corvettes during one day of the show. More on this opportunity will be shared if / when
the show is rescheduled.
POSTPONED: AACC Display at LV Auto
Sat., Mar. 21 | The American Hockey League announced the suspension of play until further notice,
due to concerns over the COVID‐19 pandemic. Mike Best (610‐767‐6079 or [email protected]) is waiting
to hear from the Phantoms organization what the next steps are with regard to the AACC LV Phantoms Hockey Event
that was scheduled for 3/21/20. Hold onto your game tickets until Mike knows more.
POSTPONED: Phantoms Hockey Night
Sat., Mar. 14 | While some club members were enjoying the Wert’s
lunch, Irish pride was on display in Downtown Bethlehem. Christine
Coyle registered husband, John, for the “Best Legs in a Kilt” contest just a
week before the event. John was one of six participants whose entry fees
benefited the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
In the photo John sings “Danny Boy” to the judges — he went on to
win! Congratulations John and Erin Go Bragh!!
Read the full article (and see more pictures) at
https://www.mcall.com/entertainment/mc-ent-best-legs-in-a-kilt-
coronavirus-20200314-vnbfsppj5fbuzaeam6z3qqjcxq-story.html
John Coyle: Best Legs in a Kilt!
Photo by
Amy Shortell
©2020 The Morning Call
Page 7 AllentownCorvetteClub.org ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020 Events
BYOR (Bring Your Own Rake) Chair: Valerie Ferguson (‘17) Fri.‐Sat., Apr. 24‐25 | NEW for 2020 is the formation of a “Green Team” — doing our
part to help maintain a memorial garden in Easton, PA which we visit on Memorial Day.
A sign‐up sheet will be available at meetings. More details will be shared.
Sun., May 03 | Join your fellow AACC members for some fresh air, exercise and camaraderie. Walk
at your own pace and your own distance, too. We will meet at Jacobsburg Environmental Education
Center in Wind Gap, PA. All members, family and friends are invited—including 4‐legged friends (who must be
leashed). Their 19 miles of trail network make the center’s fields, woodlands, and streams accessible to all. Bathroom
facilities are available. A sign‐up sheet is at club meetings. This weather‐permitting event was rained out last year.
Get Out and Walk Chair: Valerie Ferguson (‘17)
Sat., Mar. 28 | The combination of Coronavirus and cancellation of Springfest led Dennis Corona (‘07)
and Phil Sapienza (First Place Auto LLC) to cancel this clinic. More information will be shared if this
event is rescheduled.
CANCELED: The Devil Is In The Details
POSTPONED: Brick Tavern Inn Dinner Wed., Apr. 29 | Given current in‐restaurant dining restrictions, Bonnie Corona is erring
on the side of safety and has canceled the dinner planned for April 29th. According to the
Tavern’s website http://www.thebricktaverninn.com/, they are closed until further notice.
This event will be rescheduled at a later date—TBD.
CANCELED: 9th Annual Faulkner Chevy-Cadillac Show Sat., May 02 | With the limitations placed upon social gatherings coupled with the dealer‐
ship’s closing of their physical showroom, Faulkner decided to cancel the planned 9th Annual
Car Show.
AACC is proud to be partnered with Faulkner Chevy‐Cadillac (Bethlehem, PA) and look forward
to many more years of successful co‐hosted events...and plenty of new Chevy and Cadillac ve‐
hicles in our garages!
Page 8 Allentown Area Corvette Club ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020
Skytop Lodge Cruise & Lunch Chair: Bobbie Paul (‘06) Sun., May 17 | Cruise an hour to the lodge along a route that follows Broadhead Creek and then
climbs through Canadensis and further north to the lodge. There, we will enjoy a lunch buffet in
the Windsor Dining Room. After lunch, feel free to explore the hotel and grounds — follow one of
the many hiking trails, check out the lake, or just sit back on a rocker on the lodge’s porch. $25 per
person with 30 minimum. (There is no limit.) Departure time and place TBD. https://www.skytop.com/.
Oink On! Fri., May 22 | AACC will head to Coca‐Cola Park in Allentown to
watch the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs battle the Buffalo Bisons (AAA affili‐
ate of the Toronto Blue Jays). This private event will be in the PenTeleData Party Porch along the first base line. The
$37/pp cost includes game ticket, buffet meal, and soft drinks. A cash bar is available, and be sure to stay for the post‐
game fireworks! (Parking $5 extra at gate.) Event details will be shared via email, so stay tuned.
This event was already wait‐listed at our December meeting.
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. More information on the meeting location and
departure time will be announced shortly.
Events
CANCELED: Springfest 2020
Sat., Jun. 06 | Springtime may be here, but Springfest will not happen.
After much discussion with David Hausman and Mike Cutro, AACC made the hard decision to cancel
the 2020 Springfest Corvette show. There are many moving parts and pros / cons to this decision;
however, in the final analysis it was decided this is the right thing for the club to do.
More details will be forthcoming if you already registered, made a tricky tray donation or committed
to a sponsorship.
In President Joe’s opening letter, he discussed that 2021’s show date is already set for June 5th.
Page 9 AllentownCorvetteClub.org ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020 Events/News
After nearly twenty years, the time has come to find new editors for ‘Vetter’s Letter —
AACC’s newsletter. Michelle and I will continue publishing through December 2020, but
changes in my work obligations mean more missed meetings and events. Obviously, I will
assist with the transition and on‐boarding of the next editor(s). Michelle will continue as
AACC’s Webmaster and support with editorial review if desired. Want to learn what is involved and how you can be
successful at this position? Contact Kevin at 610‐969‐5527 or [email protected].
Passing the Baton Kevin Minnich (‘00)
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 and we will hang out at
the Corvette Corral. Participants shall call the Fairfield Inn & Suites (Horsehads, NY, 607‐739‐9200) with their credit
card information and Marriott program number. Scott & Jeanette Marakovits will arrange group dinners and other
non‐race activities during the trip. Documents will be distributed about 6 weeks prior to the trip.
Watkins Glen Race Trip Chair: Dennis Corona (‘07)
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/
Page 10 Allentown Area Corvette Club ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020 News
2020 Lease Rates are Terrible by Mitch Talley (CorvetteBlogger.com) Tue., Mar. 03 | If you thought you might be better off leasing a new mid‐engine Corvette instead of buying one, think
again. At least that’s the opinion of CarsDirect.
They’ve crunched the numbers and claim that a 36‐month lease for a 1LT 2020 Corvette Stingray will be roughly $890 a
month based on a 10,000 mile per year lease with no money down and a 63 percent residual rate. That assumes
Chevy’s standard lease rate of 0.00258, equivalent to 6.2 percent APR.
That’s also based on the fact that there are no special offers from GM for buying or leasing the new Corvette, and since
the mid‐engine Stingray is so hot right now, it’s very likely GM won’t offer deals anytime soon, especially considering
some reports that suggest the automaker is losing money on every C8 it sells at the base price of $59,995.
While we don’t think many people reading CorvetteBlogger would consider their advice, CarsDirect analyst Kelly Camp‐
(Continued on page 11)
Introducing Top Flight Automotive by Keith Cornett (CorvetteBlogger.com) Tue., Mar. 03 | Our friends at what was formerly known as “Corvette America” have been making a lot of changes
over the last year and it’s now official as they have rebranded themselves as “Top Flight Automotive!” All the great
parts and accessories like Corvette America’s interiors and
restoration services, as well as our favorite Corvette covers
from Onyx can now be found at TopFlightAutomotive.com.
In addition to the great products you know and love from
Corvette America, Top Flight Automotive is now the home for
Mustang America, Mr. Mustang, Classic Fit Covers and Classic
Car Dashes.
From restoration to performance, Top Flight Automotive offers the highest quality parts, interiors, accessories, gifts
and apparel for Corvette, Mustang, Camaro, Nova, Falcon, Fairlane and many other platforms. Their inventory of
world‐renowned brands is constantly expanding, with most products in stock and ready to ship today!
Top Flight Automotive offers much more than just great products at reasonable prices. They provide world‐class cus‐
tomer service from a sales team with over 175+ Years of combined automotive experience. In addition to answering all
your technical questions, Top Flight Automotive can help guide your restoration or upgrade project from start to finish.
Top Flight Automotive is part of the Extra Mile Brands family of companies and their 200,000+ sq. ft. headquarters/
warehouse is still based in central Pennsylvania. Visit them online at https://www.topflightautomotive.com or call
them at (833) 486‐7354.
Page 11 AllentownCorvetteClub.org ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020 News
A Bad Deal Continued...
bell points out that much better deals are available on a 2020 Jaguar F‐Type. Campbell says the supercharged Jag stick‐
ers for more than $72,000 but can be purchased for $589 a month for 36 months with $4,995 due at signing (or the
equivalent of $728 a month). That’s more than $160 a month cheaper than the 1LT Corvette, but we don’t think that
would be very enticing to folks like us who are dying to drive a new C8.
CarsDirect points out that a rumored price increase on the 2021 Corvette could influence future lease prices. They’re
hoping GM comes up with a loyalty discount for current Corvette owners, but again we’d be surprised to see that hap‐
pen since the car is so hot. Those type deals usually come when sales of the car begin to run out of steam, not at intro‐
duction time.
Interestingly, they also note that current offers on the outgoing C7 are not as good now as they were just two months
ago when Chevy was offering discounts of nearly $12,000 off MSRP for a 2019 Z06. That figure has dropped to $8,338.
(Continued from page 10)
Hendrick Receives VIN #001 by Keith Cornett (corvetteblogger.com) Thu., Mar. 05 | Rick Hendrick must be feeling pretty good today now
that his new 2020 Corvettes have arrived at his home dealership. The
Chevrolet dealer and NASCAR team owner paid $3 Million for the VIN
001 Corvette Stingray at the Barrett‐Jackson Scottsdale auction and
this morning it arrived at Rick Hendrick City Chevrolet in Charlotte, NC.
Oh, did I say Corvettes as in more than one? That I did! Because Rick
Hendrick also purchased the 2020 Corvette VIN 002 as well.
A Rick Hendrick auto transporter was spotted yesterday in Bowling Green parked
outside the National Corvette Museum as well as over on the road that leads to
the Corvette Assembly Plant. So we figured it was just a matter of time before his
Corvettes were received.
We originally thought that [an] Arctic White Stingray was the VIN 002 Corvette, but
have since learned it’s [a] Silver C8 Coupe.
These are exciting times and we are anxiously waiting to see “Real People” (A Chevy commercial reference) taking de‐
liveries of their new mid‐engine 2020 Corvettes.
Page 12 Allentown Area Corvette Club ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020 News
Pratt & Miller C6RS to Auction by Sam McEachern (corvetteblogger.com) Sun., Mar. 08 | Pratt & Miller built just seven examples of the
Corvette C6RS, a high‐performance take on the sixth‐
generation Vette inspired by Corvette Racing’s beastly C6.R
race car.
One of these exceedingly rare Corvette C6RS models was listed
for sale by GT Motor Cars in Connecticut last year, and now,
another one has appeared on the market via RM Sotheby’s.
The example to be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s is the sixth of
the seven cars built and is finished in Jetstream Blue. The car
retains the original Katech‐built 8.2‐liter Small Block V8 engine,
which is good for 600 horsepower and 600 pound‐feet of
torque. The only transmission available in the C6RS is a six‐
speed manual, upgraded with a Centerforce clutch and alumi‐
num flywheel. This car also features a cat‐back Corsa exhaust.
The C6RS stands out thanks to its full carbon fiber bodywork,
which took inspiration from the C6.R’s body, and BBS center‐
lock racing wheels. The interior of this car features custom rac‐
ing seats and C6RS dash embroidery as well.
According to RM Sotheby’s this car has traveled less than
4,000 miles in its lifetime. The auction
company did not say what it expects the
vehicle to sell for when it crosses the
auction block at its Palm Beach event
later this month, but the value of the
C6RS is undeniable. Not only was it built
by the same crew that puts together Corvette Racing’s championship‐
winning race cars, it is also one of the rarest Corvettes ever made and the
only post‐factory build authorized for the Corvette C6.
Check out the listing for this rare piece of Chevrolet history at
https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/fl20/palm-beach/lots/r0314-2009-
chevrolet-corvette-c6rs-by-pratt-miller/866811
EDITOR’S NOTE: The car sold for $110,000.
Page 13 AllentownCorvetteClub.org ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020 News
GM to Simplify Incentive Programs by Sam McEachern (corvetteblogger.com) Sun., Mar. 08 | General Motors is looking to simplify its vehicle incentive programs after receiving complaints from
dealerships. According to Automotive News, GM dealers have frequently complained about the complex nature of the
automaker’s vehicle incentive programs. Some incentives will only be available to customers in certain parts of the
country or on certain vehicle models and trims, so while it may have many different incentives in place at one time,
many customers won’t qualify for any of them.
AN also spoke to dealers who reported receiving conflicting details on incentive programs. For example, they may re‐
ceive a memo indicating an incentive is valid on certain models, while another may come through indicating it is actu‐
ally trim‐specific.
“We tried to be as simple as possible,” Steve Hill, GM’s vice president of U.S. sales, service and marketing, told AN.
“Candidly, we probably have a lot more work to do, but I think the dealers gave us a lot of credit for trying to simplify
and make it easier to do business.”
One Chevrolet dealer said they “almost have to interrogate,” the customer to find out which incentives apply to them,
as personal information such as their ZIP code can determine if they qualify for an incentive. Some incentives are also
only available to current GM owners or lessees of certain models from certain model years.
Price fluctuations can be a problem, as well. A vehicle may fluctuate in price by up to $10,000 between days due to in‐
centives, leaving the customer confused and perhaps distrusting of the dealership. When the price shifts so dramati‐
cally, the customer may think that is the dealership’s profit margin, when in reality it’s the OEM’s. This can cause the
sale to break down further down the line, as the customer may believe they are being swindled.
GM revised its incentive strategy for January by reducing the number of different incentives it offered. It also stopped
offering VIN‐specific incentives, using model or trim‐based programs only. Most dealers would probably agree the in‐
dustry has a long way to go with regard to simplifying its rebate programs, but experts AN spoke to indicate GM’s re‐
cent changes have been a step in the right direction.
2021 Orders Open May 21 by Jonathan Lopez (corvetteblogger.com) Thu., Mar. 19 | The public’s response to the all‐new 2020 Corvette C8 was immense and immediate, with fans every‐
where voicing their enthusiasm. Buyers have been eager to plunk down their cold, hard cash in a bid to secure their
own personal example of the new mid‐engine [model], but now it looks like the order books for the 2020 model year
have closed, with orders for the 2021 model year opening in May.
The news comes courtesy of a message that GM recently sent to dealers, which was posted to the enthusiast website
CorvetteForum.com. (Continued on page 14)
Page 14 Allentown Area Corvette Club ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020 News
2021 Orders Continued...
“Due to an overwhelming response to the all‐new 2020 Corvette and to avoid false customer expectations, it will be
necessary to suspend the ability to create a sold order (SRE) beginning March 18, 2020,” the message reads. “This does
not prevent you from processing existing sold orders (SRE) within allocation, nor creating and processing a normal
stock order (TRE).”
The message goes on to acknowledge the launch delays incurred during the six‐week work stoppage experienced dur‐
ing the extended UAW strike of 2019. As a result, some 2020 orders, “sold or stock may not be produced as planned,”
the message indicates.
The message [continues] that 2021 Corvette Ordering Capability will be deployed 30 days ahead of schedule on Thurs‐
day, May 21st, 2020. “The purpose in advancing the 2021 Model Year ordering is to enable you and your existing cus‐
tomer to create a replacement 2021 Model Year order,” the message says. “Further information will be forthcoming
from Chevrolet regarding the handling of sold (SRE) 2020 Model Year that we will be unable to accept, and the creation
of a replacement 2021 Model year sold order.”
It should also be noted that GM recently announced a temporary suspension for all North American production in re‐
sponse to the ongoing novel coronavirus COVID‐19 pandemic, a move which will also affect 2020 Corvette production
at the GM Bowling Green Assembly facility in Kentucky.
(Continued from page 13)
3 Million Less US Vehicles Sales by Sam McEachern (corvetteblogger.com) Thu., Mar. 19 | A new report from the automotive industry experts over at J.D. Power indicates auto sales in the
United States will fall by up to 3 million units this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The J.D. Power report indicates retail vehicle sales will total 14 million to 16 million units this year, a dip of up to 3 mil‐
lion vehicles year‐over‐year. The company’s “pre virus outlook” for 2020 was 16.8 million – an estimate that was al‐
ready down from the 17 million‐plus vehicles that were sold in the U.S. in all of 2019.
There was also a pang of positivity in the J.D. Power report, though. While the auto sales forecast for 2020 is currently
looking very grim, the company believes auto companies are in better shape than the airline industry, for example,
which may be slower to recover.
“Unlike airline seats and food, vehicles are durable goods and have historically demonstrated an ability to recoup sales
lost due to short‐term disruptions. As such, the auto industry has the potential to recover from virus‐related sales dis‐
ruption,” the report said.
(Continued on page 15)
Page 15 AllentownCorvetteClub.org ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020 News
3 Million Less Continued...
J.D. Power’s estimates for the U.S. auto industry were formed using
sales data from China, as that is where the coronavirus outbreak began
and the country is thus further along in the pandemic timeline.
According to The Detroit Free Press, roughly 1.8 million vehicle leases
are to expire between March and July of this year in the U.S. – some‐
thing the newspaper described as a potential “bright spot” for the in‐
dustry in this trying time. Depending on the future economic situation
brought about by the ongoing pandemic, though, many Americans may wait for things to stabilize before entering a
new lease agreement or financing a new vehicle.
GM, along with Ford and FCA, was also forced to shutter its U.S. manufacturing facilities this week due to the pan‐
demic. It’s not clear how long the plant shutdowns may last, but this could create further headaches down the road as
dealer inventories shrink.
Earlier this week, GM announced it would be offering 0 percent interest for up to seven years for qualified customers
to help drive sales amid the global crisis. It is also offering 84‐month loan periods on certain vehicles and allowing cus‐
tomers to defer payments for up to 120 days if they are in the top credit tier.
(Continued from page 14)
2023 C8 Hybrid Caught Testing by Nelson Ireson (Automobile.com) Fri., Mar. 20 | The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette is not just the first‐ever mid‐engine Corvette, it's an Automobile All‐Star—
and soon, it will be a hybrid. At least, that's what these spy photos purport to show, and there are several hints that
suggest this is a preview of Chevy's electrified sports car. It does not, however, appear to be a near‐production version
of the rumored 900‐hp 2023 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 hybrid.
What makes us think this (probably) isn't the ZR1 super‐hybrid, at least in its final form? In part, because there are
none of the aerodynamic add‐ons we expect to see from a 900‐hp supercar, or any Corvette ZR1, for that matter: [t]he
car lacks a huge splitter, there is no massive diffuser, and nary a giant wing in sight. In fact, the bodywork all looks to be
fairly standard C8 Corvette fare. We're not saying the Stingray looks boring—but there's obviously space between it
and the C8.R race car to get a little wilder.
(Continued on page 16)
Page 16 Allentown Area Corvette Club ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020 News
C8 Hybrid? Continued...
Moreover, this probably isn't the super‐hybrid Corvette because, if you look closely at the hub centers, there it doesn't
appear to be any drive axle nut on the front end like there is at the rear—meaning it's most likely not all‐wheel‐drive.
Our colleagues at MotorTrend reported last November, citing a highly placed source within GM, that the Corvette ZR1
hybrid would be the brand's first all‐wheel‐drive Corvette thanks to the addition of front‐axle electric motors stuffed
into the "frunk" space, along with a twin‐turbocharged V‐8 for a total system output of 900 horsepower.
Indications that this might be an early mule for the 2023 Corvette ZR1's hybrid powertrain include the array of cabling
and the kill switch mounted to the passenger‐side frunk area. Yes, the car's 12‐volt battery rides upfront, so it could
just be a kill switch for that, but none of the conventional C8 Corvettes spied in testing before the reveal last year had
such a setup. Possibly, it's there to kill power to the hybrid system, which might house its control electronics in the
frunk/firewall area as well. There also is what appears to be an electrical cut out of some kind mounted to the rear
driver's side fender, which might be the location for a not‐yet‐fabricated charging port.
That crazy box of equipment hanging off the back
of the car looks a lot like the RealMPG equipment
MotorTrend uses to do its real‐world emissions
and gas mileage testing. It would make sense for
Chevy to test the emissions of their hybrid sys‐
tem while developing the system itself, though
that is not the only possible explanation.
Other questions without firm answers? Where
the battery might go in a hybrid Corvette. If you
look at the body‐in‐white photos from the car's
unveiling..., there is a huge, empty rectangular‐
section tunnel running through the middle of the car. It's the perfect place, both architecturally and dynamically, to put
a battery. Chevrolet's Volt plug‐in hybrid, for example, located its battery in a similar T‐shape down the center of the
vehicle, and its location so low in the car helped that hatchback handle with surprising athleticism.
Next to the hybrid and ZR1, the eighth‐generation Corvette still has plenty in store. A Z06 variant is almost guaranteed,
and we expect that to be a raucous supercar in its own right, with as much as 800 horsepower and 700 lb‐ft of torque
on tap from a flat‐plane‐crank, DOHC V‐8 in addition to a full aerodynamic treatment, wider wheels and tires, and up‐
graded, track‐tuned suspension.
(Continued from page 15)
Page 17 AllentownCorvetteClub.org ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020 News
For Sale: 1953 VIN 087 @ 5,800 Miles by Mitch Talley (CorvetteBlogger.com) Mon., Mar. 23 | The 87th Corvette ever produced is available from a Phoenix dealer on ClassicCars.com.
And believe it or not, this three‐owner 1953 roadster has been driven just 5,800 miles over the past 67 years, with the
sellers noting it’s “believed to be the lowest original mileage example in existence.”
Hence the rather steep – but totally in line with current market condi‐
tions – $249,800 asking price for this rolling piece of history!
The car includes some serious documentation, not the least of which is
courtesy of its 50‐plus years of ownership by noted Corvette authority
Lyle Hill. At age 20, in 1962, he bought the car from the original owner,
Gerald White, in Orrville, Ohio.
Hill drove the car for the next four years and then mostly stored it
away, awaiting the restoration that finally was completed nearly four
decades later just in time for the Corvette’s 50th anniversary celebra‐
tion in Flint, Michigan in 2003. After Hill’s death in 2014, the car was
sold to a third owner who polished the car even more with the help of
well‐known restorers Rex Marshall and Corey Peterson. Their efforts
eventually resulted in an NCRS Top Flight evaluation with 96.6 points.
According to the sellers:
Cosmetically, No. 087 is beautiful in its correct and nearly perfect livery of Polo White. The body finish has the
correct fiber and seams showing throughout, and it is as authentic as they come. The chrome is excellent and of
top quality throughout. The Corvette has its correct bias ply tires, red‐painted wheels, and the correct factory
two‐eared spinner hubcaps. The exterior quality of restoration is excellent in all regards, understanding that the
finished work on the 1953’s was not up to today’s standards for mirror‐like finished fiberglass. Both the panel fit
and body finish is representative of the technology available to GM in 1953.
The interior of No. 087 is terrific and finished to Concours standards. The Sportsman Red vinyl interior is compli‐
mented with its correct two‐tone white and red dashboard. The red carpeting is beautifully fitted through the
passenger compartment. It has its black canvas convertible top in its storage compartment.
The engine is also in excellent condition visually, with the beautifully detailed 235 CID “Blue Flame” straight six‐
cylinder engine and its triple Carter carburetors. We love the rumble of the engine from its chromed dual ex‐
haust tips that are stylistically exiting the body in line with the rear bumper.”
Interestingly, the dealer’s “detailed inspection” finds the clock and tachometer “not functioning at present,” an odd
situation for a car priced at nearly $250,000. Of course, it’s not like this Corvette will ever see much use on the road, so
a working clock and tach aren’t really essential, are they?
Page 18 Allentown Area Corvette Club ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020 News
IMSA Revises 2020 Racing Schedule by Keith Cornett (CorvetteBlogger.com) Tue., Mar. 24 | Corvette Racing fans should be cautiously optimistic as IMSA makes adjustments to the 2020 racing
calendar in the expectation that racing will resume in the second half of the year.
The revised calendar features new dates for the stops at Mid‐Ohio, Laguna Seca, and Petit Le Mans, while also taking
into consideration the new September date for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
According to Sportscar365.com, these changes will help balance the 2nd half of the racing schedule as Sebring and Le
Mans have already been pushed back several months, while the Long Beach Grand Prix has been officially canceled al‐
though there are conversations going on about piggy‐backing the race on another date at another venue.
The biggest date of the year for Corvette Racing fans is the 24 Hours of Le Mans and organizers have already moved
that race to September 19‐20.
Revised 2020 WeatherTech Championship Schedule:
Jan. 22‐26 — Rolex 24 at Daytona
May 29‐30 — Detroit Belle‐Isle
June 25‐28 — Six Hours of The Glen ** THIS IS AN AACC EVENT **
July 3‐5 — Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
July 17‐18 — Lime Rock Park
July 31 – Aug. 2 — Road America
Aug. 21‐23 — Virginia International Raceway
Sept. 4‐6 — WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
Sept. 25‐27 — Mid‐Ohio Sports Car Course
Oct. 14‐17 — Motul Petit Le Mans
Nov. 11‐14 — Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring
Kudos to IMSA and the individual tracks for getting together and helping to revise the racing schedule. It’s still subject
to change based on conditions as we get closer, but let’s hope we can get back to racing soon!
Page 19 AllentownCorvetteClub.org ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020 News
NY Auto Show Site Becomes Hospital by Jonathan Lopez (gmauthority.com) Tue., Mar. 24 | As the U.S. ramps up efforts to combat the ongoing novel coronavirus COVID‐19 pandemic, a slew of
auto‐related events are being put on hold, including the New York Auto Show. Originally slated to take place in April,
the show has since been pushed back to late August, freeing up the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center to become a field
hospital capable of housing thousands of patients.
Yesterday, New York governor Andrew Cuomo toured the Javits
Center, where FEMA was hard at work setting up the New York
Auto Show venue as a new temporary hospital.
“Equipment from both the state and federal government is be‐
ing delivered here,” Cuomo wrote in a tweet. “My thanks go to
everyone working so hard to make this happen so quickly.”
Located at 655 West 34th Street in Manhattan, the Javits Cen‐
ter spans some 1.8 million square feet, making it a perfect
venue for the mass of vehicles on display every year at the New
York Auto Show. However, with the show pushed back and the
ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic threatening to overwhelm local
healthcare facilities, the center is being repurposed to house
more than 2,000 patients, with the first patients arriving in
April.
The converted New York Auto Show venue is the latest in a line
of auto‐related efforts to combat the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic. Earlier this week, General Motors announced it
would reconfigure a production facility in Kokomo, Indiana, to build medical ventilators. Working alongside Ventec, a
medical technology company, the GM facility originally produced small electronic components for various GM vehicles.
Both Ford and Tesla have also indicated they will build respirators in response to the virus.
Meanwhile, various other auto events have been put on hold, including the debut of the Cadillac Lyriq all‐electric cross‐
over, which may instead drop cover in an online livestream.
The Lyriq (image: Cadillac.com). According to Car & Driver:
“Cadillac's first entrant into the luxury electric vehicle market will be
the Lyriq SUV, previewed by a concept car with sharp styling and a
modern cabin. Details are scarce so far, but Cadillac promises we'll
know more in April when the car is officially unveiled. Cadillac's par‐
ent company, General Motors, is using the Lyriq as a launchpad for
a new scalable battery architecture which is said to allow the com‐
pany to launch new EVs at a rapid pace, with the goal of 20 electri‐
fied models on sale by 2023.”
Page 20 Allentown Area Corvette Club ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020 News
Where Are They Now? by Steve Burns (CorvetteBlogger.com) Wed., Mar. 25 | Back in 2013, at the end of the C6 era, I mused about the whereabouts of the final production Cor‐
vette from each of the first 5 (at that time) Corvette generations. Back then I figured out we knew about all but the last
C3. Today we still know roughly where each “last” Corvette is, except for that last C3. More on that below. Some have
moved on since 2013, and others have not.
The Last C1 Corvette
Back in 2013 the last C1 was living in Washington with its longtime
owner. Since then it showed up at Mecum Seattle in 2014 where it was
a no‐sale at $150,000. After some time at ProTeam Corvette sales, it
appeared at Mecum Kissimmee last year and sold for $159,500.
The Last C2 Corvette
In 2013 the car was a member of the Ron Pratt collection in Arizona
after acquiring it in 2007 for $660,000. Today we believe it to be in the
Rick Hendrick Collection in North Carolina. Naturally, where else would
it be?
The Last C3 Corvette
Back in 2013 we had no idea where this car was. Today we still don’t.
A couple years after my initial article ran, I was contacted by a mid‐
western gentleman stating he owned that very car. After some phone
conversations, emails, and other conversations with some knowledge
Corvette folks[,] it became apparent to me this wasn’t the last C3.
Other discussion threads have popped up around the interwebs since that
time, but to this day very little is known about the final production C3.
The Last C4 Corvette
The final 4th generation Corvette still lives in Mid America Motor‐
works’ My Garage collection where it’s been since new. Mike Yager
lobbied GM to sell him the white C4 which was built on June 21st,
1996. Knowing Mike, we’re pretty sure that car will be in the Yager’s
care for quite some time.
(Continued on page 21)
Page 21 AllentownCorvetteClub.org ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020 News
The Last Ones Continued...
The Last C5 Corvette
The last C5 has been busy since we last checked in 2013. Back then it
was fresh out of the Bob McDorman collection having sold for $45,100
during his 2010 liquidation sale. In January 2013 it showed up
at Mecum Kissimmee where it no saled at $50k. In 2017 it showed up
for sale for $1,000,000 with 29 miles on the odometer. We’re guessing
it didn’t change hands at that inflated number (c’mon, how many mil‐
lion‐dollar vettes really are out there?), and then showed up most re‐
cently at Mecum Kissimmee 2019 where it no saled again at $48,000.
The Last C6 Corvette
The final 6th generation Corvette was a 427‐convertible equipped with
the 60th anniversary package. Finished in white over blue with the
blue convertible top, we believe it still resides in the GM Heritage Col‐
lection in Warren, MI.
The Last C7 Corvette
This one sold to much fanfare last summer for $2.7 million. The black
on red Z06 coupe now rests in the 100‐plus car collection of Dan Sny‐
der along with the final Dodge Viper. It’ll most notably be better
known as the last front engine Corvette.
There you have it. An updated look at where the last Corvette of each
generation currently resides. Check back here several years down the
road when we’ll talk about where the last C8 is going.
(Continued from page 20)
Page 22 Allentown Area Corvette Club ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020 News
GM Shifts to Ventilator Business by Sam McEachern (gmauthority.com) Fri., Mar. 27 | In a series of tweets sent out Friday morning, President Donald Trump urged General Motors to start
manufacturing ventilators....
Trump said GM had previously promised to manufacture “40,000 much‐needed ventilators,” to help address a shortage
of the devices brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, but as a New York Times report published on Thursday out‐
lined, the automaker later walked back the number of ventilators it could produce. The NYT report said GM could pro‐
duce around 7,500 ventilators in a short timeframe, though Trump’s tweet said the company could only produce a
maximum of 6,000 ventilators before late April.
The NYT report also said the Federal Emergency Management Agency would postpone the $1 billion deal to purchase
the ventilators from GM as it assessed if the company was asking too much money for the devices. GM had previously
entered an agreement with Ventec to produce ventilators at one of its components plants in Indiana.
In response to the postponement of the deal, Trump said GM must act immediately to begin producing ventilators at
the “stupidly abandoned Lordstown plant in Ohio, or some other plant,” that it operates. GM sold Lordstown Assembly
to fledgling electric vehicle maker Lordstown Motor Company for an undisclosed sum last November. At the time,
Trump said the sale of the plant was “great news.”
Trump also criticized GM as a whole, saying that “as usual with ‘this’ General Motors, things just never seem to work
out,” and said that it is “always a mess with Mary B,” referring to GM CEO
Mary Barra. He also suggested the country should “invoke P,” a reference to
the Defense Production Act. Under the Defense Production Act, the President
can require businesses to fulfill orders deemed necessary for national defense.
In this instance, it would authorize Trump to force GM or any other company
to begin manufacturing ventilators or medical supplies that will help in the
fight against COVID‐19.
GM later sent out a press release on Friday confirming it would go ahead with
plans to produce Ventec ventilators at its components plant in Kokomo, Indi‐
ana. GM said that “depending on the needs of the federal government,” it is “poised to deliver the first ventilators next
month and ramp up to a manufacturing capacity of more than 10,000 critical care ventilators per month with the infra‐
structure and capability to scale further.” The automaker also said it is donating its resources to the effort at cost.
In addition, GM announced it will also begin manufacturing FDA‐cleared Level 1 surgical masks at the former Warren
Transmission plant in Michigan. Production on the masks will begin next week and will ramp up to 50,000 masks per
day within two weeks, with the potential to increase output to 100,000 per day.
Page 23 AllentownCorvetteClub.org ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020 News
C8 Doesn’t Have a Water Leak Issue by Mitch Talley (CorvetteBlogger.com) Fri., Mar. 27 | The Internet was abuzz over the past few days with the revelation that water – gasp! – can actually get
into the engine compartment of the new 2020 Corvette, thanks to a C8 owner, Morgan Crosbie, who posted a YouTube
video about this issue that was first picked up by CorvetteBlogger last week.
https://www.corvetteblogger.com/2020/03/21/video‐the‐c8‐corvettes‐innovative‐hatch‐allows‐a‐surprising‐
amount‐of‐water‐inside‐the‐engine‐compartment/
Car and Driver, however, isn’t so concerned about water
touching the new Stingray’s 495‐horsepower engine.
Writes Car and Driver: “We didn’t reach out to Chevrolet for
comment because what Crosbie demonstrates happens in
every car driven in the rain, through a carwash, or through a
puddle. Engineers know water will get into the engine com‐
partment, and they design rain trays, drain channels, and wa‐
tertight electrical connectors specifically because of that.”
The magazine points out that air, mixing with fuel, is required
for a vehicle’s engine to operate, as well as more air to remove
heat from the radiators to keep the powerplant running at its
optimal temperature. “If engineers made a car’s engine com‐
partment watertight, they would also choke off that crucial
supply of air,” Car and Driver explains.
They note that the vents over the Corvette’s 6.2‐liter engine
allow hot air to exhaust through them, and that those same
vents will also allow water to enter in some circumstances.
Ultimately, that leakage is nothing to worry about, Car and
Driver concludes, “because Chevy engineers designed their car
to be impervious to both rain water and carwash stupidity.”
So, all you current and future owners of C8 Corvettes, do you
actually think chief engineer Tadge Juechter and his team of
super‐talented geniuses didn’t realize that water would be
able to touch the engine when they were designing this supercar? Just take a deep breath and relax; your C8 is much
tougher than you think and won’t self‐destruct in the next thunderstorm.
Page 24 Allentown Area Corvette Club ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020 Sponsor
Faulkner Chevrolet Cadillac
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A Message from Harry Faulkner Update 3/20/2020 To Members of Our Valued Communities: Due to Governor Wolf’s order, our sales departments are temporarily closed. Our service, parts, & body shop operations remain open. Shop Online From Home: Our online buying experience allows you to shop, evaluate your trade-in, and explore monthly payments from the comfort of your own home! Over the past 88 years, Faulkner and our communities have experienced and survived a wide array of excep-tional events. Although the disruptions to our daily lives won’t be easy, we will survive this one too. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your local Faulkner dealership and know that we will continue to monitor and evaluate the wellbeing of both our teams and our communities. Sincerely, Henry (“Harry”) Faulkner, IV We appreciate your continued understanding. Please check back periodically for updates. https://www.faulknermotors.com/coronavirus-health-and-safety
Page 25 AllentownCorvetteClub.org ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020 Sponsor
CHEVY CARES We’re here and ready to help.
We know that these are challenging times, and your ve‐
hicle should be the least of your worries. That’s why
Chevrolet is here and committed to helping you in any
way we can – from answering your questions to servicing
your vehicle and everything in‐between. Because in times
like these, we’re faced with many uncertainties. But one
thing that’s certain is we’re here for you, every step of
the way.
Here for you, anytime. If you have questions about your current Chevrolet vehicle you can call the Chevrolet Cus‐
tomer assistance hotline at 1‐800‐222‐1020 or contact our dealership directly. We are ready to assist where we can.
Our doors are open. We are open for business and ready to help. Should you require repairs or routine mainte‐
nance, you can rest assured knowing that our Chevrolet Certified Service experts are available to handle your vehicle
needs. GM is working with us to help keep our employees and customers safe while your vehicle is in our care.
OnStar® Emergency Services at no charge. Chevrolet is offering current Chevy owners the benefits of OnStar®
Crisis Assist services for a limited time. With Crisis Assist, you get access to specially trained Advisors who are ready to
help 24/7 during emergencies and other unexpected situations.
Complimentary data for Chevrolet Owners. We’re here for you. To help stay connected, we are offering current
eligible Chevrolet owners 3GB/3 months of in‐vehicle data† (whichever comes first). In this uncertain me, Chevrolet
is here to support you staying connected to the information and people that matter to you. Use your vehicle’s avail‐
able 4G LTE Wi‐Fi® hotspot to stay connected to social media, email or virtual classrooms at times when you have to
be in your vehicle, or from up to 50‐feet away.
Assistance with a New Vehicle. For those who need a new car, truck or SUV, we’re offering interest‐free APR
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Shop online. Deliver to your home. If you’re in need of a new vehicle but don’t want to visit our dealership, we
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Financial questions? We’re here to help. GM Financial is committed to helping customers through customized
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Page 26 Allentown Area Corvette Club ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020
NCM Ambassador’s Corner by Al Fuller (’19) Hello Everyone!!
While I want to wish everyone well, a more timely wish is that I hope everyone is staying safe. There is
nothing I can say about the present situation that hasn’t been said already, and we are going to face a tough few weeks ahead. My
wish for everyone is to realize how deadly this situation can be for segments of the population and that you can have it and spread it
to others before you have any symptoms. Please continue to follow recommendations.
In terms of the Corvette World, Congratulations to Ken & Gail Rovinsky on having the first C8 in our club….LOVE the color
(nudge, nudge, wink, wink). I saw it while at Faulkner for my ZR1 beginning of season service – just gorgeous. And yes…I prac-
ticed “social distancing,” not only from Faulkner personnel, but also from that stunning C8!
I’m also lucky to be friends with the founders of one of the C8 forums, and I’ve been trying to stay caught up on what’s happening
out there. While most who are waiting for their C8 to be built understand the circumstances (and may even appreciate the additional
delay due to the financial markets) there is a vocal minority that seems to be putting the car in front of people’s safety and well-
being. Here’s hoping those thought patterns change. In any case, there are obviously additional delays and MY2020 vehicles will
potentially see even lower production numbers. Keep in mind that no customer convertibles have been built yet as well. So far, there
is no word if MY2020 production will be extended or MY2021 production will start in late summer as planned. Many with MY2020
orders are considering trying to slide to a MY2021 vehicle, as the timing difference will be minor for a newer model year.
Additionally, it was inferred earlier today (nothing confirmed by GM) that some of the MY2021 changes will be as follows:
Magnetic Ride available without Z51 purchase
Long Beach Red replaced by a “Red Mist Tintcoat”
Blade Silver replaced by “Silver Flare Metallic” – which is rumored to be the same silver tint as is on the C8R Racing Corvettes
Wireless Apple Car Play & Android Auto capability on all interior levels
2 new interior color combos, one with a yellow color involved
Additional colors for stripes
In terms of the NCM, like all other non-essential KY businesses, they have had to close to the public, but R8C Museum Deliveries
are continuing. If there for a Museum Delivery, the Corvette Store, Archives, and the Corvette Café (take-out only) are open. Sadly,
last week the NCM had to limit access to their web cams. Apparently many folks saw them and thought the NCM was fully open,
due to the activity occurring with deliveries. It has been indicated that the webcams are still accessible via passwords for those taking
delivery in a given week, and to NCM Members via the “Members Only” page. Sadly, another situation
brought on by the need to stay distanced. This policy may be changing as things progress. Additionally,
the Bash has been pushed to the end of May…we are hopeful it will not need to be rescheduled further,
but that remains a possibility. The Motorsports Park (race track) is also temporarily closed.
Please do note the NCM has some new, online, free Corvette related video content to help us pass the
time. If you are so inclined, please consider a donation to the NCM as the programs they are doing with-
out represent a fair amount of their income, and they employ a large group of fellow Corvette enthusiasts.
Again, Andrea and I send our best to all AACC Members and their families. Please continue to stay safe
and look out for one another…we truly have something special here!
Best,
NCM
Al
Page 27 AllentownCorvetteClub.org ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020
First 2020 Corvettes Ship
Thu., Mar. 05 | Shipping of the 2020 Stingray Corvettes
officially started on Wednesday, March 4 with the National
Corvette Museum receiving two truckloads, 12 Corvettes total,
on Thursday afternoon. Of those cars were the VIN 25 Cor‐
vette that was raffled at the Museum's 25th Anniversary Cele‐
bration last August, and one of seven Corvettes ordered for
guests to drive on track at the NCM Motorsports Park. The cus‐
tomer cars will begin the PDI process on Friday, with cars going
on display on Corvette Boulevard Friday, too! The hues of the
cars included Torch Red, Arctic White and Sebring Orange. In the batch are cars for NCM Board Chair Glenn Johnson,
NCM Ambassador Jeremy Welborn, YouTuber Clarence Garner, 1953 Corvette Owner (who ordered a matching VIN)
David D'Onofrio and many other past customers! Delivered VINs include 25, 29, 30, 42, 50, 66, 93, 148, 167, 239, 247
and 369.
Watch the Facebook Live Video at https://www.facebook.com/corvettemuseum/videos/537091796928205/
Museum Delivers First R8C Optioned 2020 Corvette
Thu., Mar. 12 | On Tuesday, March 10 the National Corvette Museum cele‐
brated the first Museum‐delivered 2020 Corvette. Glenn and Andrea Johnson of
Port Neches, Texas were the first customers to pick up their ‘next generation’
mid‐engine Corvette through option R8C, the Museum Delivery Program.
VIN 29, a Torch Red Stingray Coupe, arrived on Friday, March 6 along with ten
other R8C optioned cars and one car for the NCM Motorsports Park. This was
the first R8C Delivery for the Johnsons, and the sixth Corvette they have owned.
Glenn joined the Museum’s board of directors in 2015 and currently serves as chair.
Read more and watch the video at https://www.corvettemuseum.org/museum-delivers-first-r8c-optioned-2020-corvette/
Museum Temporarily Closed to Public, R8C Continues
Fri., Mar. 20 | Per executive order of Kentucky Governor Beshear, the National Corvette Museum is closed to the pub‐
lic which went into effect at close of business on Wed., March 18. This closure does NOT affect the R8C Museum Deliv‐
ery program for new Corvette owners picking up their cars. Additionally, the Corvette Cafe is available for carry‐out and
delivery (through Uber Eats). We will continue to monitor guidance from local, state and national officials and will an‐
nounce a reopen date once it is known.
Read the full statement at https://www.corvettemuseum.org/museum-statement-on-covid-19/
NCM News & Events
NCM
Page 28 Allentown Area Corvette Club ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020
NCM News & Events Continued...
NCM
Michelin NCM Bash Rescheduled to May
Thu., Mar. 20 | The Michelin NCM Bash has been RESCHEDULED for May 28‐30. All registration
information has been transferred to the new dates. Should you need to modify or cancel your registration, please log in
to your account on our website. New registrations and changes to existing registrations are available without penalty
through May 7.
In addition to the change with Bash, a number of Museum in Motion programs have been postponed or cancelled. We
have communicated those changes to the registered participants.
While our hope that no other events will be affected, we will communicate any future changes to you via NCM eNews,
our website, social media, and direct emails to registered participants. Thank you for your on‐going support!
View the new itinerary/dates at https://www.corvettemuseum.org/event/michelin-ncm-bash/
Tune In Alert: Museum Launches New 'Fully Vetted' Series
Thu., Mar. 20 | If you're cooped up at home and binge‐watching online content, we have a new series Corvette fans
are sure to love! Fully Vetted will feature an approximately 20 minute produced shows on various aspects of Corvette,
sharing cool stories, behind the scenes footage, and maybe even some 'celebrity' appearances.
Episode 1 will drop on Tuesday, March 24 with follow up episodes coming out twice per week, on Tuesdays and Thurs‐
days. Hosts Derek Moore, Director of Collections/Curator, and Bob Bubnis, Historic Media Coordinator, will take you
through time to uncover and decode Corvette history.
How to Watch — In an effort to generate both engagement and revenue for the Museum while it is closed to the pub‐
lic, these special episodes are available for $3 each.
Purchase episodes at https://www.corvettemuseum.org/learn/about-corvette/fully-vetted/
General Motors Temporarily Suspends Production
Thu., Mar. 20 | General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) confirmed it will begin a systematic or‐
derly suspension of manufacturing operations in North America due to market condi‐
tions, to deep clean facilities and continue to protect people. The suspension will last un‐
til at least March 30. Production status will be reevaluated week‐to‐week after that.
“GM and the UAW have always put the health and safety of the people entering GM
plants first, and we have agreed to a systematic, orderly suspension of production to aid
in fighting COVID‐19/coronavirus,” said GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra. “We have
been taking extraordinary precautions around the world to keep our plant environments safe and recent developments
in North America make it clear this is the right thing to do now. I appreciate the teamwork of UAW President Rory
Gamble, UAW Vice President Terry Dittes and local leadership as we take this unprecedented step.” (Continued on page 29)
Page 29 AllentownCorvetteClub.org ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020
NCM News & Events Continued...
NCM
“UAW members, their families and our communities will benefit from today’s announcement with the certainty that
we are doing all that we can to protect our health and safety during this pandemic,” said UAW President Rory Gamble.
“This will give us time to review best practices and to prevent the spread of this disease. We appreciate General Mo‐
tors’ actions today and will continue to work with them on health and safety plans to be implemented when we re‐
sume production.”
To ensure that production stops in a safe and orderly fashion, plants will suspend operations in a cadence, with each
facility receiving specific instructions from manufacturing leadership.
According to GM Bowling Green Assembly Plant Management, “BGA will run through tomorrow, March 20, and then
temporarily suspend production of the 2020 Corvette Stingray at the end of the shift. The suspension will last until at
least March 30. Production status will be reevaluated week‐to‐week after that.”
YOUR Corvette on the Cover of ASC Magazine
Thu., Mar. 26 | How would you like YOUR Corvette featured on the cover of Amer‐
ica's Sports Car magazine? This auction will give you that opportunity!
The Museum will either professionally photograph your car here in Bowling Green,
Kentucky, or if due to travel/distance limitations, we can hire a professional photogra‐
pher in your area to take the photos. The cover can accommodate a single Corvette
(preferred) or multiple Corvettes. Photo must be vertical.
You receive the original high res digital photos from the shoot, a digital version of the
magazine cover, and 10 extra copies of the finished magazine featuring your Corvette!
Winner has the choice of the July/August/September 2020 ASC cover, or the October/
November/December 2020 ASC cover.
Amount paid through this auction is considered a tax‐deductible donation to the Museum and will be recognized as
such.
Proceeds benefit the National Corvette Museum, a 501c3 nonprofit foundation.
Bid now at https://www.ebay.com/itm/114159331739?
fbclid=IwAR2nYn7zi0_7tXOhnDNdiX2n2VMPrpE0I6hmVO7dc3RW9vNu1vAv3RR45YU
(Continued from page 28)
Page 30 Allentown Area Corvette Club ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020
NCM News & Events Continued... New DRIVEN Series Premiers Next Week
Thu., Mar. 26 | Next week a new series geared towards petrolheads will debut on the Discovery
Channel. Monday, March 30 DRIVEN is slated to air, featuring Galpin Auto Sports’ President Beau Boeckmann, custom
car builder Dave Shuten and customization specialist “Mad Mike” Martin (best known for his appearance on MTV’s
Pimp My Ride”). The series will focus on saving automotive history and rescuing ‘car culture from oblivion.’ The trio will
uncover historic and one‐of‐a‐kind cars to rebuild and reintroduce back into the automotive history books.
The National Corvette Museum will be featured on the Wishbone episode, set to air on May 11 at 8pm CT (check local
listings).
Watch the sneak peek at https://www.corvettemuseum.org/new-driven-tv-series-to-air-on-discovery-channel/
Shop from the Comfort of Your Couch!
National Corvette Museum
350 Corvette Drive
Bowling Green, KY 42101
© National Corvette Museum 2020
2020 Events MiM Branson Experience ................May 26‐30
Michelin MCM Bash ........................May 28‐30
MiM Dragon Run @ Biltmore ..May 31‐Jun. 03
The Gathering @ NCM....................May 14‐16
MiM Colorado Springs ...................... Jul. 12‐17
MiM @ Le Mans................................. Sep. TBD
LeMans26th Anniv. Celebration...... Sep. 03‐05
Le Mans Race Weekend @ NCM..... Sep. 19‐20
MiM National Parks Tour................ Sep. 20‐26
MiM 1‐Lap of Kentucky 2020 ...........Dates TBD
Current NCM Raffles
Visit https://raffle.corvettemuseum.org for tickets.
‘20 BYO or $60,000 Cash | 1500 Tix. @ $250 .................Apr. 24
‘20 Black Cpe | Unlim. Tix. @ $20...................................Apr. 25
‘20 Torch Red Cpe | 1500 Tix. @ $150............................Apr. 30
NCM
Corvette Classifieds 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
Page 31 AllentownCorvetteClub.org ‘Vetter’s Letter | Vol. 27, Iss. 4 | April 2020
Neither Allentown Area Corvette Club nor the Newsletter Editors are responsible for ad content or for any exchanges as a result of ads published.
Classifieds
Visit us on the web at
www.AllentownCorvetteClub.org
298 STOKE PARK ROAD BETHLEHEM, PA 18017
Sales (877) 260-1080 Service (877) 625-6238
www.FaulknerMotors.com
P.O. Box 90896
Allentown, PA 18109
Phone: 610-530-0923
A L L E N T O W N A R E A C O R V E T T E C L U B , I N C .
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