August 2011

Me and my Camaro
~ By Renee Morrison
Back in 2006 my husband Larry and
I had heard that GM was going to
bring back the Camaro! Well since
between us we had owned 4 in our
lifetime, we were pretty excited.
When we saw the concept car unveiled
at the Detroit Auto show, it
took our breath away. We knew we
had to have one. So on October 16,
2008; two days after you could officially
order, we were on the Interstate
to make our 120 mile round trip
to H&H Chevrolet in Omaha. After
waiting for what seemed like forever,
we took delivery of our 2010 Red
Jewel 2LT/RS Camaro on 7/13/2009.
Love at first sight, I cried when I saw
her parked on the pad in front of
H&H.
After enjoying the ride for a few days
and of course being treated like a
rock star wherever I went, we got an
email from a friend that said a fellow
Boy Scout leader (We since of course
call those fine folks friends, and all
know and love them as the Teply
Tribe) was having a tough time with
his cancer treatment and his 8-year
old son had helped put together a car
show fund raiser for the American
Cancer Society. Since this was a good
cause we agreed, not knowing at all
what to expect. I wrote to a Camaro
buddy of mine about what to do to
get ready for a car show. He replied,
"Just make sure it's clean and shiny,
open the hood and trunk and you're
good to go."
Away we went on Saturday morning
July 18 th , 2009 and settled into the
car show with of course the only 2010
Camaro on the lot. People swarmed
us, we answered questions all day. I
thought; "This is OK, but it sure is a
long day, it's hot and we don't know
anybody here, though everyone we
met was really very nice." At the end
of the day trophies were awarded to
the winners in each class and some
special awards and door prizes. My
name was drawn and I won a model
truck that my grandson enjoyed
greatly. Then out of the clear blue
sky they called my name again as the
winner of the 1984-current unmodified
class! As I stumbled forward to
accept a large blue and gold trophy, I
knew I was hooked! Hot days may
come and go, but hardware lasts forever!
I entered a couple more shows that
summer. We got to meet a bunch of
other great people, and was fortunate
enough to run into a couple of Rebels
at a car show, and they did such a
nice job of selling their club I thought
“this sounds good to me.” So I joined
up. Then in September I entered the
Applejack Festival Car show in Nebraska
City, again winning a trophy
for first place in my class. This one
included beating a Mustang, which I
really enjoy, and for the first time
this class even included Corvettes! So
this win holds a special place on the
trophy shelf.
My Camaro is my daily driver, so it
gets extra special attention and care,
we even put on the snow tires and
drive all winter long. The World of
Wheels in Omaha on March 12 th -14 th
was our first show of 2010. We
worked a little harder than usual to
get ready for this one because it was
judged by the International Show
Car Association. Once again, the
Ruby Jewel, what I have since
named the best car that GM ever
built, was awarded with an
"Outstanding" ISCA distinction and
a plaque. This win has shown us that
our 2010 Camaro can now be what
we have known since last July, a true
winner with a Chevrolet heartbeat
that is as strong as any muscle car
there ever was!
New Members
Jeri Swanson, Lincoln, NE
1965 Ford Mustang.
Jeri is our treasure's niece.
CARDS OR FLOWERS
Anyone who knows of a Rebels
member who should have a
card sent to someone in the
hospital or flowers for a funeral,
Contact John or Carol Danielson
477-5577
Eric Manley
Seward, NE
65 Ford Galaxie 500
61 Ford F-100 Unibody Shortbox