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Central Valley Corvettes - July 2017

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OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF CENTRAL VALLEY CORVETTES, FRESNO, CALIFORNIA (CHARTERED NOV. 12, 1991)<br />

(Actually it was yesterday, June 30, 1953)


The <strong>Central</strong> <strong>Valley</strong> Corvette Club was<br />

chartered in 1991 for the owners of the only<br />

real AMERICAN sports car, the awesome<br />

CORVETTE. It's a social organization with<br />

activities that provide enjoyment for the true<br />

Corvette lover.<br />

MONTHLY MEETINGS ARE HELD<br />

AT 6.30 P.M. ON THE 3 RD TUESDAY<br />

OF EVERY MONTH AT YOSEMITE<br />

FALLS CAFE, 4278 W. ASHLAN AVE,<br />

FRESNO CALIFORNIA. INTERESTED<br />

CORVETTE ENTHUSIAST ARE<br />

MORE THAN WELCOME TO<br />

ATTEND THE MEETINGS AND MEET<br />

OUR MEMBERS.<br />

Club activities include monthly meetings,<br />

car shows, weekend Club activities,<br />

overnighters, picnics, road rallies, summer<br />

cruises, holiday get-to-gathers and more!<br />

Eligibility for membership in CVC is<br />

defined in Article III, section 1 of the<br />

bylaws in part as follows: "Membership in<br />

<strong>Central</strong> <strong>Valley</strong> <strong>Corvettes</strong> shall be open to all<br />

Corvette owners who are sponsored by a<br />

member in good standing. Additionally, a<br />

prospective member must, within a three<br />

month period, attend two consecutive<br />

meetings, participate in two club sanctioned<br />

social activities, pay current membership<br />

dues and initiation fees, and be approved by<br />

two-thirds vote of membership present at a<br />

general membership meeting by secret<br />

ballot.<br />

Sponsors shall be responsible for advising<br />

prospective member of results. All members<br />

must submit proof of personal insurance in<br />

accordance with California State Law upon<br />

application for membership, and all<br />

members must be a member of the<br />

association providing club liability insurance<br />

for CENTRAL VALLEY CORVETTES.<br />

A prospective member who does not have a<br />

sponsor will be provided one by the<br />

membership committee. Non-members may<br />

not participate in more than three meetings<br />

or two sanctioned activities as per CVC<br />

Bylaws.<br />

CVC membership dues are $67.00 plus an<br />

initiation fee of $35.00. Membership entitles<br />

two members at the same address voting<br />

privileges at meetings (provided they are in<br />

good standing) and membership rights.<br />

Please feel free to contact the membership<br />

chairperson, Charlotte Renna (559) 323-<br />

0153 or any officer on the following page.


PRESIDENT<br />

Andy Anderson<br />

977-3387<br />

ancon545@yahoo.com<br />

VP-ACTIVITIES<br />

Dick Danielsen<br />

298-5229<br />

redanielsenr@aol.com<br />

VP-PUBLIC RELATIONS/ MEMBERSHIP<br />

Charlotte Renna<br />

323-0153<br />

chrenna@aol.com<br />

SECRETARY<br />

Terry Johnson<br />

940-0876<br />

purplegal54@gmail.com<br />

TREASURER<br />

Dick Johnson<br />

940-5719<br />

rejohnson1142@gmail.com<br />

PARLIAMENTARIAN<br />

Gary Pflepsen<br />

999-2957<br />

pgpflep@aol.com<br />

Mission Statement / Officers..... 2-3<br />

A Word from our President.......... 4<br />

Secretary’s Minutes..................... 5<br />

Birthdays & Anniversaries............ 6<br />

Corvette’s Birthday..................... 7<br />

Sunshine & Clouds………………… 8-9<br />

For Life, Liberty & Happiness..10-11<br />

In The Garage w/Skip…….……..…12<br />

The ’53 Corvette Story……….. 13-24<br />

CVC Activities.............................25<br />

CVC Event Flyers...................26-33<br />

Ficklin Vineyards Pics……………34-35<br />

Madera Speedway Pics………...36-40<br />

From our Sponsor, Ed Dena....... 41<br />

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS<br />

Chuck Laningham<br />

304-7662<br />

laningham@hotmail.com<br />

SUNSHINE & CLOUDS - NEWS<br />

Debbie Garrison<br />

875-0800<br />

keithgar@aol.com<br />

WEBSITE EDITOR<br />

Charlie Fosnaugh<br />

299-0547<br />

fosnaugh@comcast.net


…a word from our President!<br />

Hi Corvetter’s:<br />

Can you believe how the time flys. The<br />

garrisons and I have been on two pre<br />

runs for the mystery tour and one to<br />

go. I think it is going to be a great time<br />

so sign up soon don't miss out. We just<br />

have a limited number rooms blocked.<br />

I think our last general meeting was<br />

great. Good friends having fun.<br />

It was great having Ruthie and Dave at<br />

the meeting. Hope everyone is staying<br />

cool, it sure has been hot. I can't believe<br />

Jan & Gary got a new corvette. Because<br />

they loved the new color plum they had<br />

a beautiful yellow cp with only 26k<br />

miles. But I have to admit the plum is<br />

beautiful!!! And so are they.<br />

Will see all of you at the meeting.<br />

Stay Gold and stay safe.<br />

Your president,<br />

Andy


<strong>Central</strong> <strong>Valley</strong> <strong>Corvettes</strong><br />

General Meeting Minutes<br />

June 20, <strong>2017</strong><br />

The General Meeting was called to order by<br />

President Andy Anderson at 6:31pm.<br />

Minutes from the May meeting were read.<br />

The following corrections need to be made.<br />

The date for the Dukes Potluck is October<br />

21 st . The seconded motion to adjourn the<br />

meeting was made by Lupe Dawson. Tom<br />

Piercy made a motion to accept the minutes<br />

with those corrections. Chuck Laningham<br />

seconded.<br />

Dick Johnson gave the Treasurer’s report.<br />

The raffle brought in $210.00<br />

VP of Activities, Dick Danielsen introduced<br />

our guests from the Oakhurst Corvette club.<br />

They are having a car show and BBQ on <strong>July</strong><br />

29 th in Oakhurst. Upcoming events are<br />

Kingsburg Summer Band Concert, Snelling<br />

Car Show, Harris Ranch Lunch Run, Movie<br />

Night and the Dukes will welcome us back to<br />

their home on October 21st. We were told<br />

if we didn’t go on the Tahoe Run, then we<br />

missed a great time. We also had another<br />

great movie night. Check the newsletter or<br />

contact Dick Danielsen for more information<br />

on future runs. Again, Dick encouraged club<br />

members to step up and lead a run.<br />

There are plenty of experienced leaders that<br />

can help new club members.<br />

VP of Public Relations, Charlotte Renna gave<br />

the Birthday and Anniversary announcement.<br />

Membership stands at 90.<br />

We welcomed Chuck Laningham back. He<br />

collected $3.00 in badge fines. Linda<br />

Laningham gave the Sunshine Report for<br />

vacationing Debbie Garrison. And we all gave<br />

Ruth Danielsen lots of hugs and love, as we<br />

welcomed her back from her long absence. It<br />

was good to see the Comer’s.<br />

Old Business: None<br />

New Business: None<br />

The next General meeting will be Tuesday<br />

<strong>July</strong> 18 th . The next Board meeting will be<br />

Tuesday, June 27 th at the Johnson’s. There<br />

being no Old Business or New Business,<br />

Glenn Henderson made a motion to adjourn<br />

the meeting. Bob Peluso seconded.<br />

Meeting adjourned at 7:18pm<br />

Respectfully submitted by<br />

Terry Johnson, Secretary<br />

Raffle: Thank you to the following members for<br />

donating raffle prizes: A & C Anderson, Comer,<br />

Danielsen, Dawson, Derringer, Dukes,<br />

Fosnaugh, S & L Garcia, Sarah Garcia,<br />

Henenfent, Henderson, Johnson, Laningham,<br />

Parks, Pflepsen, Renna, Rosen, Severance


y Charlotte Renna<br />

Skip Garrison, 7/05 – Jan Pflepsen, 7/10 – Lance Pitt, 7/24<br />

Andy & Connie Anderson, 7/14/62 – 55 Years<br />

Ed & Joyce Kroeker, 7/17/59 – 58 Years<br />

Fred & Terri Parks, 7/21/21 – 16 Years<br />

PLEASE REMEMBER TO WEAR YOUR CVC NAME BADGE TO ALL CLUB MEETINGS!<br />

(NOW a 50₵ FINE without it)<br />

SUPPORT YOUR CLUB RAFFLE AND BRING A RAFFLE PRIZE!<br />

AND BE SURE AND RECOMEND OUR WEB SITE REGULARLY<br />

AT:<br />

www.<strong>Central</strong><strong>Valley</strong><strong>Corvettes</strong>.com


Automotive<br />

1953<br />

First Corvette Built, Happy Birthday Corvette!<br />

On this day in 1953, the first production Corvette is built at the General Motors facility in Flint,<br />

Michigan. Tony Kleiber, a worker on the assembly line, is given the privilege of driving the nowhistoric<br />

car off the line.<br />

Harley J. Earl, the man behind the Corvette, got his start in his father’s business, Earl Automobile<br />

Works, designing custom auto bodies for Hollywood movie stars such as Fatty Arbuckle. In 1927,<br />

General Motors hired Earl to redesign the LaSalle, the mid-range option the company had<br />

introduced between the Buick and the Cadillac. Earl’s revamped LaSalle sold some 50,000 units<br />

by the end of 1929, before the Great Depression permanently slowed sales and it was discontinued<br />

in 1940. By that time, Earl had earned more attention for designing the Buick “Y Job,” recognized<br />

as the industry’s first “concept” car. Its relatively long, low body came equipped with innovations<br />

such as disappearing headlamps, electric windows and air-cooled brake drums over the wheels<br />

like those on an airplane.<br />

After scoring another hit with the 1950 Buick LeSabre, Earl headed into the 1950s–a boom decade<br />

for car manufacturers–at the top of his game. In January 1953, he introduced his latest “dream<br />

car,” the Corvette, as part of GM’s traveling Motorama display at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in<br />

New York City. The sleek Corvette, the first all-fiberglass-bodied American sports car, was an<br />

instant hit. It went into production the following June in Flint; 300 models were built that year.<br />

All 1953 <strong>Corvettes</strong> were white convertibles with red interiors and black canvas tops. Underneath<br />

its sleek exterior, however, the Corvette was outfitted with parts standard to other GM<br />

automobiles, including a “Blue Flame” six-cylinder engine, two-speed Powerglide automatic<br />

transmission and the drum brakes from Chevrolet’s regular car line.<br />

The Corvette’s performance as a sports car was disappointing relative to its European<br />

competitors, and early sales were unimpressive. GM kept refining the design, however, and the<br />

addition of its first V-8 engine in 1955 greatly improved the car’s performance. By 1961, the<br />

Corvette had cemented its reputation as America’s favorite sports car. Today, it continues to rank<br />

among the world’s elite sports cars in acceleration time, top speed and overall muscle.


SUNSHINE & CLOUDS<br />

Debbie Garrison<br />

JUNE 20, <strong>2017</strong><br />

Keith and I are sorry to miss the meeting but we’re cruising the Alaska coast with Keith’s<br />

cousins. I’ll report back to you next month on whether Keith was a good boy or not.<br />

Received a note from Jan Pflepsen, she and Gary had a great time in New Orleans. In just<br />

six days they toured 3 plantations and learned how they were run. Toured an above-theground<br />

Cemetery that had been damaged by the hurricanes, listened to Zydeco music at<br />

Preservation Hall and drove over to Biloxi, Mississippi and saw huge homes built on stilts<br />

to protect them from the hurricanes. And of course, they walked and danced their way<br />

down Bourbon Street. Not to mention the creole food they devoured.<br />

Linda and Chuck traveled to Kansas, Tennessee, Georgia and Texas. First of all, even after<br />

32 days with each other they’re still sane, still talking to each other and still married, it<br />

was touch and go for a while. They visited with cousins in Manhattan, Kansas then they<br />

all went to Tennessee to visit Linda’s brother Steve and his wife Terry in Chapel Hill. They<br />

got to see the dairy farm he built, over a thousand cows strong and overseeing the<br />

milking 2-3 times a day. They were great hosts and it’s such a beautiful area. From there<br />

it was on to Chatsworth, Georgia to visit with their granddaughter Janae and their 2<br />

great-grandchildren. Then on to Austin, Texas to visit their other granddaughter Meghan.<br />

Meghan and her husband are expecting their first child in Nov. While in Texas she visited<br />

with Linda’s dear friend Jackie who lost her husband to brain cancer in March, through<br />

wind, sleet, rain, sand storms, new brakes on the RV, cracked windshield and broken<br />

passenger window, they made it home safe and sound. They had a wonderful time and<br />

made many memories.<br />

Art and Nancy will be spending the summer aboard their little tug “Puffin” exploring the<br />

British Colombian waters of the Inside Passage. They will be out at least 5 weeks, then<br />

they will spend the remainder of the summer in the San Juan Islands and Puget Sound<br />

area. Puffin is a 27-foot small “Pocket Cruiser” so it will be an adventure just to get<br />

provisions, water, supplies stored aboard with the 2 of them and their dog Annie. The<br />

cool weather will be a big bonus! See you in the Fall.<br />

Holly and Lee Baumgarten sent us a little note: During their first full year of retirement<br />

they have been traveling. Seems like they’re always on the road the third Tuesday of each<br />

month but their sprit is with CVC. Last Fall they attended the Albuquerque Balloon Fest


with family, followed by a tour of the South-East Colorado for 2 weeks. This Spring they<br />

dry camped in the desert outside of Yuma, AZ with more family. Next, they did a tour of<br />

the California coast with Lee’s brother from Idaho. All filled with visits to see their 6<br />

grandchildren in Napa, and Denver. They are planning to be ‘house sitting’ this summer<br />

for Lee’s brother from Idaho at his cabin in Northern Idaho, 5 acres on the Salmon River<br />

for <strong>July</strong> and August. They said they were so pleased to be able to work it out with their<br />

schedule to host their first CVC run to Madera Speedway and are looking forward to<br />

many more adventures with our new friends at CVC.<br />

Dick and Terry have been thinking about getting their ‘dream car’ at the end of the year.<br />

After the trip to Laughlin and even though Dick is diehard red fan, once they saw a new<br />

Black Rose in the sunshine they knew what they wanted. Took about 10 days to find her<br />

in Pennsylvania and after proving to the bank that it was legitimate transaction she was<br />

theirs. The car was schedule While in transit the truck broke down for 2 days in Las Vegas<br />

turning a Wednesday delivery date into Friday and while driving to Kramer Junction to<br />

pick up their grandsons they passed the truck. And their beautiful red car has gone to<br />

another home. Dick was asked to chauffeur the Jr Citizen of the Year in the Kingsburg<br />

Swedish Parade in and while in line a woman came and stood in front of it and<br />

commented to her husband “Take a picture of me in front of my new car" and before you<br />

could say Boo! Rose was delivered on Friday and Carmine went to his new home in<br />

Newman, CA.<br />

Remember to keep Amy Parkin in your thoughts, she is having another surgery later this<br />

month. Send her your good thoughts and energy her way. Hopefully this will be her last<br />

one and she’ll be on the road to recovery.<br />

Frieda isn’t here tonight she’s had hernia surgery today. Send her good Thoughts too.<br />

Our Dear Ruthie is home and recovering and getting stronger every day.<br />

Sharon Hall sent us a little sad news, her uncle Bill “Wyldbil Shipley” has passed away<br />

after a battle with cancer. He and her Aunt Cora own “Soup and Scoops” in downtown<br />

Clovis. Pollasky Avenue was decorated with ribbons and flags in his honor. He was a<br />

Fresno Policeman and a builder before they owned the businesses in Clovis. At the<br />

reception, there was an album of the custom homes he built. Dave and Lori’s house was<br />

included as it is a “Shipley house”. On June 10th, her aunt Cora was inducted into the<br />

Hall of Fame for the City of Clovis and Uncle Bill had hoped to be there. Our condolences<br />

to Sharon and the Family.<br />

Your Sunshine Girl, Debbie G.


For Life, Liberty and Happiness<br />

By Aimee Parkin<br />

Independence. Freedom. Life. Liberty. Happiness. Take a moment and think, “What do<br />

those ideals mean to me? What would I do to preserve them?”<br />

On <strong>July</strong> 4, 1776, after years living under colonial rule, and amidst a bloody war, a group<br />

of men, representatives from thirteen colonies, came together under the most desperate of<br />

circumstances to draft a declaration. This was not a declaration of love, nor was it a declaration<br />

of war, though their rulers believed it to be just that. On that hot summer day, they declared<br />

their independence from “despotism, death, desolation, and tyranny; ravag[ing], plunder[ing],<br />

… and destroy[ing] the lives of our people.”<br />

They declared with faith, loyalty, and confidence – “We hold these truths to be selfevident,<br />

that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain<br />

unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”<br />

The men who bravely signed their names to this declaration did so knowing that their<br />

lives, and those of their families, were in peril. The British would certainly hunt them down and<br />

seal their fate with their blood. No mercy shown, their murders executed in the cruelest of<br />

manners.<br />

So why did they do it? Why were these values – equality, life, liberty, the pursuit of<br />

happiness – so precious to them that they would die for them? The Founding Fathers provide<br />

us a clear answer in the same document.<br />

…[W]hen a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design<br />

to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government,<br />

and to provide new Guards for their future security.<br />

Since the Revolutionary War, the United States has been involved in 10 formally<br />

declared wars and numerous other conflicts in which Congress did not formally declare an act<br />

of war. Below is a table of each war’s enlistments, non-fatal wounds, and deaths.<br />

War Enlisted Soldiers Non-Fatal Wounds Deaths<br />

Revolutionary War Unknown 6,188 4,435<br />

War of 1812 286,730 4,505 2,260<br />

Mexican American War 78,718 4,152 13,282<br />

Civil War 2,213,363 281,881 364,511<br />

Spanish-American War 306,760 1,662 2,446<br />

World War I 4,734,991 204,002 116,516<br />

World War II 16,112,566 670,846 405,339<br />

Korean War 5,720,000 103,284 36,574<br />

Vietnam War 8,744,000 150,341 58,220<br />

Persian Gulf War 2,225,000 467 383<br />

Operation Enduring Freedom 1,924,810 20,092 2,350<br />

Operation Iraqi Freedom 31,956 4,424<br />

Operation New Dawn 295 73<br />

Operation Inherent Resolve 44 43<br />

Operation Freedom’s Sentinel 192 40<br />

TOTAL 42,346,908 1,479,907 1,010,916<br />

NOTE: The enlisted total for Operation Enduring Freedom includes all US operations since Operation Enduring Freedom<br />

began. The wounded and dead totals are separated to respect the lives of each individual and family affected.


One in 33 men who enlisted in conflict came home wounded, and one in 42 didn’t come home at<br />

all. What drives them all? Why do they leave school, home, and family to fight so that their<br />

fellow countrymen can enjoy relative peace and safety?<br />

Stacy Midgley is a wife, mother, paramedic, and firefighter. Her husband, Jared, served<br />

in communication operations in the US Army from 1997-2000 and was deployed to Korea and<br />

Germany. He was discharged shortly thereafter and they added three children to their family.<br />

After the events of 9/11, he learned that his unit was one of the first being deployed. She very<br />

candidly explains,<br />

When 9/11 happened, there was this overwhelming sense of helplessness. The nation was calling for<br />

blood, nurses, and paramedics. There was nothing I could do to help. I was too anemic to donate and was<br />

“only” a CNA. My husband immediately started talking of re-enlistment in the US Army. He knew his<br />

former unit would rapidly deploy, and his brothers would be sent into harm’s way. He could not send<br />

them into the lion’s den alone, so he re-enlisted and quickly deployed to Baghdad. I was, for all intents<br />

and purposes, a single mother of three, the youngest of which spent most of his Dad’s deployment in the<br />

hospital. During this time, I juggled the other two, volunteered with the Family Readiness Group, and<br />

served as the mayor of my military housing village. It was all I could do (helping back at home) at that<br />

time, to support the deployed troops and their left-behind families<br />

On another front, those 343 firefighters who gave their all never left my thoughts. I had always dreamed<br />

of being a paramedic. And I was still bothered by how useless I was to the needs of the 9/11 aftermath.<br />

Ten years after 9/11, I joined a volunteer fire department. In fact, the ten-year anniversary of 9/11 was<br />

about a month after I joined. To anyone who doesn’t know, those brave men should have never entered the<br />

Twin Towers. I’ve realized that as I’ve studied firefighting and fire science. They entered KNOWING<br />

they would perish. They entered, risking their all, to save whatever lives they could save. Most of them<br />

never got to say goodbye. The remains of some were never found. This was my calling. Right then and<br />

there.<br />

Since then, I’ve trained as a firefighter, paramedic, technical rope rescue expert, and in Hazmat. I<br />

couldn’t help that day. And I may never get called on to help in that capacity. But if that day comes, I will<br />

not watch the events unfold on TV and be helpless. I love what I do. I love serving my community. And I<br />

love having the freedom to make a<br />

difference.<br />

Front row L to R: Savannah, Will, Davin Midgley<br />

Back Row L to R: Michael, Staci, and Jared Midgley<br />

Staci’s experience prompted her to act. She actively protects life, liberty, and happiness each<br />

day as a firefighter and a paramedic. What can we do to help? Maybe we can do something<br />

small – vote in each primary and general election, send a care package or letter to someone on<br />

active duty, teach a child, thank a veteran. Whatever it is, remember that millions died so we<br />

could be free. That’s what Independence Day is about. When we barbeque, dip in the pool, or<br />

go camping, remember that there is a reason we are off work and looking at fireworks.


‘In the Garage’ by Skip Severance<br />

<strong>2017</strong> Corvette Stats Available<br />

General Motors has released the final <strong>2017</strong> model year Corvette stats. A<br />

total of 32,782 <strong>Corvettes</strong> were produced: 34.3% Stingray Coupe, 30.2%<br />

Grand Sport Coupe, 18.9% Z06 Coupe, 7% Stingray Convertible, 6.2%<br />

Grand Sport Convertible and 3.3% Z06 Convertible. Once again,<br />

automatics more than doubled the production of manuals at 77%. The 1LT<br />

package was the most popular for Stingrays and Grand Sports, while the<br />

3LZ package was the most popular for the Z06.<br />

For colors, Arctic White was the most popular with 18%, followed by<br />

Watkins Glen Gray with 17.7%, Black with 16%, Torch Red with 14%,<br />

Admiral Blue with 9%, Blade Silver with 6%, Long Beach Red with 6%,<br />

Corvette Racing Yellow with 4%, Black Rose with 4% and Sterling Blue<br />

with 2%. Note that if you add the two shades of red together, then “red”<br />

would be the most popular color with 20%.<br />

For a complete run down of the final option counts, click here.


A Corvette Star is Born<br />

Modest Beginnings<br />

As introduced in 1953, the Corvette was mostly a thrown together experiment. Production was<br />

limited to 300 units total, so sales of the entirely new model was not a problem.<br />

Right: The first Corvette reaches the end of the assembly<br />

line on June 30, 1953. The entire 1953 production took<br />

place in the back of a customer delivery garage in Flint<br />

Michigan. The first two were engineering test cars and<br />

according to official records, were destroyed. Of the first<br />

300 <strong>Corvettes</strong>, approximately 225 are known to exist today.<br />

The first production Corvette was finished on June 30, 1953, which is considered to be the birthday<br />

of the Corvette. Notice the Chevrolet Bel Air wheel covers. According to GM, they were supplied<br />

on the first 25 <strong>Corvettes</strong>.


Photo on the left is of the 13th Corvette produced. The remaining production was equipped with<br />

the faux knock-off style (right).<br />

All 1953 <strong>Corvettes</strong> were Polo White with a red interior and a black canvas top. There were two<br />

options offered: a signal seeking AM radio ($145.15) and a heater ($91.40). Although listed as<br />

options, all 1953 <strong>Corvettes</strong> were equipped with both items. The base price was $3,498.00,<br />

including the federal excise tax and $248.00 for shipping and handling. The radio had an<br />

interesting feature: since fiberglass is electrically inert, the antenna was simply incorporated in<br />

the trunk lid. This would not be possible with a conventional steel body.<br />

When introduced in 1953, the Corvette featured the "Blue Flame" six<br />

cylinder engine. This is not as the Chevrolet engineering team wanted<br />

things, but they had no choice. Although other GM marques featured V8<br />

motors they were not willing to share; a very different situation compared to years later when<br />

various divisions would feature the same powerplants. It was renowned for reliability but with a<br />

rating of 105 HP, performance and sportiness was not included. The engineering staff responded<br />

with the usual engine upgrade methods. A more radical camshaft rubbing on solid lifters, dual<br />

valve springs, and a higher compression ratio cylinder head (8.0:1; previous was 7.5:1) all<br />

contributed to the effort. The largest gain was achieved via an upgrade to the induction system<br />

(right). Three Carter type YH sidedraft carburetors featuring "bullet" air cleaners with an aluminum<br />

manifold were incorporated and the output soared to 150 bhp at 4,500 RPM.


1953 Corvette Part 2<br />

Sharp eyed Corvette fans will recognize that the GM brochure images (above) are of prototype<br />

<strong>Corvettes</strong>. The big give-aways include the "Corvette" script on the front below the badge, the<br />

downward pointing spear on the fender behind the front tire and the air intake scoops on top of<br />

the fender. None of these items appeared on 1953 <strong>Corvettes</strong>, although the air intake scoops did<br />

show up on future models.<br />

Left: Corvette headlights featured a stoneguard (or "fencing mask") treatment, part of the "sports<br />

car" target image. They were often seen on race prepared cars as a way to prevent broken<br />

headlights from debris and rocks. The engineers and stylists both wanted glass covers, similar to<br />

what was used on the license plate (right) but the current laws forbid the practice.<br />

All 1953 <strong>Corvettes</strong> came with red interiors. Left: Image from a 1953 brochure. Right: A "waterfall"<br />

effect was found between the seats as a body piece extended into the interior. This gave a very<br />

open feeling to the car. Later generations would pay homage to this technique and incorporate<br />

the same design traits in the convertible models. Pressing the button released the convertible top<br />

cover.<br />

Note: Hold Control & Clicking on an image with this symbol (<br />

) will lead to a larger image.


The Corvette reputation as a performance car would have to wait until 1955 when a V8 became<br />

available. When equipped with the "Blue Flame" six cylinder, the zero to 60 time was around 11<br />

seconds with 1/4 mile times of about 18 seconds. It's hard to say which was more at fault; the six<br />

cylinder motor or the two speed automatic transmission.<br />

The 1953 Corvette is probably better appreciated today than when it was new. There are two basic<br />

reasons why it will remain a desirable model amongst collectors: 1) 1953 was the first year of<br />

production, a strong point in collector car circles. 2) Limited production. At only 300 units it is by<br />

far the rarest Corvette model year.


1953 Corvette Part 3<br />

Above: All 1953-55 <strong>Corvettes</strong> had removable (as opposed to roll up/down) windows. Black oilcloth<br />

bags were used for storage.<br />

Below: Along with the Polo White exterior, all 1953 <strong>Corvettes</strong> came with a black canvas soft top.


The 1953 thru 1957 <strong>Corvettes</strong> featured full instrumentation, which included oil pressure, battery,<br />

water temperature, fuel and tachometer. The bad news was that they were centrally located. The<br />

joke of the day was that the passenger had a better view of the tachometer.<br />

Left: Bumpers, both front and rear, were purely decorative and offered no protection. Right: Tube<br />

type whitewall tires were mounted on steel wheels. Wheel covers were a faux knock-off design.<br />

Right: Despite what these official press photos may imply, hardtops<br />

were not an option supplied by Chevrolet. Aftermarket sources did<br />

supply them and in some cases they were sold by Chevrolet dealers.<br />

Right: Back to basics; the 1953 Corvette in pieces. The fiberglass<br />

body was highly labor intensive which explains the high purchase<br />

price. The tail light fin areas were particularly difficult to work with.


The 1953 Corvette production line, with not a robot in sight.


1953 Corvette Part 4<br />

EX-122<br />

"What was the first?" is a question that applies to many things. For <strong>Corvettes</strong>, the closest to "the<br />

first" would have to be the EX-122.<br />

The first Corvette would be difficult to pinpoint as there were a number of prototypes, some with<br />

sporty bodies, others just chassis that were used for development and evaluation. The EX-122 can<br />

however legitimately claim to be the oldest Corvette still in existence.<br />

EX-122 was on display at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance as part of the GM Motorama<br />

exhibit. EX-122 was the serial number that denotes an experimentally built car. It was also the<br />

first Corvette that the automotive enthusiast world fell in love with, as it was the Corvette displayed<br />

at the famous Waldorf Astoria Motorama in New York City on Saturday, January 17th, 1953.<br />

Although initially conceived as a show car, the public reaction was such that GM had no choice but<br />

to put it into production.


Above: The EX-122 as it appeared in the "General Motors Motorama of<br />

1953" brochure. The headline was "Realities of Progress . . ." and the<br />

caption "With a graceful low-slung body of pressed fibre-glass plastic,<br />

the scintillating Chevrolet Corvette two-seater offers all that is best in<br />

sports car design. Powered by a special 160 horsepower Chevrolet<br />

engine with three carburetors and a Powerglide Automatic<br />

transmission."<br />

Right: May 11, 2012 The EX-122 returns to the Waldorf-Astoria hotel<br />

in New York City almost 60 years after it served to introduce the public<br />

to the Corvette.<br />

Left: The EX-122 served to introduce the world to the Corvette on January 17, 1953 at the Waldorf-<br />

Astoria hotel in New York City. Right: Publicity photo is signed by famed GM designer Chuck<br />

Jordan: "For $3,500 it’s yours!".


Above: The special provenance of EX-122. Left: The funky "Corvette" script between the badge<br />

and the front grill. No other Corvette was similarly equipped. Middle: The downward accent of the<br />

spear on the side of the fender; all other '53 <strong>Corvettes</strong> had the accent pointed up. Right: The air<br />

intake on the top of the fender. Although 1956 and '57 <strong>Corvettes</strong> had a similar non-functional<br />

vent, they were not part of Corvette production until then.<br />

Above: GM press photographs of EX-122 taken during the Motorama tour. The EX-122 1953<br />

Corvette is owned by Kerbeck Chevrolet of Atlantic City, NJ where it is on display. Click Here for<br />

more info on the EX-122.


Left: If you've been studying your Corvette history, you are aware that all 1953 <strong>Corvettes</strong> had<br />

inline six cylinder engines. So why is there a V8 in the EX-122? That's the purpose of an<br />

experimental or prototype. Soon after its duty as a show car, a V8 engine, which would become<br />

famous as the "Chevy Small Block" became available and was installed in the EX-122 so the<br />

performance could be tested and the concept sorted out. Middle: Jamie Ginn, Miss Delaware 2006,<br />

brings additional sparkle to the EX-122.<br />

As Corvette production proceeded, the EX-122 was no<br />

longer needed as a show car so it headed back to the<br />

engineering department where it was refurbished and<br />

painted red. It was used as a courtesy car for about<br />

5,000 miles and then in April, 1956 was sold to Russell<br />

Sanders. John Ingle bought it in October, 1959 (for<br />

only $1,000!) who sold it to Kerbeck Corvette in <strong>July</strong><br />

2002. The photograph at the right was taken in August<br />

2002. Note that distinctive items such as the script<br />

between the grill and the nose badge, the fender<br />

mounted vent intakes and the exterior door opening<br />

were removed. The fender was also upgraded to<br />

include the spear with the upward pointing accent and<br />

the gold "V" in "Chevrolet" (below) which was how the<br />

1955 V8 equipped <strong>Corvettes</strong> were built.<br />

In 2003 Kerbeck restored it back to its original 1953 Motorama show car configuration although<br />

they kept the V8 engine.


Complementing the EX-122 is the last 1953 Corvette. It is owned by Jim and Evelyn Fasnacht of<br />

Houston Texas.<br />

Americans do love their <strong>Corvettes</strong>. They are uniquely American, with a flair, value and competitive<br />

spirit that is unequaled in the automotive world. The qualities that have endeared the Corvette is<br />

that it has always been the best at whatever it does and accomplishes that task with confidence,<br />

flair and at least a medium dose of arrogance. <strong>Corvettes</strong> excel everywhere: on the racetrack, as<br />

a styling tour de force, a boulevard cruiser or simply providing their owners with a magnificent<br />

driving experience. WebCars! presents "The Corvette Story" for the car enthusiast who wants to<br />

know more about this amazing American icon. We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we did<br />

creating it. Oh, and don't forget to tell your friends!<br />

Paul Pollock, The Corvette Story, Year by Year!<br />

Editor’s note: Sorry about this long article. When I found this about the ’53<br />

Corvette and since it was <strong>Corvettes</strong> Birthday on Friday, I just had to share it with<br />

all of you. Hope you enjoyed it. Click on the link above to go to The Corvette Story<br />

and find out more about any year of the Corvette! Charlie


CVC<br />

Activities<br />

Schedule<br />

WE NEED TO GET<br />

SOME MORE RUNS BOOKED FOR <strong>2017</strong>. BETWEEN JUNE 10TH (MADERA<br />

SPEEDWAY) AND THE PRESIDENTS MYSTERY RUN IN SEPTEMBER, ONLY<br />

FOUR RUNS ARE SCHEDULED---MUSIC IN THE PARK IN KINGSBURG, THE<br />

SNELLING CAR SHOW, MOVIE NITE AND THE HARRIS RANCH LUNCH RUN.<br />

PLEASE CONSIDER PUTTING ON A RUN AND, AS I HAVE PREVIOUSLY STATED,<br />

IF YOU NEED HELP, JUST ASK! REMEMBER, THE MORE RUNS WE DO, THE<br />

MORE FUN WE WILL HAVE! DICK DANIELSEN<br />

<strong>July</strong> 6 Music in the Park Johnson’s<br />

<strong>July</strong> 9 Snelling Car Show Renna/Peluso<br />

<strong>July</strong> 26 Maya Movie Nite – Dunkirk Fosnaugh<br />

Aug 5 Harris Ranch Lunch Run Danielsen’s<br />

Sept 12-15 President’s Mystery Run Anderson<br />

Oct 21 Potluck / Country Western Music Duke’s<br />

<strong>July</strong> 2018 Colorado Rocky Mountain High Hansen’s<br />

GENERAL MEETING ALWAYS 3 RD TUESDAY 6:30 PM<br />

BOARD MEETING IS THE TUESDAY FOLLOWING THE<br />

GENERAL MEETING AT 7:00PM<br />

Dominos 2nd & 4th Thursday of the Month


The Kingsburg Gang:<br />

Henderson’s, Henenfent’s & the Johnson’s<br />

are inviting you to an evening of dinner and music!!<br />

Kingsburg Summer Concerts in the Park<br />

Thursday, <strong>July</strong> 6<br />

Patriotic Theme is scheduled<br />

Meet at the Walgreen’s parking lot in Kingsburg 5:45pm<br />

Sierra Ave offramp – turn left<br />

Walgreens will be on your right at 2nd light.<br />

One of us will be there to lead you to designated parking<br />

Vendors include, tacos, hamburgers, tri-tip sandwiches<br />

or pack a picnic<br />

Ice cream sold by Kiwanis!!!!<br />

Concert begins at 8pm until 9:30<br />

Bring your own lawn chair


SNELLING CAR SHOW<br />

HENDERSON PARK, SNELLING, CA<br />

SUNDAY, JULY 9 Th<br />

10:00AM – 2:00PM<br />

THIS SHOW IS OPEN TO ALL MAKES AND ALL YEARS OF VEHICLES.<br />

PRE-REGISTRATION FEE IS $30 PER CAR IF PAID BY JULY 1 ST AND<br />

THE FEE IS $35 ON THE DAY OF THE SHOW. ONE MEAL TICKET IS<br />

INCLUDED IN THE ENTRY FEE.<br />

A DEEP PIT BAR-B-Q LUNCH WILL BE AVAILABLE AND ADDITIONAL<br />

MEAL TICKETS COST $12 PER PERSON. LUNCH INCLUDES BBQ BEEF,<br />

BEANS, SALAD, ROLL AND COFFEE. DESSERTS AND COLD DRINKS<br />

ARE AVAIABLE FOR PURCHASE.<br />

CALL BECKY AT (209) 652-3771 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND<br />

REGISTRATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT: WWW.YosemiteCorvetteClub.net<br />

RUN LEADERS ARE CHARLOTTE RENNA AND BOB PELUSO<br />

MEET AT HERNDON AND 99---RUN WILL LEAVE PROMPTLY AT 8:00AM


Dinner & Movie Nite…<br />

You are invited to join us in watching:<br />

On Wednesday, <strong>July</strong> 26, <strong>2017</strong><br />

The festivities will be held the Maya Cinema<br />

3090 E. Campus Pointe Dr. Fresno, Ca 93710<br />

(Dinner and Movie times to be determined)<br />

Contact Charlie for more information, 281-2876<br />

Who’s ready to go again?<br />

Free Flags on 6-14 Movie nite!


HARRIS RANCH<br />

LUNCH RUN<br />

SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 TH<br />

- MEET AT JENSEN AND HWY. 99 AT<br />

10:00AM ON AUGUST 5 TH .<br />

- LEAVE PROMPTLY AT 10:15AM SO THAT WE CAN ARRIVE AT<br />

HARRIS RANCH BY OUR RESERVATION TIME OF<br />

11:45AM.<br />

OUR ROUTE WILL BE SOUTH ON HWY. 41 AND THEN WEST ON HWY.<br />

198 TO HARRIS RANCH AT THE INTERSECTION OF 198 AND I-5.<br />

THERE WILL BE SOME TIME AFTER LUNCH TO BROWSE IN THE GIFT<br />

SHOP.<br />

AFTER LUNCH, WE WILL UPHOLD<br />

THE DEEPLY INGRAINED<br />

TRADITION OF CVC AND DRIVE<br />

TO HANFORD AND SUPERIOR<br />

DAIRY FOR DESSERT!<br />

DON’T FORGET<br />

YOUR CB RADIO!<br />

CUT OFF FOR SIGN-UP IS THE<br />

JULY MEETING


ONLY THE SHADOW KNOWS……………………<br />

WHERE ANDY WILL BE LEADING US ON HIS<br />

PRESIDENT’S MYSTERY RUN,<br />

TUESDAY, SEPT. 12TH,<br />

THRU FRIDAY, SEPT. 15TH.<br />

STAY TUNED


TIME TO PARTY!<br />

WHAT: POTLUCK<br />

WHERE: THE DUKES HOUSE, 492 W. ATHENS, CLOVIS<br />

WHEN: SATURDAY OCTOBER 21 ST<br />

LIVE COUNTRY MUSIC WILL BE PERFORMED BY JOHN PEMBERTOM<br />

FROM 5:00PM TO 9:00PM<br />

THERE WILL BE A $10.00/PERSON CHARGE TO HELP COVER THE<br />

COST OF ENTERTAINMENT<br />

DRINKS/ALCOHOL AND PAPER GOODS WILL BE PROVIDED.<br />

THE SIGN-UP SHEET HAS A “DISH” COLUMN FOR YOU TO INDICATE<br />

WHAT YOU ARE BRINGING. PLEASE ENTER EITHER A MAIN DISH,<br />

SIDE DISH, SALAD, OR DESSERT


COLORADO ROCKY MOUNTAIN<br />

HIGH<br />

CRAIG AND PAM HANSEN<br />

JULY 2018<br />

DETAILS PROVIDED AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE

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