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MVCC Membership PROFILE Page
MVCC Members: In Alphabetical Order by Last Name
MVCC Member: Andy Asbury
MVCC Member: Arron Asbury
MVCC Members: Sheryl and James Asbury
Jim writes.... Well some time ago I was ask to do a Bio on myself and tell why I was into cars and more specifically the corvette. I have to blame my father so we need to start in 1906 when James Henry Wesley Asbury was born in WV near Bluefield. My father was the son of a Blacksmith for the Railroad and was one of 11. I guess his love for things mechanical was passed down from his father. James Henry wanted to be a mechanic and saved his money to go to school way up north but things happened and all that changed but he never lost his love for cars. That love for cars was then passed on to me on the23rd of September 1945 James Allen Asbury. As a preteen I read every Hot Rod Magazine, Car Craft, JC Whitney and Honest Charley catalogue drooling over the car’s and of course PRETY girls. Then came the time to go from building model air planes and ships from WW II to those AMT model cars. I was inspired by the likes of George Barris and THE RAT FINK. I could not just be happy with the models as they came I had to put my own touch with big tires and bigger motors. During those preteen and teen years my dad FORCED me to help him work on the family and WORK car of his….I TOTALLY HATED being told what and when I had to do something….sounds like my kids when they were that age. I earned money mowing lawns for $.75-1.25 per lawn in the summer and shoveling snow in the winter wanting to save money to buy something with a motor that would make a Lot of noise and go fast. The year I was 14 you could get a license to drive a under 5 Brake Horsepower motorcycle but 7 days after my birthday the law went into effect that you had to be 16. Not being a good test taker I decided reluctantly to hold my money for a car. So I put duel exhaust on my lawnmower from scrap parts from the dad’s JUNKE box in the Garage.
When I turn 16 I had all of $250 I could spend for a car….1961….I looked at everything including a 55 Buick Century, Olds 88, Pontiac, and yes even a FORD, but fell in love with a 55 Chevy Belair two door coupe, three speed and yes lost of power a 235 cubic inch 6 cylinder. Well two out of three was bad. Wanting to drag race was what I had picked up from Hot Rod and that entire Beach Boy California craze… and don’t forget those two California girls for every boy. Since I had limited funds I had to do all of the work from body and paint to mechanical work myself ….. THANKS DAD…. I eventually built a pretty bad 6 cylinder with three carbs that I ran G Gas at the local drag strips turning 14.48 and some street racing around Troy and Piqua winning $5-10 bucks a run….. I had a ¼ marked outside of Troy just south of where I live now. Like every other red blooded American boy I wanted that RED 1962 corvette from Route 66 and to be those blonde surfer boys with the girls hanging all over them solving problem where ever they went. After High School with the whole Vietnam War going on I wanted to do my part and enlist in the Marines but High Blood Pressure kept me out. I went to the local Chevy dealer in Piqua and wanted to buy a silver 1963 fuelie coupe they had for $4100 but since that was all the money from two life times I decided to purchase a much more affordable ride 59 T-bird and go onto college …anyone that knows me guess what color??? If you said YELLOW you win.
OK so much for the ancient History lesson I will fast forward to 1969 when I purchased my first vette a 1966 Laguna Blue Roadster with both tops. Only 300 HP, but I added factor side pipes and a 4:11 rear end. I joined Corvette Troy and start the NCCC (Nation Council of Corvette Clubs) experience. Part of the experience was racing both drags and auto course around pylons for a simulated road course and ralley’s or driving around the country answering stupid question on a route setup to set people lost and confused. I sould the 66 for a 1973. Then as the family got older were needed a larger vehicle for the kids so the vette went the way of progress, but so did the wife. So in 1977 I purchased my divorce present to myself of a 1970 LT1Birdgehampton Blue corvette that I own to this day. I competed heavily for national points in 1978 and finished 6th in the nation….which was therapy after the divorce.
I got married again in 1979 and my corvette families were a big part of my wedding. During the next twenty years I owned and eventually sold a 71, 63 split window coupe but could not and mostly WOULD NOT party with my LT1, which was purchased new by Jack Murphy and Corvette Troy member at the same time I belonged. I dropped out of Corvette Troy in 1974 and was spending more time with my new bride. In October of 1974 Paul Sherry came to me and wanted to know if I would start a Corvette which he would sponsor based out of Piqua. So the Miami Valley Corvette Club was born in December of 1974. We wanted to be a club based on the desires of ALL the members which meant sometimes we all had to get outside our comfort zone and do things that we might not even like to do, but we all had the LOVE for the VETTE and the fellowship it brings. We still have 7 of those original members with 6 actively involved.
Racing remains a big part of what I do and after my wife of 20 year’s died in 2001 I knew I wanted someone to share the remainder of my life with that like cars too. So since I am an engineer I put together a list of criteria that my wife would have to meet. Be fun to be with, be outgoing, own/like/corvettes or things with a motor that are fast n load. Well two out of three wasn’t bad. Sheryl Orr Nordgren and I went to 2001 Corvette Convention …. She could only stand me a couple of days…not really she had to work…. And the rest is history. Corvettes was not in her past but since she sweep me off my feet…the ol love at first sight thing…. I knew I could teach her and she has even competed in the region finishing 1st one year and 2nd and third other years as well as getting a trophy in Nashville Convention for Drag Racing. I have devoted my time competing more on the regional level rather that nation from a pure time and finical reason. However it is getting harder to find local speed events. Sheryl and I have attended conventions in Fla allowing me to race High speed on Sebring, Indy racing at Putnam Park, Hagerstown, Md racing at Summit Point, Las Vegas racing on the Las Vegas Road course, Colorado Springs racing at the former NASCAR track and road course, 2014 Convention will be in Savanna, Ga racing at Roebling Road, and 2015 will be in the Pocono’s racing at Pocono.
I currently race my 84 and for the 2014 convention will have it converted to tune port fuel injection rather that the crossfire as originally came on the 84. This update was allowed at the end of last year allowing me to still compete in STREET class. Listed below is how I have finished in the West Ohio Region over since 2003:
2003 Jim 3rd
2004 Jim 2nd
2005 Jim 45th
2006 Jim 25th
2007 Jim 7th
Sheryl 7th
2008 Jim 6th
Sheryl 8th
2009 Jim 2nd
Sheryl 2nd
2010 Jim 3rd
Sheryl 1st
2011 Jim 6th
Sheryl 2nd
2012 Jim 28th
2013 Jim 28th
I currently own a 1970 LT1 t-top, 1982 t-top, 1984 coupe, 1987 coupe ( under construction as back up race car), 1992 convertible,2005 convertible.
I am also currently the club governor, which is the lesion between the national organization and the local club and the West Ohio Regional Competition Director, which give input into the national competition committee as to any rule changes or clarifications.
I hope this has not been too boring for you and I am looking forward to competing until I forget either where I am or my name. THANKS for reading this and remember to save the WAVE and it is still COLD BEER, BEAUTIFUL WOMEN AND FAST CARS that make my world rotate about its axis.
☆ As noted above, both Jim and Sheryl are very active in the areas of racing. Jim servers as MVCC Governor and West Ohio Regional Competition Director.
Jim is also the club's Membership Director.
When I turn 16 I had all of $250 I could spend for a car….1961….I looked at everything including a 55 Buick Century, Olds 88, Pontiac, and yes even a FORD, but fell in love with a 55 Chevy Belair two door coupe, three speed and yes lost of power a 235 cubic inch 6 cylinder. Well two out of three was bad. Wanting to drag race was what I had picked up from Hot Rod and that entire Beach Boy California craze… and don’t forget those two California girls for every boy. Since I had limited funds I had to do all of the work from body and paint to mechanical work myself ….. THANKS DAD…. I eventually built a pretty bad 6 cylinder with three carbs that I ran G Gas at the local drag strips turning 14.48 and some street racing around Troy and Piqua winning $5-10 bucks a run….. I had a ¼ marked outside of Troy just south of where I live now. Like every other red blooded American boy I wanted that RED 1962 corvette from Route 66 and to be those blonde surfer boys with the girls hanging all over them solving problem where ever they went. After High School with the whole Vietnam War going on I wanted to do my part and enlist in the Marines but High Blood Pressure kept me out. I went to the local Chevy dealer in Piqua and wanted to buy a silver 1963 fuelie coupe they had for $4100 but since that was all the money from two life times I decided to purchase a much more affordable ride 59 T-bird and go onto college …anyone that knows me guess what color??? If you said YELLOW you win.
OK so much for the ancient History lesson I will fast forward to 1969 when I purchased my first vette a 1966 Laguna Blue Roadster with both tops. Only 300 HP, but I added factor side pipes and a 4:11 rear end. I joined Corvette Troy and start the NCCC (Nation Council of Corvette Clubs) experience. Part of the experience was racing both drags and auto course around pylons for a simulated road course and ralley’s or driving around the country answering stupid question on a route setup to set people lost and confused. I sould the 66 for a 1973. Then as the family got older were needed a larger vehicle for the kids so the vette went the way of progress, but so did the wife. So in 1977 I purchased my divorce present to myself of a 1970 LT1Birdgehampton Blue corvette that I own to this day. I competed heavily for national points in 1978 and finished 6th in the nation….which was therapy after the divorce.
I got married again in 1979 and my corvette families were a big part of my wedding. During the next twenty years I owned and eventually sold a 71, 63 split window coupe but could not and mostly WOULD NOT party with my LT1, which was purchased new by Jack Murphy and Corvette Troy member at the same time I belonged. I dropped out of Corvette Troy in 1974 and was spending more time with my new bride. In October of 1974 Paul Sherry came to me and wanted to know if I would start a Corvette which he would sponsor based out of Piqua. So the Miami Valley Corvette Club was born in December of 1974. We wanted to be a club based on the desires of ALL the members which meant sometimes we all had to get outside our comfort zone and do things that we might not even like to do, but we all had the LOVE for the VETTE and the fellowship it brings. We still have 7 of those original members with 6 actively involved.
Racing remains a big part of what I do and after my wife of 20 year’s died in 2001 I knew I wanted someone to share the remainder of my life with that like cars too. So since I am an engineer I put together a list of criteria that my wife would have to meet. Be fun to be with, be outgoing, own/like/corvettes or things with a motor that are fast n load. Well two out of three wasn’t bad. Sheryl Orr Nordgren and I went to 2001 Corvette Convention …. She could only stand me a couple of days…not really she had to work…. And the rest is history. Corvettes was not in her past but since she sweep me off my feet…the ol love at first sight thing…. I knew I could teach her and she has even competed in the region finishing 1st one year and 2nd and third other years as well as getting a trophy in Nashville Convention for Drag Racing. I have devoted my time competing more on the regional level rather that nation from a pure time and finical reason. However it is getting harder to find local speed events. Sheryl and I have attended conventions in Fla allowing me to race High speed on Sebring, Indy racing at Putnam Park, Hagerstown, Md racing at Summit Point, Las Vegas racing on the Las Vegas Road course, Colorado Springs racing at the former NASCAR track and road course, 2014 Convention will be in Savanna, Ga racing at Roebling Road, and 2015 will be in the Pocono’s racing at Pocono.
I currently race my 84 and for the 2014 convention will have it converted to tune port fuel injection rather that the crossfire as originally came on the 84. This update was allowed at the end of last year allowing me to still compete in STREET class. Listed below is how I have finished in the West Ohio Region over since 2003:
2003 Jim 3rd
2004 Jim 2nd
2005 Jim 45th
2006 Jim 25th
2007 Jim 7th
Sheryl 7th
2008 Jim 6th
Sheryl 8th
2009 Jim 2nd
Sheryl 2nd
2010 Jim 3rd
Sheryl 1st
2011 Jim 6th
Sheryl 2nd
2012 Jim 28th
2013 Jim 28th
I currently own a 1970 LT1 t-top, 1982 t-top, 1984 coupe, 1987 coupe ( under construction as back up race car), 1992 convertible,2005 convertible.
I am also currently the club governor, which is the lesion between the national organization and the local club and the West Ohio Regional Competition Director, which give input into the national competition committee as to any rule changes or clarifications.
I hope this has not been too boring for you and I am looking forward to competing until I forget either where I am or my name. THANKS for reading this and remember to save the WAVE and it is still COLD BEER, BEAUTIFUL WOMEN AND FAST CARS that make my world rotate about its axis.
☆ As noted above, both Jim and Sheryl are very active in the areas of racing. Jim servers as MVCC Governor and West Ohio Regional Competition Director.
Jim is also the club's Membership Director.
MVCC Members: Cindy and Frank Baldridge
MVCC Members: Wil Benson
Wil writes... I I have always loved cars from my first matchbox car I was given. I like classic or older cars and that's why I purchased my first corvette last year, a black 1977 from a friend. My first classic car was a yellow 73 SuperBeetle, then a 1963 Ford Fairlane 2dr, and a red 2001 Ford Mustang GT. I've enjoyed hanging with the MVCC for the past three years, so I purhcased my 77 Corvette and joined the club this year. I retired in 2013 and I look forward to the cruise ins and car shows in 2015. I also ride with Gem City Classics out of Dayton, OH with my family. I have purchased a second Corvette so I can drive this summer, a C-4 with only 19,000 miles!
MVCC Members: Melinda (Mindy) and Jack (Steve) Greggerson
Steve writes... Mindy and I, are long time Corvette admirers. We first owned a 1994, white, with red interior , C4. After making this purchase we were invited to join the MVCC by Tom Lillicrap, a decision that proved to be a great one. Being with a group of others who appreciate and enjoy Corvettes!
When Dean Ward ordered his new Vette we were able to purchase our first C5, another exciting move. The first of July this year we were at a point where we had sold our motorcycles, our old truck and our Mustang, the time was right to take the plunge and become a 2 Corvette family when we added a 98 C5, triple black convertible.
The only decision now is to decide which one to drive on beautiful days.
Joining MVCC has been a really good idea, a lot of good people, car shows, day trips, club events and all of these things usually involve food, a personal favorite. Chasing the 55 Chevy I had when I was kid and looking for the Pontiac LeMans that I once owned no longer seems necessary with each ride in our Vettes.
When Dean Ward ordered his new Vette we were able to purchase our first C5, another exciting move. The first of July this year we were at a point where we had sold our motorcycles, our old truck and our Mustang, the time was right to take the plunge and become a 2 Corvette family when we added a 98 C5, triple black convertible.
The only decision now is to decide which one to drive on beautiful days.
Joining MVCC has been a really good idea, a lot of good people, car shows, day trips, club events and all of these things usually involve food, a personal favorite. Chasing the 55 Chevy I had when I was kid and looking for the Pontiac LeMans that I once owned no longer seems necessary with each ride in our Vettes.
☆ Mindy originally was the Corvette owner in the family. Steve owned a Mustang. Mindy, with the help of the membership of the MVCC pulled Steve from the dark-side and he too is now a Corvette owner! Steve serves as the Miami Valley Corvette Club's Public Relations officer. The officer position of Historian was merged into that officer's position.
MVCC Member: Richard Knouff
MVCC Members: Rosemary and Steve Knouff Lifetime Member
MVCC Members: Cindy and Tom Lillicrap
☆ Cindy serves as Editor of the Miami Valley Corvette Club's Facebook page. Tom has been the Co-Chairman for the annual MVCC Car Show for 2013 and 2014. In 2015 Tom became the Miami Valley Corvette Club's Vice President and club Secretary.
MVCC Member: Robert Locker Lifetime Member
MVCC Members: Nancy and Keith Luce
MVCC Members: Ruth Ann and Jim Meyers
Jim writes... I have owned in the past a 1963 Split Window and a 1964 Corvette. Ruth Ann currently owns a 1968 and a 1984 Corvette. Together we own a matched pair of white with red interior, 1991 Corvettes!
When Ruth Ann and I first met, I was driving my 1963 Corvette Coupe. It was love at first site. Ruth Ann must have found something appealing about me as well, because we are still together after all these years! That was the summer of 1966.
I was one of the founding members of Corvette Troy back in 1967. And even served as their club treasurer from 1969 – 1973. In 1974 a few Corvette owners decided to start up a new club of which I am proud to say once again I became one of the founding members in starting up the Miami Valley Corvette Club and have remained an active member to date. Having served as club president, I was top point holder for W.O.R back in 1978. I believe that was the year. Have also been the MVCC club's treasurer starting in 1979 right up to present!
Not only have Ruth Ann and I been inseparable all these years, but as club members, we have attended nearly every club event and function! MVCC truly has been a big part of our lives. Involving ourselves with both, competition and social events! Together, this love of Corvettes and automobiles in general, also extends to an interest in NASCAR! The NASCAR interest isn't confined to just watching the race on the big screen… We have on occasion traveled to watch the race, first hand.
Together we have three children, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild! And, no surprise to Ruth Ann and I, but the love of automobiles and Motor Sports extends to our children and grand children! I still remain active with competition events for both auto and go-kart racing! Still going strong at a young age of… well, we will just say it that falls somewhere in the mid-sixties range! Ruth Ann recently told a “kart track” owner. “I am married to the little boy over there with the gray hair!”
That 1963 Corvette Coupe we had our first date in… Well, though the body has been long gone for many years, we still own the rolling chassis for that car! It is our hope, that one day we can take another ride together in that car, but this time around the dream is to build a Grand Sport Race car! After all, some individuals just have a serious need for speed! J
☆ Ruth Ann and Jim are by far, at the top list as two of the most active members, of the MVCC. Jim severed as Club Treasurer for many years. Ruth Ann also handled secretary details, such as club points and attendance. Ruth Ann replaced her husband Jim as the Miami Valley Corvette Club's Treasurer in 2015.
Jim writes... I have owned in the past a 1963 Split Window and a 1964 Corvette. Ruth Ann currently owns a 1968 and a 1984 Corvette. Together we own a matched pair of white with red interior, 1991 Corvettes!
When Ruth Ann and I first met, I was driving my 1963 Corvette Coupe. It was love at first site. Ruth Ann must have found something appealing about me as well, because we are still together after all these years! That was the summer of 1966.
I was one of the founding members of Corvette Troy back in 1967. And even served as their club treasurer from 1969 – 1973. In 1974 a few Corvette owners decided to start up a new club of which I am proud to say once again I became one of the founding members in starting up the Miami Valley Corvette Club and have remained an active member to date. Having served as club president, I was top point holder for W.O.R back in 1978. I believe that was the year. Have also been the MVCC club's treasurer starting in 1979 right up to present!
Not only have Ruth Ann and I been inseparable all these years, but as club members, we have attended nearly every club event and function! MVCC truly has been a big part of our lives. Involving ourselves with both, competition and social events! Together, this love of Corvettes and automobiles in general, also extends to an interest in NASCAR! The NASCAR interest isn't confined to just watching the race on the big screen… We have on occasion traveled to watch the race, first hand.
Together we have three children, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild! And, no surprise to Ruth Ann and I, but the love of automobiles and Motor Sports extends to our children and grand children! I still remain active with competition events for both auto and go-kart racing! Still going strong at a young age of… well, we will just say it that falls somewhere in the mid-sixties range! Ruth Ann recently told a “kart track” owner. “I am married to the little boy over there with the gray hair!”
That 1963 Corvette Coupe we had our first date in… Well, though the body has been long gone for many years, we still own the rolling chassis for that car! It is our hope, that one day we can take another ride together in that car, but this time around the dream is to build a Grand Sport Race car! After all, some individuals just have a serious need for speed! J
☆ Ruth Ann and Jim are by far, at the top list as two of the most active members, of the MVCC. Jim severed as Club Treasurer for many years. Ruth Ann also handled secretary details, such as club points and attendance. Ruth Ann replaced her husband Jim as the Miami Valley Corvette Club's Treasurer in 2015.
MVCC Member: Michael Myers & Lytha K. Miller
Mike writes... It all started when I bought my brother's 1999 coupe (6-speed) Corveette. I wasn't even looking for one, when Lytha said why don't you buy Tom's Vet? So a deal was struck, My brother drove it up to Ohio from Florida. On the way up he hit an animal of some kind, but was still able to drive it anyway. Of coarse, I did not know this until he pulled it into my garage. WOW. Anyway, everything got fixed and turned out fine, Later, I told Lytha I was sick of this six speed and wanted an automatic! Of course my brother Tom was pissed, and I told him I get enough shifting on my Harley and I wanted to relax while I was driving the Vet. So with that I started searching for one. I found an 2001 coupe, automatic, that fit the bill. Boy did I like that car... Well after a while and some miles of drivingm the C-6's started to look pretty good, in my eyes. Next came a, 2008 Corvette, an automatic with 7,000 miles on it, from a show room floor in Richmond, Indiana.
I think that's it for a while! Some of my friends think I am too fussy about my car, but I know guys a lot worse than I. I am pretty much a fair weather driver and not a hot rod. Lytha and I are not very active in the club, sadly, but do enjoy being with the membership on different occasions.
I think that's it for a while! Some of my friends think I am too fussy about my car, but I know guys a lot worse than I. I am pretty much a fair weather driver and not a hot rod. Lytha and I are not very active in the club, sadly, but do enjoy being with the membership on different occasions.
MVCC Member: Craig Poe Lifetime member
MVCC Members: Vicki and Tim Reed
MVCC Members: Cindy and Van Via
MVCC Members: Sherry and John Villers
MVCC Members: Chris & Dean Ward
Dean writes... As for my Stingray journey; It all began for me when I was 10 or 11 years old. As a paperboy I would often see a 1965 or 66 Nassau Blue roadster sitting in the garage of one of my customers. I was in awe of the car and everything about it. I would often loiter in the owner’s garage and bug the daylights out of him. Thankfully, he was more than willing to share his passion for the car with me. He would often start the car so I could listen to the roar of the big V8 exiting the side pipes; he let me sit in it to ogle at the aircraft like dash, all the chrome knobs and that name Corvette Sting Ray. I was hooked.
As I grew, I remained a fan of all things Chevy and especially Corvette. I felt that true performance meant driving a Chevy. Not counting the hand me down 62 Biscayne from my father; my first car was a 1968 Camaro that I purchased when I was 16. Not a Corvette, but certainly his sibling. When I graduated high school, I purchased my first new car, 1978 Z-28; again, not a Corvette, but as close as I could get within my means at that time. Soon after I married the love of my life and had to sell the Z-28 to by a more practical vehicle. As time went, by I never hid the fact that I missed my cars and my wife delighted me one day by agreeing to by me my first Corvette; 1970 LT-1 Roadster that needed a lot of work. I worked on the car on and off as the budget allowed for the next couple of years. I never finished the car and ended up selling it to Liette so I could buy my first boat. Wish I had that one back.
So as my family obligations increased and the years went by I satisfied my Corvette desire reading magazines and longing for the cars I saw on the street. It would be a long time before I owned another Corvette.
The years went buy, the kids grew and the career advanced. I was in a position to have a little fun with a vehicle again and purchased a motorcycle. Nothing really odd about that as I had grown up riding dirt bikes and had a street bike when my wife, Chris and I first got married. However, I soon learned that Chris was really not in favor of the bike and would rather I drive a sports car. That was all I needed; I sold the bike in the fall of 2007 and in April of 2008 I found Chris and myself at Bud’s Chevrolet in Saint Mary’s with Mark Nixon showing us their huge assortment of Corvettes. I test drove a couple cars that day and feel for a very clean, low mileage 1999 Nassau Blue coupe with a 6 speed, HUD and both tops. I soon worked out a deal and Chris and I picked it up a couple days later. I owned a Corvette again! It was a great car and I enjoyed it immensely over the next several years.
In 2009 I was intrigued by the Stingray Concept in the movie, Transformers 3, but felt it was just a bit over the top. I liked the 6th generation Corvettes, but never enough to trade the C5; however, that changed a bit in November of 2011. JALOPNIK posted a rendering of the 2014 Corvette and I was blown away by the design. I spent the next couple of years scouring the Internet for any information I could find. I remember being excited at the rumor that they were going to revive the name Sting Ray. I patiently waited for the reveal in Detroit in January of 2013 and I was hooked again. That was something I would trade the C5 up for and I began to plot. Upon getting the approval from my lovely wife near the end of March; I contacted Mark at Bud’s and placed my deposit sight unseen on April 4th just to hold my spot in line for their pre orders. I was number 13. I spent the next several months bugging Mark; he and I would exchange new information as we learned about it. No I had to settle in and wait until they were able to place orders with Chevy. That was OK, gave me time to sell the C5 and continue to search out everything I could learn about the new Stingray.
A couple of months later, my son and I headed over to Skyline in Troy for some lunch and I cannot believe my eyes. A Laguna Blue Coupe is sitting in front of the restaurant. It turns out to be Harlan Charles, Product and Marketing Manager for Corvette; he is traveling to Bowling Green and had stopped at Skyline for lunch. What luck! He allowed me to check out the car and his companion took pictures of us in front of the car. My son said I was just like a kid in a candy store. I cannot thank Harlan enough for his time and patience in sharing the car with me. I now knew I had made the right call.
A few days later, in early June, I received a call from Mark; we can place orders and it was time for me to spec out the car. By this time I knew the options, their codes and the list prices from the Internet. A quick trip to Bud’s and my order was submitted. A Laguna Blue LT2 Coupe with Kalahari interior, automatic transmission, navigation, carbon fiber dash and dual mode exhaust. Now more waiting and searching.
I learned that Chevy was displaying a couple of cars at a show in Columbus, Ohio. So off to Columbus on a beautiful July day and I waited while Dave Tatman, the Corvette Assembly Plant manager gave a presentation in while standing behind a beautiful yellow coupe. I then spent the next couple of hours going over every inch of the car, sitting in it several times and testing the patience of my family and other that were trying to get a look at the car. Time to go and let others have their turn. Back to the Internet and forums.
In September I received a call from Mark, my salesman, noting my order was going to be sequenced, but there was a constraint on the carbon fiber dash. If I wanted my order to proceed, I would have to remove this option. No problem, after seeing it in person, I was just fine with the standard dash, so a few minor changes; delete the dash, add suede seat inserts and the personalized dash plaque and it was good to go again.
With my order now sequenced I could track it’s progress on Chevy’s website. Unfortunately, this didn’t last long due to frustrations with keeping the information current, so the site was taken down and we were left not knowing. Soon a GM employee took it upon himself to track a select number of early orders and I was able to get in on his list. I could once again see how the order was progressing. I watched patiently as other orders were built and my seemed to linger as “sequenced”. Soon photos of the lot filling with cars at the BG plant and rumors that shipments had started. Still my order remained as, sequenced. Soon it began to proceed down the various order statuses and finally was shown to be built and bayed for shipment. Later that day I received a call from Mark letting me know my car had been completed and stating that he expected to receive it in a couple of weeks. Great, I would have it for the Restoration Stations Colors Tour. I was happy.
About and hour later I received another call from Mark, he stated that I would not believe what he was about to tell me, but my car had just been delivered to their dealership. I called Chris and we were on our way to see it for the first time. Mark was great getting it quickly cleaned up just so I could get a peek at it and actually sit in it. Unfortunately, I was leaving the next day for a business trip and would not be back in town until the weekend. Mark took care of all the details and I picked it up the following Saturday. Two weeks later, I took it on the tour and was one of only three 2014 Stingrays at the event. To date I have put over 1200 miles on my beautiful blue Stingray and have loved every second. I can’t wait for the weather to break so I can share it with my friends.
☆ Dean and Chris are very active as members of MVCC. Dean serves as President for the Miami Valley Corvette Club. Previously, Dean, served as Club Historian and Co-Chairman for our annual Car Show and Cruise-in for 2012, 2013 & 2014. Chris is also very active each year helping with registration and various needs for our annual Car Show and Cruise-in.
Dean writes... As for my Stingray journey; It all began for me when I was 10 or 11 years old. As a paperboy I would often see a 1965 or 66 Nassau Blue roadster sitting in the garage of one of my customers. I was in awe of the car and everything about it. I would often loiter in the owner’s garage and bug the daylights out of him. Thankfully, he was more than willing to share his passion for the car with me. He would often start the car so I could listen to the roar of the big V8 exiting the side pipes; he let me sit in it to ogle at the aircraft like dash, all the chrome knobs and that name Corvette Sting Ray. I was hooked.
As I grew, I remained a fan of all things Chevy and especially Corvette. I felt that true performance meant driving a Chevy. Not counting the hand me down 62 Biscayne from my father; my first car was a 1968 Camaro that I purchased when I was 16. Not a Corvette, but certainly his sibling. When I graduated high school, I purchased my first new car, 1978 Z-28; again, not a Corvette, but as close as I could get within my means at that time. Soon after I married the love of my life and had to sell the Z-28 to by a more practical vehicle. As time went, by I never hid the fact that I missed my cars and my wife delighted me one day by agreeing to by me my first Corvette; 1970 LT-1 Roadster that needed a lot of work. I worked on the car on and off as the budget allowed for the next couple of years. I never finished the car and ended up selling it to Liette so I could buy my first boat. Wish I had that one back.
So as my family obligations increased and the years went by I satisfied my Corvette desire reading magazines and longing for the cars I saw on the street. It would be a long time before I owned another Corvette.
The years went buy, the kids grew and the career advanced. I was in a position to have a little fun with a vehicle again and purchased a motorcycle. Nothing really odd about that as I had grown up riding dirt bikes and had a street bike when my wife, Chris and I first got married. However, I soon learned that Chris was really not in favor of the bike and would rather I drive a sports car. That was all I needed; I sold the bike in the fall of 2007 and in April of 2008 I found Chris and myself at Bud’s Chevrolet in Saint Mary’s with Mark Nixon showing us their huge assortment of Corvettes. I test drove a couple cars that day and feel for a very clean, low mileage 1999 Nassau Blue coupe with a 6 speed, HUD and both tops. I soon worked out a deal and Chris and I picked it up a couple days later. I owned a Corvette again! It was a great car and I enjoyed it immensely over the next several years.
In 2009 I was intrigued by the Stingray Concept in the movie, Transformers 3, but felt it was just a bit over the top. I liked the 6th generation Corvettes, but never enough to trade the C5; however, that changed a bit in November of 2011. JALOPNIK posted a rendering of the 2014 Corvette and I was blown away by the design. I spent the next couple of years scouring the Internet for any information I could find. I remember being excited at the rumor that they were going to revive the name Sting Ray. I patiently waited for the reveal in Detroit in January of 2013 and I was hooked again. That was something I would trade the C5 up for and I began to plot. Upon getting the approval from my lovely wife near the end of March; I contacted Mark at Bud’s and placed my deposit sight unseen on April 4th just to hold my spot in line for their pre orders. I was number 13. I spent the next several months bugging Mark; he and I would exchange new information as we learned about it. No I had to settle in and wait until they were able to place orders with Chevy. That was OK, gave me time to sell the C5 and continue to search out everything I could learn about the new Stingray.
A couple of months later, my son and I headed over to Skyline in Troy for some lunch and I cannot believe my eyes. A Laguna Blue Coupe is sitting in front of the restaurant. It turns out to be Harlan Charles, Product and Marketing Manager for Corvette; he is traveling to Bowling Green and had stopped at Skyline for lunch. What luck! He allowed me to check out the car and his companion took pictures of us in front of the car. My son said I was just like a kid in a candy store. I cannot thank Harlan enough for his time and patience in sharing the car with me. I now knew I had made the right call.
A few days later, in early June, I received a call from Mark; we can place orders and it was time for me to spec out the car. By this time I knew the options, their codes and the list prices from the Internet. A quick trip to Bud’s and my order was submitted. A Laguna Blue LT2 Coupe with Kalahari interior, automatic transmission, navigation, carbon fiber dash and dual mode exhaust. Now more waiting and searching.
I learned that Chevy was displaying a couple of cars at a show in Columbus, Ohio. So off to Columbus on a beautiful July day and I waited while Dave Tatman, the Corvette Assembly Plant manager gave a presentation in while standing behind a beautiful yellow coupe. I then spent the next couple of hours going over every inch of the car, sitting in it several times and testing the patience of my family and other that were trying to get a look at the car. Time to go and let others have their turn. Back to the Internet and forums.
In September I received a call from Mark, my salesman, noting my order was going to be sequenced, but there was a constraint on the carbon fiber dash. If I wanted my order to proceed, I would have to remove this option. No problem, after seeing it in person, I was just fine with the standard dash, so a few minor changes; delete the dash, add suede seat inserts and the personalized dash plaque and it was good to go again.
With my order now sequenced I could track it’s progress on Chevy’s website. Unfortunately, this didn’t last long due to frustrations with keeping the information current, so the site was taken down and we were left not knowing. Soon a GM employee took it upon himself to track a select number of early orders and I was able to get in on his list. I could once again see how the order was progressing. I watched patiently as other orders were built and my seemed to linger as “sequenced”. Soon photos of the lot filling with cars at the BG plant and rumors that shipments had started. Still my order remained as, sequenced. Soon it began to proceed down the various order statuses and finally was shown to be built and bayed for shipment. Later that day I received a call from Mark letting me know my car had been completed and stating that he expected to receive it in a couple of weeks. Great, I would have it for the Restoration Stations Colors Tour. I was happy.
About and hour later I received another call from Mark, he stated that I would not believe what he was about to tell me, but my car had just been delivered to their dealership. I called Chris and we were on our way to see it for the first time. Mark was great getting it quickly cleaned up just so I could get a peek at it and actually sit in it. Unfortunately, I was leaving the next day for a business trip and would not be back in town until the weekend. Mark took care of all the details and I picked it up the following Saturday. Two weeks later, I took it on the tour and was one of only three 2014 Stingrays at the event. To date I have put over 1200 miles on my beautiful blue Stingray and have loved every second. I can’t wait for the weather to break so I can share it with my friends.
☆ Dean and Chris are very active as members of MVCC. Dean serves as President for the Miami Valley Corvette Club. Previously, Dean, served as Club Historian and Co-Chairman for our annual Car Show and Cruise-in for 2012, 2013 & 2014. Chris is also very active each year helping with registration and various needs for our annual Car Show and Cruise-in.
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