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August 16, 2008

Corvette convention attracts 100 entries

By Greg Grisolano

ggrisolano@joplinglobe.com

For Ken and Virginia Anderson, the appeal of owning a Corvette comes from the car’s unmatched ability to grab the attention of other motorists.

“It’s just the way you feel in it,” said Ken Anderson, of Miami. “The way you feel other people looking at you as you go down the street. It’s just a tremendous sense of pride.”

The Andersons drove their Brighton-blue 1972 Stingray convertible to the first Vettes in the Midwest convention, which was sponsored by the Four-State Vettes club of Joplin.

Nearly 100 Corvettes from as far away as Alabama and Iowa were on display for visitors who attended a free car show at Hammons Trade Center in Joplin. The Corvette was first produced in 1953 by General Motors, and at one time was manufactured in St. Louis.

For Bruce Layman, one of the organizers of the event and vice president of Four-State Vettes, a Joplin club, the entry turnout was more than expected for a first-time show.

“That’s almost triple what we were expecting,” he said. “We were looking for 35 to 40.”

In addition to Saturday’s car show, Layman said the group staged a caravan ride Friday to the Route 66 Drive-In in Carthage, and a Saturday afternoon cruise down Route 66 to the historic Coleman Theater in Miami. The convention concluded Saturday night with a dinner, awards presentation and dance at Hammons Trade Center.

“I think Route 66 has been the big deal,” Layman said. “I’m a Route 66 fanatic, and trying to get people to enjoy that piece of history with me just seemed to be like a fun thing to do with our club.”

Layman said the club has been planning the event for three months.

“This thing couldn’t have been pulled off without my club,” he said. “The members have been here and done it all, whatever’s been asked of them.”

The show offered a wide array of Corvette styles and colors — including several shades of red: from candy-apple to Spartan. First-generation models of the 1950s, to the 2007 and 2008 editions were also on display.

Jim McMillen, Bella Vista, Ark., brought his 1965 coupe, with a silver-pearl paint job and red-leather interior.

“We drive it about 2,500 miles every year,” he said. “We drive it to every show — it never comes on a trailer.”

McMillen said he estimated he’s spent about $50,000 to restore and maintain his car.

“You never get them done,” he said. “It’s a little rare, because it’s got factory air and a four-speed.”

For Al Howard, his 2007 Indy 500-edition Corvette offers three benefits over the earlier models.

“Probably speed, tighter handling, and a lot better gas mileage,” said Howard, who made the trip from Colfax, Iowa, to attend Saturday’s show.

Layman said his club is already making plans to put on the event Aug. 14-16 next year.

“No doubt, there will be more to come,” he said. “We fully expect to double next year.”





On the Web:

For more information about Vettes in the Midwest, people may log onto www.vettesinthemidwest.com.

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