Our 1953 Commemorative Edition Corvette Story
Gael had decided not to risk the Birthday Bash this year so pal Pete agreed to come along. Having Pete along will be powerful (in the next paragraph).
The next morning (Thursday) Pete and I were part of a twelve C5 caravan to Bowling Green -- well, actually we weren't part of it 'cause we couldn't keep up. For the first time (ever) I decided to trailer the CE to Bowling Green.
We outfitted Pete's Tahoe with the proper towing package, borrowed a Texas Roll-back open trailer from my friends Bill Donovan and Henry Younger, put the new C5 Creations mask and mirror covers on her, hooked up
.. and hit the road. All the time I was planning this I felt like a wuss. I'd driven the CE to Savannah a couple of weeks ago and got my first tiny chip. Soooo..... At any rate, we rallied at the normal jumping off place (the Delk 10 Theaters) and were quickly left in the dust by the caravan.
But because they stopped for lunch (and we didn't) we beat them all to Bowling Green. Some small satisfaction; but trailering isn't really for me. I miss the fun (and speed) of driving the car in the caravan.
We unloaded at the Country Hearth and parked the CE across the street at the Museum:
In fact, we left it there for three days, using the Tahoe to get around.
A recent C5 owner (and old friend), Fred Gunter hung out with Pete and me. It's really great to see the NCM and the plant through a newcomer's eyes again. It was especially nice for pal John Wakefield to give us a "behind-the-scenes" tour of the plant.
Friday afternoon we were pleased to participate in a surprise baby shower for Jim and Beth Rhea and their new son Cameron. The Historic Motorama participants got together and got a few things for Cameron -- not the least of which was a red Z06 convertible with appropriate tag.
Jim was surprised -- and we were surprised that Beth and Cameron were a bit under the weather and missed the presentation. Jim insisted that the whole scene be played out again at their home later.
On Saturday, the new Le Mans Blue 2004 Corvettes were unveiled. Here's the special edition 2004 Z06 with the fancy new carbon-fiber hood. Dave Hill said that they were only going to build 2,500 of these; get in line!
And where else can you see Corvette Plant Manager Wil Cooksey driving a not-yet-released Cadillac XLR (now being built alongside the Corvette in Bowling Green). That's Chuck Mallett chatting with Wil:
She's the only one I asked to sign the car -- and I think she'll be the only one. Seems appropriate since without her late husband Ed Cole there would never have been a 1953 Corvette.
Trailered the CE home uneventfully on Sunday. A great time -- but no more trailering for me, I'm thinking.
