This morning we met in front of the Marriott Courtyard for the (last?) drivers' meeting of the Historic Motorama. And, just to show that Dave Gregorino ('67) does attend these meetings, here he is:
Larry gave us the order of march for today:
We would leave the Marriott parking lot in a police-escorted, parade-format caravan to the Corvette plant for several events. First, there'll be a photo op out in front of the plant followed by a self-guided plant tour just for us, followed by a luncheon hosted by the UAW local followed by a terrific treat (more about this later). But first there were several gag awards:
Larry then passed the mike to the two "youngest" members of our Historic Motorama family, Ray Quinlan ('57) and Bill Buck, Sr. ('55). Together, these guys represent 164 years of Corvette loyalty! It was great to have these men on this historic trip!
And next the two "oldest" participants of the Motorama were introduced to wild applause:
Mary Ferrara ('80) and Kara Matteo ('74). These two young ladies will likely be on the 100th Historic Motorama; watch for them!
Cheer up, Mary! (courtesy Dave Gregorino ('67))
Jim & Shirley Hornaday
(Courtesy Dave Gregorino ('67))
It had rained a bit last night and the beaded-water just cried out for removal. Here's my Motorama partner and bride Gael ('64) (with a bit of help from a Marriott towel (shhhhh!)):
I'm glad she's doing it, just wish she looked happier.
After all, didn't I generously just give her a ride all the way from Flint, Michigan!)
When we reached the plant we lined up in three columns on both sides of the main entrance. The cars continue to be the star of the show; we humans are simply the catalyst necessary to get the cars to the next photo-op. But we love doing it.
The '53 and the '03 were parked dead center as usual:
Here's Bill Wolfram ('74) and granddaughter Kara. Couldn't resist; they make the cutest couple!
When the photos were finished (and THAT took a while) we drove around to Parking Lot A where we left our rides for our private tour of the plant:
As you may know, cameras are not permitted inside the plant so the "photo-essay" portion of this description is over for a while. But here are the the highlights:
We met as a group and were greeted by Wil Cooksey, Corvette plant manager. Wil is an old friend (he and his family used to live seven houses down the street from us in Atlanta when he worked at the Chevrolet Assembly plant in Doraville, GA). He is a Corvette nut just like the rest of us and remarked that while he, like us, loves the old Corvettes it wouldn't hurt to buy a brand new one. I asked for a show of hands from the Motorama participants of those who ALSO had C5s. It was near 100%!
Then we were the first to see a video showing how the C5 Corvette body panels are painted by groups of robots. It was fascinating to see this done. We learned that they spend $250,000 per year just on the flexible (hopefully) paint-proof covers for the robots which are replaced daily. This keeps the paint and clearcoat out of the innards of what I suspect are pretty pricey gizmos.
The tour was informative as always; if you've never had the privilege of touring the Corvette plant I urge you to do so. Always fascinating and the folks who build our Corvettes are always ready to tell you what they're doing.
After the tour we were treated to a barbeque lunch in the plant cafeteria. It was good and it was good to get off our feet for a while! But then the most exciting moment of the day came our way.
For the first and only time in the history of the Corvette plant we were allowed to parade THROUGH the plant in our Corvettes. Wil Cooksey made it happen (I can't even begin to imagine what he had to go through with OSHA, EPA, etc.) -- but we drove through the plant with the line workers cheering and waving -- it was deja vu all over again from yesterday afternoon when we arrived at the Museum! For me, those two events will always be the highlights of the Motorama. Sadly, I have no pictures of any of this (because of the "no camera" rule) but there were credentialed press and NCM employees who took pictures and video so I hope to post some of those here sometime soon.
After the "Plant Parade" we were escorted back to the Museum in parade configuration. As each car came around the Museum..
(Courtesy Cindy Owens)
.. Wendell Strode announced the participants' names and model year and, when we stopped in front, Mike Yager gave each car..
(Courtesy Cindy Owens)
.. a beautiful glass remembrance of the event. These took the form of a photograph of each car etched into a double-glass trophy. Hard to describe so here's a photo of mine:
Very beautiful and very much appreciated.
After we were parked I came back up the line and photographed some of the cars as they drove past the Museum entrance. Here's Jim Smith & Hank Engel ('79), Dennis and Leslie Stepanik ('90), Bob and Vicky Hardt ('01) and Henry Younger ('02):
Here are Dave and Billie Satchell ('71) having an excellent time:
The 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles gave us a precision parachute jump demonstration:
(Courtesy Bob Hardt ('01))
Later, we had the Historic Motorama brick unveiling (friend Bob Hardt ('01) shared the unveiling duties:
(Courtesy Bob Hardt ('01))
(Courtesy Bob Hardt ('01))
Here's something neat: Rob Crum ('69)...
(Courtesy Bob Hardt ('01))
... went to a tremendous amount of trouble organizing a special gift from the Motorama participants to the NCM. He arranged for a professional photographer to shoot a picture of all the cars in Kiener Plaza in St. Louis day before yesterday. And then have the image sent over the internet to a printer in Bowling Green (on the same day it was taken). The local printer made a 40" x 60" print yesterday in time for us all to sign it this morning. Then Rob took the print back to the printer and had it framed -- all in time for us to present it to the NCM this afternoon! Great job, Rob!
Here's Armynta Craig ('86) and Wendell with the photo
(Courtesy Bob Hardt ('01))
Finally (awards-wise) Vicki Hicks...
(Courtesy Bob Hardt ('01))
... presented our Fearless Leader, Larry Hayes with a commemoration of his role in thinking up, setting up and leading the Historic Motorama. Larry, you're the best!
(Courtesy Bob Hardt ('01))
There were more things to do today. At 4:30p, John Cafaro, Chief designer of the C5 Corvette (left) and Tom Peters, Chief designer for the C6 Corvette, unveiled (for the first time outside the GM Design Center) two different full-size foam design exercises that were used during development of the C5 Corvette:
(Courtesy Bob Hardt ('01))
John's model is on the left, Tom's on the right. I'll get better pictures
tomorrow; too many folks around!
(Courtesy Bob Hardt ('01))
(Courtesy Bob Hardt ('01))
We'll be back tomorrow morning with more from the Corvette 50th Anniversary Historic Motorama!
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