Kirk Fellabom's 1970 Corvette

(Primary Participant)

    Having admired Corvettes since I was a teenager, I finally bought one when I was a little older. Actually it was in 1992 when I was a lot older. I picked up a bright red '91 convertible with a 6 speed. I have that one to this day. I then purchased an '89 coupe and then a new '94 coupe. They both have gone to better places.

    I joined the National Corvette Museum in 1994. The '91 was in the Caravan for the Grand Opening Event in 1994. Memories were made on that trip that will last a lifetime. It was a blast! I've been to several NCM functions with that Corvette over the years. I've tried to stay somewhat active in the Museum and was an ambassador from the Corvette Club of Western Pennsylvania.

    Earlier this year I became interested in getting another Corvette. I found this really nice 1970 Coupe in Ohio. After four trips to Ohio, I finally drove it home to Pennsylvania. As I was starting the trip back I felt that the car seemed to have a mind of it's own. It doesn't have radial tires so it didn't steer quite as true as the C4's. What it did have was lots of rattles. And the exhaust smells. And it rides rough. And it's noisy. I was beginning to think that this was what people were talking about when they'd tell me to get a "Real Corvette" instead of the newer ones that I have owned. Despite the nature of the beast, it was kind of cool to drive. I remember thinking that it just might be a "Fun Car."

    As I came to the end of the Ohio Turnpike and approached the toll plaza, I touched the brake to start to slow a little. Things happened fast from there. I was about 75 yards from the tollbooths. All of them had four or five cars in line. The Corvette was doing about 60 MPH. And the brake pedal was ON THE FLOOR. Somewhere between downshifting and pumping the brake, I remember thinking that this absolutely will be a "Fun Car." It's already given me enough excitement for a week!

    The car has the standard 350/300 HP engine with a four speed, AM/FM radio, and power steering. (And now a new master cylinder). The big deal to me was the fact that it has a little over 24,000 miles on it. The lady from whom I bought it, wanted to sell it to someone who would take good care of the Corvette and do good things with it because her late husband took it to shows and won trophies many times in the 25 years that they owned it. Wait 'till she sees this!

    This Motorama will be a blast and I'm delighted to be able to participate in it. With it, I think that the National Corvette Museum just might have arranged the SUPER BOWL of Corvette events.

    With all that has happened in AMERICA since September 11, 2001, it's nice to think about other things. Today my mind is on CORVETTE - It doesn't get more AMERICAN than that.

    Kirk Fellabom
    N. Huntingdon, PA
    NCM Lifetime #301

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