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“Greatest Show On Earth”
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Corvettes at Carlisle once again
exceeded my expectations for a fantastic Corvette event! I’ve always
said, outside of the Official C5/C6 Registry Birthday Bash in April,
that Corvettes at Carlisle is the extravaganza that I look forward
to each and every year.
Lance and his mother Judy Miller
outdid themselves again this year with the theme being the Corvette
Racer & Race Car Reunion. If you haven’t been to Carlisle, I can’t
even begin to explain this to you as to what kind of impact
Corvettes at Carlisle has on the entire Corvette world, but
I’m up for the challenge.
It’s Thursday night before the show even begins on Friday morning
and the 3,300 vendor spaces are packed full of memorabilia,
Corvettes, parts and accessories. With this year’s emphasis focused
on the Race Car Reunion, every imaginable Corvette “glory”
racer of the past was present including C4, C5 and even the
newest C6-R. What a beautiful collection of what has made
Corvette the greatest icon in the world. |
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Judy and her son Lance Miller
receive a donation to The Chip Miller Foundation. |
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Friday and Saturday began real
early as the long lines of Corvettes entered through the gates as the sun
rose. Over the years the Carlisle Veterans have learned to be there early
for the quickly disappearing 5,000 inside parking spots. Of course the
premier parking was located on the “Registry Hill,” just ask any of our
600+ members who parked there and enjoyed the view of the Show Field below
while relaxing in our Registry Members huge tent.
Corvettes at Carlisle weekend is full of fabulous Corvette activities. There is
the NCCC Competition Field Judging of Corvettes, the exciting action under the
BIG TENT of the Mecum Corvette Auction incorporating the Chip Miller Charitable
Foundation Auction for Amyloidosis, the Corvette Trivia Challenge, the Vette
Dyno Challenge, the CVCC sponsored Corvette Autocross, and the annual Chip
Miller (Memorial) Corvette Parade on Saturday evening from the fairgrounds to
downtown Carlisle where everyone parks in the middle of the street and parties
the night away. Whew, what a weekend!
Carlisle is big because the Millers give back to the hobby they love. This
year’s Chip’s Choice Award was dedicated to “Parent-Child” Relationships with
the emphasis on family stories of how Corvette has affected their lives in some
way and brought them closer together. These stories were posted in front of each
of the Corvettes entered. Spectators cast their vote for their favorite Chip’s
Choice Corvette by making a donation in a collection jar at the Corvette of
their choice with all the proceedsgoing to the Chip Miller Charitable
Foundation. What a cool idea!
Corvettes at Carlisle weekend is the fastest three days that I’ve ever
experienced year afteryear. Members, if you haven’t had the opportunity to come
to the “Greatest Show On Earth,” markyour calendars for August 25-27, 2006.
Now for the Power Chat —
 While
at Corvettes at Carlisle I ran into a friend of the Registry, Steve
Pasteiner, owner of Advanced Automotive Technologies of Rochester Hills,
MI. He was wooing me with their latest timeless design of a Classic C5/LS1
engine valve cover. I’ve got to tell you, these were really cool! They are
made in the USA by AAT and are officially licensed by General Motors.
These engine covers are a direct replacement for your stock 1999-2004
Corvette engine cover for the single fuel line C5s. Injection molded in
silver, these heat resistant covers capture the original styling of the
Corvette Small Block valve covers from years past with its seven raised fins and
classic Corvette script. They are quick and easy to install with no tools
needed. You can have a set for $229.95 plus $7.95 shipping. Custom paint
work and emblems are also
available.
 Steve’s
company also produces a limited edition series of Corvette Show Car and
Race Car prints featuring the Corvette Grand Sport, Corvette Manta Ray,
Corvette SS, and Corvette Stingray. Steve’s unique style of opaque
water-color combined with mixed media captures the subject vehicle at its
most advantageous form, bringing together artistic beauty with fine, tight
details. This style was developed over the 22 years that Steve worked at
General Motors Design before founding AAT. Printed on museum quality 100%
acid free paper, these large size prints (19” x 36”) are signed and
numbered and limited to only 300 prints each. Call or email Steve for your
prints before they’re all gone. They are a bargain at $225.00 per print
plus $10.00 shipping per order.
Members, don’t forget to check out Advanced Automotive Technologies web
site for all their latest products. You can find their web site at
www.aatcars.com or
you can email Steve Pasteiner Jr. at
pasteiner@aatcars.com or call them at (248) 852-2900 or visit them at
1763 West Hamlin Road, Rochester Hills, MI, 48309.
What a great phone call today from long time member Steve Olsen [C5R# Y4562] of
Centennial, Colorado who contacted me to let us know about the latest and
greatest in C6 FRONT LICENSE PLATE design. Steve, who is an avid Corvette
owner and enthusiast, always prefers not to have a front plate on any of his
Vettes, particularly at shows, events and track days. Steve’s solution was a
welcomed phone call!
It’s been over a year now and the same issue continues to plague the C6
Corvette. Yes, it’s that annoying piece of plastic that’s been called a
front license plate bracket. The team of experts at Vette Specialties has
created this very unique and cosmetically appealing front license plate
bracket for the C6 that is also quickly removable. Alex Nelsen, Marketing
Director for Vette Specialties, informed us that 38 out of 50 states are
requiring front license plates regardless of
the vehicle’s design. Over the years these laws have not been enforced.
However, recent information from the 38 states shows that the states are
increasing their enforcement of these laws and FINING those vehicle owners
without a front tag.
Alex goes on to say that they have solved the problem for the C6: NO
physical attachment to the front fascia, NO holes to drill (uses existing
mounting points), light weight, black powder coated and durable for a long
lasting finish, and fast on and off (once the permanent easy to install
support bracket has been installed, then the frame which the license plate is
mounted to can be removed in just seconds). Their patent pending design even
meets state compliance for
front license plate holders. So give Vette Specialties a call at (303) 539-9988
for a special
introductory price to C6 Registry members of $129.95 including free
shipping if ordered prior to February 1st, 2006. Vette Specialties is located at
8484 S. Valley Highway Road, Englewood, Colorado 80112. You can find them
on the web at
www.vettespecialties.com or send Alex
Nelsen an email at
alex@vettespecialties.com .
Winter 2005 Power Chat
Fall 2005 Power Chat
Spring
2004 Power Chat |
