Corvette Culture - Part I

I grew up with a car dad and went to car shows, talked about cars, and looked at new cars all the time - we pretty much lived and breathed cars. This turned out to be to my advantage because when I started dating my husband, Nick, who also had a love for cars, I had a pretty good understanding of what he was talking about and him and my dad got a long pretty well.

I wasn't even phased when Nick suggested getting a Corvette. It was fine with me. I always loved Corvettes and since we didn't have children yet I thought we should go for it. It's not going to happen when a little Nicky or Denisey come along. So we did it. Driving all the way to Rhode Island, which is five hours from our house, we met our "baby." Nick checked her out more thoroughly than a Drill Sergeant during an inspection. I think he may have even considered that purchase longer than he considered if he should marry me! It was worth it though. We've had her for three years now and have had a really great time because of that car.

The 1999 metallic red car with oak colored seats and more curves than me, takes us places and gets us interacting with others. It's because of the car that we've taken many road trips, made new friends, joined a Corvette Club, and gone to more social functions than I can remember. That 'Vette has truly gotten me out of dusting on numerous occasions.

Being involved in the Corvette Culture has proven to be interesting. The Culture is made up of all types. Men, women, young, old. It doesn't matter who you are - Corvette fever can strike and when it does you'll wonder why you didn't get a 'Vette sooner. And age doesn't influence speed. An "older" foot can slam the gas petal to the floor just as well as a "younger" foot.

I've even met women who were more Corvette-hungry than the guys - some were true "Corvette Girls." I think your are a pretty die hard fan when you say things like, "I just sold all the jewelry that I've received over the last five years to buy new tires and rims for my 'Vette." Wow. Never thought I'd hear that coming out of a woman's mouth!

One women even explained her experience at the Corvette Assembly Plant in Bowling Green, KY, where they give public tours. I was just happy to go through the tour three times and learn more about the American-made vehicle. This woman was beside herself because she got to watch her new Corvette being made and even helped add some of the parts. She marveled over autographing the underneath of the seat before it was put in. She was more excited than if Jesus had come down from the heavens to perform a miracle, and I must say, that would have to be far more exhilarating than helping building a car even if it is a Corvette!

Then there was Charley, a sweet woman from Florida, who may just be the kindest, most dedicated Corvette enthusiast I've ever met. Her and her husband love the Corvette so much they decided to renew their wedding vows at the National Corvette Museum when they went to Kentucky to take delivery on their new Corvette. For those that don't know, taking delivery at the Museum is an option that you can request when you purchase a Corvette at a local dealership. They picked up their car all nice and shiny and then stood before it in the display room of the Museum and renewed their vows. People from the Corvette Culture that they didn't even know where there to support the big event.

Now I know what those not involved in the culture are thinking - this is weird. But not so. I've learned that people in the Corvette Culture, just like other specialty groups, are kindhearted, interesting people. While we have fun with each other and our cars, we often use our cars and the events that we go to for a greater good. Maybe it's raising money for a local charity or hosting an event for the community to enjoy. Sometimes it's even to help one of our own.

I have plenty of wonderful stories to share from the three years I've been in the Corvette Culture and from the year I spent researching the topic and writing about it for my thesis in graduate school. Future articles you can look forward to tell heartbreaking stories of a woman who started "Corvettes Conquer Cancer," a 9/11 cruise, women in auto cross, and more.