In addition to bringing some respite from the intense heat, Friday's setting sun also ushered in the highlight of the event. In a tradition begun two years ago, Friday night's banquet featured the Corvette Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The Hall of Fame was established in 1998 to confer the highest honor and recognition upon those individuals who most profoundly influenced the proud history of Corvette (see sidebars).
The banquet ceremony included very entertaining videos depicting highlights from each of the honored guest's illustrious Corvette involvement, as well as insights into their lives and work from friends and co-workers.
The incomparable Dollie Cole, who currently serves as Chairwoman of the National Corvette Museum Foundation, emceed the event. In discussing the inductees and other great names from Corvette history (including her husband Ed Cole) Dollie also paid tribute to their families, humorously pointing out that behind every brilliantly successful man is a pushy wife and a disbelieving mother-in-law. Saturday was every bit as hot as Friday but that did little to dissuade the show's attendees from taking full advantage of all that was offered. Driving events included autocrossing, drag racing, and an autocross exhibition featuring Corvette Chief Engineer Dave Hill, Corvette Brand Manager Rick Baldick, and Corvette Plant Manager Wil Cooksey. A celebrity choice car show, celebrity fashion show, road tours, and technical seminars also highlighted the weekend's activities.
The heat notwithstanding, this year's Labor Day Weekend extravaganza was thoroughly enjoyable and next year's event deserves a place on your calendar.
Jerry Palmer began his career with General Motors as a student intern in 1965, and currently serves as Executive Director of Design for General Motors North American Operations. Palmer has worked on a number of special Corvette styling vehicles, including the four-rotor Aerovette that appeared in the mid '70s.
In 1974 he was promoted to the position of Chief Designer in the Chevrolet III Studio. In addition to a number of other Chevy products, Palmer was responsible for the design and advanced aerodynamics of the C4. He went on to exercise great influence over the C5 and is involved in the design of the next-generation Corvette.
During his induction into the Hall of Fame, Palmer was lauded by Dave McLellan, John Cafarro, and many others as an incredibly talented designer whose people skills and limitless passion for Corvette make him a highly effective leader.
In accepting his honor, Palmer told a very amusing story about an incident that helped engender his fervent passion for Corvette. One day in 1965 he and a couple of college buddies came across a brand-new coupe in the parking lot of a convenience store. The glimmering Nassau Blue paint in conjunction with knock-offs, side pipes, and the muscular hood bulge that signified the presence of Chevy's new 396 engine made Palmer and his friends stop, stare, and begin to foam at the mouth. As they were doing so a stunningly beautiful young lady came out of the store and elegantly slipped into the Corvette. With a quick twist of the key she brought the bellowing big-block to life and began to pull away. At the same time she turned to the three gawking lads and mouthed the words "see the USA in your Chevrolet."
The young design student and his buddies thought they had died and gone to heaven. It was the kind of encounter that left a lasting memory, and Palmer recollected it vividly many years later when he learned the name of the beautiful woman in the stunning new Corvette. She was the wife of a man who was then General Manager of Chevrolet Division and who would soon thereafter ascend to the presidency of General Motors. That man was Ed Cole, and the captivating young lady behind the wheel of the Corvette was Dollie Cole-who served as master of ceremonies inducting Palmer into the Hall of Fame!