The first flakes of winter were falling on downtown Chicago, but over at Chevy/Vettefest things were steaming. Inside McCormick Place, North America's largest exposition and convention complex, over 450 of the finest Chevrolets and Corvettes in the nation were packing them in.
Promoters Ken Hanna and Al Fierke brought some of the most famous Corvette racers of the '60s to the show. Two of the cars that raced in the 1962 Sebring 12-hour endurance race were there, the Don Campbell /Jerry Grant car owned by Erwin Kroiz of Ambler, Pennsylvania, and the Gulf Oil car owned by Rev. Mike Ernst of Muskego, Wisconsin. They were joined by the '68 DX L88 owned by master restorer Kevin MacKay, and the "Rebel" '68 L88 that Bob Heinz raced at Le Mans in 1972, now owned by Mike Yager of Mid America Designs. Also joining them was the famed '67 "Bounty Hunter" big-block drag racer, brought to the show by Brian Skelton of Pittstown, New Jersey.
Right next to these historic racers was another showcase where a half-dozen '88 and '89 Corvette Challenge racers were proudly displayed. The rarer '88 Challenge cars included ones now owned by Dave Hmura of Lockport, Illinois, and Ron Howard of McHenry, Illinois. The '89s included the Tommy Riggen car, currently owned by Joe Roebuck.
Over at the Chevrolet exhibit, modern history was on display with one of the American Le Mans Series C5-R race cars. Jeff Nowicki's Jack Cauley/Specter Werkes C5 GT road racer also drew crowds.
But Chevy/Vettefest was not just about historic races cars. Corvettes from 1953 through 2001 were shown. Original and restored Chevrolets and Corvettes competed in the Gold Spinner Concours for awards to automobiles judged to be in at least 95 percent original condition. Corvettes that have already earned Bloomington Gold Certification and/or NCRS Top Flight awards could also compete for the Triple Crown award. The non-stock cars could compete in the Custom Cavalcade. Something new was the Top Gun Reunion, which brought back many of the stock and custom Corvettes that have earned Best Of Show awards at Chevy/Vettefest over the years. Albert Kwader's Tuxedo Black Triple Crown-winning '57, and Star Scott's 755hp '92 LT1 custom earned the Fall 2000 Top Gun honors.
Chevrolet displayed their latest offerings, including a Millenium Yellow Z06, which drew a steady stream of onlookers. Also on display was the mid-engine Astro II XP880 show car of 1968, and a cutaway of Dale Earnhardt's NASCAR Monte Carlo. Many more Corvettes and Chevys were part of the Show & Sell, where interesting cars and good bargains can always be found. The Swap Meet brought together another 300 venders selling just about anything you could want.
Chevy/Vettefest happens twice a year, and the show returns to McCormick Place Lakeside Center March 3rd and 4th. Some of the Showcase 2001 features will be street cars inspired by the early factory prototype Corvette race cars, including Grand Sport replicas, tube-frame '57s, and Ken Hanna's SR3. Another showcase will include Corvette factory race cars: RPO 687 "Big Brakes," the original Z06, monster L88s, and the ZR1 and ZR2 racers of the seventies.
Top Gun Reunion
Best Original or Restored Corvette: Albert Kwader, 1957 Corvette
Best Custom or Modified Corvette: Star Scott, 1992 Corvette
Judge's Choice
Best Original or Restored Corvette: Frank Stech, 1967 Corvette
Best Custom or Modified Corvette: Star Scott, 1967 Corvette