Swallows fly back to Capistrano every spring. Salmon swim upstream to the same spawning grounds. But where do Vettes go every summer? Well, for 17 years now, they've been flocking to the Mid America Motorworks Funfest.
But we don't return just purely out of natural instinct. Besides feeling at home there, we really look forward to the startling variety of cars, parts, and people. It's always a compelling place to find the wild, weird, and wonderful. So this year, instead of our regular event wrap-up, we decided to highlight some intriguing aspects-a sort of behind-the-scenes look at Funfest.
The wizard behind the curtain is, of course, MAM's irrepressible Mike Yager, who transforms the sweeping plains of farmland around Effingham, Illinois, into a cavalcade of Corvettes. We always enjoy his infectious enthusiasm for throwing one of the best and biggest Vette parties in the country. Count us in for next year, Mike.
Think Pink
When we first...
Think Pink
When we first spotted this sparkling-pink paintjob, our first thought was that the Barbie-doll toy Corvette was now available in a full-size version. But after chatting with the owner, we discovered that the hue relates to the "Driving for a Cure" pro-ject to defeat breast cancer. So we feel that's a worthy cause to recognize.
The Ultimate Barn Find
How...
The Ultimate Barn Find
How fitting that in the rich farmland surrounding Mid America that Mike Yager would come across a dusty '57 C1 locked away in a barn. Displayed exactly as it was found, the car is visible proof that there are still Corvettes out there that need to be rescued, and mute testament to what happens when we neglect our automotive heritage.
Bemused Speculation
We're...
Bemused Speculation
We're not sure what our distinguished editor Jay Heath (second from left) was stifling a laugh about, but maybe Yager (in signature straw hat) just told him the joke about the blonde who walks into a bar, looking for a Corvette. (Look for a feature on this MiniRammed '78 Pacer-Heath's Celebrity Choice pick-in a future issue.)
Frankenstein's Monster
This...
Frankenstein's Monster
This Corvette-bodied movie prop appeared in Death Race 2000. Fittingly named "The Monster," it was driven by the late, great David Carradine in the role of Frankenstein. A young unknown named Sly Stallone co-starred. The acting and plot were atrocious, but at least the car was fun to look at.
Yeah, Baby!
When British...
Yeah, Baby!
When British spy Austin Powers got behind the wheel of America's Sports Car, it needed some flag-waving patriotism to appeal to U.S. audiences. Look for a full feature on this car in an upcoming issue.
Mondo Power
Rick Turnbull...
Mondo Power
Rick Turnbull is now a commercial pilot, but he used to fly fighter jets off the deck of an aircraft carrier, so he's used to getting launched by a steam catapult. No surprise then, that the 427 LS7 in his '00 C5 is armed with all sorts of power adders. We've featured an earlier version of his weapons-grade Vette, but look for an update in an upcoming issue on how he blasted through the 1,000hp mark.
Something Old, Something New......
Something Old, Something New...
Besides being a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs (note the logo on the headrest), the owner of this Corvette paid tribute to the C1 era with a cove airbrushed on the sides. And the red and white colors match those of the Chiefs too.
Elvis Vettes
Out of the...
Elvis Vettes
Out of the 31 movies Elvis made, probably only a couple included a Corvette. One of them has a scene that shows him running up over the back of a top-down white '55, jumping into the cockpit, and speeding away. Can you remember the name? Spinout. This particular Elvis at Funfest is one of our favorite impersonators. Not only is "The Pelvis" frozen in a perfect pose, but he's also perpetually young and thin.
Linda Vaughn and Vettes
Known...
Linda Vaughn and Vettes
Known as the First Lady of Drag Racing, Linda "Miss Hurst Shifter" Vaughn knows a good Corvette when she sees one. Shown here with the pink "Driving for a Cure" Vette, she gathers a crowd wherever she goes-not just for her legendary curves, but also her gracious personality.
See-Through Top
Adding a...
See-Through Top
Adding a supercharger often requires a hood with more clearance. But how about one that you can see through as well? SLP knows you'd probably like to show off that shiny top-mount blower case, so the company came up with a viewing port for its new C6 hood.
Slice and Dice
The aptly...
Slice and Dice
The aptly named "Wild Beast" struts its stuff with scissoring doors and every imaginable type of trim. Those winged doors look ready to flap for takeoff.
Primo Primer
It looks unfinished,...
Primo Primer
It looks unfinished, but that's the whole point. Displayed by D&A Corvette Restorations, this '71 Convertible ZR2 is one of 12 produced, and one of one with the special "non-paint" option, ready for a custom mix.
Key Lime Corvette
Noteworthy...
Key Lime Corvette
Noteworthy for its extravagant lack of subtlety is Danny Becker's tasty '62 Corvette. The clamshell hood, actuated by electric props, conceals an LT1 drivetrain. Other later-model components include a C4 front suspension, a Ford 9-inch rearend, and C5 seats. The frame, however, is from a '57 Corvette dragster. Other fascinating details are the crossed-flags logos airbrushed onto the finish.
Save Me!
Can you imagine...
Save Me!
Can you imagine finding a '60 Corvette that had been in storage for 18 years (from 1968 to 1986), and never driven all that time? Unlike Yager's funky '57 barn find, this one was kept in fairly good condition during its hibernation. It had only 11,141 miles on it when the second owner acquired it.
I've Got a Crush on You
Do...
I've Got a Crush on You
Do you sense a theme here? Jim and Dormee McGruder's favorite beverage is Orange Crush, and their favorite ride is an '07 C6. So why not combine the two in a tasteful way? The Atomic Orange metallic paint appears throughout the car...
...with matching upholstery...
...with matching upholstery and collectibles.
Needs TLC
Here's a likely...
Needs TLC
Here's a likely candidate for a paintjob. We hope the owner gets the fiberglass properly repaired and prepped in time for next year's Funfest.