| 50th Anniversary Caravan |
On June 26th, 2003 we went on a very fun, historic (Corvette-wise) trip to join in Corvette's 50th
Anniversary Caravan to Nashville, Tennessee, marking Corvette's 50th birthday. The celebration was
held at the Nashville Coliseum and the National Corvette Museum about an hour north of Nashville in
Bowling Green, Kentucky. It was a very special occasion that we felt honored to be part of. Normally,
huge caravans, especially one this big - estimates are anywhere from six to ten thousand Corvettes - are
a lot of trouble for the drivers, due to the rubber banding effect of having that many cars in a line; and
having your wife screaming at you, telling you how to drive as the line of cars goes from 90 to 20, then
from 20 back to 90 in a very short distance. This one, though, was broken down into smaller groups
which minimized both characteristics and made it much more enjoyable for me, the driver. Nashville was
the place to be for Corvette Owners that weekend. Every hotel and restaurant you passed had their
parking lots packed with beautiful Corvettes. Kind of gave you a proud feeling to be amongst them.
The Temptations entertained us one night in a special, just for Corvetter owners concert beside the
Tennessee River in Nashville. The next night Z Z Top held a concert in the coliseum just for Corvette
Owners. Tina and I, who refuse to grow up - always have, always will - still go to rock concerts regularly,
having seen all the big rock bands many, many times over the past 25 years or so, including Z Z Top.
We knew the volume that big time rock bands perform at, and Z Z Top is one of the loudest. We
wondered how people would react, seeing a lot of Corvette owners are in their 40s, 50s, 60s and up.
Well, as soon as Z Z Top came on stage and cranked up their unique sound, there was a mass exodus
of people as if someone had screamed FIRE! After those who aren't young at heart, and those who
couldn't take the loudness, left, we were treated to a great concert.
Anniversary Caravan to Nashville, Tennessee, marking Corvette's 50th birthday. The celebration was
held at the Nashville Coliseum and the National Corvette Museum about an hour north of Nashville in
Bowling Green, Kentucky. It was a very special occasion that we felt honored to be part of. Normally,
huge caravans, especially one this big - estimates are anywhere from six to ten thousand Corvettes - are
a lot of trouble for the drivers, due to the rubber banding effect of having that many cars in a line; and
having your wife screaming at you, telling you how to drive as the line of cars goes from 90 to 20, then
from 20 back to 90 in a very short distance. This one, though, was broken down into smaller groups
which minimized both characteristics and made it much more enjoyable for me, the driver. Nashville was
the place to be for Corvette Owners that weekend. Every hotel and restaurant you passed had their
parking lots packed with beautiful Corvettes. Kind of gave you a proud feeling to be amongst them.
The Temptations entertained us one night in a special, just for Corvetter owners concert beside the
Tennessee River in Nashville. The next night Z Z Top held a concert in the coliseum just for Corvette
Owners. Tina and I, who refuse to grow up - always have, always will - still go to rock concerts regularly,
having seen all the big rock bands many, many times over the past 25 years or so, including Z Z Top.
We knew the volume that big time rock bands perform at, and Z Z Top is one of the loudest. We
wondered how people would react, seeing a lot of Corvette owners are in their 40s, 50s, 60s and up.
Well, as soon as Z Z Top came on stage and cranked up their unique sound, there was a mass exodus
of people as if someone had screamed FIRE! After those who aren't young at heart, and those who
couldn't take the loudness, left, we were treated to a great concert.
In the days before the caravan, we were invited to
Atlanta Motor Speedway and to Road Atlanta to
begin the celebration. The picture above and to
the right are photos their professional
photographers took of each car as they passed,
then charged you out the wazoo when you felt you
had to own one of you and your car letting it rip.
They had you and they knew it. They laughed all
the way to the bank.
Atlanta Motor Speedway and to Road Atlanta to
begin the celebration. The picture above and to
the right are photos their professional
photographers took of each car as they passed,
then charged you out the wazoo when you felt you
had to own one of you and your car letting it rip.
They had you and they knew it. They laughed all
the way to the bank.
Driving on Road Atlanta was one of the more
enjoyable things I've done, and I've always pretty much
enjoyed my life. This photo was taken with us driving
slow, all in line. But they let us spread out and let it rip
several times over the blind hill and in front of the
grand stands. It was painfully slow on the back part of
the track, but it was all worth it when we kicked it an
felt the bottom drop out as we went over the hill for a
mad dash in front of the crowd. The Grand Sport had
the power and handling capacity to take advantage of
this opportunity. The Grand Sport seven cars behind
ours in this picture was our dear friend Vinny Ellner.
Vinny passed away earlier this year. He was a good
friend and proud Grand Sport owner. We all miss
Vinny so much. Vinny was one of those guys you felt
honored to know. Everybody loved Vinny.
enjoyable things I've done, and I've always pretty much
enjoyed my life. This photo was taken with us driving
slow, all in line. But they let us spread out and let it rip
several times over the blind hill and in front of the
grand stands. It was painfully slow on the back part of
the track, but it was all worth it when we kicked it an
felt the bottom drop out as we went over the hill for a
mad dash in front of the crowd. The Grand Sport had
the power and handling capacity to take advantage of
this opportunity. The Grand Sport seven cars behind
ours in this picture was our dear friend Vinny Ellner.
Vinny passed away earlier this year. He was a good
friend and proud Grand Sport owner. We all miss
Vinny so much. Vinny was one of those guys you felt
honored to know. Everybody loved Vinny.
