CELEBRATING THE LEGACY
Welcome Corvette Enthusiasts!
The Village of Watkins Glen and community volunteers have been working on supporting this inaugural festival for the past year. We are so very excited to have you here to celebrate the inspiration of Harley J. Earl’s work on the Corvette 70 years ago! You are part of over 150 cars celebrating that legacy with this first festival!
2023 marks the 70th anniversary of the Corvette, originally designed and engineered by Harley J. Earl—inspired while attending races in 1951 at the Glen. In 1953, the first Corvette appeared at the races in Watkins Glen and 2023 marks 70 years of Corvette as the “American Sports Car.” The Village of Watkins Glen’s Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring the Watkins Glen Corvette Festival at Clute Park and celebrating the legacy of Harley J. Earl. In short, we hope you will enjoy this rain or shine event and will spend some time in beautiful Watkins Glen.
Within this souvenir booklet, you will find the full schedule of events for this two-day festival, including the Corvette car show on Saturday at Clute Park and the Harley J. Earl Legacy Dinner and keynote address by Richard Earl. Sunday activities include 150 Corvettes lining Franklin Street for a special reenactment lap around the Original Glen Circuit.
Please seek out committee members listed here to give feedback or any congratulations:
2023 Corvette Festival Committee Chairman Craig Bond, Jerry Collins, Caitlin Cheney Watkins Glen Mayor Laurie DeNardo, Chantal Fitzgerald, Glenda Gephart, Nigar Hale, Carter Saunders, Tony Vickio, Nan Woodworth, and Kip Zeiter.
It truly “takes a village” to bring this festival to Watkins Glen to honor the legacy of Harley J. Earl and to proclaim the story of the Corvette at Watkins Glen.
Beyond the volunteers and sponsors listed in your program, I must give a special thank you to the Watkins-Montour Rotary Club, the Glen Theatre and Watkins Glen Promotions!
Thank you for attending this first festival honoring the Corvette. We hope to see you next year!
Regards,
Craig Bond Corvette Festival Chair
Suggestion boxes are located in the Seneca Lake Events Center. Please help us shape future festivals and create an even more enjoyable experience in 2024.
HARLEY
FATHER OF THE CORVETTE
THE LEGACY OF HARLEY J. EARL
by Richard Earl
...the man who first envisioned Chevrolet’s two-seater sports car while in attendance at a motorsports event at Watkins Glen, and whose singular vision and design prowess transformed General Motors into the premier automobile manufacturer of the twentieth century—Harley J. Earl.”
There are few sports cars in existence today that are more celebrated or more instantly recognizable than the Chevy Corvette. Since its historic introduction in January 1953 at GM’s Motorama extravaganza, the Corvette has been celebrated by countless millions around the globe as a legitimate world class sports car both at the racetrack and on the open road. And yet, despite its immense and unwavering popularity over the past seventy years, much of the Corvette’s origin remains one of the greatest untold stories of all time.
The same is true of the man who first envisioned Chevrolet’s two-seater sports car while in attendance at a motorsports event at Watkins Glen, and whose singular vision and design prowess transformed General Motors into the premier automobile manufacturer of the twentieth century: Harley J. Earl. While many automotive enthusiasts already know that Harley Earl contributed to the genesis of the Corvette, the enormity of Earl’s involvement with the evolution of the American automobile throughout his decades-long career at GM is arguably the greatest, never told “True Hollywood Story” of its time.
“With the possible exception of Henry Ford, no other person has single-handedly contributed more to the evolution of the modern automobile industry.” This statement by General Motors mid-twentieth-century CEO Alfred P. Sloan (from the book “Fins” by William Knoedelseder) begins to give us some context as to the scope and scale of Earl’s contributions.
But just who was Harley Earl?
Recognizing the need to embrace the sweeping tide of modern technology, Earl pioneered widespread advances in car design to usher in a new era of automobile consumerism beginning with his work on the LaSalle in 1927. Over the next decade, the unparalleled commercial success of the cars he “styled” for each of General Motors marquees (Chevrolet, Buick, etc.) would lead to his appointment as GM’s first Vice President of Styling (Design) in 1937.
Earl’s decades-long success as an artist, designer, and engineering impresario afforded him the luxury to create unique, custom automobiles for celebrities, GM executives and their wives, high-profile politicians, and other people of influence. He alone had the clout within GM to spend large sums of corporate money to build these one-of-a-kind automobiles. Similarly, his virtuosity gave him carte blanche over the styling aesthetics introduced on the vehicles his department designed to such an extent that he became “the most hated man at GM” amongst other designers and engineers alike, due almost entirely to their professional jealousy of his undeniable genius and their frustration with the authority that he alone wielded over their work.
As it is often said, “if you have haters, you must be doing something right.” When it came to automobile engineering and design, Harley was doing EVERYTHING right—and the executives at General Motors knew it.
Harley J. Earl Vice-President, General Motors Corporation from 1937 to 1958
—Richard Earl
DISRUPTOR OF AUTO DESIGN
J. EARL
But Earl’s contributions at GM weren’t limited to his work with the automobile. When America entered World War II, it was Earl (along with GM’s other mid-century leadership) who facilitated GM’s efforts as the largest military contractor in the world. In the years that followed the war, Earl turned his attention to the creation of GM’s Tech Center (the world’s first technology design capital) in Warren, Michigan. This epic, $125-milliondollar business facility, aptly coined the “Versailles of Industry” became ground zero for America’s technological leadership.
Even in the face of Harley J. Earl’s many amazing accomplishments and contributions (along with the countless others not listed here), it is the Corvette that continues to resonate most closely with consumers and enthusiasts alike. As stated on the website harleyjearl.com, “Everyone wants to talk about Corvette’s winning heritage.” However, it is virtually impossible to fully appreciate the legacy of the Corvette without understanding its genesis. It is for that reason that we invite you to join us on May 20, 2023, to experience Richard Earl’s Keynote Address “The Legacy of Harley J. Earl” as part of the First Annual “The Story of Corvette Begins at Watkins Glen” Festival.
Richard will take us on a journey through the genesis of the Corvette and Harley Earl’s role as the visionary American sports car pioneer who chose to incorporate Chevrolet’s greatly enlarged manufacturing program, together with GM’s unparalleled resources, to turn a powerful new American sports car into reality. Richard’s address will also reveal unique
insights into the evolution of GM’s Tech Center and will reveal how Harley remained one of GM’s “best kept secrets” throughout his career. Filled with fascinating stories and several personal anecdotes, “The Legacy of Harley J. Earl” promises to offer fascinating insight into one of the greatest automotive pioneers of the 20th century!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With an auto legacy 133 years in the making, Richard is dedicated to preserving and promoting our nation’s auto heritage, especially on the roots and traditions of the Car Design profession. Today, this area is the undisputed backbone of the global automotive economy and although the legacy behind America’s Car Design Pioneer laid dormant from the 1970s into the new century, the historical narrative of Harley J. Earl is now on a much more positive trajectory. With 20-plus years spent unearthing the behind-the-scenes story (1996 to ‘06 Richard lived in Metro Detroit) and over one hundred first-person interviews later, he has become an authority on the American auto industry’s most dynamic modern leaders of the mid-twentieth century era.
Richard Earl
LeSabre on start/finish line at Watkins Glen Grand Prix 1951
Harley J. Earl (1893–1969)
HARLEY
1951 INSPIRED
When he saw that bunch of cars at the courthouse at the start-finish line, you could see his wheels were turning, but didn’t say a thing.”
—Dominick Fraboni
LeSabre in front of Clute House, 1951.
LeSabre in the showroom at Watkins Glen Chevrolet, 1951.
J. EARL
It’s just like when I finished the LeSabre. I’m going to show you a car right now. Let’s see, the Corvette was a little thing that I started. I ran that LeSabre up pacing a race, and then I got the idea (at) a sports car race at Watkins Glen, that’s where I got the idea for the Corvette”
—Transcript from 1954 interview, provided by Harley Earl’s grandson, Richard Earl.
Watkins Glen parade in front of Glen Chevrolet, with the 1953 Corvette.
The first Corvette coming off the assembly line, June 30, 1953.
POWER
CELEBRATING SEVENTY YEARS
The inspiration for the Corvette came from Harley Earl's visit to Watkins Glen during the 1951 Grand Prix.
The first full-scale Corvette concept was displayed as a “dream car” at GM’s Motorama in New York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel in January.
On June 30, 1953 the first production Corvette rolled off of the assembly line in Flint, Michigan.
The small-block V8 displacing 265 cubic inches was introduced.
The restyled Corvette features exposed headlamps, sculpted side coves and rolled up windows. Factory-installed removable hardtops are offered for the first time.
1960 is the last year Corvette features taillights formed into rounded rear fenders and the last with heavy grill “teeth.”
The C2 Corvette is a total restyle based on Bill Mitchell’s 1959 Stingray race car.
First year ('63) for the Corvette coupe; only year for the split-window coupe. The Z06 is offered as an option on the 1963 Stingray (199 built).
Split-window design is eliminated because it “intruded into the driver’s rearward vision.”
Big Block V8 engines were introduced for the Corvette with the 396 CID L78 option. It was rated at 425 HP.
Standard features of the Corvette Stingray included an energy-absorbing steering column, four-way hazard warning flashers and a dual master cylinder brake system. Much of the exterior trim is removed or restyled, as well as the hood and fender vents.
The totally restyled C3 Corvette features an industry first for production cars—“T-top” removable roof panels. Lines of the new Corvette closely resemble those of the Mako Shark II show car. Headlamps are now of the “pop-up” design, backlit.
The 250,000th Corvette, a gold convertible, comes off the St. Louis production line on November 19. “Stingray” script is added above the fender louvers.
The 500,000th Corvette, a white coupe with red interior, is produced in St. Louis on March 15, 1977.
Mid-year, production shifted from St. Louis, MO to Bowling Green, KY. This was the first time a model was built in two locations simultaneously.
The all-new C4 Corvette has a drag coefficient of a 0.34, 24 percent more aerodynamic than its predecessor. Top speed over 150 MPH.
Big news for Corvette is the addition of tuned-port injection of the 230 HP 5.7 liter V8.
The first convertible since 1975 is built.
The One-Millionth Corvette, a white convertible with red interior, matching the first Corvettes of 1953, rolls off the Bowling Green assembly line on July 2, 1992.
Corvette paces the Indy 500 for the third time in 1995 (first in 1978, also in 1986).
CORVETTE THROUGH THE AGES
DESIGN
Corvette featured hydroformed side frame rails, each made of a single piece of tubular steel. Transmission was rear mounted.
For the first time since 1962, a separate trunk with outside access returned on the Corvette convertible.
A hardtop model with permanently-fixed roof panel and external trunk lid joins the Corvette family.
Optional heads-up display offered.
50th Anniversary of the Corvette is marked by the availability of a 50th Anniversary package with special red paint, a unique two-tone shale interior, special emblems and Magnetic Selective Ride.
Special commemorative package honoring Corvette’s success at Le Mans are available. Corvette paced the Indy 500 in 1998.
All new design (C6) and engineering. Powered by the new 6.0L 400 HP small block V8. Exposed headlights return for the first time since 1962.
Power top option for convertibles for the first time since 1962. OnStar and navigation available for the first time. Corvette paced the Indy 500.
Z06 Carbon Limited Edition offered to mark Corvette’s 50th anniversary at Le Mans. Exteriors limited to Supersonic Blue or Inferno Orange.
Chevrolet Centennial Edition (available on all models), featuring Carbon Flash metallic paint, satin-black graphics, satin-black cup wheels with red stripe, unique badges, special-trimmed interior with red stitching and Magnetic Selective Ride Control.
60th Anniversary and a special 427 convertible Collector Edition close out the C6 generation on a high note.
The seventh generation C7 Corvette is introduced at an invitation-only reveal in Detroit on January 13, 2013 . The Stingray designation returns.
Indy 500 is paced by a 2014 Laguna Blue Corvette Z51 driven by San Francisco NFL coach Jim Harbaugh.
Aluminum frames become the standard for all coupe and convertible models.
Michelin becomes the exclusive tire supplier for Corvette.
The Stingray features a LT1 V8 engine with 460 HP making it the quickest, most powerful standard Corvette to date.
The C8 Corvette debuted with an 8-inch infotainment screen in a driver centric cockpit. It comes standard with Chevrolet's Infotainment 3 Plus system. Standard features include Bluetooth connectivity, 4G hotspot, and both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Higher trims are equipped with a 14-speaker Bose audio system and navigation options. Additional technology features include a performance data recorder package for 2LT and 3LT trim levels as well as a camera based rear view mirror.
The 2020 Corvette was the first year Chevrolet introduced over the air updates to the Corvette line-up. This allows Chevrolet to send updates to the vehicle remotely. Chevrolet used this capability to resolve a front trunk recall for the 2020 Corvettes.
2023 PARTICIPANTS
VETTE
Alexander, Tom 117 2003 50th Anni. Coupe Red
Alt, Barry & Kandi 133 2013 427 60th Anniv. White
Armstrong, Mark 96 2002 Corvette Red
Atti, Lou & Kathi 56 2022 Convertible White
Bacon, Bob 88 2002 C5 Red
Balwierczak, Mark 155 2002 C5 Blue
Barnes, Robert 28 2005 C6 White
Berg, Bill 149 2022 Stingray Rapid Blue
Biggie, John 48 2013 427 60th Anniv. White
Bly, Dale 15 2002 Z06 Blue
Brewer, Ray 25 1999 Coupe Red
Bromirski, Michael 70 1969 Stingray Coupe Silver
Burley, Glenn 146 2008 Coupe Atomic Orange
Burnside, Cynthia & Toby 132 2017 Stingray White
Bush, Stanley 163 2022 Convertible Black
Caraglio, Anthony 91 2003 Anniv. Coupe Red
Caslin, Jud & JoAnn 62 2001 Convert. Roadster Red
Chapis, Germaine & Stephen 27 2018 Stingray Coupe Long Beach Red
Coast, Donald L 138 2022 Corvette Yellow
Compese, Tony 113 1967 Stingray Red
Cordes, Edward 32 2021 Stingray Coupe Elkhart Lake Blue
Corigliano, Anthony 59 2019 Grand Sport Long Beach Red
Cornell, Gary 75 2023 70th Anniv. C8 Blue
Cossa, Walter 130 2023 C8 Z51 Red Mist
Cronk, Gary 152 2003 50th Anniv. Convert. Red
Crouch, Kevin 77 1975 Coupe Orange
Dalo, Dominic 160 2015 Stingray Coupe Z51 Yellow
D’Angelo, Thomas 85 2021 C8 Ceramic Gray
Davis, Thomas 98 2020 C8 Stingray White
Deiulio, Mark 74 2019 Grand Sport Admiral Blue
Dickerman, Steve 111 2019 Stingray Yellow
Dipalma, Andy & Karen 40 2006 Z06 Velocity Yellow
Dolce, Rich 100 2019 Grand Sport Silver
Drogi, John & Charlene 18 2017 Grand Sport Convert. Torch Red
Dubois, David 94 2012 Grand Sport Black
Egan, Richard 137 2006 Convertible Sunset Orange
Englert, Bill 162 2017 Convertible Red
English, Michael 24 2016 Stingray Red
Ennis, Jim 3 2016 251 Convertible Long Beach Red
Erdey, Michael 83 2000 Convertible Mag. Red
Ferris, Davis 66 1966 Corvette Blue
Fife, Nancy 68 1978 Corvette Black/Gray
Flaherty, David & Mary Starr 41 2009 Coupe White
Flanagan, Sharon 44 2009 C6 Coupe Crystal Red
Franzese, Mark 86 2010 Grand Sport 4LT Black
French, Douglas 22 2012 C6 Grand Sport Blue
Garofalo, Paul 30 1995 Convertible Dark Red
Gibson, Sheldon & Brittany 33 2014 Stingray Z51 Black
Glennon, John 54 2011 Coupe Gray
Godat, Mike 153 1964 Road Race Car Red
Grady, Steven 64 1995 C4 Purple/White
Grady, Matthew & Kendra 103 2022 C8-R Hard Top Convert. Hyper
Graham, Bruce 76 2003 50th Anniv. Yellow
Granston, Raymond 99 2004 Corvette Black
Gray, Gary 101 2005 Convertible Gray
Groll, Bob 20 2023 Stingray Blue
Guidera, Gary 161 2019 Grandsport Long Beach Red
Gullo, Donald 172 2017 Grand Sport Watkins Glen Gray
Hall, Chris 157 2001 C5 Blue
Haux, Mark 97 1991 Z07 Black
Higgins, Tom 13 2021 C8 Stingray Convert. Sebring Orange
Holder, Charles “Mac” 128 2017 Grand Sport Convert. Admiral Blue
Hooey, Kevin & Kurtis 87 1969 Coupe Silver
House, Guy 104 2020 Stingray Metallic Gray
Howell, James W. D 2 1979 Coupe White
Hubright, Shane 127 2008 Corvette Black Carbon
Hughson, Michael & Deborah 12 2013 Grand Sport White
Hundt, Ken 118 2005 Z51 Orange
Jedrysik, Paul 84 2014 Corvette Cyber Gray
Jensen, Jeff & Jennifer 135 1971 Stingray Convertible Ontario Orange
Jeter, John 129 2015 C7 Blue
Justice, Mark 17 2017 Z06 Arctic White
Kelly, James 49 2008 Convertible Jetstream Blue
Kojsza, Etienne 52 2013 Corvette White
Krakowski, Daniel 50 2017 Z06 Black Rose
Kreamer, Michael 1 2023 Stingray Red Mist Metallic
Kuczmarski, James 47 2017 Grand Sport Gray
Kumiega, Ken 120 2017 Corvette Black
Kwiatkowski, Lori 69 2004 Convertible Red
Kwiek, Harry 57 2016 Stingray White
Laughlin, Tom 140 2002 C5 Convertible Magnetic Red
Lavallee, Glen 10 2019 Z06 Black
Lawson, Jim 72 1995 Coupe White
Link, Martin 36 2012 Grand Sport White
Lipome, Barbara 65 2016 Stingray Shark Gray
Lobuglio, Joseph 61 2015 Stingray White
Lucania, Roseann 148 2020 Stingray Sebring Orange
Macri, Robert 105 2023 70th Anniv. Gray
OWNER
LAST NAME, FIRST NAME
Macri, Robert 106 2003 50th Anniv. Yellow
Macri, Robert 107 2019 ZR1 White
Macri, Robert 108 2023 70th Anniv. Blue
Macri, Robert 109 1977 Coupe Dark Blue
Mahaney, Thomas 136 2020 C8 Coupe White
Malagis, Anthony 51 2022 Stingray White
Manzella, Douglas 60 2016 Stingray Red
Marsh, Matt 159 1971 Corvette Red
McCann, Mike 124 2014 Z51 Black
McCarthy, Dan 134 2003 50th Anniv. Coupe Burgundy
McGinn, Dennis 112 2000 Corvette Green
McKee, Eric 156 1977 L82 Dark Red
McMichael, Al 93 2020 Stingray Silver
McVea, William Mark 9 2017 Z06/Z07 Watkins Glen Graphite
McWain, Chris 79 2015 Z06 Laguna Blue
Messer, Kenneth 73 2007 Z51 Coupe Monterey Red
Metzger, Joe 121 2017 Stingray Watkins Glen Gray
Miller, Erich & Teri 39 2012 GS Convertible Silver
Milsom, Gary 53 2021 Stingray Torch Red
Minnich, Kevin & Michelle 26 2000 Convertible Navy Blue
Murphy, Richard & Linda 38 2017 Z06 Watkins Glen Gray
Novakowski, Mike 21 2022 C8 Hard Top Convert. Torch Red
Offenburg, George & Tina 4 2019 Stingray Yellow
Pabst, Mike 63 2019 Grand Sport Elkhart Lake Blue
Palmesano, Mike & Suzy 81 2021 Coupe Shadow Gray Metallic
Pastore, Frank 35 2015 Coupe Laguna Blue
Pelotte, Richard 89 1956 Corvette White-Gray
Peryer, Michael 158 1974 Coupe Yellow
Peters, Robert 123 2008 Coupe Black
Petras, Mark 11 2003 C-5 50th Anniv. Red
Pfeil, Brian 16 2019 Grand Sport Long Beach Red
Pietrantoni, Liberato 164 2013 Coupe Blue
Pike, Wade 8 1969 Stingray Coupe Green
Popple, Stephen & Cathy 42 2016 Z06 Torch Red
Pucci, Michael 102 1998 Coupe Red
Ramont, Michael 115 2021 Coupe Blue
Reynolds, Thomas 80 2013 427 60th Anniv. White
Reynolds, James 139 2017 Z51 White
Ricigliano, Pete 43 2015 Corvette Red
Rinefierd, Rick 31 2023 70th Coupe Hypersonic Gray
Ripple, Curt 119 2002 Corvette Speedway White
Rojas, Janice 23 1971 Stingray 454 Br. Racing Green
Roselle, Michael 92 2002 Coupe Z-51 Yellow
Ross, Robert 95 2007 Coupe C6 Black
LAST NAME, FIRST NAME REG # YEAR, MODEL COLOR
Ryan, Bryan 145 2007 Coupe Red
Ryan, Pat 154 1963 Convertible Daytona Blue
Ryder, Darcy 167 1959 Roadster Black
Ryder, Denny 168 1957 Convertible Black
Scarrott, Michael 5 2023 Stingray Z51 Red
Schafer, Ray 37 1958 Convertible Silver Blue
Schmittendorf, John & Carleen 19 2020 C8-LT2 Zeus Bronze
Shanks, Roger 131 2017 Z06 Blue
Shattell, Fred 6 2015 Coupe Z51 Red Cryst. Tint
Shaver, David 14 2019 Grand Sport White
Skelly, Michael 90 2004 Convertible Blue
Skelly, Michael 114 1974 Coupe Yellow
Sliker, David 170 2003 Stingray Maroon
Slusser, Geoffrey 110 2022 1LT Mist Red
Sobczak, Geanine 45 2009 Coupe Jetstream Blue
Sparks, George 29 2020 Stingray Coupe Matrix Gray
St Piere, Richard 150 1998 Coupe Torch Red
Stearns, Simon 71 2014 Coupe Blue
Steier, Edward 151 2022 Stingray Coupe Z51 Torch Red
Stengle, Gary 142 1955 Roadster Convertible White
Strauser, Eric 67 1971 Roadster Gray
Symes, David 143 1988 Corvette Red
Thompson, Jeff 144 1969 Corvette Cortez Silver
Thurley, Mike 173 1961 C1 Black
Tobey, Jeff 141 2016 C7 Z06 SC 650/650 Red
Todd, Donald 122 2014 C7 Coupe Red
Triner, Greg 165 1965 Stingray White
VanLare, Gregory 58 2023 Hard Top Convert. Elkhart Lake Blue
Vary, Tom 78 2008 Z06 Jetstream Blue Metallic
Vickio, Tony 147 1965 Fuel-Injected Stingray Glen Green
Violino, Grant & Nancy Conroy 46 2015 Corvette Night Race Blue Metallic
Walker, Kim 166 1966 Coupe Blue
Walter, Miles 55 2016 Stingray White
Weaver, Franklin 7 2023 Stringray Hard Top Convert. 70th Anniv. Carbon Flash Black
Wells, Robert 34 1977 Stingray Red
West, Richard NOT PAID YET 174 1986 C4 Teal
Wiedemer, John 82 2017 Corvette Admiral Blue
Willmott, Sandra & Don 116 1964 Convertible Red
Wimmer, Lisa 125 1981 Corvette Vanilla
Worth, Ed 175 1970 Stingray Silver
Yaggie, Kevin 169 1979 Coupe Cinnamon Cherry
Yasso, John 171 2017 Grand Sport Yellow
Zolkosky, Gerald 126 1995 Convertible Polo Green
DID YOU KNOW?
TRIVIA
EVOLUTION OF A CORVETTE LOGO
BRAND
Peace, Purity, Elegance,
1953—1955 The source of inspiration for this C1 logo came from the founder of Chevy, Louis Chevrolet and the French roots of his family name. This is where the exemplary fleur-de-lis (flower of the lily) emblem first appeared.
There were five variations of crossed flags on C1 Corvettes. For 1956 & ’57, the design had restyled flags and a chevron in front of the flags. From 1957-’60, the crossed flags were restyled and didn’t have the circle or lettering. For 1961, the crossed flags were restyled and included a chevron. And lastly, in 1962, the crossed flags were restyled with the chevron and a red, white and blue bar inserted above.
The 5th generation logo ran from 1997 through 2004 and featured a return of the fleur-de-lis with the bowtie on the same red background beside the checkered flag and inside a glossy black circle with black flag poles. This is a sleek logo that
This generation introduced in 1963 was designed specifically for the Stingray model. The emblem still featured an image with two crossed flags, just like on the previous version. As for the lettering, it was set in two lines, with the black cursive “Corvette” set above the white sans-serif “Sting Ray” written on a black horizontallyoriented rectangle, and underlined by a thick black line.
From 2005 to 2013 a streamlined version without the circle or flag poles emerged. This logo still featured the bowtie and fleur-de-lis across from the checkered flag. Now it looks neater and more laconic, the circle is removed again.
and Sophistication
The Corvette emblem embraces the race-track-inspired specs of this Corvette model and the family history of Chevrolet, and is known the world over. In 1953, Robert Bartholomew designed the first Corvette logo using the American flag and the finishline flag. The American flag had to be dropped due to laws concerning its use in advertising.
The new emblem for the Mako Shark Corvette was bold and no longer featured a circle border or any words. The two crossed and molded flags matched the much bolder stance of the new model. This logo was in place until 1984 when the next generation Corvette was introduced.
From 1983 through 1996, the Corvette logo reintroduced the circle and created a much more modern version of the flags without waving or flag poles. The fleur-de-lis was also removed and the checkered flag was placed on the left side with the Chevy bowtie on a red background on the other.
The Corvette logo from 2014 features futuristic bold forms and lines of the flags. There is no circle outline and the emblem gains a triangular shape. The logo looks sleek and modern. The logo features the flags stretched and meeting in the middle to create
New Corvette logo is designed for the C8 Corvette and features the same two crossed flags, composing the letter “V” but in stronger and sharper lines. It looks powerful and energetic. The fleur-de-lis symbol is also slightly modernized.
EVENTS
WEEKEND EVENT SCHEDULE
Start your engines!
Friday, May 19
6:00 pm–8:00 pm
Informal Meet and Greet with Richard Earl
Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel Bar Hosted by Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce
Saturday, May 20
7:30 am–9:45 am
Registration Begins
Pick up registration packets at Clute Park. Packets contain: dinner tickets, movie pass, car registration # for windshield, souvenir booklet, schedule of events, People’s Choice ballot, T-shirt voucher, extra materials from outside organizations
9:00 am
Parking For General Public
$10.00/car
10:00 am–5:00 pm
Corvette Car Show at Clute Park
10:00 am–5:00 pm
Events Center
Vendors are set-up; T-Shirt pickup
11:00 am–5:00 pm
Food Vendors Open
Lucky Hare Brewing (near splash pad)
Great Escape Ice Cream
BC’s Food Truck
Bucket Bar & Grill
Horseheads Brewing Lakewood Vineyards
2:00 pm–5:00 pm
Music Trick Shot the Band
5:30 pm
Community Center Cash bar opens
6:00 pm
Harley J. Earl Legacy Dinner Dinner begins—open seating at Community Center
6:45 pm
International Motor Racing Research Center
Introduction of Richard Earl
7:00 pm
Richard Earl Keynote Speech
Announcement of People’s Choice Awards
8:00 pm
Community Center Closes
Sunday, May 21
9:00 am–11:00 am
Optional breakfast—Seneca Harbor Station
$19.99/person
Pre-registration only
10:00 am
Pre-Registered Corvettes park along Franklin Street before street closure at 11:00 am
11:00 am
Franklin Street closed from 2nd to 10th Street, traffic is diverted until reenacted lap. Businesses are open
Noon—Showing #1
“25 Years at Speed, The Watkins Glen Story” at Glen Beacon Theatre. Drivers depart to cars on Franklin Street
12:30 pm—Showing #2
“25 Years at Speed, The Watkins Glen Story”
12:30 pm–1:45 pm
Cars Line Up
Tony Vickio and 150 Corvettes Sheriff’s Official Escort to Start/Finish Line
1:45 pm
International Motor Racing Research Center
Introduction of Richard Earl
1:55 pm
Richard Earl Tribute to Tony Vickio at Schuyler County Court House
1:59 pm
Wave the Green Flag
From the start/finish line at Schuyler County Court House
2:00 pm
Reenacted Lap of Historic Original Watkins Glen Circuit 2:30 pm
Richard Earl Corvette Clay Model harleyjearl.com
WATKINS GLEN AREA MAP
Clute Park
GRAND
1951 ORIGINAL RACE COURSE
JOIN US AT THE GLEN!
Honoring Corvette on Watkins Glen Vintage Weekend
September 7-10, 2023
2023 marks the 75th anniversary of racing at Watkins Glen as well as the 70th birthday of the Corvette. It seems only fitting that these two events…as intertwined as they are…should be celebrated together during The Glen’s Vintage Weekend September 7-10, 2023.
While Watkins Glen is widely acknowledged as “The Birthplace of American Road Racing,” a story that is not as universally known is that the village and its racing heritage also served as the inspiration for “America’s Sports Car,” the Corvette.
Harley Earl, head of General Motors Design came to The Glen in 1951 to display the LeSabre concept car at the sports car races being held through the streets of the village. While the LeSabre was greeted with much enthusiasm, Earl was overwhelmed by the excitement of the 150,000+ fans cheering the European cars as they raced around the course. Earl returned to Detroit convinced that America needed a car to compete on the international stage. His “inspiration” became the Corvette and that inspiration was born on the streets of Watkins Glen!
EVENT SCHEDULE
Thursday, September 7
Friday, September 8–10th
Saturday, September 9
Saturday—Sunday, September 8–10
Lakewood Vineyards FLX Corvette Journey.
30th Annual Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival in downtown Watkins Glen grandprixfestival.com. This event annually attracts 10,000–12,000 fans to a day-long celebration of the early days of racing through the streets of the village. Corvette will be the featured marque for the Festival in honor of its 70th birthday. A special display of Corvette race cars from many eras will highlight the marque’s rich history of racing at The Glen.
The IMRRC, racingarchives.org, will host an evening Corvette Symposium open to all fans of the marque.
Hilliard U.S. Vintage Grand Prix. SVRA race event at the famed Watkins Glen International circuit. The Corvette race cars will move to the track for a special “Corvette Corral” display on Saturday and Sunday.
We cannot honor the marque without also paying homage to the man. A commemorative bench and plaque will be placed on Franklin Street—part of the original circuit—honoring Mr. Earl and telling the story of his 1951 visit. Discussions are ongoing to bring the LeSabre back for the first time since that memorable 1951 visit, and bringing to full circle the story of Harley Earl—Watkins Glen—Corvette—Watkins Glen Corvette Festival honors Harley Earl.
It’s
a “75 /70” Celebration
Join us at the Glen!
