The Story of Corvette Begins at Watkins Glen

W

WELCOME CELEBRATING 70 YEARS 1953–2023

CORVETTE FESTIVAL 2023

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.

Seneca Lake CENTER EVENTS ents.org Ev SenecaLake

Schuyler County Historical Society

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HARLEY 2 | THE STORY OF CORVETTE BEGINS AT WATKINS GLEN

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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.”

—Richard Earl Harley J. Earl Vice-President, General Motors Corporation from 1937 to 1958

T

here 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.

J. EARL

CELEBRATING 70 YEARS 1953–2023

CORVETTE FESTIVAL 2023

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DISRUPTOR OF AUTO DESIGN

Harley J. Earl (1893–1969)

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

LeSabre on start/finish line at Watkins Glen Grand Prix 1951

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 Richard Earl 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.

HARLEY 4 | THE STORY OF CORVETTE BEGINS AT WATKINS GLEN

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1951 INSPIRED

LeSabre in the showroom at Watkins Glen Chevrolet, 1951.

LeSabre in front of Clute House, 1951.

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

J. EARL

CELEBRATING 70 YEARS 1953–2023

CORVETTE FESTIVAL 2023

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1953 BUILT

Watkins Glen parade in front of Glen Chevrolet, with the 1953 Corvette.

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.

The first Corvette coming off the assembly line, June 30, 1953.

POWER 6 | THE STORY OF CORVETTE BEGINS AT WATKINS GLEN

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CELEBRATING SEVENTY YEARS C1

 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.

1953–1962

C2

 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.

1963–1967

C3

 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.

1968–1982

 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.

C4

 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.

1984–1996

 Corvette paces the Indy 500 for the third time in 1995 (first in 1978, also in 1986).

DESIGN CELEBRATING 70 YEARS 1953–2023

CORVETTE FESTIVAL 2023

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CORVETTE THROUGH THE AGES

 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.

C5

 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.

1997–2004

C6

 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.

2005–2013

 The seventh generation C7 Corvette is introduced at an invitation-only reveal in Detroit on January 13, 2013 . The Stingray designation returns.

C7

 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.

2014–2019  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.

C8

 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.

2020–2024

VETTE

8 | THE STORY OF CORVETTE BEGINS AT WATKINS GLEN

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2023 PARTICIPANTS

LAST NAME, FIRST NAME

REG #

Alexander, Tom

117

YEAR, MODEL

COLOR

LAST NAME, FIRST NAME

2003 50th Anni. Coupe

Red

Franzese, Mark

REG # 86

YEAR, MODEL

COLOR

2010 Grand Sport 4LT

Black

Alt, Barry & Kandi

133

2013 427 60th Anniv.

White

French, Douglas

22

2012 C6 Grand Sport

Blue

Armstrong, Mark

96

2002 Corvette

Red

Garofalo, Paul

30

1995 Convertible

Dark Red

Atti, Lou & Kathi

56

2022 Convertible

White

Gibson, Sheldon & Brittany

33

2014 Stingray Z51

Black

Bacon, Bob

88

2002 C5

Red

Glennon, John

54

2011 Coupe

Gray

Balwierczak, Mark

155

2002 C5

Blue

Godat, Mike

153

1964 Road Race Car

Red

Barnes, Robert

28

2005 C6

White

Grady, Steven

64

1995 C4

Purple/White

Berg, Bill

149

2022 Stingray

Rapid Blue

Grady, Matthew & Kendra

103

2022 C8-R Hard Top Convert.

Hyper

Biggie, John

48

2013 427 60th Anniv.

White

Graham, Bruce

76

2003 50th Anniv.

Yellow

Bly, Dale

15

2002 Z06

Blue

Granston, Raymond

99

2004 Corvette

Black

Brewer, Ray

25

1999 Coupe

Red

Gray, Gary

101

2005 Convertible

Gray Blue

Bromirski, Michael

70

1969 Stingray Coupe

Silver

Groll, Bob

20

2023 Stingray

Burley, Glenn

146

2008 Coupe

Atomic Orange

Guidera, Gary

161

2019 Grandsport

Long Beach Red

Burnside, Cynthia & Toby

132

2017 Stingray

White

Gullo, Donald

172

2017 Grand Sport

Watkins Glen Gray

Bush, Stanley

163

2022 Convertible

Black

Hall, Chris

157

2001 C5

Blue

Caraglio, Anthony

91

2003 Anniv. Coupe

Red

Haux, Mark

97

1991 Z07

Black

Caslin, Jud & JoAnn

62

2001 Convert. Roadster

Red

Higgins, Tom

13

2021 C8 Stingray Convert.

Sebring Orange

Chapis, Germaine & Stephen

27

2018 Stingray Coupe

Long Beach Red

Holder, Charles “Mac”

128

2017 Grand Sport Convert.

Admiral Blue

Coast, Donald L

138

2022 Corvette

Yellow

Hooey, Kevin & Kurtis

87

1969 Coupe

Silver

Compese, Tony

113

1967 Stingray

Red

House, Guy

104

2020 Stingray

Metallic Gray

Cordes, Edward

32

2021 Stingray Coupe

Elkhart Lake Blue

Howell, James W. D

2

1979 Coupe

White

Corigliano, Anthony

59

2019 Grand Sport

Long Beach Red

Hubright, Shane

127

2008 Corvette

Black Carbon

Cornell, Gary

75

2023 70th Anniv. C8

Blue

Hughson, Michael & Deborah

12

2013 Grand Sport

White

Cossa, Walter

130

2023 C8 Z51

Red Mist

Hundt, Ken

118

2005 Z51

Orange

Cronk, Gary

152

2003 50th Anniv. Convert.

Red

Jedrysik, Paul

84

2014 Corvette

Cyber Gray

Crouch, Kevin

77

1975 Coupe

Orange

Jensen, Jeff & Jennifer

135

1971 Stingray Convertible

Ontario Orange

Dalo, Dominic

160

2015 Stingray Coupe Z51

Yellow

Jeter, John

129

2015 C7

Blue

D’Angelo, Thomas

85

2021 C8

Ceramic Gray

Justice, Mark

17

2017 Z06

Arctic White

Davis, Thomas

98

2020 C8 Stingray

White

Kelly, James

49

2008 Convertible

Jetstream Blue

Deiulio, Mark

74

2019 Grand Sport

Admiral Blue

Kojsza, Etienne

52

2013 Corvette

White

Dickerman, Steve

111

2019 Stingray

Yellow

Krakowski, Daniel

50

2017 Z06

Black Rose

Dipalma, Andy & Karen

40

2006 Z06

Velocity Yellow

Kreamer, Michael

1

2023 Stingray

Red Mist Metallic

Dolce, Rich

100

2019 Grand Sport

Silver

Kuczmarski, James

47

2017 Grand Sport

Gray

Drogi, John & Charlene

18

2017 Grand Sport Convert.

Torch Red

Kumiega, Ken

120

2017 Corvette

Black

Dubois, David

94

2012 Grand Sport

Black

Kwiatkowski, Lori

69

2004 Convertible

Red

Egan, Richard

137

2006 Convertible

Sunset Orange

Kwiek, Harry

57

2016 Stingray

White

Englert, Bill

162

2017 Convertible

Red

Laughlin, Tom

140

2002 C5 Convertible

Magnetic Red

English, Michael

24

2016 Stingray

Red

Lavallee, Glen

10

2019 Z06

Black

Ennis, Jim

3

2016 251 Convertible

Long Beach Red

Lawson, Jim

72

1995 Coupe

White

Erdey, Michael

83

2000 Convertible

Mag. Red

Link, Martin

36

2012 Grand Sport

White

Ferris, Davis

66

1966 Corvette

Blue

Lipome, Barbara

65

2016 Stingray

Shark Gray

Fife, Nancy

68

1978 Corvette

Black/Gray

Lobuglio, Joseph

61

2015 Stingray

White

Flaherty, David & Mary Starr

41

2009 Coupe

White

Lucania, Roseann

148

2020 Stingray

Sebring Orange

Flanagan, Sharon

44

2009 C6 Coupe

Crystal Red

Macri, Robert

105

2023 70th Anniv.

Gray

OWNER CELEBRATING 70 YEARS 1953–2023

YEAR, MODEL

CORVETTE FESTIVAL 2023

LAST NAME, FIRST NAME

REG #

COLOR

LAST NAME, FIRST NAME

REG #

YEAR, MODEL

Macri, Robert

106

2003 50th Anniv.

Yellow

Ryan, Bryan

145

2007 Coupe

Red

Macri, Robert

107

2019 ZR1

White

Ryan, Pat

154

1963 Convertible

Daytona Blue

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COLOR

Macri, Robert

108

2023 70th Anniv.

Blue

Ryder, Darcy

167

1959 Roadster

Black

Macri, Robert

109

1977 Coupe

Dark Blue

Ryder, Denny

168

1957 Convertible

Black

Mahaney, Thomas

136

2020 C8 Coupe

White

Scarrott, Michael

5

2023 Stingray Z51

Red

Malagis, Anthony

51

2022 Stingray

White

Schafer, Ray

37

1958 Convertible

Silver Blue

Manzella, Douglas

60

2016 Stingray

Red

Schmittendorf, John & Carleen

19

2020 C8-LT2

Zeus Bronze

Shanks, Roger

131

2017 Z06

Blue

Shattell, Fred

6

2015 Coupe Z51

Red Cryst. Tint

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

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

McWain, Chris

79

2015 Z06

Laguna Blue

Sobczak, Geanine

45

2009 Coupe

Jetstream Blue

Messer, Kenneth

73

2007 Z51 Coupe

Monterey Red

Sparks, George

29

2020 Stingray Coupe

Matrix Gray

Metzger, Joe

121

2017 Stingray

Watkins Glen Gray

St Piere, Richard

150

1998 Coupe

Torch Red

Miller, Erich & Teri

39

2012 GS Convertible

Silver

Stearns, Simon

71

2014 Coupe

Blue

Milsom, Gary

53

2021 Stingray

Torch Red

Steier, Edward

151

2022 Stingray Coupe Z51

Torch Red

Stengle, Gary

142

1955 Roadster Convertible

White

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

Strauser, Eric

67

1971 Roadster

Gray

Symes, David

143

1988 Corvette

Red

Offenburg, George & Tina

4

2019 Stingray

Yellow

Thompson, Jeff

144

1969 Corvette

Cortez Silver

Pabst, Mike

63

2019 Grand Sport

Elkhart Lake Blue

Thurley, Mike

173

1961 C1

Black

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

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

Petras, Mark

11

2003 C-5 50th Anniv.

Red

Vickio, Tony

147

1965 Fuel-Injected Stingray

Glen Green

Pfeil, Brian

16

2019 Grand Sport

Long Beach Red

Violino, Grant & Nancy Conroy

46

2015 Corvette

Night Race Blue Metallic

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

Wells, Robert

34

1977 Stingray

Red

Reynolds, Thomas

80

2013 427 60th Anniv.

White

West, Richard

174

1986 C4

Teal

Reynolds, James

139

2017 Z51

White

Wiedemer, John

82

2017 Corvette

Admiral Blue

Ricigliano, Pete

43

2015 Corvette

Red

Willmott, Sandra & Don

116

1964 Convertible

Red

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

Rinefierd, Rick

31

2023 70th Coupe

Hypersonic Gray

Wimmer, Lisa

125

1981 Corvette

Vanilla

Ripple, Curt

119

2002 Corvette

Speedway White

Worth, Ed

175

1970 Stingray

Silver

Yaggie, Kevin

169

1979 Coupe

Cinnamon Cherry

Rojas, Janice

23

1971 Stingray 454

Br. Racing Green

Roselle, Michael

92

2002 Coupe Z-51

Yellow

Yasso, John

171

2017 Grand Sport

Yellow

Ross, Robert

95

2007 Coupe C6

Black

Zolkosky, Gerald

126

1995 Convertible

Polo Green

TRIVIA

10 | THE STORY OF CORVETTE BEGINS AT WATKINS GLEN

DID YOU KNOW?

SenecaLakeEvents.org

GENERATION

Model Year

Total Production

Base Price Convert.*

1981

40,606

$16,258

1982

25,407

$18,290

1983

C4

GENERATION

C1

C2

C3

Model year was canceled, Corvettes produced were serialized as 1984.

1984

51,547

$21,800

1985

39,729

$24,891

1986

35,109

$27,027

1987

30,632

$27,999

1988

22,789

$29,480

1989

26,412

$32,045

1990

23,646

$32,479

1991

20,639

$33,005

1992

20,479

$33,635

1993

21,590

$34,595

Model Year

Total Production

Base Price Convertible*

1994

23,330

$36,185

1953

300

$3,498

1995

20,742

$36,785

1954

3,460

$2,774

1996

21,536

$37,225

1955

700

$2,774

1997

9,752

$37,495

1956

3,467

$3,120

1998

31,084

$38,995

1957

6,339

$3,176

1999

33,270

$39,777

1958

9,168

$3,591

2000

33,682

$40,900

1959

9,670

$3,875

2001

35,627

$41,475

1960

10,261

$3,872

2002

35,767

$42,450

1961

10,939

$3,934

2003

35,469

$45,895

1962

14,531

$4,038

2004

34,064

$46,535

1963

21,513

$4,037

2005

37,372

$51,445

1964

22,229

$4,037

2006

34,021

$51,890

1965

23,562

$4,106

2007

40,561

$52,910

1966

27,720

$4,084

2008

35,310

$53,510

1967

22,940

$4,240

2009

16,956

$52,550

1968

28,566

$4,663

2010

12,194

$54,500

1969

38,762

$4,780

2011

13,596

$54,500

1970

17,316

$5,192

2012

11,647

$55,500

1971

21,801

$5,496

2013

13,466

$55,500

1972

27,004

$5,533

2014

37,288

$56,995

1973

30,464

$5,561

2015

34,240

$60,000

1974

37,502

$6,001

2016

40,689

$60,500

1975

38,465

$6,810

2017

22,801

$66,445

1976

46,558

$7,604

2018

9,686

$65,045

1977

49,213

$8,647

2019

34,822

$65,590

1978

46,776

$9,750

2020

20,368

$67,295

1979

53,807

$10,220

2021

26,216

$67,400

1980

40,614

$13,140

2022

34,510

$68,400

C5

C6

C7

C8

* Most figures shown here were for base model convertibles and do not include various trim packages that were available.

Source: Wikipedia

BRAND CELEBRATING 70 YEARS 1953–2023

CORVETTE FESTIVAL 2023

| 11

EVOLUTION OF A CORVETTE LOGO Peace, Purity, Elegance, and Sophistication 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.

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.

1955—1962

1963—1967

1968—1982

1983—1996

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.

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.

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.

1997—2004

2005—2013

2014—2019

2020

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 represents a very interesting grouping of Corvettes.

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.

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 a V-shape with a bold silver outline.

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 SenecaLakeEvents.org

12 | THE STORY OF CORVETTE BEGINS AT WATKINS GLEN

WEEKEND EVENT SCHEDULE

Start your engines!

Friday, May 19

6:00 pm–8:00 pm Informal Meet and Greet with Richard Earl

Richard Earl

Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel Bar Hosted by Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce

Saturday, May 20

Corvette Clay Model

harleyjearl.com

Sunday, May 21

7:30 am–9:45 am

2:00 pm–5:00 pm

9:00 am–11:00 am

12:30 pm–1:45 pm

Registration Begins

Music

Optional breakfast—Seneca Harbor Station

Cars Line Up

$19.99/person Pre-registration only

Tony Vickio and 150 Corvettes Sheriff’s Official Escort to Start/Finish Line

10:00 am

1:45 pm

Pre-Registered Corvettes park along Franklin Street before street closure at 11:00 am

International Motor Racing Research Center

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

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

Noon—Showing #1

7:00 pm

“25 Years at Speed, The Watkins Glen Story”

Richard Earl Keynote Speech

11:00 am–5:00 pm

Announcement of People’s Choice Awards

Lucky Hare Brewing (near splash pad) Great Escape Ice Cream BC’s Food Truck Bucket Bar & Grill Horseheads Brewing Lakewood Vineyards

Franklin Street closed from 2nd to 10th Street, traffic is diverted until reenacted lap. Businesses are open

Introduction of Richard Earl

Vendors are set-up; T-Shirt pickup

Food Vendors Open

11:00 am

8:00 pm Community Center Closes

SenecaLakeEvents.org

at Glen Beacon Theatre. Drivers depart to cars on Franklin Street

12:30 pm—Showing #2 “25 Years at Speed, The Watkins Glen Story”

at Glen Beacon Theatre. Drivers depart to cars on Franklin Street

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 Corvette Festival Concludes

SAVE

CELEBRATING 70 YEARS 1953–2023

CORVETTE FESTIVAL 2023 | 13

SAVE THE DATE! May 17–19, 2024

Second Annual Corvette Festival 2024

Entry Level Sponsor $1,500

Secondary Level Sponsor $2,500

Top Level Sponsor $5,000

Presenting Sponsor $10,000

includes:

includes:

includes:

includes:

 3 x 8 table (car show)  ½ page, 4-color ad  2 Festival Passes  2 Keynote Dinners  Logo inclusion

 10’ by 10’ booth (car show)  ½ page ad, 4-color ad  4 Festival Passes  4 Keynote Dinners  Logo inclusion

 20’ by 20’ booth (car show)  1 full page ad, 4-color ad  4 Private Reception Invitations  4 Festival Passes  4 Keynote Dinner  Logo inclusion  Electronic Commercial (website)

 20’ by 40’ tent (car show)  1 full page ad, 4-color, premier space  6 Private Reception Invitations  6 Festival Passes  6 Keynote Dinners  Full Logo in e-blasts and website  Electronic Commercial (website)  5-10 Minute Presentation at Keynote

Black

T-Shirts $20

L

Sapphire

L

Heather

L

COMMEMORATIVE T-shirts are available for purchase at the Events Center

Reserve advertising space NOW for the 2024 Corvette Festival Program Booklet!

Need assistance? We can help.

SenecaLakeEvents.org or 607.535.4438

When your publication design needs to be out of this world.

SteubenDesignLLC.com (607) 425-5283

TOWN

14 | THE STORY OF CORVETTE BEGINS AT WATKINS GLEN

SenecaLakeEvents.org

WATKINS GLEN AREA MAP

Finger Lakes National Forest

Seneca Lake Wine Trail

To Burdett & Hector

To Ithaca Historic Pier House

Clute Park & Seneca Lake Event Center Seneca Harbor Station Watkins Glen Community Center Glen Beacon Theater ea

r len A ins G r Watk or Cente Visit

Catharine Creek Wildlife Management Area

P rix andLine r G o ri c i s h Hisatrt | Fin t S

arkets

endly M

Tops Fri

SenecaLakeEvents.org

GRAND CELEBRATING 70 YEARS 1953–2023

CORVETTE FESTIVAL 2023 | 15

1951 ORIGINAL RACE COURSE

1951 Map of Original Watkins Glen Race Course

in Watkins Glen for more than 10

WELCOME CORVETTE OWNERS!

Proud car owners like you have been gathering in Watkins Glen for more than 100 years!

M or in w Fr

Members of the Bath (NY) Business Men organization meet at the Jefferson Hotel in June 1913. The Jefferson, long gone, was located at the northeast corner of Franklin and Fourth streets in Watkins Glen.

Brick Tavern Museum and Wickham Rural Life Center 108 N.Brick Catharine St., Montour Falls, NY 14865 Tavern Museum and Wickham Rural  www.schuylerhistory.org 607-535-9741 108 N. Catharine St., Montour Falls, N

607-535-9741 ◆ www.schuylerhisto

WIN THIS CAR...

2024 Corvette E-Ray

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Combined 655hp! Quickest Corvette ever. eAWD constantly learns the road surface, seamlessly adapting to meet traction conditions and driver needs.

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...PRESERVE HISTORY

OR

Every contribution benefits the International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen, NY, a 501(c)(3) organization. The IMRRC collects, preserves and shares the history of motorsports. Spanning continents, eras and race series, the Center’s collection embodies the speed, drama and camaraderie of amateur and professional motor racing throughout the world.

610 South Decatur Street, Watkins Glen, NY

(607) 535-9044

racingarchives.org

HONOR CELEBRATING 70 YEARS 1953–2023

CORVETTE FESTIVAL 2023 | 17

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!

celebrating SEPTEMBER 8, 2023

corvette

DOWNTOWN WATKINS GLEN

A PRODUCTION OF WATKINS GLEN PROMOTIONS

607.535.3003

WWW.GRANDPRIXFESTIVAL.COM