Ever since Corvette No. 001 first met Corvette No.002 on the road, their drivers saluted each other with a wave. Today, unfortunately, this grand and glorious tradition is in decline.
There's one item of standard equipment that comes as a pleasant surprise to every new Corvette owner. It's an instant wave of recognition he or she receives when meeting one of their kind on the road. The first time it happens, it's a surprise.
But soon the new Vette owners anticipate, indeed even relish, encountering other Vettes as they drive. During this period, they experiment with waves, running the gamut from the gaping "Yoo Hoo" to the ultra-cool "two-finger flip." They perfect timing, making sure not to impart neither a too-early wave, nor the dreaded "oh brother I'm late" variety.
Women Corvette drivers have a unique problem. Should I wave first and look overly friendly, or ignore the wave and look
like a snob? Most ladies who drive Corvettes prefer to suffer the latter rather than take the chance of being misread. For this reason, all women are excused for occasionally failing to return a well-meaning wave. So too are new owners who haven't yet learned the rites of ownership.
However, there is no excuse,for drivers who refuse to return the wave out of arrogance or apathy, rather than ignorance. Sadly, while not a common behavior, some owners of newer models refuse to acknowledge any Corvette older than their own. And some simply won't wave, period. Shame on them! These dipsticks don't seem to realize that they are helping
to squash a tradition that had its beginnings back when most of us were still driving pedal cars.
So now you know the meaning of "SAVE THE WAVE"
From Corvette News Sept 1969
(edited & revised 2008) vam
The Meaning Behind
Corvette Doomed?
Dec 1953ONE MAN'S THINKING ALOUD ON THE SUBJECT(excerpts)
"The hot rod movement and interest in things connected with hop-up and speed is still growing. As an indication, the publications devoted to hot rodding and hop-upping, of which some half dozen have a very large circulation and distributed nationally, did not exist some six years ago."
"From cover to cover they are full of Fords. This is not surprising then that the majority of hot rodders are eating, sleeping and dreaming of modified Fords."
"It seems that, unless by some action the odds and the time factor are not overcome, Ford will continue to dominate the thinking of this group. One factor which can largely overcome the handicap would be the availability of ready-engineered parts for high output."
"The association of Chevrolet with hot rods, speeds and such is probably inadmissible, but possibly the existence of the Corvette provides the loop hole. If the special parts are carried as RPO items for the Corvette, they undoubtedly will be recognized by the hot rodders as the very parts they are looking for. "
Oct 1954THE LETTER THAT SAVED THE CORVETTE ? (excerpts)
"By the looks of it, the Corvette is on its way out."
"I would like to say the following: Dropping the car now will have adverse effect internally and externally."
"It is admission of failure. Failure of aggressive thinking in the eyes of the organization, failure to develop a saleable product in the eyes of the outside world. "
"If the value of a car consists of practical values and emotional appeal, the sports car has very little of the first and consequently has to have an exaggerated amount of the second. If a passenger car must have an appeal, nothing short of a mating call will extract $4,000 for a small two-seater. The Corvette as it was offered had curtailed practical value being a poor performer. With a 6-cylinder engine, it was no better than the medium priced family car."
"Where do we stand now?"
As I see it and put it down, the Corvette is a product different from a passenger automobile having in every phase of operation problems of its own. With sales potential between 3 and at the most 10,000 cars a year, it is bound to be a hindering step-child in an organization which acts and thinks in terms of 1,500,000 units. A subdivision, section, department or what not, but an organization no matter how small but which is directly responsible for the successes of operation is necessary."
"An organization which will eat and sleep Corvette as our other divisions are eating and sleeping their particular cars. I am convinced that a group with a concentrated objective will not only stand a chance to achieve the desired result, but devise ways and means to make the operation profitable in a direct business sense."
Zora retired in 1975, turning the reins over to Dave McLellan. At 81 years of age, Zora Arkus-Duntov was still passionate and opinionated about his car, the Corvette. It was during the time between Zora's retirement and his death that his legend grew. When ever anything Corvette happened, Zora was there. A member of the Drag Racing Hall of Fame, the Chevrolet Legends
of Performance, and the Automotive Hall of Fame, Zora took part in the rollout of the 1 Millionth Corvette at Bowling Green in 1992. He also drove the bulldozer at the ground breaking ceremonies for the National Corvette Museum in 1994. Six weeks before his death, Zora was guest speaker at "Corvette: A Celebration of an American Dream", an evening held at the showrooms of Jack Cauley Chevrolet Detroit. On hand that night were Dave McLellan and the current Corvette Chief Engineer Dave Hill, but no one could argue that Zora stole the show
ZORA ARKUS-DUNTOV
December 25, 1909 - April 21, 1996
THE BEGINNING...
Once upon a time in a Southernmost part of Maryland a hearty band of brothers and sisters shared a common bond - the love of America's Finest Sports Car. In the year 2001, after months of weekly gatherings at a local fast food establishment, there came to pass one summer evening the notion that it was time to sanctify and validate what the group had in fact become. Thus, the idea of formalizing their relationship first saw the light of day.
Whose lips first formed the idea into words is lost to history. Fritz, Gillettes, Hartshorns, Higgs', Katafiaz, Loretta, Mogors, Prosey, Rolf and Wright, enthusiasts all, prepared to launch what would soon be known as the Southern Maryland CorvetteClub.
Discussion ensued at a landmark restaurant in historic Leonardtown where the first "official" meeting took place on September 10, 2001. The Club name was established, officers chosen and by-laws debated. In the next few months, working with their fledgling membership, that first administration - President Clyde Hartshorn, Vice President Walter Gillette, Secretary Randy Mogor, and Treasurer James Loretta - put it all together.
By Spring's arrival they had defined the Club's mission, published By-Laws, developed Committees, selected Chairpersons and established the framework for the Club that exists to this day. Our website was created by then VP and current President, Walt Gillette. The distinctive Club logo that appears on it's Homepage was designed by Dave "Bear" Grimsley who would later serve terms as Club VP and President.
From those humble beginnings the Fabulous Fourteen prospered and proliferated, the club at times having had as many as seventy-five members. Now in it's seventh year, Southern Maryland Corvette Club members continue to enjoy the friendship and fellowship first embraced by it's Founders. We drive and show our cars, share our joys and sorrows, support our community and break bread together as often as we can.
We welcome all men and women who wish to share the experience of socializing with like-minded Corvette lovers.
