Corvette Funfest
Written by Keith Fudge

Last September, Dennis Gage and the crew headed to Effingham, Illinois for the Corvette Funfest. This is an event that draws Corvette owners and fans from almost the entire U.S.!  In fact, there were 48 states represented at this year’s event, and there were more than 15,000 Corvettes on display.  After he arrived, Dennis caught up with Mike Yager from Mid America Motorworks.  Mike told Dennis that he had always been a Corvette kind of guy and that the aura of this gathering was for, “a world-class car, world-class people, and a world-class event!”  Mike went on to say that one of the best things about this year’s Funfest was Mid America’s installation area where Corvette owners could have after-market accessories installed right on the premises.  Mike added that Borla Exhaust Systems installed more than 30 exhausts in eight hours!  There were plenty of things to do at Funfest, including a concert by REO Speedwagon.  However, the focus of the event was America’s true sports car, so Dennis and Mike headed out to see some of these fabulous vintage Vettes!

First, Dennis ran into Jerry Garrett and his immaculate 1956.  This baby is super correct, factory perfect, and even sports a license plate of “NCRS.”  Awarded “Top Flight—Bloomington Gold,” this Venetian Red roadster features a tan top and two-toned Shoreline Beige and Red interior.  Powered by the legendary 265 cubic-inch V-8, this car is what a Corvette was meant to be!  Next up was Devon Klotz and his 1965 Corvette roadster.  Painted in a stunning and rare factory shade of maroon, this is a prime example of a second generation Corvette.  Devon said that he has owned the car for 40 years and restored it to be “bone stock.”  The car is powered by a 327 cubic-inch, 365 horsepower engine, and Devon said that he drives it almost every day.  This was his first trip to Funfest, and we are certain that he will be back!  Jim Powell is the owner of one of the coolest custom Vettes that we saw.  Adorned in black and yellow (with some cool color-changing paint), this custom cutie is a 1976 Vette that features a 1982 front end and a 1972 back deck and top.  Jim helped a friend build the car in 1982.  It was then sold and lost for a while.  Jim found the car again in 1995 and restored it to its current glory.  Some of the cool features of the car are that the rear fascia has been widened approximately 18 inches and features a third taillight on each side.  Powered by a modified 1990 Corvette engine, this car has all the head-turning power imaginable!  Jim said that this special Vette was no trailer queen and this year was his 10th visit to Funfest!  The last car that Dennis saw was Joe Ligon’s 1996 Corvette Grand Sport.  This model is the last of the C-4 Corvette.  Chevrolet built 1,000 of these special editions to commemorate this body style.  Offered in one color option (blue), the car was equipped from the factory with a 330 horsepower LT 4 and a six-speed transmission.  Joe said that when he first saw these cars he had to have one.  When he found one, he bought it and never looked back!  Joe has made numerous modifications to the car that include beefing up the engine to 396 cubic-inches!  Equipped with a solid-lifter cam, ported heads, and headers, this engine makes somewhere in the neighborhood of 470 horsepower.  However, it is what is mounted in the rear that gives it that “extra bite.”  A nitrous-oxide system adds approximately 175 horses when the switch is flipped.  Just to ensure that everything is safely done, Joe has added a full roll cage and racing seats.  What a car!

Funfest was a great celebration.  With more than 15,000 examples of America’s true sports car, how could it have been anything less?  That’s it from Effingham.  So until our next visit, “Honor the timeless classics.  Happy Motoring!”