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The new Plateau Corvette Club reflects an avocation for engineering flair and design 

By Larry Backus

If you were reaching maturity during the 1950s through 1960s you were probably either a Chevy Guy or a Ford guy. While Chevy guys had reason to admire Ford Thunderbirds and Mustangs, the Chevy sports car enthusiasts have had an ace-in-the hole with the advent of the first production Corvette in 1953; only six months after it debuted as a GM prototype. You could buy any of the first 300 production Vettes in 1953, as long as you liked a red interior, white exterior, and a 6-cylinder engine. Today, color and engine choices are numerous including a V-8 producing 600 H.P. Corvettes have become more than merely a sports car to hundreds of thousands of owners.

If you believe you often see Corvettes on the Cumberland Plateau, you are not alone. Last August, Coy Watson, a two Corvette owner, decided to find out how many Corvette aficionados there were. It was a low key venture, a 3 X 5 card posted on the bulletin board of the Village Green Mall in Fairfield Glade. Was there an interest in forming a Corvette Club? The reply was a resounding yes! One enthusiastic owner uncovered 75 enthusiastic members to date, with more joining nearly every week. During the first seven months the club established by-laws, filed an official Charter with the state of Tennessee, received a federal EIN number, a local post office Box, established a club bank account, established membership with the National Council of Corvette Clubs, Inc. and elected club officers (see photo).

Be aware that Corvette wives are an integral part of the club and make up a substantial part of the membership. The club calendar of events is rapidly filling to include Cruise-Ins; Corvette expo’s; Corvette shows; and both day and over-night excursions. We are fortunate to live in a state that offers magnificent terrain that encourages jaunts and well maintained roads for trips to parks, waterfalls, caverns, lakes, exciting cities, museums, and the Great Smoky Mountains. What more could a Corvette owner ask; maybe more than one Corvette? One club member has five and several have more than one.      

Dave Kirk, owner of Dave Kirk Automotive and a Corvette owner, has been an enthusiastic supporter.  The club monthly meetings are held at his dealership. Meetings are held the first Thursday of every month at the body shop facility across Main St. in Crossville from the Dave Kirk show rooms. New members are always welcome; call Coy Watson at 931-459-4976, or Monte Pepperell at 931-707-8171 for information; or write to Plateau Corvette Club; P.O. Box 1743; Crossville, TN 38558.

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