When deciding to donate a car to the National Corvette
Museum, each donor has their reasons. For some it is to make room in their
garage for the latest model, others it is because they would like to take
advantage of the tax write-off benefits. For Craig Conde it was a combination
of reasons, making his donation an emotional one.
After disability retiring seven years ago and due to
multiple surgeries and medical issues, it had become impossible for Craig to
enjoy riding in his Corvettes. “I had stopped showing them about two years ago
because I was not able to take care of them,” Craig recalled. “I couldn’t bring myself to sell them,
emotionally I couldn’t.”
Craig and wife Sharon, Lifetime Members of the Museum and
members of the Corvette Legends of Texas Club in the Dallas/Fort Worth area,
knew they needed to find a home for their prized 1978 25th Silver
Anniversary Corvette, and their 2003 50th Anniversary Corvette.
After a trip to Wisconsin, Craig decided on a whim to make a
detour and stop by the Corvette Museum to check out the restored Skydome after
the sinkhole construction was complete. There he saw the special Anniversary
and Special Edition Corvette display.
“I looked at the 25th and 50th that
were on loan to the Museum, and I thought – this just isn’t right,” Craig said.
“The Museum has been open 21 years, and somebody
should have already donated these cars to the Museum. So I felt this was
something that needed to be fixed.”
The cars were picked up in McKinney, Texas while Craig and
Sharon traveled in Sharon’s 2005 Daytona Sunset Orange Corvette Coupe to
Bowling Green on September 11 to officially turn the keys to their babies over.
With staff and visitors clapping and cheering, Sharon drove the 1978 in to the
Museum, followed by Craig in the 2003.
“These are their children, and now we’re responsible for
them,” Gary Cockriel, Museum Development Officer said during the ceremony. “They’ve
asked for visitation rights from now on, of course,” he joked “but it’s just a
great honor to help keep our museum and their museum going for future generations.
That’s what we’re all about. People like this are what keeps this museum alive.
They’re stepping up and doing it not only with their cars, but also a donation
to help keep up the cars,” Cockriel added.
“We want to thank Johnnie Downs, the NCM staff and
volunteers that came to our home on Labor Day and assisted in the appraisals
and transportation of the cars to the NCM,” Craig said. “I look forwarded to
continuing to support the Museum,” he added.
Thank you to Craig and Sharon for these wonderful additions
to the Museum, and for your contribution to ensure your children are taken care
of for years to come!
