Corvette Museum Announces 2019 National Caravan Chair

2019 National Caravan Chair Jeff Duda

Often referred to as the world's largest moving automotive event, the National Corvette Caravan is a celebration of America's Sports Car, culminating in Bowling Green, Kentucky for the anniversary celebration of the National Corvette Museum. Hosted only once every five years, the next event is slated for Labor Day Weekend 2019 and will mark the Museum's 25th Anniversary. Leading the charge will be Jeffrey Duda of Hainesport, NJ, a Lifetime Member of the Museum and previous co-captain of the New Jersey 2014 and 2009 Caravans.

"As soon as I returned from the 2009 Caravan, I began work on the 2014 NJ Caravan and again I was the Co-Captain," Jeff said. "The advance planning paid off, as this Caravan was just spectacular with over 3,000 Corvettes from across the world joining the drive to Bowling Green to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the NCM. It was so much fun planning the event and others could see the enthusiasm I had. I was contacted by Paul Mariano, the National Caravan Chairman, and by Karen Renfrow, the Events Manager at the NCM and was asked to become the 2019 Caravan National Chairman. It was a task that I was honored and humbled to accept the position," Jeff added.

Jeff has been a Corvette fan all of his life, hearing stories from his dad about the 1962 he once owned, and becoming an owner himself in 2001 when he purchased a triple black 1998 convertible. "I bought my first Corvette as a celebration of my wife graduating with her Master’s degree in nursing which also happened to be just after the tragedy in the USA on September 11, 2001. My thinking was life’s too short not to enjoy every moment and we both loved Corvettes," Jeff recalled. "Soon after buying that Corvette we joined the NCM as members."         

Just two years later in 2003, Jeff and wife Phyllis drove their Corvette to Bowling Green and Nashville as part of the 2nd National Corvette Caravan and the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Corvette. Jeff has been involved in his local club, The Original Garden State Corvette Club, serving as President for four years, and has been on the club's board for over 10 years. He is also active on Corvette Forum.

Jeff and Phyllis have a 6-year old daughter, Noelle, who they enjoy sharing their Corvette passion with. "My goal now is to bring along the next generation to see the joys of Corvette ownership and get them involved with America's Sports Car," Jeff said. "It's my hope to be that guy that takes some young person for their first ride in a Corvette, just like my family friend did when I climbed into his 1978 Corvette, and make an impression that lasts a lifetime, sparking the Corvette passion it did for me."

The 6th National Corvette Caravan is slated for August 28-31, 2019. Regional caravans will form and join other caravans as they travel across the United States to meet in Bowling Green, Kentucky for four days of festivities at the National Corvette Museum. An event such as this requires years of planning and coordinating. All help is appreciated! If you would like to volunteer to be a Caravan Captain, please email Jeff at nationalchairman2019@verizon.net.         

The Museum is located at I-65, exit 28 in South Central Kentucky and is open daily, 8am to 5pm Central Time.

Final Corvette Recovered from Sinkhole

2001 Mallett Hammer Z06 Ends Quest to Save Museum Corvettes

The last of the "Great 8" Corvettes has been pulled from the depths of the 40 foot wide by 60 foot deep sinkhole that collapsed within the Skydome building of the National Corvette Museum exactly eight weeks ago, marking the end of the first phase of rebuilding.

"We're happy to have the completion of our major goal to recover all eight of the Corvettes," said Wendell Strode, Executive Director of the Museum. "Next week we have a meeting with all the major players, including the construction team, geo-technical firm, cave and karst specialists, engineers, our insurance company and others to review all the findings and have discussions on the next steps and a mutual understanding about rebuilding."

The 2001 Mallett Hammer Z06 was one of two Corvettes that's whereabouts were initially unknown after the sinkhole happened. The car was finally discover this Monday, upside down with the nose pointing towards the red Spire in the center of the room. It is, by far, the most heavily damaged of all eight Corvettes.

"It looks like the worst one... a lot of parts and pieces," said Mike Murphy, CEO of Scott, Murphy and Daniel Construction. "It took a lot of punishment from a lot of big rocks."

The Mallett Hammer was donated to the Museum this past December by Kevin and Linda Helmintoller of Land O' Lakes, Florida, Lifetime Members of the Museum and previous R8C Museum Delivery participants. Upon hearing the car had been located, Kevin traveled to Kentucky to witness the rescue operation. "I expected bad, but it's 100 times worse," he said. "It looks like a piece of tin foil... and it had a roll cage in it! It makes all the other cars look like they're brand new."

Strode had forewarned Helmintoller that the car would be in bad shape and he might not want to watch the recovery process. "Honestly though, I'm still glad I'm here because I would have never believed it was this bad. I'm not positive I would have recognized it - there are just a few little pieces that give it away."

Helmintoller added that he sent pictures of the damaged car to his engine builder, who (jokingly) was quick to point out that the motor was not covered under warranty.

Kevin and Linda spent 13 years modifying the Corvette, a car they purchased new in 2001. The Mallett Hammer conversion was completed in June 2002 and since then has had many AntiVenom LSX Performance modifications with the car boasting 700hp with 575 torque at the flywheel. The car's speed achievements helped it score a cover of GM High Tech Performance magazine.

"We donated this car to the Museum to help with the continued growth, but also because it could be a good vehicle for training other drivers at the new NCM Motorsports Park," Helmintoller said in December upon donating the car.
A “Great 8” display will officially open next week in the Museum’s Exhibit Hall and the sinkhole Corvettes will be available for viewing, as-is, through the Museum’s 20th Anniversary Event August 27-30, 2014.

Links to photos, videos and information related to the sinkhole are available on the Museum's website at www.corvettemuseum.org. For the latest updates visit the Museum’s Facebook Fan page at www.facebook.com/corvettemuseum.

Automobile Magazine Honors Tadge Juechter and 2014 Corvette Stingray

Tadge Juechter with his father, Mat Juechter at the Museum on November 20, 2013 for the R8C Museum Delivery of Mat's brand new C7

On a recent visit to the National Corvette Museum, Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter took a moment to speak with us about his 2014 Man of the Year award from Automobile Magazine. It is no coincidence that this man’s creation, the 2014 Corvette Stingray, also earned top honors by being awarded the designation of Automobile Magazine’s 2014 Car of the Year.

On receiving this honor, Tadge was humble as always saying, “Well the man of the year recognition is really a symbol of what the team has accomplished. It’s a little embarrassing for me because it's totally a team sport and I'm just the lucky guy who happens to be in charge that gets to pick up this award.”

Born in Laredo, Texas, as part of an Air Force family who frequently moved, Tadge earned degrees in mechanical and aerospace engineering and an MBA at Stanford. Working for GM for two summers in college convinced him of one thing: he didn't want to work at GM. Today, he considers the term "GM lifer" a badge of honor.

The introduction of the new 2014 Corvette Stingray was well received by most, bringing in various awards and accolades, but even so, the Automobile Magazine article states, "Corvette critics can be harsh, and those complaints are rarely unfounded. Some will contend that Chevy's engineers should not be applauded for simply fixing all the stuff that was wrong in previous versions. But Juechter's team did far more than finally bolt in decent seats..." The article also hails the car as being full of thoughtful engineering, innovative technology and awe-inspiring design.

“You know, we've been nearly a full year now of almost continuous media coverage, starting with the long lead media previews before we even introduced the car in Detroit,” says Tadge. “So basically last November all the way through now, we've been in the media spotlight, you know kind of feeding out bits of information, and basically showcasing what the car is and I think it really captures people's imagination. Not just the automotive press but also the popular press, the national and international press.”

Watch the interview with Tadge below or on the YouTube website here.

What's in the Museum Now?

The National Corvette Museum is a living museum with constantly changing display cars. Below is a list of what's on display right now!

Total Cars on Display – 88
Total Cars Owned by Members – 43
Total Cars Owned by GM – 26
Total Cars Owned by NCM – 21
Total Cars Owned by Others - 12

Vehicle Description, Date Arrived - Scheduled Date of Pickup

Revolving Circle
1968 Astro-Vette, April 2009 - March 2010

Lobby
2005 Silver Convertible (C6 Sitter Car), Jan. 2005-Not Determined

Corvette Boulevard
1980 Vette for Vet’s , Oct 2008 - Oct. 2009

Gateway
1959 Black Convertible, June 2004 - N/A
1962 Fawn Beige Convertible, Aug. 2006 - N/A

Barber Shop
1953 White Convertible, Aug. 1994 - N/A

Zora
1974 Blue Coupe, Feb. 1998 - N/A

Mobil Station
1954 Red Roadster, April 2009 - April 2010
1957 Black Convertible, N/A

Route 66
1966 Blue Coupe, April 2009 - April 2010
1958 Silver Olive Convertible, Dec. 2008 - Dec. 2009

Assembly Plant
1972 LT-1 Silver Convertible, Aug. 2007 - Sept. 2008
1973 White Convertible, Aug. 2001 - Negotiable

Dealership
1965 Blue Coupe, March 2008 - March 2009
1965 White Coupe, October 2008 - October 2009
1965 Open Chassis, Dec. 2008 - June 2009

Performance Area
1963 Z06 Race Car, N/A
1959 Fuelie, Sept. 2009 - Sept. 2010
1954 Pizza Man, May 2009 - May 2010
1989 ZR-1 Morrison, Aug. 1994 – Not Determined
IMSA GTP, April 2005 – Not Determined
#7 Owens Corning Race Car, Sept. 2009 - Sept. 2010
1972 GT1 Racer #40, Aug. 2005 – Not Determined

Nurburgring Track
2008 Sunset Orange ZR1, April 2009 – Not Determined

Design Area
C5R Homologation Car, Jan. 2005 – Not Determined
Black Concept , April 2002 – Not Determined
Corvette Indy Concept
Red Concept, April 2002 – Not Determined

Engineering Area
C5 Rolling Chassis
C6 Red Seating Buck, Mar. 2004 – Not Determined
Z06 Aluminum Frame, June 2006 – Not Determined

Crash Test
1997 White Coupe

Sky-Dome / Outer Circle
1978 Pace Car, Not Determined
1986 Pace Car, June 2002 – Not Determined
1995 Pace Car
1998 Pace Car
2003 Pace Car, March 2003 - Not Determined
2004 Pace Car, March 2005 - Not Determined
2005 Pace Car, March 2006 - Not Determined
2007 Pace Car, Sept. 2007 - Not Determined
2008 Pace Car, April 2009 - April 2010
2005 Red Coupe (Dempster Corvette), Sept. 2007 – Not Determined
2005 NASCAR Mexico Pace Car , June 2008 - June 2009
2004 Daytona 500 Pace Car, April 2005 – Not Determined
1986 Malcolm Konner
2008 Wil Cooksey Edition Z06, July 2008 – Not Determined
2007 Ron Fellows Z06, March 2008 – Not Determined

Sky-Dome / Inner Circle
1977 White Coupe 500,000th, May 2009 - May 2010
1992 White Convertible 100,000th
1969 Orange Roadster, April 2008 - April 2009
1971 LT-1 Blue Coupe, Not Determined
1981 Red Coupe, March 2008 - March 2009
1987 Red Callaway, Aug. 2005- Not Determined
1998 Aztec Gold Coupe, March 2009 - March 2010
1989 ZR-1 Yellow Coupe Geneva
1995 #3 Grand Sport Prototype, Sept. 2006- Not Determined
1983 White Coupe “The one and only”
1993 ZR1 Black Spyder, Sept. 2006- Not Determined
1990 ZR-1 Cutaway Chassis
1989 Red ZR12 Falconer, April 2009 - Sept. 2009
1968 Astro II, April 2009 - Sept. 2009
1995 ZR1 Red Coupe (The Last One)
1953 White Convertible, Sept. 2009 - Sept. 2010
2009 White Convertible (1,500,000th), Sept. 2009 - Not Determined

Exhibit Hall
1960 700 Sedan Corvair, Oct. 2009 - Dec. 2009
1961 Station Wagon Corvair, Oct. 2009- Dec. 2009
1963 Rampside Corvair, Oct. 2009- Dec. 2009
1964 Spyder Conv. Corvair, Oct. 2009- Dec. 2009
1965 Fitch Sprint Corvair, Oct. 2009 - Dec. 2009
1966 Yenko Stinger Corvair, Oct. 2009- Dec. 2009
1969 Monza Conv. Corvair, Oct. 2009- Dec. 2009
1964 Monza Coupe Corvair, Oct. 2009- Dec. 2009
1964 Monza 4-door Sedan Corvair, Oct. 2009- Dec. 2009
1965 Greenbrier Sportswagon, Oct. 2009- Dec. 2009
1967 Monza Sedan Corvair, Oct. 2009- Dec. 2009
1966 Corsa Coupe Corvair, Oct. 2009- Dec. 2009