What's In Your Museum? Messner Legacy Found Throughout

The National Corvette Museum is home to many special vehicles - from mint classics, to one-of-a-kind prototypes, much-loved special editions, race cars and more. While the Museum now owns nearly 70 Corvettes (with all but one donated), a good portion of the display cars are also on loan from private individuals and General Motors. Cars are constantly shuffled and swapped, so no two visits to this Corvette mecca are the same.

In 2013 the Museum was gifted its largest donation to date - a collection of ten Corvettes, from the late Don Messner and his wife Marlene. The pristine set contains many collector and special editions, low mileage and stunning examples of America's Sports Car. The carefully assembled collection were Don's pride and joy, and were left to the Museum upon his passing with the hope that they would inspire others to do the same.

"He said he wanted to plant a seed," wife Marlene said. "He wanted others in similar situations with rare Corvettes to see the Museum as a place for them. Most of all, he wanted to inspire future generations to work hard to buy their own Corvettes some day so that they, too, could enjoy the lifestyle that goes with owning them."

In 2014 all ten came together for a special display in the Museum's Exhibit Hall, and today - you can see five of them on the floor throughout the Museum while the other five remain behind the scenes, awaiting the next opportunity to return to the spotlight. Each of the cars has a great story - so we hope you enjoy reading about those you can see on your next visit!

1965 Custom Built Race Corvette (currently on display in our lobby turntable)
This Corvette bears a paint color similar to Cyber Gray and is not a standard 1965 exterior color, but does it turn heads! The car features a complete wide body kit, roll cage, period correct exhaust, custom built big block by Lingenfelter, custom chassis, custom sheet metal intake, Recaro race seats with harnesses, aluminum radiator and 5-speed transmission.

1967 427 Convertible (currently on display in the Dealership)
The Marina Blue beauty was the 2nd most popular color for 1967 and features a stinger stripe on the hood. It is optioned with a 390hp V8 turbojet engine, positraction rear axle, whitewall tires, side dual exhaust, AM/FM radio, softray tinted glass, white convertible top, 4-speed close ratio manual transmission and white and bright blue vinyl interior. It was produced in St. Louis on June 1, 1967 and sold by Penske-McKean Chevrolet of Philadelphia for $3,995.95. Don purchased the car April, 2012 and joined the NCRS, replacing a few parts on the car that had deteriorated while keeping the car period correct.

1996 Grand Sport (currently on display in the Skydome)
This model of Corvette is listed as one of the "10 most valuable Corvettes" by CNN Money because it was "available for one year only, was almost as fast [as the high performance ZR-1], easier to work on and is actually worth a good bit more."

1996 Collectors Edition (currently on display in the Skydome)
This car was manufactured December 6, 1995 in Bowling Green with option RPO Z15 ("Collector Edition"), making it a Sebring Silver Corvette with special trim. The May 1996 edition of Motor Trend magazine touted the car "a keeper and is likely one of the best all-around Corvettes ever hatched out of the Bowling Green, KY plant."

2012 60th Anniversary 427 Convertible (currently on display in the Skydome)
The 2013 model marked Corvette's 60th year, and was the final year for the sixth generation of Corvette. This special package was offered for all models for 2013, and the 427 Convertible combined the convertible with Z06 elements, including its 505hp, 427ci LS7 engine with dry sump, but retained the convertible's steel frame structure.

Don's story is a special one that's we've put together as part of a new Heritage Series. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Ike Dodrill Donates Late Brother Jim's Corvette

Sandra, James and Jim Dodrill at the Lone Star Corvette Classic

It was April 22, 1989 - 100 years after the Oklahoma Territory Land Run and many in the Sooner State were commemorating the occasion with various deals and specials. One such promotion was at the Chevrolet dealership in Oklahoma City, which advertised all cars on sale for only $89 over invoice. Jim Dodrill saw this as the perfect opportunity to score a much lusted after Corvette. Luckily, the lot had three to choose from, and it was a brand new 1989 Medium Blue Metallic Corvette that he brought home.

Younger brother, Ike (Lifetime Museum Member), fondly remembers the day Jim came home with the car, and the memories that were made over the next 20 years. “We took many trips in that car… to Bloomington Gold, it’s been driven in the Caravan, and several times to the Lone Star Corvette Club event at the Texas Motor Speedway.”

Sadly, Jim suffered a massive heart attack in 2009 and unexpectedly passed away. Over time, Jim’s widow, Sandra, and son, James, decided the car might make a good vehicle for James to drive. It wasn’t running at the time so Ike stepped in to fix it, and before long James was driving the Vette. As with most cars over 20 years old the Corvette started to have issues. James reverted to driving an old truck until it hit 200,000 miles and was ready to be retired for something more reliable. Sandra thought trading in both the Corvette and truck for something newer would be best – prompting Ike to issue a proposition. “I asked if I could buy the car, get it running and then donate it to the Museum in memory of Jim. The car had 28,000 miles on it,” Ike said.  “They discussed it and decided it was the best thing to do.”

Ike Dodrill donates his late brother's Corvette

Ike rebuilt the headlight motors, alternator, replaced the fuel pump/sender unit, fuel injectors, cleaned the throttle body, replaced the top, changed out plugs, wires, ignition system, coil cap, and gave it a basic tune up, a new battery and new tires. “I essentially tried to make it as reliable of a car as we could with the hope that the Museum would be able to use it for any kind of parades, track events, VIP events, anything like that,” Ike said. “My hope is that you guys will have some wonderful times with the car, too.”

When asked what Jim would think about the car’s new home Ike can’t help but smile. “I think he’s up there smiling right now, looking down on us. I think he’s very pleased. I am. I think this is a wonderful thing that we can do for the Museum and I hope that more and more people are able to do the same thing.”

Thank you, Ike, for your generosity and dedication to seeing Jim’s legacy live on. We are sure there are many more memories to be made with the car.

Museum Gifted Two Corvettes

William (Bill) Engel, Jr. a.k.a. “Sweat Hog” of Albany, NY; Ridgewood, NJ and now Summit, NY has owned three Corvettes, equally spaced 20 years apart and each with its own memories. The first was a 1967, bought May 24, 1971 as the third owner. “At the time of purchase the engine was dismantled and there was a swallowed valve which had put a hole in the #7 cylinder,” Bill recalled. “I rebuilt the engine and put a sleeve in the #7 cylinder. The car was functional and on the road by 1972,” he added.

Bill joined the Tri Vettes Ltd. Corvette Club of East Greenbush, NY and while in the club he raced the car on closed course tracks and in road rallies. He was one of the members that was instrumental in winning the North East NCCC Championships in 1974. Today, the car is still road worthy and about 85% original.

In 1986 Bill purchased Corvette number two… a 1987 Coupe that he picked up from McGuire Chevrolet in North Bergen, NJ on New Year’s Eve. It was his daily driver for about ten years.

Finally, to complete his collection spanning 40 years, Bill purchased a 2007 Atomic Orange Corvette. The car had to be shipped from a dealer in Illinois to Hawthorne Chevrolet in New Jersey as it was the last one of this color.

Sadly, Bill was diagnosed last December with inoperable liver cancer. Like most Corvette owners, he didn’t want to sell his cars, and didn’t want anything changed on the 1967.  “I had been a member of the Museum for awhile and had been reading articles in the magazine about recent car donations,” Bill said.  “Donating my 1967 and 1987 was a good way to ensure the cars would be cared for.”

Thanks to Bill for his generosity and passion, ensuring the history of Corvette is passed down to future generations and enthusiasts to come!

Museum Member Donates Cars for Kids

Museum Lifetime Member and Master Ambassador Marty Dooley of St. Louis, MO has been collecting toy Corvettes since he was a boy - and now he's sharing his toys with other kids.
"While visiting the Museum I saw a lot of kids there, and after asking what was going on I learned that the Museum was hosting Vette Camp for kids to learn about the cars," said Marty. "Thinking of all the Hot Wheel type Corvette cars I had at home and no longer needed, I asked if I could donate them to the NCM so the kids could have a little remembrance of their camp day."

Marty gathered up his cars, about 200 total, and brought them on he and wife Judy's next visit to the Museum. Education Coordinator Kellie Steen says the cars will be very much appreciated and enjoyed by the kids. "This will be our sixth year of offering camps for children, and I know the cars will be a huge hit!" Steen said.

The National Corvette Museum hosts a number of educational camps and activities throughout the year. To learn more, visit: www.corvettemuseum.org/kids.

Ivan and Mary Schrodt Donate Five Corvettes

With a mutual love for cool cars, Ivan and Mary Schrodt were meant to be together from the beginning. When they got married, Mary was driving a ’68 Camaro and Ivan had a sporty Datsun. For years they went on to enjoy several different sports cars, but not a Corvette. “We had just donated our Toyota MR2 to a charity benefiting troubled youth,” Ivan recalls, “so we were without a fun car and looking for something new. We were thinking that maybe a convertible would be good this time as it had been awhile since we had one of those.”

One day Ivan got a call from Mary while he was at the office. “She never called work unless there was a reason, but this time she talked about different things until finally I had a meeting to go to and had to ask, ‘Hun, what did you call for?’” That’s when she told him she’d made an offer on a 1996 Polo Green Convertible Corvette. “That was our first Corvette. Mary loved that car and it is one of the ones we donated to the Museum.” He breaks into a warm smile as memories come to mind. “It’s a lovely car.”

Mary’s decision to get a Corvette would change the trajectory of their lives and bring them together with new friends, new experiences, and the National Corvette Museum.

“We almost immediately joined Valley Vettes Corvette Club out of Appleton, Wisconsin—a great group of folks that we are still a part of today. Shortly after that we attended a C5 Bash and became members of the National Corvette Museum.” The Schrodts would stop by whenever they passed through Bowling Green. As they got to know everyone, they began to appreciate the staff and their commitment to the Corvette hobby enough to want to do more. They became Lifetime Members, and Duntov Society Members as well, making the Museum a part of their estate planning.

“In my early involvement, I was invited to join the Board. When I came on we didn’t have the expansion, or even the land for the track. It was a wonderful time to be involved with transforming the Museum into something more. Before it was a Museum with a lot of nice cars to look at, but it became a place to come and interact with the Corvette Museum Family and other enthusiasts. With the Café, meeting rooms, conference center, exhibit hall, and the bigger store, it makes being here a much bigger experience. Being able to participate in that transformation of the Museum felt so good.”

On December 18th, 2014, they did something else to help grow the Museum. Along with the 1996 Corvette that started it all, they also donated four other Corvettes including a 1966 Rally Red 327 Convertible. “When people find out that you have more than one Corvette, they often wonder why that is. My answer is that they are all so different. They handle differently, they look different, their history is different and the way they evolved makes them all special. For example, a lot of people agree that the midyear is the best looking Corvette ever, and for me it is one of the best looking cars ever made. That is probably the reason we got the ‘66. We took that car out in a lot of parades and made many Sunday trips in it to Culvers for ice cream.”

The next donation they made to the Museum collection was a 1980 Dark Blue Metallic Coupe. “By the time we got this car we already had some other Corvettes and thought it would be fun to have a classic C3 to enjoy. I remember one time we drove through a Chevy dealership lot, and passed a family looking for a new car to buy. The daughter saw us and pulled on her dad’s arm saying, ‘Daddy, daddy, look at that one! Look at that one!’ I think we ruined the new car shopping experience for him as there weren’t any 1980 Corvettes sitting there for sale in the lot.” Ivan chuckles. “Fun car.”

The 2002 Millennium Yellow Z06 Coupe they also donated was a Museum Delivery car. “When we got that one we decided then to put our cars in a trust for the Museum. It’s an incredible car. It’s one of the best touring cars I’ve ever had in my life. It is big enough to pack up for a long trip, and handles superbly on a track. I modified it to make it a dedicated track car with new seats and a five point racing harness. That one and the 2007 black Z06 both love going on a track at speed.”

When they came to the 2014 Labor Day Celebration and got on the NCM Motorsports Park track for the first time, they decided to change their donation plans. “I got to thinking that instead of waiting years before making the donation, we’ve got two cars that could be put to good use now by the National Corvette Museum on this track.  The cars would be where they belong. While a lot of people donate their cars to be preserved, and rightfully so for their history, those two cars were donated to be used up.” He says with a mischievous grin. “We hope they get a lot of track miles and give a lot of track smiles.”

Thank you, Ivan and Mary, for all you have done for the Museum and the Corvette community. We are all so glad that Mary bought that first Corvette, and that it brought both of you into our lives.
If you would like more information on how you can donate your car to the NCM, or if you’d like to learn more about estate planning options, please visit our website at corvettemuseum.org/donations, or contact Connie Russell,at connie@corvettemuseum.org or by phone at 270-467-8815 / or you can contact Gary Cockriel at gary@corvettemuseum.org or by phone at 270-467-8824.

2007 Z06 Donated to Museum

For most of his life, Cliff Young was a Mustang man, but it was in 2006 that he fell in love with Corvette.  After a trip to a high performance driving school, he immediately started calling around trying to find a Chevrolet dealership with allocation for a Z06.  “It just had to be LeMans Blue as 2007 would be the last year for that color,” wife Sally remembers.  “It was a bit of a fiasco trying to get the car ordered.  Cliff knew he wanted to order it with the Museum Delivery option, so he spoke with the Delivery Department and happened to mention to Lori that he wasn’t able to get a car yet.  Lori connected him with a broker in Bowling Green that had allocation and made it happen.”

The Youngs picked up the car on June 27, 2007.  It was their first visit to Bowling Green, and sadly Cliff’s last.  The couple had planned on visiting April 2014, but Cliff experienced major health complications from Agent Orange – an exposure that occurred while serving in Vietnam – and passed on January 28, 2014 at the age of 68.

“While the Museum is in our wills, Cliff didn’t specifically list the car but I felt donating it was the most appropriate thing,” said Sally.  “He was always so impressed with how the Museum is run, I know he would be pleased with its new home.”  Sally was excited to hear that the car would be used for Parade Laps and other activities at the Museum’s new Motorsports Park.   The Youngs had already stepped up and supported the Park by joining the One Acre Club, donating funds for a purchase of one acre of land for the track.

“While Cliff enjoyed taking his car to the track, he didn’t race it,” said Sally.  “Cliff’s friend Mike Pettiford operates Go 4 It Racing Schools, and Cliff would attend and help out with the classes.  Mike would host special corporate events so Cliff would bring his car to use for instruction purposes and to enjoy an occasional drive around the track,” added Sally.  “Cliff also belonged to SCCA and would do flagging at races.”

While Cliff’s day job prior to retirement had been as a systems analyst, he was also a pilot, a flight instructor, scuba diver, parachutist, ham radio operator, and spelunker, and even spent over 30 years planning and designing his and Sally’s dream home.  “He was very gifted in electrical, plumbing and construction,” Sally noted.  “He lived a very full life.”

Indeed he did, and his legacy will continue through every enthusiast who steps foot for a ride in Cliff’s 2007 LeMans Blue Z06.

40th Anniversary Ruby Red Corvette Donated to Museum

Lynda Patterson of Louisville, KY Donates Car to "Replace" Museum's Sinkhole Ruby

On February 12, 2014, Lynda Patterson began getting phone calls and texts from friends and family about a sinkhole that opened up at the National Corvette Museum. She watched on television as the news broke showing video and still images of the cars that had fallen. Her heart sank as she locked right in on the 40^th Anniversary Corvette sticking tail up from the debris. As the owner of a 40^th Anniversary Corvette herself, it was almost like looking at her own car.

“It was quite a shock,” Lynda said. “Seeing that other Ruby in the hole made me think that maybe I should give ours to the Museum soon. Almost twenty years ago my husband Mike and I designated that our Ruby would go to the National Corvette Museum anyway. He died in 2012 after being diagnosed with a brain tumor a year earlier.” Thinking that he’d approve of giving the car to the Museum earlier instead of later, she made the call and asked if they wanted it. “The people at the Museum were very excited about having her. It made me feel good that the people there would be taking care of her.”

This wasn’t easy to do. When she showed up on April 17, 2014 to make it official, she had to fight back happy tears, often losing as she was overcome with emotion. “This is bitter-sweet. I’m so glad she’s coming here and will be enjoyed by so many.”

The Patterson’s bought the car 22 years ago. They had seen it in the showroom of Bob Smith Chevrolet and Lynda instantly fell in love with it. “I asked Mike what he thought about it it and he said, ‘If you want it, get it and take it home.’”  They had a 1991 black Corvette at the time that Mike called his “Batmobile” but he was fine with trading it in on the beautiful new Vette.

They enjoyed Corvette events in it, including a gathering of 40^th Anniversary Corvettes a few years ago at the Museum. Getting teary eyed Lynda says, “Some people may not get why I’d be so emotional about it, but it is more than a car… it is memories.”

Helmintollers Donate Track-Ready Z06

The NCM Motorsports Park continues to gain traction, and not just with regard to the construction, rentals and overall interest.  The Museum has now received a third track-worthy Corvette donation in just over a week.

“The track… wow.  This car is perfect for that.  It’s nearly a full blown race car,” said Kevin Helmintoller of Land O’ Lakes, Florida about his 2001Mallett Hammer Z06.  “I really wasn’t using this car very much… and if I were to sell it, someone would just tear it up.  If it were to run on the NCM track it would be all good.”

Kevin and wife Linda purchased the car from Kerbeck Chevrolet in June of 2001.  The Mallett Hammer conversion was completed in June 2002 – build number 009 of all ever built as this was the first year of the Z06.  Since the conversion, Greg Lovell, owner of AntiVenom LSX Performance in Seffner, FL, has added many performance mods, including a one of one AV436 conversion.  The car’s motor boasts approximately 700hp and 575 torque at the flywheel.

The car has a run best of 10.6 seconds at 128 mph in the quarter mile… and Kevin acknowledges that while it isn’t much by today’s standards it’s not bad for a Corvette that really isn’t set-up for drag racing, and lacks today’s sophisticated engine management and launch control systems.  The car participated in a one mile top speed event – where cars go from a dead stop to one mile using radar and GPS speed measurement.  It ran a 178 on radar, 181 on GPS (without the hood, which had buckled on a previous run, and in 120 degree track temp with 100% humidity) netting it the cover of GM High Tech magazine.  But Kevin is quick to add that this car is not just a track rat… it was a full participant in the 50^th anniversary Caravan from Stamford, CT to Bowling Green, KY and Kevin and Linda drove it eight hours up to the Museum for the donation!

“We donated this car to the Museum to help with the continued growth, but also think she could be a good vehicle for training other drivers at the new Motorsports Park, and to give some 9/10ths passenger rides.”  Kevin added that donating her also makes him feel like the car will still be a part of him.

Kevin and Linda are Lifetime Members of the Museum and have participated in several R8C Museum Deliveries, including a 2008 delivery of a 2009 ZR1 – one of eight Corvettes they have owned.

Richard Anderson Donates Race Car

Richard Anderson's race car started life as a 1972 Corvette frame with many lightweight replica body panels supplied by Greenwood Enterprises, with many of the invoices for special Greenwood produced body parts like the firewall, dash board, inside door panels and floors.  This was the second Corvette race car to use the Greenwood designed 5-link rear end suspension components supplied by APEX Engineering.

The #33 car was built in Florida, earning bragging rights as the 1978 SCCA Southeast Regional Champion and was the track record holder at Palm Beach Raceway with a 1^st Place finish at Nationals at PBNR, and Sebring in 1979.

In 1980 the car was sold to its second owner and brought to Chicago where the body was converted to the ’78-’82 style, utilizing American Custom Industries "Duntov" removable body panels weighing a total of 72 lbs.  It was only raced occasionally during the ‘80s in SCCA.  The car was idle until 2000 when it resumed its career in SCCA National races around the Midwest, eventually moving to the Vintage Racing Circuit.  More recently the car placed 3rd at Road America's Vintage Car Race (it’s last race) in celebration of Chevrolet's 100th Anniversary in 2011.  This car can also be found in the Registry of Corvette Race Cars.

While the car was once white with blue stripes, today it is red with blue stripes.  The 605bhp/355cid car features a V8 engine; Jerico 4-speed transmission; MDS electronic ignition; Butler Built racing seat; oil, temp and PSI gauges; tach; Fire suppression system; belly pans; roll cage; and two sets of tires and wheels (including new Goodyear Eagles mounted on BBS Racing wheels).

Anderson wanted to give the car a good home where it would be respected and people would be wowed. "You think about vehicles as you move on in life... how you're not going to be here forever. The more I thought about selling it - I asked myself, 'what's that going to do for me?' Sharing it with people and letting them see what it was like made more sense... there's so much history."

Another factor for Anderson was the construction of the NCM Motorsports Park and that this car is very drivable for parade laps, rides around the track, etc. "I gave Harlan Charles a ride at the NCM HPDE at Autobahn and he was like, 'Wow, how did you guys ever race these things?'" Anderson added that this is an ideal vehicle for the track and the timing was just right, "You should have some of these types of things around."

Anderson’s #33 Corvette racer can be seen at the National Corvette Museum, open daily from 8am-5pm CT.  Additionally, the Museum’s Motorsports Park is slated to open late August 2014 with visitors being given the opportunity to ride in the vintage racer around the track during special events.  Learn more at www.corvettemuseum.org.

National Corvette Museum Receives Largest Donation to Date

Corvette enthusiast Don Messner leaves his car collection to the Museum

Corvette enthusiasts are known world-wide for their passion towards America’s sports car and the lifestyle it inspires, but some people take their love for this car beyond the extra mile. Such a person was businessman and Montoursville, PA resident, Donald L. Messner, who made arrangements for his Corvette collection to be gifted to the National Corvette Museum upon his passing.

In business Don was known for his focus, determination and ability to make things happen. In his personal life, he was equally determined to make the most of it, enjoying a wide variety of activities including scuba diving, horses, racing, power boating, radio control airplanes, fishing, hunting and Corvettes.

Don’s love for Corvettes led him on a search to acquire low mileage, rare cars that were in excellent condition. Over the years, as his collection grew, he had a special climate-controlled garage built for them that he called The Toy Box.

In January of 2012 Don was diagnosed with melanoma. Knowing it was incurable; he continued to enjoy life as much as he was able. He joined the Museum for the exclusive unveiling of the 2014 Corvette Stingray at the Chevrolet Media Event in Detroit, and traveled to the National Corvette Museum to take delivery of his 2013 Corvette, as well as a visit to the Corvette Assembly Plant. While at the Museum, he decided that it was the best place to permanently display his Corvette collection.

For his wife Marlene, she is gratified to see Don’s collection going to the Museum to be enjoyed by the thousands of visitors who visit annually.

“He said he wanted to plant a seed. He wanted others in similar situations with rare Corvettes to see the Museum as a place for them. Most of all, he wanted to inspire future generations to work hard to buy their own Corvettes some day so that they, too, could enjoy the lifestyle that goes with owning them.”

The Corvettes in the Don Messner Collection include:
• 1965 grey coupe, custom race built Corvette
• 1967 427 convertible Corvette
• 1969 convertible/hard top Corvette
• 1989 coupe Corvette
• 1990 ZR-1 Corvette
• 1996 Collector’s Edition Corvette
• 1996 Grand Sport Corvette
• 2000 convertible Corvette
• 2008 Z06 Corvette
• 2013 60th Anniversary Corvette with R8C Museum Delivery

Don passed on May 22, 2013, but he has left behind a stunning collection of cars that will demonstrate his love of Corvette to others for years to come. “When people see these cars,” Marlene says, “I want them to remember Don Messner and his legacy. He was an amazing and very generous man.”

A special exhibit of these cars will be held in the Museum Exhibit Hall from May 10-September 12, 2014.

For more info on this or other upcoming exhibits at the museum, visit the website at www.corvettemuseum.org or contact the museum at 270-781-7973.