1986 Chevrolet Corvette Indy Pace Car Convertible
Personal story and photograph submitted by owner Gary Artis - courtesy of the National Corvette Museum website - for participation in the National Corvette Museum 2008 Historic Motorama II.
My name is Gary Artis. I live in Charlotte, North Carolina with my wife, Linda and 2 children, Heather and Christopher. Linda and I have a small business that sells financial software and services.
I have always been in love with Corvettes since I was a young boy. I recall my Dad honoring my birthday wish in the early 70's to take a ride in a Vette. We found one at a used car lot and I remember just being afforded the opportunity to sit in it and start it up. That experience cemented the idea that a Corvette would be the car I would get when I grew up. Little did I know how fully that desire would be fulfilled.
On my 40th birthday we were visiting my brother in Houston. We drove over to Corvettes of Houston and that's where I was bitten the first time by a 1998 Corvette Pace Car. Of course I thought what would be a better mid life crisis gift than buying and driving home in one of those. Being that my wife was pregnant with our first child I held back the temptation. It didn't take long, however, to locate a similar 1998 Pace Car closer to home and with my wife's approval I became a proud owner.
One year later, on my first Fathers Day weekend, we took a trip to Nashville. We pulled up behind someone with a Kentucky license plate and the gears started turning. How far away is Bowling Green I wondered. A quick look at a map and a call to the Museum and I knew exactly where the perfect place to spend Fathers Day would be. I felt like I was swarmed by the Pace Car bug when I came across the Indy Pace Car exhibit. At that time seeing all four (78, 86, 95 and 98) lined up instantly implanted the idea that I could do that. Little did I know that the Corvette was soon to become the de-facto standard Indy Pace Car for the next 7 years.
To make a long story a little less long, I now currently own 10 Indy Corvette Pace Cars. I have a replica of each one, with the exception of the 2006 Z06, in my collection. I own 2 of the 8 Festival cars from 2005. Each car is driven, enjoyed and always attracts attention at car shows and gas stations. In addition to the Pace Cars, I also currently own a Ron Fellows Z06, a 1990 ZR1, and the very first Corvette I ever drove, a 4 speed 1997 Coupe. My wife's daily driver is a 2000 Nassau Blue Coupe.
I have been a member of the Queen City Corvette Club in Charlotte since 1991. The members are all like family and the best bunch of people to be around while enjoying these special cars. I look forward to sharing my passion and adding a new experience in being part of the Historic Motorama II event.
When GM celebrates the beginning of its next 100 years on September 16, 2008, 55 Corvettes will be on display outside its World Headquarters at Detroit’s Renaissance Center. The Corvettes are in fact the Historic Motorama II, a caravan from the National Corvette Museum (NCM) which is comprised of one example from each of the 55 years of Corvette production. The caravan will depart from the National Corvette Museum on September 10th with stops along the way. People attending the GMnext Day activities on September 16th will be able to view the Corvettes before and after the official program.
Look at the next Historic Motorama II Corvette participant, representing a cross-section of Corvette enthusiasts from across the country.
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