2003 Chevrolet 50th Anniversary Corvette Convertible
Personal story and photograph submitted by owner Theresa Luebcke - courtesy of the National Corvette Museum website - for participation in the National Corvette Museum 2008 Historic Motorama II.
My Corvette story began about 55 years ago – you see, I was born a few months after the Corvette in 1953! About 23 years ago, I found myself single with two adorable little girls, and began working for EDS at the General Motors Assembly Center in Wentzville, Missouri. There, we built Park Avenues, Oldsmobile 88/98s and later the Pontiac Bonneville (they now build the full-size Chevy and GMC Vans). As soon as I was eligible, I started putting away money so I could buy a 50th Anniversary Corvette. I didn't know if there would be one, nor did I care what it would look like. I felt this was the ONLY way to celebrate my second 50 years!
However, my girls had different ideas. While they would go with me to car shows and visit racetracks on vacation, they also thought they should go to College. So I did what a good mother does and gave up my dream of owning my 50th Anniversary Corvette.
But, life gets better! I met a wonderful man while I worked at the GM plant, who also enjoys the car hobby. Rich owns an original 1973, Big Block Coupe, which was Survivor Certified at Bloomington Gold in 2000. In October of 2000, we were married, standing in front of Route 66 outside of St. Louis, Missouri, with the ‘73 (‘The Lady') behind us. After the ceremony, we cruised to the Reception with 12 Corvettes in the ‘Wedding Party'. I felt Rich deserved to have the Corvette he had always dreamt of – Silver with Red interior. So I offered up our honeymoon plans to visit Tuscany and Rich ordered a 2001 Light Pewter Metallic Coupe, six-speed with Torch Red interior! It was a beautiful ‘Young Lady'! I told everybody I was ‘driving my Honeymoon!'
In April 2002, (after Rich claims I knocked down 4 guys to get to the 50th Anniversary Convertible as it was unveiled at the National Corvette Museum), he bugged our Dealer to get the specs on the car. Imagine our surprise, when we learned my new car was to be produced on Rich's birthday - August 5, 2002. And, brought to life by our good friend, Ruth.
Rich sacrificed the ‘Young Lady', and the ‘Anniversary Lady' became a permanent addition to our garage. But only on really bad days – the rest of the time you'll see us ‘on the road again' – isn't that what Dave Hill wrote on my hood?? She has been to DEI as part of the DEI Legends Tour with the NCM. She has made numerous trips to Mid America Funfest, being featured as the 2003 car in the Grand Finale Display in 2003! She has made trips to Vettes on the Rockies, Corvettes at Carlisle and The Black Hills Classic. And at least once a year she makes it back to Bowling Green , having participated in the Xperience this year!
We are members of the St. Louis Corvette Club, where Rich is the NCCC Governor; we are also members of the 50th Anniversary Registry, where I served as NCM Ambassador for several years, and members of the C5/C6 Registry.
We are honored to be chosen to represent the 50th Anniversary Corvette at GM's 100th Anniversary Celebration! We look forward to meeting the other participants of the Historic Motorama II!
I didn't think I had a chance of ever living my dream – Rich thought he didn't have a choice! I know I am a very lucky lady! And I plan to enjoy '50 LADY' for as long as I can – then hand the keys (reluctantly) to my Grandson, Steven (who is now 4, FCOA member #3800) so he can “Keep the Legend Alive!”
Theresa & Rich Luebcke
NCM Lifetime #1103
Chesterfield, MO
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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