1972 Chevrolet Corvette LT-1 Coupe
Personal story and photograph submitted by owner Mark Brooks - courtesy of the National Corvette Museum website - for participation in the National Corvette Museum 2008 Historic Motorama II.
Like many of you, I'm a serious "Motor Head" and Corvette Nutt, and have been for as long as I can remember. Born and raised in Miami Florida, I was lucky to have an uncle, aunt, and cousins, that lived in Sebring. My uncle was a principle at the local high school, but also worked at the track during the 12 Hours at Sebring. So when I was a very young teenager, I would visit and go to the track with him and my cousins. Boy did we have a blast, and saw many cool cars and drivers. I'm sure Zora was there, since I did see some of the Grand Sports, but at that age I didn't know enough to point him out.
My first Vette, was a '67 black on black 435 coupe, (wish I had it now) and of course the first thing I did is flair the fenders so I could stick big tires on...sorry I didn't know any better. Can you imagine, a black on black L71 coupe in the Miami heat? I remember sitting at traffic lights, with the sweat dripping off my chin, and after a hard run the transmission would almost burn my right leg! Didn't matter, it was a Corvette, it was wicked fast, and I have great memories of that car.
I'm fortunate to own a few Corvettes now, ranging from 1965 to a 2007 LS7 Z06. I'm a member of the National Corvette Museum, the National Corvette Restorers Society (NCR), and the Fla chapter of the National Corvette Racing Associaton (NCRA), as well as the Stuart Corvette Club (where I live). I attend many Corvette events, ranging from the annual Kissimmee regional NCRA meet, Bloomington, Carlisle, and National Corvette Museum (NCM) events. So its safe to say I'm a Corvette Enthusiast.
My (Handle) if you will, is SOLID LIFTERS, I love solid lifter motors, and most of my cars have that type of motor. The car I will be driving during this historic event, is the last solid lifter small block to bless a Corvette. As Zora Arkus Duntov stated referring to the LT1 motor, "Its the Mouse That Roared", and its a privilege to own a piece of Corvette history.
I have invited a good friend to co-pilot during this caravan, he lives in California, so we normally only see each other at car events, and or auctions. Marc Richonne owns several great Corvettes, and shares the same passion I have for very original cars. We are both lucky to own a couple survivor cars and love them. He knows many people in the Corvette world and will not only fit right in, but highly appreciate this once in a lifetime event. Its truly an honor and a privilege to be chosen as a participant of such a monumental, and special experience.
And to be a guest at GM's 100th year celebration, is overwhelming. I look especially forward to meeting ALL the other participants and Corvettes that will join us on this adventure!!
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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