Hail from the Chief
By Brian Novak
This will be the last article from me as the president of Corvettes of Southeast Idaho. I wish the new president as much fun as I've had and hope all of you will support the club as you've done in the past to make all events a great success. I've really enjoyed my time here and hope I in some way made 1999 a fun year for you. Being an officer really does take some time commitment, but the rewards are well worth the effort.
Christmas has come and gone. Hopefully it found you all well and happy. It
has been a good year for our family, with a new house and wonderful friends
like you to share time with. With all the ice and snow out there, I know
not many have been driving their 'Vettes, but soon Spring will be here with
warm days for cruising.
Next meeting will be the annual elections; please come if you can. The meeting will be at Papa Tom's on 17th Street at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 15. We have some fine people running for office so it should be another great year for the club.
Finally, I'd like to thank all the other officers and show volunteers. Without
your involvement, this club and our show just wouldn't happen. As we wish
all our 1999 officers a warm farewell, I also want to tell them how much
I appreciated their efforts. You too shoulc take the time to tell these fine
folks what a good job they have done for us.
As always... Save the Wave!!
| Karen Hansen | 2 |
| Sam Miller | 2 |
| Debbie Morris | 5 |
| Richard Moore | 10 |
| Claudia Sanchez | 16 |
| Wayne Valentine | 12 |
Although the new millennium doesn't officially start until the your 2001, you wouldn't know it from the media hype. But the Corvette folks at Chevrolet do! Since it's introduction in 1997, the C5 Corvette has really undergone quite a few changes and improvements, and without the public really knowing. Things like subtle increases in horsepower attributed mostly to improvements in the reliability, durability, and economy of the fabulous LS I engine. Each week the Corvette plant builds a better Corvette than the week before. The Corvette is always being improved each and every day. Improvements are being implemented to the C5 as they are ready. In 1999, there were over 300 small-to-large technical improvements made during the model year. The decision was to make improvements as they were "discovered" - not hold the improvements for the next model year.
This same philosophy continues with the 2000 model year. The 2000 Corvette is
the top of the C5 breed, out to me casual eye there is little to distinguish
it from the '97. On the obvious side, there are those remarkably beautiful
new forged aluminum wheels. There are also two new colors, Millennium Yellow
(already sold out for the 2000 model year) and Dark Bowling Green Metallic.
And if you keep up on your Corvettes, you know there is no passenger side
door lock on the outside of the passenger door (except for exports bound
for Japan). This change is attributed to improvements in the passive locking
system, following the lead of the high performance European cars.
Having driven a '97, '98, 99, and 2000 Corvette, I do believe the 2000 is
the best Corvette ever built... So where do we go from here? Why after the
Vipers, of course, and -- hold on -- to build an even better Vette.
First, lets talk about the paint: Corvette currently offers two custom tint coated colors at a $500 option - Millennium Yellow and Magnetic Red II. There will be a third in the near future, possibly in 2001, rumored to be "Sterling Silver". These colors are more expensive due to a much more extensive painting process. Nassau Blue is currently on "death watch". This means that only 3% of the new Corvettes ordered are ordered in this color. If it drops below 3%, it's history. So, if you want a new Nassau Blue Vette, 2000 may be your last year!
Suspension: Improvements were made to the Z51 handling package in 2000; an engineer found ways to make it better than it already was! Larger sway bars, improved bushings, and suspension support parts have been upgraded, and look for more enhancements to this for 2001.
The F45 suspension option was also upgraded in 2000. The computer system
settings of the F45 suspension have been broadened to "feel" a larger number
of road conditions and make the appropriate ride adjustments. There's even
more in development in this area.
Wheels: The 2000 Corvette features a forged aluminum wheel,
made in California and Virginia. The polished version is shipped to Mexico
for polishing and returned to Bowling Green for installation. Later model
year C4 wheels were improved, using a squeeze cast wheel -- the pour is
compressed into a dye. This allowed stronger and wider wheels to be used.
Forging allows Corvette wheels to be carried to the next level. Research
is underway right now for an even better wheel in the future.
Transmission: There are no plans to change the automatic
transmission until the C6 Corvette. It is believed a five speed automatic
has been tested and is ready for C6 production.
Engine: At the Las Vegas SEMA gathering of the C5 Registry,
Dave Hill, Corvette's Chief Engineer, was asked why Corvette does not go
to a twin cam engine. Mr. Hill answered that the existing C5 LSI engine still
has enough "head room" for expansion (another subtle hint about a possible
LS6!). It is a simple and efficient design and dimensionally smaller than
the twin cam version. But in the last week, I learned that a new "In the
Block Twin Cam" engine is under development and testing. Placing the cams
in the block, and driving them with push rods, would allow the lower profile
to be kept in a higher reving engine. But to go into production the engine
would have to meet or exceed the 435 horsepower of the "Green Motor" planned
for the 2001 Z06 Corvette. (More on the Z06 to follow.)
2001 Model Year: Also at the Las Vegas C5 Registry gathering, Dave Hill was asked about next years Corvette. Mr. Hill - who is always quiet about "the future" - made the statement that the 2001 Prototype Corvette will be technically reviewed and approved on Monday, November 8, and will "EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS." Many registry members believed he was referring to the "bad boy" Z06!! (Note: On my second to last trip to Bowling Green, I saw a prototype of the Z06 on the line. In addition to the new "Green Motor", other changes include a two-tone leather interior with Z06 embroidered in the headrest. There are functional scoops in the rocker panels just ahead of the rear wheels. I believe these to be inlet ducts for a transmission and oil cooler. There is also a redesigned front spoiler to hold the nose of the Z06 down at "high speed" This is interesting since the current C5 didn't require this and is capable of 172 MPH!) As us "Mid Year" fans know, the former Z06 option was the performance King. Engineers and Corvette writers expect the C5-Z06 to outperform the famed ZRI. It is expected to be a $6,000 to $8,000 option.) The "Green Motor" is not the end of the line either. Already tested in Warren is another Corvette engine, with a unique 90-degree super charger that on the test track obtained speeds of over 200MPH! We're talking production cars here folks. "Watch out Viper!"
The 50th Anniversary 2003: Every one expects something special for this year, and the Corvette engineers say we won't be disappointed! Dave Hill says that the 50th Anniversary Team is busy "scheming wonderful things" for this Corvette!
2004 and Beyond: These cars are already being thought out. I know there is a chassis redesign, and Dave Hill says, "The 6th generation Corvette will require more head scratching to improve the existing C5." The engineers will begin doing internal clinics in January 2000 for the next generation of America's famed sports car.
Currently under testing are new exotic materials. Some of these include a polycarbonate rear hatch and window; the use of carbon fiber materials in various body parts; and titanium used for axles, exhaust systems, and high stress parts. Use of these materials should reduce the weight of the current C5 by some 300 pounds. Look for improvements in the HUD (Head Up Display) and things like night vision and more selectable driver information. There could even be a "G-Force" meter and GPS. (Side note: One of the lead engineers for HUD in the Corvette,
Steve Stringfellow, helped design the HUD for the F-15 fighter. He occasionally
visits Sun Valley and Ketchum and is always open to input from Corvette owners,
as is most of the Corvette team). Look for improvements in the already
outstanding caliper and brake system, along with improvements in the EMT
tires. Look for a LOT of improvement in dealer service! This is a high priority
with GM. You may even be able to connect your Vette to the Internet and get
computer upgrades; and expert GM factory diagnostics in real time!
America's sports car just keeps getting better and better!
P.S. Look for the demise of the Camaro and Firebird - 2001 may just be their
last year.
As the club enters the new millennium, it is a good time to look back at its inception to see just how far it has come. In early 1988 when the club was first incorporated there were a few die-hard Corvette enthusiasts who wanted nothing more than to see the club grow and prosper, and for its members to forge a common camaraderie. Claudia and I were fortunate to have been among those first few. Although we have taken an extended hiatus from the activity, we hold membership and it's camaraderie very near. As we look back, we see that those first hopes have been far exceeded. This has only been possible through the hard work and dedication of many individuals. We look forward to receiving our newsletter and reading about activities and future plans. We also know that the club and its generosity have touched the lives' of others who have been less fortunate than we. I'm sure they are very grateful.
Now that we are in the 21" century, it may be a good time for the new leadership and members to decide just what they want the club to become. The only way for leaders to be able to provide direction is to know where you, the members, want to go and are willing to provide the required support.
On our last visit Claudia and I joined in and helped out where we could. This allowed us not only to enjoy the company of our current friends, but also to meet new people, which we hope will lead to new friends in the future. I highly recommend those of you who have not participated by either holding office or helping out with the Wild West Vette Fest, to do so. Yes, there is a little work involved, but there is also a lot of fun.
We hope the new millennium will bring you peace, happiness, and prosperity.
Just after Thanksgiving I helped our son Pete move from Tucson, Arizona to
Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. We were coming into Nashville when our car
and U-haul trailer made an unscheduled left turn and within one hour we were
in Bowling Green Kentucky! Now every Corvette owner knows what is in Bowling
Green -- no not the Fruit of the Loom factory. The Corvette assembly plant
of course!
We decided to spend the night and go to the plant the next day. We were there
at 9:00 a.m. for the first tour of the day. It was so interesting and there
was so much to see, I could have gone on the afternoon tour as well, but
we had to get going, after going through the museum of course.
Well we worked up an appetite so we stopped at the Hardee's down the road
from the plant for a quick burger before hitting to road again. Just as we
were finishing our burgers I glanced outside and there was an auto transport
truck loaded with 10 Corvettes. We were about ready to leave so I just had
to get my camera and get a picture. The driver had gotten a coffee to go
so he was coming back out to his truck while I was taking the pictures. He
said he gets quite a few pictures taken of his load of Corvettes. He asked
where we were from and he said "I used to haul Corvettes to the West, but
now GM ships the cars by truck to Springhill, Tennessee. Then they load them
on train cars for the trip to the west. This is done in the name of economy,
you know. By truck it used to take four days, but now it takes 20 days and
the cars have to be loaded and unloaded three times."
Then he told me the part that was really disturbing. The trains aren't set up for the Corvettes low ground clearance. He said: "The most disturbing thing is that most of the people that load and unload them don't appreciate Corvettes for the special cars that they are. They tend to drag and scrape in numerous places and when in place, on the train car, the right side tires need to be on blocks so the car doesn't grind on the bottom from the rocking motion of the train. Some of the cars will come off the blocks and grind all the way to the destination."
After hearing this story my first thought was 'boy if I ever got a new Corvette I think that I would pick it up at the museum and get a neat certificate staling that fact or buy it from a nearby dealer and drive it home! It would be great fun to drive it home and get acquainted with my new Corvette and save it from the dreaded RAILROAD RASH.
As the driver was getting into his truck he said that if he had met us on his return trip to the plant he would have been glad to show us the staging area that is closed to the public. I figured that was my typical "luck" not being able to do that, but I had a stroke of good luck just being able to talk with him.
The driver appreciated the Corvette for what it is and has been transporting them since they were built in St. Louis. He had a story about a guy wanting to trade his girl friend for one of the cars on his transport once but that is another story...........
Data, Mistakes
We have tried to gather the data required for mailing the newsletter; listing your email, phone number, and year of Corvette; and acknowledging birthdays. We would like to thank those of you who returned the questionnaires that provided us that information. For those of you who did not return the questionnaire but find the information about you to be incorrect, please contact us so that we may make it right. You can do that either by emailing us at npsjlt@srv.net. or
By calling us at 208-524-4600 during the day, or filling out and returning the questionnaire. Thank you. Editor
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