The SouthEast Chapter NCRS National Corvette Museum Regional- 1997

Take a stroll through Corvette history with these images from 22 years ago- The NCRS SouthEast Chapter Regional Meet held at the National Corvette Museum WAY back in 1997. The museum was a MUCH smaller place in 1997 at under three years old! There was no Motorsports Park, grand entrance, restaurant, offices, library, etc.

Please enjoy these images from almost a quarter-century ago!

The National Corvette Museum (original) Main Entrance

Special Corvette Parking outside the old Main Entrance

Corvettes displayed in the Spire Area

An NCRS Duntov Award-winning 1953 Corvette

People at the NCRS show

It was no coincidence that many of the people who attended the NCRS Southeast Chapter Regional Meet had deep ties to the National Corvette Museum. We caught a few of them on camera.

Wendell Strode, Executive Director of the National Corvette Museum

Ray Battaglini, NCM Hall of Fame Member  and Ray Battaglini, Junior

Terry McManmon, Noted 1968-72 Corvette Guru and NCM Hall of Fame Member

Gordon Killebrew,  1984-1996 Corvette Expert and NCM Hall of Fame Member

Gary Mortimer, NCM Hall of Fame Member

Corvettes in the NCRS judged Show

The National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS) SouthEast Chapter is the nearest NCRS-sponsored group to the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Museum was kind to allow the Chapter to hold several events in the early years. This event held in 1997 was a “Regional” NCRS show. “Regional” indicates that there were specific additional classes of judging added to the usual NCRS Flight Judging- namely the Performance Verification Award.

The Performance Verification Award is one of the toughest to attain in the world of automotive “judging.” EVERYTHING on the car must function correctly- just as new. All the electronic accessories are tested, the doors, windows, locks, lights- everything. Then the vehicle is driven on a pre-determined course on public roads where the odometer, steering, motor, etc.  all get their turn to prove that they are in perfect working order. If even ONE item fails (a door handle falls off…), you have 15 minutes to make it work correctly. If you can repair it to the satisfaction of the NCRS (Judging) Team Leader- the test can continue. If anything else fails after a repair- the test for the PV Award is over and you can re-attempt it at another NCRS Regional Meet across the country.

Bob Beck’s RARE 1997 

Rare- as it has NEVER been titled!

No Title – no Registration so very low miles

It even smelled new!

Rare for a different reason: Ernest Sutton’s 454!

It also looks like new 

The 454 engine!

Ron Walker’s COPO 454!

The rear view

Wilbur Gage’s 1974 

Wilbur Gage

Very low miles!

And the interior reflects it

The driver’s side

Russ Steinhaus’s 1973

Three quarter view

The National Corvette Museum Today

The museum has expanded several times over the past 25 years and is a must-visit for anyone who calls himself or herself a fan of Corvettes. A few years ago, they opened the Motorsports Park only two miles away (but just across the highway)! The museum hosts their Anniversary Celebration yearly around Labor Day and includes caravans, The Hall of Fame Induction, Corvette displays, shows, cruises, seminars, a concert, dinners, and on and on…

While in Bowling Green, you must also see the Corvette Assembly Plant which is just north of the Museum. To fully appreciate all that the National Corvette Museum offers, please visit the National Corvette Museum online at www.corvettemuseum.org.

The National Corvette Museum (new) Main Entrance

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