Classic Cars Southeast Proud Sponsorship Partner of 2008 National Corvette Homecoming

___________________________________________________________(Contact: Tony Ashley 615-449-4300)

(Lebanon, TN - July 28, 2008) Lebanon based, Classic Cars Southeast recently cruised up to Bowling Green, Kentucky as a sponsorship partner in the 27^th annual National Corvette Homecoming held at the city’s Sloan Convention Center.  They joined other dedicated Corvette enthusiasts from across the nation who had brought their beloved Vettes back home to where they were born to participate in the 2008 automotive family reunion.

 

The classic car dealership came well prepared to attract attention from fellow participants and attendees.  Part of their display consisted of a rare 1963 Corvette split-window fuel injected coupe, one of the most desirable classic car collectables.  This prized vehicle was borrowed from the personal collection of Classic Cars Southeast founder and President Dale Nunnery.  It can normally be seen in his dealership’s showroom among the 40 or so other “for sale” classics, however, Dale is quick to let you know this beauty is “for display only”. 

 

Nunnery, third owner of the impressive vehicle, acquired it only a few months ago.  However, the rare “fuelie” has already been the focus of numerous news articles and was even the star of a Horsepower TV Muscle Car “Flashback” segment that was recently featured on the SPIKE TV network.  It has been certified by a Bloomington Gold judge and has won several other awards. A total of 10,594 coupes were manufactured in 1963 and only 1,700 of them were fuelies.  These documented facts, coupled with a sporty 327ci/360hp engine and 4 speed manual transmission, help to ensure it remains a very popular classic.  Corvettes have always been a favorite of Nunnery and he says they don’t last very long at his dealership.    

 

Classic Cars Southeast joined this year’s Corvette homecoming event as sponsor of a new competition category, the “Sans Pareil” (French - without equal).  This classification was initiated into the annual show in 2007 and was designed to rival the current top Corvette certifications by creating a new standard for Corvette certification judging.  John Ballard was chairman of this year’s prestigious Judging Committee and he came well qualified to ensure the highest possible standards for the coveted awards.  John has been a research chemist in paint formulation, application, and troubleshooting for 44 years.  His extensive background as an NCRS Master Judge (400 Level) and experience as a Bloomington Gold Judge greatly enhanced the decisions associated with judging procedures for the 2008 Corvette Homecoming Sans Pareil competition.  There was also celebrity judges involved in this year’s event.  These elite folks consisted of various local dignitaries, such as on-air radio and television personalities, the mayor, the sheriff and other special guests from local and state government.

 

 A new component, “Grand Marshall”, was added to the 2008 show and this year’s inaugural honoree for those duties was David Burroughs, the creator of “Bloomington Gold”.  Prior to 1978, Corvette judging at Bloomington, Illinois was based on “car versus car” competition, however, that year Burroughs injected “Gold Certification” into the competition.  His plan was to enable any Corvette to be a winner if it met high standards of authenticity.  This meant any “Vette” could be judged by its level of accuracy compared to the day it left the factory, without being compared to other vehicles.  David’s “Gold Certification” judging procedures have since become the benchmark for judging all types of automobiles.  The certification was always held in Bloomington, Illinois, therefore, in 1984 the show became officially known as “Bloomington Gold Corvettes USA”.  Later, three additional prestigious events were also added – the “Special Collection”, the “Restoration Workshops” and the “Silver Salute”.  Complete details concerning the 2009 National Corvette Homecoming can be found on the event website at www.corvettehomecoming.com.

 

 

Celebrity judges, Chris Allen (far left), Lauren Hanson, Feda Georges and Laura Rogers

(all on-air personalities with Bowling Green’s ABC affiliate, WBKO Channel 13), dropped by

 the Classic Cars Southeast booth to check out the ‘63 split window classic on display.  Joining

 them on the far right is celebrity judge, Barry Williams, radio and TV personality with

Commonwealth Broadcasting.

 

 

Larry and Shirley Loucks of Goshen, IN are the proud owners of this beautiful

2006 “Monterey Red” Corvette coupe that was selected as a favorite by the

 “Celebrity Judge” committee.  This beauty has the Z-51 performance package with

ebony interior, polished aluminum wheels, a LS2 6.0 Liter 400hp engine,

 automatic transmission and an impressive average of 28 to 30 mpg.

 

 

 

 

Ms. “National Corvette Homecoming”, Gretchen Slone, stops by the

Classic Cars Southeast display just prior to an official autograph session at center stage.

 

 

 

John Ballard, chairman of the prestigious judging committee, uses the Classic Cars Southeast ‘63 split-window as an aid in some of his seminars.  In this particular session, Ballard explains the difference in judging between “Sans Pareil” and “Show & Shine” competitions.  He has an extensive background as an NCRS Master Judge (400 Level) and had some great things to say about the rare Corvette.

 

 

David Burroughs, the inaugural Grand Marshall nominee for this year’s event, was directly responsible for implementing the “Bloomington Gold Certification” into “America’s sports car” competition.  David had a great appreciation for the Classic Cars Southeast ‘63 Corvette and used it to assist with one of

 his seminars entitled “Defining the Survivor”. 

 

 

Celebrity judge, Feda Georges, assists Corvette Homecoming owner, Joe Pruett (right,) with 

 trophy presentations to Phil Stankewicz from Brighton MI and Tom Stropky from Fishers In. 

The two enthusiasts tied in a competition category with their respective 1958 Corvettes.

For 1958

 

END