First National Council of Corvette Clubs Convenes in Detroit. Delegates established Framework for a National organization.
For the short space of three days, July 1 through the 3rd (1960), Detroit could lay claim to being the Corvette capital of the world. Nearly 100 Corvette Club members from across the land met in the motor city to discuss the possibility of a central organization for all Corvette owners - a National Council of Corvette Clubs.

The idea for such a council was born over a year ago in Washington, D.C., when four Corvette Clubs gathered to discuss mutual problems. Such a council, it was agreed, would (1) create further interest and enthusiasm for Corvettes among sports car people, (2) bring individual Corvette Clubs additional prestige and national recognition, and (3) serve as a representative voice for the individual Corvette owner. This was an ambitious project, and the Corvette Club of Michigan requested the responsibility of serving as host for the first meeting.

Not long after the delegates opened their first business meeting it became apparent the entire group favored the Council idea. The next step was to provide a foundation for the new project. Committees were formed. They were to draft a constitution for the National Council, to provide interclub information and to provide agendas and locations for further meetings. The constitution, drafted and approved, will be ready for distribution in the Fall and copies of the proceedings will soon be sent to every Corvette Club in the United States. At the end of the meeting, Detroit was accorded the honor of being the first city to serve as Corvette Council headquarters.

Local clubs who desire further information may obtain it by writing to the National Council of Corvette Clubs, in care of the Corvette Club of Michigan, Detroit, Michigan.

The convention, however, was not confined to business alone. On Friday night, delegates registered, had dinner, and enjoyed hospitality at a welcoming party given by a number of Detroit Chevrolet dealers.

Saturday afternoon, many delegates went to General Motors Styling center for a tour throughout the buildings. One of the highlighs of their visit was the display of experimental cars, including Firebird III, a gas turbine engine prototype.

An evening of dining and dancing awaited the delegates that night at Warren Valley Country Club as guests of the Chevrolet Motor Division. A telegram congratulating the delegates on their first convention came from Mr. E. N. Cole, general manager of Chevrolet Division and was read by Mrs. Anne Featherstone, President of Corvette Club of Michigan. Mr. Joe Pike, assistant National Sales Promotion Manager, in charge of Corvette, was on hand to speak to the delegates and to deliver a personal welcome from Mr. Gene Staley, Chevrolet General Sales Manager. Mr. Robert Zimmerman, Chevrolet Research and Development, discussed his recent trip to Le Mans, France. Bob spent most of his vacation in France as the guest of Briggs Cunningham setting up and maintaining the Le Mans Corvettes.

After a somewhat cloudy Sunday morning, the group gathered at the Oakland County Sportsman's Club (Waterford Hills) just north of Detroit, for a gymkhana. The course set up by the Corvette Club of Michigan's Competition chairman, Ernie Mohawk and Art Sutphin, was unique in that it was laid out over a tricky 1.4 mile long road circuit. Hay bales around the course kept the activities within reason. Proof of the host club's hospitality came when visiting delegates carried off most of the awards.

Next year, the Tidewater Corvette Club, located in Virginia, is hosting the convention at Virginia Beach, Virginia. If the enthusiasm of the members attending the first convention is any sign of the future, quite a few Corvettes will be seen in the vicinity of Virginia Beach next year.
End.

Post script from Tom Henry. "Of course we didn't go to Virginia Beach - the second convention was held in St. Louis."