I am an *******. Any Corvette Club that would accept me wouldn't be worth joining :-)

That said, from 2001-2004 we had a loosely knit group of C5 owners who liked to hang out together. There was a lot of help with modding and maintenance. One of the guys had a great garage/shop where any of us could show up and use a lift or stall. We did a bunch of SCCA HPDE's where because we often had 10-12 cars, they'd give us our own "run group". Not one of us wanted to be in a club (see opening statement) but we really liked hanging out together. Best non-club club EVER!
Some of us still visit/hang out once in a while.

 

That reminds me of a joke: A poor fellow just left court after being raked over the coals by the system, especially his exes attorney, in a divorce. Needless to say, he was somewhat upset, so he thought he would stop at a saloon for a couple and drown his sorrows. After having a few and stewing in his misery, he loudly blurted out "All lawyers are a**holes!!" A guy at the other end of the bar yelled back, "Hey, buddy, I resent that comment!" The first guy answered back "Why? Are you a lawyer?" "No", he responded. "I'm an a**hole!"

 

 

Clubs that focus on dinners and garden parties just suck.
Organizers that don't join the fray or are generally disinterested suck too.

JS

 

I think anyone who has such negative feelings about a club has not joined the "RIGHT" club... Yes there are clubs out there that run themselves like a dictatorship...just avoid them.

My Club does have certain rules, like you have to own a Vette (not too hard to want that) and they want you to attend 2 events per year...either a dinner, or a car show, or a meeting... Is that really so bad? Aren't you joining a club to attend events away? Why else would you be joining anyway?

Our club hosts car shows, dinners, vacations, race events, detailing seminars, theater/dinner events, trips to Bowling Green, etc. Some events I attend, others I dont - they leave that up to me. Rules help to keep those events organized and to keep the a$$holes out... I think we can all agree, that you wouldn't want the morons that do burn-outs at every event...and dont say you dont roll our eyes at the folks who do that BS...cause you know you do...

Join the right club, and it can be a great way to connect with others who share the same passion about their Vette as you do.

 

VERY similar to my club. The nicely run/attended clubs shouldn’t be unfairly stigmatized.

 

Thanks for all the replies. Many responses have the same thoughts as I do about rules that overwhelm the enjoyment of the camaraderie that clubs should offer in a friendly atmosphere. I did not find that attitude in the trial months I attended the local club. Unfortunately, this club is the only one within a reasonable distance. For those that are OK with stringent rules, more power to you. Not for me. I already live in a bunch of rules that control my life everyday. I do not have to add more if I have a choice.

 

Chasboy - Allentown is my club...small world. Im helping run the Show at DeSales this year...so I hope I get to meet you in person. We also host another large show in the Fall at Sands in Bethlehem (Steel Stacks parking lot)...

 

I belong to MACC, Mid Alabama Corvette Club. They are one of those laid back clubs. You have a monthly meeting which is not necessary to be at. They have lists of things to do and set up social trips locally as well as iron butt trips. As a younger person in the group (45), i still am treated like any other and is a great social atmosphere.There are driver cars and show cars and all eras of vettes. We also do a large display of our cars at World of Wheels and the club does benefits for Magic Moments as well as put on a corvette only car show open to all corvettes. The Vette Spectacular Show.

 

Great show mayor, this will be our 3rd year attending, my 10 year old was thrilled when we won a trophy, her reaction was priceless!

 

Then you’re helping my good friends Joe and Denise! I’m also familiar with the Steel Stacks show, which I’ve never made it to.
I took second place 2001-2004 last year. Already planning to go this May!

 

Yes - Joe and Denise are the best - they really make that show amazing every year...thats why I wanted to help them out as much as I can...

OMG - I remember you both...I remember that pink C5 sweatshirt (very cool)...

 

There is a local Corvette Club in my small town but I am not a member. They have regular “meetings” and some driving tours usually to some dinner destination and they sometimes organize group trips like a ocean cruise or something. I see them more as a social club that happen to be Corvette owners. It appears there passion for Corvettes is polishing and adding trinkets. Not my cup of tea.


My dream club would be much different. Dues would have to be higher but they would support a group meeting location, an old warehouse, shuttered garage/shop or similar structure. Members could come to the “group home” to chew the fat, swap lies, turn wrenches, share maintenance and performance tips, conduct “seminars”, how to’s and generally chill out even if there is snow on the ground. Wives and girlfriends would be welcome but only if they shared the same interests and weren’t looking at the phone/clock and tugging on shirt sleeves with “that look”. Every once in a while we would allow someone with a non Corvette vehicle to stop by and see what’s going on especially if they had a ls or lt swap in the works. Food and dining would only be a byproduct of the gathering not the focus. Young guys and gals, not rug rats, but not old enough to drive or have their own car could come and soak up some car culture they might not get otherwise. The rest of the stuff would have to be made up as you went along.

Even though I never got to experience it, my understanding that in the early days of hotrodding this is what took place around the country even though it may have been in sheds and private garages.

In this day of legalities and lawsuits I’m not sure it all this would be feasible but I can dream

 

A buddy of mine and I started a club a couple of years ago. Corvettes of Chelan. One rule...no rules. We have one event a year we get together and park side by side at the Cruizin Chelan show in early June. Attendance at that show is optional. If you want a shirt, hat, blanket, etc. embroidered with the club logo you call our embroidery lady and she will make what you want and you pay her directly. If you want a sing you go to SignMakers in Kirkland WA and he will make you a sign with the logo on it and charge you directly. Oh, if you do not have a corvette that is ok with us. We have two charter members, one remote member in Everett, WA. and two honorary members (they want but currently do not own a Corvette. All five have polo shirts!!

Oh and sometimes we cruise from Chelan to Lake Chelan Winery for barbecue and wine!!

Come join us!


-Markm-

 

I was a member of North Coast Corvettes. A small club of approximately 25 members. Not many rules and the yearly dues were reasonable. We met once a week on Wednesday evenings. Mostly we just discussed where we were going to drive our cars to for lunch on the one outing a month that we had scheduled. We drove in a few local parades and drove contestants around for the local beauty pageants. One of the members owned a small restaurant where we held our weekly meetings after business hours. Unfortunately, he had a falling out with our club president and we lost use of our meeting place. We started meeting at a local Denny's, but it wasn't the same atmosphere. I'm a LEO and a guy joined our club that I had arrested in the past for several violent felonies. Tension between us at the meeting was thick. I felt it was best if I stopped attending. Looking back, I don't miss the club and I probably will not join any other clubs in the future. Just didn't get much out of it for the time I was investing.

 

as with most social clubs, churches, etc...10% of the people do 100% of the work...eventually burn out

 

Sounds like something I would enjoy. But a bit of a drive from MD.

 

I went to a local car show that was sponsored by the local club. Two gentlemen approach me about possibly joining. One is super nice and friendly and mentions that he likes my car. The second "dad lectures" me about having changed too much on it, when all I've got is wheels and seats.

Way to make me feel like I want to be part of your club. Another member who had literally every red and chrome doodad you could stick on the car along with the matching bowling shirt and hat with red flames comes over and looks at my car and just scoffs at it.

I had to stifle the laughter. I'd love to do a track day with a group, but I don't need to be lectured about my car.

 

Wow! I don't mean to seem like a shill for my club, but you will get none of the negative that has been mentioned in all of these threads. Of course there will be personality clashes and a few people who are so obsessed with being jerks that they can never learn, but that's the great exception at NGCA. FWIW we have observed some of the negatives incidents in other clubs, but very rare with us.

 

If you liked social clubs in HS maybe its for you.



OP if you wanna go have fun with it find members in the regional section if you want to deal with bs youll find that in most clubs.

Broke down and went to one yrs ago with my C4....bunch of old timers at an IHOP talking about hemorrhoids and their financial status

When I heard
-when are you going to step up to a newer "real one"
-We dont drive them that ruins their value"
Knew it wasnt for me.

God forbid its not stock