Great Story
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,614
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From: Richmond Va
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Great Story
Sorry if this is a dupe but I haven't seen anything on it and no results in search. I think this is a great story in The Daily Press from Hampton Roads.
http://www.dailypress.com/features/f...ck=1&cset=true
Dreaming of his wheels
Corvette lovers rally around young military man and his car
BY KATHY VAN MULLEKOM
247-4781
October 17, 2006
NEWPORT NEWS When Adam Stevens applies tire shine to the wheels of the military Humvee he drives in Iraq, his thoughts wander back home.
Not to thoughts of a young girl waiting for him.
Not to thoughts of his parents worrying about him.
Instead, he thinks about the 1980 Corvette that waits for his return later this year. Corvette enthusiasts will tell you a Corvette in any condition, made any year, is always special. But, Stevens' black 'Vette is more precious because it's been "refreshed" through the generous help of local mechanics and car groups that wanted to do something nice for a fellow car hobbyist who serves his country.
"I have wanted a Corvette ever since I rode in my dad's brand new Corvette when I was about 5," says Stevens, 21, via e-mail from Iraq. "I cannot wait to take the top off this summer and go for a nice cruise."
Luckily, Stevens' father, John, got to keep that car, even though he bought it without first telling wife Barbara. She still remembers that day in 1990 when she was heading home from an errand and saw this gorgeous red Corvette coming down two-lane Harpersville Road in midtown Newport News.
"As the car got closer, I realized it was my husband," she says. "He waved and smiled as he rode by. I looked in the rearview mirror and saw my two boys, Adam and Aaron, sitting in the back with huge smiles on their faces and waving ecstatically. What a memory!"
Stevens bought his coupe-style 'Vette in 2003 when he was a senior at Heritage High School in Newport News. After joining the Beachcombers Corvette Club in Virginia Beach later that year, he and club members journeyed to the National Corvette Museum's 50th anniversary caravan in Bowling Green, Ky. More than 300 cars participated in that parade, which ended in Nashville for major events that celebrated the car's history.
"Though I was the youngest driver on the trip, they still welcomed me with open arms and looked after me like family," says Stevens.
"He impressed all the 'adults' with his enthusiasm and spirit," says Tony Watson, a club member and Corvette owner. Watson also works with Stevens's parents. "Here is an 18-year-old that joined up with a bunch of middle-aged Corvette owners and spends five days on the road with them celebrating a common passion, Corvette."
Shortly after that adventure, Stevens was accepted to Virginia Tech and joined the Army National Guard to help pay for his education.
Before heading for Iraq this past January, Stevens damaged his car while driving home from Tech in Blacksburg. He left for duty, knowing he could get the car repaired later.
"He was pretty discouraged," says his mother. "He knew it was going to be fairly expensive, so he was pretty down."
Not wanting Stevens to come home to a down-and-out 'Vette during his two week's leave, the Corvette club and businesses stepped in to make the car right. Tidewater Corvette in Newport News donated parts, and club member Greg Koteski rebuilt most of the car's mechanical systems. One Stop Painting in Yorktown gave Stevens's parents a greatly reduced price on repainting the vehicle.
When Stevens arrived home for rest and relaxation in August, he was greeted by a car that performs like it should, say Stevens and his dad.
Stevens took photos of the restored car back to his barracks in Baghdad where they hang with photos of family and friends.
Now that he's back in Iraq for the finish of a year's assignment, Corvette thoughts are always running through his mind.
"I think about how much I want to get back to it," he writes. "I fall in love again every time I see
my Corvette."
SEE ADAM'S CAR
The 1980 black Corvette that was restored for Adam Stevens, a National Guardsman now in Iraq, will be on display during the Virginia Fall Classic car show Oct. 28 at Newport News Park, on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Fort Eustis in upper Newport News. Car registration begins at 8 a.m.; the public is invited from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Free administration for public. For details, call 867-6336 or visit www.vafallclassic.org.
http://www.dailypress.com/features/f...ck=1&cset=true
Dreaming of his wheels
Corvette lovers rally around young military man and his car
BY KATHY VAN MULLEKOM
247-4781
October 17, 2006
NEWPORT NEWS When Adam Stevens applies tire shine to the wheels of the military Humvee he drives in Iraq, his thoughts wander back home.
Not to thoughts of a young girl waiting for him.
Not to thoughts of his parents worrying about him.
Instead, he thinks about the 1980 Corvette that waits for his return later this year. Corvette enthusiasts will tell you a Corvette in any condition, made any year, is always special. But, Stevens' black 'Vette is more precious because it's been "refreshed" through the generous help of local mechanics and car groups that wanted to do something nice for a fellow car hobbyist who serves his country.
"I have wanted a Corvette ever since I rode in my dad's brand new Corvette when I was about 5," says Stevens, 21, via e-mail from Iraq. "I cannot wait to take the top off this summer and go for a nice cruise."
Luckily, Stevens' father, John, got to keep that car, even though he bought it without first telling wife Barbara. She still remembers that day in 1990 when she was heading home from an errand and saw this gorgeous red Corvette coming down two-lane Harpersville Road in midtown Newport News.
"As the car got closer, I realized it was my husband," she says. "He waved and smiled as he rode by. I looked in the rearview mirror and saw my two boys, Adam and Aaron, sitting in the back with huge smiles on their faces and waving ecstatically. What a memory!"
Stevens bought his coupe-style 'Vette in 2003 when he was a senior at Heritage High School in Newport News. After joining the Beachcombers Corvette Club in Virginia Beach later that year, he and club members journeyed to the National Corvette Museum's 50th anniversary caravan in Bowling Green, Ky. More than 300 cars participated in that parade, which ended in Nashville for major events that celebrated the car's history.
"Though I was the youngest driver on the trip, they still welcomed me with open arms and looked after me like family," says Stevens.
"He impressed all the 'adults' with his enthusiasm and spirit," says Tony Watson, a club member and Corvette owner. Watson also works with Stevens's parents. "Here is an 18-year-old that joined up with a bunch of middle-aged Corvette owners and spends five days on the road with them celebrating a common passion, Corvette."
Shortly after that adventure, Stevens was accepted to Virginia Tech and joined the Army National Guard to help pay for his education.
Before heading for Iraq this past January, Stevens damaged his car while driving home from Tech in Blacksburg. He left for duty, knowing he could get the car repaired later.
"He was pretty discouraged," says his mother. "He knew it was going to be fairly expensive, so he was pretty down."
Not wanting Stevens to come home to a down-and-out 'Vette during his two week's leave, the Corvette club and businesses stepped in to make the car right. Tidewater Corvette in Newport News donated parts, and club member Greg Koteski rebuilt most of the car's mechanical systems. One Stop Painting in Yorktown gave Stevens's parents a greatly reduced price on repainting the vehicle.
When Stevens arrived home for rest and relaxation in August, he was greeted by a car that performs like it should, say Stevens and his dad.
Stevens took photos of the restored car back to his barracks in Baghdad where they hang with photos of family and friends.
Now that he's back in Iraq for the finish of a year's assignment, Corvette thoughts are always running through his mind.
"I think about how much I want to get back to it," he writes. "I fall in love again every time I see
my Corvette."
SEE ADAM'S CAR
The 1980 black Corvette that was restored for Adam Stevens, a National Guardsman now in Iraq, will be on display during the Virginia Fall Classic car show Oct. 28 at Newport News Park, on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Fort Eustis in upper Newport News. Car registration begins at 8 a.m.; the public is invited from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Free administration for public. For details, call 867-6336 or visit www.vafallclassic.org.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Gloucester va
It's nice to be a part of the Corvette family
I agree, great story!!!!!!!!. Can't wait to see the car. The wife and I will be there, she will be driving our 01 speedway white with mod red Z06 and I will be in our 69 427 coupe. See you there!!!!!!!!!Rick and Candi
Last edited by rickysvette427; Oct 20, 2006 at 06:40 AM.
