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“At the moment we have been taking people around the race track in the C8’s, which are pretty awesome, and also a C7, and you can pretty much guarantee that people will have a good time. The times that I have taken people around in something that is like a race car, like the car being donated, it is a whole other world. This is going to be a lot of fun and I’m so excited to have it here,” said Pro-Race Driver, Andy Pilgrim.

The Goebel’s acquired the Corvette donated today after David suffered an accident at Roebling Road in a 2009 Corvette. After the accident, the Goebels took the broken down Corvette to Phoenix Performance. With no luck in the ability for the car to be repaired, they opted to use the funds from salvaging the vehicle to purchase the 2007 Corvette that Linda liked. When asked if the Corvette was hers, Linda replied, “If you wanna put it that way, then yes!”

Both David and Linda have an impressive racing past. David began in Drag Racing and in the ’70s and ’80s, the pair autocrossed with multiple NCCC championships before moving into the SCCA Regional and National Divisions, as well as Pro Racing. The last time that the Goebel’s raced the 2007 Corvette was Thanksgiving of 2019 at Roebling Road. Linda was the fastest lady, lowered her record, and was the third-fastest overall, behind David, her husband, and another man in a race-prepared Corvette.

This Corvette also has a connection to 2014 Corvette Hall of Fame Inductee, John Heinricy, who briefly raced the car before the Goebel’s purchased it. David says of John Heinricy, “You know they say that you leave no one stone unturned? Well, some people cut that stone in half and polish the halves. Heinricy polishes all sides of a grain of sand when building a car.”

Married for 55 years this September, the Goebels say that “A family that races Corvettes together stays together!” Thank you David and Linda for your Donation and continued support to the National Corvette Museum!

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When the Watkins were looking for their ’96 Grand Sport, they found some available at Roger’s Corvette Center in Orlando, Florida. Instead of making the trip to look at the car themselves, the Watkins used a third-party service to evaluate and test the 96 Grand Sport they were considering. Based on the report it appeared to be a great car, so Larry and Carol decided to go through with the transaction. This ’96 Corvette is very special as there are only five other cars like it. All six Corvettes were equipped with the same combination of Regular Production Options, making the Watkins’ Grand Sport coupe a true limited edition. Even though there weren’t as many customization options as there are today, there were still enough to make this Grand Sport extra unique.

One year, the Watkins took their ’96 Grand Sport to Corvettes at Carlisle, where a few young men thanked them for bringing the car to the show. That moment made Larry and Carol realize how much people would appreciate seeing their ’96 Grand Sport Corvette. The Watkins felt that donating their car to the Museum would allow more people to see it and admire its noteworthy place in Corvette history.

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Betsy Slauson and her son, Dennis Slauson

Betsy Slauson has considerately donated her family’s 2003 Corvette to the National Corvette Museum in partnership with the Traffic Safety Education Foundation (TSEF) Driver’s Training Program in memory of her late husband, Donald Slauson. The Slauson family had been in Bowling Green, KY back in 2002 for the introduction of the 50th Anniversary Corvette. As they were headed home from that trip, Betsy’s husband said, “Let’s buy a new one.” She agreed, which led them to purchase the 2003 Corvette Convertible that Betsy has now donated. The Museum’s Director of Collections/Curator, Derek Moore, shared that “any nonprofit cannot survive without grants or donations. To have vehicles like this donated to both the Museum and this program are what make this entire institution run the way it does.”

Not long after the Slauson’s got their new 2003 Corvette, Disney did a feature of “50 Years of Corvettes” in Downtown Disney. Donald was on the committee for this event and worked with Disney to get the Corvettes for the feature. The Slauson’s new 2003 Corvette was on display front and center. Betsy shared that the show was a “top-notch” experience. At the show, there was signage for each Corvette that had the owner’s name, a description, the year of the car, the price of gas that year, and even the base price of the car. There they met the editor of Vette Magazine who asked them if they wanted their 2003 50th Anniversary Corvette to be on the cover. They said yes and their son, Dennis Slauson, had the opportunity to take the car to the photo shoot.

Dennis was once asked by his father if he would like to drive the ’03 around the speedway in Fontana, California with a NASCAR driver. Dennis said yes but “had no idea who was going to hop in the car” and it ended up being John Andretti. This was a parade lap for the NASCAR drivers and each vehicle carrying the drivers was a Corvette Convertible. Dennis said that was “a pretty cool moment” in their 2003 Corvette.

Betsy, a member of the Museum who receives America’s Sports Car Magazine, saw an article that the Museum and Traffic Safety Education Foundation were looking for C5 and C6 Corvettes. She thought the idea of donating the car was something her late husband would like. When she posed the idea to her son, he said “I think that would make dad smile.” Dennis shared that maybe their donation would “plant the Corvette bug” in a child that was also planted in his father long ago.

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When the C5 Corvette came out, Jack just “had to have one.” The DeLongs ordered their 1998 C5 Corvette in September of 1997 and it was in their possession by November 1997. They have been the only owners of the cars since then. In 1999, the DeLongs attended the National Corvette Museum’s fifth-anniversary celebration. Jack shared that attending this event “opened their eyes to what the museum could be for them.” The DeLongs woke up early just to make sure that they could be the second car in line behind Dave Mclellan, to finish the trek to Bowling Green during the Caravan.

In 2003, the National Corvette Museum chose 100 Corvettes to participate in a tribute for Dale Earnhardt event in North Carolina where they visited Earnhardt’s facility. Jack was a big Earnhardt fan and was also present for his passing, so he submitted their 1998 C5 and it was chosen as the 23rd car for the tribute. After the car was chosen, Jack felt like he had to do something special. She had an airbrush artist paint under the 1998 Corvette’s hood to further honor the memory of Earnhardt. Jack shared that it was a “wonderful memory” to have so many people from Earnhardt’s facility come out and look at the tribute art on their Corvette. As the opportunities would arise, Jack collected signatures on their C5. The car has 24 legible signatures that are all from the “who’s who” of Corvette.

The DeLong’s have owned their 1998 C5 Corvette for a little over twenty-three years and it has been a very significant car in their lives. Through owning this car and participating in Museum events, the DeLongs have formed wonderful friendships with people across the country and relationships with car clubs. Of all the cars Jack DeLong has owned, this 1998 is his favorite and will “always be his baby.” They hope that the donation of this special Corvette reveals how much the Museum and Corvette truly mean to them. The DeLong’s feel that the National Corvette Museum is the perfect home for their cherished ’98.

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Referred to as the ‘World’s Fastest Corvette,’ this highly modified 1984 has competed and held records in several Bonneville salt flat speed trial classes, reaching over 270 miles per hour.

Juris Mindenbergs of Redmond, Wash. Acquired the car stock in 1986, modifying it for Bonneville racing with the assistance of Mike Dorgan, Don Schellberg, Art Morrisson and Larry Kalsch with his expertise and dyno facility.

On October 1, 1988 at a USFRA Bonneville meet, Mindenbergs achieved a top speed of 271.04 MPH with his two-way average of 266.45 MPH setting a record in the AA-GT class and breaking Mickey Thompson’s longstanding mark. Hot Rod Magazine’s December 1989 issue called this naturally aspirated, and on gasoline Corvette one of the ten most awesome race cars of the 1980s.

Later, owner Bobby Moore of Tulsa, Okla. Achieved many Bonneville class records, including eclipsing Mindenbergs’ 1988 AA-GT class mark in 2004, which are highlight on the vehicle’s rear window.

Mindenbergs reacquired the vehicle in 2016, donating it to a Museum in the Pacific Northwest in 2019.

A full story on this car will be published in the April/May/June issue of America’s Sports Car Museum member magazine.

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“I was actually in Bloomington looking for a ’67 big block car and happened to run across this 1961, and the original owner still had it,” shared Howie. “As a kid, like many others, I couldn’t afford any Corvettes. A friend of mine was a pharmacist and he had a 1961 from new, and I had the chance to drive it. That put a desire in me to someday own a ’61. So, when I saw this car and realized it was original and had only the one owner, it certainly intrigued me. Long story short, I bought it.”

The 1961 Honduras Maroon Corvette was ordered new by Howard Heinbach, and based on its VIN, it rolled off the GM St. Louis assembly line on June 30, 1961, just as the 1962 Corvettes were making their debut. It was 1989 when Howie would run across the car in Bloomington and purchase it.

“The car has always been garage kept and is an original, numbers-matching car. It has its original engine, 4-speed transmission and positraction rear-end as it came from the factory.”

The ’61 was purchased with the coves painted the same color as the body per Mr. Heinback’s specifications, though contrasting color coves were available for that model year. The engine is a 283 cubic inch hi-lift cam 270 hp two 4-barrell carbureted car with white wall 670×15 tires, a signal seeking AM radio and white convertible top.

After purchasing the car, Howie worked to bring it back to typical factory specifications and began attending events that would certify its authenticity.

“As mentioned before, to this day, the car has its original drivetrain and engine, all numbers matching, as well as all the correct date codes. The only exception is that the car got repainted early in its life (after being parked too close to a picket fence when they were spray painting the fence). Otherwise it could have been a Five Star Bow Tie car because of its originality.”

Under Howie’s care, the car has received many NCRS Top Flight Awards, as well as passing a stringent Performance Verification Test before being awarded the Zora A. Duntov Award in 1991 at the California Annual Meeting of NCRS. “Mr. Duntov was there and presented the award. That was one of the highlights of my life as the majority of my family was there also.”

The car received the NCRS Founders Award and Bloomington Gold Certification in 1995. Since those certifications, the car has been invited to be shown at the Concours of the Eastern United States, Hilton Head Island Concours and many others.

After spending time on the show circuit, the vehicle was driven cross country on two separate occasions (from Pennsylvania to California, and Pennsylvania to Colorado). “I never considered this car a trailer queen and have several Sam Fultz Memorial awards from NCRS for driving the car the furthest distance to a meet, while still receiving a Top Flight Certificate!”

The car participated in the Fifty-Year Evolution of the Corvette caravan and display that took place in June of 2003 in Nashville, TN and Bowling Green, KY.
“It was fun being treated as a VIP since as a judge for NCRS and Bloomington Gold I am usually working at most events. It was an enjoyable experience and we were able to share some of the history of the car with the fans that came to see one Corvette from every year of production for the first 50 years of Corvette.”

Howie Maxwell presents the keys to his 1961 Corvette to Dr. Sean Preston, President and CEO of the National Corvette Museum.

Derek Moore, Director of Collections and Curator for the Museum shared that one of his goals has been to acquire one of every year Corvette. “One of the big things our Museum is about is presenting Corvette history and telling the story of not only the generations, but the years Corvette has been produced and been a part of the Corvette lifestyle,” shared Derek. “To have a Lifetime Member, someone who has supported this institution from the very beginning be one of the people to step up and help us fulfill that mission and goal of having one of each model year of Corvette, and to do it with such an amazing car is huge.”

“Nowadays, a lot of people are turning cars into restomods,” said Howie. “I was afraid if we sold it, somebody would just want the shell and would basically put a new car underneath it, giving them more conveniences, which is understandable. For me, I’m a history buff and I like the idea of preserving the history of something. If I donate it to the Museum, it’s pretty much going to stay in the shape it was in when it was built. This way I know it’s in a place where lots of people get to enjoy it, not just one person.”

As for Howie, he will still be enjoying the Corvette hobby, including all the modern conveniences, this time in his Museum-delivered Zeus Bronze 2020 Corvette Stingray.

Thank you to Howie Maxwell for his generosity, in helping to preserve the history of Corvette and for entrusting us with his beautiful car!

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Harry Rumzek

On the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month in 1918, World War I came to an end when Germany signed an armistice agreement with Allied forces. The next year the day would become known as Armistice Day, commemorating the end of WWI and honoring those who served our country. In 1954, President Eisenhower, a veteran himself, signed a bill that was passed in Congress officially changing Armistice Day to Veterans’ Day in honor of American veterans from all wars.

“Between 1954 and 1975, around 2.7 million Americans served in the Vietnam War,” shared Derek Moore, Director of Collections / Curator at the National Corvette Museum. “Approximately 600,000 of those Vietnam War veterans are still alive today. Dr. Harry and Anne Rumzek approached us to donate their 1970 Monza Red Corvette in honor of Vietnam Veterans.”

From 1959 to 1979 Major Harold Rumzek served in the United States Air Force. During his career he was assigned to B-52 bombers, including bombing missions in Vietnam. A highly decorated combat veteran, Harry’s career saw 158 combat missions, including being assigned to the crew on the world’s first supersonic Mach 2 Bomber. The list of Harry’s accomplishments in the Air Force go on, but it was his wish to recognize others with his donation.

“In May of 1970 the B-58 Hustler was phased out and my assignment for the SR-71 was cancelled just before I bought the car. There’s over 50 years of memories with this car – I bought it brand new,” shared Harry. “My first adventure, I went across Nevada, 399 miles in four hours from Wendover to Reno. There was no speed limit back then in Reno but I went through 10 towns there the speed limit through town was 25 mph, so I had to make sure I went from 125 back down to 25! While in Nevada Elvis was going to premier in Las Vegas – so I made a right turn and I watched him.”

Harry Rumzek’s 1970 Corvette being donated on November 11, 2020 at 11am.

Harry’s spirited drive through Nevada to California wouldn’t be the only time he tested the car’s speed. He’s taken laps at Texas Motor Speedway, has drag raced, and participated in autocross over the years (including in his 1980 Corvette). Harry’s 1970 Stingray participated in the Motorama II to celebrate General Motors’ 100^th Anniversary. He’s in the Museum’s Duntov and Spire Societies, a member of CowTown Vettes where he served as Texas Motor Speedway Coordinator and a Pit Security Worker for 13 years, a National Council of Corvette Clubs Life Member and was a charter member of the Wichita County Corvette Association where he served as NCCC Governor and Vice President. He currently also owns a 2012 Crystal Red Metallic Corvette Convertible.

Harry has about 54 years of schooling under his belt including 26 schools in the Air Force, a bachelor’s in education, master’s in communication, master’s in clinical psychology and a PhD in Behavioral Medicine. His military ratings include USAF Navigator, Senior Navigator and Master Navigator ratings for 3,200+ in-flight hours and over seven years flight experience; the USAF Combat Crew Member Badge; Air Training Command Master Instructor Badge with 3,000+ classroom hours as Navigator/Bombardier, Flight Instructor, and Flight Commander; and the Mach 2 Pin for supersonic flight in the B-58A aircraft. Major Rumzek was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross; Meritorious Service Medal; seven Air Medals; three Air Force Commendation Medals; six Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with ‘V’ for Valor; Organizational Excellence Award; Combat Readiness Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with five campaign stars; two Humanitarian Service Medals; Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Unit Award with Palm Device; Republic of Vietnam Service Medal; five Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbons; and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

Harry Rumzek hands off the keys to his 1970 Corvette to Dr. Sean Preston, President & CEO of the National Corvette Museum.

“November is Military Appreciation Month at the Museum, and the month in which we celebrate our veterans with our annual Vets ‘n Vettes event,” shared Dr. Sean Preston, President and CEO of the Museum. “We were delighted that Harry chose such a significant day to donated his car, and how he’s dedicated it to his brothers and sisters in arms.”

“It’s an honor having my car here,” shared Harry. “I lost over 100 friends in the military – 55-60 in Vietnam. I’d rather have it here at the Museum honoring these guys.”

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Andy Pilgrim, an inductee of the Corvette Hall of Fame and former factory team driver for Corvette and Cadillac, serves as track pro and driving coach at the NCM Motorsports Park and has developed a new drivers’ learning area.

“1995 is when I started this give-back project known as the Traffic Safety Education Foundation where I essentially just try and educate young people, parents and drivers’ education teachers,” shared Andy. “Coming to Bowling Green I have worked to develop a community-centered project, a drivers’ safety driving area. Essentially, most parents don’t spend the amount of time they should working with their children on supervised driving time. This area will hopefully encourage parents to come spend some of that supervised driving time here at the NCM Motorsports Park. And if you drive your own car, it’s free to use.”

Picture left to right: Mark Heusinkveld, Jan Rue, Dr. Sean Preston and Andy Pilgrim

Andy took the drivers’ learning area idea one step further, proposing to have Corvettes available for student drivers to utilize for a small fee. Jan Rue and Mark Heusinkveld of Cincinnati, OH were the first supporters to come forward and answer the call for help.

“When we put out a call to our enthusiast following, Jan and Mark answered,” said Dr. Sean Preston, President and CEO of the Museum. “I know I would have loved to do my practice driving at a cool racetrack like this and in a Corvette instead of an empty school parking lot in a 1979 Mazda RX7.”

Jan and Mark, members of the Museum, were happy to support a worthwhile project with their donation. The 1999 Arctic White Coupe Corvette was a 60^th birthday gift to Jan from Mark.

“We saw the call-out for cars and talked about it,” said Jan. “With COVID, we’ve both recently retired. We used to go to club meetings and things. There are no meetings this year, no events because of COVID. And so, she’s just not getting the driving and the attention that she should be getting. What a perfect thing for youth to be able to learn some safety in such a cool car or group of cars.”

“The gentleman we purchase this from, he was an ex-Air Force mechanic,” shared Jan. “He was so proud of this car. He sent every scrap of paper with this car, memorabilia, every receipt, and he was the third owner of the car. He put an extra coat of wax on it before it would get on the transport truck and then sent us a video of a walk-around of the car before it left Clearwater. He was very proud of his baby and we were very grateful to get it.”

Mark shared that his first Corvette he purchased about 20 years ago – a ’69 Big Block Convertible that he still has. They have also owned a 2013 Grand Sport that they traded in towards a 2019 Corvette (which they drove to Bowling Green for the donation ceremony). Jan is looking forward to ordering a C8 in the next few weeks.

The couple also enjoy other marques including Jan’s daily driver of a 2016 Mustang GT, and Mark has a long history of Camaros before Corvette – including a ’68 Camaro that he still owns. Their involvement with Camaro is what introduced them to the Museum by attending an F-Body event. “I remember one year there was a couples membership offer and I got presented my membership on Valentine’s Day,” shared Jan. The couple have also participated in Kentucky Club Day and the National Corvette Caravan.

The new drivers’ learning area will be available for public use in the coming weeks with the Corvette driving option being added soon thereafter.

“We want to thank Jan and Mark for their donation and hope this inspires other enthusiasts to come forward and support our program designed to create safer drivers on the road and a new generation of Corvette enthusiasts,” added Sean.

Additional details about the offering will be shared on the Motorsports Park’s website as they become available at motorsportspark.org.

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Chip became a real influence on Wayne. “I saw him working on cars in the driveway at Judy’s house, and later in life would see him at Carlisle, the Cavalcade of Corvettes and many other Corvette events. He was an inspiration and knew everything about the Corvette. He was quite a collector and quite a guy.”

In 1969 Wayne would graduate from college, but couldn’t yet afford a Corvette of his own, instead, purchasing a Road Runner that he wishes he still had. Just a few years later, though, he’d find his opportunity.

“I was in Langhorn, Pa. in May of 1972 and stopped in the dealership. There I saw a 1970 Corvette. It was one of the salesman’s demo cars, but it was for sale and in mint condition. It had about 4,000 miles on it and was in my price range, $4,895. I called Chip and he came and looked at it. We took it for a test drive. He said it was perfect, there was nothing wrong with it – so I made a deal. I put $5 down on the car to hold it for three days.”

The 1970 Donnybrooke Green Corvette would become Wayne’s first.

Three years later he met Pattie and they got married. “We both enjoyed the car and showed it with the Corvette Club of Delaware Valley at Bryner Chevrolet in Jenkintown (the club’s sponsor). Later we bought a house, which then gave us a lot more work to do. We ended up letting the car sit.”
An accident at home in 2006 that prevented Wayne from being able to drive the Corvette anymore caused it to do even more sitting. “My wife said I either needed to restore it or sell it. So, I decided to restore it. It was the best decision I ever made!”

Wayne, Pattie and their good friend Mark Snyder, owner of Performance Car Factory, would spend the next eleven months restoring the Corvette. “It wasn’t a frame-off restoration, but just about everything was off the car. My wife always told me that there would never be any kind of automobile part in our kitchen. When we were restoring the ’70, Mark took the wiring harness off, all the wires, chrome and vacuum hoses, and Pattie was going to clean them and polish them up. She was working in the garage and sweating, but suddenly those parts came into the kitchen so that she was working in the air conditioning,” Wayne laughs. “She did a fantastic job, she really helped out.”

The Lankfords have owned several other Corvettes including a Silver 2006 Z51 Coupe, an Arctic White 2013 Anniversary Edition Coupe, an Arctic White 2017 Grand Sport (which they still own), and they just picked up a Lime Rock Green 2014. But it’s the 1970 that has always been in the garage.

“My wife and I have family, but no one who would really appreciate the car. We couldn’t see something that I bought so long ago, that was my first love, just be sold to someone. It’s all original.”

Wayne and Pattie have enjoyed the Corvette hobby together and will continue enjoying it. “She was a great driver of the C3 and really chirped all four gears. We also went to Ron Fellows and did the performance drive together. We not only participate in activities with our club, CCDV, but also belong to the Tri State Corvette Club and go to their shows. I thought it was time to go ahead and donate the 1970, and what better institution than NCM.”

The couple are already planning a visit to the Museum to see their 1970. “We intend to come down in late spring or early next fall, once everything’s over with COVID and at least see the car. We’re glad it’s going to be there, taken care of, and people can appreciate it as we did.”

Thank you to Wayne for the donation of his first Corvette. We look forward to sharing it with others!

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