President's Message January 2017

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all and your families. By now most Corvettes are stored away for the winter.

December 2nd was our annual Holiday Party. This year it was held at JoeLorusso’s heated garage with buffet food, raffles, Yankee swap, and plenty ofFUN. Sixty people attended this year. There was a celebration toast for theholidays that almost everyone participated in. Joe Hanley was the only one todrive a Corvette to the event. Dennis will be doing his CWC (cold weather cruises) and will notify everyone when they start.

This year, 2016, was very busy with a lot of events and activities.One special event is our Tuesday static cruise. We meet in Medfield Shaw’s parking lot at around 4:00 PM and stay until dusk falls. Many times people would show up around 6:00, after work, whileit is still light out and everyone would be gone. This year was different with people staying until dark. A couple times the club supplied pizza and everyone enjoyed it. As people got up for a slice it got them up, talking, and mingling around the cars.

An added event on Wednesdays … was going to the Elks Lodge in North Attleboro for their event.

We will continue with the lunch on Wednesdays at noon.

One of our big events was the Columbus Day trip went to Canada this year. We continued many of the other cruises which were part of our regular schedule.

January has a couple events with the Barrett Jackson auction and Soup party.

Soon the election committee will get together for next years officers election.

Let’s start to plan for another great year in 2017.

Thank you so much EMCC. Let’s keep it going. Save the Wave.

Steve Sylvia --------- EMCC President

Executive Board & Chairpersons

PresidentSteve Sylvia508-660-2680steves@datasmithnetworks.com

Vice PresidentJoel Baker508-668-6420mbaker@benefitservicesinc.com

SecretaryMal Smith781-706-5762 AuntieMal@aol.com

Treasurer Jim McMackin 781-449-7890 mcmack15@comcast.net

SocialJim Gable508-527-0336jgablesr@yahoo.com

MembershipJoe Lank508-284-2843joelank@verizon.net

Sunshine Judy Pitasi 508-966-9026 Rdvette72@aol.com

Club Store Joel Baker 508-668-6420 mbaker@benefitservicesinc.com

Gazette Publisher/EditorFacebook GuruKeith Jacobson617-527-2100kamerakeith@gmail.com

Webmaster Kevin Miller 508-328-0358 Kevinmiller@stmarksschool.org

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MERRY CHRISTMAS EASTERN MASSCORVETTE CLUB

DECEMBER 2, 2016By “Smoken” Mal Smith

Photos submitted by Dennis Collins

What better place to have a Christmas Party for the most up-and-coming CorvetteClub in New England but a “garage”. Idon’t mean any garage, I am talkingabout the garage of Joe Lorusso inWalpole, of course, it is heated and youcould eat off the floors. This partyplace has its own bathroom, kitchen,etc. About 60 EMCC members gathered Friday night for a wonderful buffet dinner prepared by Lucianno’s/Lake Pearl. The food was plentiful and it was delicious. We started the evening with appetizers prepared by Lucianno’s, as well as, some prepared by our members. By the time the cocktail hour was done we were all full from eating so many wonderful “starters”. Again, let me tell you, dinner was great!There were lots of items brought for the Yankee Swap which Steve managed to creatively disburse. There were some very nice gifts and, of course, there were the ones that got a chuckle. I caught a glimpse of quite a few bottles of liquor among the gifts. I hope you enjoy your Christmas surprise.

The centerpieces…which also had a liquor theme were given away to those who had a birthday closest to the party date. I think that is how Steve arranged it. Congrats to those who won. Dessert was a carrot cake, a chocolate and vanilla cake, and some cookies and other goodies. The desserts were wonderful. Some folks didn’t save room for them but for those who did, ….. yum!!

There was a lot of laughing, socializing and comradery this year, more than usual. It was so nice tosee everyone having such a great time. It certainly was a lot of fun. Good news!!!! Joe has offered to sponsor the Christmas Party next year too. Many thanks to Joe for hosting this event. Also, thanks to the members who brought goodies and helped with the set up and clean up.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

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Meet Our Members By Bryan Clayman

I have been in EMCC for 7-8 years now. Unlike most of the guys, still work full time so I don't get to any meetings or cruises. I own Signarama in Walpole,we printed the banner that I see in some of the club photos. We also lettervehicles and do full wraps.

As far as Vetts go I just purchased a 2017 Grand Sport, HeritageEdition. Being a true Corvette nut this is the 22nd Corvette I have owned.

I have a 4 post lift in my garage so most of thetime I am stacking them up.

Growing up around muscle cars (I am 58) I along with my friends always had muscle cars. Saturdayswe tuned, washed, and waxed them getting ready for Saturday nitecruising. I grew up in Winthrop so we cruisedWinthrop Beach, Revere Beach,Nahant Beach, and so on. We were luckyenough to drag race on Lynn Marsh Roadback in the day. I was first into Camaros thenone day my buddy pulled up inhis 1980 4speed stick shift Corvette. It wasfunny when I asked if I coulddrive it and he was like what!!! my Vette!!! Ididn't realize that Vette owners didnot like it when others drove their cars.

Anyway, one drive and I was hooked.Put my '82 Z28 Camaro up for sale and bought a '77 Vette. I have owned everygeneration C1 to C7. Although old is way cool, the C7 is the absolute bestof the best. I have also owned and restored many Camaros and hopefully itsOK to say, Mustangs as well.

I traded in a 2014 C7 on my new GS. Unfortunately, I only got to drive the2014 about 900 miles during my 2.5 years of ownership. I traded the 2014 in atMacMulkin in Nashua. Stealth black and of course a stick shift. Tommy Jr.then sold it to Corvette Mike who sold it right away. Nevereven made hisinventory.Most of my vets I have purchased and sold privately.Running my business,with the help of my daughter, who handles the day to day

operations, has taken upso much time over the past 15 years. I have made all of my recent purchases through dealers, either Tommy Jr. from MacMulkin or Corvette Mike. No greatdeals from them, but it gets to a point, you just want what you want.So when the GS came out, I just had to have it. I know many of the guys getautomatics, but as far as I am concerned, a corvette needs to be a stickshift. Wanting a stick I had to order my new GS. GM really has their acttogether. It was so easy to order. I got an e-mail status report every 5-7days so I knew exactly where my Vette was in the production stages all thetime. My Vette was delivered in just 5 weeks.

So I have had the GS 3 weeks now. Only 150 or so miles ...I work too much, Butwhat a difference between the 2014 and 2017. The car has matured. Betterbuild quality, handling, electronics, and comfort.

I am hoping to join the club on a track excursion some day. I did take adriving course at the Bob Bonderant school many many many years ago. Don'twant to race but would enjoy a track day to see what the new GS can do.I am on a ramble here, but thats how it is when we Corvette guys gettogether. Now it's off to sleep for the GS. Hopefully, in afew years when I am retired, our plan is to live full time in SouthCarolina. You know what that means, Corvette daily driver all year.

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EMCC Membership

As of October we have 85 paid members, 1 associate, and 5 honorary

Next Board MeetingTuesday – December 27th at 6:30 PM

at Finnegan's Wake

Next Business MeetingTuesday – January 3rd at 7:30 PM

at Finnegan's Wake

Come early at 6:30 to enjoy dinner & schmoozing

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News from the National Corvette MuseumStory & Photos by NCM

2017 Corvette Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

The National Corvette Museum has announced the following inductees to be recognized as part of the 20th Annual Corvette Hall of Fame Ceremony in 2017: Peter Brock in the category of Enthusiast; Jim Minneker in the category of GM/Chevrolet; and Tommy Morrison in the category ofRacing. These three individuals will be recognized with the highest honor bestowed by the Museum for their contributions to the past, present and future of Corvette.

The 2017 Corvette Hall of Fame recipients will be inducted into the Corvette Hall of Fame during a ceremony and banquet on Friday, September 1, 2017. Their inductionwill take place as part of the Museum’s 23rd Anniversary CelebrationAugust 31 – September 2, 2017.

At just 19 years old, Peter Brock was one of the youngest designers toever be invited to work at GM Design. When Bill Mitchell, the new VPof the Styling Section for GM, wanted to build a successor to the 1957

Corvette SS concept car, he charged his team of designers to come up with some ideas. Ultimately Brock’s sketch was selected and refined. Working with fellow designers Chuck Pohlmann, Larry Shinoda and Tony Lapine their efforts culminated into the very first Corvette to be called a Sting Ray, the XP87 Corvette Sting Ray Racer. (Yes, it is supposed to be two words.) This racing concept would go on to influence the lines and look of the second-generation Corvette and really, every Corvette since.

As an enthusiast, Brock has done just about everything relating to motorsports. He has designed andraced cars, written books and articles, and even became a photojournalist capturing one of the greatest eras of motor-racing history. He documented the Corvette’s performance history from its earliest days in the mid ‘50s with Briggs Cunningham at Le Mans, through the powerful era when drivers Dave McDonald, Dick Thompson and Bob Bondurant established the Corvette as America’s only true production performance car, all the way to the present C7 generation. In addition to all of that he started Brock Racing Enterprises in the 1960’s and has worked on a number of other marques along the way, but has always had a very special place in his heart for Corvettes.

Jim Minneker is a great example of the way Chevrolet infuses racing DNA into the Corvette. As both a racer and an engineer, he brought to the table an understanding of what makes power, and what it takes to control that power on a track. Using that insight he joined the Corvette team in 1986, spending the next ten years working on the LT1, LT4 and the legendary LT5 engines that would become the heart of the ZR-1 Corvette supercar. It’s no wonder that he became the engineering group manager for GM High Performance Vehicle Operations.

As a racer, he has driven for Bakeracing, Morrison-Cook Motorsports,Doug Rippie Racing and Mallett Motorsports, while competing in theSCCA World Challenge, the IMSA Supercar series, IMSA GT and theGrand Am series. Perhaps his greatest achievement behind the wheelhowever, was as a member of the team of eight drivers that set the 24-HourSpeed Endurance World Record Run in 1990, driving a stock ZR-1Corvette at an average speed of 175.885 mph.

Jim’s efforts on behalf of Corvette however, didn’t stop in Detroit or at thetrack. When the National Corvette Museum was just beginning, he wasinstrumental, helping out early on in arranging for displays relating topowertrain and engineering. Ultimately, he was elected to the position of Chairman of the Board where his leadership, wisdom, direction and vision was essential in setting the course for a bright future at the National Corvette Museum.

If there was a Mount Rushmore for Corvette Racing, Tommy Morrison’s face might be on it–carved in stone and wearing dark sunglasses with a confident smile. In the early 1980s when he teamed up with the late Jim Cook to found Morrison-Cook Motorsports, his Corvette race cars began dominating in showroom stock racing and making Corvette history along the way. He set out to prove that Mobil 1 and Corvette were a nearly unbeatable combination racking up more 24-hour endurance wins than any team before them–thus starting a sponsorship relationship that is still winning to this day.

At the races and on test tracks, Tommy’s teams provided GM engineers with valuable test data that went back to the engineers designing the cars. His efforts also gaveChevrolet’s marketing department a series of wins that created massiveopportunities for promoting the Corvette. Perhaps the greatest example ofthis was the 1990 24-Hour Speed Endurance World Record Run, where heand his team took a stock ZR-1 Corvette and drove it 24 hours straight,averaging 175.885 miles per hour. This became a PR boost that GM woulduse in a series of commercials and print ads to further establish Corvette’sreputation as a high-performance icon. So important was this achievementthat the National Corvette Museum has a long-term exhibit on display withthe actual record run car, and plaster casts of Tommy, Jim Minneker andJohn Heinricy surrounding it. One of Tommy’s other race cars is part of theSmithsonian Institute collection.

While Tommy would quickly attribute his success to his teammates and the “good Lord above,” his determination, courage, and leadership were also key to his victories, and to his induction into the 2017 Corvette Hall of Fame.

Since its inception in 1997, 64 individuals have been inducted into the Corvette Hall of Fame. Bios, photos and in many case videos of each are available on the Museum’s website at www.corvettemuseum.org.

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Heard On the Street

By Arne Johnson

It has been clear, for some time now, that Cadillac has taken advantage ofChevrolet’s Corvette advancements and has participated in racing utilizing thedevelopments in the Cadillac CTS-V model line. It now seems they are about to entera new and higher level of sports racing with the recently announced Dpi-VR 2017model. It is a sleek looking beast which has been undergoing test runs with driver,Jeff Gordon, at the wheel. Results, we are informed, are record level runs. Cadillacwill test their performance at ISMA at Daytona on Jan. 28th and 29th. The carcurrently has a 6.2 Liter V8 with 600hp.

For most EMCC members and other clubs facing the winter doldrums, this is a difficult time of year.The desire to get out and cruise is conistently on our minds but inclement weather forbids the fullfilment of our wishes. Even at my age (78) that desire does not disapate. Although the years haveslowed me down, the rush of air and engine sound on acceleration stirs the blood like nothing else can do. It is a link to years past and makes the mind feel 18 years old once again. For the time being however, there is no cruisin just snoozin. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my fellow members in EMCC.

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EMCC CLUB STORE

Don’t forget to stop by the EMCC Club Store at the next Business Meeting and get your

apparel. We have hats, shirts, t-shirts, jackets, and sweatshirts available.

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January Birthdays

Alan Factor January 20

Ron Graham January 19

Joe Jacobs January 5

Larry Lepore January 30

John Pinciaro January 15

Kevin Miller January 26

Scott Shikora January 3

Tony Venuto January 15

Peter Way January 29

Steve Wilson January 16

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From the West CoastBy Les “Rooster” Brown

Here on the east coast we have Vettes to Vets out on the west coast the have Vets in Vettes where Corvette owners drive veterans in Veteran's Day parades. Club member Rooster Brown (standing onthe right) drives Viet Nam vet Frank Borsellino in the Petaluma, CA Veteran's Day Parade.

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Vettes on the VineyardBy Joel Baker

Photos courtesy of Arnie Goodrich, former member

Thinking of summers past and warmer days Joel reminds of of this event.

The event was called Vineyard Vette Voyage. It was put on by the North ShoreCorvette Club and open to all Corvette owners. It was a weekend package whereyou would book your own ferry time and return to the mainland on Sunday. Thepackage included breakfast and dinner. They would have a display on Saturdayand participants would vote for their favorite cars. This was a great event. Theyalso had a rallye either walking or driving.

Various General Motors brass would be on hand for the weekend. Usually Zora Arkus-Duntov would be there with his wife Elfi. Shown here is the 1986 event.

Elfi and Zora sign autographs

Bronze 454 auto Zora and Arnie

Dreams Can Come True

Many of us have dreamed of owning a Corvette since our teenage years or even earlier. But howmany have expressed this dream in their high school year book? Our own Rosemary Fontana (Mrs.

Frank) listed it as her “surpressed desire”.

Save The Wave via the internet

Some don't know who is required to wave.. Although the thought is everyone is … there are exceptions to the rules... For example all women are not required to wave.... Likewise, men who don't know about the wave are excused....

Bottom line the Corvette Wave is meant to be a friendly gesture between drivers. Today it is also a way to pass on a part on a part of history and passion...and those are the most important facts beside it just being something FUN to do...

Here is the original article as it was written back in 1969 in an issue of Corvette News.....

What is "The Wave"?From the August/September 1969 issue of Corvette News

Ever since Corvette No. 00001 first met Corvette No. 00002 on the road, their drivers saluted each other with waves. Today, unfortunately, this grand and glorious tradition is wavering. WAVE WHENYOU PASS ANOTHER CORVETTE!

There's one item of standard equipment that comes as a pleasant surprise to every new Corvette owner. It's an instant wave of recognition he or she receives when he meets one of their ilks on the road. The first time it happens, they will be taken by surprise. He immediately thinks: 1. He has been mistaken for Sterling Moss. 2. His lights are on. 3. He has just been given the bird.

Soon, however, the new Vette owner anticipates, indeed even relishes, encountering other Vettes as he drives. During this period, he experiments with his waves, running the gamut from the gaping "yoo hoo" to the ultra cool "two finger flip." He perfects his timing, making sure he affects neither atoo-early wave, nor the jaded "oh brother" too-late variety. Determined not to be one upped, he evendevelops a defense mechanism for non wavers, usually settling on the "Wave"? My hand was just onthe way to scratch my head" approach. (This is especially useful when you're not driving your Vette,but you forget, and like a dummy, you wave anyway.)

Indeed, one of the most perplexing problems facing a would-be waver is what to do when driving next to a fellow Vette owner. Passing him going in opposite directions is one thing. Greetings are exchanged, and that's that. But what happens when you pull up next to a guy at a light, wave, nod, smile and then pull up to him at the next light, a block later? Wave again? Nod bashfully? Grin self-consciously? Ignore him? Or take the chicken's way out and turn down the next side street? If you'reexpecting an answer, you won't find it here. Sad to say, some questions don't have any. SAVE THE WAVE!

Female Corvette drivers also have a unique problem: to wave or not to wave. This miss or misses who borrows her man's Corvette, or has her own, is immediately faced with this quandary. Should she wave first and look overly friendly, or ignore the wave and look like a snob? Most ladies who drive their own Vettes prefer to suffer the latter rather than take a chance of being misread. For this reason, all women are excused for occasionally failing to return a well-meaning wave. So are new owners who are still learning the ropes.

There is no excuse, however, for a guy who refuses to return the wave, not out of ignorance, but of arrogance or apathy. While this type of behavior is the exception to the rule, it seems a few owners of newer models refuse to recognize anything older than theirs, while some others simply won't wave, period. Boo on them. These ding-a-lings don't seem to realize that they are helping to squash a tradition that had its beginnings back when most of us were still driving tootsie toys.

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Wave "Rules... (Note these rules were written AFTER the 1969 article first appeared...)

The Corvette Wave is an integral part of the mystique and culture of the Corvette owner experience. Corvette owners who wave at fellow Corvette owners when they pass on the road, show a mark of recognition that you are among the elite group of intelligent people who are driving America's True Sports Car. And as a member of this elite group, you should be recognized for your poise and intelligence. So for those who don't know the five simple Corvette Wave rules, here they are:

1. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR NOT WAVING AT A FELLOW CORVETTE OWNER.Although most Corvette owners have the class and understanding to accept when their wave is not returned, not waving is a serious breach of proper Corvette etiquette.

2. WHOEVER SEES THE OTHER CORVETTE 1ST STARTS THE WAVE.There isn't any rule about who waves first. This is simple; if you see another Corvette, wave!

3. RULES 1 & 2 APPLY TO BOTH SEXES.As far as who starts the wave, it doesn't make a difference if you are a man or women. Rules 1 and 2 apply.

4. ANY TYPE OF WAVE IS OKAY.Whether you shoot a big wave up through your open Vette top, out the window, or a quick salute with your hand on the steering wheel, any wave that can be seen by the other Corvette driver is okay. However, this does not include any style of jester that can be interpreted as obscene or insulting. Remember, Corvette owners are a class act; while someone might have been rude or stupid to you, try not to return the favor. (This is a tough rule not to break with all the stupid drivers who manage to get a driver's license.)

5. A LATE WAVE IS BETTER THAN NO WAVE.If you suddenly realize that a Corvette driver is passing and waving at you, get a wave off as soon as possible. The other Corvette driver may see your wave in their rear view mirror and realize that you where just a little late in getting your wave going. Although missing the timing of your wave is a "goof," getting off a wave that the other Corvette driver has a chanceto see can acceptably cover this slip-up.

So you can see the underlying concept here is simple: Wave at your fellow Corvette owners, whoever they are, whenever you see them. This will show you are a person who understands the fullmeasure and etiquette that comes with your proud ownership of a Corvette...

Getting Your Shine OnBy Jim Lee

Because Corvettes are the coolest cars in the world, Its only natural that theirowners want their rides looking their best and to be protected from theelements. Unfortunately with so many products available it's hard to choosewhich product best serves our needs. These include natural Carnauba waxes,polymer based sealants, (often blended with natural wax) ceramic quartzcoatings, and paint protective films or PPF.

As a professional detailer I would like to share my knowledge, with myfellow Vette owners, of my favorite form of surface protection which is ceramic quartz coatings. While a typical wax lasts no more than a few weeks and a high quality sealant four to six months. Amodern silica or resin based coating can last up to two years. These chemically advanced formulas combine SIO2 or silicon dioxide (silica), the primary ingredient in glass and ceramics, with catalystsand solvents to form, once dried, a hard, super-hydrophobic glass like coating. The slick surfacethey provide makes it hard for dirt and debris tostick to while at the same time providing a deep,glassy reflective gloss. These glass coatings are not just restricted to paint.There are now silica based coatings on the marketfor rims, plastic trim and even textiles.

Because of the many choices available when itcomes to shopping for a coating it now becomesimportant to come up with different means of comparing them. The first of three methods of comparison is hardness. This is measured using the pencil hardness scale from one to nine. Paint typically measures three on the scale. Because some coatings on the market measure up to five this can significantly increase your paints resistance to swirls and minor scratches.

The second method of comparison is called contact angle. This is the angle a bead of water creates perpendicular to the surface it sits on. In other words the greater the angle, the taller the water bead relative to its foot print. This is useful in comparing how hydrophobic a coating is. A typical coating is 90 degrees with some contact angles reaching as high as 120 degrees.

The third method of comparison is gloss. This method isvery subjective and difficult to measure. There are glossmeters on the market but they are very expensive and fewdetailers have them. Also with coatings everything is acompromise. When a coating is ultra hard on the scale itcreates a hard, scratch resistant glass like gloss that manyprefer but it is not as hydrophobic as a coating with ahigh contact angle. Also coatings with higher contact

angles have a better self cleaning effect with more of a carnauba wax like gloss. In attempting to get the best of both worlds of both a hard coating and a hydrophobic one many detailers, myself included, will apply a base coat of glass that is on the high side of the scale and topping it with a second coat that is softer and more hydrophobic. This is what I did to my Vette which has never seen wax since I bought it new in 2014. I simply wash, rinse and blow dry and I'm done. Most of the major manufactures of Ceramic Coatings such as C Quartz, 22ple, Opticoat, and my own coatings from The Kamakazi Collection and Gyeon Quartz offer coatings that can be applied by an owner with average skill. These offer outstanding results but for those wanting the very best coatings available, manufactures offer professional level only products, meaning they can only be installed by factory certified detailers. The reason being that pro coats are generally applied using multiple coats containing higher concentrations of silica and containing dangerous solvents such as fluorine requiring a respirator and making them fussier to apply. If anyone in the club is considering a ceramic quartz coating please don't hesitate to get in touch. I'llbe happy to help anyway I can.

SAVE THE WAVE !

LAST MINUTE CALENDAR NOTES:

LAST LAUGHS!!!

More News From The West Coast

**********************************“WHERE YOU COME FOR THE CARS …

BUT STAY FOR THE PEOPLE”

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