FLINT, Mich. – Bob Graves of Fenton was among several Corvette owners from throughout the Genesee County and Flint area to drive Corvettes to downtown Flint Friday for the national Bring Your Corvette to Work Day.
Philip Elder of Durand brought his 1973 Corvette Stingray to Bring Your Corvette Day in Flint
Philip Elder, 52, decided to make the 30-minute drive from Durand to Flint in his 1973 T-top Stingray.
It was the first time Flint took part in the Bring Your Corvette to Work Day national event that began nine years ago to celebrate when the first Corvette rolled off an assembly line in Flint, Michigan on June 30, 1953. The event is now held annually on the Friday before June 30.
Graves, a member of the Flint Corvette Club, brought his red 1963 Corvette Stingray to the event that was greeted by clear blue skies. By driving a Corvette to Flint Graves got free parking in the main downtown lot at Kearsley and Saginaw streets and a $2 off coupon at participating downtown Flint businesses. The event was sponsored by Applegate Chevrolet in Flint and the Flint Downtown Development Authority.
“Flint is the birthplace of the Corvette so we like to come down and support the city,” said Graves, 74, and a retired worker from Flint-based Citizens Bank.
Grand Blanc residents John Schoenfield and George Gibson came down for the event with their cars. Gibson, 63, a member of Flint-based Team Corvette, came with his 2007 Corvette.
Schoenfield, 77, brought his 1968 Corvette that he’s owned for 31 years.
A line of Corvettes in Flint for Bring Your Corvette to Work Day
“I thought what the heck, I should come to Flint,” Schoenfield said. “The car sits in the pole barn most of the year. It’s only the second time this year I got it out. Plus with that coupon later today I’m going to get a beer and a burger.”
Elder said he grew up in Flint and used to come to downtown as a child, but a few years ago believed that Flint was unsafe so he refused to come to town. But last year he attended the Back to Bricks car show and cruise and was impressed with the size of the show and the positive changes that have taken place in downtown Flint, including the opening of new businesses and restaurants.
“Before, coming to Flint was too scary,” Elder said. “But I’m very impressed with the city now. There’s police around and nobody bothers you anymore.”
Elder said he’ll be back to downtown Flint for this year’s Back to Bricks event Aug. 11-15 in Flint. Back to the Bricks has grown from a one-day event in 2005 with about 600 participants and 7,000 spectators to a four-day event in 2008 with 20,000 participants and 150,000 spectators. The 2009 event expects to be the biggest one yet. It will have five exciting days beginning with a free drive-in movie night in the Flint Cultural Center. Details: Backtothebricks.org.
Gary Minzey of Flint brought his 1999 Corvette to Flint on Friday and plans to spend the entire day downtown.
Jack Matsko of Flushing is a Corvette expert and was sharing his knowledge of “America’s sports car” with fellow Corvette owners. Matsko, also a member of Team Corvette, brought his LeMans Blue 2004 Commemorative Edition Corvette. He said his car is one of just 2,659 convertibles made for that special edition.
“I came here because I get excited about the Corvette and the camaraderie of the people. I’ve owned nine Corvettes and I think it’s the greatest sports car ever,” said Matsko, senior sales director for Suski Chevrolet Buick dealership in Birch Run.
The downtown event also was an unofficial precursor to the annual Sloan Auto Fair, which is Saturday and Sunday in the Flint Cultural Center. Hundreds of vintage and classic cars are expected to attend the Auto Fair. General admission is $5 per person with children 14 and under free. Cost for vehicles to be in the show is $15. A car cruise from Flint to the Flushing A&W will start at 6 p.m. Saturday. Details: sloanautofair.com.
For the Corvette Day event today, those who drive their Corvette to Flint between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Friday get to park for free in a designated area in the main surface lot at Kearsley and Saginaw street. When arriving at the lot, the Corvette drivers received coupons for $2 off of a $5 purchase on Friday at downtown Flint participating businesses.
Flint businesses involved in the promotion include Bailiwick Pub & Grill, Blackstone’s Pub & Grill, Brown Sugar Café, Churchill’s Food and Spirits, Economy Print and Graphics, the Lunch Studio, the Masonic Temple, Mike’s Triple Grill, Pages Bookstore and others, Ford said. Details: Contact Larry Ford at the DDA at (810) 767-8363.
On the Web:
9th Annual Drive your Corvette to Work Day: http://www.sloanautofair.com
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