Generations Corvette Club

P.O. Box 22, Groton, New York 13073-0022
http://generationscorvettecny.com

The Generations Corvette Club of Central New York (GCCCNY) was started in the year 2000 by a small group of Corvette owners in the Groton area who wanted to get together in the summer months to drive their cars and in the winter months for socializing.  The group’s stated goals were, “to promote unity among Corvette enthusiasts for social, recreational and community events”.  They crafted a set of by laws, created a club logo, opened a bank account and started collecting annual dues ($20).  As the club members began talking to other Corvette owners and the word got around, more and more local enthusiasts joined the ranks of the new club.  Today, the club includes over 30 members and their spouses, significant others or in some cases the whole family from throughout the Central New York/Finger Lakes region, and about 50 Corvettes.

The club name, “Generations” refers to what are now seven major design versions, or generations, of the Corvette, beginning with the “C-1” generation in 1953 when the car was first introduced to the public by Chevrolet.  Only 300 Corvettes were produced in that year and they were quite primitive by today’s standards. Over the years since 1953, Chevrolet has made many design changes in the car but only five major changes, which were basically complete new designs.  These major redesigns occurred in 1963, 1968, 1984, 1997 and 2005 and those cars carry the subsequent designations, “C-2”, “C-3” and so on.  Today’s “C-7” version is a highly sophisticated, very powerful, extremely fast sports car with performance that rivals and, in some cases, exceeds the capabilities of the far more expensive European sports cars.  In addition, every 10 years they have an anniversary edition, which, now includes a 60th year anniversary edition.

On summer weekends, the club members travel together (in what is referred to as a “caravan”) to a variety of events such as car shows, parades, wine tours, horse races, dinners, brunches, pancake breakfasts, car museums, laps at Watkins Glen and picnics to name just a few.  In the winter, members usually drive their “other” vehicles to monthly get togethers such as group dinners, brunches, holiday parties and so on.  Once a month, on the second Monday, the members meet at the Ithaca Ramada Inn on Triphammer Road at 6 PM for dinner and to carry on the club’s business and make plans for future events.  If you are a corvette enthusiast feel free to stop into any of our meetings or events.  Typically, one member volunteers to lead each event, which includes making plans and reservations, selecting a starting time and place, planning the route and then leading the caravan.  Driving a Corvette is certainly a fun experience in itself but joining with others who share your interest and enthusiasm for “America’s sports car” enhances that enjoyment greatly.

Most, if not all of the hundreds of Corvette clubs around the country also choose to involve themselves in community service projects and the Generations Corvette Club is no different.  Each spring, the club offers two $250 scholarships to graduating high school students who are in the auto mechanics or auto body programs at the Cortland or Ithaca BOCES and are going on to advanced training at other institutions.  This year the club held an auction, of donated items, to the public at the annual BOCES car show.  All proceeds were used to provide the scholarship funds.  Recipients are selected by the club on the basis of their academic achievements, their performance in their vocational classes and recommendations from their teachers and other school administrators.  In addition, any money raised by the club or collected membership fees are donated to charitable organizations.  Coming up to the holiday season the club always collects for Toys for Tots.

Hope to see you at one of our meetings or events.  All are welcomed whether you own or are simply interested in corvettes feel free to stop by.

Feel free to contact us at the above address or send us an email GCCCNYSecretary@gmail.com with any questions or requests for us to participate in your event.