New Members March 2, 2011 Bob and Debb VanderUpwich
Grew up in a gas station/family business.
Father was a mechanic. Learned to love cars. Debb and I got married and decided to socialize around the car culture we enjoy.
Purchased our corvette from the second owner in Rancho Santa Margarita in February 2001. Our corvette is white, stock coupe with an upgraded sound system, after market wheels with 2 tops. Manager at J.D. Corvettes says "cleanest 91 he has seen".
We joined SWC for local social contact.
Funny or unusual occurrence because of being a corvette owner - cussed out by CHP - backed off before he could clock us, although we weren't going very fast. He was mad, but no ticket. He used the "F" bomb.
You can't have marital relations in a corvette...
A brand new member profile.....
George and Nancy Baldwin Back in the early 90's my son and I started to study & look at Vettes, mostly the early models(60's). Most memorable is the time when I got a ride in a '66 from Wichita to K.C. in 1972. Never forgot that --- 90mph all the way.
I purchased my 1st Vette ("67) from a guy in San Jose who's brother owned "Corvette Clinic" in San Jose in 1996. I purchased my 2008 Z06 from Harbor Chevrolet in L.B. in Oct. 2010.
We joined Southwest Corvettes because I enjoy being with people who have the same interests. Also to learn more about best repair shops, and obtaining parts, etc. Generally gain more knowledge of the hobby.
When I'm out driving either car I always get a lot of waves and thumbs up, but I also get a strange feeling of paranoia that certain people are out to steal the car.. It's crazy but that's just me. Are all Vette owners like that?
Southwest Corvettes Member Profile Guide Your Name: __________________________________________ When and how did you become interested in Corvettes? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Where did you purchase your Corvette?Do you have any interesting stories about finding or buying it? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Information on your Corvette(s) – engine, drivetrain, color, options, performance: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Why you joined Southwest Corvettes or a club in general: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Funny or unusual occurrence because of being a Corvette owner: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Other? (details about a restoration or modifications or anything else you’d like to share!) Please include a picture of you and your Corvette(s), if possible.Return to the Vice President when completed.We’ll include it in our monthly web site update.
Monthly Member Profile
All members who would like to submit a profile of your life as a Corvette owner... Please send a write up and some photos to my email address. Address available under Member's Only Roster.
Thanks! Debbie Miller SWC Webmaster
Steve Gammer Bio
I saw my first Corvette when I was in my first year of High School in the Bronx. People were not car-oriented, so when a red and white Corvette popped upon our street, it caught everyone’s eye, including me.
Through High School I drew pictures of Corvettes, but that is as close that I came to having one. Forty years go by…college in New York, medical school at St. Louis University, Dermatology training in Philadelphia, 2 years as an army Dermatologist in Korea, 30 years in practice then I met Victoria, my wife. Incredible to find out Victoria secretly wanted a Corvette since she was eight—(my secret too!)
While servicing our Suburban at Harbor Chevrolet, we noted that they had a spectacular C6 Crystal Red 2008; and of course, since Victoria Ok’d the purchase, bingo, we were unexpectedly driving away in our new “Vette.”
I saw Victoria was so blown away with this Vette that I said, “It’s your car,” “Wow!” she said. (I get to drive it a little),
Victoria Gammer
A red Corvette was always my fantasy.
Because most women don’t talk about car fantasies, I didn’t share this with very many people. The love affair started when I was walking home from elementary school and saw the most gorgeous red and white 1956 convertible Corvette parked in the neighbor’s driveway. That was it! I altered my route home from school so I could that car.
My husband, Steve, and I really didn’t talk about cars too much and we spent far more time attending boat shows than we did in car dealerships.
BUT…one day when we went to pick up our car keys, after having our Suburban serviced, we passed through the showroom and there was the new gorgeous red Corvette. At the salesman’s coaxing, he and I sat in it and that’s when I mentioned that I had always wanted one.
I quit my job last year and, because I no longer needed a larger work car, my husband bought me my fantasy car-- the Crystal Red, 2008 coupe C6.
I believe that once you are a Corvette owner, you are a convert for life!
As for my background: I have bachelor’s degrees in Biology, Journalism, and English Literature. I have worked in print and broadcast journalism, public relations, outside sales, real estate and underwater modeling. I enjoy sewing, fishing, boating, photography, and cats (we have two—a Maine Coon and a Siamese). I have two daughters—a teacher in Long Beach and a chef in New York City.
