Edition 13 | Spring 2026
Newsletter of the BC Corvette Club
60th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
CLUB SPONSOR PROFILE - JELLYBEAN AUTOCRAFTERS
BY ALEX DOWNIE
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In this issue we feature a conversation with Ewald Penner, co-owner of Jellybean AutoCrafters. Ewald graciously gave his time to answer questions about ther restoration business he runs with his brother Kurt. We discussed the history of the firm, industry trends and advice to consider when restoring your vintage Corvette.
Tell us about how you became involved in the auto restoration business?
My parents were born in Eastern Europe and fled to Paraguay after the war. Shortly after they then moved to Brazil, where I was born. Our family moved to Canada in 1967 when I was only four years old. About a year later, a ‘57 Chevy came driving past our house, revving its engine. As I looked out our front window the car’s clutch blew with a loud bang, sending parts, sparks, and debris everywhere. That’s when my passion was ignited, and I haven’t been able to shake it since! We belong to a family of 12 kids, with Kurt and I being the youngest. One of our older brothers also fell in love with cars, and he later worked as a Porsche mechanic for many years.
As kids, we were always tinkering with cars, doing tune-ups, changing camshafts, or putting a flare kit on my brother’s Firebird. When I was 14 my older brother bought a dune buggy which I helped to get running. That’s how I got started working on cars.
Years later Kurt and I started our auto business. Our older brother Otto also works with us today, so you could say we are a family enterprise. We started out in Kurt’s garage and within six months we outgrew it and rented a large warehouse, and things just grew from there. We started out doing a lot of metal shaping, having mostly taught ourselves, this being the days before the internet. We built a ‘46 Chevy cab-over truck, with completely hand-formed or modified panels to change the body lines. This required a lot of metal fabrication. We took this truck as a work-in-progress to some car shows and people were blown away by the work we had done. It became our ‘poster child’, and soon we had lots of new customers for our fledgling business.
HARRISON WEEKEND
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
BCCC AT VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW
BCCC Newsletter is published quarterly in digital format and distributed to all current BCCC members.
That ’46 Chevy truck isn’t finished, now 16 years later, as the demands of our business have grown. It’s one of our bigger mistakes, not finishing it instead of taking on other projects. It’ll be our retirement project now.
How long have you been in business?
We’re into our 21st year. And we’ve seen a lot of changes in that time. We moved into our current location about 9 years ago.
What is the origin of the “Jellybean” name?
Years before we started the shop, we were into buying and selling cars. We had over 200 cars run through our hands, with Kurt buying a bright blue ’64 Falcon for his wife. A friend saw the car and said “Hey, it’s a Jellybean car!” We weren’t sure what he meant, but the name kind of stuck! When we started our restoration business a few years later, we didn’t have a name. Kurt suggested we call ourselves “Jellybean Hot Rods”. I thought that was a stupid name, but in the absence of something better, we went with it. A few years later a client brought us a 1938 BMW 327/28 Cabriolet to work on. He told us that he hated the “Hot Rods” in our name, citing this as the reason he had gone to two other shops before selecting ours. He suggested we drop the “Hot Rod” part of our name to attract higher-end and import cars. We took his advice, replacing “Hot Rods” with “AutoCrafters”, and soon began attracting Porsches, Ferrari’s, and Mercedes Benz to our shop.
Do you primarily focus on chassis and body restoration, or do you undertake mechanical work as well?
We do nearly 100% of everything. We’ve been farming out the interiors, and are looking to bring an upholstery guy into our shop. Everything else we do in house. Nine years ago, we opened our mechanical division to perform maintenance on specialty vehicles, things like brake jobs, tune-ups, wheel alignments, etc. Our guys love the old stuff, and can tackle jobs that regular shops lack the experience or inclination to do. Our mechanical bay is busy all the time. We subcontract engine rebuilds, and machining, but do the assembly in-house. We handle all aspects of body restoration, from metal forming and fabrication, rust repair and fiberglass work, and body refinishing, from high-level street to concourse quality paint jobs. We don’t do entry-level paint work as there are plenty of other places are doing this work.
How many people are employed at Jellybean?
We have 16 full time employees.
What sorts of restorations do specialize in? Stock build or resto-mods?
We’re focused on middle to high-end projects. Our passion is restomods. We also have a major love for concours restorations. For example, we’re now restoring a Corvette C4 to NCRS standards. For this car we drove down to California to get a set of original wheels and tires with less than 10k miles on them, with matching date codes. We take this stuff very seriously. Our technicians do a lot of research to ensure a correct restoration.
What has been one of your more challenging restoration projects? How did you overcome the challenges involved?
We’re currently doing a 2002 Chrysler Prowler, converted to Tesla electric drivetrain, using a Tesla Model S 450-hp motor. This project has been challenging. Our tech has done a ton of research to sort things out like battery flow testing to heat and cool the 16 batteries in the car to ensure the right size water pumps are fitted, among other things. Extreme challenges have needed to be overcome on this vehicle to make it actually work. We’ve had three competitors that tried doing electric conversions and all three gave up. Most of the info on the internet about these conversions is wrong, so we’ve had to pretty much figure it out ourselves.
Finding correct parts for restorations can be difficult. Finding proper parts for the C4 Corvette has been challenging, almost as hard as it was for the ’38 BMW Pebble Beach concourse restoration that we did earlier. For the BMW, only 17 parts were available from the factory, and we needed something like 500 parts! Motor parts and transmission parts were obtainable, but not much else. We spent 3 years searching for parts on the internet. We finally found a guy in Germany who had all the weatherstripping we needed. But he wouldn’t deal with us because we had “Hot Rods” in our name at the time, and he said he would not do business with hot rod shops because they “destroy cars”. Once we changed our name to “AutoCrafters”, his reticence evaporated and he was more than happy to supply us with the needed parts!
The BMW was extremely rare, with only 200 examples made. No used parts were available. It used metal and aluminum body panels which were unobtainable. We had to fabricate switch handles and door pulls and other small parts. We rebuilt about a third of the body in our shop. We fabricated replacement panels, all shaped by hand. It was an awesome car when finished, and it took numerous 1st Place awards. The owner’s dream was to show it at Pebble Beach, arguably the most prestigious car show in the world. However, it had several non-stock and modern upgrades, including 12-volt conversion, electric overdrive transmission, and metal underbody panels, so strictly speaking it wasn’t a true concours car. Nonetheless, we took the car down to the show, where judges quickly determined it to be ineligible due to the modifications. The head judge said “Nobody has done what you’ve done, congratulations! But rules are rules and as such I must disqualify your car.” All the owner wanted was a photo of his car on the Pebble Beach show ground, so we met his requirement and he was happy.
Another neat project was a 1959 Mercedes 190SL with a Corvette motor. This restomod did fantastic at the shows. That was a love it or hate it car. The owner loves it. And it is controversial, because the Mercedes guys thought it was a chop job, and the Vette guys thought we destroyed a Corvette for its engine. We didn’t destroy any cars - that Mercedes was destined for the recycler and the Vette engine came out of a wreck. Our build won 2nd Place at Grand National Roadster Show in California, and a 1st at the Sacramento Autorama.
Another cool car we worked on was a body-on restoration and mechanical work on a 1977 Ferrari 308 GTB. Kurt did a pick and file restoration on its body to make it dead straight and perfect. There’s less than a cupful of filler in that entire car. This car took home the 1st Place trophy at the Crescent Beach Concourse d’Elegance event.
The last car I’ll mention is a 1954 Studebaker Champion, built by a husband-and-wife team. On this one, genders switched roles, with the wife specifying a Chevy LS3 powertrain and hubby the rest! It has a hand-built frame, Speed-Tech suspension, giving it Corvette C5 level handling. We took this car to the Medford Rod & Custom Show in Oregon. They didn’t have a category for what we created, but were so impressed with the car that they created a new class for it. Of course, it took 1st Prize!
What has been your involvement with restoring Corvettes?
Years ago, I owned a yellow 1974 Corvette coupe with black interior. It belonged to the “dog” years of low factory performance. I did a bunch of mechanical work on it, including body and paint. I changed the body colour to red, and swapped the stock mild 350 for a built-up 327. That ’74 was a great car. I have a special affection for the C4’s, but all Corvettes are cool in their own way. When we opened our shop, one of our first hires was a guy named Troy, who worked for Coast Corvettes and Corvette Specialties for many years. He’s been with us for about 16 years. Troy is really knowledgeable and does all our Corvette technical stuff.
Are there any specific challenges to restoring fibreglass bodied cars, such as the Corvette?
Corvette bodies are fiberglass, requiring specific techniques to repair and refinish properly. We find that a modest impact can create hairline cracks 4 or 5 feet away, especially where the front fenders join the rest of the body. Fiberglass cars must be stripped down by hand, because media blasting can cause a lot of damage. We carefully use power tools to take the finish down, and never use chemicals to strip the paint. Fiberglass is porous and the use of chemicals will contaminate the surface, resulting in paint bubbling and lifting later on. Corvette frames are steel, thus subject to rust. The more challenging repairs involve rust in the steel ‘birdcage’ around the passenger compartment of C2's and C3's, especially
around the base of the windshield. The body seam here starts to separate due to rust, temperature changes, and vibration, making for a challenging repair.
We’ve worked on a lot of Corvettes, many of which are from the BC Corvette Club. I want to thank the club for trusting us and supporting us. We’re honoured to work on your pride and joy, and are proud of our relationship with the club.
What changes have you seen in the business and how has this affected your business?
Until recently, segregated shops were the norm. Those who worked on domestic cars didn’t do imports, and those that did imports, didn’t do domestic cars. Nowadays, it’s quite intertwined. We do imports and domestic cars of all marques in our shop. We don’t work on new cars, but if it’s a cool Datsun 510, we’ll do it! The attitude has changed so there’s less snarl and more acceptance between factions of the car hobby. The demand for high quality is greater than ever. People want the best, and it’s a little concerning because it is extremely expensive. It used to be “Let’s just get her running”. Now, customers want fuel injection and bigger brakes, smart choices to make because they make the car safer and more reliable.
We build our cars reliably and maintain them regularly, checking everything before a road trip to minimize problems. When I took my wife’s ’67 Camaro convertible on a trouble-free 4,000 mile to California, I didn’t take a single tool with me. That was probably tempting fate! Kurt drove his ’65 Beaumont Sport Deluxe convertible, one of only 336 made, to Newfoundland and back in 2024, raced at a high-speed street rally, and completed the 19,000 km round trip without problems. This speaks to the value of servicing your special interest car regularly, so it won’t leave you stranded far from home.
I see a lot of guys today building quality rat-rods. They save themselves all the money on the paint jobs and fancy interiors and still have a really cool ride. These cars are being much more accepted in the industry. It used to be that the concours cars were the most expensive. Of course, a ’63 Split Window Corvette is going to be worth a lot of money, but I find that many restomods are now selling for more than stock vehicles are. When they’re fully done, with LS motor, 6 speed transmission, modern suspension, disc brakes, and modern amenities, they bring serious money at auction.
Advice would you give someone contemplating the building of a restomod, or the restoration of their vintage Corvette?
If you’re going to modify a car, have good reason for doing it. The reason for the price inversion between restomods and concours cars is not because the stock cars have lost value; they continue to appreciate, but at a slower pace. This is due in part to the fact that new cars drive so well, and when a guy gets into his old classic he realizes: “This thing doesn’t handle and drive nearly as well as my daily driver!” This prompts an interest in upgrading or resto-modding his old car so it will go, stop, and handle better, while being more reliable. These are the guys that are buying up restomods, which are cheaper to buy than they are to build. The older generation is slowly dying off, and the younger ones are attracted to restomods because they provide a superior driving experience.
Give yourself an honest talking to. I know you love your ’72 Corvette. Will it be cheaper to buy a car that’s been restored, or to restore the one you have? Are all your memories tied up in the car worth the expense to bring it up? Consider that it’s often cheaper to buy a car that’s been restored than one that needs a lot of work. We get folks buying cars on eBay or at Barret-Jackson, and under the bright lights they look fantastic. Put them up on a hoist and they often look much less appealing. If you’re considering a purchase, we’d be happy to put it on our hoist and have a look at it, asking: Can we give you value by restoring this vehicle? Or can we give you better value by buying another one in better shape? We want to see clients getting the best bang for their buck, which sometimes means replacing a car instead of restoring it. I’m speaking from experience here. I embarked on a 3-year, high-end restomod restoration of my wife’s ’67 Camaro. I could have bought one in better shape back then for $70k, change this and that and have a driving car in six months. But, my wife was really passionate about this particular car and I allowed my mind to be clouded by that. If I had sold this car and upgraded another one, I would have saved myself a lot of time and money!
Not everyone can afford to restore their Corvette #1 Concours condition. What would a realistic budget be to restore a #3 or #4 driver condition car to a high #2 or #1 condition?
If your Corvette needs a paint job it will be expensive. Count on $50-60k for a high-level street paint job. This is because body prep on fiberglass cars is very labour intensive. The cost difference to take a #4 car to #3 condition is not a big as taking a #3 car to #2. Achieving #1 concours condition is exponentially more expensive, as people expect showroom condition or better. Those tiny details are costly, so six-figures comes on really fast. We only charge $150 per hour, but the hours add up quickly on complex restorations. If you want to spend less, then stay away from a lot of mechanical and custom body/paint work. It’s cheaper to replace a worn-out motor with a crate engine, unless you’re worried about matching numbers.
Which is the easiest generation Corvette to restore? The most difficult?
There are two aspects to difficulty: parts sourcing, and the amount of work needed to restore. The 2007 and newer Corvettes are the easiest, as they won’t need much work, and parts are plentiful. Finding parts for C4’s can be difficult, although mechanical stuff isn’t too bad. The early Corvettes from ’53 to ’62 are challenging because the fiberglass can be thin and difficult to work with. Birdcage rust can affect C2’s and C3’s, requiring extensive work to repair. On the plus side, almost everything for these cars can be found, either in reproduction or used parts.
And finally, is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers?
I would like to remind club members that we have a full-service shop with really competent guys to take care of your car mechanically. If you’re looking for a brake job or regular maintenance, we have a complete division dedicated to working on specialty cars. Our guys have upwards of 25 years working on Corvettes. So, if you’re looking to maintain, upgrade, restomod or restore your prized Corvette or specialty car, we’re here to help!
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
Tony Bisig
As summer settles in and gas prices continue to climb, it may be tempting to leave your Corvette parked safely in the garage and save those extra kilometres for another day. My advice? Don’t. Corvettes were built to be driven, and there is no better time than summer to enjoy them. Take a cue
from the activity on our BC Corvetters WhatsApp group, where members are regularly sharing photos and stories from spontaneous drives, scenic destinations, and chance encounters with fellow enthusiasts. Whether it’s a quick evening cruise along the waterfront, a day trip through the Fraser Valley, or a longer adventure into the Interior, our region offers some of the finest driving roads anywhere. The cost of fuel may be higher than we’d like, but the enjoyment, friendships, and memories that come from getting behind the wheel are well worth the investment.
Keeping those Corvettes looking their best may be a little more challenging this season. With the GVRD’s Phase 3 watering restrictions now in effect, including a residential car wash ban beginning June 8, many of us are facing a dilemma. For Corvette owners, a clean car is often a point of pride, especially when attending club events and car shows. Some members have already turned to waterless wash products, while others are making use of commercial car wash facilities that remain exempt from the restrictions. Of course, there is also a strong argument that a Corvette with a few bugs on the windshield and some road dust on the fenders is a Corvette that is being enjoyed exactly as intended. Whatever approach you choose, the important thing is that the car is out on the road rather than tucked away waiting for perfect conditions.
Clean or dusty, your Corvette deserves to be seen. Be sure to mark July 5 on your calendar for our Deas Island Cruise and Picnic. This event combines two things Corvette owners enjoy most: driving and socializing. The planned route offers an enjoyable cruise through some beautiful scenery, while the picnic provides an opportunity to relax, catch up with old friends, and welcome newer members into the conversation. Events like this remind us that our club is about much more than cars; it’s about the people who share a common passion for them. If you haven’t registered yet, please contact Vic at vnightscales@netscape.net. Registration details were emailed to members on May 26.
The Vettes at the Fort Committee assures me that this year’s event on July 18 will be even bigger and better than last year’s
highly successful gathering. For many Corvette enthusiasts throughout the Lower Mainland, this event has become one of the highlights of the summer calendar. It is a rare opportunity to see examples from all eight Corvette generations gathered in one location, showcasing the evolution of America’s sports car over more than seven decades. Whether your interest lies in the classic C1 and C2 models, the iconic chrome-bumper C3s orthe latest mid-engine C8s, there will be something for everyone to appreciate.
You’ll also be pleased to know that there is no need to pack a lunch this year, as the food truck will once again be serving breakfast and lunch throughout the day. While registration will be available at the gate, the organizing committee strongly encourages everyone to register in advance through the BCCC website. Advance registration helps the committee accurately plan for attendance, parking, judging materials, and food service, all of which contribute to a smoother and more enjoyable event for everyone.
For those participating in the People’s Choice judging, remember that this is meant to be fun, not work. With so many outstanding vehicles on display, it can be difficult to see every car and complete every category. There is no expectation that every ballot be filled out from top to bottom. Take your time, stroll through the displays at your own pace, vote for the cars you have had an opportunity to see, and spend the rest of your day enjoying conversations with fellow enthusiasts. The true value of events like Vettes at the Fort comes not only from the cars themselves but from the stories, friendships, and shared experiences that surround them.
As we move into the heart of the summer driving season, I encourage everyone to take advantage of the opportunities our club offers. Attend an event, join a cruise, invite another member out for coffee, or simply take your Corvette for a drive on a sunny afternoon. Every kilometre driven creates another story worth sharing.
Finally, I would like to extend a sincere thank you to Alex and Bruce for once again dedicating their time, creativity, and countless hours behind the scenes to produce another outstanding edition of Vette News. The newsletter plays an important role in keeping our members informed, connected, and engaged, and it would not be possible without their ongoing commitment and enthusiasm. Please join me in thanking them for their efforts.
Enjoy the summer, drive often, stay safe, and I look forward to seeing you and your Corvette at our upcoming events.
Tony Bisig
MEMBERSHIP REPORT
by April Holitzki, Membership Chair
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As of June, 2026 we have 179 active members.
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Since January have welcomed 3 new members.
BCCC ALASKA CRUISE:
SEPT. 18-25, 2027
David & June Coe
by Rick Holitzki
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We currently have 20 “lifetime members“,with one more scheduled to join them later this year. This means that they have been members of this club for 25 or more years of continuous membership.
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Anniversary pins to be distributed to the follwoing members:
10 year pins: Harvey Schmidke
Robyn Gravelle
Andrew & Helen Yano
15 year pins: Frank Potestio
20 year pins: Pete Letkemann
30 year pins: Calvin Jang
Beve & John McLeod
If you run into other Corvette owners when you’re out and about, please let them know about our club and invite them to check out our website.
Save the wave!
Join your BCCC friends on a spectacular Alaska cruise aboard the Discovery Princess, sailing round-trip from Vancouver, September 18–25, 2027. This group voyage offers the perfect blend of stunning scenery, relaxed days at sea, and memorable ports of call.
After departing Vancouver on Saturday afternoon, we enjoy a full day at sea before arriving in Ketchikan, followed by breathtaking scenic cruising through Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. We then visit Juneau and Skagway, with plenty of time to explore Alaska’s history, landscapes, and wildlife. Two sea days round out the journey, giving you time to relax and enjoy everything the ship has to offer.
Balcony cabins are featured for this sailing, providing incredible views of Alaska’s dramatic coastline and glaciers. Optional Princess Plus and Premier packages are available to enhance your onboard experience.
This is a relaxed, scenic, and social way to experience Alaska together.
HARRISON WEEKEND DELIVERS GREAT ROADS, GREAT WEATHER, AND GREAT COMPANY
Our annual Harrison Hot Springs getaway once again proved to be one of the highlights of the club calendar, bringing together great cars, beautiful scenery, and even better company.
The weekend began with a group drive departing from Colossus in Langley. From there, our caravan made its way through Maple Ridge and into the Fraser Valley, enjoying the scenic route along Dewdney Trunk Road before arriving at Harrison Hot Springs Resort.
by Bruce Hitchen
Friday evening kicked off with a buffet dinner and a special guest presentation from Leigh Hepner, General Manager of Preston Chevrolet. Leigh shared valuable insights into the role and importance of car clubs from both the manufacturer’s and dealership’s perspectives. His presentation sparked plenty of interest and led to a lively and informative question-and-answer session with members.
Saturday greeted us with clear skies and spectacular weather...perfect conditions for a drive through the Fraser Canyon to the iconic Hell’s Gate. Members enjoyed the breathtaking scenery along the route before taking the air tram down to the canyon floor. After exploring the area, everyone gathered for lunch at the Hell’s Gate Restaurant, taking in the dramatic views of the Fraser River below.
Back at the resort, it was time to slow the pace and relax. Many members gathered in the famous hot spring pools, enjoying some well-earned downtime and the opportunity to catch up with fellow club members. The evening continued with a short walk to the Black Forest Restaurant for another excellent meal. The day concluded back at the resort’s historic Copper Room, where members enjoyed dessert, conversation, and a chance to reflect on another memorable day.
While the drives, destinations, and activities were certainly highlights of the weekend, the true value of events like this lies in the friendships they help foster. Spending time together away from our regular routines allows members to get to know one another better, strengthen existing friendships, and create new connections within the club.
A sincere thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this year’s Harrison Hot Springs getaway another outstanding success.
Gathering in lobby of the Harrison Resort
Enjoying scenic Hwy 1 in the Fraser Canyon
Group gathering in parking lot ready to depart to Hell's Gate
2027 Corvette Grand Sport Now Under Way
from GM Authority
Production of the 2027 Corvette is now officially under way, marking the start of what is shaping up to be one of the most significant model years yet for the C8 generation.
As GM Authority reported previously, the start of regular production (SORP) for the 2027 Corvette began June 8th, 2026, at the GM Bowling Green Assembly plant in Kentucky. The GM Bowling Green plant serves as the exclusive production facility for the Corvette, a title it has held since 1981.
Nearly the entirety of the 2027 Corvette lineup is now rolling off the line, including the 2027 C8 Stingray, Grand Sport, Z06, ZR1, and ZR1X. The lone exception is the new 2027 Corvette Grand Sport X, which will enter production later this year. Chevrolet previously confirmed that the new C8 Grand Sport X hybrid will arrive before the end of the 2026 calendar year. The SORP for the 2027 Corvette kicks
off less than two months after Chevrolet dealers began accepting orders for the 2027 Corvette on April 16th, 2026. Since then, GM Authority has covered pricing for the new mid-engine sports car, while the official online configurator is now live as well.
The 2027 Corvette introduces a number of big changes, headlined by the debut of the new naturally aspirated 6.7L V8 LS6 Small Block engine, which replaces the outgoing 6.2L V8 LT2 as the standard powerplant for the C8 Corvette Stingray. The new LS6 also serves as the standard engine for the all-new Corvette Grand Sport and Grand Sport X, the latter of which pairs the V8 with a single electric motor.
The new C8 Grand Sport slots between the Stingray and Z06, reviving an iconic performance nameplate with enhanced handling and a muscular widebody design. Meanwhile, the Grand Sport X replaces the Corvette E-Ray in the C8 lineup, once again utilizing an electrified all-wheel-drive system.
All C8 Corvette variants ride on the GM Y2 architecture, which has served as the foundation for the eighth-generation sports car since its debut for the 2020 model year.
CORVETTE FUNNIES
CORVETTES GATHER AT THE VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW
by Keith McBain
For the second consecutive year, the organizers of the Vancouver International Auto Show invited members of the BC Corvette Club to showcase their cars at Jack Poole Plaza, creating an impressive outdoor display for thousands of automotive enthusiasts attending Western Canada’s premier automotive event.
Building on the success of last year’s appearance, 13 club members proudly represented the BC Corvette Club, bringing together an impressive lineup of Corvettes spanning nearly every generation. From the iconic C2 through to the latest C8 models, visitors had the rare opportunity to see the evolution of America’s sports car displayed side-by-side. The only generation missing from the lineup was the legendary C1.
With more than 30,000 people attending the
Rick Holitzki with his 2018, C7 ZO6 Supercharged 3 LZ Coupe
Auto Show that day, our display attracted a steady stream of visitors throughout the event. Corvette enthusiasts, aspiring owners, families, and curious spectators stopped to admire the cars, ask questions, share stories, and reminisce about Corvettes they had owned—or dreamed of owning—over the years.
One of the highlights of the day was the opportunity for club members to engage directly with the public. Conversations ranged from Corvette performance and technology to restoration projects, road trips, and the camaraderie that comes with belonging to a passionate car club. The display not only showcased the cars themselves but also demonstrated the enthusiasm and community spirit that make the BC Corvette Club such a special organization.
The event provided excellent exposure for both the Corvette brand and our club, while giving members a chance to share their passion with fellow automotive enthusiasts. Judging by the crowds gathered around our cars throughout the day, the Corvette remains as popular and captivating as ever.
A sincere thank you to all the members who participated and helped make the day such a success. We look forward to returning to the Vancouver International Auto Show next year and once again sharing our Corvettes with the public.
BELLEWOOD ACRES CORVETTE SHOW - MAY 30, 2026
by Leah Hoeve
A small but enthusiastic contingent from the BC Corvette Club crossed the border to attend the Corvettes Unlimited of Bellingham car show at Bellewood Farms, just outside Lynden, Washington. Set against the backdrop of a beautiful country property featuring a farm market, café, and on-site distillery, the venue proved to be a destination worth visiting in its own right.
What began as a cloudy morning soon gave way to sunshine, providing the perfect setting for an impressive display of Corvettes from across the region. Our members enjoyed a fantastic day of cars, conversation, and camaraderie, connecting with fellow enthusiasts, making new friends, and sharing details about upcoming BC Corvette Club events.
The trip was made even more memorable as several of our members brought home awards, a fitting recognition for both their outstanding cars and their dedication to the Corvette hobby. All in all, it was a wonderful day that showcased not only some spectacular Corvettes but also the strong friendships that make our Corvette community so special.
Array of gorgeous later model Corvettes on the show field
Daryl Brown winning 1st place in the C1 category
John & Leah Hoeve with their 1985 Corvette
Daryl's Roman Red 1960 Corvette