Corvette Expo Spring 2021

Larry Burchett, founder and president of B Rod or Custom, is excited to announce that General Motors (GM) has just granted a license to B Rod or Custom to manufacture new C-2 Corvette replacement bodies.

The license includes Corvette model years 1963-1967 in both convertible and coupe body styles with options for wide body or stock widths. All fiberglass parts are press molded, post cured and made with superior quality tooling resins. Vehicles will feature metal and carbon fiber birdcage parts and are assembled on fixtures that have been specially designed for that model. All parts are made in the USA.

5 PACKAGES AVAILABLE

• GM licensed Corvette body only

• Body plus chassis

• Body plus chassis & drivetrain

• Roller package with wheels & tires

• Turn-key C-2 Corvette

When B Rod was formed, the vision to make B Rod or Custom the first name people think of when purchasing or building specialty automobiles was paramount. That name is now synonymous with quality construction, trend setting style and value-based pricing. To accomplish these lofty goals, much energy was focused on the uncompromising task of laying the foundation of quality craftsmanship. Willingness to alter, adapt or sacrifice for the good of the project has also been a major component of B Rod’s principles and convictions. Over forty years have been dedicated to excellence in craftsmanship and integrity.

Welcome to the Corvette Expo!

Corvette Expo was the “brain child” of Byron Cooper (owner), with his brother Ronny, of Cooper’s Corvette Center in Knoxville, Tennessee. Byron opened Cooper’s in 1967 on Broadway in the North end of Knoxville in a rented 4 car garage, but bought their own building 2 years later.

Early in 1976 Byron came up with the idea to have a Corvette show & open house at their business location on Broadway in Knoxville and invite several vendors they had met through the Corvette business. Soon word and popularity spread and their location was no longer big enough!

After hosting at several locations around Knoxville, the Corvette Expo has found a nice new home at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge. With over 100,000 square feet inside, and massive outdoor vendor and parking space, it makes the Corvette Expo a widely popular show with the young and old, anyone who loves Corvettes and fast cars!

My name is Cajun Graham and I look forward to meeting each and every one of you. I hope to honor Blan’s legacy and continue to bring a quality magazine to such an amazing community! Taking on this project I have already learned so much and have enjoyed hearing just how much Blan has touched many of your lives!

AWARDS AT THE DJ TRAILER • 3:30PM CORVETTE DRAGON CRUISE THE SMOKIES LEAVES LECONTE CENTER FROM THE CORVETTE PARKING LOT • 4:30PM BUILDING AND SHOW,LOT SECURE • 6:00PM

CORVETTE EXPO TAKES ADVANTAGE OF

THE “NEW” 50 YEAR OLD FOOTHILLS PARKWAY THE “MISSING LINK” OPENS

The Foothills Parkway “Missing Link”, a 16 mile stretch that connects Walland to Wears Valley in East Tennessee opened on Veterans Day weekend in 2019.

The roadway is 50 years in the making, battling funding obstacles and natural erosion. This is a spectacular section of road with unparralleled views.

Corvette Expo is grateful to the visionaries in the 1930’s who concieved the idea of this parkway in the Smoky Mountains, and is excited to use it again for the 2021 Corvette Cruise from the LeConte Center to the Dragon during the Annual Spring Event.

The Corvette Expo will feature a Show, Swap Meet, Sales Corral and the annual Corvette Cruise. The 2021 Cruise will take several hundred Corvettes to the Tails of the Dragon from Pigeon Forge on Friday the 19th, 2021.

The Cruise will be escorted out of the LeConte Center by the Pigeon Forge City Police and will then take the Parkway from Wears Valley on the 33 mile scenic ride to US Highway 129, the Dragon, continuing on through the 11 mile Dragon to Deals Gap in North Carolina. Corvette Expo has previously taken the Corvette Cruise to the Dragon from Loudon with as many as 435 Corvettes participating. The 2021 Dragon Cruise will offer a more scenic experience for the Corvette enthusiasts. Will we break the record from Pigeon Forge?

Hope you enjoy the 44th Annual Edition of Corvette Expo now at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge and for being a part of this great tradition while experiencing a bit of history in beautiful East Tennessee.

For information on the 2022 Sping Corvette Expo, visit www.corvetteexpo.com or call 865-687-3976

The Corvette Expo 2021 “Tail of the Dragon Cruise” will utilize the newly completed “Missing Link” on the Smoky Mountain Foothills Parkway.

CORVETTE EXPO DRAGON

CRUISE ROUTE

SPRING 2021 • FRIDAY • MARCH 19

Welcome to the 2021 Spring “Corvettes Cruise the Dragon”

FROM THE LeCONTE CENTER AT PIGEON FORGE

Cruise length: 56.3 Miles

START TIME: 4:30PM

Cruise Time: 1 Hour and 34 Minutes *Approximate

SUNSET: 7:46 PM EDT LAST NIGHT: 8:12 PM

EXIT THE LeCONTE CENTER WITH CITY of PIGEON FORGE POLICE ESCORT

Be sure you have a full tank of gas - No gas or restrooms until your destination.

00.0 Set your trip odometer to “0” and exit the Park N Show lot as directed.

00.0 Left on Teaster Lane

00.8 Left at Trafiic Light onto Wears Valley Road

01.1 Cross the Parkway at the Traffic Light - Straight on Wears Valley (Highway 321)

08.3 Entering the Wears Valley - Continue Straight

09.5 Right on Foothills Parkway entrance

09.6 Left onto the Foothills Parkway. Entering the newly opened “Missing Link” Continue straight on the Foothills Parkway for approximately 31.7 miles.

24.3 You are now entering the original Parkway - opened 1968

24.3 End of the “Missing Link” (Authorized by Congress in 1944 - opened in 2018)

41.3 Left on Highway US 129 @ Chilhowee Lake towards the Tail of the Dragon

44.5 Enter the Tail of the Dragon (11 miles • 318 Turns • No side entrances)

Do Not Cross Center Line!

56.3 Your destination - Deals Gap North Carolina (The end of the Dragon)

Souvenirs, Rest Rooms, Refreshments and Fuel

This concludes the Cruise. To continue on to Fontana Dam, turn left on 1247. If you wish to visit Tapoco Lodge, continue straight on 129 for 3 miles. If you are returning to Pigeon Forge, reverse the directions. There are many Restaurants new the LeConte Center and in the Island Entertainment Complex. You are welcome to park in our secure Corvette parking lot and ride the Free Trolley to the Island Complex where you will find Restaurants, Shops and Entertainment..... Enjoy!

THE SWAP MEET

The LeCONTE CENTER at Pigeon Forge

NY........... APSIS

TN........... B ROD OR CUSTOM

TN........... BEST LITTLE HEMP HOUSE

MN......... CHROME DOMZ

OH..........CLOCKS BY ROGER

TN........... COLOR STREET NAILS

TN........... DIAMOND FINISH

SC...........D and M RESTORATION

OH..........EAGLE WIRE

TN........... CLASSY CREATIONS

TN........... FARMHOUSE CRAFT CO

NC.......... FARRIS INSURANCE

NH.......... FLASH CARDS - HOLD@GATE

GA.......... GREG WYATT

TN........... K and M COLLECTIBLES

TN........... LADY L’S BOUTIQUE

NJ............LEAFGUARD HOLDINGS, INC

AZ........... MOTORSPORTS ACCESORIES

KY........... NCM / CORVETTE STORE

KY........... NCM / INSURANCE AGENCY

NC.......... AUSLEY’S CHEVELLE PARTS

PA........... AUTO-ENTEC

IN............ CATHY PODELL

VA...........CORVETTE MASTERS

NC.......... DREAM RESTORATIONS

OH..........EAGLE WIRE

TN........... FARRIS WHEELS

FL............ GALLI SHIRTS, INC

TN........... GARY WATSON

TN........... GERMAN ROASTED NUTS

AR...........JOE RAY CORVETTE PARTS

AL........... KENNETH WILLINGHAM

MN......... McGRIFF TOOLS

VA...........MULTLU, INC

NC.......... NATHAN ROBINSON

NC.......... NINE LINE APPERAL

SC...........PAIN X NOW

GA.......... RAPHA RUB

MO.........RESTO MOD TECH

IN............ RICHARD PONTIUS

The LeCONTE CENTER at Pigeon Forge

TN........... NICHE BOUTIQUE

TN........... PAPARIZZI JEWLRY

MS......... PARKER SNAPS

TN........... SOUTHERN BARNWOOD

PA........... TOP FLIGHT AUTOMOTIVE

IL............. TWO LANE AMERICA

CA.......... TNR GROUP

LA........... WIZARD PRODUCTS

TN........... WOW MY GARAGE

TN.......... X-TREME PRODUCTS

TN........... RICHARD RIVERS

NC.......... RJ’S RESTORATION

GA.......... RON BARON

TN........... RON’S COLLECTABLES

KY........... ROY HUNTER

WV......... RON SMITH

TN........... TEDD ADAIR

TN........... THUNDER ROAD CREATIONS

AL........... TIM RANDALL

OH..........TROUBLE FREE LIGHTING

NC.......... VETTE PROS

TN........... WILDCAT VETTE PARTS

TN........... CHARLES WAGNER

OH..........COFFMAN CORVETTE, LLC

TN........... COOPER’S CORVETTE CENTER

IL............. D &A CORVETTE

MN......... DEL PALMER

TN........... ET MOTORGEAR

TN........... EUGENE WORLEY

E PIGEON FORG

ROD RUN

food&fun

Corvette Crossword

Fun with Words

CROSS WORD

WORD LIST

COOPER

CORVETTE

CORVETTE EXPO

COUPE

GRAND SPORT

KENTUCKY

MAKO

PENNANT

PERFORMANCE

PIGEON

RACING

RACING

THINGS TO DO

APR

SMOKY MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL

April 3rd- April 25th

The Smoky Mountain Music Festival is a competition for elementary, middle and high school music groups. It offers these groups a chance to showcase their work and talent in front of adjudicators in the Smoky Mountains. On Friday, concert bands, jazz bands, orchestras, choral groups and winterguards, indoor drum lines, and other auxiliaries will perform at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. On Saturday adjudication of the Street Parade on the downtown Gatlinburg strip will occur. An awards ceremony will follow the competition on both days.

Gatlinburg Convention Center

234 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

SADDLE UP & THE ANNUAL CHUCK WAGON COOKOFF

April 4th - 5th

Pigeon Forge invites Western lifestyle enthusiasts, foodies and those in search of a hearty meal to the new Chuck Wagon Cook Off competition. Chuck wagons will gather for this one-of-a-kind outdoor cooking event. Long before today’s food truck craze treated foodies to impromptu kitchens on wheels, early American chuck wagons fed hungry cowboys on the open prairies during cattle drives. Chuck wagon cooks, or cookies, as they are known, rely on simple ingredients to guide their menus and fire to power their ovens.

Clabough’s Campground

405 Wears Valley Road, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

13TH ANNUAL MOUNTAIN MAN MEMORIAL MARCH

April 25th

The Annual Mountain Man Memorial March is a 26.2mile march in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Originally organized in 2007, the march was a personal tribute for University of Tennessee Army ROTC Cadet –1LT Frank Walkup, a 2005 UT graduate who was killed in action in Iraq. To honor his memory, a group of Cadets from the Rocky Top Battalion marched 26.2 miles with each Cadet carrying a 35-pound rucksack to represent his sacrifice.

More than a decade later, this event this has become one of the largest events in the United States to celebrate the service and honor the ultimate sacrifice of these fallen service members. Along with more than 45 ROTC units, participants now include active duty military, reserve and guard units, veterans of all services, family & friends of the fallen, JROTC units, and even Cub Scout Packs. www.mountainmanmemorialmarch.com

MEET RICK “CLETUS” HURST AT COOTER’S PIGEON FORGE

April 8th - 12th | 11am - 5pm

Come meet Rick “Cletus” Hurst from the “Dukes of Hazzard”

Cooter’s Garage

177 East Wears Valley Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 www.CootersPlace.com

MAY

YELLOW MUSTANG REGISTRY

May 1st - 4th

This annual event is a celebration of Fords “pony” car. View over 70 mustangs dating back to the 60’s to current models all the while taking a stroll down memory lane. Enjoy meeting new friends and getting reacquainted with old friends. You can register your yellow Mustang, get merchandise, find out about events and get more information at www.yellowmustangregistry.com

The Christmas Place Inn 119 Christmas Tree Ln, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

BLOOMIN’ BBQ & BLUEGRASS

May 15th - 16th

Two-days of food and fun in historic downtown Sevierville. See live entertainment from Priscilla & Little RicKee ft. Louisa Branscomb, Jimbo Whaley & Greenbrier, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Balsam Range, Dale Ann Bradley, Love Canon, Phil Leadbetter & the All-Stars of Bluegrass, Dale Ann Bradley, and headliner Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

More than forty of the nation’s top BBQ cook teams will be on hand for the Bush’s Best Tennessee State Championship Cook Off. Other event highlights include The Mountain Soul Vocal Competition honoring the songwriting of Dolly Parton, The Late Night Jam, and The People’s Choice Tasting Contest (ticketed) which let’s the public sample and vote for their favorite pulled pork. Free admission. Free concerts. www.bloominbbq.com

ANNUAL CHEVY CLASSIC ROUNDUP

May 15th - 16th

The Annual Tri-Five show celebrates the American icon classic Chevrolets from 1955-57. See over 100 modified and restored Chevys. Music and food vendors will also be on site. Looking for that hard to find part for your own project vehicle? Visit vendors row for a wide variety of parts and technical support. Model car contest for kids, food, music, etc. Come join the fun!

The Christmas Place Inn

119 Christmas Tree Ln, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

PENTECOSTAL FIRE YOUTH CONFERENCE

4/2 - 4/3

Get fired up about your faith at the Pentecostal Fire Youth Conference! This two-day event promotes Christian morals and living among today’s youth. The Pentecostal Fire Youth Conference also includes an expo where ministries are able to share their missionary work, Christian CDs and information on bible schools. The Conference is free to attend, however a donation of up to $25 is welcome.

PIGEON FORGE SPRING ROD RUN

4/16 - 4/18

The Pigeon Forge Spring Rod Run is an event no car enthusiast wants to miss. This annual event is the largest car show in the Smoky Mountain region.

Thousands of people will be in attendance enjoying some of the best show cars in the country. There’s also a swap meet and huge car corral. In the past more than $8,000 has been awarded for King of the Hill, the Ultimate 5 and Top 25 show cars.

REGISTRATION PRICE: $30-50

WOMEN OF JOY: RISE UP

4/24 - 4/26

Share a few days with Women of Joy – a ministry that has been changing the lives of women since 1994. Lead by Phil and Debbie Waldrep, these weekends serve and minister to crowds ranging from 1,000 to 14,000 women at each event. These incredible weekends are designed, created and intended to bring women of all ages and cultures together to help you pursue a passionate relationship with Jesus Christ.

Wheels and Deals

2014 CHEVROLET CORVETTE STINGRAY Z51 LT3. $78,000 | Garage kept, perfect condition, clean title in hand, Call or Text Nick at 865-603-3269

1978 CHEVROLET CORVETTE SILVER ANNIVERSARY. $24,995 | Phenomenal Condition, T-Tops are equally impressive and have an excellent fit, 350 V8 4 speed manual transmission, ONLY 8400 MILES!!, power windows, call Devvin at 865-256 2366

1994 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE. $9,500 | Get ready for Spring & Summer, great running & driving, needs nothing, newer tires, fresh tune up, no cracks or paint chips, I drive it weekly, title in my name, Insured through Haggerty for $14,000. 865850-7539

1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. $129,995 | ONLY 1,327 MILES!! This Resto Mod complete Frame Off Restoration has been redone to give you the best of both worlds! You get the iconic styling of the C2 Corvette with the modern driveline of the LS Fuel Injected Corvette’s that we all love. Call Devvin 865-256-2366

2014 C7 CORVETTE LT3. $36,500 | Selling my baby, I’m a teacher and the car was used for commuting. The car was always garaged and is in excellent condition inside and out, w/MANY upgrades. See walk around video: https://youtu.be/R35fZ3VAi8A. Call or text 828-233-5574

1968 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. $44,900 | Stunning in Lemans blue comes with the lift off hard top and features the White convertible top which is in excellent condition, 327 V8 4spd manual transmission, For more info or to test drive, Call Devvin 865-2562366

While time travel is not actually real, here at Smoky Mountain Traders, we are dedicated to curating the best classic cars and making them available to anyone who has ever wanted to own a piece of history and ride it into the future. We have everything from classic Chevys to Dodges, Fords, Oldsmobiles, Plymouths, and Pontiacs.

SMT owner Keith Bledsoe started the business in 2004. Cars have always been a love of Bledsoe’s so he decided to turn his passion into an opportunity to own some of the most premier classic cars ever built while also

respecting our responsibility to make sure they are cherished and cared for the rest of their lives.

When visiting SMT, you’ll be sure to feel and see that passion throughout the entire property – from the classic cars to the decorations and memorabilia throughout the property.

Countless numbers of cars have come through SMT over the years. Customers from all over the globe have taken an interest in the quality of classic cars from SMT.

About five years ago, SMT moved up Highway 321 from Lenoir City to Maryville. Smoky Mountain Traders is currently located on the corner of HWY 321 and S. Carver Rd, at 2520 S. Carver Rd., Maryville, Tn.

Whether you are in the market to buy, or just passionate about the classic car industry, make sure to make time to travel to SMT to experience a blast from the past.

If you have any questions about any of the cars in our inventory then call us today or check out our website!