Corvette Expo Spring 2022

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!

CORVETTE EXPO DRAGON

CRUISE ROUTE

SPRING 2022 • FRIDAY • MARCH 18

Welcome to the 2022 Spring “Corvettes Cruise the Dragon” FROM THE LeCONTE CENTER AT PIGEON FORGE

Cruise length: 74.5 Miles

Cruise Time: 2 Hours *Approximate

SUNSET: 7:42 PM EDT LAST NIGHT: 8:08 PM

START TIME: 4:30PM

*OBEY ALL SPEED LIMITS AND NO WRECKLESS DRIVING THIS IS NOT A RACE

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 Traffic 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 14.7 MILES.

24.3 Exit the Foothills Parkway at Highway 321 (the rest of it is closed due to construction) WE ARE RE-ROUTING THIS YEAR ONLY DUE TO THE RE-SURFACING PROJECT.

24.3 Left on Highway 321 South towards Maryville (Next turn 5.4 miles)

29.7 Left on Tuckaleechee Pike (Sign to Lambert Hills Golf Course) (Nex turn 1.6 miles)

31.3 Left on Whites Mill Rd (CAUTION- CURVE AT LEFT TURN) (Next turn 1.0 miles)

32.3 Right on Chilhowee View Rd. (Next turn 1.9 miles)

34.2 Left at Stop Sign - Then IMMEDIATE right onto Blockhouse Rd. (Next turn 4.0 miles)

38.2 Left at Stop Sign onto Montevale Rd. (Next turn 1.6 miles)

39.8 Right onto Highway 336 (Six Mile Rd) (Next turn 8.9 miles)

48.7 Left on Highway US 129 (You are now headed toward the Dragon) (14 miles to start of Dragon)

62.7 Enter the Tail of the Dragon (11 miles • 318 Turns • No side entrances) DO NOT CROSS CENTER LINE • WATCH FOR MOTORCYCLES!

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 or use your navigation for directions back to Pigeon Forge or where you may be going. 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!

For many, the Corvette Expo is much more than just a Classic Car Show. It’s about tradition, family and being a part of a wonderful community of fellow Corvette Connoisseurs. For Randall Blevins, it’s no different.

Some of you may be familiar with Blevins, but for those of you who aren’t, he won first place at the very first Corvette Expo in 1977 with his 1969 Corvette.

Blevins, like most who attend the Expo, has always been fascinated by cars, specifically Corvettes. When he was a boy, he would beg his dad to help him find a way to buy one, even before he had a license.

In 1973, his dreams finally came true when he bought his 1969 Corvette. It was only four years later he brought it all the way to Knoxville from his home in Virginia and won first place. Little did he know in that moment the fast track he was on.

Blevins says after the first Corvette Expo, he entered dozens of contests from NC to TN and the momentum of the Expo carried him all the way through- he kept on winning. In 1988 he reentered into the Corvette Expo and ended up winning The Diamond Award. What started as a nice car he was excited to have turned into something more sentimental and special to him.

Since he bought the car in ‘73, Blevins has received many offers ranging from twice what he paid for it up to $20,000 in the 80s.

Thankfully for us, Blevins declined. Now, a short 50 years later, we get to experience the wonder of this ‘69 Corvette and hear a remarkable story of a man and a car.

If you’re reading this at the time of the 2022 Corvette Expo, you can meet Randall Blevins and see his classic Corvette for yourself. Just ask someone to see the prettiest car at the show!

THE SWAP MEET

The LeCONTE CENTER at Pigeon Forge

COMMERCIAL VENDORS

TN.......... AERUS

TN.......... AFFORDABLE LIFTS

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

OH..........A AND R WHEEL & TIRE

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

OH..........BEE WING DOORS

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

OH..........CORVETTE CLOCKS

TN........... CUTCO CUTLERY

SC...........D AND M RESTORATION

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

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

NH.......... FLASH CARDS

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

KY.......... HYDRATE W/THE HINTONS

TN........... LADY L’S BOUTIQUE

OH..........LEAFGUARD GUTTER PRO

MI.......... LEATHER 4 YOU

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

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

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

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

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

TN.......... RENEWAL BY ANDERSON

TN.......... RONNIE MARSHALL

MO.........SEAL SMART

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

IL........... TANGIBLE ASSETS

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

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

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

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

INSIDE VENDORS OUTSIDE VENDORS

AL........... CINDERELLA ACCESSORIES

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

FL........... DAVID OWREY

KY........... DEBBIE PERKINS

NC.......... DONALD AUSTIN

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

OH..........EDDIE WASS

TN.......... ENRIQUE ROBLES

GA.......... ESSENTIALS EVERYTHING

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

OH..........FULL THROTTLE CORVETTE

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

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

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

KY.......... HYDRATE W/THE HINTONS

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

TX........... JT ACCESSORIES

GA.......... MAD VETTES

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

MN......... MCGRIFF TOOLS

IN........... MOTORSPORTS MARKET

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

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

TN.......... NCRS SE

TN........... PAPA SHINE

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

NC.......... RJ’S RESTORATION

GA.......... ROBBIE TUCKER

TN........... RON’S COLLECTIBLES

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

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

DE .......... SNAP ON CHUCK

AL........... THOMPSON ASTRO TOPS

SC...........VETTES FOR VETS

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

AL.......... VICARI AUCTIONS BEN

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

TN........... AL KNOCH

FL............ ALLEY CAT

OH..........BEE WING DOORS

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

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

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

TN........... DAVID AMICK

TN......... DENNIS HACKER

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

TN........... K-TOWN STRAPS

TX........... LONE STAR CALIPER

TN........... LUSHERLUSHER

SC...........M & W AUTO PARTS

IL............. MELROSE T-TOP

TN........... RICHARD SCHMID

GA.......... ROBBIE TUCKER

TN........... SOUTHERN CRUZIN’ MOBILITY

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

NC.......... WADE MEADOWS

TN........... WAYNE POPE

KY........... WEST POINT AUTO

Copyright © 2022 Alance AB, https://www.mazegenerator.net/

CARSHOWS/ CRUISEINS

CLARKSVILLE TN: FRIDAY NIGHT CRUISE IN: Friday night cruise in! We’ll meet up at 1609 Fort Campbell Blvd at 8pm. Absolutely no burnouts, you’ll be banned from any future event without question. Every Friday night weather permitting! 8pm to 10pm. For more info go to https://www. facebook.com/clarksvillecarclub

MARYVILLE TN: FOOT HILLS CRUISE-IN: 5:00pm until whenever. Starts on the 1st Friday in April thru the last Friday in October. Weather Permitting. Open to ALL/ If you can Drive it you can bring it. (Cruise in to the Past). For more info and weekly updates go to https://www.facebook. com/events/759316261257014/

2nd FRIDAY NIGHT CRUISE IN’S : KNOXVILLE TN: ADVANCED AUTO PARTS CRUISE NIGHTS: Come join Summer Knight Cruisers Knoxville each month year round for a night of cool rides, good people and family fun. If you like talking cars, trucks, or motorcycles then stop by and see us. All are welcome. Cruise is held on the 2nd Friday Night at 7700 Oak Ridge Hwy. Cruise starts at 5pm. Cruise runs year round as long as weather permitting and 60 degrees or above. For more info go to https://www.facebook.com/ events/288777841667635/

1st SATURDAY MORNING CRUISE IN’S :

DALTON GA: Hot Mugs & Cool Bugs: Volkswagen Cruise-In: Cruise is held on the 1st Saturday morning of each month weather permitting. Join us at Gypsy Soul & Co. located at 2962 Cleveland Rd, from 8am to 11am for Hot Mugs & Cool Bugs: Volkswagen Cruise-In! For more info go to https://www. facebook.com/events/758239608064730/?event_time_ id=758239608064730

DALTON GA: PHAROHS COFFEE & CHROME CRUISE-IN: Held on the 1st Saturday morning of every month weather permitting. Cruise held at Hardees located at Northside Shopping Center 1301 North Glenwood Ave. Cruise runs from 8-11am. For more info call 423-580-0833

KNOXVILLE TN: Cars and Coffee: Event held at the European Garage located at 1229 Lovell Rd. Cruise runs from 7am CDT – 10am CDT. Event dates are Dec 4 & for 2022 Feb 5 & Apr 2. For more info and updates go to https://www.facebook.com/ events/464735314645227/

Miranda Glenn’s Benefit Rods & Jeep show

5900 Asheville Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37924

Mar 5th, 2022 | 10am-6pm

Miranda was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer. Her mom has been battling cancer as well. We want to make this event as big as we can and come together to put smiles on there faces and bring them some peace in this trying time. Show & Shine is $25 to enter. There will be a cleanest Jeep & Hotrod category, oldest Jeep & Hotrod and a best themed for both Jeeps and Hotrods. 100% of all of the proceeds will be given to Miranda and her family for medical expenses! Contact Robert Parsons: 865-679-4192 or Dylan Roach: 865-441-8486

Revved up for Jesus Car Show

245 Bailey Rd, Kingston, TN 37763

Apr 2nd, 2022 | 8am-Noon

Proceeds to Fireside Youth & VBS, donations accepted. Contact Bryan Huffins 865-227-7778

1st Annual Iconic Car Show Hosted by Iconic Metal Works

5290 Shellsford Rd, McMinnville, TN 37110

May 21st, 2022 | 11am-4pm

Join us in honoring and benefiting our local McMinnville Police department and Warren County Sheriffs Office.

3rd Annual Car Show Fellowship Missionary Baptist 4900 Harrison Rd, Lenoir City, TN 37771 June 11th, 2022 | 9am-2pm

$10 Entry Fee per car. Goody Bags for the first 75 cars! Dash plaques, Door prizes, Bake sale, and more food available. Proceeds go to benefit Senior Saints

38th Annual Moonshine Rod Run

City Park 240 Smith Str, Newport, Tennessee 37821

June 17th-18th, 2022 | Fri: 9am-6pm, Sat: 9am-4pm

Presented by Hard Times Street Rod Club, Come out and meet Mark & Digger from Discovery Channel’s hit TV series Moonshiners, former NASCAR Busch Series (LMSD) Champion LD Ottinger, and others. Open To The Public...Free To Spectators...Free Parking

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

The Grand National F-100 Show is the largest classic Ford Truck Show in the country! The show is open to all classic Ford Trucks 1996 and older including F-150, F-250, and larger trucks. Spectator tickets are available online or at the gate for $15 each day or a three-day pass only available on Thursday for $35. Fore more information or to preorder tickets. visit www.gnf100show.com

A trip to the little town of Lynchburg, TN for the Jack Daniels Distillery Tour is a must-do for any whiskey lover...

When it comes to American whiskey, there’s no name more well-known than Jack Daniels. The distinctive Old No.7 bottles can be spotted easily at almost every bar and liquor store in the country and a Jack and Coke continues to be a staple decade after decade. Heck, Jack Daniels has even woven its way through our radios with singers from David Allen Coe to Eric Church to Kesha all paying tribute to the legendary brown elixir from Lynchburg, TN.

Once you’ve learned all about the oldest registered distillery in the US and how their whiskey is made, it’s time to try some. We walked through the doors of one of the barrel houses and were seated with trays of Jack Daniels whiskeys in front of us as well as a complimentary whiskey glass souvenir.

After trying five variations of Jack Daniels, the tour concluded, and we exited into the little liquor store with a huge selection of Jack products. Of course, we had to buy a bottle and settled on one of the Angel’s Share limited release bottles. They also offer onsite bottle engraving if you really want to immortalize your visit.

The brand is so iconic nearly 300,000 people a year make a pilgrimage to Lynchburg to tour the distillery, and this fall, we were some of them…

Half the fun of the Jack Daniels Distillery Tour is just getting to Lynchburg. The town of just over 6,000 isn’t just off a highway exit somewhere. It’s down in the hills and hollers of Tennessee, and to get there, you take some beautiful two lane roads that twist and turn their way down to the town. It’s the kind of place you have to want to get to. You’re not just going to stumble into the Jack Daniels Distillery. (And thanks to the fact its a dry county, you aren’t going to stumble your way out either.)

Once at the distillery, you’re immediately

greeted by a large statue of the man himself, Jack Daniels. Surrounding him is a host of displays about the area, the distilling process, and even their bottle designs from over the years.

When it comes to the tours, you have several options ranging from a short bus tour to the dry-tour to the“Taste of Lynchburg” tour featuring not only a tour and some whiskey samples but a country meal at the nearby Miss Mary Bobo’s. We took the “Flight of Jack Daniel’s Tour,”which we’d venture to say is the most popular choice since it includes a whiskey tasting.

After corralling our group, the tour guide, complete with a thick and charming southern draw, took us outside for a group photo before putting us on a little bus to take us to the start of the tour. The tour itself consists of several stops as you walk through both the historic sites and active distillery operations. One of our favorite stops was Jack’s old office which features the very safe that led to his untimely death. (We’d tell you the story, but we think you should just wait until you take the tour!)

From his old office, you make your way into the actual production facilities where you learn each step in the process of their distilling. Of course, for most of us, the tour was all building to one thing- the tasting session!

When you’re done at the distillery, it’s just a short walk to the town square of Lynchburg. Here you’ll find the delicious Miss Bobo’s as well as other spots for a bite. There’s also plenty of quaint little shops and even a good size Jack Daniels gift shop.

Overall, the trip to Jack Daniels Distillery did not disappoint. From the history to the process of distilling, it was all fascinating and well-organized. It’s a perfect day trip from Nashville or a good detour for anyone traveling through Tennessee.

1976 CHEVROLET CORVETTE STINGRAY. $14,900 | Perfect condition, Tennessee orange, Runs like a dream, Alabama rust free car! New wheels and tires, Aggressive new side pipe, Contact us with any questions, and to schedule a test drive, Allan @ 865299-3552, Greg @ 865- 659-7800

2012 CHEVROLET CORVETTE COUPE. $32,000 | LS3 engine w/6spd manual trans, 65K miles, Torch red w/Ebony Leather, Removable Glass Top, Excellent condition, Phone calls only, No texting, Local in person cash sales only (Knox County), Phone Calls only. Will not respond to text. 865-363-2205

1989 CHEVROLET CORVETTE SURVIVOR. $9,500 | 5.7 Litre V8 Tuned Port injection, 86k miles, New Continental Tires, Garage kept, Nassau Blue w/blue interior, Digital dash fully works, Glass top replaced 2016, Wonderful old school vette, Runs fine no issues. Can be daily driver. 865-806-9459

2015 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06. $80,900 | 6.2L Supercharged LT4 V8, 650HP, 7spd manual, 2LT Preferred Equipment Group, Carbon Fiber pkg, Competition Sport seats, Velocity Tintcot, Black custom calipers, 8” display, Bluetooth, Xenon headlights, TOO MUCH TO LIST! Graham Motor Co 865-281-3557

2000 CHEVROLET CORVETTE- SUPERCHARGED. $27,000 | 6sp manual, lots of performance upgrades, can send list, 48k miles, Sale or trade for other fast cars newer Mustangs Camaros, ect or diesel trucks, send offers to 865-936-451, In Knoxville will meet half way,I really like this car you won’t see another like it has a lot of custom body work and more.

2005 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. $17,750 | 6.0L V8, electronic entry, Magnetic ride, Bose sound system, Cold A/C and hot heat, Automatic, Runs out perfectly, Contact us with any questions, to schedule a test drive, or for financing. Allan @ 865-299-3552, Greg @ 865-659-7800

“Our Family Serving Your Family”

If you are covered by a typical insurance policy, you may be paying too much and paying for the wrong kind of coverage. Standard automobile policies may not offer Agreed Value Coverage, so in the event of a loss, you will be offered a settlement amount (Actual Cash Value) less than what it will cost to replace your “pride and joy”. There’s more, standard auto policies don’t always give a price discount for the “care, custody and control” you give your collector automobile. In short, standard auto policies do not reflect an understanding of how fine collector cars are maintained and enjoyed.

However, we at Farris Insurance Agency Inc. can offer you an insurance program that really demonstrates the value and the uniqueness of your vintage or classic car(s). We can give you a better solution by working with experts who are collectors themselves. Grundy Worldwide, Hagerty Insurance and American Collectors, have been insuring these special vehicles for almost 50 years. We provide peace of mind protection to over 4000 car collector individuals and families.

Program Features:

• Coverage for individual cars and collections.

• Agreed Value Coverage.

• High liability limits.

• Unlimited “hobby” mileage.

• $0 deductible, NC has $50 deductibles.

• Prompt, fair claim service.

• Competitively priced.

• Excellent customer service. We have 30+ years writing collectors and collections.

It’s time to save some money, get a great rate on your collector car and have the “peace of mind” that comes from a job well done!