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1st Quarter
Alex & Sumiya Nelson
Each quarter the North Central Chapter likes to shine the spotlight on one of the chapter members to give you all a chance to learn more about them and their passion for cars. This is an interview with Sumiya, the new owner of a beautiful 1965, Stingray Corvette. Sumiya’s dad, chapter member Alex Nelson, conducted this interview.
Dad: Hey Sumiya! Would you mind telling people a little bit about your family background and their relationship to the car?
Sue: My mom is an immigrant from Somalia and you are my Minnesota born-and-raised dad who bought me the Stingray for doing good in school. My grandma and uncle have also been Corvette owners. I have a younger brother and sisters who are into the car too.
Dad: What do you enjoy doing?
Sue: I like hanging out with friends and family, cooking, watching TV, reading Popular Mechanics, and going to car shows.
Dad: Since this is your first Corvette, do you plan to own any others?
Sue: I’d like to. A dream of mine is to get a well-kept version of every generation model. I especially like the C-1.
Dad: So tell everyone about your model now?
Sue: It’s a C-2 ragtop. It’s an elegant car with lots of vintage character. I don’t think anyone knew how original the car actually was until it was judged recently at an NCRS event and won a second-flight ribbon. For still having factory paint, it is very clean though and only has thirty thousand miles. It’s been treated very well over the years. Some people think of the Corvette as a muscle car or hot rod and I can see where they’re coming from, especially with the aggression built into the models starting in the 70s; however for me, the C-2’s soft curves and manageable power, at least with my 300-horse-power version, give it a more versatile aesthetic and appeal.
Dad: Any projects planned for your car in the future?
Sue: The car has been in storage for the last few months. It’s cold and snowing in Minnesota, with lots of salt on the roads until June sometimes. A wonderful mechanic and NCRS master judge, Bob Lund, has managed to put a new, original-style teak steering wheel on order from a guy in Tennessee who is carving it himself. It’s hard to find a used wheel like that. That’s kind of been the winter project while the car is in storage. It will be a big upgrade from the leather- covered 1970s steering wheel someone put on it years back and interrupted the virtually all- stock features with. The car has been really babied by its previous owners so it’s in great shape and there’s just not much work that will improve it at this time.
It’s a true classic and how can you improve on that?
I’d also like to give a quick shout-out to all the NCRS members who’ve been really supportive and instructive for my dad and I while trying to navigate the Corvette world. We’ve become very enlightened over the last few years by being a part of the community. Big thanks to everyone!
2nd Quarter
Dan Simpson
PASSION FOR CORVETTES
Included with my passion for Corvettes is the support my family has given me throughout the past 45 years. My wife, Jayne, and I have been married for 51 years. She is retired now after over 45 years in administrative assistant positions. I am retired from various customer service positions at a car dealership. I now work part-time at a convenience store close to home where I can walk to – getting my daily steps in! I continue to enjoy my car and aircraft hobbies.
We have three children (Greta, Gavin, Garett) and six grandchildren (Evelyn, Quinn, Kai, Dylan, Eliana, Arielle). With our children located in three different states, this gives us many opportunities for road trips!
During the 1950’s I lived on a farm in Richland County, WI during which time I dreamed of having my own car. We had some old Model A Fords on our farm which I enjoyed tinkering with, even at a very young age. Once we moved off the farm, my dad started a repair shop in a very small town, Rockbridge, WI. We started out doing mechanical work but changed to a body shop business. By the time I was 15, I was fixing and painting cars. My first cars I worked on included a 1951 Ford custom 2-door hard top and a 1963 Ford Galaxy 500 convertible. The 1963 needed more work and I enjoyed the challenges. By 1970 I bought a 1969 Dodge Super Bee. As I look back now, I think I made a mistake selling it – after seeing what this type of car goes for at this time!
The early 1970’s was a changing time for me. I joined the Navy and then got married upon completion of my service years. It took until 1978 before I started looking for another car project. In the winter of 1979 I found my first Corvette, a 1965 convertible. The car was equipped with 327/350 HP, 4 speed, and 2 tops. I loved the Milano Maroon exterior color with Maroon interior. When I purchased this car, it was torn apart and some restoration had begun. It took me over 4 years to get it restored – raising our family and work were first priorities. After completing the restoration, we took the car to the Bloomington Gold show in Bloomington, IL. It took 2 trips to get Gold Certified. We were very thankful to receive this prestigious award!
During the 1980’s I bought and sold two 1972 Corvette coupes. In 1988 I decided to sell our 1965 Corvette convertible. In late 1989 I purchased a big block Corvette – a 1969 427/400 HP coupe, side exhaust (factory), P/S, P/B, P/W, with automatic transmission. It was in bad shape and I did a full restoration. This was a great driving car. I learned a lot about the tri-power carburetor system. I sold the car in 1992 and bought my first C4 – a 1988 convertible. This C4 was the most high-tech Corvette I had owned.
In 1999 I decided to leave my Corvette hobby to pursue aviation. Upon selling the 1988, I purchased a 1955 Piper Tripacer which required restoration. With help from a certified inspector, I got the plane flying in 2004 at which time
I also earned my private pilot license. I still own the plane today after 23 years.
By 2020 I started looking for another Corvette. As I liked the 1988 I previously had, the C4 was my next choice. The comfort and styling impressed me.
In February 2022 I purchased a 1993 40th Anniversary convertible. This car sat in a dealership inventory for over 15 years. At the time of my purchase, this car had just under 20,000 miles on the odometer. Having sat for so many years, I had a list of maintenance items to do. Most challenging was installing a new heater core. This followed with replacing the water pump and intake manifold gaskets. I also changed the rear brakes, fluids, filters, tires and did other miscellaneous maintenance work. I plan on keeping the 1993 Corvette for a long time while enjoying driving it on the many back roads I will be scouting out.
I just rejoined NCRS after being away from it for over 30 years and look forward to the many activities offered by this organization.
3rd Quarter
Tim Schuetz
When Tim was just five years old, his dad bought a Corvette. It was the start of a lifelong love affair with the iconic American sports car. Tim’s dad was a Corvette fan and he passed on his passion to his son. Through the years, Tim has owned and driven several Corvettes, each one a testament to his love for the brand.
What sets Tim apart from other Corvette owners is his commitment to preserving and perfecting these cars. He is not content with just owning one, he wants to make sure it runs like it did when it first came off the assembly line. He takes great pride in keeping the cars in their original condition and making sure they operate at peak performance.
Over the years, Tim has owned several Corvettes, including three 1963 SWC L84’s, 1965’s, LT1’s, L71’s, and L36’s. How ever, his favorite is the green car in the photo. Tim’s dad bought it in late 1973, when Tim was just five years old. The car has 400hp, a born-with drivetrain, an unhit body, a tank sticker, and is a very original Corvette. It is a testament to Tim’s commitment to preserving these cars.
Another favorite of Tim’s is the 1965 L84 5 Star Bowtie Corvette. Tim currently owns a different 1965 Fuel Injected that is a 5 Star Bowtie car and a 1970 LS5 4 Star, Bloomington Gold Bench Mark, and Triple Diamond. He also owns a 68 Camaro SS L78/4 speed car. This is an original paint car that came from Harry Mann Chevrolet in Los Angeles. The car was drag raced and had an L88 installed in 1971. The owner was killed in a car accident, and the car sat until the 90’s. Tim has owned the car 3 separate times, it’s one of his favorites.
One of Tim’s recent projects, as seen in the photos, was a 1964 coupe. It was a real black on black injected car from California, with its original knock offs and born-with drivetrain. Tim did a complete mechanical restoration (driveline, chassis, electrical) but left the cosmetics alone. Affectionately named the “Turd”, that was Tim’s driver, and he regrets selling it.
Tim’s love for Corvettes is not just limited to himself. He also built a 1959 Bel Air for his wife, Tracey. It was an original Texas car with 80k miles and original paint. Tim installed a Roadster Shop chassis and an LS3/4L70E combination. The car is a testament to Tim’s commitment to preserving and perfecting, not just Corvettes, but classic cars in general.
In the end, Tim’s love for Corvettes is not just about owning the cars, it’s about preserving them for future generations. He takes great pride in making sure these cars run like they did when they first came off the assembly line. Tim’s commitment to perfection is what sets him apart from other Corvette owners. It is a love affair that will continue for years to come.
4th Quarter
Craig Hoepner
The Cherished Journey of a Couple, Their Family, and a 1981 Charcoal Metallic Corvette
March 2025 marks a monumental milestone for Craig and Rebecca Hoepner as they celebrate 50 years of wedded bliss. The couple’s love story has been beautifully woven into the fabric of their family, their cherished moments, and their shared passions, including their fondness for all things outdoors, gardening, long walks, hiking, bicycle rid ing, and the thrill of attending car shows. However, one passion that has truly stood the test of time is their deep affection for classic Corvettes.
Their journey with Corvettes began many years ago. Still harboring dreams of adventure, Craig made the difficult decision to sell their beloved 1977 Black on Black L82 close ratio 4-speed Gymkhana suspension Corvette to Jim Southworth of Southworth Chevrolet in Bloomer, WI., in exchange for a more practical family vehicle when they welcomed their two sons, Matthew (39) and Nathan (28), into the world.
The absence of their beloved Corvette did not extinguish the flames of passion for classic cars. In fact, it fueled Craig’s growing interest in restoration. In late 1977 and throughout 1978, Craig embarked on an off-frame restoration project of a 1963 coupe equipped with a powerful 327 V8 engine and a 4-speed transmission. This labor of love took place while working at Southworth Chevrolet, further cementing Craig’s dedication to car restoration.
Now, as they celebrate their golden anniversary, the couple is the proud owner of a stunning 1981 Charcoal Metallic Corvette (RPO 39) with its matching Charcoal Leather interior (RPO 181). One of 613 that were produced. This meticulously cared-for vehicle has only covered an impressive 37,000 documented miles, making it a true rarity. Born in Bowling Green, KY, in August of 1981, this numbers matching Corvette has all its glove box information intact, including the original two owner’s names and bill of sale from 1981.
This investment-grade beauty is not just a mode of transportation. It is a symbol of their shared history, their passion, and their commitment to preserving the integrity of classic cars. As the sun sets on their momentous anniversary, Craig has set his sights on having their remarkable Corvette judged in the spring of 2025. To achieve this, they sought the expertise and guidance of Tim Schuetz from Boulder Motorcar Company and Jerome Lardy from the National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS), who have been instrumental in kick-starting this new venture.
There is something enchanting about the authenticity of their beloved Corvette. Its originality, and the years of untouched beauty, hold a special place in their hearts and minds. Becoming custodians of such an amazing automobile, Craig and Rebecca long to keep their cherished Corvette as it is, maintaining the originality that has witnessed their journey through time, and growth of their family. One day potentially being enjoyed even further by their kids and grandkids, Tony (9) Maggie (5) Olivia (5) and Evelyn 9 months, for many more years.