The Tampa Bay Vettes' members believe their cars are meant to be driven.
By MARTY CLEAR
Published October 8, 2004
It happened about 40 years ago in Brooklyn, when he was only 7 years old, but Tommy Farruggio clearly remembers the day he fell in love for the first time.
The object of his affection was a neighbor's 1962 Corvette convertible.
"I told my dad, "That's the kind of car I'm hoping to buy,"' Farruggio said. "He said, "Yeah, okay, if you graduate from college, I'll buy you one.'
"I told him, "Remember you said that, Dad,' and sure enough that stayed with me through the years. I used to go outside and wait for the guy with the Corvette to drive away - that's how nuts I was."
Farruggio's passion for the Corvette has barely waned over the years. He's now president of Tampa Bay Vettes, one of the largest and most active car clubs in the area.
There are some differences between Tampa Bay Vettes and many other car clubs, Farruggio said.
One is the high percentage of active members. A lot of other clubs have scores of members, but only see the same eight or nine people at club functions.
Tampa Bay Vettes is different. The club boasts a frantic schedule of activities, from barbecues to car shows to charity fundraisers, and a healthy number of members show up for all of them. Even when the club takes out-of-town trips, a lot of members come along.
"We win a lot of club participation trophies," said John Hunter, the club's vice president.
Another distinctive aspect of Tampa Bay Vettes, Farruggio said, is that it focuses squarely on the joy of driving.
"These cars are not made to be parked in the garage," Farruggio said. "They're made to be driven."
One of the club's most popular events is a monthly breakfast drive, organized by a different member each month. Club members gather in Brandon, and then the person who arranged that month's event leads them on a long drive (an hour or so) through some country roads. Only the lone organizer knows where they're going. They end up gathering at a restaurant for breakfast.
There are usually dozens of Corvettes taking part in those drives, everything from vintage cars from the 1950s to brand new 2004 models. The members enjoy driving the cars, and they enjoy turning heads of other drivers who see a procession of classic American sports cars.
The Tampa Bay Vettes' biggest event of the year is coming up next month at Ferman Chevrolet, the club's sponsor.
The Ultimate Corvette Party brings together Corvette owners, Corvette fans and just plain folks looking for a fun, free afternoon.
"A lot of car shows, you just sit there with your car," Farruggio said. "This isn't a car show, it's a party. There's a live band, there's food and there's door prizes."
There is actually a car show, with judges and trophies, but for most people the centerpiece of the event each year is a lineup of Corvettes, one from each year the car has been made. This year there will be 52 cars in the lineup.
"This car has been around for 52 years, and it's more popular now than ever with the public," Farruggio said. "You try to buy a C6 today and you'll be on a waiting list."
Tampa Bay Vettes has been growing phenomenally in the past few years. Hunter said three or four new people join every month.
"When my wife and I joined seven years ago there were about 30 members," he said. "It was a really close-knit group of people who just went out to eat every week."
The scope of club activities has grown along with the membership. Besides monthly meetings at Ferman Chevrolet and the monthly breakfast runs, the club hosts road trips, cookouts, parties and golf tournaments. This time of year, the club is in demand for high school football games, where members drive the homecoming king and queen around the track in their cars.
"Almost every weekend we have something going on," Hunter said. "We're a very active club. It's pretty much an excuse to drive our cars. We bring the party with us."
