Kim West 

Our next meeting location for April is:

Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews

6770 Fossil Bluff Dr

Fort Worth, TX 76137

Off I-35, off the access road, just North of Western Center Blvd. If on the toll road going North, exit at Basswood Blvd., take the U turn South to Western Center Blvd. Then turn left onto the access road.

Sickie’s has lots of food choices to choose from on the menu. Hamburgers and draft beer are the specialties. On Wednesday they offer a draft beer special, Pint Night. There will be a featured beer in a special pint glass for $5.00. You can keep the special pint glass. 

I will be sending out a reminder and asking for an RSVP. If we have 60 or less, we will be on the left side of the restaurant. If we have 60 or more, we will be on the right side.

The board meeting will be on the back patio, off the left side. It’s a small patio that seats about 25. And if weather permits.

The General Manager is excited about having us there. He has been spreading the word we will be there on the 1st. So, if you see new faces encourage them to join the meeting.

Sickie’s will be hosting a car show on April 2nd. When I get the flyer, I will share. Or there will be flyers at the restaurant.

The Scramble is coming up, see info James Swaringen’s article. He will need everyone to participate.

Looking forward to the Chandor Gardens cruise, tour, and lunch. See Lee Ann’s article for info. If you did not attend the TX Whiskey Ranch social, you missed out. You can see photos on the web site.

Thanks to Randy for finding us a great new PA system.

Thank you to all who filled out the survey.

As of now no one has volunteered to chair the car show committee. I will cancel the locations and hope we can continue in 2027.

See you all in April,

Kim West

Kim West - President
kdcwest@sbcglobal.net

 April 2026 Newsletter:

We had a wonderful turnout for our March social at TX Whiskey Ranch.  We had 32 participants and 11 Corvettes. Everyone enjoyed touring the facility. 

We learned the process in which TX spirits are made, tasted several of their products. The sunny and warm weather was perfect for this event, and it ended up being a beautiful day to drive your Corvette. 

The cars were a huge hit with the patrons of TX Whiskey Ranch. I saw many of them taking photos of our cars and everyone was so complimentary of them. Thank you to those of you that joined us! 

Mark your calendars for future events:

Saturday, April 18, 2026, Chandor Gardens in Weatherford TX

Our next event is on April 18, and we will be taking a guided tour of the beautiful Chandor Gardens in Weatherford, TX.  

The tours start at 10:00 am. Our tour guides will be explaining the garden to us in small intimate groups. They have a great knowledge of the gardens as they are also Parker County Master Gardeners and work in caring for the gardens themselves. 

The cost is $10 per person, and I will collect money the day of the event.  

We will be eating lunch as a group after the tour at a local restaurant called Beef Master Steak House. They have a wide selection of items on their menu.

This is a rain or shine event. 

Garden address                                     Restaurant address

Chandor Gardens                                    Beefmaster Steak house
711 West Lee Ave                                   509 N Main St.
Weatherford, TX 76086                          Weatherford, TX 76086

Robert is planning a cruise to the gardens in Weatherford, and he will be sharing the details with us soon.

A few other event dates have been established:

Saturday, May 9, 2026, Cassaro Winery

Doug McMahan will be planning a cruise to Cassaro Winery in Ovilla TX.  Pack your yard chair as they have beautiful trees and a nice outside area for us to sit and visit while we enjoy a glass of wine or two.

Doug will be sending out more details as we get closer.

Cassaro Winery

704 W Main St

Ovilla, TX

 In addition...please save the date for July 11. We will be doing a cruise to the Cliftex Theater in Clifton, Texas for a private showing of a car themed movie (I’m thinking F1 or Ford vs Ferrari). We vote to see which one most people want to see.

This cute vintage indoor theater has been in business since 1916, and was fully restored in 2008. 

Following the show, we will be visiting a small car museum in the same town. 

On the way home we will stop for dinner in Meridian, TX. 

Larry Schaapveld is organizing the cruise and tour. 

We are looking forward to having the CenTex Corvette Club join us for this event.

   Lee Ann Parker  VP/Social

Hi Everyone,

Membership stands at 110 members!

The new Q1 2026 Membership Directory is now online.

The 2026 competition season has begun! The first event is April 18/19 at Killeen. Fourteen low-speed autocrosses over the 2 days, hosted by LCC. 

OUR first event of the season will be our Spring Scramble at Fat Daddy’s on April 25. It will be 7 events, consisting of a car show, 3 funkhanas and 3 rallyes. Valve cover races will be added to the mix. If you haven’t seen that event, be sure to come check it out (OR, participate)!

May 30/31, CTCC (Waco) will be hosting a 14 low-speed autocross weekend, also at Killeen. They lost their venu at McLane Stadium.

Our first autocross has had a venu and date change. The 6th Annual Larry Hoaldridge Memorial weekend will now be at Burleson High School on June 6/7.

We are still waiting on a flyer for the Drumright event, hosted by OCCC (Oklahoma City) on May 23/25 (3 days).

I hope everyone is ready for another fun year.

Save the wave!                                                                                                                 

Norman Walker

CTV NCCC Governor

Vicki Currey - Secretary - Timing Chair

Please consider taking an active role in Cowtown Vettes in 2026.

CTV Secretary

Just a reminder, the Membership and Board minutes are located in the Members Only section.

If you have any questions about the minutes, please feel free to contact me.

Timing Chair

If you are interested in learning timing for CTV’s autocrosses, come spend some time in the trailer and join in the excitement!

Vicki Currey
vfrostcurrey@live.com 

Steve Parker - CTV Treasurer

Just a reminder, the Monthly reports are located in the Members Only section.

If you have any questions about the reports... please feel free to contact me.

 stevenp1954@gmail.com 

Doug McMahan - Social/Digital Media - Sponsorship

If you have not rec’d your 50th Anniversary Cowtown Vettes commemorative Deck of Playing Cards, please attend the next Membership Meeting and see me.  Each primary member / household receives one deck of cards.  I’ll bring a few decks on the next cruise as well.  If you’d like an extra set (or two), see me as well, we did purchase extra decks of cards- these are $5 per deck.

We will have the Events, Socials and such in the next Slideshow.   The slideshow will continue to include some Corvette Trivia along with various other Corvette happenings around the country.  

Please provide any submissions for the slideshow to me no later than Sunday evening of the Membership Meeting week.

If you have been working on or updating your Corvette with new items …or if you have taken a trip in your Corvette and have some photos to share with membership, please send those to me and I’ll include them in the monthly slideshow.  Cowtown’s Microsoft O365 account allows us to use OneDrive, which makes it much easier for you to provide high-resolution photos from events for the web and/or monthly slideshow. If you would like to share photos, please take them in high-resolution; if not, they can’t be used on the big screen since they would show grainy / blurry.  These are needed by noon, the Monday before the Membership Meeting. If you have questions, please contact me and I’ll provide you with more information and the OneDrive link to share your photos – basically use the highest resolution option you can set on your camera or smartphone.

When you receive a CTV-ALL eMail blast, we would request that you please only reply to the originator when you are replying to a CTV-ALL email. When you opt to reply, simply select Reply on the email, then remove the CTV-All entry and replace it with the email address of the originator. If you are sending CTV-ALL emails, please include your email address in the body of the email so you have that address handy.

If you change your email or home address, Corvette, or other info – please drop an email to CTV-Membership@groups.io. 

If you are not receiving CTV-ALL emails, please get with me so we can either add you or figure out why you aren’t receiving them.

More information on email distribution lists and the acceptable use of them can be found on our website.

Facebook – if you are on Facebook and not a “friend” of Cowtown Vettes, members cannot include you in tags at events; these tags show your non-club member friends all the fun we are having. Who knows, maybe some of you are in the witness protection program and don’t want to be tagged J If you are posting, be sure to tag Cowtown Vettes so it appears on our Facebook news feed.

Doug McMahan
Digital / Social Media Chairperson
macsvettes@gmail.com  

Ann Walker - Membership Chair

NEW MEMBERS 

VISITORS

                Cowtown Members...Having Fun visiting TX Whiskey Ranch

Visit our website  Cowtown Vettes of Ft Worth, Texas 

Robert Geyer - Cruiser/Equipment Chair 

Hello Cruisers 

Hey guys, it's Spring now and time to be cruising.  And with that comment,  I will be assisting Lee Ann Parker with her next social by leading my first 2026 cruise to Chandor Gardens in Weatherford.  

I have mapped out a unique trip I think you will find interesting 😁.  My cruise should take around 1 hour with a little extra time for U-turns, missed road changes, etc.😜 and yes I'll have printed directions.  

So come on out and lets drive our Vettes and enjoy the day at Chandor Gardens . 

PS.....don't forget your 2 way radios!!!

Details:  Saturday, April 18, 2026

Location to meet for cruise....................Cracker Barrel restaurant in  Benbrook (you know the place by now)

Time to arrive for cruise..........................8:15am

Time of Drivers meeting..........................8:30am

Departure time.........................................immediately following Drivers meeting

Garden address

Chandor Gardens.            Docent tour begins at 10:00am

711 West Lee Ave

Weatherford, TX

Restaurant address.          For after tour lunch if desired 

Beefmaster Steak House

509 N Main St 

Weatherford,  TX

For those wanting to participate in the Cruiser Points program or the 'What I Saw Along The Way Photo Contest' this is a great time to get started.

As always I will send out a CTV-ALL reminder as we get closer to all of my cruises. 

That's all for now and I'll see y'all in April.

Your Cruiser Chairperson 

Robert Geyer 

Your Cruiser Chairperson 

Robert Geyer 

Larry Currey - Low Down Editor

The 2027 Corvette Grand Sport Shows Up at Sebring—and It’s Not Subtle

This past weekend’s 74th running of the 12 hours of Sebring IMSA race marked 60 years since Roger Penske and Jim Hall won the Prototype GT class in a purpose-built lightened C2 Corvette race car developed by Zora Arkus Duntov himself. To mark that auspicious occasion, Chevrolet offered up a sneak preview of its 2027 Corvette Grand Sport model in advance of its official introduction on March 26. 

For its rolling first look, the C8 Grand Sport led a field that included all the Grand Sports of yore. Of course, the C2 Penske helmed was there. The plan for that one had been to build 125 examples for homologation purposes, but GM brass nixed the program after just five had been built (three coupes and two roadsters). Power came from a special 377-cubic-inch version of the venerable Chevy small block. Fitted with Weber carbs, it’s said to have made 550 hp. Penske noted “I have great memories of driving the Grand Sport as we were fortunate to earn three wins across five races in the car during the 1963 and 1964 seasons." 

There was also a 1996 Corvette Grand Sport—one of 1,000 special editions powered by the top-performing LT4 version of the 5.7-liter small block making 330 hp and 340 lb-ft of torque and painted in the C2’s trademark Admiral Blue paint with white stripes and a red interior.

Also joining the parade lap and photo opportunities was a C6 Grand Sport, also in Admiral Blue with white stripes and sporting the trademark red front fender slashes. This model combined Z06 wide-body parts with a hand-built LS3 6.2-liter V-8. 

And rounding out the memory-lane formation was a C7 Corvette Grand Sport. Introduced for 2017, this one also combined wide-body Z06 parts with the Z51’s dry-sump LT1 powertrain, good for 460 hp. 

James Swaringen - CTV Webmaster

webmaster@cowtownvettes.org  - cell:  817-832-9812

April 2026

Hope everyone is enjoying the new website.  Please let me know if you see any updates or corrections needed.

New content on website:

●     Check out new Classified Ads. Corvette Parts, Corvettes, Corvette events not hosted by CTV… https://www.cowtownvettes.org/classified-ads

●     Updated the CTV Membership Directory on https://sites.google.com/view/cowtownvettes/members-only  if you have questions loging on please email webmaster@cowtownvettes.org

I need your help to keep the site updated and current.  If you lead activities, awards, or competitions, please make sure the rules and guidelines on the site are correct.

Also, remember, after an event, you will find a link to a Google Photo Album on the home page, right after the upcoming activities.  Please go there to see the photos we have uploaded, and if you have any good pictures you want to add, please email them to webmaster@cowtownvettes.org.   Also, from the album, you can download photos to keep in your personal photo collections.

Also, make sure to follow our Facebook page and like the posts and events.  https://www.facebook.com/cowtownvettes

Thanks,

James Swaringen - CTV Webmaster 

james@swaringen.us  - cell:  817-832-9812

                     Corvette LS6 Engine Was Supposed To Displace 6.6L

The new naturally aspirated 6.7L V8 LS6 marks a major evolution for the iconic Chevy Small Block, launching in the 2027 C8 Corvette Stingray, C8 Corvette Grand Sport, and C8 Corvette Grand Sport X. Interestingly, engineers initially intended for the engine to displace just 6.6 liters, but thanks to modern development tools, they managed to eke out a bit more stroke, bumping it up to 6.7 liters instead. The end result is more power and torque, but without the usual penalties that go along with greater output gains. 

 By extending the stroke by just two millimeters, GM’s engineers delivered measurable gains in performance while maintaining emissions compliance and fuel efficiency targets.

The LS6 builds on the same architecture laid out by the 6.2L V8 LT2 powering the 2020-through-2026 Chevy Corvette C8, while also introducing several critical updates. 

Stroke increases from 92 mm to 100 mm, while the bore is still 103.25 mm. 

Bore spacing retains the traditional 4.4-inch Small Block layout, while compression ratio increases to 13.0:1, the highest compression in production Corvette history.

This combination results in 535 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 520 pound-feet of torque at 4,600 rpm, yielding the most powerful base engine ever offered in a Corvette. General Motors also claims the highest-torque naturally aspirated V8 currently in production. 

Larry Currey / On-Line LOW DOWN Editor

larrycurrey@yahoo.com

Mary Pittman - NCM Ambassador - 2025

LowDown Article - NCM Ambassador

Sept 2025

“The mission of the National Corvette Museum is to educate worldwide

audiences on the evolution of the Corvette --America’s Sports Car-- through collections, preservation, and celebration of its legacy.”

At the museum’s 31st anniversary celebration that was just held on August 28 - 30, 2025, Zora Arkus - Duntov’s, only Corvette, fully restored was debuted.  Who, you ask, is Zora Arkus - Duntov?  Depending on where you read he is referred to as either the “Father of the Corvette” or the “Godfather of the Corvette” although Harley Earl was the original designer of the Corvette.  After seeing the 1953 Corvette on display in New York City, Arkus - Duntov wrote General Motors that he found the car “visually superb, but was disappointed with what was underneath”.  He went to work at GM in May of 1953 as a staff engineer with the idea of changing that perception and was “pivotal in elevating the Corvette into a world class performance vehicle”.  The only Corvette Arkus - Duntov owned was a retirement gift from Chevrolet. You can read more about his life and work on the museum’s website or other online sources.

For the latest on museum happenings you can go to the website for info. Museum members can log onto the website for more news and info. As always the museum offers car raffles, NCM insurance, shopping and event info as well as article about exhibits.

Mary Pittman, NCM Ambassador

To visit the NCM website... Click

National

Corvette Museum

Cowtown Vette’s 23rd Annual Car Show is behind us and although Mother Nature didn’t exactly cooperate, it was still a great show.  We had 58 pre-registered cars, and we’re told that was the most pre-registered cars we’ve ever had.  A total of 72 cars joined the show. 

Congratulations to our Best of Show winners:

Early model: Paul and Mary Wolter, C1 1962 Satin Silver Convertible

Late model:  Eudale Bell, C8 2023 Black Coupe

We learned a lot about putting on a show at our new location, and the good news is that Jerry’s Chevrolet has invited us back again.  That’s a great start for planning the 24th annual show!

Thanks to everyone who volunteered on the committee and the day of the show!  We couldn’t have done it without you!

Your 23rd Annual Car Show Committee

Bill Buehler and Cliff Holden

Car Show Committee Co-Chairs

James Swaringen - NCCC Events Coordinator 

james@swaringen.us  - cell:  817-832-9812

April 2026

Less than a month till our first event.  I could use your help:

I am looking for volunteers to help with the scramble in a few specific areas:

• Funkhana Games: I need ideas for the Funkhana games or help running them.

• Rallies: Assistance is needed to set up and judge the rallies during the event weekend.

Additionally, as the date gets closer, I will be seeking Cornerworkers and other volunteers to help put on these events.

Please reach out so we can discuss how you can help. Thank you for your support.  Volunteer to Help

Upcoming 2026 NCCC Events:

Spring Scramble - April 25   Sat Only (7 sanctions)

At Fat Daddy’s

NEW Valve Cover Races: Build your own valve cover racers, or we will have a few (RULES)

Flyer    Online Registration  

Spring AX - June 6-7 (14 sanctions)   (new date and location)

At Burleson ISD Stadium, 100 Elk Dr, Burleson, TX 76028

Flyer    Online Registration

Fall AX - Sept 26-27 *May change  (14 sanctions) At TBD

Fall Scramble - October 17 with CTV Car show  (7 sanctions) At TBD

Watch how fun Autocrossing can be. 

Donna Forsythe - CTV Logo Merchandise

Hello and welcome to the Logo Merchandise store.

There are lots of great things for sale with the Cowtown logo on them:

Caps.Visors, Sweatshirts, Long Sleeve T-shirts, Short Sleeve T-shirts, Men’s & Women’s Long Sleeve Denim Shirts, Polo shirts Name Tags

(Please note that on all shirt orders, 2XL and up sizes are slightly higher)

If you want your name added to your shirt, Or a Cowtown logo or a certain year Corvette added to your shirt.

We also have stickers, patches and koozies

So stop by the Logo table before and after the meeting to place your order.

You’ll get your order by the next meeting.

Donna Forsythe CTV Logo Mechandise
dforsythe817@gmail.com 

Mary Pittman - Historian

 LowDown Article - Historian

  April 2026 At our membership meeting on April 8th Cowtown Vettes will celebrate 52 years of existence! 

In April of 1974 a group of people met together to enjoy their shared passion for America’s sports car. The only one of that original group that is still active today with CTV is Jerry Lindsey. 

The group which started with about 20 members grew to sometimes over 200 members… as with all things that changed after 2020 and the Covid Pandemic, our numbers are not as large as they once were, but we are still going strong. We have a variety of activities hoping to provide the proverbial “something for everyone”. 

In addition to our monthly business meeting we have NCCC events…ie autocross and drag racing and scrambles, car shows, cruising..ie seeing the countryside in our Corvette, charity events, and socials. 

Come out and enjoy our history and our future. “We came for the cars, but we stay for the people” 

Mary Pittman, Historian

The “WELCOME TO COWTOWN” Committee PRESENTS

COWTOWN 101

SPRING BRINGS OUT THE CORVETTES TOO!

Corvettes love to get out and show their colors amongst the bluebonnets.  If you see a Corvette in a parking lot, downtown at your other social or community activities, or even a car wash, go over and say hello!  Ask if they belong to Cowtown Vettes.  It’s a great conversation starter.  

Let them know about our social events, cruising a curvy back road, showing off their beautiful Vette(s) at Car Shows, or learning to enjoy their Vette’s performance on an Auto Cross.  

Invite them to our next event or meeting, introduce them to your friends and help them feel welcome.  It’s really our members who show their enthusiasm for Cowtown Vettes that make the club fun.   

The more members the merrier!

PS:  Please be sure Ann Walker, the Membership Chair and I get to meet them! 

Barb Greenfeder

817-917-0975

Welcome to Cowtown Chair

Barbsc6@sbcglobal.net

                      THE END