[PICS] Keith’s Choice Award at Corvettes at Carlisle was Presented to this 1967 Sting Ray

Sep 1, 2023

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[PICS] Keith's Choice Award at Corvettes at Carlisle was Presented to this 1967 Sting Ray

Photo Credit: Amy Jo Magee

As a “celebrity judge” at Corvettes at Carlisle this year, I got to pick my favorite car out of the 3,000+ cars attending the show. And while that seemed like a daunting task, I am sure you will agree that I made the right call.

Organizers of the Carlisle show talk about how car show awards would usually go to only those with the shiniest paint, or the most money spent on customization or restoration while the average car owner wouldn’t stand a chance to win an award. The Celebrity Choice Awards at Carlisle aims to fix that disparity by allowing many judges to pick their favorite cars on display from the FunField. Owners get the exciting news that their car was selected and for many, it could be the first time they ever won a car show award.

My criteria in picking a Corvette to present my award to usually consists of it being a classic Corvette that was driven to the show, and if possible, to give it to someone who has owned the car for a while. The organizers this year also stressed to look outside the main FunField area and go up on the hill as those cars are registered as well. So I started up there first and as I was working my way down, I came across this Green 1967 Corvette Sting Ray Convertible.

The car itself was unremarkable with faded green paint, and a black interior that was still in good condition. A look at the odometer showed 16K miles but was more likely to be 116,000 with the odometer having rolled over. I noted that the person showing the car was a lady named Amy Jo Magee and there was a Pennsylvania registration sticker on the lower driver side windshield that showed 1977. From these details, I concluded that this was most likely a family car passed down from father to daughter, and she was keeping his memory alive by driving it to Corvettes at Carlisle.

I filled out the judging sheet and noted the condition of the car by saying, “They are only original once.” I didn’t get a chance to meet Amy Jo at the show, but the story gets even better from there.

Amy Jo emailed me and confirmed my suspicions that this was a family car passed down, and even better was that she was attending the show with her teenage son. Here is the note she left me:

Good morning – My son and I were walking back to our 67 corvette thinking about heading home after a fun morning and was very surprised you had chosen it for a celebrity award. We got to hear you loved the originality of the car. The car was my fathers everyday driver and is still all original. Thanks again for making my sons day. We always enjoy getting it out for the drive to come here and enjoy seeing all the beautiful vettes here.

We have been told to keep it that way as long as possible and enjoy the car. My dad bought it to enjoy and used it as his mode of transportation until my brother was born in 1977. I’m currently teaching my son how to drive manual transmission in it so the car can stay in the family. Thanks for appreciating what the car is. All of them are so beautiful and we love ours for the reliable fun she provides, even though she isn’t as shiny as most. Here is a picture of my son with the car. His smile says it all.

I keep trying to explain to him how special this car is. My dad passed away over 20 years ago. It’s how I remain connected to him. When I turn the key and smell that old exhaust it takes me back to being a little girl.

Thanks again for the icing on the cake – Amy Jo Magee

Amy included the two photos of her son with the new award, and I can only say it was my pleasure to give it to the best car at the whole show. Many of us got our love of Corvettes from family members who have since passed, and there is an almost unbreakable bond for those who are driving their dad’s car. I am also one of those second-generation owners, and I totally relate to Amy Jo commenting on how the sights and smells of the car take us back to when we rode shotgun with our dads.

Congratulations again to Amy Jo and her son and we hope to see your Corvette again soon at another Corvettes at Carlisle! Check out some more photos of this “award-winning” Sting Ray Convertible:

Keith's Choice Award at Corvettes at Carlisle 2023

Source:
Photos by Keith Cornett

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9 COMMENTS

James P Sep 1, 2023 At 1:20 pm

Love this! Good choice of a car, and even more, a great REASON for choosing it. Congrats to Amy Jo and her son!
Daniel Mehlman Sep 1, 2023 At 1:27 pm

That’s a great story and so kind of you to give an award to a vette that’s mostly all original and used as a driver and kept in the same family!! Those are the Vette’s that I love to look at at a car show. My wife and I own a 1968 vette that we are 2nd owners of for the last 44 years. I had to to a frame off restoration 36 years ago because the frame rusted out where they normally do behind the drivers side and the passenger side was bad also. So I bought a new frame from a chevy dealership that was for the newer corvette that had the rear part of the frame for the bumper that would retrac into the frame if hit. So I used the rear part of the old frame and with the help of a jig welded it to the new frame after removing the rear section that we didn’t need anymore.
Dayton Sep 1, 2023 At 3:09 pm

Identical to President Joe Biden’s ’67 Sting Ray. He is the original owner as well, similar condition.
This family received their award for all the right reasons….
Bravo!
RoseZ06 Sep 1, 2023 At 4:52 pm

Well done Keith. These are the kind of Corvette enthusiasts we love to see. Everyday people involved with carrying the Torch for loved ones and the Corvette tradition. Thank you Amy Jo for sharing your love for Dad and his car with us.
67+Stingray Sep 1, 2023 At 10:28 pm

This is a great recognition of a special car and the cars heritage.
Rob C Sep 2, 2023 At 6:29 am

“Identical to President Joe Biden’s ’67 Sting Ray” less a few documents,
Michael Dart Sep 2, 2023 At 7:24 am

You certainly did make the right choice. I am amazed, you actually found this Sting Ray with the real family back story out of all those Corvettes that attend this show. You’re a true Corvette Whisperer.
Daniel Sep 2, 2023 At 9:03 am

Sleepy Joe’s Sting Ray has been reported missing!
Mike Furman Sep 2, 2023 At 4:07 pm

Well chosen Keith. Great story great Corvette!