The Simi Valley Corvette Club celebrated it’s 20th anniversary last Saturday with a family barbeque and cars on display at Rancho Tapo Community Park.

The 100 in attendance—members, parents, children, grandchildren, and even some favorite canines—enjoyed an old-fashioned pot luck, soft ’50s music playing in the background, lots of chatter and laughter—and even a few squeals when the water balloons came out of hiding.

"This event is an excellent example of what the Simi Valley Corvette Club is all about, sharing time together with friends, with at least one common interest, being on the road in the world’s greatest sports car," said Club President Sam Reid.

Many in attendance wore clothing with the club’s new gold and silver 20th anniversary club logo.

Started in 1984 by a group of Corvette enthusiasts, the club brought together area residents who shared a common interest in the venerable Chevrolet Corvette.

"Fun runs," when members take their cars in a group to a certain destination, are a big part of the club’s activities. Armed with a variety of hand-held radios and cell phones as they drive their Corvettes in formation down the road, the club members often receive waves and cheers from pedestrians and other drivers.

A "run" can be an activity that takes months to prepare for—such as the annual Valentine’s Day trip, called the Sweetheart Run, or the annual three-day trek to Laughlin—or it can be an impromptu get together over breakfast.

The annual "Ladies Run" follows the theme of a murder mystery in which members have to find clues to solve the crime in order to receive prizes at the end-of-the-day barbecue.

Each year, the club also holds a car show in which funds are raised and given to local charities. The 2004 Car Show will be held at Royal High School on Sun., Oct. 17. This year, the selected charities include Make-A-Wish Foundation and Animal Rescue Volunteers, Inc.

Fan club

Russ and Danielle Bartoli, who’ve been with the club the longest (18 and 16 years respectfully), also own the most Corvettes. Their collection consists of a 1958 roadster, a 1961 convertible, a 1966 coupe and a 2000 coupe. "We’ve seen a number of changes in the club since we’ve joined" said Russ.

"When the club was new, prospective members had to be voted in. No one has ever been turned down," he said.

Because of its popularity, the club adds four or five new members every month, Bartoli said.

Stein Arneson, the only charter member still in the club, probably owns the most unique car. It’s a 1968, L88 coupe––only 80 were built. It has a 427 cubic inch engine and is valued at around $125,000.

Larry Lukunich, with nine years in the club, has owned a 1969 Stingray, a 1985 coupe, a 1990 convertible and a 1999 coupe. Right now he’s building what’s considered to be the hottest item in the Corvette world, a "retro-vette."

Lukunich found a well-used ’64 ‘Vette in Arizona and purchased it from an elderly woman who’s only request was that he continue to call the car "Lizzy."

Next, he purchased an ’85 "roll-over," a car that was totaled in an accident. He removed and discarded all the parts he didn’t need and created a new car using the ’64 body with the ’85 front and rear suspension.

Colors count

When club members meet the first and third Tuesday of each month at the IHOP at Erringer Road and Cochran Street, the room is almost filled to capacity as members bustle over dinner, talk about their cars and trips and then spill out onto the parking lot to see the latest in everyone’s collection.

A friendly competition over color is sure to follow. Currently, the "reds" seem to be ahead.

When a new member comes to a meeting they have to stand up and tell a little about themselves, and most importantly, the color of their car. If it’s red, a great howl erupts. The blues, however, are catching up.

At the meetings, the most talked about still run remains the June 2003 event when eight members of the club spent a week driving 2,500 miles each way to attend Corvette’s 50th anniversary bash in Bowling Green, Ky.

More then 5,000 ‘Vettes were gathered from every state in the union and in every imaginable color, confirming once and for all that not all of these famous cars have to be little red Corvettes. There’s white and blue and yellow and . . .