LaHarpe Event

It was pretty sweet! Truly a memorable event. Here is a summary, and I am sure I will forget something. There was a large crowd that gathered. I think everyone was surprised. I would guess 2-300 people? TV crews, newspaper people, etc. At 10:00 a.m. Matt Murphy gave history on the cars, new and old. Barnharts cars were in the showroom alone, the other four were in the back in the service area, all were covered. Ken Barnhart told everyone how he bought his 69 ZL-1 car, neat story coming from a great storyteller. Dennis Barker was introduced, as well as Helen Gibb, and her 2 daughters. A invoice was replicated by Matt Murphy like the one in 1968 for the transport of the 5 new cars, and Helen signed it to take delivery, just as her husband had done in 1968. The cover was finally lifted. It was a special moment words can't describe. You were kind of caught up in the moment. Then Herb Fox, and Helen, and Matt, handed Ken his keys to the car. After the car was started, the crowd applauded. We all went to the back service area where the other cars were. Matt indicated to the new owners that if they punched their key fob, they would know which car was thiers. One by one this was done, as they shook Helens, Matts, and Herbs hands. One by one the covers were lifted as cameras scrambled. The cars then proceded to the back of the lot. They were lined up with thier owners for some photos. Beautiful day. Lots of neat conversation with some locals who remember "the day" very well. Off to the front of the building now! Some guy had the front street wetted down properly! I couldn't beleive it! Ken was driving his 69 ZL-1 and got on it a couple of times. It was short-lived as he threw a fanbelt. Matt was driving Kens 02 ZL-1 and the fan-belt held tight as he did a very impressive burnout that wowed the crowd. Traffic was actually stopped on one end by Matts employees! The other new owners "got on it" somewhat. I even remember a ford escort seen the green light in the waterpit! As well as a corvette. The new owners and their cars then drove to Helens house where a luncheon was held. This is where my summary ends as we left at this point. Me and Ken had our luncheon in Monmouth at McDonalds on the way home. What an event! It is hard to describe it accurately as so many small things happened. The atmosphere, locals, the dealership, the Gibbs, my mind was wondering what they thought of all this. Schoenthaler and Belk say 2 thumbs up!