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Allen County edition ReAChing FoRt WAyne And SuRRounding CountieS
March 2026
Vol. 38, No. 11
www.seniorlifenewspapers.com
Corvette Club
PRIDE AND JOY — Sheldon Wright pulls his pride and joy, a 2016 Corvette, out of the garage on a warm, sunny February afternoon. Wright is a member of the Fort Wayne Corvette Club. Photo by Cindy Larson.
…FUELS ONE MAN’S
By CINDY LARSON Feature Writer
Imagine a 10-year-old kid being enamored with Corvettes. The classic, two-seater sports car manufactured by Chevrolet has been an iconic fixture of speed, power and design for decades. It’s a car that turns heads. Sheldon Wright was that kid and has been interested in Corvettes most of his life. In 2003, he was able to buy his first one - a 1981 model. “Every so often I’d trade up,” he said. He’s owned eight Corvettes. His current Corvette, a 2016 model, was a special goal. He
always wanted a brand-new Corvette. He finally got one. On a recent warm, sunny day, that Corvette sat in the garage, silver paint shimmering in the sunlight pouring in through the open garage door. Wright doesn’t insure it in the winter, so it stays in the garage during the colder months. During the summer, he averages about 4,000 miles a year driving it. He doesn’t do mechanical work on the car. But he does handle the detailing - washing, waxing and keeping it spotless. A big part of his involvement with Corvettes is being a member of the local Fort Wayne Corvette Club. It provides the
“opportunity to spend time with people who have the same interest.” The club meets once a month. “We’re one big family,” Wright said. “We know everybody and have a lot of the same interests. We meet all year long.” The Corvette club does a lot of charity work. Organizations they’ve helped include Wounded Warriors, local police, Lutheran Children’s Hospital and veterans groups. Members donate financially and also buy presents for children at Christmas. They also make public appearances. They participate
Passion
in parades, attend car shows and organize “dinner cruises,” in which one member plans an outing at a local restaurant. They also visit assisted living residences and nursing homes to showcase their cars to those who don’t get out much. Corvettes get a lot of attention, even when they’re not in a parade or caravan. “You get a lot of lookers, honks and waves,” Wright said. “Everybody likes a Corvette, it seems like.” His current ride - a 2016 Corvette he bought brand new - fulfilled a long-time goal. He considers this car the end of the road when it comes to buying Corvettes. He plans to keep
it forever and has no desire to replace it. And why would he? It is spotless, with no scratches or dings discernible. It was involved in a wreck once when a truck clipped the back, causing $8,000 in damage. Wright said he wasn’t too happy with that driver. The only consolation was that he didn’t have to pay the bill. Eventually, he plans to give the car to his son. Until then, he’s enjoying every mile. “They’re a lot of fun,” he said. “I plan on having it as long as I can drive.” For more information about the Fort Wayne Corvette Club, visit fwcc.clubexpress.com.