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Vol. 39, No. 11
April 2026
www.seniorlifenewspapers.com
St. JoSeph edition Reaching South Bend and SuRRounding countieS
Passion
for cars drives Michiana
Corvette Club By MAKSYM HART Staff Writer For nearly seven decades, the Michiana Corvette Club has brought together car enthusiasts who share a love for Chevrolet’s iconic sports car while supporting charitable causes and building community. Founded in June 1957 in South Bend, the Michiana Corvette Club began when Gates Chevrolet sales manager Bob Ruth worked with Chevrolet’s national Corvette promotion team to organize a local group for owners and enthusiasts. With support from dealership owner Van Gates, Ruth reached out to area Corvette owners and helped launch what would become one of the nation’s earliest Corvette clubs. Today, the organization remains active nearly 70 years later and has grown to about 137 members, according to club CEO Mike Scanlon. “The main purpose of our club is to pursue the enjoyment of Corvettes,” Scanlon said. “But it’s more than just the cars. It’s about the friendships and the things we do together.” The club is also one of the original charter members of the National Council of Corvette Clubs, a national organization that connects Corvette clubs across the country. Members of the Michiana Corvette Club represent a wide range of ages and backgrounds. Scanlon said the youngest members are in their mid-20s while the oldest are in their 80s.
For Scanlon, who joined the club four years ago after trading motorcycles for a Corvette, the organization offers both excitement and camaraderie. “What draws people is the Corvette itself,” Scanlon said. “It’s not just something to get you down the road. For a lot of people, it’s something they enjoy working on and showing off together.” The club’s members own vehicles from across the Corvette’s eight generations, from early classic models to the newest C8 models introduced in recent years. Throughout the year, the club organizes a variety of activities that combine automotive enthusiasm with social gatherings and community outreach. Monthly meetings are typically held on the second Tuesday of each month in South Bend, with additional social meetups and technical “shop talk” sessions for members who want to discuss maintenance and restoration tips. Members also participate in cruises, road trips and competitive events such as rallies and car shows. One of the club’s largest annual fundraisers is a swap meet and car show, which brings together car enthusiasts from across the region. Community service is another major focus of the organization. The club supports several charities through fundraising events and donations. Among the groups receiving support are the Indiana Veterans’ Home in West Lafayette, Camp Millhouse - a local camp
CORVETTES ON DISPLAY — Corvettes across multiple generations are displayed during a Michiana Corvette Club car show, where members share their passion for Chevrolet’s iconic sports car with fellow enthusiasts and the public. Photos from Michiana Corvette Club.
BREMEN FIREFIGHTERS’ FESTIVAL — Members of the Michiana Corvette Club drive their Corvettes in a firefighters’ parade, one of several community events where the group showcases the classic sports cars and interacts with spectators. serving children with disabilities - and Hello Gorgeous!, a nonprofit that provides wigs and support for women undergoing cancer treatment. Members also participate in Toys for Tots events, where Corvette owners bring their cars to help collect toys for children during the holiday season. “We’re involved in a lot of things that help the community,” Scanlon said. The club has also awarded scholarships to students over the years, further expanding its
community impact. Public events have long played a role in helping the organization attract new members. In past decades, the club created elaborate themed displays for the Cavalcade of Wheels car show at the University of Notre Dame, often featuring multiple generations of Corvettes in creative settings. Members also take part in several parades each year, where they showcase their cars and interact with spectators often tossing candy to children
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along the route. Scanlon said the parades are among the club’s most popular activities. “The kids love it,” he said. “They love hearing the engines and seeing the cars.” Looking ahead, the club continues to add events to its calendar, including cruises, car shows and joint activities with other Corvette clubs around Indiana. “Everybody is just one giant family,” Scanlon said. “We have a lot of fun together.”
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