The Concho Valley Corvettes are More Than Just Another Car Club

About twenty car enthusiasts gathered at Los Panchitas on Tuesday night to eat dinner, socialize, and talk about the cars that they love; a ritual this group does once a month. They are known as the Concho Valley Corvettes.

“Once upon a time, October 31, 1976, we met downtown in a little office on Beauregard and it has just grown since then,” original member Becky Wilson stated.

“It was just a common interest of Corvettes,” Larry Brokaw, also an original member, said. “Now, we invite everybody regardless of what they drive, but it started out inclusively Corvettes.”

“We have always loved cars,” Becky said of her and her husband Alan Wilson. “The people have changed over the years, but they're a lot of fun. It's just a fun group; all sports car oriented.”

Bryan Hinton has been the president of Concho Valley Corvettes for 2 years and said, “It's a laid back club with a lot of good people.The members that we have, there's a lot of knowledge about the cars, about Corvettes and other cars. So, if you're interested in the cars themselves and interested in the history of the Corvette, somebody probably has an answer for you. It's just a great way to network.”

Hinton explained to become a member, “Just show up to a meeting. That's really it. Show up for a meeting and we have a membership form you fill out, and pay your dues. It's really easy. Being a member doesn't get you anything other than being a member of the club, but your dues go to whatever the club does to support the different programs we donate to.”

The Concho Valley Corvettes are much more than just a car club. They have done fundraisers for Wounded Warriors and also make donations to organizations such as the American Cancer Society and Meals for the Elderly.

Additionally, Hinton noted, “Every December, for our December meeting at the Bentwood Country Club, we take students from Goodfellow Air Force Base out and feed them dinner and get them away from school and just give them some time to enjoy themselves and relax.”

For those who want to introduce their love of cars to their children or grandchildren, the Concho Valley Corvettes is a family friendly environment, whether it be a meeting, car show, or just a drive. “There's nothing that the club does that I wouldn't take my kids to,” said Hinton. “Whatever you drive, whatever you enjoy, as long as you're a car person. There's not a bad person in this group. Everyone here is fantastic. We all get along with no pressure. We just have fun.”

Hinton also explained that the club has a “Spontaneous Sunday” every week. Everyone is welcome to show up, go for a drive, and then eat dinner with the club.

The Concho Valley Corvettes will also be at this Saturday's Cars & Coffee event at Golden Corral from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. This event is held every third Saturday of the month and is a great way for car enthusiasts to come together, eat breakfast, and of course show off their rides.

For more information on Concho Valley Corvettes, visit their website at www.theconchovalleycorvettes.com, or follow them on Facebook.