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American Graffiti Stars and George Barris, the "King of the Kustomizers", To Visit Corvette Museum

Springfield, VT. - American Graffiti Stars Bo Hopkins and Candy Clark will be visiting the Precision Valley Corvette Museum, greeting fans and signing autographs on Friday, August 8th, between 5 and 7 PM. George Barris, the "King of the Kustomizers", will be on hand to talk about his car creations and sign autographs on Saturday, April 9th, from 5 to 7 PM. 

George Lucas' influential hallmark film American Graffiti (1973) recreated the feel, landscape, and sounds of early 60s small-town America by featuring the coming of age of four teenagers on their last summer night before college. In the movie, Bo Hopkins played the part of "Joe the Pharaoh", the leader of a gang of three, ne'er-do-wells who kidnap "Curt Henderson" (Richard Dreyfuss) after they catch him sitting on the hood of a friend‚s car. Candy Clark won an academy award nomination for her performance in American Graffiti, playing the dumb-like-a-fox "Debbie Dunham".

George Barris is known as the "King of the Kustomizers" for his extraordinary TV and movie car creations. Barris is best known for the Batmobile, designed exclusively for the hit 1966 "Batman" TV show starring Adam West and Burt Ward. This automotive wonder was styled and engineered with the many different special effects innovations by Barris Kustom Industries. Originally it started off as a $250,000 1955 Ford Lincoln Futura concept car, with a deadline of 3 weeks the Lincoln was transformed into the world's most famous car.

The Precision Valley Corvette Museum is located behind the Springfield Royal Diner at 363 River Street (Route 106) in Springfield, Vermont. The Museum is open daily from 11 AM to 7 PM and admission is free.  

February 3, 2005
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Roadside Art Exhibit features Valley Diners.
Meet artist “Diner Don” Sawyer on Saturday, February 19th at the Precision Valley Corvette Museum, 363 River Street, Springfield, Vermont. “Diner Don” will unveil his latest renderings of the great diners and roadside eateries of the Upper and Precision Valley at 11 AM and be on hand between 9 AM and 2 PM to discuss his work and exhibit his roadside art.
Don Sawyer is known throughout New England for both his “roadside art” series and his bucolic Vermont scenes. He not only depicts diners in his print collection, he lives them, logging countless hours visiting, drawing, and preserving the diner culture of these historic old eateries.
Among the new works to be unveiled will be a painting of the Springfield Royal Diner, complete with rendered vintage Corvettes parked in front. Originally from Kingston, New York, the Springfield Royal Diner is the only surviving Mahony built diner in the world. Transported to Springfield in 2002 and completely refurbished, this magnificent diner now sits attached to the Precision Valley Corvette Museum for all to admire and enjoy.
Other new works to be shown for the first time will highlight famous diners from throughout the Upper and Precision Valley, covering both the Vermont and New Hampshire sides of the Connecticut River. Admission to the Museum and roadside art exhibit is free.
Counter Culture
'Diner Don' captures the spirit and history of roadside eateries
February 7, 2005 By Carolyn Handy Rutland Herald
"Diner Don" Sawyer is going around Vermont capturing the homey flavor of the state's historic diners in his watercolor paintings. Sawyer, at the Putney Diner with some of his work and long-time waitress Ellie Lascore.
SPRINGFIELD — Each diner has its own story to tell, its own cast of characters and folklore.
"Diner Don" likes to tell those stories — with his paintbrush
"If it's not colorful enough, they'll embellish it a little bit, which is half the fun," Donald Sawyer said of the people who run the old diners.
Sawyer, 59, is a self-taught painter from West Brattleboro who specializes in painting diners and roadside memorabilia. By the end of this year, he estimates he will have painted about 180 diners and other places of roadside interest.
"I like it because, if you're sitting at the counter, you're expected to converse with the person next to you," he said. "Try that at McDonald's. You are wrapped in conversation whether you want to be or not."
Before Sawyer retired, he was a high school English teacher in central Maine and previously worked as a juvenile probation officer in California.
Painting had always been his hobby, he said, and he did the occasional privately commissioned painting as a sideline — usually a house, an old car, the Maine seacoast or Vermont landscapes.
In the late 1980s, one man commissioned Sawyer to paint a "funky little diner" that sits right on a bridge in Gardiner, Maine. After much encouragement, in 1990 or 1991, he made prints of his painting.
"It just took off," he said. "I could tell right away it was fun and there was an inherent nostalgic value to these old diners."
When he retired in 1992, he decided to move to southern Vermont. A few more diner owners suggested that he paint their restaurant.
"All of a sudden, I couldn't paint them fast enough," he said.
Because all kinds of roadside memorabilia were popular, he said, he began painting barbecue stands and old hotdog and hamburger places.
The diner owners purchase about 95 percent of the original watercolors, he said. When a diner owner commissions a painting, they frequently ask Sawyer to paint certain old cars in front of their diner.
"A lot of the vehicles that I am beginning to put in front of the diners actually exist," he said. "The little orange Volkswagen (next to) the Putney Diner belongs to the owner, Deb Julian."
One of his latest works, which will be revealed for the first time on Feb. 19, is of the Springfield Royal Diner in Springfield, which is adjacent to the Precision Valley Corvette Museum on River Street.
"There are about 10 Corvettes parked out in front of the diner," he said. "Of those 10, five actually exist and one of them is featured in the museum."
At the Feb. 19 unveiling, which will occur in the museum's foyer at 11 a.m., Sawyer will also show four other Vermont paintings for the first time — Dan's Windsor Diner in Windsor, the Polka Dot Restaurant in White River Junction, the Birdseye Diner in Castleton, and the last A&W in New England, located on Route 7 in Middlebury.
Robert Rodriguez, manager of the Precision Valley Corvette Museum, said the unveiling of the Springfield Royal Diner and the two in Windsor and White River Junction will complete those in the Precision Valley Area. Sawyer's painting of the Country Girl Diner in Chester is already part of his print series, he said.
"It's going to be cool," he said. ""The last time Don was at the museum, he was still working on the painting. We haven't seen it. It will be as much a surprise for us as for everybody else."
There also will be two other surprises, Sawyer said: presents from a wife to a husband, and from a son to his parents.
In the painting of the Polka Dot Restaurant, he said there is an antique train behind the building on a track that no longer exists.
The Springfield Royal Diner was originally called the Royal Diner when it operated in Kingston, N.Y., according to Rodriguez. It was brought to Springfield in 2002, he said, and completely refurbished.
In Bellows Falls, the Worcester Lunchcar Company made the Miss Bellows Falls Diner in the 1930s, he said.
Before Interstate 91 was built, the diner in Bellows Falls was one of the most popular meeting places going for travelers going north or south, Sawyer said.
"I sold tons of them to older people or young people who have memories of being dropped off there," he said.
Sawyer appears regularly throughout New England with his work. After Springfield, his next appearance will be at the Dam Diner in West Townshend on Feb. 26-27.
When he began looking for a gallery to display his work, Sawyer wanted a "fun place that is in the spirit of what I'm doing." Therefore, all his work can be seen in the Putney Diner.
Sawyer said he is often asked who eats in diners.
"There is no stereotypical diner person," he said.
Diners were originally designed to feed mill workers, he said.
"If I'm going to sell my prints to old mill workers, I'm in trouble because they are old and dying off," he said.
Today's diner patron might be 30 to 35, he said — BMW-driving, IBM-working and upper-middle class, which is the opposite of the stereotype of long ago.
"To these people, a diner is a place where there's warmth and human contact," he said. "The waitress might insult you, but she knows your name and has your eggs the way you want them."
Since Sept. 11, 2001, Sawyer said there has been a stronger interest in roadside nostalgia. He said he is convinced people are seeking a "more innocent America" — like the one Norman Rockwell tried to paint, but which the country "never quite was."
"I'm exclusively a watercolorist, which surprises people in the arts," he said.
Sawyer said he uses several different watercolor media, some denser than others. He puts down lots of pigment, lifts it and puts it back down again.
"I consider myself a thrasher," he said. "I will scratch and dig. I've literally poked holes in paper trying to get a special effect."
He uses a basic paper that is "a little bit rough and absorbs water."
Now Sawyer has a plan to capture many more roadside establishments in New England and the adjacent area of New York state.
"I'd like to paint my way, literally, down the Hudson River, painting some of the wonderful classic old diners," he said.
After painting several diners and "places of memory" in Manhattan and Long Island, he plans to go up the Connecticut coast to Rhode Island.
"I will have painted virtually all of New England and into New York," he said.
Contact Carolyn Handy at carolyn.handy@rutlandherald.com.

November 10, 2004
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Springfield’s Corvette Museum adds to its display.
Springfield, VT - The Precision Valley Corvette Museum recently added three historic Corvettes to its ongoing exhibition of “America’s Sports Car.” The additions were made possible through the generous support of Mr. and Mrs. Reggie Gauthier of Millbury, MA, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Yoder of Leominster, MA, and Mr. John McRae of Strafford, VT, who have kindly lent their priceless cars to the Museum for display over the winter. These cars, along with the Museum’s permanent collection, result in an educational exhibit that offers visitors an in-depth look at the engineering and development of the Corvette through its evolution.
“These cars are a wonderful addition,” states Museum Director Roberto Rodriguez. “The Gauthier’s 2004 Commemorative Corvette Convertible actually toured members of the U.S. Armed Forces on the race track during pre-race ceremonies at the 88th running of the Indianapolis 500.” “Mr. McRae’s 1967 Sting Ray Convertible boasts a ‘big block’ 427 L68 engine and stands in a class all it's own - the ‘Mid-Year’ Vettes are known as America's Most Desirable Sports car.” “The Yoder’s 1960 Convertible is a trip down memory lane being identical to the one driven by Buzz and Todd in the popular 60s television series, Route 66."
Along with the new additions visitors to the Museum can also see a 1978 Indianapolis Pace Car, a rare Gypsy Red 1955 Corvette, a 405 HP 1993 40th Anniversary ZR1, a 1988 twin-turbo Callaway and a 1970 chassis display in addition to an extensive collection of automotive memorabilia.
The Precision Valley Corvette Museum is dedicated to educating, enlightening and entertaining the public through the interpretation of America’s Sports Car, the Corvette. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the Museum is located just behind the Springfield Royal Diner at 363 River Street in Springfield, VT. Admission to the Museum is free.

John McRae’s 67 Corvette Sting Ray Convertible:
This Tuxedo Black 1967 Sting Ray started life as a base model yellow convertible, equipped with a 327ci V8 300 hp engine. Involved in an accident, it hit a deer, the car sat abandoned for several years until purchased by its present owner. Requiring extensive body work and a new engine, it was decided to do a complete body off restoration and install a “big block” 427ci V8 L68 engine producing 400 hp, fed through 3 x 2 BBL carburetors (Tri-Power). The end result is this magnificent example, restored to the strictest NCRS (National Corvette Restorers Society) standards.
Tom Yoder’s 60 Corvette Convertible:
This Roman Red 1960 Corvette Convertible, assembled at St. Louis MO in December of 1959, is number 1,491 of 10,261 built and sold for just under $4,000 when new. The car is equipped with a 283ci engine producing 230 hp through a single 4 BBL carburetor. The car has undergone complete restoration at Ron’s Auto Restoration located in Fitchburg, MA.
The television show "Route 66" premiered with a story of two young men driving a 1960 Corvette around the US in search of adventure. The 1960 Corvette was the last to feature tail lights formed into the rounded fenders, and the last with the heavy "tooth" grill. The base exterior of the 1960 Corvette continued the smooth look of the previous years.
Reggie Gauthier’s 2004 Indy Commemorative Corvette Convertible:
In 2004, to honor the Corvette's successful C5-R racing program and Corvette being selected as the official Pace Car at the Indianapolis 500, Chevrolet built a limited number of Commemorative Edition coupes, convertibles, and Z06 models. Each Commemorative Corvette wears special badges, colors, and sports polished alloy wheels. Of the Commemoratives, the Indy Commemorative is the most rare… this car being number 41 of only 45 built for the Indy 500. The car was used during pre-race ceremonies at the running of the 88th Indianapolis 500 on May 30th, 2004, to tour members of the U.S. Armed Forces around the track. Painted Le Mans Blue with a Shale Commemorative interior and manufactured in Bowling Green, KY, the convertible boasts a 5.7 L (346ci) V8 LS1 engine producing 350 hp.

October 24, 2004
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Bush Ahead by Three Burgers
In mid May the Springfield Royal Diner, located in Springfield Vermont, launched a “Vote With Your Stomach” poll offering a choice between Kerry Clam Rolls and Bush BBQ Burgers. The poll was seen as a way for diners to express their preferences for the upcoming election. Now, with only days remaining before the election, the “Vote With Your Stomach” poll indicates that incumbent president George Bush has a close lead over Senator John Kerry.
Bush’s lead of three “Bush Burgers” over the total sales of “Kerry Clam Rolls” is well within the margin of error for gastronomic polls. As savvy diners know, winning the presidency requires at least 270 “Bush Burgers” being ordered. If burgers are eaten in the same numbers as the national average four years ago, Bush will have 278 burger votes. If Bush were to lose the burger verses clam battle, it is hard to envision a scenario in which he'd win a second term.
In Vermont, a state supported by huge burger sales in 2000, the “Vote With Your Stomach” poll shows the president holding a three-point lead, 49 percent to 43 percent. Nader holds one percent with the vegetarian vote. Six percent remain undecided and it is their stomachs that will ultimately decide the election. At this stage, the most likely strategy for Kerry is to pry burger sales away from undecided diners. Those adamantly opposed to meat are squarely in the clam camp already.
Until a few weeks ago, Kerry supporters had targeted retired machinists who, as a group, have a distinct love of clams. But machinists now seem to have fallen off the Kerry target list as efforts are honed to sway undecided diners. Anyone in the restaurant business knows that undecided diners are legion.
“It’s amazing how our poll mimics the national trend” says Precision Valley Corvette Museum Director Roberto Rodriguez. “Since the Museum is attached to the Diner, I keep close tabs on comings and goings and attribute part of the Bush Burger lead to the large number of out-of-state tourists visiting the museum.” “Texans come in droves, no wonder since our 1955 Corvette came to the Museum via Texas so the results are not totally unexpected.
The Diner has had its fun with the poll but now is the time to really vote, not with your stomach but at the election booth on November 2nd.

September 22, 2004
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Forza Mille Rally To Tour Local Museums on October 5th
On Sunday afternoon, October 3, 2OO4, drivers and navigators of 5O exotic cars will assemble at the Basin Harbor Club in Vergennes, Vermont and during the next four days, rally over a scenic 1OOO-mile route covering Vermont, Hew Hampshire and the Berkshires of Massachusetts.
The cars will be in our region on Tuesday, October 5th, with their first destination being the American Precision Museum in Windsor, Vermont. After the Precision Museum, the cars will head to Springfield, Vermont for lunch at the Springfield Royal Diner followed by a tour of the Precision Valley Corvette Museum.
The Forza Mille, organized by Vintage Rallies, Inc., is planned so that drivers can experience Time-Speed-Distance rally stages on public roads, plus optional Special Stages during which cars are timed individually on a closed course, and drivers can safely race as fast as they wish. There's also plenty of time allowed for participants to look at the scenery, relax, and enjoy the marvelous ambience of local attractions.
Like every event conducted by Vintage Rallies, the Forza Mille benefits charity but fun is what the rally is all about. Not only for the participants, but also for the children and adults who'll enjoy seeing these rare machines go by or parked at the museums for public display.
Entrants in previous rallies have ranged from massive pre-war Packard V-12s to brand-new Aston Martin DB7 Vantage V-12s. Also seen are Ferrari 250 GTs from the Fifties, Ferraris from the Sixties, Jaguar XJ-S V-12s, Ferrari Testarossa Flat-12s, Ferrari 550 Maranello V-12s, BMW V-12s and Mercedes-Benz V-12s. This year’s event promises to be equally sensational attracting the finest automobiles from across America.

July 18, 2004
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Raffle Corvette Starts Trek to Olympia
The 2004 Corvette raffled off for this year’s Wings & Wheels Fireworks Extravaganza has started its long, 3,000-mile, trek from Springfield, Vermont, to Olympia, Washington. When contacted and told that his car was on the way, raffle winner John M. "Jack" Jones, Senior Deputy Prosecutor, Thurston Co. Prosecutor's Office in Olympia replied, “I am excited all over again now that it is actually on the way!”
On hand to see the gleaming red Corvette loaded onto the transport trailer were Wings & Wheels Committee members Bob Flint, Craig Chamberlin, Keith Ferguson and Roberto Rodriguez. “The loading process was extraordinary” according to Precision Valley Corvette Museum Director, Roberto Rodriguez, “the transport truck is equipped with a hydraulic lift gate that acts like an elevator so that the vehicle remains completely horizontal as it is lifted into place.” Sharing space in the transport alongside the Corvette were a 1967 Camaro and a 1960 Jaguar XK-150. Transport driver, Stephan Hambacko, had two more classic car pickups to make before heading out to Olympia.
Mr. Jones contracted with Passport Transport Ltd., out of Maryland Heights, Missouri, to make all the transport arrangements. Passport Transport is a division of FedEx Custom Critical, North America’s largest time-critical shipment expeditor.
Mr. Jones’ winning ticket was drawn July 4th just before the fireworks display and had been purchased off the Extravaganza’s website. Last year, Springfield’s V.F.W. Club won the 2003 Corvette but opted for the $25,000 cash alternative instead of the car. The Corvette funding promotion, hosted by Springfield businessman Matthew Alldredge, helps raise the funds needed to mount Vermont’s largest and most spectacular fireworks display.

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