Restore a Corvette for a friend, and it might be yours someday
Mark Nenichka is a “Car Guy” who was lucky enough to work for a “Car Guy.” Mark’s employer (and good friend, Rusty Flack) located a 1973 Corvette in Cincinnati, Ohio. The car was a twin to a car that he lost in a fire several decades earlier. As a bonus, it only showed 52,000 two-owner miles and seemed to be an excellent candidate for restoration as it had never been hit or damaged. Rusty chose very wisely when he purchased this specific Vette.
Restoration is far from simple (especially when done to a factory-correct level), and all too often, people will fall in love with the first vehicle that catches their attention. Searching a little longer and even paying substantially more for a Corvette in better condition ALWAYS works out better. Don’t buy someone else’s problems is sage advice. The car was driven several hundred miles to its new home in Pennsylvania, where Mark began to return it to as-new condition.
The 1973 before restoration
All there and not messed with!
The car was not abused
GREAT Personalized plate circa 2004!
The 1973 becomes new again
Rusty wanted the 1973 restored to its factory new condition, and Mark took that to heart. He researched factory-correct originality and purchased a 1973-1974 NCRS Technical Manual & Judging Guide from the National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS) early in the process. That book would have come from me at the Cincinnati NCRS Office. Life is funny, sometimes!
Thanks to the popularity of the Corvette Hobby- many of the necessary parts are only a quick website visit or call away. Keen Parts stocks over 26,000 parts and accessories and even has an ever-changing collection of NOS and gently-used parts available for your project!
Incredibly detailed engine compartment
You can almost smell the “New car” smell!
Every inch of the Corvette is new again
Attention to detail
The Labor of Love becomes the Gift of a Lifetime!
Mr. Flack was very happy with Mark’s restoration work on the 1973 and enjoyed the car for several years. Sadly, he passed away in May of 2011.
The Nenichka family was ready to purchase the Vette when Mark was asked to meet with Flack’s brother, Hal. There was a discussion about the disposition of Flack’s other vehicles, but no mention of the 1973 Corvette that Mark had restored.
Mark was anxious to gently ask about a possible purchase when Hal handed the Corvette’s Title to him. Mr. Flack’s wife Kathi explained that her husband Rusty was so appreciative of the restoration work that he wanted Mark to have the car. Understandably, Mark was speechless.
The Nenichka Family visits local car shows
Mark and Sharon enjoyed showing their Corvette at local events and, as you can guess- they did very well. The research and attention to detail that Mark put into the restoration paid off in First-Place trophies.
Many of us enjoy attending local car shows and spending time with our “car friends.” There is another level to the local show and shines- a major league where all of the best of the best local vehicles compete.
The 1973 moves to the big leagues- Antique Automobile Club of America
The Nenichka family joined the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) and began entering their 1973 in Regional class events.
The AACA is the oldest and largest vehicle club in the United States. It formed in 1953 and is comprised of over 400 clubs. Motorized vehicles older than 25 years and produced “commercially” are eligible for judging. AACA judging began BEFORE Corvettes existed (1952)!
From the AACA 2020 Judging Guidelines:
The objective of AACA judging is to evaluate an antique vehicle, which has been restored to the same state as the dealer could have prepared the vehicle for delivery to the customer. This includes any feature, option or accessory shown in the original factory catalog, parts book, sales literature, or company directives for the model year of the vehicle.
Unlike local “Show & Shines,” AACA judging is designed to provide an honest evaluation of the restorer’s efforts from a team of experts. It is not a cleanliness contest pitting your car against another. This type of judging is a refreshing change for many.
AACA hosts the largest vehicle show in the world- Hershey!
Ultimate AACA Success
As you can imagine- the car did extremely well in AACA judging. The car scored 399 out of a possible 400 points (that’s a 99.75% for you math people out there) at the Senior AACA event in Vineland, New Jersey. You are surely wondering what kept Mark from having a perfect score? The tape on the starter harness was a little loose!
Not to be deterred, Mark researched the original manufacturer of the tape (used almost fifty years ago!) and determined it was sourced from the Tape Right Company. He then located some of this fiberglass tape and reapplied it to the harness. The 1973 received a perfect score of 400 at the Fall Hershey Senior judging the following year. The Nenichkas received their AACA Senior Grand National Award in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania last weekend! (late August, 2020). Watch for them and their beautiful 1973 at a show near you.
Mark receiving the AACA Senior Award from Tom Cox, then AACA President
Sharon and Mark Nenichka and their 1973 Corvette
Who are Keen Parts?
Keen Parts is a leading manufacturer and retailer of Corvette parts and accessories. We have over thirty years of happy customers all over the world and look forward to helping you with all of your Corvette needs. Our catalogs cover more than 26,000 Corvette parts and accessories. Our retail shop and warehouses are located in Cleves, Ohio, just north of Cincinnati. We are right off Interstate Highway I-74 and only six minutes from Cincinnati. We stock parts for Corvettes from 1953 to the present. If you own a Corvette- we have the parts and accessories that you need!
Business hours
- Monday through Friday 8 am to 6 pm
- Saturday 9 am to 3 pm
- Sunday closed to be with our families
Phone / FAX / Email
- 800.757.KEEN (5336)
- www.KeenParts.com
- info@keenparts.com
- 800.757.5336
- 513.353.3449 LOCAL PHONE
- 513.353.3997 FAX
