Couple to flaunt ride at Corvair club cruise-in
Rebecca J. Ducker/Morning News
Robert and Laney Bloodworth pose for a portrait in the back seat of their 1963 Chevrolet Corvair Convertible on Thursday in Florence. The couple, who were highschool sweethearts, rekindled their relationship and got married just two years ago, share a passion for old cars and car shows. In addition to the Corvair, they own a 1966 Ford Mustang coupe called “The Raven,” which had won dozens of awards both local and nationally before being retired from car shows three years ago.
FLORENCE — Bob Bloodworth and his early 1960s McClenaghan High School girlfriend Laney Cogburn reconnected by chance two years ago and sparks flew in several different directions.
They not only got married, but they they took a trip back to high school days by buying a 1963 Corvair Monza convertible. It has been meticulously restored to its original emerald red grandeur.
Laney had a Corvair when she was attending McClenaghan. She bought it from Jordan Chevrolet in Timmonsville, or, as she likes to say, “I paid for it forever.”
“This one is my baby,” she said, alluding to the sleek Monza convertible. “We’re taking it to the Central Carolina CORSA Corvair Club cruise-in from 7-8:30 (Friday night) at the Sonic at 1730 S. Irby St.”
The cruise-in is for all classic cars prior to 1985. Trophies will be awarded for the Best Corvair, Best Other GM, Best Ford, Best MoPar and Special Interest. The entry fee is $5.
The Corvair was in rough shape when the Bloodworths bought it at a car show in Marion. But a year and a half later, it has won two first places and two seconds in car shows in Cheraw, Myrtle Beach, Hemingway and Marion.
And they’ve only been showing it since March.
Among those who did restoration work on the Corvair were Barry Williamson of Barry’s Transmission in Marion; Eastside Paint and Body along National Cemetery Road; One Stop Top Shop on the Pamplico Highway; and the president of the Corvair Club, who lives in Manning and restored the rear-engine compartment.
“I got a second engine out of a junk yard in New Jersey,” Bob said. “Barry was able to piece together the best of both engines into one.”
Corvairs were made from 1960 to 1969. Consumer advocate Ralph Nader played a large role in doing them in with his 1965 book, “Unsafe at Any Speed: The Designed-In Dangers of the American Automobile.” The book detailed resistance by car manufacturers to make safety a priority over looks.
But the book is often characterized as being about the Corvair. It took special issue with the 1960-1963 Corvairs, saying the rear engine and suspension design was faulty.
The Bloodworths, however, aren’t deterred. They plan a pilgrimage in the Monza in July to Jacksonville, Fla., for the National Corvair Show. And they are preparing for a regional show in Maggie Valley, N.C., in October.
Meanwhile, Laney, in particular, is having a lot of fun with the Corvair. She likes it when people are puzzled about the location of the engine.
“I just tell them, especially the kids, that we couldn’t afford to buy one,” Laney said, “but I’m planning on buying one next year.”
The Corvair isn’t the only car to be pampered by the Bloodworths. Bob has a 1966 Ford Mustang with a 289 cubic-inch V8 engine that has been restored. It won several national awards before “we retired it” several years ago.
— Staff writer Dwight Dana can be reached at (843) 317-7259. Comment on this story at http://www.scnow.com.
IF YOU’RE GOING
WHAT: Central Carolina CORSA Corvair Club Cruise-In
WHEN: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday (rain date June 12 at 7 p.m.)
WHERE: Sonic Drive-In, 1730 S. Irby St., Florence
COST: $5
INFO: (803) 473-4993 or (843) 679-3339
Reader Reactions
I know the cars and the Bloodworths personaly and all are great. This a truely great story and we are proud for them and thier cars.They work hard at it and it shows. Good luck with the shows we are pulling for you.
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