The Performance Concepts 1963 Corvette bodied Top Sportsman Car idea was born in the shop October of 2003. I had been an avid drag racer in the 1970's and my brother followed suit and stayed active all these years. Opening Performance Concepts some 20 years ago. 

In August of 2003, I bought a 1966 Chevelle out of a barn in southern Illinois, intending to build a street car. During the process of dismantling the car it was discovered the inner and outer roof panels were rusted apart and the car would not survive. After cutting the car into pieces one evening, JayCee said "Let's buy a fiberglass body and build a drag car." 

I told him that I would love to but, Pattie (my lovely bride) probably wouldn't go for it. We must have had enough beer by that time and he called her. To my surprise, She bought us the body for Christmas. We already knew Mary Therese, JayCee's wife would be in big time. She has race fuel running through her veins. I have seen her line my brother and Dan Bills of Finish Line Performance up and get them down the track, when other cars would be going sideways.  

The Hairy Glass body arrived in November and we spent the next eighteen months of nights and weekends building our dream car. Did I have a lot to learn!!! Having not raced in 30 years, not kept up with technology and barely seen a tube chassied car up close, it was way beyond my abilities. It seemed I set out to wreck more parts and pieces then I made. Somewhere across 189th pl there are many pieces of tubing (when in a fit of rage I ran out the front door and hurled them) that got cut too short or not indexed properly. Thankfully JayCee had a lot of patience and I learned enough to help him get the car done. During the process, there were times I would leave the shop alone late one night and return early the next morning. Too my surprise there would be pieces I had made welded in or things changed from when I had left. JayCee would walk in a while later and when asked would say "I woke up in the middle of the night with an Idea and ran down here to see if it would work."

Greg (Jr) was also a part of the building process.   Jaycee, Greg and I spent many days, nights, and weekends working endlessly to make the Corvette a car that would be beautiful as well as fast and competitive. After the work for the day / night was complete there were always a few Lite Beers involved.   As often happens, with time comes change.  We are no longer partners with the Wysocki Family.  We had many good times and laughs with them and we wish them well.  We have decided to race on our own next year and hope to be successful.

To my utter amazement encouragement came from near and far. Many truly wonderful people helped with the process.  Parts and pieces were offered from many different sources. One of our friends Big Mike brought a set of original 1963 marker light assemblies and asked if we would use them. When we told him we would be honored, but they are originals and worth a lot of money. He replied that he didn't care it was his contribution and he really wanted those on the car. Another friend, Vince of Modern Carriage Werks, laid on the paint after Jaycee designed the scheme. The car was a was work of art between the fabrication and the new paint.

We have had a good time racing and extending our family in the Midwest Top Sportsman group. I feel like I have lead a charmed life so far. We as a team (JayCee, Mary Therese and I) have accomplished many goals with many more to come.