GOLDEN VETTES ARE A DREAM COME TRUE

This 1987 Corvette Convertible with the personalized license plate 14K GLD was purchased in the summer of 1995 and has won 19 trophies in the 21 car shows the Holekamps have entered it into.

Both of these Corvettes have plenty under the hood. The Coupe on the left has a 230-horsepower L-98 stock engine. The Convertible on the right has a 240-horsepower L-98 stock engine.

The 1985 Coupe was the first Corvette the Holekamps purchased. They bought it in 1993. It has won 52 trophies in the 58 car shows the Holekamps have entered it into.

When you see this 1985 Corvette Coupe in your rearview mirror, cherish the moment because, with its 230- horsepower engine, it won't be there for very long.

It has been a dream come true for Richard and Joyce Holekamp of Jackson. In February of 1993 they realized their dream of owning their own Corvette.

The couple purchased a 1985 gold Coupe from JS Corvette near Carbondale, Ill.

The couple has entered the Coupe in 58 car shows since then. The coupe has garnered trophies 52 times, according to the Holekamps.

The Coupe recently won Class Winner at the Super Chevy Show in Memphis, Tenn. in April.

The Holekamps gave the coupe the personalized license plate of SLD GLD for Solid Gold.

What could be better than owning your own gold Corvette? How about owning two gold Corvettes.

That's exactly what the Holekamps did in the summer of 1995. They were on their way back home from a car show in Centralia, Ill., when they again drove by JS Corvette and they saw another gold Corvette. This time it was a gold 1987 Convertible Corvette.

They couldn't pass up this opportunity and bought the Vette and gave it the personalized license plate 14K GLD.

The 1987 Corvette Convertible hasn't been a disappointment at the car shows. The Holekamps have entered the Vette in 21 shows and it has won 19 trophies. The Convertible received first runner-up at the Super Chevy Show in Memphis in April. It has also won a Best of Show, a Best Chevy, and a Best Cruiser at other shows, according to the Holekamps.

What made the Holekamps buy their Corvettes? "It is a boyhood dream. They are more fun to drive than anything," Richard said.

"They are fun. It is a great getaway, and having two alike is unique," Joyce added.

There are countless reasons why the Holekamps like their Corvettes. They like the prestige one gets from owning a sports car that turns people's heads. But Joyce summed up why she likes her Vette in a few words, "because it's mine."

The Holekamps said that owning both Corvettes has brought them a lot of attention. They are featured in the July 1996 issue of Vette magazine and they were featured in Mid America Designs in the February-March 1996 issue.

Richard Holekamp said that they get plenty of attention on the road from other drivers and the Highway Patrol. "You would be surprised at how many people pull up along side of you at a traffic light, that want to race you," Richard said.

"Kids always want you to spin the tires," Joyce added.

As the Holekamps were doing this interview a young man in an older model pickup pulled up and passed along a few compliments about the Holekamps' cars and then asked, "You want to race?"

Richard and Joyce smiled as they turned down the offer and said "see what we mean?"

The 1985 Coupe has a 230-horsepower L-98 stock engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. The Convertible has a 240-horsepower L-98 engine, and a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive and both sport leather seats. Comfort, beauty, and speed are packaged well in these Corvettes.

Richard and Joyce drive their Corvettes everywhere, they do not have a trailer to haul the Vettes from show to show. Richard and Joyce will continue to enter their Vettes in car shows, but will try to enter their cars in cruise shows. Joyce said that those shows are more fun than just sitting in a chair after polishing your car.

The Holekamps are entered in the Metropolis Superman Car Show at Fort Massac Today. Joyce said that she and Richard will enter the golden Vettes in the Fourth of July Car Show in Jackson.

"We also go to charity shows for needy children. Those are neat," Joyce said.

The Holekamps truly enjoy their gold toys and Richard said he has the most fun on two lane roads. He said that the Corvette was made for those type roads and his handles like a dream, he added.