Chip Miller featured in HBO special on Corvettes

HBO’s ‘On the Record’ recognizes 50 years of the American sports car

CARLISLE, PA – Chip Miller, co-owner of Carlisle Events, will be featured on an episode of HBO’s “On the Record with Bob Costas.” The episode, airing Friday, June 27, at 11:30 p.m., will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Corvette, and Miller is an avid Corvette enthusiast and collector. His garages currently contain 26 stock and racing versions of Corvettes.

Dan Klein, producer of the segment, said he chose Miller for the piece because of Miller’s obvious love of the car. “I read about him and his role as a personal collector and his affinity for the Corvette,” Klein said. He also noted the stature Miller has among Corvette enthusiasts: “Everyone I talked to knew him,” Klein remarked. The fact that Miller owns such a large collection of the cars also helped. When Klein spoke to Miller, “I felt his enthusiasm and his love of the car,” the producer said.

The 45-minute show is meant to acknowledge the 50th year of “the American sports car,” as the Corvette is known to enthusiasts. “It’s an appreciation piece for this car and the spirit of it,” Klein said. In addition to Miller, Klein interviewed NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., who also has an affinity for Corvettes and has raced them. To be on the same program with the famous racer honors Miller. “I am so proud to be on a show with him,” Miller said. He and Earnhardt will be seen on the show talking about what the Corvette means to them personally.

Asked by the producer to describe the Corvette’s mystique, Miller said that he first noticed the 1956 and 1957 Corvettes for their beauty, power and the unique fiberglass bodies. “The American sports car had to be a little above the standard car,” he said. “It was always leading the way – it still is.”

Ira Raider and Shapoor Poursh of Raider Productions (Philadelphia) videotaped Miller driving his 1953 Corvette with the convertible top down, which he hasn’t done in years. His car is number 181 of the 300 that were produced in 1953, and it is completely original. The Corvette has only 9,214 original miles, the lowest-mileage ’53 known to be in existence, and has never needed to be restored.

“I was elated,” Miller said of being featured on the show. “I was really honored to be one of the two people chosen to represent the Corvette. Being a Corvette hobbyist for 35 years now, it’s very rewarding to be included in the celebration – this significant birthday of the Corvette.”

Having been featured on numerous television programs as well as magazine and newspaper articles, Miller said he appreciates the different interview techniques that are used and enjoys answering on camera without prior knowledge of the questions. “It’s always a treat to meet new people and see how they set up and portray you,” he said. “It really was fun. … I felt good about everything I said.”

This year’s Corvettes at Carlisle takes place Aug. 22-24, 2003, at the Carlisle (Pa.) Fairgrounds. Visit www.carsatcarlisle.com or call (717) 243-7855 for more information. For more on the Corvette and its 50-year history, check out the Corvette time line on the Web site.

Carlisle Events, host of 10 collector car, truck and motorcycle events each year, attracted more than 518,000 people to the 82-acre fairgrounds in Carlisle, Pa., in 2002. Included in the annual schedule are two automotive swap meets and eight individual specialty shows featuring Corvettes, Fords, GMs, Chryslers, trucks, motorcycles and imports. Founded in 1974 by friends Bill Miller and Chip Miller, the “Cars at Carlisle” shows have attracted automotive enthusiasts from around the world. Visit www.carsatcarlisle.com for more information.

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