Frank Sancineto and his 2016 C6. - Photo courtesy Frank Sancineto
By Claudio D'Andrea
When it comes to passion for their cars and hitting the road in a caravan, no one beats a Corvette owner, says Frank Sancineto.
The national chair of the 30th anniversary Caravan Aug. 29-31 that's making its way to Bowling Green, KY and the home of the National Corvette Museum says there's just something about the car that attracts the biggest following among drivers. "Nobody beats us," he says. "The only clubs that can compete are Harley Davidson drivers and there are millions of them. But there are a lot of Harley Davidson owners who own Corvettes."
Sancineto has captained four caravans over the years, going back to 2003. He was in charge of the 25th anniversary caravan in 2019 and was asked to be national chair for this year's 30th milestone.
In a telephone interview from his home in North Carolina, Sancineto said he expects more than 8,000 Corvette owners to converge on Bowling Green. They include a few clubs from Canada.
"All roads lead to Bowling Green," he says.
Michelin's logo was advertised on one of Frank Sancineto's Corvettes when he lead the 2014 caravan. They gave away a set of tires and will also be giving away five sets of tires during the 30th anniversary caravan this year. Photo courtesy Frank Sancineto
He said Canadians have always participated but this year they will form their own "Canadian sections" in the caravan. He expects about 150 drivers from Ontario, another 60-70 from Calgary and B.C. and about 40 from Winnipeg.
He recalls one year when a driver from Saskatchewan made the long trek down to Bowling Green.
"We're getting a lot of participation from Canada which is nice," he says.
As well as caravans over the years, Sancineto has traveled extensively throughout the United States in his Corvettes -- and met all kinds of people. He's taking part in visits to VA and children's hospitals, taken Route 66 from Raleigh, N.C. to California, spent a weekend at the famous Biltmore Hotel in Asheville, N.C. and traveled to Florida and New York. A member of the Queen City Club in Charlotte, N.C., Sancineto also runs the Shelton Vineyards tour in Dobson, N.C. which attracts hundreds of Corvette owners on the Memorial Day weekend.
Frank Sancineto says he had the stars and stripes put on the hood of his Corvette because, "I was feeling American at the time." Photo courtesy Frank Sancineto
His love affair with Vettes dates back to 1984 when he was working as an NYPD officer. He retired in 1986 after logging more than 3,000 arrests in his career.
"I kept myself busy," he says.
Sancineto owned 1985 and '86 Vettes. He owned another Corvette in 1995 and in 2000 got his first hardtop, a Z06. He got another Z06 in 2002, purchased two 50th anniversary Vettes the next year, a C7 after that and in 2016 got his current Corvette, a yellow C6.
Frank Sancineto and his 2016 C6. - Photo courtesy Frank Sancineto
He prefers the C7 over the C8 but says each Vette is unique to its owner.
He's hoping to purchase an SUV Vette in 2025. Sancineto says a lot of Corvette owners are getting older and it's harder to get out of their cars when they find themselves in a tight spot. A Corvette SUV means he won't have to twist his body to get out of his car.
"It's going to be a unique thing and it'll keep the brand going."
The Corvette 'brand' is a theme Sancineto keeps referring to. He says it's the brand that brings people coming back to purchasing Corvettes and it brings drivers from all over to the museum which "preserves the heritage of the car."
Corvettes are a fun hobby and draw people together in friendship, he says. And although they can be expensive, he loves his Vette and volunteering at the museum.
And he's not one to leave his car in his garage when it comes to hitting the road.
"When we have to drive, we drive the Corvette," he says. "It's a car that's meant to be driven. I'm not afraid to drive my Corvette."
For more details about the 30th anniversary Corvette visit corvettemuseum.org/event/anniversary-celebration.
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