Pat and Shari Carmickle show off their 1997 modified Corvette convertible during the Corvette Crossroads Auto Show in Mackinaw City Saturday, August 28. While some Corvette owners and collectors are purists, Mr. Carmickle said, he enjoys modifying the vehicles into something spectacular. Plastic checkered pennants rippled as a strong wind blew across the Mackinaw Crossings parking lot, buffeting hundreds of Corvettes and their owners gathered there Saturday, August 28. Most did not seem to mind, lounging in lawn chairs and watching visitors weave between their modified and stock vehicles during the 21st annual Corvette Crossroads Auto Show in Mackinaw City.

Among the participants were Howard and Patricia Thomas of Auburn, Indiana, with their 1998 Indy 500 Pace Car. The Corvette, mainly stock except for a few cosmetic touches, has logged roughly 50,000 miles traveling to various auto shows.

Ted Velat of Grand Blanc polishes his 2001 Corvette Convertible during the Corvette Crossroads Auto Show in Mackinaw City Saturday, August 28, so it shines in the sunlight. The car drew a lot of attention as visitors circled around it, some watching as a miniature 1998 pace car rotated lazily upon a stand on the rear.

“People either love this or hate it. There's no in-between,” Mrs. Thomas said.

Most people seem to love it, with the Corvette winning 237 awards at various shows. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas also own an Indianapolis 500 1978 Pace Car, which has also won its fair share of awards. The decision to own two pace cars stems from their love of the Indianapolis race, along with the model of the pace cars.

A short distance away Bob Graves of Fenton spoke with curious visitors about his candy apple red 1963 Roadster Corvette. The car had been in storage for 35 years before a family in Arizona picked it up and began restoring it, Mr. Graves explained, although it was never finished.

Mr. Graves was originally considering purchasing an old Buick when he stumbled across the 1963 Roadster. He obtained the Corvette in 2007 and finished restoring it, bringing it back to peak condition.

Some Corvette owners go on to collect more vehicles, but Mr. Graves does not plan to purchase a new one any time soon.

“After this one, who would want another one? And besides that, my wife would toss me out,” he joked.

A participant of the Crossroads show two years ago, Pat Carmickle of Tekonsha visited this year with his 1997 modified Corvette convertible. Built in 2002, the base model was heavily damaged and purchased from a Florida salvage yard.

“I wanted to do something radical with it,” he said.

He completely rebuilt the vehicle, and later added high-performance parts to the motor in 2005. To date, the Corvette has seen roughly 110,000 miles. He and his wife, Shari, were married in the car in Las Vegas, he said.

Corvettes have played roles in the lives of others, as well. Ted Velat owned a Corvette after graduation from Michigan Technological University in 1971, but later sold it after he and his wife, Sandi, had children.

But “it's always had a sweet place in my heart,” he said, and now retired, Mr. Velat of Grand Blanc owns a 2001 Convertible that his wife selected. He carefully polished the car during the show, bringing the body to a glossy shine as visitors asked him questions.

Winners of the show were announced that day after counting the votes submitted by spectators. The day concluded with a caravan of Corvettes crossing the Mackinac Bridge into St. Ignace.