For DANA

A Tribute to Dana – in her honor, ALS is the NWHVR Charity

The members of the NW Houston Vette-Rods met recently to establish a permanent tribute to Dana Plette for the courage and dignity she displayed for 4 years in the face of extreme adversity. Unfortunately, she lost her battle with ALS in 2010 at the age of 55. Her extended Vette-Rods family will miss her. The tribute was named the Fleur-de-Lis Award. We chose this symbol of Peace and Purity since it has significant meaning to all who love, own and drive Corvettes including her beloved husband and distinguished member, Doug “The Snowman” Plette. Why did we select the Fleur-de-Lis? The following is a great Corvette Story for everyone to enjoy and share with friends and family:

- The original Corvette logo / emblem was designed by Robert Bartholomew who was an interior designer for Chevrolet in 1953. This emblem was destined to appear on the first Corvette prototype introduced to the world in January of 1953 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York. It originally had crossing staffs with the checkered flag on the right hand side, and the American flag on the left side. However, four days before the big event, Chevrolet Management discovered that it was illegal to us the American flag on a commercial product. Therefore, just befoe the show, the logo was redesigned by Robert and attached to the hood and steering wheel of the right side as well as the white racing flag, red Chevrolet bow-tie symbol and th Fleur-de-Lis on the left.

- Where did the Fleur-de-Lis come from? At the time, Chevrolet was conducting research on various emblem designs for their 1953-54 passenger cars. They turned to the Louis Chevrolet family crest in an attempt to find a symbol that they could utilize. Unfortunately, they came up empty. But, they did realize that Chevrolet is a French name and that the Fleur-de-Lis along with the famous bow tie on the new flag. When the 1953 Corvette first appeared, the new, now famous crossed flags emblems were in place for good. The checkered flag on the right and the Fleur-de-Lis and bow tie on the left.