Greetings!

Dear Fellow Chevelle Enthusiast,

We wanted to take this opportunity to contact you to make you aware that there is a local Chevelle club in your area!

Heartland Chevelle Club was formed in the Fall of 2001 to bring together Chevelle enthusiasts in the Nebraska and Iowa area for fun and family-oriented activities. At this time we are relatively small with the majority of our members in the Omaha/Council Bluffs and Lincoln areas, but we welcome all Chevelle enthusiasts in the Heartland to join us! Our goal is to continue to create a relatively informal car club atmosphere while gathering in a common cause to enjoy, appreciate and promote America’s favorite mid-size car.

No obligations are placed on membership aside from an enthusiasm for Chevelles. Our annual dues are very reasonable and we feel we can make this local chapter into anything we want as long as we plan it together with like-minded Chevelle nuts! We would welcome your input and participation and look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Greg Hansen, Club President


Heartland Chevelle Officers for 2020:

Greg Hansen, President
Steve Fitch, Vice President
Jay Johnson, Treasurer
Jan Lambert, Secretary

(To contact any of our officers, please use the Communications link)

Additionally:
Cruise Committee Chair, Rick Lambert
Webmaster, Mike Tesar
Facebook Manager, Joel St. Cyr

The History of our Club

Heartland Chevelle Club:
The first mention of starting a Nebraska based Chevelle club was in 2001. The Kansas City chapter of the American Chevelle Enthusiasts Society, (A.C.E.S.), was holding their Regional Chevelle Show at the Double Tree Hotel in Overland Park, Kansas. Three guys from Nebraska met at this show and our Nebraska connection was formed, (Rich Cummings, Waverly; Fred Franklin, Omaha; and Bob Von Kaenel, Lincoln). As the three sat at a sidewalk café near the show field, Rich said, “We should start a Chevelle Club in Nebraska”. The idea was met enthusiastically and from there we began seeking others who might share our interest.

The bond between these three had begun the previous evening. Always anxious to strike up a conversation with other 1965 Chevelle owners, Rich and Fred began talking about their cars when Fred mentioned that his tail lights hadn’t been working on his recently acquired car. Having an extensive knowledge of 65’s wiring, Rich suggested they check the light in the center console. He knew that the little courtesy light in the back of the console was on the same circuit as the tail lights. Three minutes later Fred’s tail lights were working again. This formed the club’s principle bond that remains today of people helping other Chevelle guys to improve and maintain their cars. 

Soon afterwards Bob began distributing flyers at several local cruise-ins seeking other Chevelle enthusiasts. We held a small all-Chevelle show & shine on the parking lot of Big Apple Bagels in Lincoln in August of 2001. The first official club meeting was held at Big Apple on September 22, 2001. It was decided that this club should always maintain a family focused atmosphere and be a positive influence in the community. Possible names for the club were discussed and ideas for a logo were sought. Minutes of the meeting were recorded by Fred Franklin. Attending were:
Rich Cummings
Fred Franklin
Joe Hubka
Bob Von Kaenel
Steve Howard Dave Dietze
Chris Dietze
Tina & Jim Johnson 

The second meeting was held on November 10, 2001. Rich Cummings was elected President and he maintained that position for the following five years while the club grew to over 30 members.

In 2009 Greg Hansen was elected club president and largely due to his work and promotion the club has grown to include over 70 members. Meetings occur monthly are well attended by entire families. We try to maintain a positive influence in the community with donations and sponsorships of several local charities as well as serving as a resource to others in the preservation of their cars. In 2017 the club hosted their first Regional Chevelle Show in Omaha under the direction of Show Committee Chairman Connie Johnson and Club President Greg Hansen. The show hosted over 175 cars from all parts of the United States and even Canada.

Our founding principles remain today. Supporting members needing help with their cars, camaraderie, and support of community being foremost.