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A 20-year-old Mike Yager made the leap from
dreaming about cars to owning a dream car when
he purchased a 1967 Corvette Roadster. Aware of
the passion others like himself shared for cars
such as the Corvette, Yager started selling
jackets, embroidered T-shirts, drinking glasses,
owner's manuals, emblems and jewelry to the
loyal Corvette constituency.
Word quickly spread among Corvette enthusiasts
that Yager offered quality products and
exceptional Customer Care. Not surprisingly his
business grew rapidly. Acknowledging that his
part-time hobby now required his full attention,
Yager created Mid America Enterprises in 1976,
producing his first two-page, black-and-white
mail order flyer.
In 1978, Yager expanded the flyer to include
color photography, a small listing of Corvette
replacement parts and accessories and mailed it
to a growing list of customers. As sales grew,
the catalog grew.
Today, Mid America Motorworks catalogs serve
Corvette and Volkswagen enthusiasts. He expanded
his business from Corvette only in 1998 when he
acquired The Real Source, a supplier of
Volkswagen parts and accessories. The Real
Source incorporates a wealth of new products and
accessories for owners of the beloved Air-Cooled
VW “Bug,” along with parts and accessories for
Karmann Ghia, Air-Cooled VW Bus, Type 3, and The
Thing.
In 2004, Mid America Motorworks expanded its
Volkswagen line by acquiring the assets of Rocky
Mountain Motorworks, a major supplier of parts
and accessories for Volkswagens. With the
acquisition, Mid America Motorworks is now the
nation’s largest supplier of parts and
accessories for air-cooled Volkswagens.
Mid America Motorworks now mails some 4.5
million Corvette and Volkswagen catalogs every
year to its customers. Catalogs are sent several
times a year as new products are added to the
growing list of hard parts, accessories, and
lifestyle items that allow enthusiasts to
“pursue their passion” at Mid America
Motorworks.
Frustrated because he could not find a reliable
source for seat covers, carpeting, and other
interior components that offer quality products
at a reasonable price, Yager decided to start
his own manufacturing operation.
In January 2002, the company purchased a 36,000
square foot facility and began its Performance
Choice manufacturing division. Performance
Choice produces high quality interior products
at the most reasonable prices within the
industry.
Performance Choice operations include foam
molding, vacuum forming, injection molding and
die-electric presses in the production of
interior packages, seat upholstery, molded
carpet sets, floor mats, door panels, shifter
consoles, headliners, convertible tops and
interior trim. These products are manufactured
for various Corvette models, and will continue
to expand in availability. Interior products for
Porsche are currently being developed.
In 2004, the company was again renamed, becoming
Mid America Motorworks. The older names,
including The Real Source, were dropped and all
operations are now included under the Mid
America Motorworks name.
MY
Garage Museum & Retail Store
The MY Garage Museum & Retail Store is a popular
attraction at Mid America Motorworks’ facilities
in Effingham. The center houses literally
thousands of pieces of automotive collectibles
and memorabilia. The facility also showcases an
actual 1910 gas station that was moved and
restored on site. However, the most significant
pieces in the collection are the bevy of
prototype, concept and racing vehicles.
The museum has recently refocused emphasis from
rare, low-mileage originals to showcasing
automobiles that car lovers would not be able to
see up close anywhere else. Between 15 and 20
cars are on display, with the specific display
changing throughout the year. The museum’s
current display includes the Last C4 Corvette,
with the last small block engine produced in the
Flint, Michigan plant, a 3000-mile original 1954
model, and CERV I, an open-wheel engineering
prototype created by legendary Corvette designer
Zora Arkus-Duntov, now restored to its original
condition.
Funfest
Every year, Mike Yager fills his driveway and
yard with “customer appreciation parties.” On
the first weekend in June, Funfest of Beetle
attracts 1,000 air-cooled Volkswagens and some
7,000 Air-Cooled VW enthusiasts.
The giant Corvette Funfest, held in mid
September, has grown to be the largest Corvette
show in the nation. In 2005, Corvette Funfest
showcased 12,000 Corvettes and an estimated
50,000 attendees!
Swapfest
In 2004, Mid America Motorworks brought back an
old time enthusiast tradition that seemed to
have fallen by the way side—an old fashioned
swap meet for car enthusiasts. Two Swapfests are
held each year, one in spring and one in fall.
Commercial exhibiters are not permitted at
Swapfest. Only car enthusiasts and car clubs are
allowed to display and sell products.
Swapfest has become more than a successful
event. It is a “must attend” day for enthusiasts
to enjoy the fun of walking the displays,
talking to other enthusiasts, and hunting for
the perfect bargain or that hard to find part
needed to complete a project car.
Mike Yager and his family—wife Laurie and sons
Michael and Blake—live in Effingham, IL. He is
active in a variety of organizations, and serves
on:
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