Mon 16 Apr 12 19:04
Guinness World Record for the largest collection of Chevrolet Corvette memorabilia 
A shelf busting 2,181 pieces and one mans 40 year obsession sets a new Guinness World Record for the largest collection of Chevrolet Corvette memorabilia — .
With toy cars, T-shirts, posters and Pepsi cans, Charlie Mallon’s collection of Corvette memorabilia sprawled across the gym floor last Wednesday evening at Downingtown West High School.
Mallon moved the collection from his Downingtown home in an attempt to set a Guinness World Record for largest collection of Chevrolet Corvette memorabilia — and he did it with 2,181 pieces.
“It was an awful lot of work,” Mallon said. “And it’s been a lot of years in the making.”
Mallon began his collection 40 years ago with a couple of Corvette miniature cars given to him when he was 14 years old.
From then on, Mallon fell in love with the car, eventually owning two of the real things. “It’s a two-seater, it’s fast, it’s loud,” Mallon said. Even as a child, Mallon said his mother would swear he could tell the cars apart by their sound.
The majority of Mallon’s collection is hundreds of miniature cars and models, many of which are unique though he has about 100 duplicates at home.
“The last two weeks have been really stressful counting, sorting and pulling duplicates out,” Mallon said.
Mallon scours flea markets and stores in search of new models. The collection on display Wednesday included a car called an Easter Eggsclusive that he purchased less than a week ago.
“People always ask: How do you know what you have? And I say it’s all up here,” Mallon said, pointing to his head.
Mallon said he keeps about 600 pieces on display throughout the year while the others are stored away.
“They do take up a lot of room, particularly when you keep them in the package,” Mallon said. “Quite honestly, I don’t think my wife had a clue how much stuff I had until she saw it in the garage and saw it here.”
In 1999, Mallon contacted Guinness about a record, though the organization did not give him an answer he wanted. After a few more attempts, Mallon said he nearly gave up. Finally in November, Guinness approved his request for the collection, setting a minimum amount of pieces required at 2,000.
While Mallon kept his own tally, local Certified Public Accountant Mike Rudy was brought in for the official count.
Because of the tax season, Rudy said he’s happy to take a break from the 100-hour work weeks he’s put in since January. “I’m glad to help him out and be a part of it,” Rudy said. “I’ve done a lot of audits before but nothing like this.”
Family and friends helped Mallon set up the vast collection as others marveled at its size while they combed the aisles of cars for pieces that grabbed their attention.
In attendance were representatives from General Motors and a local Corvette club who served as witnesses to the event and the collections authenticity.
“I’ve seen Corvettes of all years but I’ve not seen a collection of models that are so diversified than this collection,” said Jon Gribbon, sergeant at arms for the Liberty Region Corvette Club. “He’s got them in all sizes and shapes.”
After the official number was announced, state Sen. Andy Dinniman, D-19th of West Whiteland, presented Mallon with a citation commending is accomplishment.
“I figured I had to see this with my own eyes so I wasn’t going to put this citation in the mail,” Dinniman said. “In all seriousness, what makes life interesting and gives it some meaning and provides enjoyment for the community is when someone has a hobby that they’re really enthusiastic about and that they share with us.”
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