My Corvette journey began in the seventies, the 1970’s that is. I was 14 years of age when I saw my first Corvette, a yellow ’71, and it was then I decided that one day I would own a Vette.
My mates and I used to frequent the Parramatta strip, checking out all the prestige cars & it was always the Corvette I was drawn to. I remember back in 1976 I spotted a Corvette in American Autos and was eventually asked to leave the premises. I guess I sat in the Vette too long and overstayed my welcome.
It wasn’t until 1996 that I bought my first Corvette. It was a 1978 Anniversary, two tone cream/copper, and in need of a total restoration. I spent endless hours working on it & on the phone to J & D Corvette in America, tracking & ordering parts. I realised TOO LATE that it would have been cheaper to buy a roadworthy Vette. But I did learn a lot. My red Vette was finally ready to drive in December 1998. Deb was very pregnant then, and the ride was a little too bumpy, but I must say that I was impressed with the speed she vaulted over the console and out the other side when that huge huntsman spider crawled out from behind the visor. What fond memories our corvettes leave us with.
I became a club member in 1999, number 96 on the roll. My Vette won its first trophy at All American Day at Castle Hill. It is still a trophy winner, still in the club, is much loved & living up north around Newcastle.
Then I fell in love with the ‘Black Rose’, a 1994 C4. I transported the Black Rose to Corvette Clinic in Melbourne for its conversion. It too was a trophy winner.
Then I went on a rescue mission, saving another C4, a maroon ’84. It had been neglected and a little TLC went a long way, eventually finding a happy home with Garry & Debbie.
The Black Rose & I were attending a show & shine at Southbank QLD. Murray mentioned that he’d received an email asking if he knew anybody interested in buying a C5 Z06, Black on Black, still needing conversion. Yes, I was interested, so interested in fact, that I farewelled the Black Rose, bought the Z06 & parked it in my garage for three years while I saved for the conversion. Damn that seemed like forever! The ‘Black Opal’ was beautifully converted by Geoff Sutherland & Sach, Torque Chevrolet. On Deb’s first trip in the Black Opal, a car cut us off at the round -about down the road, and I had to floor it to avoid a collision, and we went around side-ways, more of a drift really. Scared the s*#@ out of her. Memories . . . And yes, I have another trophy winner. My best Vette yet.
Of course, I need to say, that none of this would have been possible without the understanding & continued support of my lovely wife, Debra. Thank you for waiting patiently for the kitchen / bathroom /backyard makeovers (& now waiting for the European Tour) while I gaze lustfully at the new C7. Hey . . . just trying to keep the dream alive!