Good Evening.
I've often heard about how a 'Vette finds its owner--and not the other way around. After hearing those words uttered, I can understand what they mean--my 'Vette totally found me, and it took a long, LONG time............
This is a quite possibly boring post to many of you (if not all). I don't expect many--or any--of you to read this, but if you feel like a short-story to help get you through the winter, by all means have a look. I'd also love to know how your 'Vette found you too......
My story starts ALL back in my formative years--my love for 'Vettes was predicated by a love for cars in general. My dad once bought a car from the junkyard for me to play in. He put it in the backyard, and my brother and I spent hours pretending to drive this beat-up old wreck. Later, he restored a 58 T-Bird. Just about the coolest thing in the world to a kid was something like that. We went to parades, washed it, took it to the golf course, and more. I loved the looks we got, the smell of the interior, the sight of the supple red leather, and the unmistakable sound of that "old-iron" exhaust and engine. Yes, this tailfin and chrome masterpiece is what turned me into a "car guy".
In my early teens, my cousin had a C3 "Whale". He took me for my first ride in a 'Vette--it may have been my first "spirited" driving experience. I was left wanting more, and knew that this kind of thing was right up my alley. With the windows all-the-way-down, and the radio all-the-way-up, we burnt some rubber, and terrorized the streets of Brandon, Manitoba!! Right there and then, I knew I'd join the club one day--yes, one day I too would be a 'Vette owner.
My early twenties didn't change how I felt--I worked at restaurants and went to school always liking cars, and always LOVING 'Vettes. When the C5 debuted, I really thought how amazing it was that Chevy had made something that was already so great even that much better. The arrival of the C5 really stoked the fires within, but now cost was even more of an issue. After all, new 'Vettes are never cheap--and I was just a kid!
Obviously, my budget would never allow a prize as beautiful as a late-model Corvette--not on the salary I made. I had to keep dreaming that one day I could make it happen. The C4 ZR1 and the Acura NSX that often frequented my place of work. WOW, talk about great looking machines!!!!. I got an opportunity to drive the NSX one day--wow what a rocket-ship. I still think those look like great cars, but still--the NSX was no Corvette.
In university, I drove a Honda Prelude. Towards graduation, I inherited a Toyota Camry--still I lusted for power, sexy lines, and an unapologetic V8 engine--all in a package that would corner like it was on rails.
My education gained me an entry-level job with a leading pharmaceutical company. Instead of a company car, I opted to take an allowance--hopefully I could get a winter-beater and a 'Vette. To y disappointment, only specific cars were allowed. The search for my 'Vette was "to be continued" at a later date. My passion for something more spirited grew in this time though. I ended up with a really great VW Jetta--6-speed manual, 200 HP, all in a package that handled like it was on rails.
Soon enough, my spare-job (playing poker) was starting to put some extra cash in my jeans. I once-again set the cross-hairs on a 'Vette. I soon realized a C6--or even a nice C5 was still too expensive. Instead, I picked-up a Plum Crazy (Purple) on white 1971 Roadrunner. The 400 CI Engine and Satellite body made for a nice-looking and sounding machine. I loved it, but the performance just wasn't there. The 1971 model was REALLY hard to find parts for, so sadly, "Grimace" parted ways after two years--I wanted something else..............
"Grimace" was sold to buy Apple stock at $80/share at the bottom of the recession in 2006.
In found myself shopping around and checking out prices for 'Vettes. I frequented websited like buyavette.net, vettefinder.com, and more. I thought I would find something in the States--the recession made prices come down, but with those lower prices also came the feeling that a 'Vette might not ever happen for me.
I 2011 I found myself in Phoenix for business--fresh off a promotion, and a raise. With the enthusiasm of a school-kid hearing the bell at recess, I looked close at some 'Vettes in Arizona. Just shopping was an awesome time. Between the web and all the local dealers, I found a few potential 'Vettes to look at.
Two piqued my interest the most. Both had a manual transmission and a C6 body--these were the "must-have" items for me. I also knew what colours I liked, and had few other specifics in mind. A black 'Vert (with Billy Boat exhaust and upgraded rims), and a Velocity Yellow Coupe were both in the running, and I made plans to take a closer look at each.
The black 'Vert was DYNAMITE!! I really wanted it. The exhaust sounded amazing, and the black rims look made the car look as sinister as it sounded.. It was love at first site. I thought that I had found my 'Vette!!!. I couldn't acquire the car on short-notice--I was a little heart-broken. My offer was accepted; however, the seller would not budge on the terms. Accessing money within a few hours wasn't easy for me--my bank was in another country, and the seller wanted cash or a bank draft only. Sadly, THIS 'Vette slipped through my fingers. In retrospect, maybe it was for the best--after all, I found this car, not the other way around.
The Velocity Yellow Coupe seemed like a logical back-up plan. What a great color!!! The seller met me at my hotel--the Phoenician has its perks, as I instantly achieved "serious buyer" status when I told him where I was staying. The price seemed good, if not great-- and the miles were low too!! Apparently, the car a local dealer's toy, and he was getting rid of it.
The test-drive wasn't great. A knock in the engine at low RPMs sent the red-flags up--I declined further action. The salesman asked if I'd consider it for a few thousand less, but my decision was final. To this day, I think I dodged a bullet, but still don't know what the problem might have been. Then when the paint didn't match up front, I knew this car was likely a dud. I didn't walk, but RAN from the deal as fast as I could.
I came back from the states empty handed--wondering if I'd ever find the car for me.. I was beginning to lose hope. Having come so close and coming up empty-handed felt crappy. I didn't think I would ever find what I wanted, at the price I needed. I scoured Kijiji, craigslist, dealerships, and had several leads--but all of them came-up short. I was losing faith, and thought I'd have to postpone my dream yet again.
Not long after, a friend mentioned a seldom-used website to me. He actually found a truck for himself there. Low-and-behold, the front page featured a magnificent looking C6. Standard tranny, HUD display, heated seats, and an owner who obviously babied his ride. I made quick contact. As luck would have it, the seller worked for one of my top customers. He was also located close to my office, and arranged to have me test-drive the car.
It turned out, the seller was moving back to Texas and he wanted to sell his 'Vette before moving, thinking he'd get a better price north of the border. He received few calls, and the people that did call him were looking to low-ball. As a result, he never had one person test-drive his car until I came along. It was almost like love at first site. The feeling I had when I walked-up to the vehicle was different than the other. It was indescribable--but it felt like this car found me!!!
I have no regrets about the purchase I made last spring. I'm loving my ride, but I must say--I wish CCF would have found me before I found it as well. I may have opted for a newer version, or looked closer at some other possibilities.
Still, my car looks brand new! I've added several great mods already, and there's more to come. I've met some interesting people both online and live.. I'm VERY happy to finally be "part of the club"......................and I can relate how my 'Vette found me, not the other way around.
I can't wait to go for a cruise sometime in March or April. Firing the engine up puts a smile on my face! Shifting is like magic! And on these cold winter nights, when the snow falls and I go to bed dreaming of what's next, I often wonder--how did my other CCF friends' 'Vettes find them????????
I'd love to know!
I've often heard about how a 'Vette finds its owner--and not the other way around. After hearing those words uttered, I can understand what they mean--my 'Vette totally found me, and it took a long, LONG time............
This is a quite possibly boring post to many of you (if not all). I don't expect many--or any--of you to read this, but if you feel like a short-story to help get you through the winter, by all means have a look. I'd also love to know how your 'Vette found you too......
My story starts ALL back in my formative years--my love for 'Vettes was predicated by a love for cars in general. My dad once bought a car from the junkyard for me to play in. He put it in the backyard, and my brother and I spent hours pretending to drive this beat-up old wreck. Later, he restored a 58 T-Bird. Just about the coolest thing in the world to a kid was something like that. We went to parades, washed it, took it to the golf course, and more. I loved the looks we got, the smell of the interior, the sight of the supple red leather, and the unmistakable sound of that "old-iron" exhaust and engine. Yes, this tailfin and chrome masterpiece is what turned me into a "car guy".
In my early teens, my cousin had a C3 "Whale". He took me for my first ride in a 'Vette--it may have been my first "spirited" driving experience. I was left wanting more, and knew that this kind of thing was right up my alley. With the windows all-the-way-down, and the radio all-the-way-up, we burnt some rubber, and terrorized the streets of Brandon, Manitoba!! Right there and then, I knew I'd join the club one day--yes, one day I too would be a 'Vette owner.
My early twenties didn't change how I felt--I worked at restaurants and went to school always liking cars, and always LOVING 'Vettes. When the C5 debuted, I really thought how amazing it was that Chevy had made something that was already so great even that much better. The arrival of the C5 really stoked the fires within, but now cost was even more of an issue. After all, new 'Vettes are never cheap--and I was just a kid!
Obviously, my budget would never allow a prize as beautiful as a late-model Corvette--not on the salary I made. I had to keep dreaming that one day I could make it happen. The C4 ZR1 and the Acura NSX that often frequented my place of work. WOW, talk about great looking machines!!!!
. I got an opportunity to drive the NSX one day--wow what a rocket-ship. I still think those look like great cars, but still--the NSX was no Corvette.In university, I drove a Honda Prelude. Towards graduation, I inherited a Toyota Camry--still I lusted for power, sexy lines, and an unapologetic V8 engine--all in a package that would corner like it was on rails.
My education gained me an entry-level job with a leading pharmaceutical company. Instead of a company car, I opted to take an allowance--hopefully I could get a winter-beater and a 'Vette. To y disappointment, only specific cars were allowed. The search for my 'Vette was "to be continued" at a later date. My passion for something more spirited grew in this time though. I ended up with a really great VW Jetta--6-speed manual, 200 HP, all in a package that handled like it was on rails.
Soon enough, my spare-job (playing poker) was starting to put some extra cash in my jeans. I once-again set the cross-hairs on a 'Vette. I soon realized a C6--or even a nice C5 was still too expensive. Instead, I picked-up a Plum Crazy (Purple) on white 1971 Roadrunner. The 400 CI Engine and Satellite body made for a nice-looking and sounding machine. I loved it, but the performance just wasn't there. The 1971 model was REALLY hard to find parts for, so sadly, "Grimace" parted ways after two years--I wanted something else..............
"Grimace" was sold to buy Apple stock at $80/share at the bottom of the recession in 2006.
In found myself shopping around and checking out prices for 'Vettes. I frequented websited like buyavette.net, vettefinder.com, and more. I thought I would find something in the States--the recession made prices come down, but with those lower prices also came the feeling that a 'Vette might not ever happen for me.
I 2011 I found myself in Phoenix for business--fresh off a promotion, and a raise. With the enthusiasm of a school-kid hearing the bell at recess, I looked close at some 'Vettes in Arizona. Just shopping was an awesome time. Between the web and all the local dealers, I found a few potential 'Vettes to look at.
Two piqued my interest the most. Both had a manual transmission and a C6 body--these were the "must-have" items for me. I also knew what colours I liked, and had few other specifics in mind. A black 'Vert (with Billy Boat exhaust and upgraded rims), and a Velocity Yellow Coupe were both in the running, and I made plans to take a closer look at each.
The black 'Vert was DYNAMITE!! I really wanted it. The exhaust sounded amazing, and the black rims look made the car look as sinister as it sounded.
. It was love at first site. I thought that I had found my 'Vette!!!. I couldn't acquire the car on short-notice--I was a little heart-broken. My offer was accepted; however, the seller would not budge on the terms. Accessing money within a few hours wasn't easy for me--my bank was in another country, and the seller wanted cash or a bank draft only. Sadly, THIS 'Vette slipped through my fingers. In retrospect, maybe it was for the best--after all, I found this car, not the other way around. The Velocity Yellow Coupe seemed like a logical back-up plan. What a great color!!! The seller met me at my hotel--the Phoenician has its perks, as I instantly achieved "serious buyer" status when I told him where I was staying. The price seemed good, if not great-- and the miles were low too!! Apparently, the car a local dealer's toy, and he was getting rid of it.
The test-drive wasn't great. A knock in the engine at low RPMs sent the red-flags up--I declined further action. The salesman asked if I'd consider it for a few thousand less, but my decision was final. To this day, I think I dodged a bullet, but still don't know what the problem might have been. Then when the paint didn't match up front, I knew this car was likely a dud. I didn't walk, but RAN from the deal as fast as I could.
I came back from the states empty handed--wondering if I'd ever find the car for me.
. I was beginning to lose hope. Having come so close and coming up empty-handed felt crappy. I didn't think I would ever find what I wanted, at the price I needed. I scoured Kijiji, craigslist, dealerships, and had several leads--but all of them came-up short. I was losing faith, and thought I'd have to postpone my dream yet again.Not long after, a friend mentioned a seldom-used website to me. He actually found a truck for himself there. Low-and-behold, the front page featured a magnificent looking C6. Standard tranny, HUD display, heated seats, and an owner who obviously babied his ride. I made quick contact. As luck would have it, the seller worked for one of my top customers. He was also located close to my office, and arranged to have me test-drive the car.
It turned out, the seller was moving back to Texas and he wanted to sell his 'Vette before moving, thinking he'd get a better price north of the border. He received few calls, and the people that did call him were looking to low-ball. As a result, he never had one person test-drive his car until I came along. It was almost like love at first site. The feeling I had when I walked-up to the vehicle was different than the other. It was indescribable--but it felt like this car found me!!!
I have no regrets about the purchase I made last spring. I'm loving my ride, but I must say--I wish CCF would have found me before I found it as well. I may have opted for a newer version, or looked closer at some other possibilities.
Still, my car looks brand new! I've added several great mods already, and there's more to come. I've met some interesting people both online and live.
. I'm VERY happy to finally be "part of the club"......................and I can relate how my 'Vette found me, not the other way around.I can't wait to go for a cruise sometime in March or April. Firing the engine up puts a smile on my face! Shifting is like magic! And on these cold winter nights, when the snow falls and I go to bed dreaming of what's next, I often wonder--how did my other CCF friends' 'Vettes find them????????
I'd love to know!
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