07 Dec 2013 Chevrolet Corvette
I grew up with a 1963 Corvette in the family. That car was coveted. We were allowed in it as passengers, but I was never allowed to drive it. Now, I’m not saying that was a bad idea, just that I remember that. I think because of that, I never really wanted a Corvette. I preferred Porsches or BMW ‘s or Cadillac’s. The thought of me ever owning a Corvette never really crossed my mind. Even the 1963, I knew I would never be my car comment it would always be my brothers, as it should be.
I do remember being so small that we used to fit in the compartment where the roof goes when it is down. Imagine, driving to Burlington, VT in a snowstorm in a Corvette with two young kids literally laying down in the roof compartment. God, the 70’s and 80’s were great!
The thought of me ever owning a Corvette never really crossed my mind.
But, for some reason last year I decided I had to have a Corvette. I had to have a specific corvette, as is usual. I like very particular cars. I wanted a C6, grand sport, red on black, 6 speed. I’d also decided it had to be 2013, which was the last year of the C6.
Coincidentally, I bought the car from Burlington Vt. On the way home I let my brother drive at home and wanted to be a passenger because I wanted to feel the car and hear the car. This might sound crazy, but being in the car as a passenger, with someone who knows what they’re doing, in some ways is as much fun as driving the car.
My dad’s 1963 had side pipes and it was loud. Grant did comment was a 1963 so it wasn’t the fastest car I’ve ever been in. But it is the only car that I’ve ever been in when he would step on the gas, all I could do was start to laugh. I had never found that in another car.
Now, while this car is a different animal than the ‘63 Corvette, it is much more refined, much more manageable, much easier to drive in many ways. When I step on the gas, it brings out that same smile and same laughter. Unless you get stuck at the wrong RPM and the car forces a shift from 1st to 4th (a fuel economy quirk). I hate that! It doesn’t do that if you shift late enough, so you can race your way out of that.
The 63 was a straight-line machine, and when taking corners, you had to hold on for dear life. The C6 Corvette is a completely different feel. It is a street line machine, but one of the best handling cars I’ve ever been in. It brings a smile to my face every time I drive it and is always asking me to do a little bit more. I’m still not sure I’m a corvette guy, it very well may be sold in the spring. But I am better for having had one.