A dream come true...

[Capt Steve]

Still having too much fun... an update

A couple of months and 1700+ miles down the road and it just keeps getting better. I have put some money in mechanics pocket but knew I would...

I noticed it was running a little warmer than I liked and did not shed as much heat when stuck traffic as it should. We took a hard look at the radiator and found that for unknown reasons when they rebuilt the 350 and added the Supercharger they did not replace the original radiator. When he pulled it he found enough leaves trapped at the base of the radiator to fill a gallon bag and then there was the mud dauber nest on the backside well. Obviously it sat for nearly ten years as there is only 5,000 miles since the rebuild.

We ordered a new {oversized} Corvette radiator, added a larger fan/motor and a new {larger}transmission cooler. The results are amazing. Fitting the new radiator and the lines for the trans cooler must have been a PITA but he does nice work. I knew it needed new tie rods and boots but nothing else has been an issue. After a full synthetic oil change the bill came to a very reasonable $2,538.{I tipped him a hundred and told him to take his lady out to dinner}.

My indie said he has seen a lot of motors over the last 30 years but mine appears to be little more than broken in. Next up we need to address a rattle in the drivers door and I am ordering a few parts {rivet kit for the panel and window attachments to eliminate the rattle}.

I will be participating the car show here in Payson this Saturday, should be a lot fun.

 

[03hemi]

I have dreamed of someday owning a nice Corvette since God's dog was a puppy. Well this week, at age 71, I finally made that dream come true. I picked up a mint condition, show quality, Hyper Yellow, 1987 C4 Supercharged Corvette. It has just 59,000 miles and only 5,000 since the engine rebuild/Turbo install.

Got a smoking good deal by being the first guy to see it and plop down cash. I sold my Can Am Spyder RT and my brides Toyota Solara {she doesn't drive much anymore - that's my story and I am sticking to it}, threw in some cash that I had been ratholing for something fun and, voila... got me a nice Vette!

Don't plan to use the Supercharger all that much {we'll see} but the ride and handling are off of the chart. Did a 260 mile run up to flagstaff today which involved a lot of mountain driving and 70 miles of I-17 climbing 5,000' from Camp Verde up to Flagstaff running 75 {+/-} and was seeing 30 mpg on the dash... I'll confirm the actual mileage at the next fill up but that looks to be pretty accurate.

Though they looked like new the seller advised replacing the tires as he thought they could be 10 to 12 years old. Turns out they were 8 years old but a new set of Toyo's OTD for $893 solved that issue.

I know.. without pics it did not happen but as Photobucket continues to hold my pic posting for a ransom that I will never pay I lack the ability to post here... However if someone out there would be so kind I can email a couple of pics if you have the ability to post them.

For the record I recognize this ride would be a carjackers dream so my MP9 Compact will be riding shotgun snug in the center console.

Methinks my face could open a branch smile and the giggling continues but WOW, how often do you get to do something this foolish AND fun? As my bride of 53+ years pointed out... "If not now WHEN?" Yep, I love her a lot.

All that and no photo?

 

[Rustyt1953]

Dad called that color nanner puddin'.

 

[SMSgt]

I have dreamed of someday owning a nice Corvette since God's dog was a puppy. Well this week, at age 71, I finally made that dream come true.

You have verified what my daughter said years ago: Vettes are for old men who still dream of being young. As for my 71-year-old self, just give me anything that isn't in the shop every couple months.

 

[Sevens]

My daughter once said Corvettes are for old farts looking to pick up young chicks. I haven't wanted once since.

Well the second quote from your daughter seemed nicer and more appropriate than this one above. I read that posted in a thread about a guy who just got his dream car and it comes off like the folks who say that every man buying a handgun is compensating for a small some-such-thing.

For the record, the interior of a Corvette is a really poor choice for extracurricular activities, a conversion van is more on point.

Cool car, Capt Steve and that color is fantastic for an elite level road carving machine.

 

[pittpa]

Yep, that’s what caused my dream of a new Mustang Mach 1 to die last week. I got in easily, but getting out…..not so much.
Larry

Gee Larry, you just have to park where you can open the door all the way. My girlfriend is crazy about Corvettes, but she tolerates my Mustang and she’s older than me. [emoji846]

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[llowry61]

Nice car Capn, glad you are living the dream. +1 for me on the getting in and out, I could get in but I would remain there for the remainder of my born days !

 

[Norton 750]

Life is too short to drive an appliance car. A Sport Car is just for fun, and I treasure taking my wife out for a fall drive with the top down. Does it make me feel 17 again, bombing around in my old MG convertible? Yep. Is that a bad thing? I sure don't think so!

 

[Wrangler Rich]

Congrats on your new (to you) Corvette!!!
My older brother 75 and I, soon to be 74, both have 'vettes. We've both been "Gear heads" forever and will likely have cool cars for as long as we can still get in them..

Enjoy!!
WR

 

[dave1918a2]

I really like the color. Bought this one a couple of years ago. Nice 6 speed, and 45K miles. Don't take it out with the top up. Lots of fun in the hills. I hope You enjoy Yours as much as I enjoy Mine.
P.S. My GF is 2 years older than Me (78).

 

[Gamecock]

A Sport Car is just for fun, and I treasure taking my wife out for a fall drive with the top down.

What about the car top?

 

[tops]

My daughter once said Corvettes are for old farts looking to pick up young chicks.

Sounds to me like a double win. Larry

 

[SMSgt]

A Corvette or a young chick?

No, haven't wanted a daughter after she busted my dream.

 

[rwsmith]

Great for you!!!!

That sounds like a real cream puff! I like cars, but I have to keep my hobbies within my finances and being a gun owner/shooter.....well......

 

[Skeet 028]

For some odd reason...I like your vette. Even tthe color. I've never had a vette made after 67. Had a 58,62,63 SWC, a 66 and a 67 big block. The neatest was the 63...the most fun was the 66w/standard engine. Wasn't fast but was a chick magnet...the 62 was FI but a pain to make right. Have fun with hat car...makes me a bit jealous and envious.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

Never owned a Vette but drove one once. That was years ago and getting in and out was OK. Now some 60 years later I have problems getting in and out of my Ranger pickup. Guess age has something to do with it.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Happy for you, Capt. Steve. Enjoy every day!

 

[The Big D]

The posts suggesting folks who drive Corvettes…

…are “compensating” or trying to impress young ladies are patently false.

I drive a 2022 Corvette, a 2023 Jaguar F-Pace, and a 2014 Jeep Wrangler Sport.

I have a number of young female friends. They rank their preference of my vehicles thusly: #1, by far, the Jeep.
#2, the Jaguar. #3, the Corvette.

YMMV.

Be safe.

 

[Gamecock]

…are “compensating” or trying to impress young ladies are patently false.

They are projecting.

I love driving my GT350R. I'm doing it for ME. The fun factor is extreme. I'm not concerned what others may think or like or whatever.