

Beat me if I need it. Flames are fine. I simply want to make sure I am in the groove. To make sure I did not miss something...
I got my Z06 300 miles ago, and since ZR1s aren't made any more, I guess by default, that sort of puts me at the top of the current "Vette Guy" food chain along with all of the rest of you lucky folks.
I bought my first C4 (like one of the first in Houston) in 1983. Computer died halfway out of the driveway the first day and everything... Z28s, IROCs, 911s, 944s came and went, but always a Vette in the garage.
Crank my first Vette in '83 and new world opens. I'm not rich, but I swing a new Vette every couple of years, sometimes two in the garage at once. Go to a gathering and everyone was just another Vette guy. Car life was good...
Waves, thumbs up, grins from ANY Corvette (if they see you) from 1983 until day one of the C5 era. Automotive life was suddenly redefined.
The C5 can carry two sets of golf clubs... Now, fat women can get in and out of the C5... Oh boy...
January 1997, Competition Yellow LT4-Gotti modulared 96 C4; suddenly no waves, no nods, nothing. A big part of my commuting life ended overnight. I never knew it until it ended, but I got something out of another Vette person's wave or nod.
By 1998 it's like every Vette person is pissed off. Ever wonder who was buying the $45K Saleens that suddenly started rolling out in '98??? Sure wasn't anyone who needed an S351 to haul golf clubs.
This sounds chicken S__t but it kind of hurts to be sitting in a C4 and wave at a C5 Vette guy sitting next to you and have him just look away. Chances are, on the highway he's driving 60 in the middle lane when everyone else is driving 75.
...Knowing that he thinks he is some kind of hot dog because he is driving a Vette (I'd bet money his first one) and you are some kind of underling because you are in a C4...
IMHO the C4 was just a little too civilized, but God I loved to look at that forged suspension.
Well all of that fat butter greasy golf club fat lady Jaguar talk is fine, but I don't drive Jaguars. The C5 was a really, really neat car, but it certainly was NOT what I had ever sought in a Vette.
To the present... Every Z06 review I read where they complain about the harsh ride, noise, twitchy steering, raspy exhaust just made me dizzy. Once it was clear the reviews were confirmed they were making a Vette again, choosing the color was the only thing left to do.
Back to my soap box... Wednesday, at 5:00 I drive off in a red red/black Z06. As soon as I leave the lot, life changes. The whole world is looking (hard), EVERY Vette waves, Mercedes and Bimmers stare straight ahead... Mustangs and Camaros pull up and gawk and don't care who sees them doing so.
LITTLE KIDS pull their mother's hand and point. Little Kids!! Happened twice in two days!!
What the hell happened???
I haven't drawn this much attention since driving my restored M715, M16s and M60 clamped down, (Class III papered), in traffic during the Gulf War. People went wild...
Vettes? I like 95-96 C4s. I like 68-73 C3s. I REALLY like mid years. And I REALLY have a special respect for the owners of any of these machines. If for no other reason than the enjoyment of seeing THEM enjoying THEIR Vette.
Macho cool or not, Vett cool or not, I am waving at EVERY Vett I see. I'm grinning back at the kids.
If I sense a newbie in the making they might even get a test drive. Why not? I have insurance and a warranty. Hmmm, maybe I'll just take them for a ride...
Man, it felt good to get this off my chest...
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Red Z06
24Jan01