Lotsacubes

I'll try to be brief. Been a car nut all my life... well really a nut about any machine that moves on ground, water, or air. I see the cars many of you have owned for 30-40 years and marvel, but not out of jealousy because my life has been wonderful and filled with many other cool machines. But the last cool car I owned was a '69 350/350 Vette in 1973, 43 years ago. Sold it to cash out to buy a racing motorcycle that promptly got stolen and left me cash poor with a 1600cc entry level Ford Pinto as my DD. Now after life, college, building a family, family thru college, building a business, starving while starting a business, and kids on their own I wanted a C2 for this summer. Been a spectator here for a long time... Thanks Revfan for helping my education regarding fair market value via your Opinions thread. After years of looking at C2s here and on the Vettes for Sale sites I narrowed my "most desirable" C2. Early on I decided I wanted a BB and conceded it most likely would be NOM in what I considered a price range my conscience would allow for what is a hobby car. The nature I inherited from my dad is to look for "fixer uppers" when possible in real estate, etc. I definitely didn't want a restored car or one that was so beautiful to hinder my joy in using. After looking at thousands of C2s online I decided I preferred the vents and hood design of the BB '66 and it had to be a vert. I LIKE red, but with my price and configuration goals I was willing to settle for the best car with just about any color but yellow, I like it, but wife not so much. With summer essentially here and agreement with my best friend, the hunt got real. A '66 BB popped up a few months ago, spend about a month doing long distance research and having a kind fellow NCRS member look at it. Spent many calls on the phone with the engine rebuilder, a paid inspector/appraiser, and numerous calls to my boyhood Corvette buddy, judge, restorer. Price was "fair and reasonable". My wife and I went to inspect and drive and it is a great 10' car. We looked at each other and much to my delight she loved it too. Another vette expert/friend called it a 2.5-2... don't know what that means, but to me it means good enough. We bought it. I wanted to take some better pictures, but this is how she looked after I backed her out of the trailer and arriving at her new home. I really hate pestering you guys with lots of questions, but since the Search function basically doesn't work that leaves me with you great bunch of guys and Google. As one relative said, "You've got a lot to be thankful for including the fact that you still have hair to blow in the wind with your beautiful wife when you drive that car!" I love having this cool car, but even more I love the life I've had from 1973 to now. It's kinda like grandkids... worth the wait. Thanks to all of you who've answered my questions when I didn't own a C2. Great group here and I feel like I know many of you quite well. Thx, I'm out of the stands.

Vet65te

Congrats on grabbing the 'brass ring'. You got your red Roadster and it's a 425 horse BB, very nice. Post up more pics when you can and maybe fill out your profile, there might be some Forum Members in your area.
Mike T - Prescott AZ

morly1963

Looks GREAT! Good luck with it!

USMC 0802

Great post with pics and welcome to the Midyear club.

That's a beautiful car; you should be proud-and drive the wheels off it!
There's something to be said about a car that you can actually drive, vice one that's too perfect, investor grade, etc.

Like many here, I drive mine every chance I get.

Clearly life has been good to you, sir, enjoy that machine.

Frankie the Fink

You're still a spectator...

You'll find that out when you take a folding chair out to the garage just to sit where you can look at that beauty....

Congrats!!!

SW Vette

Great backstory and a stunning car - but I thought you didn't want one too beautiful to drive?

TNVettGuy

What a great response! I may have to borrow that quote in the future.

Kerrmudgeon

She's a beauty. Here's hoping you have many great years enjoying it.

Lotsacubes

LOL SW Vette... those pics were taken at 20'.

Frankie... so true. Walking into that garage now is an "experience". AND opening the garage doors for folks dropping in to see it... the standard response is... "OMG!".

My wife is also enjoying all the thumbs up, guys gawking, etc. Almost like being a Homecoming Queen again. On our first drive in the country where we live (very remote) there was 3-4 guys leaning under the hood of a car. They heard those pipes and you'd have swore a Corp Drill Sargent called "attention". I know I'm not younger, but I feel like it.

5thvet

Congratulations. You got a real beauty there

Don

Lou7787

Very nice.

anglerjon

Very nice, enjoy it and welcome.

tuxnharley

Nice car! Well done, and well deserved after a 43 year wait!

leif.anderson93

You have just found the fountain of youth. You will feel 30 years younger every time you drive her. Well done and certainly worth the wait
P.S. I'd remove the Chevy bowtie off your key ring before it does some serious ding damage to your cluster

sub006

Congratulations on the new family member, roadsters rule!

(If your Homecoming Queen likes any color but yellow, may I infer that she is not a blonde?)

hedgehead

c1j1c2

She's gorgeous...love the mid-years.

JohnZ

Very nice car - I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

P.S. - That's the longest unbroken paragraph I've ever seen - very difficult to read.

jimh_1962

Don't forget to have a beer and listen to some tunes. Or if you are in wine country a nice Pinot.

Geralds57

Welcome to the 66 BB club! Your're just in time for the 50th anniversary this year. Bring it to Bloomington in Indy next month.