From the beginning... to now. The story of my 95
 

Most do not know me, I am not aiming to gain popularity by any means as I write this thread; just sharing my love affair.

I usually keep to myself here on the forum, admiring the work of fellow enthusiast and the beautiful cars they own. Reading the tips and tricks they have pointed out down the long road of building, restoring, and refurbishing their Corvettes to a personal piece of art...

As a young boy I found myself attracted to the lines of the C4 Corvette, and had never thought I would ever be so lucky to own my car at the age of 17 last spring.

This is my story, enjoy..

It all began with a simple craigslist ad for a 1995 Chevrolet Corvette, Torch red with tan interior. Looking through multiple ads on craigslist I kept going back to this one ad, looking the car over more and more; falling in love with the car the more I studied the pictures.

Well worn at 120,xxx miles, most would say it would be a car that should be passed on but something about it called to me and I knew I had to have it, I watched the ad for a few weeks as it fell lower and lower in price it made me more eager to call the seller.

the price came down to what I thought was acceptable, I instantly called the seller and the next day I went to go see it... I still remember it being backed in the driveway of the sellers house, once my eyes made contact with it I knew I had to have it.

it was love at first sight.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...rstpicture.jpg

Like I had said, the car called to me. I had a grin from ear to ear when I fell behind the wheel of the car and put it into gear. I will never forget that moment.

20 minutes after that drive I was back in it, headed home. It was such a rush having such a powerful car but I knew it demanded respect as they aren't exactly known for staying planted :rofl:

I probably spent the first couple hours just taking pictures of it in my driveway, I don't think it hit me at the time that I bought my dream car.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...84/Gothome.jpg

I drove it everywhere! School, work, you name it, I was always eager and jumped at any chance to drive my car.... I believe its what you all call "the addiction". :cool:

After getting the hang of it and knowing the power it possessed, like any teen age boy we get bored with our toys... I wanted it louder, meaner..... So that's exactly what I did.

I began my tear down in my third car garage in August of 2012, new to the C4 itself but not to cars (thanks dad!) I tore into my car....

Taking my time labeling everything as I went, scrubbing and cleaning each piece under the hood of that car until I was more filthy then the car itself. :willy:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...ingitapart.jpg

this thing was FILTHY.... :ack:

I pulled the motor, and got very ambitious with how I wanted to build it... around Indianapolis you always see build LSx cars running the streets.... I figured nobody would expect anything out of an old LT1 C4 right? :lol:

I decided a LT-based 396 would look nice at home in the engine bay of the C4... now I know most of you will say why not go C5 or LSX, my reasoning is simple.... The C4 community is very small compared to the newer cars, they are more unique and in my personal opinion one/if not the best looking corvettes produced.

I unfortunately for some reason don't have any pictures of the motor apart, i'm not sure what memory card they are on.

I will share pictures that are before and after for you all to enjoy, when I said it was filthy I seriously was not kidding....

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...b4andafter.jpg

I also decided that the saw blades were not doing it for me so I swapped them out for a set of the Zr-1 replica's from a vendor here on the forums.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...84/bigguns.jpg
I figured a big motor needed some big meat so I went with a set of Toyo Proxes TQ drag radials, man do these things hook. :eek:

and for the first time since August of 2012 the car was back on earth!!

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...84/racecar.jpg

I am such a sucker for big hips and a wide *** :D

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...xer784/car.jpg

I would like to thank my parents for allowing me to use their garage for my addiction and to all of you that have fueled my dream, something I know I couldn't have done with out this forum.... to all the people who take the time in their life, to explain and describe things about these cars... I want you all to know even though people might not comment on the thread you write.. they are well looked over and taken into thought, this car would not be what it is today if it weren't for people like you.

I hope to keep this passion alive until the day I leave this earth.. there is nothing like owning a Corvette and I am blessed to say I do!

Thanks again to all of you on the Corvette Forum!! :cheers:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...84/woooods.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...r784/adios.jpg

looks great,nice job !!!!!!!!!!! enjoy

Thanks for sharing a great story neighbor, and for making me smile while I took a trip back (wayyy back :thumbs:) into my own past while reading...For me the addiction and the journey began back in 1977 with a 1967 Camaro, and continues to this very day!

I hope to see you on the road---I live just south of Geist and am Fishers frequently. You'll know me when you pass me...I always wave! :seeya

You have done a great job on the car AND the story. Your writing is excellent and your spelling is, too. That says a lot about you. I see a good future for you. Enjoy your car.

Bee u tee ful..very nice job. when can I bring my LT over for you to do the same to mine?!
Nice wide stance...this is not a criticism, just a question, I had the 11 inch wide a-molds on my rear for a while, but found that I was taking a beating to the paint on my lower quarter panels, are you thinking of wheel flairs or mud flaps to prevent those wide tires from eating up your paint? I used the static applied plastic "clear-tastic" on mine after I noticed the chipping but wind got under one side and I lost one..so instead of that, I went to molded mud flaps on my rear wheel wheels only.
Best, Derek.

Story
 

Great looking car along with the story. You're very fortunate to be able to get such a car at your age. Take care of it and enjoy.

Congrats to you on all of your hard work. These cars are getting up there in age and it takes some dedication to keep them going, you surely have that! :thumbs: You seem to have a great head on your shoulders and aren't afraid of a little hard work, two things that will get you far in life. Thanks for sharing your story and also your pics, oh and don't forget to wave. :D

VERY NICE!!!!

It is great that you tackled the motor and probably leaned more by doing this than half the members here on the Forum. Your connection to the car is even greater now that is is part of you.

Respect the power and be safe. If you want to explore the power, try something like autocross or the drag strip. Autocross is easier on the car than the strip and you learn to drive better and understand what the car is capable of doing.

:thumbs: to 17inaC4,

Your car looks great inside and out. Congratulations :woohoo:

The reason it is called an addition, there is no light at the end of the tunnel when it come to good maintenance, upgrades, and what if's.

Welcome to the therapy :lol:, hide your wallet :leaving:, buy more memory cards :hide:.

Boxcar

Looks amazing.

Beautiful looking car! well done.. you've set yourself a high standard for the next one but I'm guessing this one will be around for a long time! :D All the best..:cheers:

Congrats on making your dream come true and sounds like some very good mods you've done. Enjoy that '95.

Thank you! I am a sucker for the 40th anniversary cars, beautiful car you have there.

I'm sure I will see you before snow fall! maybe we can possibly meet up and get a solid cruise in while the weather is still here? let me know.. i try and wave to every vette I see!

I appreciate the kind words, I am trying my best to succeed and make something of myself..

Haha! Anytime you want... as long as you bring your wallet :rofl:

My cars lower quarters were already a little marked up from rocks and such from the previous owner, it does not really bother me at the moment... the car will need repainted somewhere down the road but until then I keep them clean and try to wash and wax the car at least once every month, I am very OCD when it comes to my car being clean.

Thank you! I do consider myself very lucky, I plan on having it around for a while. :cool:

I agree. to me that is what makes it fun, if there was nothing to fix I would most likely become bored with it. I am not afraid of turning wrenches, my dad gave me that problem...
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...er784/king.jpg

I always wave! I do my part to keep it alive... :thumbs:

I do feel more connected to the car, just because I've been inside of it and I now know how everything works.. I try my best to help out other members with questions from my personal experience where I can.

As for tracking the car, I have taken it to the strip I have taken it to Indianapolis and ran an 11.6x with traction problems... As it is set up now i'd have to do some work to do an Auto-X.. but it is definitely on my bucket list.

That's what I love about it! It keeps the hobby interesting! I plan on buying a second one sometime down the road, who knows what will happen! As for the wallet, car related things are easy.... its everything else that seems like such a pain to pay for haha! :rofl:



Thanks brother, I still can't wait to meet up with you one of these days... I've been having an urge to buy an L98 project car.. I'd only be so lucky if it turned out half as nice as yours.

Thank you! :cool: I try my best to do the best with what I've got.. I do plan on keeping the car for a long time to come :smash:

Take care :thumbs:

Thank you! I completely forgot to list the mods.

Engine:

factory block machined
Eagle 3.875 Crank
Manley Rods
mahle Pistons
CC306 Cam
Factory Heads Heavily ported by Lingenfelter
Comp beehive springs(i'm thinking of changing these)
LS7 lifters
hardened pushrods
Scorpion 1.6 rr's (these are nice for the money, but i'd like to go crane in the future)
Stock Lt1 intake ported powder coated red
cloyes double roller timing chain
factory opti
30lbs injectors
hooker long tubes
full 3 inch exhaust exit through borla mufflers

Trans:
RPM transmissions stock rebuild
heat sink trans cooler
Yank 3200 stall

Rear end is next on my list, dana 36 does not like my power right now :leaving:

On trucks they're called "mud flaps", on cars, (especially Vette's), they're called "splash guards". :D

Thanks for taking the time to share your story and pictures. Your car looks amazing and must be a ton of fun to drive. When my son lived with us he had a Camaro SS and did a lot of up grades in our garage. I look back now and those were some very good times as we worked together on his car and my truck. Times like that well be memories that will last a life time and I cherish very much. I hope you and your dad had the opportunity to spend time together while working on your car. I guess thats your dads C6 in the garage ?

I'm glad to see young guys like you that have a love for these cars and desire to turn your own wrenches. A few years back I thought most young guys were going to imports but I've seen a bunch of young vette owners step in and keep the passion alive. :cheers:

Thanks for sharing the story of your new/old Vette. The feelings you relate are the same for all the members here, whether they're 17 or 70. BTW, I fully approve of your dream car, as I just purchased mine 1 month ago. You may notice a few similarities.

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...psee2191de.jpg

"I enjoyed your story of your Corvette Experience! Most all of us share in your sentiments of ownership of the All American Sports Car; The Corvette!"
"I also bought my 2nd Vette less than a month ago. '96 LT1" "Enjoy the 'Ride!' and remember, "Everything else is just transportation!"

http://i932.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps2d86a193.png




007
:cool:

Good job. :cheers:

Lovely car. You should be proud of it and of yourself. Over here in the UK, a 17 yr old would never get insurance on a Corvette or similar performance car.:rofl: It wasn't always so. When I was a teenager in the '70's (I know) I started with a '59 Bugeye Sprite, then a '63 Jaguar S-Type, '67 Jensen Interceptor (6.3 litre Chrysler v8 motor, is that 383cu.in?) then a '68 Jaguar Mk2. I was never as good with tools as you, just fixed them when they broke. That Jensen started my love affair with American V8's, so a few years later, married to a car-mad wife, we bought a Mach 1 Mustang, finally, a year ago we bought our '93 convertible, and are loving it.:thumbs: