Corvette Forum members own some gorgeous first- and second-generation Corvettes.
To some people, history is boring. It could be because they never had a teacher who made it fun or interesting. Maybe it’s because some people grew up only knowing history as something you read in a big clunky book. One way of making the subject more engaging is by making it alive and interactive, which is exactly what the C1 and C2 coupes and convertibles here on Corvette Forum are.
Sure, it’s great to be able to go to a car show or an automotive museum and see a gleaming old-school Corvette, but it’s even better to see one out on a back road, watch it accelerate, hear the deep growl of its exhaust. It’s as educational as it is smile-forming. And it’s definitely something that will stay in someone’s mind. Especially a kid’s memories. Many of you here probably got into cars in the first place because you saw one when you were young that you just couldn’t forget, that motivated you to do what it took to buy the car of your dreams once you were able to.
You C1 and C2 owners aren’t just the transporters of your rolling history exhibits. You’re experts on the subject of early Corvettes. As the photos in the gallery below show, you’re also dedicated caretakers of the irreplaceable classics. The “Post ‘One’ Pic of Your Car” thread is a treasure trove of tastefully modded and lovingly preserved vintage ‘Vettes, from an Ermine White and Jewel Blue 1961 beauty to an eye-catching silver ’67 convertible. We went through the entire collection of shots and put a sample of it below. Be sure to check out the entire thread to see even more gorgeous examples of American automotive history.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
