I don't know if this is correct place on the forum to post this, so, Moderators, please move if incorrectly placed.

I have had my 69 corvette convertible (350/350 4 speed) for about a year since picking it up from County Corvette. This car was ordered new by my father, and I had it restored upon his death.

Jim at County Corvette asked me for a testimonial for the wonderful work they did. I know this is one of their only forms of advertising, so I wanted to share what I wrote to him, giving anyone who would want to call them regarding their corvette my complete confidence.

Btw: if you want to see the restoration, which exceeded my goals while keeping things as authentic as possible, they still have it on their website.

Here it is:


Dear Jim,

I know it has taken a while to get a letter to you, thanking your shop for its amazing work, but it took this long to find the right words.

One of my first memories was riding in a car. Actually, it was the car. My Dad’s car, a 1969 blue corvette convertible he ordered new from a GM dealership in Newark, DE. So young that I couldn’t see the speedometer, I was content watching the tachometer needle go up, then down as he shifted. Given his propensity for safety, it must have been memorable for him as well, letting his toddler son ride around the block in a sports car.

Cars were a dinner table subject growing up. Sometimes it was comparisons between modern cars or their technologies, others it was on auto repair, but the best topic was 1960’s sports cars. When I had a question about how cars worked, 1969 corvette shop manuals emerged from the basement, revealing exploded diagrams of the way cars were meant to be, before, as Dad claimed, “the 1970’s messed it all up”. Most importantly, I was instilled with a love of American cars from the 1960’s, particularly Corvettes.

Unfortunately, the car ended up with a problem that Dad didn’t have the time to diagnose while still working, then became ill soon after retiring, so the car sat, unused in the garage for quite some time.

After my father passed away, he left the car to me. Staring at it, I knew I didn’t have either the time or the expertise to bring this car back to its former glory. I then called the good people at County Corvette. Someone from your shop came on a sunny Saturday morning to tow the car in, you met with me to discuss my goals for the project, then kept me posted in Boston on the work’s progress. It took a lot of trust to have someone work on such a special vehicle, as no one except my father had worked on the car, but after touring the shop and meeting the staff I knew I had made the right decision.

Picking the car up, my Mother and I drove the car to Boston, a drive she and my Dad did often while they were dating long distance. The work exceeded my wildest expectations. From the mechanical aspects, the fit and finish, and the gorgeous original matching paint color, the car became a time machine, transporting me to a time I had heard so much about as a child. Mom told me she saw the smile of a kid at play on my face the whole way up.

Jim, I want to thank you and the staff at County Corvette for bringing back something that tied me to my Dad, as well something I can share with my two boys. I recommend your shop to anyone who cares about realizing his goals in a restoration project.

I never asked Dad about the day he took me for a ride in the Corvette, but I know the feeling he must have had, seeing the look on my three year old son’s face when he too got a ride on his birthday in the car. However, this time it was around a parking lot.

Some habits die hard.

Sincerely,

 

Hi gf,
Very nicely written!
Aren't we fortunate that so many good memories stay with us while the sad and bad ones seem to fade as the years go by.
Regards,
Alan

 

Well Done !

Regards
Roy

 

it's a wonderful piece and a great description of both what their work to bring the car back to life and your early recollections have been. what a great opportunity you have in being able to keep your dad's memory alive through his corvette and being able to pass along those same type of experiences to your youngsters.

 

Most folk's here are quick to post the "bad"...so, its refreshing to see that the "good" is still alive.

Great letter my friend !!!!!!!!!



Stay in tune...

 

Nice to see Nice !!!
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I'm often guilty of only writing about things to complain-- all the more reason I felt it necessary to post this.

I also have all of Dad's old tools, so expect some questions when I hit sticking point on maintenance... I have been doing things to the family cars, but, of course, this is different.

It is interesting to note how much smarter I have become when I don't have someone looking over my shoulder while I turn the wrench...but I now miss it.

Thanks everyone, and looking forward to contributing to the community.

 

OK...I'll ask. What does a job like that cost? Ballpark is ok.

 

It gives me the creeps by reading this . I mean in a positive way.

 

I'll say it wasn't cheap-- but fair for the work done. I think, because each job is unique, if you have particular questions about your vette, I would give Jim a call.

 

They did a wonderful job. I loved going through all the pictures. It's great you have such a wonderful story to tell and something to remember it by.

 

A great post.....I'm sure your dad is smiling.

 

Great story; you're very fortunate to have that car. It obviously meant very much to your father since he kept it all those years and now you can share, and create, memories with that very same car.

While I may never have the funds to be able to have my own '69 restored by the people at County Corvette, I have seen their work. I was stunned by a gorgeous silver '69 big block coupe a year ago at the show in Smithville, NJ. I just stared at it for 10-15 minutes and then had to find a napkin to wipe the drool off of my face.
They obviously do excellent work and your testimonial is just further proof.

Thanks for sharing your story.

 

WOW - Thanks Jason. It was a pleasure to work with you through the restoration process and we are glad to see you are so happy with the car. Thanks for the kind words.