So this will be long. I apologize in advance if you hate to read.

So, I'm Tom. I've lurked forever but don't really post much. Ended up buying my first Corvette April 13th of last year after many years of going back and forth and resulting to various mustangs/cobras, fbody trans ams and a few other's mixed in... was a long time coming as my father had a '69 l46 car for 40yrs and was around my whole life. Wanted it to be 'my turn'.

I'd cross shopped an honest dozen c5's over that time; but as you likely know, it's a hard car to buy in REALLY nice shape used. It got to the point where I decided I'd be better off in an LS2 c6 as the LS3 cars were a bit out of reach without a car payment.

After a few months of playing the 'try to find a nice used c6 game' I stumbled upon a cream puff 2003 z51 m6 c5 while looking at "10 footer" 2006 z51 m6 c6. I was dead set on manual z51 c6. I wanted the performance and the upgrades. I'd driven the c5z an albeit I loved it; I needed a targa. Any c5 would have to be a z51 m6 at minimum. Wanted torch red over black...but what you 'WANT' you don't always fall in love with

I don't usually look at dealer cars for prices alone; but it was a bit futile finding private owner corvettes at the time and I wanted to drive some stuff without the hassle.




After driving both cars literally back to back I was sold. I just loved the feel of the c5. The car was priced more than I had wanted to buy a c5 at; but it was easily one of the cleanest overall cars I had seen in and out. Interior was near flawless, underhood looked showroom clean with no corrosion etc, underside was spotless. Had a few mismatch add ons, and a tweaked air dam; but nothing I wasn't changing. Pluses included a vararam b2 and a shifter. It was not exactly the 'looker' next to the c6; but the driving experience the c5 just felt more pure and the car flows around you with sleek subtle lines and design cues.



In all it's ugly glory...





Ended up taking it home. My early mid life crisis present to myself at 30. 2003 Quicksilver z51 m6. 43,000 miles. Loaded.



Finally home to 'once over'


First few days out enjoying the car. Absolutely loved it. Ugly as hell though looking back.




Ordered up some new center caps to help it out a little...which immediately took some hokey-ness out of it.




Next was to lower it down a on the stock bolts so I could take the snow chains off








Much improved!

Got a plate filler too!


Then those God awful square tips needed to go. Debated back and forth between Corsas as they are one of my favorite sounding setups, or the slp powerflo setup. I ended up really liking the tip spacing and style of the XSpower axleback and the sound/no drone. So, I got some and ditched the pep boys look. LOVE them!




Next stop to not looking like a 90 year old man who can't find the gold course was some tint. An added bonus was to protect the easily ruined c5 interiors.



I rocked that look for awhile. Although I still get the old man, and 'where are your golf clubs?' joke from my friends. Still, the car was pretty slick in it's own right.




All along the car has been a bit of a freak; so it was very rewarding taking it to the track. Our local spot is Quaker City Raceway in Salem, OH. Anyone who runs there knows it's a 30' elevation change after the 8th (climb) so it's generally known a few tenths slower. Still I've ran there for years and it's a baseline for me. 83 degree day at a DA of 2300 the car went 12.98 at 109.xx with a 1.91 60'. I was very happy with the results to say the least.




It may be 'grandpa' amongst friends but it does the job


A few glamour shots I took:





Then it managed to find it's way into some engagement pictures haha





Obligatory?




..more to come

 

So for this year, I wanted to get a little crazier and do ported 243's and a cam/exhaust. Well the wedding had other plans; so my heads are still on my bench with a few other things.

Anyhow, along the way I picked up a set of Iforged Aeros in 19s all around with some nice 305s out back.

Ended up repolishing them and taking out any flaws; but I'll spare you the pictures heh.



Ended up taking the car down a little bit more and wow!



It's just incredible looking to me right now...






Still has plenty of ground clearance too!


Which will help when these go on!




So yeah, that's my current love story...




...although one of us might like it more than the other




Can't wait to see what the future brings for it!

Thanks for reading!

 

:] Thanks for sharing. Great looking car and looks like you have a lot of fun with it.

 

Great looking car and congrats on the engagement.

 

Those Iforged Aeros look awesome!

Great looking C5.

 

haha awesome!

 

Great decision both on the car and the lady however; with all those mods that greatly enhanced the ride, we didn't get to see the ring.

 

Lol I don't even have any good pictures of that saved on my phone. Found a pic on the older jeweler lady's hand when I was having it made to surprise her. These pics do NO justice nor really give an idea of the height. It's a Leo diamond so it goes nuts in the right light. The band as shown contours the ring. Wanted something unique as I'm a designer by trade.

I'll have to get a good one of it.

 

Congrats on both!

 

Nice car, great story. I sure was happy when you got rid of that first cat back exhaust.

 

Me too. Was awful tips welded to the stock mufflers.

Thanks guys!

 

Very nice transformation in one year. And congrats to both of you.

 

Very cool story, thanks for sharing it and your pictures.

 

Cool story and thanks for telling

 

Beautiful car. You made a wise choice.

 

Nice car, mods and storytelling.

 

Thank you all again for the kind words! It's been fun to look back. I only scratched the surface on the pictures...I'm pretty good for over documenting my builds.

You should see my mustang ones; I could write books.

 

A long but good read!! Thanks for sharing with us.

You have two cuties at your place!

BTW - I love the crossed arms in the burnout pic, I've seen that look before!

 

Looks awesome...definitely chose a great color! Congrats!

 

I have to tell you most threads like this I would have just scrolled down to the next without giving it a second look, but I'm glad I didn't. The pics were good and you are a great storyteller, my friend. Very enjoyable read!