New C5 Owner
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 186
Likes: 6
From: Lebanon Junction KY
New C5 Owner
Well I have owned 5 Corvettes all C3s, still have a 73. I have always thought the C5 was a real fine looking car and always wanted one. I purposely have never driven one (until yesterday) because I knew what would happen if I did.
I just sold a Trans Am and had a Jaguar XK8 to trade so I decided I would go shopping for a C5. I looked at cars on line within 200 miles and found 3 local cars with pretty low miles to go and see. So yesterday I set out with a bag of $100 bills, and the Jag.
I wound up in Bowling Green which is about 85 miles from me at the Honda dealer who had a 2000 Yellow Coupe with 25K miles and a one owner car as well. It is a kind of base car I suppose with the manual HVAC system and a single CD radio. It does have two tops and a aftermarket exhaust. The car was bought new in Bowling Green and has lived there since. Well it now lives 85 miles north of its old home. I knew it was the one when I first saw it, you can just tell its been very well cared for.
One thing I was wondering about. There were a couple of pictures in the paperwork, one was a picture of the car on the carrier under the Campbell Chevrolet sign, the other was a picture of the bottom of the car with a bunch of autographs on the floor pans. I assume these are some of the people at the factory. Is it common for these cars to be signed like that?
I just got it home last night so I can spend today out in the garage bonding. I know I'll have a ton of questions in the future so thanks in advance.
Mark Potter
I just sold a Trans Am and had a Jaguar XK8 to trade so I decided I would go shopping for a C5. I looked at cars on line within 200 miles and found 3 local cars with pretty low miles to go and see. So yesterday I set out with a bag of $100 bills, and the Jag.
I wound up in Bowling Green which is about 85 miles from me at the Honda dealer who had a 2000 Yellow Coupe with 25K miles and a one owner car as well. It is a kind of base car I suppose with the manual HVAC system and a single CD radio. It does have two tops and a aftermarket exhaust. The car was bought new in Bowling Green and has lived there since. Well it now lives 85 miles north of its old home. I knew it was the one when I first saw it, you can just tell its been very well cared for.
One thing I was wondering about. There were a couple of pictures in the paperwork, one was a picture of the car on the carrier under the Campbell Chevrolet sign, the other was a picture of the bottom of the car with a bunch of autographs on the floor pans. I assume these are some of the people at the factory. Is it common for these cars to be signed like that?
I just got it home last night so I can spend today out in the garage bonding. I know I'll have a ton of questions in the future so thanks in advance.
Mark Potter
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 186
Likes: 6
From: Lebanon Junction KY
I hope to get in contact with the PO. I was talking to a friend and he says that since the PO lives in Bowling Green he probably went and watched his car being built, my friend says the assembly line workers know when someone is there to watch and they might have signed the bottom of the car because of that. I don't know but it doesn't sound too far fetched.
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 310
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From: Edmonton AB
My 1999 has a manual HVAC control and I am so happy it does.
It does what it is supposed to do and that is good enough for me.
Only problem is that I scratched the original one last year taking the console out, and it was a bugger trying to find a new mint one. They are hard to find. And some of the vendors know this and completely gouge people for them... If you ever mange to find one for sale at an "honest" price, grab it. Even if you don't need it. I bought 2 extra's.
I also have the single CD player. Good enough. I want to listen to the car, not the radio.
It does what it is supposed to do and that is good enough for me.
Only problem is that I scratched the original one last year taking the console out, and it was a bugger trying to find a new mint one. They are hard to find. And some of the vendors know this and completely gouge people for them... If you ever mange to find one for sale at an "honest" price, grab it. Even if you don't need it. I bought 2 extra's.
I also have the single CD player. Good enough. I want to listen to the car, not the radio.
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The signatures are not usual and most likely are the plant workers who signed it if the original owner watched it go down the line and requested that they do so. Interesting bit of history to the car if that is the case. The original owner should be able to verify what went on with the signatures.
And congrats on getting your C5 - you'll find it is a really great car.
And congrats on getting your C5 - you'll find it is a really great car.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 186
Likes: 6
From: Lebanon Junction KY
The signatures are not usual and most likely are the plant workers who signed it if the original owner watched it go down the line and requested that they do so. Interesting bit of history to the car if that is the case. The original owner should be able to verify what went on with the signatures.
And congrats on getting your C5 - you'll find it is a really great car.
And congrats on getting your C5 - you'll find it is a really great car.
I got his phone # from the dealer and left a message. I think all this confirms my feeling that this was a well cared for car, and I'm glad I got the chance to own it.
I do have a 73 that I have been restoring for the last 5 years and just so happens it's yellow as well. I think everything will be ok as long as I keep them seperated
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Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Hickory NC
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Welcome to the Forum and congratulations on your "new" C5!
Interesting info about the signatures. Please let us know if you learn more.
Interesting info about the signatures. Please let us know if you learn more.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 203
From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
Well you can change your name to Larry, lol. Recently I changed out a headlite gear and had 3 signatures on the inside of the headlite door. Very nice, makes your car feel special. Here is wishing you many happy miles/smiles with your new baby...Larry. Greetings, Rob
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 24
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From: Sterling Colorado
Welcome to the forum. I also have a C3 Vette. Mine is the least rare Corvette of all, a 78-L82, with Silver Anniversary paint,and Oyster interior. I also have an Electron Blue 03 convertible. The cars are nothing special, except to me. Someday they'll belong to my two sons. Keep your cars. You'll always be glad you did. Aren't C5's a kick to drive?
