This note was left on Crystal, expressing what I feel about owning this car. My parents gave me a model kit when I turned 18 and from then on with marriage, kids and life in the blue collar world, that was as close as I expected to get to owning one. In 2014 one day before my 66th birthday, my 89 year old dad and my wife and I took delivery of Crystal at the Corvette Museum a very special day for all. Not the best day ever, I have a wife and kids!
She is beautiful but I don’t wash or wax her every time she’s out of the garage, she has been driven in the rain, parked near the beach for a week and because of the silly tires parked for weeks on end during the winter. Those tires, I will never run her to the limit of the tires and wish all-season tires were an option when ordering the car. This car is all I could have asked for, nice to look, at fun to drive and admired by many who see her.

2014 Crystal Red 3LT

 

 

I appreciate stories like yours much more than the person who has a couple of other high end cars and decided to also get a C7.

Crystal sounds like a real looker-how about some details about how she was built (no not her measurements) and some pictures.

BTW I also have a cyrstal red C7 that I refer to as Redd.

 

Congratulations and enjoy your dream car.

 

Congrats! Enjoy in good health.

 

Great story. Post some pic's when you get a chance. I'm with you about driving the car. Mine has even seen snow.

 

How did it handle in the snow? Did you have summer tires on at the time? Since mine (on order) will be my DD, I am likely to have to face this sooner or later and want to know my risks. Thanks!

 

I am with you though I did have a '72 Cpe that I sold to make room for daughter #2, I thought my Corvette owning days were over. Can't describe how much I missed that car for 38 yrs. It was the only car I ever had dreams about. Until I saw the review of the C7 on Motorweek. At almost age 65, I immediately contacted my dealer & ordered a 2014 Stingray cpe in Torch Red not realizing it came with summer only tires. I have a son who was 12 yrs. old. We named the car "Little Red" because I also have a supercharged Toyota Tundra putting out around 575 hp which is named "Big Red". Drove the car through the summer including a 7,000 mile road trip to NCM & back. When I returned I decided there was no way I was not going to drive this car during the winter. It rains, snows, gets cold, & icey during the winter in Oregon. We also get a lot of rain in the late fall, winter, & spring. After a little research I found out Michelin makes an all season tire in the same sizes as stock on the Z51. They are Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 and I found out Costco could order them. They got me a set, mounted & balanced for a little over $1000. I have driven on them since last fall. I don't go around doing burnouts or drag racing stop light to stop light but I do get on it from time to time and they are wearing really well. The handling in cold, wet, and raining conditions is excellent. But, be aware, they are not run flats. I drove the truck when it snowed or got icy, but the rest of the time the C7 had transportation duty.


My car is a daily driver. I have 18,000 miles on it and it just turned a year old. No problems whatsoever. I truly enjoy this car so much that last month my dealer called me with the news he had an allotment for a 2016 Z06 if I was interested. I ordered the car the next day. It is scheduled to be built next week.


My son who is now 13 yr. old doesn't know I have ordered a new car. He truly loves the Stingray and tells me so often. We are doing NCM delivery but he thinks we are going there for a special Veterans function. He is going to be upset when he finds out the truth. But he also doesn't know the reason I have cleaned out the other side of the garage is to make room for "Super Red".


I will have these 3 vehicles for the rest of my life. I will be 66 yrs. old soon. When I am no longer able to safely drive, my daughter in Alaska will get the Toyota Tundra, my son will get the Stingray he loves so much, and the Z06 will go to my other daughter because she is a cargurl. They have all promised me that they will take me for rides in the cars I cherish so much.


To the OP, they make tires that will enable you to drive your C7 pretty much year round. Find some, put 'em on and drive that sucka! Unless you have a Z06 and so far tires for it are very limited.

 

 

Great story you have and glad you got to finally experience Corvette ownership.

 

It handled fine as long as I drove responsibly. There was about two or so inches of snow and I had no problems. Sorry it took so long to reply. I guess I must have missed your post.

 

I am happy that you got the opportunity to own a Corvette. Even happier that you drive it and don't spend all your time detailing it.
This is a nice story and it shows that good thing come to those who wait.

 

 

Congrats and the best with it.

 

Congrats, Crystal Red is a beautiful color. Remember to wave at other corvettes. Save the Wave!!

 

Nice story, congratulations!

 

Thanks for sharing your stories, I am waiting for my 2016 to be delivered and I also intend to go out riding daily weather permitting.

 

Good for you