First Corvette in 41 years
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 17
Likes: 13
From: Michigan
First Corvette in 41 years
Greetings from Michigan! We ordered a 2021 C8 HTC last month, and hope to take delivery next Summer. We sold our last Corvette in 1979 as we were preparing to get married and to purchase our first house.
As a 17-year-old in 1976, I bought a 1970 Coupe. I also had a winter vehicle, and an MG Midget, and after I graduated high school and secured an apprenticeship, I earned good money, and life was great. During the runup to 1979, I had two other C3's; a '73, and a '75. Then came married life, children, our choice to have my wife be a stay-at-home Mom, and everything else. We've been very fortunate, own our home and a lakefront cottage, numerous toys with engines (boats & jet ski's, 4x4's, motorcycles, etc.), 5 grandkids, and as we look at retirement in a handful of years, this C8 is our present to ourselves.
Shadow Grey Convertible LT2
Jet Black GT2 interior
Body color accents
Z51 with Mag Ride
Front lift (and it'll get a Fabtech lowering kit)
Spectra Gray wheels (but they'll be replaced with Forgiatto Tec S2 wheels)
Red calipers
Everything other available option except Luggage, Carbon Fiber, and personalized VIN. I don't like Carbon Fiber, and I'm not paying $5k for six digits.
List price is a shade under $92k.
I wonder whether an aftermarket painted engine cover will fit on the HTC? I know you cannot see the engine without removing the shield, but still...
We can't wait to post actual photos in about 6 months.
As a 17-year-old in 1976, I bought a 1970 Coupe. I also had a winter vehicle, and an MG Midget, and after I graduated high school and secured an apprenticeship, I earned good money, and life was great. During the runup to 1979, I had two other C3's; a '73, and a '75. Then came married life, children, our choice to have my wife be a stay-at-home Mom, and everything else. We've been very fortunate, own our home and a lakefront cottage, numerous toys with engines (boats & jet ski's, 4x4's, motorcycles, etc.), 5 grandkids, and as we look at retirement in a handful of years, this C8 is our present to ourselves.
Shadow Grey Convertible LT2
Jet Black GT2 interior
Body color accents
Z51 with Mag Ride
Front lift (and it'll get a Fabtech lowering kit)
Spectra Gray wheels (but they'll be replaced with Forgiatto Tec S2 wheels)
Red calipers
Everything other available option except Luggage, Carbon Fiber, and personalized VIN. I don't like Carbon Fiber, and I'm not paying $5k for six digits.
List price is a shade under $92k.
I wonder whether an aftermarket painted engine cover will fit on the HTC? I know you cannot see the engine without removing the shield, but still...
We can't wait to post actual photos in about 6 months.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 10,247
Likes: 888
From: Hickory NC
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '17 thru '26
Welcome to the Forum, Richard, and congratulations on your pending C8!
I am sure there are many vendors for a painted engine cover. One you may try is a Forum Vendor, American Hydrocarbon at https://www.shop.americanhydrocarbon.com/main.sc. The do carbon fiber dip as well as painted engine covers.
I am sure there are many vendors for a painted engine cover. One you may try is a Forum Vendor, American Hydrocarbon at https://www.shop.americanhydrocarbon.com/main.sc. The do carbon fiber dip as well as painted engine covers.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,536
Likes: 24,826
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Congrats on placing your order and welcome to the forum.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 17
Likes: 13
From: Michigan
Thanks everyone. I tried to give your comments a "Like," but didn't see how I could do that.
Is anyone aware whether the aftermarket engine cover will fit a convertible? Just wondering whether clearance is an issue.
Is anyone aware whether the aftermarket engine cover will fit a convertible? Just wondering whether clearance is an issue.
