Oldest Z06 Driver.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 203
From: Loveland, CO
Oldest Z06 Driver.
Recently, I have been the subject of some ridicule for selling my 2020 C8, Z51, Lt3, and buying a 2023 Z06 with 14 miles on it on BAT. Something about like am I too old to be living out my mid-life crises? I am long past having midlife issues. Side note, I think I was the last person to not have to pay a 5% fee for being the high bidder who did not meet the reserve, and still made a deal with the seller after the auction closed (They changed their rules recently).
These discussions, and some on this site about elderly drivers, piqued my curiosity about how old is too old to own a Z06.
I am 82, my wife is 80, and we can get into and out of the car with some grace (maybe a slight exaggeration). And we love it to death, and we are planning to circle Colorado, and the Million Dollar Highway, in a few weeks (and hoping for little rain with the Cup 2 tires).
That being said, are there any older seasoned seniors out there driving Z06's? Just curious. Have a nice day.
Ralph
These discussions, and some on this site about elderly drivers, piqued my curiosity about how old is too old to own a Z06.
I am 82, my wife is 80, and we can get into and out of the car with some grace (maybe a slight exaggeration). And we love it to death, and we are planning to circle Colorado, and the Million Dollar Highway, in a few weeks (and hoping for little rain with the Cup 2 tires).
That being said, are there any older seasoned seniors out there driving Z06's? Just curious. Have a nice day.
Ralph
Popular Reply
Aug 28, 2024, 11:23 PM
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,778
Likes: 1,552
From: Las Vegas NV
I am a little younger at 77, but still a dedicated track rat -'23 Z06/Z07, '16 Viper ACR-E, '11 Z06/Z07, '15 1LE SS Camaro, NASA Spec Ford Focus, and my favorite project (always under revision and perpetually on jack stands), a tube chassis 56 Corvette with a 905 hp, 515 C.I. all aluminum BBC shoved way back, fabricated independent road race suspension, sequential, APs, big slicks, and so on. On the list for a ZR1. Vision and reflexes are still good, so I plan on tracking until something breaks.
Instructor
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 171
Likes: 134
You are a role model for me. Sounds you and your wife have built a history of riding together in your fine cars. The planned drives in CO sounds great! I wish you and your wife plenty of fun and lots of smiles miles.
My wife and I are 64 and both love the Z06 "we" had delivered in June. I have had her ride with me in a series of fine sports cars owned over the years (458, 911 Turbo, BMW M3). The one she will not get in is my 1967 Camaro RS/SS due to safety and "roughness" of cars of that era....
... that and this sweet 625HP 502BBC I built and installed by myself last year when I was only 63
My wife and I are 64 and both love the Z06 "we" had delivered in June. I have had her ride with me in a series of fine sports cars owned over the years (458, 911 Turbo, BMW M3). The one she will not get in is my 1967 Camaro RS/SS due to safety and "roughness" of cars of that era....
... that and this sweet 625HP 502BBC I built and installed by myself last year when I was only 63
Last edited by rickcpu; Aug 28, 2024 at 08:25 PM.
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,138
Likes: 608
From: NorCal San Jose
My hat's off to you! I am 66 and waiting for mine to be built next week. I hope to still be driving it when I get your age, and that my wife learns to love it. So far, cars for her are akin to something like a toaster - just another appliance. And she thinks that buying a Z06 heralds the onset of my midlife crisis (which I am also long past).
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 182
Likes: 98
From: Pennsylvania
Ralph,
You are a special breed. If you like and enjoy the Z06, then I applaud you for living your life like you want and not how others expect you to do. You remind me of my father who turned 84 this past June. He has a bad hip and needs a knee replacement. He just gifted me his 2010 Porsche Cayman (which I will be trading in on a C8Z, hopefully in the next 6 months) because it was becoming hard to get in/out of and to drive a manual transmission. He ended up purchasing a new Nissan Z with an automatic. While it may not be a Corvette, he was not willing to give up his passion for sports cars. I wish you and your wife many happy miles and years in the Z06.
As an aside, I remember Mike Furman posting about selling a C7 Z06 7 speed to a gentleman in his early 90's.
You are a special breed. If you like and enjoy the Z06, then I applaud you for living your life like you want and not how others expect you to do. You remind me of my father who turned 84 this past June. He has a bad hip and needs a knee replacement. He just gifted me his 2010 Porsche Cayman (which I will be trading in on a C8Z, hopefully in the next 6 months) because it was becoming hard to get in/out of and to drive a manual transmission. He ended up purchasing a new Nissan Z with an automatic. While it may not be a Corvette, he was not willing to give up his passion for sports cars. I wish you and your wife many happy miles and years in the Z06.
As an aside, I remember Mike Furman posting about selling a C7 Z06 7 speed to a gentleman in his early 90's.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 16,507
Likes: 2,399
From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I'll be 66 next month and drive three different Vettes (2006 conv, 2017 Z06 coupe, 2023 Z06/Z07 coupe) and a 2022 Charger Hellcat Redeye as one of my daily drivers.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 841
Likes: 526
From: Colorado Springs
Recently, I have been the subject of some ridicule for selling my 2020 C8, Z51, Lt3, and buying a 2023 Z06 with 14 miles on it on BAT. Something about like am I too old to be living out my mid-life crises? I am long past having midlife issues. Side note, I think I was the last person to not have to pay a 5% fee for being the high bidder who did not meet the reserve, and still made a deal with the seller after the auction closed (They changed their rules recently).
These discussions, and some on this site about elderly drivers, piqued my curiosity about how old is too old to own a Z06.
I am 82, my wife is 80, and we can get into and out of the car with some grace (maybe a slight exaggeration). And we love it to death, and we are planning to circle Colorado, and the Million Dollar Highway, in a few weeks (and hoping for little rain with the Cup 2 tires).
That being said, are there any older seasoned seniors out there driving Z06's? Just curious. Have a nice day.
Ralph
These discussions, and some on this site about elderly drivers, piqued my curiosity about how old is too old to own a Z06.
I am 82, my wife is 80, and we can get into and out of the car with some grace (maybe a slight exaggeration). And we love it to death, and we are planning to circle Colorado, and the Million Dollar Highway, in a few weeks (and hoping for little rain with the Cup 2 tires).
That being said, are there any older seasoned seniors out there driving Z06's? Just curious. Have a nice day.
Ralph
Instructor
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 171
Likes: 134
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,778
Likes: 1,552
From: Las Vegas NV
I am a little younger at 77, but still a dedicated track rat -'23 Z06/Z07, '16 Viper ACR-E, '11 Z06/Z07, '15 1LE SS Camaro, NASA Spec Ford Focus, and my favorite project (always under revision and perpetually on jack stands), a tube chassis 56 Corvette with a 905 hp, 515 C.I. all aluminum BBC shoved way back, fabricated independent road race suspension, sequential, APs, big slicks, and so on. On the list for a ZR1. Vision and reflexes are still good, so I plan on tracking until something breaks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 850
Likes: 384
Never given in to the jealous low lifes, of which there are many in this world. They will always be jealous of every aspect they can pick on, from your choice of a fabulous car, to the money you happen to have that allow you to do whatever you want.
I got my 2024 Z06 in December 2023. Been to Spring Mountain which was great. Traded in my 2016 C7 Z06 to which I had upgraded the 650 hp and 650 ft lbs of torque. Never enough for a committed car person. Also have a 1968 Corvette IMSA TransAm awarded the faster car at Daytona in 1973 at 222 mph.
Let the haters hate. They are the ones with their tongues hanging out, not you. I am 78, luckily in perfect health. Can't wait for my turn to come up with a ZR1 at the list I'm on.
I got my 2024 Z06 in December 2023. Been to Spring Mountain which was great. Traded in my 2016 C7 Z06 to which I had upgraded the 650 hp and 650 ft lbs of torque. Never enough for a committed car person. Also have a 1968 Corvette IMSA TransAm awarded the faster car at Daytona in 1973 at 222 mph.
Let the haters hate. They are the ones with their tongues hanging out, not you. I am 78, luckily in perfect health. Can't wait for my turn to come up with a ZR1 at the list I'm on.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 747
From: Keller Texas
I'm 78 and our Z is our 15th Corvette since buying a new one back in 1968. We have lots of toys in the garage including a Ferrari and an Aston Martin. If this is a 'mid-life crisis' then I've been suffering from it since I was in my teens.... I've been to Ron Fellows after buying our last 3 Corvettes and just recently began 'waffeling' about the Z06 school.... reactions, eye sight, that kind of stuff. After reading this thread, I think I'll go for it.
In the mean time I don't think I'll get in too much trouble driving back and forth to Starbucks. (We did pick up the '24 Z HTC in Atlanta and drove it back to Texas) Hopefully and God willing, we still have a few more road trips left in us.....
In the mean time I don't think I'll get in too much trouble driving back and forth to Starbucks. (We did pick up the '24 Z HTC in Atlanta and drove it back to Texas) Hopefully and God willing, we still have a few more road trips left in us.....