The joy of driving a Sting Ray streetmachine that is capable of two to five thousand mile road tours is sometimes offset by knowing that, after 24 years of fun, I doubt I will ever feel like installing the 427 engine.

At those times, I consider having the 390 horsepower big block in the corner of the garage rebuilt. At other times, I consider selling the car along with the bagged and crated big block drive train, so that someone else can enjoy putting it on a show field. The decision is always put off for some future day when I will be too old or infirm to drive the roadster as it was meant to be driven.

That thought is easily erased by getting behind the wheel and driving farther than a block from my house. The feeling of handling and suspension less sophisticated than modern sports cars, combined with the sounds, smells, and road feel of an old high powered car creates a powerful addiction. I feel alive and in touch with the world, especially with the top down and the wind rushing past. I treasure the moments, and I never want them to stop.

Back when the Bloomington Gold shows were held at the McClean County Fairgrounds (Bloomington, Illinois), I had the opportunity to thank Zora Arkus-Duntov for the great engineering work he managed to bring to Corvettes.




Many engineers and designers contributed to make Corvettes into world class sports cars, but Zora always fought hard to make Corvettes true competitors.