Minneapolis Street Sighting: Chevrolet Corvette

I usually don't shoot many "cliche" cars, but the Corvette has always stood out as a childhood favorite car; many people despise the fourth-generation Corvette (referred to as the C4 by enthusiasts), but I am not scared to admit I still sort of like it. As a little boy, the C4 was still fresh when I was born, and the facelift came out when I was about three or four. Initially, I loved the post-facelift cars, and grew to hate the first-generation C4; now, though, it's quite the opposite. The only post-facelift car I still adore is the ZR1, and the Grand Sport. The older ones, however, I am developing quite a fondness for. The wheels on the first iteration still give me the chills-- I never liked them, and I never will. This example rectifies that problem--quite well.










Like most early C4s, this car is a love it-or-hate it vehicle for me; on one hand, I love it because it's an original-shape C4, and not the cheap-looking facelift version, and one hand I hate it. The poking-out exhaust looks awful, and that half-assed wing looks positively stupid. Most Corvettes aren't beaters by nature, but this example seemed a bit neglected--or maybe that was just the area in which I found it.
Aftermarket wheels with missing centercaps would suggest a rather hard life, but I can't be too quick to judge. These wheels look better than the stock ones, and the exhaust is obviously not stock, so I can assume that this thing gets hounded on a daily basis. And it probably sounds quite good, too.
I love spotting the early C4s, and this one is no exception; if it were mine, I'd ditch the wing, and add better fitting exhaust tips. I do quite like the rolling stock, and I'd leave them alone. This is one nearly-perfect C4 that only need minor touch-ups to be immaculate.

Colin's Toybox: Hot Wheels Chevrolet Corvette

As a child, I loved the contemporary Corvette, for the same reason I did so the Firebird--it looked cool. As a youngster, I associated the Corvette with all things awesome, even if the car itself was no more cooler than a Camaro. When I was in first grade, a kids' mom had a tan C4 Corvette that I used to get rides home in sometimes. I remember it because it smelled like a combination of burnt cigarettes and stale perfume--not quite a good combination, no? Anyway.. that's not the point. I had a bunch of these cars when I was little-- well, not this exact casting. I had the original Hot Wheels C4 Corvette that was simply titled "1980s Corvette". In 1984, the C4 was introduced, so it could've represented any Corvette from 1984 to 1989. I often called them a vast array of names "85 Corvette", "new Corvette" among many others. Sadly, almost none (except this one) survived my destructive childhood.
This one, I've had for about the same time (I think) as the Peugeot 405 I posted earlier; like it, I baby this one incredibly. I make sure that if there's dust on it, I clean it off. While I don't like the real car very much, I have a strong bond with this lone example of its Hot Wheels brethren. And I hope that does not change.

Minneapolis Street Sighting: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible

It's no secret that I do have a soft spot for certain generations of America's sports car. While I don't like it in every single iteration, there are a select few that I wouldn't hesitate to add to my collection, diecast or otherwise. I quite adore the C3s both in their earliest and latest forms. The C2 is a rare exception for the Corvette for me; I like it in almost all its iterations. The coupe (preferably the split-window) is my favorite by far, but the convertible is definitely a head turner as well. I'm going to be honest, I'm not much of a person when it comes to memorizing details on older cars quite yet. I had to check and see what year this one actually was. Based on the side scoops rather than three vents, I have determined this one to be a 1963, or 1964. And what a beauty it is!
I'm usually quite picky about colors and wheels; they often make or break a car for me. When one thinks of a red sports car, it sounds almost cliche; usually that phrase signifies a "meh" reaction coming up. Quite the opposite, actually. Sitting on Lake street, basking in the sun, this gorgeous near fifty year old classic drew my attention right away. I stopped, stared, and without hesitation tried for the best shots I could muster with the late summer afternoon traffic slowly taking its toll in my line of vision.
On the surface, this Stingray looked absolutely amazing; and rightly so. Either freshly restored, or positively babied, this example wouldn't look out of place at a prestigious classic car retailer. The finish was gorgeous, and like any Corvette, quality is key. Rather than go with the oh-so-common Chevy/Corvette Rallye wheels, the owner has chosen to stick with the factory hubcaps. To be honest, despite the contrary opinion, I think that was a wise choice. Nearly every single C2 I see is either wearing Chevy/Corvette Rallyes, or has been extensively modded with a non factory (and somtimes garish) set of rolling stock.
Inside, the story was no different. Like the gorgeous red exterior, this example's black interior sounds cliche, but it honestly works. I don't think I could see it with any other color for the interior. The gauges are all intact, and since this is a driver (in the summer anyway), they all function correctly. As with most classic sports car, this Corvette's interior is quite spartan, but it gets the job done. Obviously, since this Corvette is from a time when "power" was a luxury, pertaining to the interior, this example has manual windows, and probably locks as well. As with the outside, the interior's trim is quite nice as well. All the chrome is present, but also gleamed effortlessly in the sun-- something I can't say about too many of my blogshoots.
Do I know what powers this? Sadly, I do not. Since the 327 V8 was the only available engine, I would wager its a 327. Since the exterior, as well as interior, appear to be stock, the engine probably is too. With anywhere from 250 (god, I hope not) to 360 horses, you can bet this little red Corvette probably could roast its rear tires if its owner so desired. But, alas, the owner likely uses his amazing example of America's sports car as a summer cruiser. And that's just fine by me. Cruising is just one of this legend's characteristics. That's why its America's sports car.

Minneapolis Street Sighting: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

Every so often, I will put up a set of photos where I'll let the car do the talking. I just featured a later Corvette, but I think this earlier car represents the C3 bodystyle much better, so here it is in all its yellow glory.

Minneapolis Street Sighting: Chevrolet Corvette

The Corvette is, and always has been America's sports car. First born in 1953, the Corvette sparked a new love for all things cars with Americans. It's had its fair share of engines over the years, too, ranging from a little inline six cylinder, to the most famous V8s. Now, though, you can get a wide variety of trimlines, with various V8 engine and transmission combos; truly a performance bargain, and a force to be reckoned with.
When the oil crisis hit in 1973-1974, the whole car industry took the brunt of the impact, the Corvette included. Gone were the fiery 454s, and 427s of the prime muscle car days, and in their place rested emissions-choked 350s, and in some cases, the godawful 305. Yes, the same engine that powered the pickup trucks was chucked underneath the fiberglass hood of America's sports car. The last of the C3s was a pretty bleak time for this icon. Iffy styling shunned by many a purist, ugly wheels hated by most diehards, and engines that were more suited to a truck or utility than speed. But forget all that.
The basic formula was still there; you still had your t-tops, you still had a manual transmission, and it was still a two-seater and with basic mechanicals shared by most of Chevy's lineup, performance parts were not that hard to come by, should you be dissatisfied with the meager performance this generation offered.
As Corvettes go, I'm a weird enthusiast. I don't really like Corvettes as a whole, but I like certain examples all across the board. I know many people will cry and whine that I'm saying this, but I honestly quite like this one as its presented. Yes, I realize this generation is all but frowned upon, but for some strange reason this one works. Maybe its the combination of the color and wheels, but I have no qualms about this example. Honestly, this is probably one of maybe five that I've cared enough about to shoot as a set, and that should say something right there. I normally pass on Corvettes but apparently I liked this one enough to give it a thorough look over, and I'm glad I did. I haven't seen it since, and I will likely never see it again.