Story and Photos Mike Spicer
The Corvette is an American automobile icon with flare and swagger like no other. Driven by extra cool people, these stylish cars made a lasting impression on me. It’s hard to go unnoticed behind the wheel of a Corvette.
The C3 Corvette (third generation 1968-82) got under my skin at an early age. My dad’s friend would come over to visit in his bright yellow C3 and I couldn’t stop ogling it. Having built many scale models of the car, it was a real treat to have a full size one in the driveway.
Fast forward 20 years and the perfect specimen hit my radar. An orange 1977 C3 in exceptional condition, so I could not pass it up. Finally, I was the proud owner of a Corvette and my cool quotient was off the charts.
My first impression was that I was driving a Hot Wheel and the fun factor was high. You sit close to the rear wheels, pretty far back, and the nose disappears over the hood. Once you get used to that, you settle in.
After the honeymoon phase wore off, I started to feel every bump in the road. It still made a statement but the build quality was not what I was used to. I drove it less and less over the course of three years and finally sold it.
My itch was scratched and my youthful dream realized. This bright orange Corvette brought me loads of fun and made me feel like a hip 70s “dude” in the process. I wouldn’t change this experience for anything.
