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My Corvette

New York, New York!

I have always loved Corvettes and always dreamt of owning one. In January of this year, my dream became a reality when I was fortunate to be able to buy my red ZO6. In fact, I still can’t believe she’s mine and I still have to pinch myself. My wife calls her my “mistress”, she’s not far wrong! I steal every minute I can with her. But in March of this year, we were to be separated for a week. This was because we were lucky enough to be taking a break to New York. We had always yearned to go there and we were not disappointed when we arrived! What a city! There’s something there for everybody – sightseeing, museums, art galleries, theatres, bright lights, good food and of course shops (much to the wife’s delight!). However, Corvettes are not an everyday sight there! Transport in and out of the city is that good; New Yorkers do not feel the need to use a Corvette to get around in! Sickening, when you think how cheap fuel is out there! That is not my assumption either; it is a fact and was explained to me by my new found friend “Joe”. We “met” on the CCCUK website forum. Joe had taken a keen interest in our site (having previously worked and lived in England) and we began chatting on the site earlier this year. When Joe learnt that I was to be visiting New York, he did not hesitate in suggesting that we meet up once I was there. I jumped at the chance! I figured it would be great to meet a native New Yorker and share Corvette stories! We all know full well what we boys and our toys are like when we get chatting! Indeed, Joe owns a Silver C6 Corvette.

The second day into my break, my hotel room ‘phone rang and to my delight it was Joe – true to his word. We chatted away and got on well instantly, much like any other two Corvette owners that share a common interest and bond and indeed much more than that, share a passion. We agreed to meet up as we had a lot to talk about!

The next day, I wandered down to the hotel lobby at 7pm where we had agreed to meet. There sat Joe. I went over and warmly shook his hand and immediately he felt like a life long friend. We agreed to go to the Rockefeller Centre together, Joe keen to show me the sights of New York. As we stepped outside, I was stunned to see Joe’s Corvette parked right out front of our hotel! I had no idea he would be bringing it to the hotel, given what he had explained to me about public transport in New York, hence Corvettes not being an everyday sight in the Big Apple! “Do you wanna go for a ride in her” Joe asked? Did I ever!!!!

I climbed into Joe’s pride and joy and we set off for the nearest highway. Joe kindly obliged and opened her up and she roared! It was incredible; here I was in New York, in a Corvette, with a native New Yorker as passionate about Vettes as I am – what a dream! I didn’t at that point think life could get much better. That was until Joe turned to me and asked “would you like to drive her”? Could I? Should I? I thought………….Hell yes! It would be rude not to!

I jumped into the driver’s seat in a flash and off we went. It felt so comfortable and so natural; yet, I still could hardly believe it! There I was, driving a Corvette through the bright lights and busy, noisy, yellow cab filled streets of New York (yes, there are as many yellow cabs as you see on the TV!)! Wow! Joe was great. He guided me through and simply sat back in his seat proudly enjoying the whole experience. I was in truth amazed at how relaxed he appeared!

Needless to say, I did not want the evening to end, but sadly all good things do. We meandered back to the hotel and once we arrived we said our goodbyes. I turned and watched as Joe roared off and I realised at that point how lucky I was – to meet such a great man and to hit it off with him so quickly.

I will never forget the experience, one I will always treasure. I now know without a doubt, if you own a Corvette, it is your passion, and that applies to whoever you are and wherever you live!

Des Hall.  Essex