Bill's interest in Corvettes took a sharp upturn during a neck-snapping spin in a C4 convertible owned by a friend of a friend, the outcome being "This is ME - gotta get me one of these!" Hmmm, was it the speed or the reactions of the young women holidaying at Victor that did it for him? In any case, at that stage the general response was "Somebody, tell him he's dreaming!".

Bill's father was a self taught motor mechanic, and the family owned a service station and garage at Seaton. Young Bill did have aspirations of going into motor mechanics, but was talked into fitting and turning instead. Probably just as well - as a power freak even at that tender age, Bill decided to soup up the poor little Morris 8/40 by machining the head (yep, only one head in a Morris 8/40!), and fitting twin SU carbies and extractors. Sadly the high tensile bolts in the diff couldn't take it and sheared off, hence Bill and his supercharged Morris 8/40 suffered the indignity of getting towed home along Tapleys Hill Road … behind a Ford Mercury … using pilot boat rope. Well, at least the tow was at top speed!

Many years in sales and management roles followed, with "motor vehicle supplied", allowing Bill to enjoy some nice cars, but nothing too out of the ordinary. Of course, having to tow a horse float meant it was absolutely necessary to have something with plenty of power. (We won't mention another Ford.)

Eventually, the financial opportunity arose for Bill to fulfill his dream at last, but a cautious nature and the brother's decking got in the way. Sandie got bored while Bill was playing at Bob the Builder, so checked out the Cars of Distinction ads in the local newspaper, just in case that dream car should suddenly appear. But even when it did, I had to make the initial enquiry and inspection, and then convince Bill to have a look. After measuring the garage to make sure it would fit, we ended up buying that first Corvette we had looked at, although of course Bill checked out others of varying shapes and condition beforehand. And wondered very briefly whether it was the right thing to do. (Is it actually possible to measure a thought that brief?!!)

Not too many C4s around at that time, and our experience and knowledge was limited, but we got the good oil from Laurie Witts, and in August 1996 we took the plunge.
The financial advisor was not amused, so we sacked him.

Our 1986 Coupe was manufactured at Bowling Green, Kentucky, and was first registered to a buyer in Oxnard, California, approximately 40kms north of Los Angeles. We believe there was just the one owner in the US, and it certainly appeared that the car had been cared for quite well. In March 1996, the car came into Australia, courtesy of a "hobby importer", and the conversion completed in July 1996 by Corvette Queensland. Shortly afterwards, a then member of the Corvette Club of SA purchased the car and drove it home to Adelaide, apparently just a pleasant cruise all the way (oh really).

Our first test drive - on ANZAC Highway, not the ideal place - scared the whatsits out of us both. We found out later that it wasn't even running on all cylinders. Pah, what kids we were back then. After experiencing the drag strip at our first Convention in Canberra in 1997, we spent a few dollars on various under-the-bonnet necessities, purely to improve fuel consumption, of course.

One lesson learned during the engine re-build, was that it is not a good idea to steam clean everything, after having just stuck labels on everything so you'd know how to put it all back together again.
The exhaust system was replaced … again, to improve fuel consumption.
We also had the wheels polished, and the car stripped back and re-painted … oh yes, that would be to improve fuel consumption too, something to do with aerodynamics, right?
Have to confess though, one of my favourite weekends ever … must be the hidden delinquent in me - was prising the badges off the Corvette, using a screwdriver and a paint scraper!
New window rubbers were high on the priority list after a few cruises in the pouring rain, during which I had to constantly chamois the inside of the passenger door!

In recent years, establishing a new house and garden has been all consuming, so the Corvette has not been out of the shed as much as we'd have liked. But we both still get a huge kick out of just seeing it there, patiently waiting for the next opportunity to hit the road and spend time with friends.