I saw my first vette circa 1974, a red big block C3 Convertible that disappeared in a cloud of its own tyre smoke, on Regency Road. At 13 years old I was hooked, I didn’t know what it was but I knew, I had to have one. Pre internet days it took a bit of research to discover what was to become my passion, thanks to Corvette Fever magazine. Fast forward to 2008 after much internet research, I purchased a 1989 C4 convertible, commonly referred to in the family as the Mistress, even by my 5 year old granddaughter. My father later purchased a 1982 slate grey stingray after catching the vette virus from me, this car is now owned by Ian Gregor (a longtime friend). I managed to trace my C4 back to its original owner in the USA & discovered it was a rare CC2 factory optioned hard top convertible.
Our club nationals in 2014 dramatically changed my vette life, enter stage left a 2012, ZO6 limited edition 100th Chevrolet Centennial. Which was graciously provided to the club to display at the event by Peter Altmann. I fell in love with the 7 litre black beast, I had never driven anything like it before. I decided I had to have one but at this stage couldn’t afford it, this thing was worth more than my house !. Patiently I stalked car sites, looked at prices and compared cars. Thought about settling for this or that, always seeking that one car that was meant to be like the Mistress all those years ago. I drove a C7 Z06 in Las Vegas at a track, yes it was fast but a little wild. Not the car for me, just a little to un tamed, so the search continued for a C6 ZO6.
To say I became a little obsessed with the 7 litre C6 beast lets me of easy. A year ago I made an innocuous enquiry via carsales.com about a C7 Z51 optioned car, thinking that I would settle. My wife Christeen kept saying don’t settle for less than the dream, and I thank her for that. This enquiry quickly went off in another direction, there was a C6 ZO6 which wasn’t really for sale but the owner might be open to offers. I had seen the car at the Ballarat Nationals but at that time it wasn’t for sale. I knew it was reliable as it had made the trip from Surfers to Ballarat and back again.
A dialog was set up with the owner and it seemed to be a good deal, Christeen again told me to just buy it, she knew how much I wanted a ZO6. Over the course of a few days a deal was struck. This car fitted the total package, colour (not red) price and options. It is a 2006 velocity yellow ZO6, manual with the optional titanium coloured wheels. Full electric options and an aftermarket stereo, with only 33000 kms on the clock. The next thing I knew I was flying to Surfers Paradise, where I stayed with Craig and Vickie overnight and then started the solo 2200 km journey home. Day 1 was Surfers to Dubbo, (overnight stay). Dubbo to the Barossa was day two, the car didn’t miss a beat and exceeded all expectations returning an average of 9.7 litres per 100 kms, at an average speed of 97 km’s. The trip was very uneventful with me on a steep learning curve for the controls and stereo. I went a few hours without music as I couldn’t work out the stereo controls. This included countless missed calls as the hands free wasn’t set for my phone. At one point I went almost 2 hours without having to change gears. I purchased new plates CVTZ06 the car is everything I wanted and every time I drive her there is a huge smile on my face. The yellow beast has been christened with the title ‘Godess’ after all where do you go after a Mistress.
