Only the members of this forum would appreciate this, probably...

today we spent the day making a 130-mile round trip to visit two
Corvette parts suppliers. The shopping list was long, and pretty basic;
things like cruise control brackets, fan shrouds, seat belt bolts...the
mundane stuff you need to put a badly neglected and abused Silver
Anniversary back in working order.

The first stop was a little, out-of-the-way salvage yard named Carol's
Automotive. We literally had to wait for the freight train to pass before we
could get across the tracks, but it turned out to be worth it. As we walked
in past the wrecked and parted-out Vettes, you got the sense that this
wasn't as much a fiberglass funeral home as it was a shot at a second life
for these once-beautiful cars. Inside sat Carol, Larry and their young son,
surrounded by scale-model Corvettes, life-size Elvis mannequins, framed
"birth certificates" from Bowling Green, one-of-a-kind neon
signs...everywhere you looked was something connected to our cars, or
vintage Americana. And they had just what we needed in terms of parts
as well, including some hard-to-find items. It was a pleasure talking with
them--and their young son is already saving up for a Vette of his own; so
there's hope for the next generation!

Second stop was Corvette Clinic--which is just about as close to heaven
on earth as Plastic Fantastic fans could expect. It's also small, but packed
with all kinds of goodies, from chrome rims to console placques, steering
wheels to working (!) clocks. And the guy behind the counter is a
committed Corvette owner ('69 black-on-black big block). So we loaded
up there on more essentials--and left after a couple of hours of shopping
and conversation wanting so much more, like the severely tempting
variety of valve covers, the pristine "Corvette" rear bumper script, the
snazzy Steeroids rack-and-pinion setup hanging at eye level, just
begging to be bought.

We came away with a C3 key fob instead--but there's always next time.

So today was a day dedicated to Corvettes. It was sunny and hot...the
kind of day you'd be popping the t-tops and heading out for a cruise--if
your shark was roadworthy. Ours isn't yet--but today brought us a
trunkful of parts closer to that dream.

Plus, it was my birthday. Not a bad way to celebrate!

(If you're ever in the San Jose area, Carol's Automotive is at 1719 Grant St.
408-727-2316. Email: carolsauto@sbcglobal.net. Website is
www.carolsauto.com. Corvette Clinic is at 1850 W. San Carlos St. 408
-295-9300. Website is www.corvetteclinic.net) We recommend them both
for friendly, helpful, knowledgeable service.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ted!!

What a great way to spend YOUR day.

sounds like you had a very happy birthday, kudos to you!

 

      congrats on what sounds like a fine day SFVette,

there are good days and bad days but there are no days like corvette days

Man , you made me "drool" and dream.... wish we had that kind of stores over here !!! ( nono , i should buy tooo many...  and ....my wife )

Nice story of the day , we should read that more here....