Just after lunch at Rafferty’s on Scottsville Road we were heading east towards I 65 to head back to the NCM. I usually look over
at the car wash I usually go to. What did I see? I did a triple take but there it was, a C6! Yup, a C6 being dried off at the front
of the car wash. I couldn’t believe it. I hustled up to my friend Wayne and his lovely bride Mala just about 100 feet in front of me
and hit the horn as I rolled down my window. I said “There is a C6 at the car wash!” No, wait, I screamed at Wayne and Mala. Now to
normal people those words wouldn’t mean too much. Unfortunately, when it comes to Corvettes those words meant a lot. I nailed the
throttle and headed for a quick u turn. The traffic headed the other way was heavy but I managed to sneak through real quick and was
headed back west in the blink of an eye. I was reaching in my camera bag for my trusty Sony Handycam, turning it on as I approached
this rare and unbelievable sighting. Again, I must stress this, most “normal” people have more important things going on in their lives.
As I approached this Precision Red Z 51 6 speed couple with camera rolling and window down I yelled out “SWEET”. The woman inside
said “Thank you!” Not thinking right quite yet I said “When did you get it?”. I knew it wasn’t sold for instance at Campbell Chevrolet
directly across the street. I was there just yesterday and don’t remember seeing one for sale. The C6 is not scheduled for regular
production until the beginning of this July. But, of course, the place that they make these things is only eight miles away.
She said “It just came off the factory line earlier today”. There was the answer. She must work there and
was getting the car cleaned for some big honcho. Then, unbelievably she said in a nice southern drawl “Would you
like to take a look at it?” Are you kidding I said to myself. “Sure!” I said to her. I flew to the side and turned off my car just
managing to apply the emergency brake. I left the keys inside and jumped out with my camera.
As I got out of my car Wayne and Mala were pulling up. They appeared to be still in shock. I headed over to the car and stuck my head
inside. “Could we go for a ride?” came out of my month. “Get in” she said. I had my Canon 10D digital SLR on the front seat of my car so
I said to Wayne I am going for a ride could you take some pictures and he said sure. (Please see a couple of pictures that Wayne so nicely
took at the bottom of this page.) I sat in the car. I SAT IN THE CAR. I had to say that twice. Off we went. We headed down the service road.
All the while still trying to take all of this in. My head was spinning. I couldn’t believe it. One moment heading back to the NCM for a
seminar on car detailing and the next going for a ride in the next generation Corvette. The first thing I remember was how luxurious everything
appeared. Everything I touched and everything I looked at seemed so much different than what I was used to. Maybe it will not be that different
after a while but for right now, WOW! She put the car in first and gently applied the clutch. We were moving so smoothly. This car is real quiet.
I looked up and saw a nice shade of sky through the roof. I felt like I was in an F 14 fighter jet. This is so cool! The gauges looked nice with
brushed aluminum en circling them and bright readable displays. The gear selection appeared to be tight and short. I swear this car moved along on
air propelled by a jet engine. I am definitely not as small as the don, Mike Fazio, and not quite as tall as big Frankie Monastero, my caravan mates,
but for me I was very comfortable. I settled in and started checking out all this new C6 had to offer. The navigation system flip up display was smooth.
I pressed the button and the display came out and down revealing two single disc slots. One for CD’s and the other for DVD’s. This is fun. I opened
the glove compartment. I was playing with everything on my side. The door feels even flimsier than in the C5. Who cares about the glove compartment
anyway, this is a Corvette right? Practical as they are nowadays you cannot have everything. I did notice that this car’s VIN ended in 23. I learned
that this car with 39 miles on the odometer was to be Corvette plant manager Will Cooksey’s car for the seventh annual C5/C6 Birthday Bash weekend.
Nice car Will! We pulled out onto Scottsville Road. I thought all traffic would just stop. I was wrong. Apparently they have seen this before.
According to Donna, my factory chauffeur, they bring 8-10 cars to the car wash a day. Wow, I will have to remember this when the C7 nears production.
As we pulled back into the car wash Wayne and Mala were there waiting patiently. They were snapping pictures as I rolled up. We were all on a high like
you wouldn’t believe. I was on cloud 9. As if this ride wasn’t generous enough as we pulled up it just came out of my mouth. Maybe it’s just because
this is a once in a car generation opportunity or maybe I am just greedy. I said “Could I take it for a ride?”. Unbelievable, I couldn’t believe
I said it, but I did. I guess I just wanted it all. She said “No, I have to get back to work”. I thanked Donna and exited the car. Oh boy I hope I
didn’t over extend my welcome.
I had my video camera rolling so I was able to review the video tape back in my room at the Bryce Inn. Not just for me to see me I was able to show it
to most of everyone I came with. They were just as excited. That’s all till next time….
See you soon,
Brad
