December 31st of 2015 was a bittersweet day for the Todd family. We finally sold our '86 Corvette. Those of you who know us also know the sweet place this ole' car holds in our hearts.
It's been in our family longer than I have. My dad bought it for my mom in 1986. Dad and I would cruise up and down our old long driveway and take it out for special date nights but for the most part, it sat in a barn for a few years. I spent many of my young days pretending to drive it around as it sat in the garage at the next house (with my best friend Emmy in the passenger seat, obviously with scrunchies adorning our wrists and butterfly clips in our hair).
Then dad and I restored it back to its former beauty when I was 13 years old (changing the leather on the seats, the carpet, stereo system, etc.). I'll never forget the fun we had. Since it wasn't considered a super 'safe' car for a 16-year-old, my parents graciously bought me a safer SUV with On-Star and the Corvette sat around for a few more years hiding in the garage.
Fast forward to our wedding day. We knew it would be our getaway car, but little did we know, dad had something more special up his sleeve. The plan was to dance to half of "You Make My Dreams Come True" by Hall & Oates with dad as our father / daughter dance then for dad to hand me off to JD to finish out the song. But dad literally gave the Corvette keys to JD as he passed me off!! How sweet of a wedding gift is that? We drove away in our new / old little 'vette that night - look at those youngens!
JD decided he loved the Corvette so much that he sold his other car and drove the 'vette around as his primary car. Sadly, it struggled. A lot. It was so hard to let go of, but it was time. It only had about 53,000 miles on it (you read that correctly) but it had some issues. By the time we were able to sell it, JD had worked countless hours on getting it perfect for the next buyer. Every time we would put it up for sale or have an interested buyer though, it wouldn't start up. The 'vette just knew. Actually, dad even had it up for sale when I was in college and it did the same thing. Great running condition. A man drove down from South Carolina to test drive / see it / buy it, but it wouldn't start up!! It just knew.
And fast forward to Dec 31st. JD and I drove it up to CarMax (our last resort, but our deadline to get a larger family car is just about up!). It ran great getting up there! The lovely people at CarMax did an appraisal - great condition - and made us an offer. Then the guy told JD to pull the car around and we'd finish the paperwork. Wouldn't start. So we thought, Maybe if we go grab lunch it will start back up when we get back (that works most of the time). But nothing. The 'vette just knew. Fortunately, the CarMax employee said, "We'll get it to run in no time. We've already made the offer so it's up to you guys. We'll still buy it at the same price if you're interested in selling it still." Sold.
We will miss, you Corvette. You held so many amazing memories. You were gently used but greatly loved. :)
