DREAM MACHINE: CORVETTE GOES PLATINUM AS LOVE AFFAIR WITH SPORTS CAR CONTINUES

America's love affair with the Corvette hit a milestone last month as the one millionth car rolled off the assembly line.

The event was cause for celebration among local Corvette enthusiasts.

The Chevrolet sports car was first produced at a General Motors assembly line in Flint, Mich., on June 30, 1953. For many years, the cars were made in St. Louis. Since 1983, Corvettes have been assembled at a plant in Bowling Green, Ky.

Corvette is not likely to change any time soon, said David McLellan, Corvette's current chief designer. Corvette will continue to be built on the same size chassis as the first one, he said. Nor will Chevrolet downsize the powerful V-8s that have yielded to more fuel-stingy four- and six-cylinder engines now standard in most GM cars, he said.

But the price has certainly changed. When it first rolled off the line, the car sold for $3,495. The 1993 model lists for $34,500.

While the price tag might seem high, it's nothing compared to some of the Corvettes Roger Gibson has owned.

Gibson, owner of The Corvette Shop in Kelso, is considered "Mr. Corvette" locally. Gibson restores Corvettes and his business is national.

"The Corvette is really a big hobby," Gibson said. "People really love that car."

Gibson has been interested in Corvettes for 20 years. He has restored the sports cars full-time for 13 years. "I was into Corvettes when nobody seemed interested in them."

But interest in the sports car is high now. Gibson recently sold a Corvette for $300,000. Another he bought for $15,000 and resold for $80,000.

"One guy paid $5,000 for a tire. Another paid $900 for a shock absorber, but it was the right shock absorber."

Those who are purists want parts for their cars with the right part numbers and dates, explained Joe James, owner of a 1962 Corvette.

"We, as Corvette enthusiasts, have many options open to us," James said. "Some choose to just take an occasional drive. Some like to tinker with their toy. Others, like myself, like to get seriously involved in restoring to original factory-like condition.

"Only in America can you box your car in a trailer, transport it 300 miles to a parking lot on a Sunday afternoon, pull out your lawn chair, sit and admire your labor of love," James said.

"They have been very popular cars, especially for guys with a little ego problem," James said with a laugh. "They only have two seats, so they are not too practical.

James discovered his convertible at Gibson's shop as he was making a delivery. "All the numbers matched. I decided this was a car for a full restoration.

"I can't really explain the mystique of Corvettes. They are made in America, the only real sports cars that are made here. Beyond that, I just like them."

Jay Moore agrees.

"I just always wanted one," Moore said. "They are fun to drive and real head-turners."

Moore has owned his 1969 Corvette convertible for six years; the car is bright blue with a white top. Moore bought the car through Gibson, who also helped him restore it.

"I think there is a lot of prestige involved in owning a Corvette," Moore said. "Plus I've always been Chevrolet-oriented." Moore is a salesman at Brennecke Chevrolet in Jackson.

"I guess it's the fact that especially the older ones are muscle cars out of the 1960s when horsepower was real important," Moore said.

Now that he is married, Moore said he doesn't have nearly as much time to spend with his Corvette. "I guess it should be a single man's hobby," he said, with a wistful note in his voice.

Even so, Moore doubts he will ever part with his Corvette. "I know if I ever get rid of it, I'll never have another.

"They are enjoyable, but they are definitely weekend cars. I'm lucky to put a 1,000 miles on my car a year," Moore said. "You've got to keep them so clean. It takes hours of wiping and cleaning after you drive them."

Actually, for many Corvette owners, 1,000 miles a year is a lot of driving, said Jim Wente.

Wente's 1964 roadster, Daytona blue with a silver interior, was "completely, frame-off restored by Roger Gibson."

"I was looking for something in vintage 1964 or '65," Wente said. "That was the year I was a senior in high school, but you really can't afford them until you're about 40 years old.

"It's an awful lot of fun to drive, with the horsepower and torque, and it has side pipes," Wente said. "The car really catches people's eye."

But he said the sports car spends most of its time in the garage.

"We drive it very little," Wente said. "Since Roger did this car, it's never been in the rain.

"I've had it in two car shows and gotten first place in both, for Corvettes. It's perfect in every respect."

Wente put a tape deck in the car, his concession to modern times. "That makes it possible to play the old '50s and '60s songs," he explained."

And when he does drive the roadster, it's fun.

"Driving this car really does an awful lot for your attitude. If I've had a bad day, I can take it up the interstate. It's a lot of fun to drive," Wente said.

"This is the first time I've ever owned a car that people come up and ask if I'm interested in selling it."

Wente's 25-year-old son, Shawn, also owns a 1974 Corvette with T-tops.

"We've had other Corvettes," Wente said. "At one time, we had three. The other one was a red 1981. I sold it a few years ago."

"I guess when I sell the blue one and I guess someday I will sell it I would like to get something from '58, '59 or '60, the old, straight-axle cars.

"I think the Corvettes make a really good investment. If you take care and keep them up, you should have no trouble getting a return on what you invested."