Halfway Between The Gutter And The Stars (Part II): Girls don't like boys; girls like CARS and money.

[BenB100]

Posh knows her stuff! I've had 7 Corvettes and they were all great cars in one respect or another, but the fit & finish on them was not nearly up to the level of even a base Mercedez, let alone a Ferrari, Lambo, Austin, etc.. Absolutely no comparison. Plastic has no place in the interior of a world-class auto.

I've been fortunate enough to have owned some really great cars other than the vettes, such as a Maserati Mistral, Austin Healey 100/4, Mk4 Cobra, Porsche 930 Euro, Jag XKE, and lots of antique American ones (hot rods, brass cars, 50's sedans,etc.) and have a deep appreciation for all of them. But the Euro cars are in a league of their own, and definately my favorite. Few American cars since the Deusenbergs and early Cadillacs can match them as far as fit, finish, and engineering. I think it's just the American attitude; horsepower for the masses, & disposable cheapness. We Americans tend to stride into every battle with a broadaxe and a club. Generally, it works and it's fun, but it's not very elegant.

(And in defense of American iron (I know, I'm going both ways), there's very little that can match the dependability of Chevy. 100K is absolutely nothing to a duramax diesel, and there are quite a few with 400K+ that are still running hard. )

But back to the clasics: an XKE doesn't have the "grunt" and neck-snapping horsepower of a 'vette, but it has a screaming howl that sends shivers down your spine. And it has the lovely engine-turned instrument panel, chrome trim, and wonderful metal toggle switches. I'd take it any day over a new ZR1. As for a depreciating asset... it's better than money in the bank (or market)!

There are some replica Corvettes other than the Grand Sport. I think someone makes a nice '57 and I've seen a '53 rep. Both decent quality that matches the original's poor fit & finish. Still, a vintage '57 vette is very cool! I'd definately rather have a gen vintage vette than a high-quality rep Lambo. (we're talking about the same price level here ~ $50-70K)

Great post & great follow-up comments! Watches are a fun distraction for me, but autos are my passion! I squirm at the thought of spending $800 on a highly modded rep, but was seriously considering a nice all-steel '33 Ford earlier today! haha!

[Posh]

Posh knows her stuff! I've had 7 Corvettes and they were all great cars in one respect or another, but the fit & finish on them was not nearly up to the level of even a base Mercedez, let alone a Ferrari, Lambo, Austin, etc.. Absolutely no comparison. Plastic has no place in the interior of a world-class auto.

I've been fortunate enough to have owned some really great cars other than the vettes, such as a Maserati Mistral, Austin Healey 100/4, Mk4 Cobra, Porsche 930 Euro, Jag XKE, and lots of antique American ones (hot rods, brass cars, 50's sedans,etc.) and have a deep appreciation for all of them. But the Euro cars are in a league of their own, and definately my favorite. Few American cars since the Deusenbergs and early Cadillacs can match them as far as fit, finish, and engineering. I think it's just the American attitude; horsepower for the masses, & disposable cheapness. We Americans tend to stride into every battle with a broadaxe and a club. Generally, it works and it's fun, but it's not very elegant.

(And in defense of American iron (I know, I'm going both ways), there's very little that can match the dependability of Chevy. 100K is absolutely nothing to a duramax diesel, and there are quite a few with 400K+ that are still running hard. )

But back to the clasics: an XKE doesn't have the "grunt" and neck-snapping horsepower of a 'vette, but it has a screaming howl that sends shivers down your spine. And it has the lovely engine-turned instrument panel, chrome trim, and wonderful metal toggle switches. I'd take it any day over a new ZR1. As for a depreciating asset... it's better than money in the bank (or market)!

There are some replica Corvettes other than the Grand Sport. I think someone makes a nice '57 and I've seen a '53 rep. Both decent quality that matches the original's poor fit & finish. Still, a vintage '57 vette is very cool! I'd definately rather have a gen vintage vette than a high-quality rep Lambo. (we're talking about the same price level here ~ $50-70K)

Great post & great follow-up comments! Watches are a fun distraction for me, but autos are my passion! I squirm at the thought of spending $800 on a highly modded rep, but was seriously considering a nice all-steel '33 Ford earlier today! haha!

Ben, thanks for commenting. I know the Corvette is revered for its high levels of performance at a price that emphasizes value but there are other reasons, which you touched on, people opt for other cars if they can afford to do so. It's about the fine details, the things you interact within the cabin. The Corvette lacks this refinement which is impossible to impart because the money is spent where some think it counts: the engine and the suspension. I understand that and appreciate that. But being the sybarite I am, I need the coddling as well. I want all my senses to be delighted and that can't be had $50,000!

When I was last in the Diablo, it was a very tactile and almost sensual experience being inside it. You feel like someone put together every nut and bolt with sheer will and not just an impact wrench. And the smell of all that leather! It blankets everything not adorned with carbon fiber. It's a love letter to everything that makes Italy grand: bold, brash and fast. The engine is very loud though. That part is not so nice, to me anyway. But I guess that's the point of a Lamborghini, isn't it? To overwhelm every sense.

I definitely agree that things tend to be built to be discarded. I hate that attitude. It makes things like the Diablo or Duesenberg all the more amazing. It's nice to have access to something that is a monument to doing things slowly, deliberately. I think that's another reason I love my house.

And I hope you get the Ford. We can both live out our Bonnie & Clyde fantasy then. You get the car and I'll get a Tommy gun, deal? LOL