Original Owner GT500KR vert

[R68GTO]

I was at the Rebel Run in Lima this morning just to walk around. Came across this original owner GT500KR convertible. 1 of 5 built in this color combo (4-speed). Back in the mid-2000's one of the guys I worked with told me about a "Cobra" sitting in a garage in Belle Center, Ohio. I'm guessing this is the car as Belle Center has a population of about 300 people. Talked to the owner (guy bent over the engine). He ordered it new through a small dealer in Bellefontaine, Ohio. Traded in a 427/435 Corvette convertible that he had bought new. He said that the Corvette never ran right so he got tired of messing with it and ordered this car. Drove it for 41 years, then parked it. All original parts and drivetrain - had to replace some sheetmetal due to rust issues. He told me that he never "burned rubber" with the car, not even once! He has all the dealer paperwork in his display, plans to give it to his son when he dies.

[the427king]

Ive contacted him, it seems that ancestry .com has record of me being his son.

[PeteLeathersac]

'

Too cool and thanks for sharing that!
Cant help but think of the '67 'Vette Vin as he probably has it?:hmmm:
:beers:
~ Pete

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[Bill Pritchard]

You wouldn't want it, Pete, it probably still doesn't run right :haha:

[olredalert]

----The guy probably just didn't know Eric!......Bill S

[napa68]

Wow.......just wow!

[TimG]

There was a 1967 435 horse Corvette at Bloomington Gold this year for judging. It was in the original owners hands and only had 6700 miles on it. Guess why he stopped driving it? The dealer could never get the tri power set up to run well.

[CamaroNOS]

Everybody should know Eric......lol.

Paul

[Mr70]

Nice,how old was he when he bought it?

[R68GTO]

I didn't ask him that question. His son looked to be around 30-35 so I'm guessing he is in his early 70's. Makes him around 20 when he bought it. He told me the issue was the center carb and the dealer couldn't get him a part. He knew another guy that had a 427/435 car that had the same trouble and got his part at a Ford dealer. He decided then, hell I may as well buy a car where I can get parts so that's how he ended up going with a Ford. Said he used to drive the car with recap tires..."cuz ya know new tires cost 27 dollars back then"! His wife would never let him spend the money to restore it so once she passed away, he brought it to a shop in Lima to have the work done. I didn't look real close but the resto quality looked very good - factory correct style vs give it a pretty paint job. Don't know how plausible his story is on the part issue but hey, it was his story.

[442w30]

Interestingly, the KR ragtop is about 1 of 500, while the CJ Mustang ragtop is around 34 built.