Chapter 19: 1957 Airbox Corvette: The Retrieval Operation
Chapter 20: Special Engine Finds
Chapter 21: 1965 Black/Black Tanker: Legendary Barn Find
Chapter 22: 1953 Corvette #003: The World’s Oldest Corvette Chassis
Chapter 23: 1966 Steve McQueen Sting Ray L88: At Least One McQueen Car Left
Tyler’s Acknowledgments
I’d like to thank my wife, Danielle, for not leaving me years ago when I bought a Corvette instead of an engagement ring. But I especially thank her for finally agreeing to ride in it . . . and then finally agreeing to marry me once I corrected that mistake.
I thank my parents, for being cool enough to own a Corvette while living in Manhattan and for having me when you could still throw a kid in the back of a Sting Ray (with a bolted down seat and seat belt that Kevin installed for them). I also admit that I should have learned from my father, who was smart enough to buy my mom the Corvette as a wedding present after they got married, even though I’ve only ever seen her drive it twice.
Thank you to Kevin Mackay, for not only hooking me on Corvettes while I was still in a car seat but for continuing to foster my love for America’s Sports Car simply by living his own passion. He has inspired me with his work ethic, positive attitude in the wake of major setbacks, and care for others—all attributes that extend well beyond cars. He gave up many hours to participate in this project and never once did he not answer my phone call or take the time to thoroughly tell his many Corvette stories.
Thank you to Wes Eisenschenk, and the entire staff at CarTech, for allowing Kevin and myself to tell these stories in a way that goes well beyond the cars and the nuts and bolts of a restoration. Most of these stories have never been told publically and certainly not to the extent that we’ve done here.
Kevin’s Acknowledgments
The following individuals need to be acknowledged because of their guidance, support, and friendship. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for them.
My father, Jeremiah, who tried to keep me on the right path at all times and who taught me right from wrong, to have a never-give-up attitude, and to work with others. In the beginning, he thought I would never make it as a grease monkey. I had to prove him wrong. I just wanted to follow my dream, and the last nine years of his life he worked at my shop. I got to know him as a loving father who only wanted the best for his family.
Bill Linkner, my wrestling coach. Between my father and my wrestling coach, I feared him the most. I was a wild and crazy kid, and if it wasn’t for me getting involved in wrestling who knows what would’ve happened to me. He kept me out of a lot of trouble. Coach Linkner kept me focused, driven, and off the streets. We had one of the best wrestling programs in New York State back then. Even today we have a great relationship. He owns a very original 1958 Corvette and has a room full of trophies to prove it.
David Burroughs, the founder of Bloomington Gold, took me under his wing when he wrote the book Corvette Restoration, State of the Art on a 1965 396 COPO-ordered car. I read that book many times over and it made a very big impact on me from the very beginning. I finally tracked him down to talk about my restoration, and every question that I asked he would have an answer. That was tremendous for me because I was just starting out and he really took the time and had a lot of patience with me. He told me that if I was going to Bloomington for the first time that I would be lucky to get a Silver. I told him I wasn’t going unless I get a Gold, that’s why I was talking to him. I was just starting out, he didn’t know who I was, but he took the time and groomed me to who I am today. After I got the Gold with the highest percentage in my class, I decided to become a judge. I’m now going into my 34th year as a Bloomington Gold judge.
Ed Mueller, the number one Corvette collector back in the 1980s. I met him at the Malcolm Konner show and he was so impressed with the work I did that when I first opened my shop, he became one of my first customers. He believed in me and groomed me to go after the best of the best Corvettes.
Chip Miller was one of the cofounders of Carlisle Events and the most respected person in the Corvette hobby. Everybody loved him. I learned so much from him and spoke to him daily for many years. He gave me insight on true car collecting, and he just loved the hobby. He was one of the worst guys to go to a swap meet with because he would talk to everybody and it would take forever to walk around.
Lance Miller is a chip off the old block. Chip would be very proud of his son. Lance took the lead after his father’s passing and completed his dad’s dream of bringing the number three Le Mans racer, which we found, back to Le Mans 50 years later with the only surviving driver, John Fitch. Please check out the documentary The Quest. I see so much of his dad in him. Thank you for what you do for me and for your friendship.
Phil Schwartz was also one of my first customers. Phil has been into cars since the time he could drive one. After doing well in school, his dad bought him a 1969 Baldwin-Motion Corvette with all the bells and whistles, but when it came time to starting a family, the Corvette had to go. He spoke about this car for 25 years. You can read the whole story in this book. He became a great friend and he was there from the beginning.
Angelo Castelli was one of my first customers and has been a trusting friend and business consultant for more than 30 years, going back to the winter of 1985 when I was renting a one-bay garage and starting my business. He has been Corvette Repair’s marketing and advertising director and is responsible for maintaining the website and handling advertising and promotional campaigns. Thank you for watching my back and being there for me.
Irwin Kroiz, you are truly a gentleman and a 100-percent class act. I have the most respect for you, my dear friend. We think alike and eat alike. I have some wonderful times and many laughs with you. We travel together to most of the big shows and always have laughs. You’ve given me some great advice over the years and I want to tell you thank you for your friendship.
Franz Estereicher, who I met at Corvettes at Carlisle 18 years ago. He’s a super nice person and is known in the Corvette hobby as the “Keeper of Knowledge.” He’s a very private and humble individual and I was honored to be invited to his beautiful home, where he welcomed me with open arms and shared his collection of documents. I was blown away. Franz is a researcher’s researcher who always helps me when I’m in need. He always dots his i’s and crosses his t’s. A rare breed indeed. Please keep up the fine work, my dear friend.
Bryan Shook, you are my guardian angel. You came to my rescue when I was in need. We were glued at the hip for those 2-1/2 years. We could write a book about it, which I know would be a bestseller. You truly know what you’re doing and have the passion and drive to succeed. Thank you for watching my back. How can I not like you? We have the same birthday.
Without my team at Corvette Repair this never would’ve happened. We have been so fortunate to have worked on the most desirable, rarest, best-of-the-best Corvettes, and they just keep coming in. If the walls could talk the history that would come out of them would be unbelievable. I’ll always say this: you are only as good as your team, and as a team we’re unbeatable. Thank you guys.
To Christina,