Stung by a Stingray

NAME: Dave Daugherty

CITY: Turlock

THE CAR: 1976 Chevy Corvette Stingray

WHAT SPARKED THE INTEREST: I have always loved Corvettes. I had a 1989 one, but it was hard to get into with a bad back. I have always liked the body style of the Stingrays, and the 1976 is the last year of the Stingray.

My dad and I built a street rod (T-Bucket in the late '70s) and I have had all sorts of hot rods over the years. The Corvette is, as far as I am concerned, one of the best American muscle cars out there.

ROAD TO OWNERSHIP: I am the second owner of this car. It came out of a collection in Oakdale. These old 'Vettes are going up in value.

UNDER THE HOOD: It has a 350 Chevy, automatic, air conditioning — all factory original.

BODY OF WORK: The car is stone- cold stock. All original — even the paint is original, as is the interior. The car only has 64,000 original miles on it. It's a lot of fun to drive.

A FAVORITE MEMORY: One day, I was driving it in Turlock and I was at a stop sign and these young kids said, "Hey look at that old Corvette and the old man driving it!" I went harumph!