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My name is Joe Shotwell and although I have always had a passion for cars, the Corvette started my sickness. When I was 8 years old my Dad, Joe Sr., purchased a new Corvette
Stingray, 4-speed with both hardtop and convertible tops. He still has the car sitting in his garage with 90,000 miles.
I purchased my first Corvette, a 1972 big block, in 1982. It had low miles and was a 4-speed and was in stock condition. I, along with some friends, restored it to look as new as
possible. I am one of those guys that have always like stock Corvettes. I even use stock (no aftermarket) mechanical parts including oil filters and so on. I believe that if it is
good enough for the factory specifications that it should remain that way. I even have my factory window sticker for all of my cars and trucks that I own.
I had the 1972 for years, so when it came time to restoring it I researched to see what parts were available and what parts that I needed. So, in some cases I could purchase the
items as is and in other cases I repainted to the factory paint code. I chose Mid America Motorworks because of the stock-related product selection, availability, competitive
pricing and all the people have great Customer Service skills.
I purchased my second Corvette thirteen years ago. It was a 1993 Corvette. I saw an ad in our Sunday paper and the description Flame Red/Flame Red interior all original, original
owner caught my attention.
Cleaning and making sure my Corvette stays in the very best stock shape is and will always be the best Corvette memories to me. I try to do all the work myself. My Corvette has
never had to make a trip to a mechanic since I have owned the car. I fear it being out of the garage where I cannot see it!
In the winter, when getting my Corvette ready for the show season, I take a lot of the car apart from taking out the fender wells, interior, to dropping the exhaust so I can buff
the underneath and much more. I have even used cotton swabs from doctor’s offices to clean the interior of my rear exhaust pipes.
I have received quite a few awards at shows, probably over 100. I have also had Corvette Museum judges come to our shows and tell me that my Corvette is the cleanest C4 that is
driven that they have ever seen.
I will continue to keep my Corvette as stock as possible. After all, I intend to keep my Corvette for many years to come just as my Father kept his. In addition to making it to
Funfest for the first time, I would also like to add another Corvette to my collection someday.