There’s a good reason why so many lifelong sports car enthusiasts wish to own a Chevrolet Corvette. When you take the keys for the great American performance machine, your passion will create some vivid, unique memories from the time the ignition starts. Recently joining the fraternity of Corvette ownership in August, Jeff Lucarino experienced this instant surge of adrenaline shortly when he drove home from Toronto after purchasing his 1975 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. This opening chapter in Corvette ownership gained it the vehicle the nickname of “Hailey”.
Currently a home hearing small business owner living in London, Jeff Lucarino grew up in Montreal with two automotive loves. One was the Jeep Wrangler and the another was the third generation (C3) Chevrolet Corvette. As a child, he kept posters of both vehicles on his bedroom wall. His wishes to own the Jeep was fulfilled immediately in 2007 when he bought one of the sport utility vehicles as his first car but his desire to own a Corvette proved elusive.
During the middle of August of 2022, Jeff’s Corvette dreams were brought into reality with business success and some downtime during the pandemic. After a roughly year-long search, Jeff found his C3 Corvette being sold in Toronto. Wearing Octane Red custom paint with a metallic shimmer, the 1975 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray he selected was described as having a showroom-like presentation with a number of upgrades. Some of the modifications Jeff notes include a digital dash and gauges, leather-wrapped steering wheel, part of a completely refurbished interior as well as new brake lights and headlights. Propelling Jeff’s Corvette is a 350 cubic inch small block L48 engine rebuilt and modified to produce well above its factory-rated 165 maximum horsepower. Jeff states that his 1975 Corvette’s engine is dyno-tested between 295 and 315 horsepower.
Jeff’s first major adventure with his 1975 Corvette occurred within the first few hours of ownership. Unable to find a trailer to transport the car from Toronto to London, the alternative solution was to make a four-hour drive in his newly acquired dream car in what was presumed to be a dry, sunny day. Unfortunately, a 0 percent chance of rain became a 100 percent chance as rain fell about 30 minutes into his trip. More distressing weather came five minutes later as hail started but Jeff found shelter for his Octane Red Corvette under a large tree. As the storm passed, the C3 Corvette made it back to London without further incident receiving its name Hailey after the experience.
Jeff attended his first car show with his 1975 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray late in August which he described as a blast meeting new people in the company of other classic vehicles. He’s currently planning several more outings with Hailey before the end of summer (weather permitting).