For many car enthusiasts, there’s always that one car—the one that stays in your mind, tied to memories of youth, grit, and a little bit of heartbreak. For Fernando Martinez, that car was a 1985 Chevrolet Corvette. His journey with this iconic piece of American engineering spans decades, marked by passion, perseverance, and a powerful sense of coming full circle.
Above: The Corvette's so original Chevy 350-cubic inch V8 engine is backed by a Doug Nash 4+3 manual transmission. Fernando upgraded the AC system to R134. He also improved the engine with a ram air cold air intake system. To get the fuel delivery system functioning fully, he replaced the fuel tank, fuel pump, and fuel sending unit.
It began when Fernando was just 19 years old. He had saved up and found a deal on a white ’85 Corvette with a bold red interior and the Z51 performance handling package. The car had seen better days—it had been stolen and recovered, with a damaged steering column and a handful of mechanical issues—but for Fernando, it was a dream come true. He picked it up for $1,500 and immediately set out to make it his own.
Above: Apart from a switch to a modern R134 refrigerant for the new air conditioning system, the interior is as original.
Like many young gearheads, Fernando didn’t shy away from the challenge. He rolled up his sleeves and got to work. He replaced the clutch and upgraded the rear suspension bushings with polyurethane to improve handling. The Corvette wasn’t in top shape, but it was his, and he was determined to breathe new life into it.
Unfortunately, the engine was burning oil, and when it came time to get the car smogged, it failed. Rather than give up, Fernando started planning a full engine rebuild. He had already made up his mind to put the car on non-operational status so he could take his time with the project.
But before officially parking it, he wanted to take it out for one last spin. He and a friend drove to a very popular Orange County California burger joint called The Hat, enjoying the car in what would unknowingly be its final moments on the road. On the way back, tragedy struck—the Corvette was sideswiped, leaving it badly damaged. That accident marked the end of Fernando’s first Corvette.
Above: The Enkei R16 9.5 wheels have been polished and wrapped in Nitto radial rubber, in the 255/55R16-inch size, front and rear.
The car sat in his garage for a year, untouched, a painful reminder of what might’ve been. Eventually, with a heavy heart, he made the decision to sell it. Life moved forward, but the connection he had with that Corvette never faded.
Above: Have you ever owned a Swiss Army Knife? This one runs, drives, and can carve up corners better than a Swiss Army Knife can cut through anything.
Two decades later, while working at a diesel shop, Fernando spotted something familiar. A customer pulled in driving a black and silver 1985 Corvette with the Z51 package—just like the white one he had owned all those years ago. The resemblance was uncanny, and the emotional pull was immediate.
For the next eight years, every time that customer came by, Fernando told him the same thing: “One day, I want to buy this car.” He never stopped reminding him, always with the same mix of hope and patience. That persistence finally paid off. One day, the customer came in, handed Fernando the keys, and said simply, “She’s yours now", after Fernando paid the very reasonable sum of $2,000 for the Corvette.
Just like that, Fernando had a second chance—not with the same car, but with one nearly identical. This go 'round Fernando had a silver and black ’85 Corvette with the Z51 package, similar to the white over red one he had lost. But this time, he wasn’t a teenager on a budget. He had the skills, resources, and maturity to do things the right way.
In just six months, he’s already done more work on this Corvette than he ever had the chance to with his first one. He’s diving into the details, taking pride in each upgrade, and treating the car as both a project and a personal milestone. Every bolt turned is part of a story that started 20 years ago.
And then there’s the moment that sealed it all emotionally. After getting the title and officially taking ownership, Fernando connected his phone to the car’s stereo. The first song that played? AC/DC’s “Back in Black.” The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. The song, the car’s color, the feeling of getting his Corvette back—it was all aligned. That track will forever be tied to that moment, a soundtrack to a dream revived.
Today, Fernando’s black and silver 1985 Corvette represents far more than horsepower and style. It’s a symbol of second chances, of unfinished dreams brought back to life. It reflects the journey of a young man who once lost something important—and the determination of the man he became to get it back.
With each drive and every improvement, he’s not just building a better car—he’s honoring the younger version of himself who never stopped loving it. And this time, nothing is getting in the way. His Corvette is finally back in black, and so is he.
More and More Corvette Parts from Classic Industries
For several years now, Corvette owners who have C1 through C6 Chevrolet Corvettes, can shop for 'Vette components on the Classic Industries' website. Find your generation Corvette on the Corvette Shopping page, and get your plastic fantastic back on the road or track!
