"This was probably the most aspirational car you could get in America," remarked Jay Leno while driving a restored 1967 Corvette with the legendary Tri-Power 427ci V8 under its hood. "If you had a plumbing business and you were fairly successful, Ferraris were still out of your reach, but the Corvette was the car that nobody begrudged you." Leno got together with Donald Osborne of the Audrain Museum Network to reminisce about how the big block C2 Corvette changed the American automotive landscape.
An Attainable Sports Car for the Working Man
Whether you were a successful blue-collar tradesman or a member of the military returning from a deployment, the Corvette was the vehicle that maximized performance without breaking your bank account. That L71 427ci V8 with Tri-Power 3x2-barrel carburetors produced a potent 435 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque.
In a recent video from the Audrain Network YouTube channel, Donald and Jay take a spin in this beautifully-restored '67 Corvette, complete with the Tri-Power 427, side pipes, and elegant Goodwood Green paint. The car bears stickers from the National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS) and Bloomington Gold Corvette Show, indicating it was restored with a strong emphasis on authenticity.
The car's interior has also been meticulously restored, with Medium Saddle carpet, bucket seat upholstery, door panels, and dash. Original-style gauges, steering wheel, and manual shifter make the driving experience exactly like it was back in '67.
Leno comments on the unique vertical radio, which was one of the distinctive and cool features of the C2. Looking out over the long hood with fender peaks and "Stinger" scoop left no doubt that this was a proper sports car.
Check out the full video below to hear more of Jay and Donald's thoughts on this stunning Corvette, and of course bask in the deep rumble of that big block V8:
Looking for Corvette Restoration Parts?
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