D. Randy Riggs, erstwhile editor of Vette Magazine and long-time friend of Super Chevy editor Jim Campisano, is seen here reunited with the 427/425 Corvette he purchased new as a teenager in 1966. He sold the car after getting interested in motorcycles in the late '60s and began wondering about its whereabouts some 20 years later when he became editor of Vette.

Recently, the car turned up and he was able to see it at the Russo Steele Auction. He didn't bid on the car, but had his wife, Karen, snap this photo. He purchased it new at Pollard-Ravenscroft Chevrolet on Van Nuys Boulevard in Van Nuys, California. The order was placed in January and he took delivery on March 28, 1966.

This was was built for speed, ladies and gents. It was built sans radio (remember, they were not standard so the term "radio delete" does not apply. The major options were the L72 engine, M-21 tranny, 4.11 gears, heavy duty suspension, and leather seats. The knock-off wheels visable in the photo were added later; the car was ordered with the standard five-spoke hubcaps. Price? A robust $5,187, which was quite a bit of coin back then.

Riggs recalled the car ran 12.66 at 108 at Lions Drag Strip in Long Beach, the only modification being the removal of the hubcaps. He said it ran slower, 12.95-13.04 at San Fernando.

Both car and former owner are a lot older, but the car seems to have held its looks and its value a lot longer!