{"id":97671,"date":"2024-10-31T09:44:26","date_gmt":"2024-10-31T16:44:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/?p=97671"},"modified":"2024-10-31T10:41:22","modified_gmt":"2024-10-31T17:41:22","slug":"doug-watsons-1979-chevrolet-corvette","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/doug-watsons-1979-chevrolet-corvette\/","title":{"rendered":"Doug Watson&#8217;s 1979 Chevrolet Corvette"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-carousel-extra='{\"blog_id\":1,\"permalink\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.racingjunk.com\\\/news\\\/doug-watsons-1979-chevrolet-corvette\\\/\"}' id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-97671 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/doug-watsons-1979-chevrolet-corvette\/1979-corvette-4\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-4-150x150.webp\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Doug Watson&#039;s 1979 Chevrolet Corvette\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-97673\" data-attachment-id=\"97673\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/doug-watsons-1979-chevrolet-corvette\/1979-corvette-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-4-e1726245817405.webp\" data-orig-size=\"640,360\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Doug Watson&amp;#8217;s 1979 Chevrolet Corvette\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;click__begin&quot;&gt;Click Here to Begin Slideshow&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;As Jeremy Clark points out about the love affair with cars, \u201cIt\u2019s what non-car people don\u2019t get. They see all cars as just a ton-and-a-half, two tons of wires, glass, metal, and rubber, and that\u2019s all they see. People like you or I know we have an unshakable belief that cars are living entities. You can develop a relationship with a car and that\u2019s what non-car people don\u2019t get. When something has foibles and won\u2019t handle properly, that gives it a particularly human quality because it makes mistakes, and that\u2019s how you can build a relationship with a car that other people won\u2019t get.\u201d Take the 1979 Corvette. It probably caused owners more headaches and heartaches. Not from the car, but from trouble with middle-age crisis, such as palimony suits, broken marriages, bribing traffic cops, alibis, excuses, and too many road trips to Vegas (activities that should have remained in Vegas). Such was the consequences of the fervour and appeal for the car. I can\u2019t speak for Doug Watson, an owner of such an alluring car, but I would assume that I would have a drawer full of unpaid speeding tickets.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;In 1978 Corvette added a few exceptions to its predecessor, such as the swooping fastback rear glass for aerodynamic styling and greater visibility. This change also increased cargo capacity from 7.8 to 8.4 cubic feet, but Chevrolet didn\u2019t add an opening rear glass hatch until the 1982 Collector Edition. Sales for 1979 reached an all-time high at 53,807 unites. A record that still stands today.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;Never before had so many Corvette buyers been so willing to spend so much for so little performance was viewed incredulously by critics. Engine options for \u201979 were: the base L48 5.7-litre V8, which is normally faster than passing gas, made only 195 net hp, or the top performer, the L82 5.7-litre, which produced 225 net hp, that is the engine that Doug\u2019s Corvette originally came with. Road tests from the time gave a 0 to 60 time of 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 134 mph for the L82, not overly fast by today\u2019s standards, but pretty quick for the day.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;Skeptics from Car and Driver and Road &amp;amp; Track couldn\u2019t understand the appeal for such stratospheric costs &amp;#8211; over $13,000. Don\u2019t forget, in the 1970s, that was one-quarter the cost of a house. Mind you disco, Kung Fu fighting movies, polyester, and the Ford Pinto were also in vogue. Having said that, the \u201979 model set a benchmark for superlative design, especially evident in seductive ocean dark blue or midnight black, for it was, and still is, one of the sexiest American cars ever designed. \u201cI had been looking for a \u201978 or \u201979 Corvette for about a year-and-a-half,\u201d comments Doug. \u201cI picked these years since a rubber bumper C3 met my budget range and I always liked the look of these models because&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;I felt the addition of the fastback window gave the C3 a sleeker silhouette. I also wanted the \u2018Pace car\u2019 front and rear spoilers that became an option in 1979.\u201d Doug was looking for more power than stock as well as a 4-speed manual. When Doug purchased the car in 2019, the L48 engine had already been replaced after 60,627 miles with a 355 cu. in. Built by a race shop. \u201cI also wanted A\/C but I haven\u2019t used it yet since I always have the windows down so I can listen to the music of the engine rumbling. And speaking of music, I haven\u2019t had the radio on once for the same reason.\u201d&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;The 1979 model was equipped with the usual assembly of standard Corvette accoutrements, including alloy wheels, power windows, rear defogger, A\/C, tilt\/telescope steering wheel, power door locks and a Delco AM\/FM stereo. The car was fitted with a large-bore engine of short-stroke design with rugged cast iron heads, manifolds and cylinder block. Accolades were thrown around for its highway stability and impressive low-speed torque to avoid overheating during around town cruising. Dual snorkel air intake and larger diameter dual rear exhausts were a nice touch.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;THE BODY I\u2019VE ALWAYS WANTED&lt;br \/&gt;\n&lt;\/strong&gt;&lt;br \/&gt;\n\u201cThe car was in very good shape when I bought it. The previous owner had the engine upgraded to a .03 over 355 cid small-block built by Ajax Race Engines that puts out a whopping 325 hp. This is a bear in wolf\u2019s clothing and a Foliofax of racing pedigree, yet Doug has kept the original Corvette\u2019s sleek, sophisticated street cred. If there is one thing that wears away on most classic Corvettes, like a B-listed Hollywood star, it is the seat upholstery. They have since been replaced. On-the-other-hand, Doug almost lost the front emblem. He discovered, to his horror, that it was barely clinging on only by friction whilst driving on the highway for 250 miles. \u201cI soon added the missing speed nuts.\u201d&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;The accessories on this car is like a Bucket List for a show car. \u201cThe car, in its traditional molded Fiberglass body construction, reinforced with a steel substructure, is adorned with Flowtech ceramic headers, Magnaflow SS mufflers, MSD CD ignition and distributor, GM Vortec heads, GM performance intake, Comp cam, roller tip rockers, and a Quick Fuel 750 carb. \u201cI had rebuilt the transmission, front and rear suspension, brakes, and the 3.55 differential over the last nine years,\u201d indicates Doug. \u201cThe carpet and seats were done in 2007.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;I\u2019ve kept the original Corvette dark blue, but it is due for a repaint and my intention is to add white Baldwin Motion stripes. One thing is for certain, it\u2019s a driver, bar none.\u201d When I observe Doug\u2019s a car, or any car that is designed without a straight line &amp;#8211; I realize it is curved-perfection. So I am taken aback as to how precise the fabrication and installing the completion must be to ensure a seamless fit. To restore such an assiduous design, it must be a nightmare, especially when fitting the doors and hood.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;Since 1953, every boy, with oil in his veins, has dreamt of owning the pride of Chevrolet, a Corvette, and Doug was no exception. \u201cThis car is a culmination of a 53-year old dream. In 1966, when I was 11, the girl up the street from me, dated and then married, a guy who owned a maroon-colooured 1966 427 Sting Ray Coupe with side pipes. Seeing and hearing it on a regular basis ignited my Corvette love affair. Soon after that, I had my first and only ride in a Sting Ray &amp;#8211; a silver vision &amp;#8211; a 1966 model with a 327. The experience further cemented my obsession. But I could never afford the luxury of owning such an impractical sports car, so I drove more \u201csensible\u201d vehicles, especially after marriage and parenthood. This past year, after years of listening to my moaning about wanting a Corvette, my long-suffering wife gave in and graciously helped to fulfill my dream.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;The car couldn\u2019t have had a longer historical road trip. It emerged from the assembly line from Corvette\u2019s St. Louis plant on September 18, 1979 and was transported 2,258 miles to Squamish, British Columbia. Nine years later it crossed a nation (2,763 miles), ending up in Ontario. Doug is the fifth owner in Ontario, yet his car looks like it just rolled off the dealership floor. The previous owner had it since 1998. \u201cI still get Goosebumps just looking at it, touching it. As far as driving it, well, that\u2019s Christmas, my birthday and winning the lottery all in one. I still have difficulty believing I can drive it anytime I want, weather permitting. It always leaves a fixed grin on my face when I\u2019m behind the wheel.\u201d One thing that surprises Doug is that the car is a magnet, less for the old guys, but rather from little kids. \u201cThey love it and shout out their approval as I drive by. I have also fielded a lot of interest and questions at various car shows from the twenty-something crowd. It\u2019s encouraging to see young people so interested.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;What I worry about are governments pushing legislation (i.e. carbon tax, electric cars, driverless cars, etc.) that may end our desire to keep these classics. It would be a shame if we weren\u2019t allowed to drive them.\u201d In the meantime, Doug makes the most of his Corvette. \u201cIt is fast enough and a little loud and obnoxious, but what I love about it is that I drive the car, it doesn\u2019t drive me. In my opinion, that\u2019s the way a sports car should be.\u201d&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;click__begin&quot;&gt;Click Here to Begin Slideshow&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-4-300x169.webp\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-4-1024x575.webp\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-97673'>\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"click__begin\">Click Here to Begin Slideshow<\/a>\n\nAs Jeremy Clark points out about the love affair with cars, \u201cIt\u2019s what non-car people don\u2019t get. They see all cars as just a ton-and-a-half, two tons of wires, glass, metal, and rubber, and that\u2019s all they see. People like you or I know we have an unshakable belief that cars are living entities. You can develop a relationship with a car and that\u2019s what non-car people don\u2019t get. When something has foibles and won\u2019t handle properly, that gives it a particularly human quality because it makes mistakes, and that\u2019s how you can build a relationship with a car that other people won\u2019t get.\u201d Take the 1979 Corvette. It probably caused owners more headaches and heartaches. Not from the car, but from trouble with middle-age crisis, such as palimony suits, broken marriages, bribing traffic cops, alibis, excuses, and too many road trips to Vegas (activities that should have remained in Vegas). Such was the consequences of the fervour and appeal for the car. I can\u2019t speak for Doug Watson, an owner of such an alluring car, but I would assume that I would have a drawer full of unpaid speeding tickets.\n\nIn 1978 Corvette added a few exceptions to its predecessor, such as the swooping fastback rear glass for aerodynamic styling and greater visibility. This change also increased cargo capacity from 7.8 to 8.4 cubic feet, but Chevrolet didn\u2019t add an opening rear glass hatch until the 1982 Collector Edition. Sales for 1979 reached an all-time high at 53,807 unites. A record that still stands today.\n\nNever before had so many Corvette buyers been so willing to spend so much for so little performance was viewed incredulously by critics. Engine options for \u201979 were: the base L48 5.7-litre V8, which is normally faster than passing gas, made only 195 net hp, or the top performer, the L82 5.7-litre, which produced 225 net hp, that is the engine that Doug\u2019s Corvette originally came with. Road tests from the time gave a 0 to 60 time of 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 134 mph for the L82, not overly fast by today\u2019s standards, but pretty quick for the day.\n\nSkeptics from Car and Driver and Road &amp; Track couldn\u2019t understand the appeal for such stratospheric costs &#8211; over $13,000. Don\u2019t forget, in the 1970s, that was one-quarter the cost of a house. Mind you disco, Kung Fu fighting movies, polyester, and the Ford Pinto were also in vogue. Having said that, the \u201979 model set a benchmark for superlative design, especially evident in seductive ocean dark blue or midnight black, for it was, and still is, one of the sexiest American cars ever designed. \u201cI had been looking for a \u201978 or \u201979 Corvette for about a year-and-a-half,\u201d comments Doug. \u201cI picked these years since a rubber bumper C3 met my budget range and I always liked the look of these models because\n\nI felt the addition of the fastback window gave the C3 a sleeker silhouette. I also wanted the \u2018Pace car\u2019 front and rear spoilers that became an option in 1979.\u201d Doug was looking for more power than stock as well as a 4-speed manual. When Doug purchased the car in 2019, the L48 engine had already been replaced after 60,627 miles with a 355 cu. in. Built by a race shop. \u201cI also wanted A\/C but I haven\u2019t used it yet since I always have the windows down so I can listen to the music of the engine rumbling. And speaking of music, I haven\u2019t had the radio on once for the same reason.\u201d\n\nThe 1979 model was equipped with the usual assembly of standard Corvette accoutrements, including alloy wheels, power windows, rear defogger, A\/C, tilt\/telescope steering wheel, power door locks and a Delco AM\/FM stereo. The car was fitted with a large-bore engine of short-stroke design with rugged cast iron heads, manifolds and cylinder block. Accolades were thrown around for its highway stability and impressive low-speed torque to avoid overheating during around town cruising. Dual snorkel air intake and larger diameter dual rear exhausts were a nice touch.\n\n<strong>THE BODY I\u2019VE ALWAYS WANTED\n<\/strong>\n\u201cThe car was in very good shape when I bought it. The previous owner had the engine upgraded to a .03 over 355 cid small-block built by Ajax Race Engines that puts out a whopping 325 hp. This is a bear in wolf\u2019s clothing and a Foliofax of racing pedigree, yet Doug has kept the original Corvette\u2019s sleek, sophisticated street cred. If there is one thing that wears away on most classic Corvettes, like a B-listed Hollywood star, it is the seat upholstery. They have since been replaced. On-the-other-hand, Doug almost lost the front emblem. He discovered, to his horror, that it was barely clinging on only by friction whilst driving on the highway for 250 miles. \u201cI soon added the missing speed nuts.\u201d\n\nThe accessories on this car is like a Bucket List for a show car. \u201cThe car, in its traditional molded Fiberglass body construction, reinforced with a steel substructure, is adorned with Flowtech ceramic headers, Magnaflow SS mufflers, MSD CD ignition and distributor, GM Vortec heads, GM performance intake, Comp cam, roller tip rockers, and a Quick Fuel 750 carb. \u201cI had rebuilt the transmission, front and rear suspension, brakes, and the 3.55 differential over the last nine years,\u201d indicates Doug. \u201cThe carpet and seats were done in 2007.\n\nI\u2019ve kept the original Corvette dark blue, but it is due for a repaint and my intention is to add white Baldwin Motion stripes. One thing is for certain, it\u2019s a driver, bar none.\u201d When I observe Doug\u2019s a car, or any car that is designed without a straight line &#8211; I realize it is curved-perfection. So I am taken aback as to how precise the fabrication and installing the completion must be to ensure a seamless fit. To restore such an assiduous design, it must be a nightmare, especially when fitting the doors and hood.\n\nSince 1953, every boy, with oil in his veins, has dreamt of owning the pride of Chevrolet, a Corvette, and Doug was no exception. \u201cThis car is a culmination of a 53-year old dream. In 1966, when I was 11, the girl up the street from me, dated and then married, a guy who owned a maroon-colooured 1966 427 Sting Ray Coupe with side pipes. Seeing and hearing it on a regular basis ignited my Corvette love affair. Soon after that, I had my first and only ride in a Sting Ray &#8211; a silver vision &#8211; a 1966 model with a 327. The experience further cemented my obsession. But I could never afford the luxury of owning such an impractical sports car, so I drove more \u201csensible\u201d vehicles, especially after marriage and parenthood. This past year, after years of listening to my moaning about wanting a Corvette, my long-suffering wife gave in and graciously helped to fulfill my dream.\n\nThe car couldn\u2019t have had a longer historical road trip. It emerged from the assembly line from Corvette\u2019s St. Louis plant on September 18, 1979 and was transported 2,258 miles to Squamish, British Columbia. Nine years later it crossed a nation (2,763 miles), ending up in Ontario. Doug is the fifth owner in Ontario, yet his car looks like it just rolled off the dealership floor. The previous owner had it since 1998. \u201cI still get Goosebumps just looking at it, touching it. As far as driving it, well, that\u2019s Christmas, my birthday and winning the lottery all in one. I still have difficulty believing I can drive it anytime I want, weather permitting. It always leaves a fixed grin on my face when I\u2019m behind the wheel.\u201d One thing that surprises Doug is that the car is a magnet, less for the old guys, but rather from little kids. \u201cThey love it and shout out their approval as I drive by. I have also fielded a lot of interest and questions at various car shows from the twenty-something crowd. It\u2019s encouraging to see young people so interested.\n\nWhat I worry about are governments pushing legislation (i.e. carbon tax, electric cars, driverless cars, etc.) that may end our desire to keep these classics. It would be a shame if we weren\u2019t allowed to drive them.\u201d In the meantime, Doug makes the most of his Corvette. \u201cIt is fast enough and a little loud and obnoxious, but what I love about it is that I drive the car, it doesn\u2019t drive me. In my opinion, that\u2019s the way a sports car should be.\u201d\n\n<a class=\"click__begin\">Click Here to Begin Slideshow<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/doug-watsons-1979-chevrolet-corvette\/79-corvette-3\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/79-Corvette-3-150x150.webp\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Doug Watson&#039;s 1979 Chevrolet Corvette\" data-attachment-id=\"97672\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/doug-watsons-1979-chevrolet-corvette\/79-corvette-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/79-Corvette-3.webp\" data-orig-size=\"1500,843\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Doug Watson&amp;#8217;s 1979 Chevrolet Corvette\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/79-Corvette-3-300x169.webp\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/79-Corvette-3-1024x575.webp\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/doug-watsons-1979-chevrolet-corvette\/1979-corvette-5\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-5-150x150.webp\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Doug Watson&#039;s 1979 Chevrolet Corvette\" data-attachment-id=\"97674\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/doug-watsons-1979-chevrolet-corvette\/1979-corvette-5\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-5.webp\" data-orig-size=\"1500,843\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"1979 Corvette 5\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-5-300x169.webp\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-5-1024x575.webp\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/doug-watsons-1979-chevrolet-corvette\/1979-corvette-6-copy\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-6-copy-150x150.webp\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Doug Watson&#039;s 1979 Chevrolet Corvette\" data-attachment-id=\"97675\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/doug-watsons-1979-chevrolet-corvette\/1979-corvette-6-copy\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-6-copy.webp\" data-orig-size=\"1500,843\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Doug Watson&amp;#8217;s 1979 Chevrolet Corvette\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-6-copy-300x169.webp\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-6-copy-1024x575.webp\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/doug-watsons-1979-chevrolet-corvette\/1979-corvette-7-bw\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-7-bw-150x150.webp\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Doug Watson&#039;s 1979 Chevrolet Corvette\" data-attachment-id=\"97676\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/doug-watsons-1979-chevrolet-corvette\/1979-corvette-7-bw\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-7-bw-scaled.webp\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1439\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Doug Watson&amp;#8217;s 1979 Chevrolet Corvette\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-7-bw-300x169.webp\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-7-bw-1024x576.webp\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/doug-watsons-1979-chevrolet-corvette\/1979-corvette-8\/'><img 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data-image-title=\"Doug Watson&amp;#8217;s 1979 Chevrolet Corvette\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-8-300x169.webp\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-8-1024x575.webp\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/doug-watsons-1979-chevrolet-corvette\/1979-corvette-9\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-9-150x150.webp\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Doug Watson&#039;s 1979 Chevrolet Corvette\" data-attachment-id=\"97678\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/doug-watsons-1979-chevrolet-corvette\/1979-corvette-9\/\" 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class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/doug-watsons-1979-chevrolet-corvette\/1979-corvette-12\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-12-150x150.webp\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Doug Watson&#039;s 1979 Chevrolet Corvette\" data-attachment-id=\"97679\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/doug-watsons-1979-chevrolet-corvette\/1979-corvette-12\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-12.webp\" data-orig-size=\"1500,843\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Doug Watson&amp;#8217;s 1979 Chevrolet Corvette\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-12-300x169.webp\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-12-1024x575.webp\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/doug-watsons-1979-chevrolet-corvette\/1979-corvette-l-82-hood-crest\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-L-82-hood-crest-150x150.webp\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Doug Watson&#039;s 1979 Chevrolet Corvette\" data-attachment-id=\"97680\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/doug-watsons-1979-chevrolet-corvette\/1979-corvette-l-82-hood-crest\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-L-82-hood-crest.webp\" data-orig-size=\"1500,843\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Doug Watson&amp;#8217;s 1979 Chevrolet Corvette\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-L-82-hood-crest-300x169.webp\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-L-82-hood-crest-1024x575.webp\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/doug-watsons-1979-chevrolet-corvette\/79-corvette-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/79-Corvette-2-150x150.webp\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Doug Watson&#039;s 1979 Chevrolet Corvette\" data-attachment-id=\"97681\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/doug-watsons-1979-chevrolet-corvette\/79-corvette-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/79-Corvette-2.webp\" data-orig-size=\"1500,843\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Doug Watson&amp;#8217;s 1979 Chevrolet Corvette\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/79-Corvette-2-300x169.webp\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/79-Corvette-2-1024x575.webp\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>As Jeremy Clark points out about the love affair with cars, \u201cIt\u2019s what non-car people don\u2019t get. They see all cars as just a ton-and-a-half, two tons of wires, glass, metal, and rubber, and that\u2019s all they see. <\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":97673,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3447,5044,3700,3697,17,3470,4879],"tags":[5566,413,3629,109,9102,41],"class_list":["post-97671","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-classic","category-cool-cars","category-featured-vehicles","category-galleries","category-guest-column","category-news","category-slideshow","tag-car-features","tag-chevrolet-corvette","tag-clive-branson","tag-corvette","tag-featured-build","tag-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/1979-Corvette-4-e1726245817405.webp","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p42YSK-ppl","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97671","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=97671"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97671\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":97682,"href":"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97671\/revisions\/97682"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/97673"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=97671"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=97671"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=97671"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}