In our civilization, man must learn to abide by the rules of social constraint. We learn at an early age from our parents, then from society and schooling, and ultimately from our wives or husbands. But when a small crack appears, we get to break free from rules and regulations.
One of those cracks emerged when Don Pabst and his wife drove past a used-car dealership and saw a convertible on display. Prodded by his wife, Don inquired about the car and learned the '87 Corvette was already sold; but coasting on the afternoon's momentum, he chased after another one. What he found was this '87 eye-scorching red convertible with only 23,500 miles. The previous owner bolted on the polished ARE blacked-out, chrome-ringed rims and, with little deliberation, the Corvette was his.
Seeing fellow Corvette enthusiasts put their vehicles on display prompted Don to show off his as well. He and his wife took home many awards, including the Mayor's Club Award presented at Vettes at the Park by the University of Okoboji Corvette Club in Iowa, and the Sponsor's Choice trophy presented by Doug Rippie Motorsports at Corvettes on the Green in Minnesota.
Don wanted to make his Corvette more than just a show pony, so he decided to amp up his '87 stocker. At Doug Rippie Motorsports, his '87's small-block received the DRM 300 engine-conversion package that included ported aluminum heads, high-flow stainless valves, performance valvesprings, chrome-moly pushrods, roller rockers, a specially ground DRM camshaft, a modified air-filter lid, a K&N air filter, a modified MAF, a 52mm throttle body, an adjustable fuel-pressure regulator, a high-volume fuel pump, Edelbrock High-Flo TPI runners, an MSD-6A ignition box, TPIS ceramic coated headers, a complete Borla stainless steel exhaust system, custom computer calibration, and a set of Elite Series Edelbrock valve covers. All of this thrusted his ending numbers to 380 horses and 440 lb-ft at the flywheel.
The cosmetics remain untouched. The glistening red paint is the same as it was from the assembly line, which matches the rich red leather seats and panels of the interior. The new powerplant adds to Don's fun factor, as he still frequents Corvette meets with the Classic Corvettes of Minnesota club, ranging from local to Bloomington Gold and Pheasant Run Resort & Spa in St. Charles, Illinois.
Don's '87 gets a lot of attention at shows, but his triple-black '66 roadster makes it all the more alluring.
Seeing fellow Corvette enthusiasts put their vehicles on display prompted Don to show off his as well. He and his wife took home many awards, including the Mayor's Club Award presented at Vettes at the Park by the University of Okoboji Corvette Club in Iowa, and the Sponsor's Choice trophy presented by Doug Rippie Motorsports at Corvettes on the Green in Minnesota.