The following summer came and went in a flash with a few accolades from local car shows, but leaving Johnny needing to refurbish the interior. The next winter found the seats recovered, carpet laid, and door panels replaced. The dash, console, and glove box also got the same restorative treatment.
Early that next year, he joined the Lone Star Corvette Club. Affiliated with an organization such as the Lone Stars permitted Johnny to caravan with other enthusiasts all over the country. The camaraderie and closeness of the club allowed him to learn from other Corvette aficionados, as well as casually compete with other Corvette clubs. That year he brought home several awards for his winter efforts, which only fueled him to continue on in the process of bringing his '67 back to exemplary condition.
That next winter was slated for painting the Vette. Deciding upon Stuart Singer of Stuart's Paint and Body in Dallas, Johnny brought his convertible over for a final recoating of that gorgeous black. Stuart promised a 90-day return on the car, but unlike most painters, actually made good on the promise. Johnny had his newly painted triple-black '67 back in time to take it around the Texas Motor Speedway for the inaugural prerace parade lap.
That's right. Frigidaire not...
That's right. Frigidaire not only made your mom and dad's refrigerator, but kept the cabins of America's first true sportscar cool.
Johnny chose to end his cosmetic efforts with detailing the undercarriage of the Corvette, cleaning and painting all the components he could. His labor would earn him several trophies and awards, including participating for the fifth year in a row in the 700-mile trek from his home to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, with the Lone Stars.
Now, this '67 isn't just another rolling restoration. Johnny knew early on he wanted to take this machine out on the highway as much as he could. So sacrificing originality for drivability and function was the decision that needed to be addressed. He has made several modifications to his C2 that needed to be made in the name of function over form. Included as part of that process was the installation of new brake discs with coil springs up front and a monospring in the rear, all from Vette Brakes. Bilstein shocks help aid in improving the overall ride as well. The tri-power carb setup was a throwback to the classic, but with a fully streetable engine underneath the intake system, the engine behaves like a trained family guard dog. The leaky cooling system was updated with a Griffin aluminum radiator and a Flowkooler water pump. The engine has never missed a beat with the installation of a Mallory Unilite electronic distributor. the cabin retains its temperate environment with help of foil-back insulation under the carpet.
Sure, the purists might be biting their tongues right now, but as far as Johnny Downs is concerned, they don't know what they're missing. He is tickled with the reliable performance that his '67 delivers without question. The Corvette is not just stunning, but a truly enjoyable driving machine that brings smiles to the faces of not just those behind the windshield, but all those who see it as it passes by.