(Lynndale) Blue-Chip Investment

Though spared the rigors of racing, the Watson family roadster has amassed quite the track record

- Chris Shelton

One could hardly (if at all) option a Corvette better: 427-cubic-inch, 435horse L71; Muncie M21; Transistorized ignition; Positraction with a 4.11:1 screw; Side pipes; F41 suspension; Kelseys and Uncommon Lynndale Blue.

And one could hardly ask for a better example: 36,000 miles on the original drivetrain, unblemished body, intact factory paint and a tank sheet to prove it all.

But in 1984, here’s what all that amounted to: Man, that would make such a great race car.

“Our family was in Steamboat for the vintage race weekend in 1984, which we attended every Labor Day weekend,” Chris Watson begins. While there, Chris and co., touched bases with family friend Eddie O’Brien. O’Brien proudly showed off his would-be racer. This car.

Chris withheld his horror. “I was looking for a 1967 project and convinced Eddie that this car was too good to race. Every part was original and in great shape.”

That meant a lot to the Watson clan. “Our family was heavily involved in NCRS,” he says. Chris judged; his wife, JoAnn, tabulated and their son Brett helped with judging. “We really wanted this car as it was the nicest we had come across, which would make the project go more smoothly.”