C5 Corvette and 240Z take turns on weekend drive

The “Chevrolet Fun Day 2024” held at Fuji Speedway on June 1, 2024, attracted many Chevrolet cars from all over the country, including past generations of Corvettes and Camaros. We spoke with the owner of a C5 Corvette with external bumpers and wheels.

He bought the car again after it came back from the market

Mr. Sato has known this 1998 Chevrolet C5 Corvette for about 15 years. He had given it away once and then bought it back again.

“It was bought by someone else at the store where I once sold it, but it came back to that store again. I felt kind of sorry for him, so I bought him back myself again.”

So Mr. Sato, who seems to be a Corvette fanatic, has always been a Nissan “Fairlady Z” enthusiast.

“I’ve been driving a Fairlady Z for a long time now since I was in my 20s, so I think I’ve been with them for more than 30 years. I still own a 240Z apart from this Corvette. I guess I like the long nose and short deck.”

Both the C5 Corvette and the Fairlady Z are indeed characterized by their long nose and short-deck RWD sports car silhouettes. The Fairlady Z is a Japanese car, but considering that it is a model that was a hit in the American market, it is likely that the somewhat similar atmosphere won Mr. Sato’s heart.

The TE37 wheels were color-changed from gold to gun metallic

It was a friend who owned a C3 Corvette that attracted Mr. Sato to Corvettes.

“Like the styling, I was captivated by the impression that it was more torquey than the Z. I chose the C5 largely because of its looks. The styling from the side is my favorite. I really like it, including the engine sound, and it has a wild impression yet a simple design. I like how these two opposing elements come together.”

Mr. Sato’s C5 Corvette is equipped with an external bumper and Rays TE37 wheels, and the deciding factor in his purchase was also this external bumper. He says that he might not have purchased the C5 Corvette if it did not have this bumper, which has an edge at the bottom for aerodynamics and cooling, unlike the stock bumper.

They also changed the color of the wheels, which were originally gold, to gun metallic. He explained the reason for this.

“I changed the color to gun metallic, inspired by the Watanabe 8-spoke wheels on the Fairlady Z. This Corvette customization pays homage to the Z customization.”

The previous owner had installed a rear wing, but this has been removed. The reason for this is that he did not want to spoil the beautiful sideline.

“I want to drive it for another 30 years”

We asked him if he has had any problems in the long time he has been driving the car, but he said that he has not had any major problems, except for a slight weakness in the electrical system. However, this seems to be largely due to Mr. Sato’s policy of “riding regularly.

On weekends, he takes turns driving his Fairlady Z to enjoy touring and driving.

“I want to ride when I can. Maybe another 30 years or so.”

The fact that he says so casually that he has 30 years to live shows his commitment to driving and maintaining his car.