The Corvettes that seem to get all the attention are the big block cars with the most powerful engines, but honestly, how often do those guys actually use those cars to their potential? Moreover, with values heading upwards on all Corvettes, do they even have the intestinal fortitude to actually put them on the road? It seems crazy to own a great road car and to not, you know, actually put it on the road. And it’s with that in mind that this bright Rally Red 1967 Corvette convertible seems to make so much sense. It’s just as beautiful as all the other Mid-Year Corvettes, it has a top that goes down, it has a strong-running V8, and it’s welcome at all the big shows. And quite honestly, it works better as a car than any of the snarling big block monsters and fuel-injected wundermotors ever will, so you can drive it as intended without a second thought. And that, my friends, is how reality is sometimes better than fantasy.

We’ll get the basics out of the way first, so you guys looking for pedigrees and fouled spark plugs can skip the rest. This is not a numbers-matching car and it has an automatic transmission.

OK, are they gone? Good, because now we’re going to talk about just how awesome this Corvette really is. Rally Red is its original color and it was professionally restored perhaps 10 years ago. In used car terms, that’s a lifetime, but in terms of lightly-used hobby cars, it’s not that long at all, and this ‘Vette still looks fantastic. The fiberglass substrate is in excellent condition with no cracking around the headlight doors or in the other usual spots, the panels line up very well, and everything closes so easily that you know it’s never been hit or tweaked. That’s half the battle with a vintage ‘Vette: finding one that hasn’t been abused, and this car definitely qualifies. The paint shines up beautifully with a deep, glossy finish that’s just the right shade of red, not too bright but not orange or pink, either. You want attention, this bright red roadster is the best way to do it. Sure, it’s got a few very, very minor signs of use, because this car isn’t and has never been a trailer queen, but as far as drivers go, well, they just don’t get much better. A few chrome pieces accent the bright red paint, with excellent bumpers fore and aft, nice door handles, polished stainless windshield surround, and a brand new gas cap lid out back. The headlights open easily, the lenses are bright and clear, and there are no asterisks attached to this car; it really is as nice as it looks.

The black interior is also how this one came originally. It was the standard choice for Corvettes, but the way it looks kind of makes me think that “standard” is the wrong word. The bucket seats wear correct long-grain vinyl seat covers, as original, the carpets were new at the time of restoration and are protected by clear plastic floor mats, and a woodgrained steering wheel welcomes you to the show. The door panels are new and if there are any demerits, they’re here, as there is some minor delamination of the vinyl covering right about where the arm rests start. But that’s how nice this car is, because that’s about the only nit I can find to pick. Oh, there’s a little crack on top of the dash over on the passenger’s side, but you’ll really have to look for it. Of note, everything works: all the gauges are bright and crisp, the clock keeps excellent time, and the radio is a newer AM/FM/cassette setup that powers a set of big speakers cleverly stashed in the top well (the original AM radio comes with the car). You might be puzzling over the lines drawn on the shift quadrant, which is because there’s now a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission underneath instead of the original PowerGlide, but we’ll get to that in a few moments. Overhead, there’s a brand new black convertible top installed by the famous Al Knoch, and it pays to have the right guys do the work, because I’ve never seen a C2 convertible top seal up as well as this one does. It folds effortlessly up and down and latches to the windshield and rear deck without a fight. If you’re going to drive the car, having it work properly is a big part of the equation.

Mechanically, it’s got a correct but non-matching 300 horsepower 327 cubic inch V8. It’s date coded to late 1966 and it is a correct high performance block, not a truck block or a lo-po version from a Biscayne or something—it’s right. It was rebuilt to stock specifications and is now the least fussy carbureted engine we’ve ever experienced. Turn the key and it starts almost instantly and idles smoothly without any of the usual crankiness. And this is where you’re going to appreciate the virtues of this Corvette, because most big block cars won’t do that. Get in, turn the key, drop it in gear, and just drive without a second thought. The engine was nicely detailed when the car was restored, but it’s been driven since then, so it’s clean but not perfect. You do get a proper chrome air cleaner and matching ignition shield, a 4-barrel carburetor, and ram’s horn exhaust manifolds that help control noise and heat much better than headers. Chevy Orange paint and finned valve covers make it look right and you should be pleased to see power steering tucked in there as well, making this a very user-friendly Corvette.

The aforementioned TH350 3-speed automatic transmission is a recent addition, and it’s worth noting that only about 10% of 1967 Corvettes were equipped with an automatic gearbox. Now I don’t think that adds to its value due to rarity, but it does illustrate the fact that if you want a car that’s this easy to drive every day, your chances of finding a good one are fairly small. The extra gear in the transmission makes it very comfortable around town, yet with 3.36 gears out back, it’s still a great highway car that cruises easily. Add in a brand new exhaust system that’s mellow and quiet, fresh shocks, new brakes, and a brand new set of 205/75/15 Uniroyal radials, and you have a car that’s simply a pleasure to drive. Take it on a long trip and you’ll arrive feeling fresh, not weary, and without the ringing ears and buzzing posterior that comes from some of this car’s more high-strung siblings.

My father discovered that buying hobby cars always created less friction at home when he bought cars my mother could also drive, and this Corvette is an awesome example. With power steering, the automatic transmission, and a high-fashion look, this is a wonderful toy that you can both enjoy without complaint, and perhaps that really is the key to the hobby: family fun in a cool old car. You just won’t find a cleaner Mid-Year Corvette that does everything so well and offers so few compromises.