One would think Gary Weikel is famous enough cruising Everett in his gorgeous 1959 silver Corvette Roadster, but there is more to the story than a handsome man in a flashy car.
Before the Snohomish County deputy county executive took the wheel, the car belonged to author and screenwriter Gary K. Wolf, creator of Roger Rabbit. Wolf bought the car in 1989 for $25,000.
The story of how Wolf came to buy and restore the car was documented by Vette Magazine in 1990. Wolf wrote the four-part series as if the cartoon character were his partner in the purchase and the rabbit’s voluptuous wife, Jessica, went along for the ride. Each article followed the car from owner to owner.
Wolf wrote that he searched high and low for the perfect Corvette. When he found the ‘59, it reminded him of a girl who turned out to be the only blind date he ever had who truly was the knockout he was told she would be. He took one look at the car and fell in love.
I reached Wolf in Boston, Mass., curious to know why he ever sold his prized Corvette. He said he used to live in a rural area outside of Boston but moved to a condominium in town.
“I take public transportation everywhere,” Wolf said. “That Corvette is just not the kind of car you can drive in Boston.”
He sold it over the Internet to a Redmond man. Then the car went to Kompact Kar Korner in Lynnwood. Kompact co-owner Kim Bray, who said the company sells classics, street rods, muscle cars and Corvettes, was on the lookout for a special car for Weikel.
But when Bray called his friend about the silver Corvette four years ago, Weikel’s first response was he didn’t like the color. But he went to take a look.
“I’m a three-look person,” Weikel said. “The third time I look at something, it’s usually gone.”
He needed only one look to realize the $60,000 vehicle was the car of his dreams.
“I’m particular about cars,” he said. “This one is as perfect as I’ve seen.”
On Sunday mornings, Weikel enjoys a Corvette cruise. “I have a regimen. I like to drive by the beautiful homes in North Everett.”
Between appearances, the Corvette is secured in a heated garage. Though it’s not for sale, Weikel said it’s worth up to $80,000.
When I got into the car, I hoped I didn’t have a dart in my back pocket that would rip the upholstery. With its top down, chrome gleaming and plush leather dash, I wondered where this sugar daddy had been all my life. We were styling.
Weikel picked me up from work, and we drove to Buck’s American Cafe. We parked on Hewitt Avenue and sat at the outside tables where we could keep an eye on the classic beauty, whose owner has been with Snohomish County for 17 years.
The Everett High School graduate was born at Providence Everett Medical Center and was raised in Lowell. His first car was a 1950 Ford convertible. His rain commuter is a 1986 ‘shorty’ Silverado truck, and he also drives a 2003 Mustang Cobra.
He kidded that he drives the speedy Mustang to work if he’s late.
He wasn’t kidding about his adoration for six grandchildren. It was wonderful to hear a former president of International Woodworkers of America, the Snohomish County Labor Council and past vice president of the Washington State Labor Council say life doesn’t get sweeter than having a 2-year-old grandchild ask for a morning hug.
Down the road, an ownership dispute over the car could be brewing among the younger generation of Weikels.
“I have a granddaughter who is eyeing it up,” Weikel said. “She said ‘Papa, I want this car.’ She likes the wind blowing through her hair.”
I know.
Columnist Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com
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