That message apparently resonated with the auto enthusiasts gathered in Penrith. There, in front of its peers, Matt James' spectacular '68 Stingray won the National Roads & Motorists' Association (NRMA) Car of Show Award. James was there to accept the award not only for himself, but also for his family and the men who helped him restore the Corvette to show-class condition.
Currently, James enjoys attending club events and cruises in the Yellow Tale Corvette Corvette. A GM ZZ502 crate motor, a Tremec TKO five-speed, power steering, and Wilwood rear brakes are all on his future-mods list. "I'll take any chance I can to get in the Stingray and go for a ride," he tells us, "because I know my car is one-of-a-kind, and that's the way I've always wanted my Corvette to be."
| Spec Sheet |
| Car | '68 Coupe |
| Owner | Matt James |
| Block | GMPP 454 H.O. |
| Displacement | 454 ci |
| Compression Ratio | 8.75:1 |
| Heads | GM cast-iron with rectangular ports |
| Valves | Stainless 2.19/1.88-in |
| Camshaft | GM roller; 211/230-deg duration, 0.510/0.540-in lift |
| Rocker Arms | GM stamped steel, 1.7-ratio |
| Pistons | GM forged aluminum |
| Crankshaft | GM forged steel |
| Rods | GM forged steel |
| Intake Manifold | GM dual-plane aluminum |
| Carburetor | Rochester 650-cfm |
| Fuel Pump | Mallory electric |
| Ignition | AC Delco HEI |
| Exhaust System | Hooker headers and sidepipes |
| Transmission | Muncie M21 close-ratio, four-speed |
| Clutch | RPM super-heavy-duty |
| Driveshaft | Stock |
| Front Suspension | Grand Touring springs, Koni Shocks |
| Rear Suspension | Fiberglass leaf springs, Koni shocks |
| Rear End | 3.08 Posi |
| Front Brakes | C5 |
| Rear Brakes | Stock |
| Wheels | American Racing Torque Thrust II, 17x8-in |
| Front Tires | Nankang 245/45-17 |
| Rear Tires | Falken 255/45-17 |
| Fuel Octane | 98 |
| Weight | 3,080 lbs |
| Current Mileage | 61,000 |
| Miles Driven Weekly | At least 50 |