Kansas Highway Patrol Seeks To Destroy 1959 Corvette

March 4, 2022 Laura

Celebrating Corvette Mike’s 40th Anniversary

I am very proud to announce our 40th anniversary! On January 4^th, 1982, Mike Vietro established Corvette Mike in Laguna Hills, CA. I want to take this occasion to thank each of you for being part of our success. I am very grateful to our customers who trusted us to help them provide high-quality automobiles, services, and products.

Mike Vietro and the Corvette Mike Team

Update: State Wants to Destroy Corvette Over VIN

Attorney Explains The Legal Case

In September of 2021 we reported that the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP), while doing a VIN verification, determined that the VIN on a 1959 Corvette had been “altered, defaced or destroyed”. Pursuant to Kansas statute, such a vehicle cannot be legally registered and must be seized as contraband and destroyed.

The 1959 Corvette was bought in good faith by Mr. Martinez for $50,000 from an Indiana dealer in 2016. The KPH seized the car even though the state’s attorney admits Martinez is innocent of any crime.

The Kansas Justice Institute (KJI) stepped in and is fighting to return the 1959 Corvette to Mr. Martinez. After about 6 years of legal debate, a House Bill is being proposed to make exemptions to the law. Kansas House Bill 2594 makes allowances for old cars that legitimately needed to have their VINs removed to allow repairs to be made to that area or during a full restoration.

Not everyone likes this new bill. According to the Kansas Reflector, the Kansas Highway Patrol superintendent, Col. Herman Jones, objected to the bill. Jones claimed VINs could already be removed if the owner or shop working on the car cooperated with troopers to document the removal and reinstallation. He also suggested that the new bill could be modified to mandate a vehicle inspection by KHP before VIN plate removal. While this may be fine for cars having this work performed in Kansas, it does not consider work completed on vehicles in other states before they arrived in Kansas.

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Owners Corner

tell us your most memorable Corvette Story

Rick N.’s 1975

Every corvette has a story, but not all of them are told. Sometimes you have to dig a little, sometimes they unfold right before your eyes…..I had been searching for a C3 for quite some time, and my dad passed away expectedly. While driving to my parent’s house one day to put his affairs in order, I experienced a spiritual moment. I was passing past my dad’s favorite coffee shop, and what should pull up next to me but a white 1975 Corvette with a luggage rack identical to the one in an ad that was under consideration halfway across the country. My dad was talking to me, and now I had to go see the car.

Due diligence (and service records) proved that the car had only 80,754 original miles and had moved less than 3300 miles in the past 15 years. The engine and VIN numbers obviously were correct, as were the paint and trim codes. But it was the trim tag that sealed the deal…the car was built on my birthday, showing an “E04” assembly date on the tag. There was no doubt now that fate brought me to this car and fate needed to bring this car back to California!

Rick N.

New Stock

1963 ZO6 Coupe
Fully restored, award winning, small tank ZO6!

Tuxedo Black w/Black interior, 327/360hp fuel injected, 4-Speed

This absolutely awesome example has been meticulously restored and won the crown jewel of Corvette awards; The Triple Diamond! To achieve this milestone, the car has to win a National N.C.R.S. Top Flight, Bloomington Gold and Chevy Vette Fest Gold Spinner Award. This certainly is no easy task! The car is finished in what is widely considered the rarest and most desirable color combination of Tuxedo Black with Black interior and Blackwall nylon tires. Very sinister indeed! In addition to the ZO6 Pkg, the car is equipped with power windows. Documentation includes the original selling dealer invoice, awards, receipts, correspondence with previous owners, restoration documentation, and more! One of the finest examples currently offered for sale!

Priced to sell at: $575,000

2017 Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury
Beautifully maintained!

Silicon Silver w/Ebony interior, 3.0 liter/340hp Supercharged 6, 8-spd. auto

This Discovery has been meticulously maintained both mechanically and cosmetically with a detailed service history!

Options include:
16-way memory seats w/Windsor Leather
Vision Assist Pkg.
Black Design Pkg.
Heated Windshield
Ebony Headliner
21″ 10 Split-Spoke Style wheels w/Gloss Black finish
Front Center Console Cooler compartment
Black Rook Rails
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Activity key
Silicon Silver Premium Metallic paint
. . . and more!

Priced to sell: $49,900

2015 Automatic Convertible
Beautiful color combo!

Night Race Blue w/Gray interior, 376/460hp, 8-spd. paddle-shift auto

This very classy looking Convertible in rare Night Race Blue Metallic and with
only 19k miles, it is in excellent condition! It’s loaded with great options including:
3 LT Preferred Equipment Group
8 Speed Paddle Shift Automatic
Rear Axle, 2.41 Ratio, Limited Slip
Blue Soft Top
Gray, Perforated Napa Leather Seating Surfaces
Battery Protection Package
License Plate Bracket, Front
Corvette Museum Delivery
Remote Vehicle Starter!

Priced to sell: $54,900

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