Wayne Pelletier has a most unique Corvette.
The Quayside resident owns a 2011 Jetstream blue Corvette that you won't find in many other places.
"The pigment used for this colour comes from Japan and after the tsunami, it's just not available any more," said Pelletier, who will be proudly showing off his 'Vette at this Sunday's Show and Shine, running on Columbia Street between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Talk to Pelletier for any amount of time and you'll hear his passion for cars and, in particular, Corvettes.
Pelletier has owned four so far, trading up each time since 2000 until he ended up with his current 'Vette, which he calls "my dream car."
"I've always loved cars, ever since I was a kid growing up in Windsor, Ontario," said Pelletier. "I even worked for two years at Chrysler and my dad had two cars that he put a lot of care into. ... I was given the job of keeping the cars clean and detailed and ever since, I've loved clean cars that have lots of horsepower and lots of speed."
When his cousin got a 1965 Corvette, Pelletier began a lifelong love of the sports car that has been a pretty big part of his life the last 12 years.
In 2000, he got his first 'Vette, a "black-on-black-on-black" C5. Pelletier loved that car, but when the 50th anniversary version of the Corvette came out in 2003, that became his second 'Vette.
In 2006, Pelletier moved to a C6, which lasted five years before his current car.
"This one's my keeper," Pelletier said of his 2011 sports car. "This is my dream car. I had to look for 12 to 18 months to get exactly what I wanted."
Indulging Pelletier's passion is wife Diane McIntosh, who used to go to car shows and show and shines with her husband, but Pelletier understands why she doesn't any more.
"You get a bunch of guys sitting around, talking about cars and it gets old, doesn't it?" Pelletier said with a laugh.
McIntosh is content to drive around her 2009 HHR - Pelletier jokes that's an acronym for "hardly a hot rod" - and Pelletier can dream about his other dream car: a 1967 blue Corvette.
"I'd love to get that car, but we don't have much garage space," said Pelletier.
Pelletier retired after more than 26 years as a regional manager for 66 7-Eleven convenience stores.
With more time on his hand, Pelletier is currently a member of the B.C. Corvette Club, and participates in many local car shows around the Lower Mainland.
I love the Show and Shine we have here," Pelletier said. "You meet a lot of good people and you get to see a lot of cool cars."
This year's Show and Shine has many new and exciting things going for it. Not only has Key West Ford signed on as the main sponsor, the day will also include food vendors such as local eateries Re-Up BBQ and Chronic Tacos, along with a legendary Vancouver favourite, Japadog. Entertainment will come from the New Orleans Ale Stars and Marty Bernard, along with the Bloo Zebras, featuring Jack Lavin.
The Trev Deeley Motorcycle Block will take up Begbie Street while Key West Ford is scheduled to have former Vancouver Canuck goalie Kirk McLean on site for photo opportunities.
For more information, go to www.downtownnewwest.ca.
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