Our latest Pro Owner Spotlight takes us to Santa Cruz, California, where Kevin Elliott shares his passion for restoration through three beautifully maintained American classics.

What cars do you share on DRIVESHARE?

I have three cars listed: a 1969 Corvette Stingray, a 1967 Pontiac Firebird Convertible, and a 1957 Ford Thunderbird, also known as the Pink Lady. These three cars are part of a small collection which I enjoy renting out for weddings or special events here in California.

How did you come to own them?

I bought the Corvette at auction in LA 40 years ago, intending to turn around and sell it at a profit however, after driving it home to the Bay Area I just couldn't part with it. Over the next four decades this car became as much a part of the family as the three children and two grandchildren that have come along since.

During Covid I began what was to become a 3 year restoration/update project which saw the car returned to its factory Cortez Silver finish (it had been resprayed in white when I bought it) and included several upgrades like factory leather, Vintage Air Conditioning, power windows and a Tremec 5-speed.

About 20 years ago I was visiting a friend when this rough looking Firebird pulled up to the house driven by one of her other friends. It turned out this was a restoration project which he'd grown tired of after doing all the mechanical work, and was looking to sell. I had a 1967 Firebird Convertible in High School, and always regretted having sold it, so I bought the car on the spot.

And as for my Dusk Rose 1957 Ford Thunderbird (okay, pink!) T-Bird, this was bought new by my High School buddy's grandmother, who named her the Pink Lady.

What memories stand out most?

The Corvette was a huge part of my young life. I joined a Corvette club and loved taking it to shows, racing it at autocross events, and driving it in rallies and on road trips. It has always been garaged, but sat unused for several years while I raised kids. When Covid hit I decided that was the perfect time to completely tear it down and return it to its former glory.

I bought the Firebird from a friend 20 years ago, I spent the next year doing all the fun cosmetic restoration work to make the car into what you see today. My kids were teenagers by then so they often participated in the work and came to enjoy the car as much as I did. Unlike the Corvette, this car fit the whole family so we used it a lot, and used to love going to the drive in movies in it.

The Pink Lady was enjoyed by my buddy's grandmother for much of her life before being passed on to his mother in the mid 70's. She used to drive it around my hometown and always drew plenty of admirers. When his mother passed away, my buddy put the car in storage until 10 years ago, when he finally gave in to my constant pestering and sold me the car.

I did a light restoration on this well preserved family heirloom and began taking it to shows and club events. I always make a point of sending my buddy photos of the car in action so he can see that his grandma's Pink Lady is still loved.

What do you enjoy most about sharing your cars?

The Pink Lady has been the biggest surprise to me. Of all the cars I have owned, this pink T-Bird gets the most love and brings me the most joy. I am retired after 30 years in Law Enforcement, and have found that renting these cars out for weddings and other special days in people's lives brings me the same kind of satisfaction and sense of accomplishment I used to get helping people who were having the worst days of their lives.

I am grateful to DRIVESHARE for helping to put me together with people who are planning a special day, and appreciate how much more memorable that day can be with the addition of a special car.

Thank you, Kevin, for sharing your DRIVESHARE story. You can find Kevin on Instagram @pinkweddingcar to see more photos and videos of his cars in action, and check out his DRIVESHARE listing here.

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