07/07/2026
Joe & Dottie Lagreca's 1962 Corvette Roadster
Joe and Dottie Lagreca's beautiful 1962 Corvette Roadster is much more than a classic car—it's a cherished member of the family. Finished in elegant Fawn Beige inside and out, this numbers-matching roadster features a 327ci/340-horsepower V8, a 4-speed manual transmission, power windows, and both the soft top and hardtop.
The Lagrecas became the car's third owners in May 1993. It had spent its entire life in California, first with the dealership owner's family, then in a private collection before finding its forever home. Joe had owned a Fawn Beige 1961 Corvette during his college years and always regretted selling it. When he heard about a 1962 Corvette for sale near Santa Maria, he and Dottie made the trip to see it. The moment the seller rolled it out and Joe saw it was also Fawn Beige, he knew it was meant to be. A few days later, they rode AMTRAK to Santa Barbara to complete the purchase before enjoying a memorable drive home through Ojai.
Over the years, this Corvette has become part of countless special moments. It has carried homecoming royalty, mayors, honored veterans, and even . It has held a special place in the family's heart, especially when honoring Joe's brother, Jack, a decorated veteran who proudly served in both World War II and the Korean War, earning both the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
The Corvette has also helped create treasured family memories. Their son, Joe, has always been the family's go-to mechanic and fellow gearhead, while their daughter, Rina, learned to drive a manual transmission behind the wheel of this very car. One of the family's favorite stories came after an Inland Empire Corvettes drive home from Idyllwild, when a CHP SUV pulled in behind them with its lights flashing. Instead of a citation, the officer simply announced over the loudspeaker, "Beautiful car!" before turning off the lights and driving away.
Perhaps the sweetest story came from Rina when she was just 16 years old. She told her mom, "Even after a crazy day at the office, Dad just smiles when he gets into the '62. So if you get a bad report card, just leave it in the '62."
