Our Cars: Brian Sarlund’s 1986 Chevrolet Corvette
Brian Sarlund bought his first car, a 1957 Chevrolet, long before he was able to legally drive it. He was in the seventh grade and paid $1,000, “using every penny I had to my name from working odd jobs.” Brian worked on the Chevy through high school before disaster struck – it was sitting in the driveway when a wind storm blew a tree onto it. “Unfortunately, I didn’t have insurance, so it sat in storage for 10 years after that. I finally sold it to a guy who did a full restoration on it. I was glad to see that someone resurrected it, but I wish the tree had never fallen on it … wish I still had it.” As a senior claims adjuster, Brian hears similar stories form Hagerty clients – and he can certainly relate.
Name: Brian Sarlund
Position at Hagerty: Senior Claims Adjuster
Years at Hagerty: 8
Vehicle: 1986 Chevrolet Corvette
Why did you choose a 1986 Corvette? I always liked the C4. I bought it almost three years ago – it was affordable and has great performance. It was the first technological jump for the Corvette using ABS and electronics.
Repairs and Modifications: New transmission.
Hobby activities: I enjoy going to local car shows and the St. Ignace (Mich.) Car Show each June.
Favorite Drive: I love driving out to the lighthouse on Old Mission Peninsula (near Traverse City, Mich.). It’s a beautiful drive, especially in the spring before it gets really crowded around here.
Best/Worst Moments: I have both great and horrible memories of the ’57 Chevy, obviously. I’ve also owned a 1969 Camaro and a 1981 Turbo Trans Am.
