J.R. Michels, 27, of Ravenna, Mich., was only four years old and playing with toy trucks in the sandbox when his 1978 Silver Anniversary Corvette rolled off the assembly line. And, when he got the chance to buy it in late 1999, he was as happy again as a kid with a new toy.

But this toy needed some serious TLC, says Michels, 27, an owner-operator leased to Lintjer Livestock. "I restored just about the whole car. I had to replace the original oyster-white upholstery, put in a new drivetrain, U-joint, stainless-steel brakes." The gleaming black Corvette has the original L82 350-hp engine, turbo 400 transmission and 4.11 gears.

Michels doesn't get a lot of chances to play with his toy. He puts in 2,500 to 3,000 miles a week for Lintjer in his 1996 Kenworth W900. Bought used, the KW has a 455-hp Caterpillar, 9-speed transmission, 2.70 rears and 72-inch double-bunk sleeper.

He transports hogs and cattle in a 50-foot 1999 Eby livestock trailer. In 1999, he showed his rig at the Richard Crane Memorial Truck Show in St. Ignace, Mich., after long hours of polishing every square inch.

Last year, though, Michels decided to bring his newly-restored Corvette instead. "I got to see the show, and I wasn't nearly as tired afterwards," he says.