Back in the Day
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
Back in the Day
I was 21 and had just purchased a used 65 vert in the fall of 1966. Black with black top, 300hp, 4-speed with white interior.
My memory is getting a little shaky these days but I do recall pulling up to the local golden arches one evening only to find a couple of nice looking young ladies who were in need of a ride home when I returned to the Vette.
How many cars would do that for a guy? Man - did I have fun with that machine.
In January of 1968 I found myself in the Army at my first duty station and met my wife. I was impressed that she was not impressed that I had a Corvette!
I survived Vietnam, Desert Storm, four kids, twelve grandchildren and 46 years of marriage and a few other Vettes along the way.
Life is good but I sure wish I could have held onto that 65 vert!
My memory is getting a little shaky these days but I do recall pulling up to the local golden arches one evening only to find a couple of nice looking young ladies who were in need of a ride home when I returned to the Vette.
How many cars would do that for a guy? Man - did I have fun with that machine.
In January of 1968 I found myself in the Army at my first duty station and met my wife. I was impressed that she was not impressed that I had a Corvette!
I survived Vietnam, Desert Storm, four kids, twelve grandchildren and 46 years of marriage and a few other Vettes along the way.
Life is good but I sure wish I could have held onto that 65 vert!
#2
Safety Car
I was 21 and had just purchased a used 65 vert in the fall of 1966. Black with black top, 300hp, 4-speed with white interior.
My memory is getting a little shaky these days but I do recall pulling up to the local golden arches one evening only to find a couple of nice looking young ladies who were in need of a ride home when I returned to the Vette.
How many cars would do that for a guy? Man - did I have fun with that machine.
In January of 1968 I found myself in the Army at my first duty station and met my wife. I was impressed that she was not impressed that I had a Corvette!
I survived Vietnam, Desert Storm, four kids, twelve grandchildren and 46 years of marriage and a few other Vettes along the way.
Life is good but I sure wish I could have held onto that 65 vert!
My memory is getting a little shaky these days but I do recall pulling up to the local golden arches one evening only to find a couple of nice looking young ladies who were in need of a ride home when I returned to the Vette.
How many cars would do that for a guy? Man - did I have fun with that machine.
In January of 1968 I found myself in the Army at my first duty station and met my wife. I was impressed that she was not impressed that I had a Corvette!
I survived Vietnam, Desert Storm, four kids, twelve grandchildren and 46 years of marriage and a few other Vettes along the way.
Life is good but I sure wish I could have held onto that 65 vert!
#3
Race Director
Thanks for your service!
Life is full of trade offs - I've still got my '67 that I bought in '71, but had to keep it through a nasty divorce. I suspect that overall you have probably come out ahead.
Life is full of trade offs - I've still got my '67 that I bought in '71, but had to keep it through a nasty divorce. I suspect that overall you have probably come out ahead.
#5
Le Mans Master
46 years
You look great for being married for 46 years. The car looks terrific as well. I have had my 68 for 43 years and I am jealous that the car looks as good as the day got it, but I clearly do not . Jerry
#6
Le Mans Master
I remember the whitewalls "back in the day", but don't remember the manufacturer. somebody will, and will chime in . . . . .
Those are the original 1966 hubcaps, 5 spoke. The 1965 hubcaps were similar but with 6 spokes . . . . go figure!
Great old photo, by the way. I bought my first Corvette, a 1963 327/340 HP convertible with both tops, 4:11 gears and a close ratio 4-speed upon my return from Vietnam. A silver blue car with Navy Blue interior, and I as well wish I had hung onto it. Although, the 1965 I sold last July I did own 39 year plus a few months, and have owned the '66 in my avatar for 35 plus years as well. So maybe I've done something right . . . .
Those are the original 1966 hubcaps, 5 spoke. The 1965 hubcaps were similar but with 6 spokes . . . . go figure!
Great old photo, by the way. I bought my first Corvette, a 1963 327/340 HP convertible with both tops, 4:11 gears and a close ratio 4-speed upon my return from Vietnam. A silver blue car with Navy Blue interior, and I as well wish I had hung onto it. Although, the 1965 I sold last July I did own 39 year plus a few months, and have owned the '66 in my avatar for 35 plus years as well. So maybe I've done something right . . . .
Last edited by Ron Miller; 05-21-2015 at 12:12 PM.
#7
Le Mans Master
Interesting info here, I knew that Goodyear made double stripe whitewalls, but I did not know that they were available on the Goodyear Blue Streak tires...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-VINTAGE-M-...-/261236044689
Good luck... GUSTO
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-VINTAGE-M-...-/261236044689
Good luck... GUSTO
#8
Race Director
Thread Starter
Sharp eye on the hubcaps! When I bought it I asked the dealer to swap hubcaps from my 65 with a 66 he had on the lot. While stationed in Washington DC I bought a set of Goodyear bluestreak tires and torquethrust D wheels for the car. I threw the 66 hubcaps in the dumpster Know how much those 66 hubcaps are worth now?
Just remembered another story - I was driving around DC with the top down and stopped at a light. A guy comes up to me and says, "Would you like to have a pretty girl to ride along with you?" I was stunned as I realized he was a pimp. There was no way I was going to pay for a girl to ride with me when back home in Grand Rapids, Michigan I could have one to ride along any time I wanted - and for free!
Just remembered another story - I was driving around DC with the top down and stopped at a light. A guy comes up to me and says, "Would you like to have a pretty girl to ride along with you?" I was stunned as I realized he was a pimp. There was no way I was going to pay for a girl to ride with me when back home in Grand Rapids, Michigan I could have one to ride along any time I wanted - and for free!
#9
Race Director
Thread Starter
Don't I wish! I will be 70 in September. Lost all the hair on top and have gained about 50 ponds. I came in from mowing the other day and my wife says, "Hey sexy - nice outfit!". Baggy home boy shorts, sandals with socks, holey Detroit Lions T shirt and my old boonie hat from Desert Storm - sexy indeed!
#10
Race Director
Member Since: Mar 2009
Location: Canada's capital
Posts: 19,777
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I remember the whitewalls "back in the day", but don't remember the manufacturer. somebody will, and will chime in . . . . .
Those are the original 1966 hubcaps, 5 spoke. The 1965 hubcaps were similar but with 6 spokes . . . . go figure!
Great old photo, by the way. I bought my first Corvette, a 1963 327/340 HP convertible with both tops, 4:11 gears and a close ratio 4-speed upon my return from Vietnam. A silver blue car with Navy Blue interior, and I as well wish I had hung onto it. Although, the 1965 I sold last July I did own 39 year plus a few months, and have owned the '66 in my avatar for 35 plus years as well. So maybe I've done something right . . . .
Those are the original 1966 hubcaps, 5 spoke. The 1965 hubcaps were similar but with 6 spokes . . . . go figure!
Great old photo, by the way. I bought my first Corvette, a 1963 327/340 HP convertible with both tops, 4:11 gears and a close ratio 4-speed upon my return from Vietnam. A silver blue car with Navy Blue interior, and I as well wish I had hung onto it. Although, the 1965 I sold last July I did own 39 year plus a few months, and have owned the '66 in my avatar for 35 plus years as well. So maybe I've done something right . . . .
#11
Race Director
Member Since: Dec 1999
Location: Plum Boro, Pa. USA Pennsylvania
Posts: 11,482
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Bought my '62 in 1967, planning to keep it a year - to "get it outta my system" - and then sell it. 48 years later, it's still in my garage Had it at a local Cruise past two Tuesdays.
Cruz
Cruz
#13
I was 21 and had just purchased a used 65 vert in the fall of 1966. Black with black top, 300hp, 4-speed with white interior.
My memory is getting a little shaky these days but I do recall pulling up to the local golden arches one evening only to find a couple of nice looking young ladies who were in need of a ride home when I returned to the Vette.
How many cars would do that for a guy? Man - did I have fun with that machine.
In January of 1968 I found myself in the Army at my first duty station and met my wife. I was impressed that she was not impressed that I had a Corvette!
I survived Vietnam, Desert Storm, four kids, twelve grandchildren and 46 years of marriage and a few other Vettes along the way.
Life is good but I sure wish I could have held onto that 65 vert!
My memory is getting a little shaky these days but I do recall pulling up to the local golden arches one evening only to find a couple of nice looking young ladies who were in need of a ride home when I returned to the Vette.
How many cars would do that for a guy? Man - did I have fun with that machine.
In January of 1968 I found myself in the Army at my first duty station and met my wife. I was impressed that she was not impressed that I had a Corvette!
I survived Vietnam, Desert Storm, four kids, twelve grandchildren and 46 years of marriage and a few other Vettes along the way.
Life is good but I sure wish I could have held onto that 65 vert!
Got my first vette in 1969 as a young buck at age 19. Bought it for $3 grand but had to make payments of $85/month with nothing down. 1966 fastback with big block power and painted a cool banana yellow. Had so much fun cruising Southern California and meeting all the beautiful surfer blondes and assorted hippie chicks. I'm 66 now and own a 64 air coupe with extensive mods. Don't think I can pursue the hobby much longer due to health issues and changing priorities. Hopefully, my grandson will catch the fever and the car will be his.
#14
Safety Car
I found 57 Vin #3537 car in 1971. It was an original Fuel Injected car, 2 top, Wonderbar radio, 4:11 posi, real factory 4 speed car. Corvette historian and 56-57 expert, MIKE HUNT from Wisconsin thought it may have been one of the first 4 speed cars made. The trans had its original dated tail shaft, but a 59 dated T-10 main case, so who knowns. We lost Mike in 2007 due to a motorcycle accident.
A father and son were restoring the Corvette in Long Beach, CA when Dad got sick with cancer and had to sell it. I paid him $2000 which was a lot in those days, but I really wanted the car. It had a 327 engine with a carb.
I bought the 57 fuel injection engine and 4520 FI unit and 905 distributor from Chevrolet dealer PAT CONNELL at CONNELL CHEVROLET in Costa Mesa, California [ still open today] in 1973. He had purchaed a wrecked 57 fuel car for parts and was trying to find a car to put it in. I had the car, and he wanted to buy it. But I wanted the engine, so he sold me the complete rebuilt set up for $2500. I later discovered it was the correct assembly date for the car. Not the original, but a real 57 FI Corvette assembly.
Went thru a bad divorce and stored the car for 5 years. Got remarried to my best friend and current bride, and finally finished the restoration in 1982.
SOLD THE CAR IN 1983 to buy a business. I lost track of the car after the new local friend moved to San Diego with the car in 1984.
Just for fun and history, I HAD PUT A BUSINESS CARD INSIDE THE PASSENGER KICK PANEL, ''RESTORED BY WITH A DATE'' etc. The car wound up in Pipe Creek, Minnesota. The long time owner recently sold the car to a neighbor due to health issues. The new owner found me thru his cousin, who owns a 63 Z0-6 Tanker that I have known for three years. SMALL WORLD....AND FUN. IT'S THE PEOPLE AND THE CARS. I wish I still owned this car. Over the years I owned nine 1957 Corvettes. They are one of the best Corvettes Chevrolet ever made. CRUDE.......But fun cars.
A father and son were restoring the Corvette in Long Beach, CA when Dad got sick with cancer and had to sell it. I paid him $2000 which was a lot in those days, but I really wanted the car. It had a 327 engine with a carb.
I bought the 57 fuel injection engine and 4520 FI unit and 905 distributor from Chevrolet dealer PAT CONNELL at CONNELL CHEVROLET in Costa Mesa, California [ still open today] in 1973. He had purchaed a wrecked 57 fuel car for parts and was trying to find a car to put it in. I had the car, and he wanted to buy it. But I wanted the engine, so he sold me the complete rebuilt set up for $2500. I later discovered it was the correct assembly date for the car. Not the original, but a real 57 FI Corvette assembly.
Went thru a bad divorce and stored the car for 5 years. Got remarried to my best friend and current bride, and finally finished the restoration in 1982.
SOLD THE CAR IN 1983 to buy a business. I lost track of the car after the new local friend moved to San Diego with the car in 1984.
Just for fun and history, I HAD PUT A BUSINESS CARD INSIDE THE PASSENGER KICK PANEL, ''RESTORED BY WITH A DATE'' etc. The car wound up in Pipe Creek, Minnesota. The long time owner recently sold the car to a neighbor due to health issues. The new owner found me thru his cousin, who owns a 63 Z0-6 Tanker that I have known for three years. SMALL WORLD....AND FUN. IT'S THE PEOPLE AND THE CARS. I wish I still owned this car. Over the years I owned nine 1957 Corvettes. They are one of the best Corvettes Chevrolet ever made. CRUDE.......But fun cars.
Last edited by jimgessner; 05-23-2015 at 12:01 PM.