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I am resurrecting this thread in the hopes of hearing some more stories from members that may not have been here 5 years ago when I first posted this.
Here is mine back in the day with the annual body style changes it was a big deal to keep the cars secret until unveiled the first Monday of October for the dealer introduction to the public.
Chevrolet sponsored the TV show Bonanza back in those days. On the Sunday night that it played before the dealer new car introduction they would run the show commercial free and save all of that time for the end of the show when they would give you a sneak preview of the cars that would be shown at your local dealer the next day.
In 1962 when I was 12 years old I really had never paid much attention to cars until the night I speak of above.
I was watching Bonanza sitting on the floor and they announced the “brand new 1963 model Chevrolets” the screen went black and we thought something was wrong with the TV. Suddenly a white (at least on our black and white TV) 1963 Corvette coupe appeared on the screen in side profile then entire room around it was black and car was brightly lite, on a turntable slowly turning the entire car to show every angle. it turned to the rear showing the split window and when it got to the front the hidden head lights rolled up. I was MESMERIZED. it was AWESOME!!! I remember thinking to myself, “when I grow up I am going to have one of those cars” It was the beginning of my life long love affair with automobiles. The funny thing is, of all the Corvettes I have owned I have never owned a 63.
My story has to do with growing up in a colorless miserable little ex-coal mining town, so far back in the hollers that sunshine had to be pumped in.
Out of the blue a distant relative shows up in what I think was a 58-60 two tone red and white Corvette and gives all of us snotty-nosed cousins a ride.
It might as well have been the space shuttle, it was so far beyond the pale of my world. To me, it was like the scene where The Wizard of Oz movie goes from black and white to technicolor. Probably my first existential memory, if that makes sense. I was five.
It was much more than a car. It was evidence of the possibility of life beyond the hills, and the hills were more than just a location. It was a state of mind. The leap was a small one, but opened up the possibility of a different reality.
Mine was in 1959 when my brother owned a Black/Red 57 with dual quads and a three speed. I was 7, and he would do his best to scare the crap out of me by going as fast as he could. He succeeded in doing that but he also instilled the desire to own one someday. I did that in 1971 with a 61, for $900.00 bucks. Ah the good old days! My dad with my brothers 57 in the background.
Mine was in 1980 age 12 taking a ride in a neighbors 69 riverside gold 427 vette. My head was pinned back most of the ride and all I did was stare out the t tops grinning this was great
My neighbor drove me down the street in his '58 with the top down. I was 11 years old at the time. I grew up around other Vettes and muscle cars galore. Dennis
My story has to do with growing up in a colorless miserable little ex-coal mining town, so far back in the hollers that sunshine had to be pumped in.
Out of the blue a distant relative shows up in what I think was a 58-60 two tone red and white Corvette and gives all of us snotty-nosed cousins a ride.
It might as well have been the space shuttle, it was so far beyond the pale of my world. To me, it was like the scene where The Wizard of Oz movie goes from black and white to technicolor. Probably my first existential memory, if that makes sense. I was five.
It was much more than a car. It was evidence of the possibility of life beyond the hills, and the hills were more than just a location. It was a state of mind. The leap was a small one, but opened up the possibility of a different reality.
Last edited by Easy Rhino; 02-12-2017 at 10:08 AM.
We had some family friends. Guy was a USAF Captain, B-52 navigator. This was probably 68-69 during the war. He had a red SWC. I can remember riding around in that car like it was yesterday. As far as I know, the family still has the car.
in 1989 my dad took our family to on a sunday drive and found a 67 coupe in a field with grass as high as the roof. after he drug the car home, and took it apart he took the frame to a family members garage to work on it. as we only had a one car garage in the house. so just the body was sitting in ours. now the front clip was off so it was only from the fire wall back. I can remember parking my bike in front of it calling a bucket of bolts that wont be anything. 20 years later he proved me wrong now I was six at the time. so really what did I know
Back in spring, 1969, (I was 11 YO), several of us were hanging out and me and couple other boys were sitting on the fenders fn (I know now) a Corvette Bronze painted '68 convertible that was parked on the street.
Some lady came out and said her husband probably wouldn't be too happy if he found us sitting on his car.
Sitting in my 10th grade classroom and hearing a car burning rubber outside the school. I looked out the school and saw that it was a 63. I wanted one every since. I finally bought my 65 in 1983, still have it, still love it.
Summer of 1964 and I was 9 years old. My brother had just graduated from high school and bought a white '57. I was outside when he came rumbling up the driveway with it and I just stood there and stared, mesmerized. It was the coolest car I had ever seen. Six years later I had one of my own.
When I was about 7 or 8 the lawyer across the street bought a new C3 and I used to talk to his hot wife while she was gardening. I have to admit I was looking down her shirt the whole time she was gardening. I couldn't decide whether the car or the ***** were better.
Mine was in 1959 when my brother owned a Black/Red 57 with dual quads and a three speed. I was 7, and he would do his best to scare the crap out of me by going as fast as he could. He succeeded in doing that but he also instilled the desire to own one someday. I did that in 1971 with a 61, for $900.00 bucks. Ah the good old days! My dad with my brothers 57 in the background. Attachment 48062927
Originally Posted by SDVette
That's me in my dad's 61 in about 1967. I'm still driving it!
My story has to do with growing up in a colorless miserable little ex-coal mining town, so far back in the hollers that sunshine had to be pumped in.
Out of the blue a distant relative shows up in what I think was a 58-60 two tone red and white Corvette and gives all of us snotty-nosed cousins a ride.
It might as well have been the space shuttle, it was so far beyond the pale of my world. To me, it was like the scene where The Wizard of Oz movie goes from black and white to technicolor. Probably my first existential memory, if that makes sense. I was five.
It was much more than a car. It was evidence of the possibility of life beyond the hills, and the hills were more than just a location. It was a state of mind. The leap was a small one, but opened up the possibility of a different reality.
Extremely well written, and paints a much bigger picture. Thanks!
Born in '65, grew up in a relatively dull, disinteresting suburb of Windsor Ontario. Considering our proximity and involvement with Detroit "motor city" there was very little evidence of enthusiasm among neighbors and friends for any car.
Maybe cars there and then were just considered transportation or a j-o-b. Looking back I really can't recall much interest in anything beyond getting your husband and kids off to school on time, then making sure they brought the bucks and grades back home. Grateful for basic values and remarkably sheltered from common social pressures - but I never knew anyone who could turn a wrench (much less anyone's head) with their car, or anything else for that matter.
I envy those of you who grew up around gearheads, for the real pleasure is always involvement not only in the struggle and creation of maintaining something special, but for the sharing that is so predominant among enthusiasts and this forum. To me, my automotive interests are like my others, centered more around the people than the "things" they focus on.
Life's too short to bear with boring cars, or people.
Appreciate you all!
My first introduction to the vette was in 1957 or 1958. I was only 12/13 years old. My brother worked at an old Clark station in Fargo ND. A guy had purchased a 1957 Black with Fuel Injection and used to pop into the station for fuel and cigarettes. Beautiful car and was supposed to be one of the fastest in town at the time.
02-11-2017, 10:12 PM
What was your first memory of a Corvette?
