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To get back on topic, how many of you out there had or have dads who put Corvette fever in your blood and in turn how many have infected your children.
My dad (who passed over 30 years ago got me hooked). When I was about 14, (around 1967) my dad, took me to wrecking yards to get parts for one car or another. One time he saw this '61 Corvette sitting in the back field. He ended up buying it for $200, and had it towed home. It was a powerglide and had a damaged front corner. We got it running and also found it was home to a family of mice which made their way into our house. Anyway, we went to J&D and bought a replacement fender, that we installed using little nuts and bolts, and bondo. He took it to Earle Scheib and got it painted white. He loved that car, and I couldn't wait to get my license. By then, I got a '60 of my own, and eventually a '64. Then my younger brother got a '64. 11 years ago, I bought my '72 and my son, who grew up with Corvette stories, bought a '98. A few years later, he got a Z06. My younger brother, now 58, just bought a '63 convertible. Now I think his two sons will be getting the fever.
My Father was interested in cars, and was in the early days of the SCCA. One of his more interesting stories involved this Maserati, owned by George Weaver (who owned Thompson, Ct racetrack back in the day). I think Dad took the photo, that's our then next-door neighbor sitting on the right rear tire and George leaning on the right front. Photo taken in Watkins Glen, NY.
Dad called The Plastic Pig, 'The Plastic Bauble'. He wrote me a little ditty, I'll have to dig out - one of the lines: "When things start to wobble on that GD Plastic Bauble." (I could be misremembering, the GD might go elsewhere).
Last edited by Dirty Dalton; 11-12-2015 at 10:51 PM.
My dad wasn`t really a "car guy", but my uncle was. He always had some nice car or other. But from a young age, I was really interested in cars, and have passed that onto my sons, so I guess I am that dad....
My grandfather was a mechanic and my father worked in tool and die. Neither had the car bug but my dad taught me many aspects of repairing cars over the years. I grew up in Detroit during the 50s/60s and have always loved cars.
I introduced my son to cars when he was in high school to help keep him from doing typical teenage stupid things. He has had the passion ever since. We work on cars together and now his daughter has her drivers permit. She is learning to drive a manual trans in his '61 Corvette. But, both she and her brother think my C3 is the best of all our cars.
Dad introduced me to fast cars at a young age. Anything fast or cool, boats, planes also. Used to race at Soldier's Field in Chicago and then Raceway Park in Blue Island.
My Dad didn't have the money for a new Corvette so he bought "the closest thing to a Corvette yet" a Z/28. He drove it to work for a while. After I got my license and drove our Jeep and he believed I was responsible enough he traded me the Z/28 and took the Jeep. So he deserves the credit for instilling the Corvette craving.
The Corvette fever was passed onto me from my dad. I grew up around my dad's (tsw71) '71, Chuck Harmon's L88, Shark Racer's '78 Pace Car, and my uncle's '70 LS5. I always had die cast Corvettes as a kid, and I believe my first die cast car was a '69 convertible. I've helped my dad with several projects on his car over the last 15 years or so, and I think I used to watch him work on the car when I was too young to turn a wrench. My dad took me to the Pacific grove road rally back in 2000 or 2001, and to a few of the "Corvette corrals" at the Laguna Seca Historic races. I always wanted my own Corvette, especially a C3, and made it a goal at the beginning of this year to get my own by my 22nd birthday, and was able to buy my '77 in August. If/when I have kids, I hope to pass the Corvette fever onto them.
My dad's 71, Chuck's L88, and another forum member's '68
Love this thread - Dads, Sons, Corvettes (or any car) is what it is all about. Family enjoying quality time together. I see so many kids today lost with no interest in anything (well maybe sitting in front of a some sort of screen). My 2 boys (10 & 13) like it all - cars, boats, ATVs' and going off topic - sports, outdoor activities like fishing. Hey- we are going fishing this afternoon (hour drive away). All they were talking about yesterday. So, all you dads out there - invest in some time with your kids. Oh yeah - thank you Dad for showing me the way.
Love this thread - Dads, Sons, Corvettes (or any car) is what it is all about. Family enjoying quality time together. I see so many kids today lost with no interest in anything (well maybe sitting in front of a some sort of screen). My 2 boys (10 & 13) like it all - cars, boats, ATVs' and going off topic - sports, outdoor activities like fishing. Hey- we are going fishing this afternoon (hour drive away). All they were talking about yesterday. So, all you dads out there - invest in some time with your kids. Oh yeah - thank you Dad for showing me the way.
My boys are away in college but when they are home the cars are out (68 & 73), or modding our Wranglers or playing golf, bike rides. Any and everything.
My father was never much of a car guy, and neither was my mother... But i kinda owe my Corvette fascination to my mom, as she always took me to the public library and tried to get me to read. One day, i ended up in the childrens nonfiction section and i saw a book called Corvette: America's sports car, and on the cover was a red C4. I picked it up and looked through it and immediately fell in love with Corvettes. And a few days ago, i finally got my own corvette.
My Mother and Father drove me home from Ponitac General hospital in 1971 in a 70' 350/300 Convertible.
Over the years Dad had about a dozen Vettes. He got attached to the Mid-Year cars in the 80's when they were still "cheap". He sold off his pride and joy 66' in 94 when the market started to climb.....
We then built a series of Street Rods..(32 Roadster,33' Coupe, 32' Coupe) and he ended up trading the last one for a beautiful 66' Coupe that I inherited when he passed in 2008.
I had the car for 5 years.....drove the snot out of it and decided that I was tired of sweating in it....(too hot here). I traded it for a 69' 427/400 Conv. that some of you have seen......I sold that and have the 72' Coupe that is in another thread.... that I am currently modifying.
Corvettes are in my blood since birth.....my favorite car ever......
My Dads passion for Vettes made me pursue engine building and painting at a professional level......both of which I would not want to do for a living again....LOL!
I am happy to be able to do my own work......and I think Dad would love the 72'......
Here is a pic of the 70' with the factory side exhaust that Dad had installed as well as the Ansen Sprints......
11-12-2015, 10:29 PM
Dads, sons and Corvettes
