uncle427

Has anyone been able to document any records or any data pertaining to Corvettes delivered to Jim Rathmann Chevrolet in Melbourne, Florida and used for the "U-Rent-it" program designed to rent cars to the astronauts? Can anyone point me to any surveys or other info that may be helpful in documenting a car and potentially learning who owned it? Or how many were used? Any others done any research that could be shared? I am currently restoring a 65 coupe documented to have been delivered there and the title was marked U-Rent-It Program on it. Would love to learn more!

I would also love to locate one of the original emblems they put on the backs of the cars, even one to duplicate!

Thanks!

captcfd23

Sent you a message, check it out.

uncle427

Thanks, got it and PM'd back

Tom/99

This came off my mothers 72 Chevelle. I removed it the day she brought it home. We lived three blocks behing Jim Rathmann's from 1967 thru 1972.

uncle427

Hi Tom,
Thanks for responding!
Great pic, although I expect that your tag is plastic? Was it a "self stick"?I am "assuming" that in 1965 the tag would have been metal, it for sure had two posts like a regular production emblem of the day as there are two holes in the tail lamp panel where it was mounted. But I am just guessing as I have not seen one before.
Thanks!

buster2972

My 67 L-79 roadster was delivered to Jim Rathman Chevrolet in September of 1966. It has a very early vin number.I bought the car in 1969 and but only have the name of the owner prior to me. I have tried to trace the title ownership back to Rathman, but have had no success.
If anyone has any suggestions on how to get this information I would be most grateful.
Neal

wxk122

Have you determined if the 1965 Corvette was the one used by Alan Shepard . Did the car ever have B/P 714 on the side of it
DAn Reed in Austin Texas has the vin#'s of all the astronaut
cars that they were rented from Rathman
i.e

8217 Shoal Creek Blvd,. Austin, TX 78757. (512) 328-9010. (512) 328-9010.

danny@dannyreed.net


Please let me know how you make out

Bill Keogh
NCRS member 1610
e mail: wllmkeogh@yahoo.com
tel:905-8712341

Easy Rhino

5 year old thread resurrected.

LTWALTHER2

I am glad I found this thread resurrected.

Back in 2001 when I was looking to buy a 1967 big block, one of the cars I came across was Buzz Aldrin's Purple 1967 427/435 Coupe(which may have been originally black). At the time it was for sale at a shop in Houston, Texas. I am not sure if this was a Rathman car or Aldrin actually bought it in Houston. I called the owner, and he said the car spent most of its life in Houston.The Aldrin car was purple with no front bumper, side pipes and Torque Thrust wheels. The guy wanted $19,000 in the ad which I think was in Hemmings, but when I called, he said he decided not to sell the car. Does anyone have any info on this car? I would like to find it again, if possible.
Thanks

warrenmj

A bit OT, but I met Buzz Aldrin a year ago when he attended the annual Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, which he does every year. Saw him again at last month’s symposium and he is still going strong at 88!

ChattanoogaJSB

LTWALTHER2

If I remember correctly it was painted in Purple/Plum candy metal flake,
wheel flares, 6 tail lights, and black diamond upholstery with **** carpet. I had watched it for awhile, and the guy came down in price a few times. It needed a full restoration. I have often wondered what happened to that car, but as soon as you google "Buzz Aldrin 1967 Corvette coupe", all that comes up is him and his 1968, and Gus Grissom and Neil Armstrong's 1967's, or the Apollo 12 and 15 cars.

Ppridgen

could you check a vin number for me? I’m sitting on the last vette (1968 ) that gordo cooper drove ( possibly.
I also have paperwork to go with it