1969 Astronaut Edition
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 943
Likes: 3
From: Chicago IL
Originally Posted by Love My 72 and 77
Um Dear Chevrolet,
I just wanted to say I am an Astronaut and I would like a Corvette under your free Corvettes for Astronauts program. Please ship the Corvette and I will send you a copy of my Astronaut licence promptly after I get the Corvette.
Thank you very much
Robert Astronaut
I just wanted to say I am an Astronaut and I would like a Corvette under your free Corvettes for Astronauts program. Please ship the Corvette and I will send you a copy of my Astronaut licence promptly after I get the Corvette.
Thank you very much
Robert Astronaut
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Originally Posted by NHvette
I saw the one in preson at the Hershey NCRS convention.
I forget if it was paint or a badge ... but you can see the red/white/blue
"badge" just above the Stingray script. Probably painted.
I forget if it was paint or a badge ... but you can see the red/white/blue
"badge" just above the Stingray script. Probably painted.
In terms of special badging, all three got the color code above the Stingray script but than each was marked with the acronym of the position they held on the team. For example, The logo on Alan Bean's Stingray indicates his position as Lunar Module Pilot or LMP scripted into the blue paint.
Lunar Module Pilot
The paint scheme did get a deduct...by NCRS guidelines, can't grow paint from factory and that was the basis for the deduct, it grew paint. There exists no factory documentation or special order that confirms it was painted by the factory. Therefore it could be assumed it could have equally been painted by a dealer. It did go on and get Top Flight due to something I don't recall. I believe Rowdy was on the judging team.
Quite an interesting test for the NCRS judging team if you think about it. A popular well storied Corvette but clearly no documentation to suggest it rolled out of the factory with the paint scheme of "solidarity" as the astronauts called it. I have the owner's card somewhere and we exchanged some correspondence after the Hershey meet. Nice guy I even got a photo somewhere (same as Chucks).
Vette Article
Last edited by hunt4cleanair; Nov 18, 2006 at 06:44 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
In addition to the two tone paint scheme, each car had a special emblem on the front fenders. These emblems identified the position that each astronaut served in on the Apollo mission. As I recall, they were CMDR (for Commander), CMP (for Command Module Pilot), and LMP (for Lunar Module Pilot).
These cars went to the Apollo 12 crew. I don't recall Chevrolet doing this afterwards. I suspect that NASA had something to say about it.
The Corvette Museum tried to get some astronauts to attend the Labor Day show a few years ago when the museum was celebrating Corvette and Astronauts. NASA replied that they did not want astronauts "endorsing" any commercial product (like Corvettes).
These cars went to the Apollo 12 crew. I don't recall Chevrolet doing this afterwards. I suspect that NASA had something to say about it.
The Corvette Museum tried to get some astronauts to attend the Labor Day show a few years ago when the museum was celebrating Corvette and Astronauts. NASA replied that they did not want astronauts "endorsing" any commercial product (like Corvettes).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,027
Likes: 0
From: Winter Haven Florida
Originally Posted by Love My 72 and 77
Um Dear Chevrolet,
I just wanted to say I am an Astronaut and I would like a Corvette under your free Corvettes for Astronauts program. Please ship the Corvette and I will send you a copy of my Astronaut licence promptly after I get the Corvette.
Thank you very much
Robert Astronaut
I just wanted to say I am an Astronaut and I would like a Corvette under your free Corvettes for Astronauts program. Please ship the Corvette and I will send you a copy of my Astronaut licence promptly after I get the Corvette.
Thank you very much
Robert Astronaut
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Found my pics!! 
Took a while, these pics were buried in a computer I don't normally use. Yes, Rowdy was there and I was looking over his shoulder (observing).
BTW, my pics are dated July 7, 2003.
Took a while, these pics were buried in a computer I don't normally use. Yes, Rowdy was there and I was looking over his shoulder (observing). BTW, my pics are dated July 7, 2003.
Last edited by PRNDL; Nov 19, 2006 at 01:46 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 182
Likes: 4
Here is Alan Shepards 68 corvette
Notice the big block hood (not L-88)
as listed in previous post.
It's currently on loan to the "US Space Walk of Fame Museum"
http://www.nbbd.com/godo/spacemuseum...6-Corvette.jpg
Notice the big block hood (not L-88)
as listed in previous post.
It's currently on loan to the "US Space Walk of Fame Museum"
http://www.nbbd.com/godo/spacemuseum...6-Corvette.jpg
Last edited by 601P; Nov 19, 2006 at 08:45 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,020
Likes: 2,262
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
I saw one of them a few times in the Austin area also a few years ago. It still shows up occasionally at shows in Tx.
JIM
JIM
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 259
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento CA
Interesting pics. I believe the astronaut photos were published in November of 1969 with the Apollo 12 mission launch that same month. I see that the grills are the silver painted 1968 carry overs used in early 1969 production. This makes me believe that these cars were either around for a while or the photos were taken earlier in 1969. I wonder what the build dates are.
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 419
Likes: 4
From: MA
Originally Posted by rjjmorgan
If You Watch The Movie Apollo 13 ,with Tom Hanks From A Few Years Back, They Show An Astronaut Standing By His 68 Or 69 Gold Corvette. Just A Little Trivia
Joe
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 13,238
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From: YANKEES UNIVERSE 70 454-LS5 500 ft-lbs Torque
[QUOTE=MakoShark72]
Originally Posted by c69vete
Not the gold ones, but here is a 68 BB that belonged to Alan Sheppard.QUOTE]
Dont know if anybody noticed the license plate??? 1ST UP...
Now is that just TOO COOL???
Dont know if anybody noticed the license plate??? 1ST UP...
Now is that just TOO COOL???
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 259
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento CA
Gus Grissom Corvette for Sale
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Oakdale Ct
Originally Posted by cicconjo
In the beginning I think there's a clip of Hanks driving a red '69 if I remember correctly.
Joe
Joe
