1969 Astronaut Edition
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 259
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento CA
1969 Astronaut Edition
Anybody know the where abouts of the three Gold and Black 1969 coupes photographed with the Apollo 12 Astronauts in November of 1969? Was it just special paint and badging on these cars or was there other special equipment options?
I heard that free Corvettes were offered to all astronauts of that era. Anybody know about that?
I heard that free Corvettes were offered to all astronauts of that era. Anybody know about that?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
When I lived in Austin in the mid 70s a local collector had one of the cars. He frequented the Mobil station across the street from my house. I got to look it over pretty close one time, but other than the paint I don't recall much in the way of special badging etc. The guy had a tricked out van that was painted the reverse scheme of the Vette, and an inboard BB Chevy powered racing boat painted to match.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Publicity for GM. These were regular production '69s which got "astronaut" paint and almost certainly extra-close attention on the assembly line. Lots and lots of publicity photos were taken for the media hype.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
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 hope to see one again as the NCRS convention comes to Marlboro, MA next year.
So cool to walk through the indoor hall full of pristine and significant vettes.
Here is a 360 degree photo I compiled from the Hershey event.
You will need Apple's free Quicktime player to view.
You can zoom in/out and pan all around the 360 degrees.
http://NHvette.com/ftp/in/NCRS_hall_360.mov
Be patient as it loads, as my home server bandwidth isn't the greatest.
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 hope to see one again as the NCRS convention comes to Marlboro, MA next year.
So cool to walk through the indoor hall full of pristine and significant vettes.
Here is a 360 degree photo I compiled from the Hershey event.
You will need Apple's free Quicktime player to view.
You can zoom in/out and pan all around the 360 degrees.
http://NHvette.com/ftp/in/NCRS_hall_360.mov
Be patient as it loads, as my home server bandwidth isn't the greatest.
Last edited by NHvette; Nov 16, 2006 at 09:25 AM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Huntersville NC
I also saw the one at Hershey. I think it was flight judged (Rowdy Rat will remember). It is a stock L-36. As far as I recall only the paint distinguished it from a stock vette. There might have been a stick-on badge or something. There was a pretty good online article around somewhere that detailed the history of these vettes. Not sure they were actually given away. Astronauts may have been able to lease them for $1.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: YANKEES UNIVERSE 70 454-LS5 500 ft-lbs Torque
I saw it at the NCRS National in HERSHEY also.That was a great show,i took my wife and kids as the hotel was great and Hershey Park was a mile or 2 down the road.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Kissimmee fl
Finalist 2021 C3 of the Year - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '07
Not the gold ones, but here is a 68 BB that belonged to Alan Sheppard. This was at a show we did last weekend in Merritt Island. I think it only gets pushed around now. It is on loan to the astronaut museum. 
Parked outside in his driveway (in the rain, top down apparently) for 35 years? 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,334
Likes: 4
From: Midland TX
I saw one at the NCRS in Galveston, TX several years ago. The owner said he got deductions because 1969 Vettes were not sold two-tone - even though there are plenty of pictures showing them with the gold and black color scheme. The Vettes were listed as solid gold. I don't know if the dealer or Chevrolet painted them.
I don't think there is anything different about them otherwise.
I don't think there is anything different about them otherwise.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,957
Likes: 0
From: Chico Ca
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
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
From: Seattle Wash.
Now, THAT'S funny! 
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
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 13,238
Likes: 1,092
From: YANKEES UNIVERSE 70 454-LS5 500 ft-lbs Torque
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
