Astronauts Vettes
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Melbourne Victoria
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
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From: League City Tx
My Vette was actually bought new in Houston by a Nasa Physiologist named Stephen Kimzey, he worked at Johnson Space center in Houston. He bought the Vette because all of his Astronaut buddies were buying Vettes in the late 60s, early 70s. I recently met his wife (he passed away back in 79') and we took pics together with the car and she told me all kinds of stories about it..... Brought her to tears.... She had sold it back in 88'. She still lives in the same house right across from JSC. I took the car to her house and parked it in the driveway where "it grew up" from day one..... Pretty neat...
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Do the Google thing and you'll probably kick up additonal pix. GM marketing liked to have astronauts pose with Corvettes. Good publicity.
It is my understanding GM owned most of these cars and let the astronauts drive them. Some astronauts bought personal Corvettes.
It is my understanding GM owned most of these cars and let the astronauts drive them. Some astronauts bought personal Corvettes.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Jan 3, 2012 at 01:18 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,992
Likes: 56
From: Antioch IL
My Vette was actually bought new in Houston by a Nasa Physiologist named Stephen Kimzey, he worked at Johnson Space center in Houston. He bought the Vette because all of his Astronaut buddies were buying Vettes in the late 60s, early 70s. I recently met his wife (he passed away back in 79') and we took pics together with the car and she told me all kinds of stories about it..... Brought her to tears.... She had sold it back in 88'. She still lives in the same house right across from JSC. I took the car to her house and parked it in the driveway where "it grew up" from day one..... Pretty neat...
that is super Cool.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: YANKEES UNIVERSE 70 454-LS5 500 ft-lbs Torque
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 215
From: Peoria Arizona
I didn't know they had matching Vettes... pretty cool! I don't care for the paint scheme, but overall they are awesome cars.
I noticed that in the movie Apollo 13, two of them were driving Vettes - makes sense now. I just figured they liked cool cars
I noticed that in the movie Apollo 13, two of them were driving Vettes - makes sense now. I just figured they liked cool cars
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
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