How did your Corvette interest start?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 5
From: South Dakota
How did your Corvette interest start?
After reading RMVette's story about the Corvette sweepstakes in Boy's Life that peaked his interest, I thought I'd ask;
What started your Corvette interest?
I saw them on TV and out and about now and then, but, what really got me started was when I was 17 yrs old, I stopped over at a biker guys home and he had a 1958 Corvette in the back shed. I had never even touched a Corvette before, and he even let me sit in it! It played in my mind for years. I had a Corvette later on, and that biker and I became good friends over the years. When I asked him about his 58 Corvette one day, when I was around 45-46 yrs old, he decided he would sell it to me. Since the car had always been buried in the back of the shed and never in reach, I hadn't even known that the car was a fuelie car until after I bought it. That was a nice bonus.
What started your Corvette interest?
I saw them on TV and out and about now and then, but, what really got me started was when I was 17 yrs old, I stopped over at a biker guys home and he had a 1958 Corvette in the back shed. I had never even touched a Corvette before, and he even let me sit in it! It played in my mind for years. I had a Corvette later on, and that biker and I became good friends over the years. When I asked him about his 58 Corvette one day, when I was around 45-46 yrs old, he decided he would sell it to me. Since the car had always been buried in the back of the shed and never in reach, I hadn't even known that the car was a fuelie car until after I bought it. That was a nice bonus.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,221
Likes: 118
From: Matthews NC
After reading RMVette's story about the Corvette sweepstakes in Boy's Life that peaked his interest, I thought I'd ask;
What started your Corvette interest?
I saw them on TV and out and about now and then, but, what really got me started was when I was 17 yrs old, I stopped over at a biker guys home and he had a 1958 Corvette in the back shed. I had never even touched a Corvette before, and he even let me sit in it! It played in my mind for years. I had a Corvette later on, and that biker and I became good friends over the years. When I asked him about his 58 Corvette one day, when I was around 45-46 yrs old, he decided he would sell it to me. Since the car had always been buried in the back of the shed and never in reach, I hadn't even known that the car was a fuelie car until after I bought it. That was a nice bonus.
What started your Corvette interest?
I saw them on TV and out and about now and then, but, what really got me started was when I was 17 yrs old, I stopped over at a biker guys home and he had a 1958 Corvette in the back shed. I had never even touched a Corvette before, and he even let me sit in it! It played in my mind for years. I had a Corvette later on, and that biker and I became good friends over the years. When I asked him about his 58 Corvette one day, when I was around 45-46 yrs old, he decided he would sell it to me. Since the car had always been buried in the back of the shed and never in reach, I hadn't even known that the car was a fuelie car until after I bought it. That was a nice bonus.
BTW...thanks for the plug... http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...-found-it.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,303
Likes: 14
From: Lynn MA
My father had always built cars and always told me about Billy Prendable's Corvette, the car had a 454, though it was well before 1970, they had built it into a 454. It was pretty much a full on race car, raced, trailered to track every weekend. This was in the mid to lat 1960's. It was the only car around that was quicker than my father's 55 with a built 409 that he sold before he went to Vietnam.
When I was growing up, we built a 67 Camaro for my brother, I then also got a 67 Camaro and in the neighborhood I grew up in, the older kids had all types of cars. Paul had a Mach 1, as did Ross. There was a 67 Firebird sitting, a 69 RS convertible, Paul later had an F85 that was pretty nasty....then there was also Mr. Poleo's 71 Corvette that was up on blocks in the garage, all orginal. he bought it new....he still owns it today, perfect shape and has a rebuilt motor.
Here is the story on how I finally came across a Corvette that I could afford:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...-your-car.html
When I was growing up, we built a 67 Camaro for my brother, I then also got a 67 Camaro and in the neighborhood I grew up in, the older kids had all types of cars. Paul had a Mach 1, as did Ross. There was a 67 Firebird sitting, a 69 RS convertible, Paul later had an F85 that was pretty nasty....then there was also Mr. Poleo's 71 Corvette that was up on blocks in the garage, all orginal. he bought it new....he still owns it today, perfect shape and has a rebuilt motor.
Here is the story on how I finally came across a Corvette that I could afford:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...-your-car.html
Racer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach VA
I've done a lot of my own car repairs over the years and two years ago I got the urge to finally pull the trigger and get one to restore. I looked at the Camaros/Firebirds/Mustangs/Torinos but they were all out of my price range (5K). A friend and Vette owner suggested I look at the Vettes and I found my 75 advertised for 4K. I got it for 2.5K and now it's almost road worthy. It's been a lot of fun working on it and meeting other Vette owners.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,684
Likes: 3,137
From: Shamong, NJ
I can't remember a time when I didn't love them, but then I've been crazy about cars since I was 5.
Watching Route 66 back in 60-62, probably had something to do with it.
But I'm sure the biggest impact on me came when I was 9. Our family doctor had a new 64 convertible. This was back when doctors still made a house calls, and Jerry (our doctor) would often show up in his 64! The last I heard, he still had that car, it's a silver blue 300 horse, Powerglide, with less than 25,000 original miles.
Later in 64 we moved and one of our new neighbors had a red 63 convertible. In August 64, my cousin took delivery of a new 64 coupe. By that time I was hooked, and knew that someday I would own one (or more!).
Though a car guy, my father never shared my love of Corvettes. He felt that they were dangerous, and said I would never have one as long as I lived under his roof. At 21, I moved into my own place and in less than 6 months, I had my first Corvette.
Watching Route 66 back in 60-62, probably had something to do with it.
But I'm sure the biggest impact on me came when I was 9. Our family doctor had a new 64 convertible. This was back when doctors still made a house calls, and Jerry (our doctor) would often show up in his 64! The last I heard, he still had that car, it's a silver blue 300 horse, Powerglide, with less than 25,000 original miles.
Later in 64 we moved and one of our new neighbors had a red 63 convertible. In August 64, my cousin took delivery of a new 64 coupe. By that time I was hooked, and knew that someday I would own one (or more!).
Though a car guy, my father never shared my love of Corvettes. He felt that they were dangerous, and said I would never have one as long as I lived under his roof. At 21, I moved into my own place and in less than 6 months, I had my first Corvette.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
I fell in lust with a neighbor's father's 63... the thing just looked and sounded so cool. I've wanted one since (I was probably 9 at the time) but I cannot even now afford a C2. It took nearly 45 years, but I eventually ran across my 77 and soon I'll see for myself what all the lust is really about!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,303
Likes: 14
From: Lynn MA
I am 38 and my family has a summer place in Maine...when I was about 16... when driving the backroads with my dad we found a black 65 Corvette Convertible, hood up, carb off of it! It had sat there for 20 years or more, it was the uncles car, who of course was going to restore it, kept checking and eventually it was gone, I believe a local restorer, collector finally whipped out enough cash to buy it.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 51
From: Lexington Park Maryland
In 1967 my aunt pulled into our driveway to show us her brand new Corvette coupe (small block, 4 speed w/side pipes). It was blue which I later found out was called "Lynndale Blue ". I was 7 years old at the time. Anyway, that was it for me. Always wanted a midyear and finally bought one ('66 convertible) in the summer of '88....., which I still own today. I had owned a couple of Corvettes before that but never a midyear... That's my story and I'm stick'n to it !!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 827
Likes: 0
From: Salem Ohio
My dad had this car. A 73 4 speed car. He pulled the motor and rebuilt it, put an LT1 cam in. Also rebuilt the transmission. I never saw it, but have seen photos. He said the car was missing two teeth on the timing gear, and he drove it home.
CF Community Team
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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Watching the TV program Route 66 as a little boy in the early 60's absolutely captivated me. The open road in a Corvette was just very appealing to me. In 1971 I bought my first Corvette, a 65 Convertible for $1,500. I was 18 years old.
Still have that 65 in my garage
Still have that 65 in my garage
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 121
From: Kernersville NC
My story is not as nostalgic as these. My wife wanted a convertable/sports car for her 50th birthday (spring 2011). We looked at and drove several different cars. Some were even age appropriate, whch translates to not much of a "sports" car. We happened upon a C5 convert at a small car dealer one Saturday. It had headers, and maybe B&B exhaust, and had two rather slick rear tires. As soon as the exhaust rumbled at her she was a Vette owner. She just had to find the right one. Three days later we found a Black convert that we felt good about. Turns out I knew the previous owner professionally and we have become great friends since and active in a local club.
I have always liked the metal bumper C3 body style but knew nothing about them and I never thought I could afford one with a big block. We kinda stumbled on the the 68 coupe and I just had to buy it. I guess you could say we are both hooked.
I have always liked the metal bumper C3 body style but knew nothing about them and I never thought I could afford one with a big block. We kinda stumbled on the the 68 coupe and I just had to buy it. I guess you could say we are both hooked.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 20
From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
Route 66!!!
G'day,
It was Route 66 that did it for me. What you have to bear in mind was that there were no Corvettes in Australia back in the sixties, they're still pretty rare, even today. I can't remember when I saw my first one in the "flesh", but it was probably a C3.
Then, at the Riverside Dragstrip in Fishermens Bend, Melbourne ( close to the current GM Holden HQ) I saw a C2 racing. Terry Walker ( I think) was a member of The Strangers, a local R&R band, and he had what looked like Hilborn injectors sticking through the bonnet. Somehow, he had convinced the tech inspectors that, as the car was a genuine "fuellie", the Hilborn was just another version of the factory FI and he got to race the car in Stock (!!!!) Eliminator.
I bought my first C3 fourteen years ago, and my second from Solid LT1 in 2009. Both are coupes, but I wanted a convertible. I found one in Walla Walla Washington about a year ago, and I ended up buying it earlier this year. I flew over in June and bought it, then drove it back to Frisco to put it into a container.
Now that it's summer down under, I'm going to be doing a lot of Corvette driving over the next several months.
Regards from Down Under.
aussiejohn
It was Route 66 that did it for me. What you have to bear in mind was that there were no Corvettes in Australia back in the sixties, they're still pretty rare, even today. I can't remember when I saw my first one in the "flesh", but it was probably a C3.
Then, at the Riverside Dragstrip in Fishermens Bend, Melbourne ( close to the current GM Holden HQ) I saw a C2 racing. Terry Walker ( I think) was a member of The Strangers, a local R&R band, and he had what looked like Hilborn injectors sticking through the bonnet. Somehow, he had convinced the tech inspectors that, as the car was a genuine "fuellie", the Hilborn was just another version of the factory FI and he got to race the car in Stock (!!!!) Eliminator.
I bought my first C3 fourteen years ago, and my second from Solid LT1 in 2009. Both are coupes, but I wanted a convertible. I found one in Walla Walla Washington about a year ago, and I ended up buying it earlier this year. I flew over in June and bought it, then drove it back to Frisco to put it into a container.
Now that it's summer down under, I'm going to be doing a lot of Corvette driving over the next several months.
Regards from Down Under.
aussiejohn
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
My dad collected British sports cars. I can remember riding around in his 70 jag e-type and the feeling of being driving with the top down. Years later my father-in-law had an old 48 MG TC sitting in his garage needing a restoration.
After staring at the car for years thinking about fun it would to restore and then drive wit the top down I finally approached him about selling the car to me. He said the car was dangerous (wood floorboard and an external gas tank that explodes when a soccer mom in her suburban rear-ends you.
So I started looking at MGAs, old mustangs and vettes. My brother has an original unmolested 80. My one requirement was it had to be a vert and had to be an older car... nothing newer like a C4. I decided that I liked the look of a C3 over any other vert in my price range and of the era. I found Frankenvette and the rest is blissful love!
After staring at the car for years thinking about fun it would to restore and then drive wit the top down I finally approached him about selling the car to me. He said the car was dangerous (wood floorboard and an external gas tank that explodes when a soccer mom in her suburban rear-ends you.
So I started looking at MGAs, old mustangs and vettes. My brother has an original unmolested 80. My one requirement was it had to be a vert and had to be an older car... nothing newer like a C4. I decided that I liked the look of a C3 over any other vert in my price range and of the era. I found Frankenvette and the rest is blissful love!
Pro
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 745
Likes: 66
From: Hutto Texas
My dad had always talked about wanting a Vette, especially when the LT1 C4's came out. I have always been a Camaro & Firebird guy, Vettes were always out my reach so they were never on my radar. My senior year in high school a friend of my brother's bought a '82 blk/blk Vette with low miles. WOW! He took me for a ride in it and although not super fast it rode good and looked goregous. Ever since then '80-'82's have been in the back of my mind and I finally got serious about finding one after selling my '98 Z28 6spd. I knew I wanted a standard, black interior, and a cool color. My brother picked up a '79 Vette several years ago and went through a lot of pain tracking down eletrical and vacuum gremlins so I knew of some things to look out for. When I found my charcoal metallic '81 on the used lot at a Ford dealership of all places with a T-5 5spd (original 4spd car), Edelbrock EFI, all new vac. equipment, and all working electrics I jumped on it. I got to talk with the PO and he filled me in on all the other work he did that was not obvious. Now looking to painting my '81 and continue meeting more Vette owners.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 139
From: Syracuse NY
When I was about 8 years old I found a plastic model car corvette at a garage sale. I remember it was orange and I fell in love with the body....but heres the funny part. It was one of those silly 4 door corvettes. It took me about 2 more years to realize that 4 door corvettes were NOT a regularly produced model! Either way, I fell in love with body style back then, albeit my introduction was a bit skewed....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
Route 66!
I was in grade school when the "Route 66" series began. I tried to watch every episode. But, the hook was really set when that incredible SWC came out in '63. Up to then it was just an interest. But, I when I saw a black/black 327 fuely go past the "family truckster" like we were parked on the highway...I knew I was going to have a Vette.
Life got in the way, raised a family, career, and all that. Then about 9 years ago, it hit me: divorced, kids out of school...what the hell am I wating for???
Finally bought my 95/M6 and later traded for my second love (the ZR-1). My only regret is waiting so damn long!!!
P.
Life got in the way, raised a family, career, and all that. Then about 9 years ago, it hit me: divorced, kids out of school...what the hell am I wating for???
Finally bought my 95/M6 and later traded for my second love (the ZR-1). My only regret is waiting so damn long!!!
P.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 403
From: Nashville TN
St. Jude Donor '09
As a teenager, I had Camaro, Nova, and Chevelle; Vettes were the holy grail and out of my reach. Always loved the C2 and remember looking at C3s in the showroom back in '74. Took me 30 years to get one, but I never gave up the dream.