Very Unique Experience
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 18,401
Likes: 3
From: Retired but working
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Very Unique Experience
Yesterday evening the wife and I went to Blockbuster to get a movie. I waited outside in the Vette while she went in. She went into the Kroger store afterward.
While I was sitting there an old man, I mean old approached me.
He walked up and looked in the window and asked if it was the new Corvette.
I told him it was a 99’ and he just shook his head.
These things are beautiful. He added.
He said he had a new one in 56 and proceeded to open his wallet and show me one of those old black and white pictures with the serrated edges of him and a 56.
We talked for 30 minutes or so until his granddaughter came by to get him. She was all over the parking lot looking for him for 20 minutes or so as he’d wandered off to see my car.
Talked to his granddaughter and found out he was 92, was on the beaches at Normandy, fought in the Korean War and had owned 3 Corvettes, the 56 being his favorite.
His granddaughter also told me that he is in the Methodist home near us so set it up that Sunday I’ll go by and pick him up and take him for a ride. Should be fun.
Life is amazing.
While I was sitting there an old man, I mean old approached me.
He walked up and looked in the window and asked if it was the new Corvette.
I told him it was a 99’ and he just shook his head.
These things are beautiful. He added.
He said he had a new one in 56 and proceeded to open his wallet and show me one of those old black and white pictures with the serrated edges of him and a 56.
We talked for 30 minutes or so until his granddaughter came by to get him. She was all over the parking lot looking for him for 20 minutes or so as he’d wandered off to see my car.
Talked to his granddaughter and found out he was 92, was on the beaches at Normandy, fought in the Korean War and had owned 3 Corvettes, the 56 being his favorite.
His granddaughter also told me that he is in the Methodist home near us so set it up that Sunday I’ll go by and pick him up and take him for a ride. Should be fun.
Life is amazing.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 47,647
Likes: 1
From: Queens, New York Life begins at 183 mph....
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Halfway through your story, I started thinking, you've gotta give the old guy a ride. Glad to hear that you're gonna give him a ride this Sunday. Just don't scare him too much!!
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,454
Likes: 1
From: The Surgeon General has warned that it's ok to smoke mustangs!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
That is awesome! Wish I could come across someone like that in the near future. Not to give them a heart attack er anything like that, but just to let them re-live their fun times once again.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 144
From: Memphis Tennessee
Do It!
Don't delay....he might not have the time for a delay.
My Mom is presently in a home. One of the gentlemen at her place once asked me to help him tie his shoe. I was involved with my Mom so I replied to him: "sure, in just a minute."
Thirty seconds later it dawned on me that I was wrong..,.he did not have an extra minute...now was HIS minute. I stopped and spent twenty minutes with him and we both enjoyed it...especially me.
Enjoy him......help him to enjoy!
Don't delay....he might not have the time for a delay.
My Mom is presently in a home. One of the gentlemen at her place once asked me to help him tie his shoe. I was involved with my Mom so I replied to him: "sure, in just a minute."
Thirty seconds later it dawned on me that I was wrong..,.he did not have an extra minute...now was HIS minute. I stopped and spent twenty minutes with him and we both enjoyed it...especially me.
Enjoy him......help him to enjoy!
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 35
From: Garfield Heights (AKA:Garbage Hts.) Ohio USA
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Oldtimer
This is awesome, stories like this should be an inspiration to all of us!!! 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,049
Likes: 0
From: The second childhood is the best one of all.
Nice. Can you picture us, at 92, walking around scoping out the Vettes, with a picture in our wallet. Lord, lets hope we last that long and can still walk. Now, your mission if you choose to accept it, is to NOT give him a heart attack. Enjoy your ride with a hero.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 579
Likes: 1
From: Kennesaw GA
St. Jude Donor '10
Great story, make sure to get a picture of you both in the Vette so he can put a colored pic next to the b/w in his wallet. I'll bet it will stay with him forever.....and he'll show it to everyone as a lasting memory. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,088
Likes: 1
From: NC
Originally Posted by Benpup
Yesterday evening the wife and I went to Blockbuster to get a movie. I waited outside in the Vette while she went in. She went into the Kroger store afterward.
While I was sitting there an old man, I mean old approached me.
He walked up and looked in the window and asked if it was the new Corvette.
I told him it was a 99’ and he just shook his head.
These things are beautiful. He added.
He said he had a new one in 56 and proceeded to open his wallet and show me one of those old black and white pictures with the serrated edges of him and a 56.
We talked for 30 minutes or so until his granddaughter came by to get him. She was all over the parking lot looking for him for 20 minutes or so as he’d wandered off to see my car.
Talked to his granddaughter and found out he was 92, was on the beaches at Normandy, fought in the Korean War and had owned 3 Corvettes, the 56 being his favorite.
His granddaughter also told me that he is in the Methodist home near us so set it up that Sunday I’ll go by and pick him up and take him for a ride. Should be fun.
Life is amazing.
While I was sitting there an old man, I mean old approached me.
He walked up and looked in the window and asked if it was the new Corvette.
I told him it was a 99’ and he just shook his head.
These things are beautiful. He added.
He said he had a new one in 56 and proceeded to open his wallet and show me one of those old black and white pictures with the serrated edges of him and a 56.
We talked for 30 minutes or so until his granddaughter came by to get him. She was all over the parking lot looking for him for 20 minutes or so as he’d wandered off to see my car.
Talked to his granddaughter and found out he was 92, was on the beaches at Normandy, fought in the Korean War and had owned 3 Corvettes, the 56 being his favorite.
His granddaughter also told me that he is in the Methodist home near us so set it up that Sunday I’ll go by and pick him up and take him for a ride. Should be fun.
Life is amazing.
...George
Pro
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
From: Smile Contributor '03, '04, '05
Originally Posted by bassvet
Great story, make sure to get a picture of you both in the Vette so he can put a colored pic next to the b/w in his wallet. I'll bet it will stay with him forever.....and he'll show it to everyone as a lasting memory.
but see if you can get the granddaughter in it as well.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,454
Likes: 1
From: The Surgeon General has warned that it's ok to smoke mustangs!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
One More Important Thing
I forgot to mention, after your joy ride with the gentleman, let him read this thread! He may really enjoy our support!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 12
From: Vancouver
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Awesome story!!!! 
What can I say you've done well grasshoppper. Definitely take some pics for him and US. We'd love to see them too. Have a great time. And let him know the Corvette Forum knows all about it and sends their best wishes. 
Oh! and give him a wave from the group.
What can I say you've done well grasshoppper. Definitely take some pics for him and US. We'd love to see them too. Have a great time. And let him know the Corvette Forum knows all about it and sends their best wishes. Oh! and give him a wave from the group.