I did not mention this before but I am 49 years old and I had a 1972 454 Stingray when I was eighteen. I started washing dishes when I was old enough to work and later worked in a textile mill after school. I saved $5000 in 3 years and bought the Vette. I loved that car. I hung on to it as long as I could but I finally had to sell it for something more practical. The gas crunch in the late 70's and a newborn on the way forced me to let it go. I never forgot the thrill of owning that car. I loved looking out over the hood at night while I was driving and seeing the fenders sloping down towards the hood and the top edge of those pop up headlights. The feeling of the acceleration on the open highway and the notoriety that came with owning that car. Well you know, I have a C5 now and when I look out over the hood at night I see the same thing that I did 30 years ago. Those sloping fenders and the edge of those pop up headlights bring it all back for me. I read recently that the GM designers work to maintain a continuity from one generation Vette to another by maintaining certain styling cues. Well folks I am here to tell you that it works for me. After 30 years I got my Vette back and I feel like it was yesterday. Of course, the higher gas prices make me feel like it was yesterday too. Any body else have similar experiences?

 

Unfortunately, no. Could not afford a Vette until the kids were grown and a little inheritance sure helped. Thanks for the story. Others??

 

only in those days it was a dodge hood, but the vette has a better view and thrill by farand better gas mileage

 

Memories, aren't they great? Congrats on the C5 and hope you continue to enjoy for many more years and miles to come.

 

It continues...

 

I'm making those memories right now haha! I'm 21 and hope that I'll never have to let the vette go... I'd even live in it in an empty parking garage before I'd sell it!!

 

I had to wait for about 30 years to get mine. Hope I'll always have a Vette. Can't imagine not having one now.

 

Same for me. Took me a long time to get my Vette and It was well worth the wait.

 

A true Vette lover. you definately have the right attitude. Have fun.

 

For me it was a couple of porches but,.....your point is very well taken as I had to move on when we had kids and just sorta lost any semblance of myself. now they are gone and its "driving all night my hands wet on the wheel" all over again........ ya I get it

 

I know exactly how you feel, my first new one was a '69 350 - 350 ragtop.

 

I had to laugh when I read this post.... some very similar situations but some different experiences getting there. When I, too, was in my teens- 15, in this case, to be exact- I had a love of Vettes. It just so happened my father owned a yellow convertible '72 454 stingray- this was in the mid 80's. I absolutey loved that car! Welp, long story short, he and mom went out of town and I decided I needed to drive it- had to impress my little girlfriend at the time I had a blast! Got it up to 145 on the interstate !- and I DID impress the hell out of my friends and, of course, the all important GF when I drove up to whatever get-together that was going on. But, alas, on the way home, I put her into a ditch . Needles to say, that was the last time I drove a vette (and the last time I sat down for a long time!)...until recently. While only 20 years in my case, the experience is the same- sloping fenders and headlights, and the same great feel of a truly awesome vehicle propelling you down the road. Absolutley love it! And it's no coincidence that I chose 72 driver as my handle- in deference to the great vette that I managed to destroy, as well as to a great Boeing product.

 

My memories are similar I had a 1970 Vert in 1970 and drove it for 3 years, caught me a wife with it and enjoyed every moment. Had to sell it when the family started to get bigger and we got into other things. Wish I still had it! Fast forward to 1999. I was looking to replace my truck with another truck and my wife (same one) said "Why do we need another truck? Why not get what you want?" 6 days later I drove a 2000 Coupe home! Now I'm on my 4th C5 and I hope I am never Vetteless again.

 

I've had several Vette over the years and they have all given me the same feeling!

 

I had to wait 44 years to get my Vette! And it was well worth the wait!

 

Didn't get my first Vette until I was 31, but yes, the C5 allows me to remember those feelings of owning a special car I had back then.

 

Man, that's a great story! I too have noticed the continuity over the years, its' part of what makes our cars so wonderful and personal to us.

I still remember being on the playgound when a '63 split window cruised thru the school zone at 15 miles mph. You could have heard a pin drop, not a kid moved or talked. We just stared at that revoloutionary design, it had flip lights!

I knew then I just had to have one! I now own my second vette and am greatful for my good fortune.

 

I love Vette stories like that. It shows the Heritage that the Corvette has created. I got my first one in 1955 and have been a Vette enthusiast ever since.

 

I had to wait until I was almost 50 to get my first Vette, but I rode in a couple as a kid and later as an adult. I remember the first one I ever saw....a red '57 with white coves!

I was hooked for life, and was determined to have one of my own one day. Well I finally found myself in a position to obtain one, and I've never looked back since. Now - I will NEVER be without a Vette Convertible until I take that long dirt nap.

Thanks for sharing your memories, and miles and miles of smiles to you!

 

I wish I could relate, however this is my first vette and I'm 31. It's cool to know that you're re-living your childhood years though Thanks for sharing that story with us!