Corvette Wave
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
From: Rancho Cucamonga California
Corvette Wave
Does anyone know the history of the "wave". My wife thinks it silly but I make her wave when passing a fellow vette owner. This is one of the enjoyments of owning this car besides the daily complements that I recieve.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 28
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From: Tempe Arizona
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,474
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From: Southern NJ
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,788
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From: Austin Texas
St. Jude Donor '15
This is the way I was told the wave started.
In Europe drivers of nice cars often waved at each other in acknowledgement of the other car owners taste in style and uniqueness of ownership. This started in the early days of automobile history when there weren't many cars around and the wealthy were most often the only people with cars. It became the "in" thing to do, wave at another to acknowledge their taste in fine equipment.
As the war years ended ( I Am assuming WW 2 ) the sports car evolved into a more affordable car and the brotherhood of sports car drivers joined the "wave" crowd. This was to acknowledge the other driver as one of their own. When the GI's returned from the European theater with the small, affordable sports car the wave came with them.
The Corvette family adopted the wave as their own, thus the save the wave story.
This is the story that I learned in my childhood, early '50's, but you could probably Google it for internet accuracy. I won't as I like this story so I will leave it up to you.
In Europe drivers of nice cars often waved at each other in acknowledgement of the other car owners taste in style and uniqueness of ownership. This started in the early days of automobile history when there weren't many cars around and the wealthy were most often the only people with cars. It became the "in" thing to do, wave at another to acknowledge their taste in fine equipment.
As the war years ended ( I Am assuming WW 2 ) the sports car evolved into a more affordable car and the brotherhood of sports car drivers joined the "wave" crowd. This was to acknowledge the other driver as one of their own. When the GI's returned from the European theater with the small, affordable sports car the wave came with them.
The Corvette family adopted the wave as their own, thus the save the wave story.
This is the story that I learned in my childhood, early '50's, but you could probably Google it for internet accuracy. I won't as I like this story so I will leave it up to you.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,195
Likes: 479
From: Bonita Springs Florida
Not sure how it started, I imagine when the cars first came out they were rare birds so drivers acknowledged each other. That tradition continues into today.
I never miss the opportunity to acknowledge another corvette owner. I'd say on average I get 75% returned. Surprisingly, I get some waves and "thumbs up" from other sports car drivers also.
Wife has 2015 MINI "S" which has quite a cult following (and is actually a peppy and fun car to drive), but other MINI drivers rarely acknowledge another MINI.
I was really shocked since the MINI are very recognizable in traffic too. There are stickers and even a campaign by MINI to motivate some kind of acknowledgement among MINI owners (inference at the dealerships that MINI owners are on big happy family....NOT!)
http://www.miniusa.com/content/miniu..._the_wave.html
I've only had two waves returned for dozens rendered. So I'm done with it in the Cooper.
Long live the Corvette Wave
The original American Sports car never disappoints. 
I never miss the opportunity to acknowledge another corvette owner. I'd say on average I get 75% returned. Surprisingly, I get some waves and "thumbs up" from other sports car drivers also.
Wife has 2015 MINI "S" which has quite a cult following (and is actually a peppy and fun car to drive), but other MINI drivers rarely acknowledge another MINI.
I was really shocked since the MINI are very recognizable in traffic too. There are stickers and even a campaign by MINI to motivate some kind of acknowledgement among MINI owners (inference at the dealerships that MINI owners are on big happy family....NOT!)
http://www.miniusa.com/content/miniu..._the_wave.html
I've only had two waves returned for dozens rendered. So I'm done with it in the Cooper.
Long live the Corvette Wave
The original American Sports car never disappoints.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,941
Likes: 499
From: Northern Virginia
My first exposure to car owners waving at each other was Porsche owners, long before I was old enough to drive. I think it's something that owners of cars that (1) evoke pride, and (2) are relatively uncommon, adopt. It's certainly not unique to Corvettes.
Miata owners do it, Porsche owners used to do it, but now that they're bought by orthodontists and surgeons more than enthusiasts I suspect not many do. Back in the days of the 2002 BMW owners did it.
And motorcyclists in the US have done it as long as there have been motorcycles. For the most part, that's not brand specific, though. I'll wave to anyone on a bike. Most people will wave back, although I've noticed Harley owners (some, not all) tend to only wave at other Harleys, and some BMW owners only to other BMWs.
Miata owners do it, Porsche owners used to do it, but now that they're bought by orthodontists and surgeons more than enthusiasts I suspect not many do. Back in the days of the 2002 BMW owners did it.
And motorcyclists in the US have done it as long as there have been motorcycles. For the most part, that's not brand specific, though. I'll wave to anyone on a bike. Most people will wave back, although I've noticed Harley owners (some, not all) tend to only wave at other Harleys, and some BMW owners only to other BMWs.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2015
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From: Montreal
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: DFW Area TX
<p> </p><p>History is posted in the DIY, FAQ's and TIPS sticky thread with a link to: Save the Wave <img alt="" src="https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/images/smilies/seeya.gif" title="See Ya!" /></p><p> </p>
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,940
Likes: 42
From: shavertown Pa.
I'm waving since 1969, I have no plans on stopping, if I don't wave I'm dead.
I think the wave started as a way of complimenting another corvette owner on his/her car.
I think the wave started as a way of complimenting another corvette owner on his/her car.
Last edited by bob guzzy; Sep 21, 2015 at 12:09 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,966
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From: SouthEast PA
Unmodified C8 of the Year 2021 Finalist
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Had a'55 Chevy In early '64, nobody waved at me. In late 1964 I bought my new '65 C2 Vert and the waves soon started, both ways.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 13,733
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From: Hurst, TX USA
I learned to wave when I bought a 1956 Triumph TR2 in California in the late '50s. Every other British sports car driver would wave each time we passed. Pretty much a big fraternity at the time. When I got my first Corvette in 1970 I wasn't surprised to see waves again. Been waving ever since.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 119
From: Bellevue WA
Folks in the Seattle area are losing the wave. Back in the C5 days everyone did the wave. The last couple of years not so much. It's kind of a bummer. I think a lot of folks are getting their first Corvette and don't have a clue about the proper etiquette for Corvette owners.
Others that live here in the Seattle area, but at least on the eastside (Bellevue, Redmond) the wave seems to be becoming forgotten! It's sad.
Others that live here in the Seattle area, but at least on the eastside (Bellevue, Redmond) the wave seems to be becoming forgotten! It's sad.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 49,219
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From: Best Island in the U.S.
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '17
Folks in the Seattle area are losing the wave. Back in the C5 days everyone did the wave. The last couple of years not so much. It's kind of a bummer. I think a lot of folks are getting their first Corvette and don't have a clue about the proper etiquette for Corvette owners.
Others that live here in the Seattle area, but at least on the eastside (Bellevue, Redmond) the wave seems to be becoming forgotten! It's sad.
Others that live here in the Seattle area, but at least on the eastside (Bellevue, Redmond) the wave seems to be becoming forgotten! It's sad.