I wouldn't be on this forum if not for him....
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
I love my C7, and I know I owe that passion for cars in general to my father. It's been five years today that he lost his battle with cancer.
I owe him my education and love for cars. We used to take his 72 Maverick in lime green to car shows all the time, and it's what got me into the hobby to begin with. I truly would not have owned any used corvettes nor bought my C7 had it not been for that same passion he had for cars.
He also worked hard his whole life to get me through college without any student debt. That's something I never take for granted as it allowed me to get a jumpstart on my own life. It's because of him, I'm able to be where I'm at the at age 31.
As a new father myself, I'm going to help nurture my own son's love for cars and corvettes the best I can to keep the tradition alive.
I just wanted to share as I reflect on today. Does anyone else owe their love for the Corvette to a family member?
I owe him my education and love for cars. We used to take his 72 Maverick in lime green to car shows all the time, and it's what got me into the hobby to begin with. I truly would not have owned any used corvettes nor bought my C7 had it not been for that same passion he had for cars.
He also worked hard his whole life to get me through college without any student debt. That's something I never take for granted as it allowed me to get a jumpstart on my own life. It's because of him, I'm able to be where I'm at the at age 31.
As a new father myself, I'm going to help nurture my own son's love for cars and corvettes the best I can to keep the tradition alive.
I just wanted to share as I reflect on today. Does anyone else owe their love for the Corvette to a family member?
Last edited by ssidekickbp; 11-21-2016 at 08:33 AM.
The following 33 users liked this post by ssidekickbp:
Artarmy (02-11-2024),
bbster (11-21-2016),
beaversstonehaven (11-22-2016),
bimmerborn (11-22-2016),
bluevette67 (11-21-2016),
and 28 others liked this post.
#2
Team Owner
Member Since: Jun 2005
Location: Northern, VA
Posts: 46,100
Received 2,478 Likes
on
1,941 Posts
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Very nice tribute.
The following 2 users liked this post by AORoads:
Artarmy (02-11-2024),
ssidekickbp (11-21-2016)
The following 2 users liked this post by bjones7131:
Artarmy (02-11-2024),
ssidekickbp (11-21-2016)
The following users liked this post:
ssidekickbp (11-21-2016)
#5
Melting Slicks
While my father had a love for cars and would always talk about Packards (he was born in 1913), It was my uncle that exposed me to the Corvette. As a young man he worked at the local Chevrolet Dealership in Blue Earth, Minnesota. One day the all new 1953 Blue Flame Six Corvette showed up in the showroom and he told himself that he would get one one day. Later on in life Uncle Scott became very successful and finally bought himself the car of his youthful dreams. Only it was a 1954 model as very few 1953 were built and were very scarce by then. One of Uncle Scotts sons had also bought a 64 or 65 Vette and he also drives Corvettes to this day. I bought my first new Corvette at the age of 27 and another at 29. I then switched over to Ferrari's and stuck with Ferrari's. I've been waiting for Chevrolet to get the ZO6 heat issues corrected before I pulled the trigger on a new order as I promised myself I would never again buy a first or even second year model after having first year issues with both Corvettes and Ferrari's. The problem now is that it appears the ZR1 will be shown in January at Detroit Auto show so I am in a dilemma.
Last edited by skank; 11-21-2016 at 09:14 AM.
The following users liked this post:
ssidekickbp (11-21-2016)
#6
Race Director
Member Since: Oct 2011
Location: Holly Springs NC
Posts: 14,368
Received 1,609 Likes
on
1,037 Posts
St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'22,'24
First, very nice tribute to your dad.
Yes, two folks. When I was just a little guy, my mom purchased a toy Corvette, I think it was a 54, not sure. It was one of my favorites which meant it got the crap kicked out of it. But that started my interest in Corvettes. Then my brother-in-law (deceased) had a significant influence on my interest in Corvettes. He purchased a new, 63 split window fuelie coupe before I had a license. I went for rides in it while it still had the new Vette smell. I loved the attention it got and the respect at the local meeting places for fast cars. Four years later he traded it for a 67, 435/427 coupe. By that time I had a license and was able to take it for a ride (wow, what power!). Within a few years I could resist no more and purchased my first Vette, a 69 350/350 Vert.
Yes, two folks. When I was just a little guy, my mom purchased a toy Corvette, I think it was a 54, not sure. It was one of my favorites which meant it got the crap kicked out of it. But that started my interest in Corvettes. Then my brother-in-law (deceased) had a significant influence on my interest in Corvettes. He purchased a new, 63 split window fuelie coupe before I had a license. I went for rides in it while it still had the new Vette smell. I loved the attention it got and the respect at the local meeting places for fast cars. Four years later he traded it for a 67, 435/427 coupe. By that time I had a license and was able to take it for a ride (wow, what power!). Within a few years I could resist no more and purchased my first Vette, a 69 350/350 Vert.
The following users liked this post:
ssidekickbp (11-21-2016)
#7
Administrator
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
Posts: 342,660
Received 19,207 Likes
on
13,924 Posts
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-
'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Nice remembrance of your dad.
Best of luck in teaching that same appreciation for cars to your son.
Best of luck in teaching that same appreciation for cars to your son.
The following users liked this post:
ssidekickbp (11-21-2016)
#8
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Nov 2012
Location: Gettysburg PA
Posts: 3,327
Received 1,863 Likes
on
1,002 Posts
2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Great tribute to your Dad......
I feel just as fortunate, and have posted about it too over the years. I like to "BLAME" my passion for cars on the fact that my folks brought me home from Bethesda Naval Hospital in a Jag Mark VII they had factory ordered and picked up at the factory in England the year before I was born ('53).
First car I got to drive was with my Dad in his '64 Triumph TR4 when I was about 12.... couldn't reach the clutch well enough to depress it, so we hop started it and I rode around the abandoned airstrip, with him in Okinawa where we lived.
When he retired from the Navy in summer '65 we moved to a beautiful lake community in Northern Virginia where I saw a number of Corvettes. I was quickly cautioned, that I shouldn't set my expectations on having a Vette, just because there were several in the neighborhood. I knew right then, the best looking car I'd seen was the C2 and I'd have one some day.
After a couple of VW's when I was 16, and 17, I went in halves $$$ on a 6 month old TR6 with Dad. Great fun, and we shared the fun together.
Dad went on to get a BMW, YEARS before they were in vogue.... He had a '67 2000 sedan. He was an Engineer by schooling ( US Naval Academy) and was all about technology and good engineering..... over the rest of their lives, they had other nice, well engineered cars too.
Eventually, I bought my '65 Vette and it was my daily driver living and working in FL.... I was 22. We're now on Corvette # 11.
Thanks Dad !!! Miss him every day, he passed over 4 years ago, at age 94. Spent his entire career serving our country, with combat duty in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.... retired as a Navy Captain. They are interned at the US Naval Academy.
I feel just as fortunate, and have posted about it too over the years. I like to "BLAME" my passion for cars on the fact that my folks brought me home from Bethesda Naval Hospital in a Jag Mark VII they had factory ordered and picked up at the factory in England the year before I was born ('53).
First car I got to drive was with my Dad in his '64 Triumph TR4 when I was about 12.... couldn't reach the clutch well enough to depress it, so we hop started it and I rode around the abandoned airstrip, with him in Okinawa where we lived.
When he retired from the Navy in summer '65 we moved to a beautiful lake community in Northern Virginia where I saw a number of Corvettes. I was quickly cautioned, that I shouldn't set my expectations on having a Vette, just because there were several in the neighborhood. I knew right then, the best looking car I'd seen was the C2 and I'd have one some day.
After a couple of VW's when I was 16, and 17, I went in halves $$$ on a 6 month old TR6 with Dad. Great fun, and we shared the fun together.
Dad went on to get a BMW, YEARS before they were in vogue.... He had a '67 2000 sedan. He was an Engineer by schooling ( US Naval Academy) and was all about technology and good engineering..... over the rest of their lives, they had other nice, well engineered cars too.
Eventually, I bought my '65 Vette and it was my daily driver living and working in FL.... I was 22. We're now on Corvette # 11.
Thanks Dad !!! Miss him every day, he passed over 4 years ago, at age 94. Spent his entire career serving our country, with combat duty in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.... retired as a Navy Captain. They are interned at the US Naval Academy.
The following 2 users liked this post by Strake:
blue max (11-22-2016),
ssidekickbp (11-21-2016)
#9
Pro
Wonderful tribute. I owe my passion to my father who also has a C7
I love my C7, and I know I owe that passion for cars in general to my father. It's been five years today that he lost his battle with cancer.
I owe him my education and love for cars. We used to take his 72 Maverick in lime green to car shows all the time, and it's what got me into the hobby to begin with. I truly would not have owned any used corvettes nor bought my C7 had it not been for that same passion he had for cars.
He also worked hard his whole life to get me through college without any student debt. That's something I never take for granted as it allowed me to get a jumpstart on my own life. It's because of him, I'm able to be where I'm at the at age 31.
As a new father myself, I'm going to help nurture my own son's love for cars and corvettes the best I can to keep the tradition alive.
I just wanted to share as I reflect on today. Does anyone else owe their love for the Corvette to a family member?
I owe him my education and love for cars. We used to take his 72 Maverick in lime green to car shows all the time, and it's what got me into the hobby to begin with. I truly would not have owned any used corvettes nor bought my C7 had it not been for that same passion he had for cars.
He also worked hard his whole life to get me through college without any student debt. That's something I never take for granted as it allowed me to get a jumpstart on my own life. It's because of him, I'm able to be where I'm at the at age 31.
As a new father myself, I'm going to help nurture my own son's love for cars and corvettes the best I can to keep the tradition alive.
I just wanted to share as I reflect on today. Does anyone else owe their love for the Corvette to a family member?
The following users liked this post:
ssidekickbp (11-21-2016)
#10
Pro
Who's cutting onions by me?!
Sorry for your loss OP, I can't imagine how hard it has been for you and your family.
I think many of us can agree that we owe a lot to our parents for their sacrifices and additionally, to our Dad's (or maybe Mom's) for introducing us to this great hobby!
Sorry for your loss OP, I can't imagine how hard it has been for you and your family.
I think many of us can agree that we owe a lot to our parents for their sacrifices and additionally, to our Dad's (or maybe Mom's) for introducing us to this great hobby!
The following users liked this post:
ssidekickbp (11-21-2016)
The following users liked this post:
ssidekickbp (11-21-2016)
#13
Le Mans Master
I absolutely owe my passion for cars... and family... and everything else, to my father.
The following users liked this post:
ssidekickbp (11-22-2016)
#14
Team Owner
My dad as well and we lost him to cancer too.....f'k cancer!
The following users liked this post:
ssidekickbp (11-22-2016)
#15
Burning Brakes
Your Dad must be smiling now, knowing what a great son he raised. Young people like you restore my faith that this community will carry on. Thank you for sharing.
Last edited by ZMan64; 11-21-2016 at 09:15 PM.
The following users liked this post:
ssidekickbp (11-22-2016)
#16
Racer
Beautiful tribute. I owe my love for Corvettes to my father as well and he lost his battle about 3 years ago. Not before going to Carlisle and sitting in and seeing a Laguna Blue C7 for the first time a few days before he died. Every time I take a long ride in my C7 I feel like he is there with me. Thanks for sharing !!
Last edited by bluevette67; 11-21-2016 at 09:20 PM.
The following users liked this post:
ssidekickbp (11-22-2016)
#17
Safety Car
It's funny because looking back I'm not sure where I got my love of cars. Matchbox perhaps or Hot Wheels... I always picked the car that looked the most like a Corvette, though I didn't know it at the time because the Matchbox cars I was playing with looked like the vettes of a few decades to come.
My dad liked cars but he (and my family) were hardly in a position to buy race cars. No my dad had a number of station wagons! Remember those? I can recall riding with my brother sitting on the back hatch with the window down and holding onto the luggage rack. Man if a cop saw us doing that now-a-days I'm sure my dad would have gotten a ticket! Most of his cars had no damn seat belts and yet we all survived.
So I seems to have done this myself. I'm also a guitarist and I can't trace back to any family members who inspired my love of guitar. Again I did that myself. I also was the first to graduate from college though it was a junior college and to get into technology. I guess it seems I forge my own path.
As a guitarist I often do this song but always preface it with a story about how this is a song not about my dad, since he left when I was 10, but how I imagined a good relationship with your father would be. I'm always touch when I see the members of the band patiently listening to the song being played and at the verge of tears. Very touching...
My dad liked cars but he (and my family) were hardly in a position to buy race cars. No my dad had a number of station wagons! Remember those? I can recall riding with my brother sitting on the back hatch with the window down and holding onto the luggage rack. Man if a cop saw us doing that now-a-days I'm sure my dad would have gotten a ticket! Most of his cars had no damn seat belts and yet we all survived.
So I seems to have done this myself. I'm also a guitarist and I can't trace back to any family members who inspired my love of guitar. Again I did that myself. I also was the first to graduate from college though it was a junior college and to get into technology. I guess it seems I forge my own path.
As a guitarist I often do this song but always preface it with a story about how this is a song not about my dad, since he left when I was 10, but how I imagined a good relationship with your father would be. I'm always touch when I see the members of the band patiently listening to the song being played and at the verge of tears. Very touching...
Last edited by defaria; 11-21-2016 at 10:43 PM.
The following users liked this post:
ssidekickbp (11-22-2016)
#18
Go Canes!
Nice tribute. I miss my dad as well. in the mid 1980's I had a 1981 and he had a 1986. It was cool us both having vettes. I certainly miss him.
The following users liked this post:
ssidekickbp (11-22-2016)
#19
Advanced
God bless. May his spirit watch over you from the great beyond.
The following users liked this post:
ssidekickbp (11-22-2016)
#20
Team Owner
Great story. My story is not quite the same, but my father was a huge influence in my life and a great father. He passed away at 90 years old earlier this year. Fortunately my mother is 91 and is a truly amazing lady.
You tribute to your dad is awesome.
You tribute to your dad is awesome.
The following users liked this post:
ssidekickbp (11-22-2016)