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The Corvette Panache
Today I took the ‘61 in for Texas inspection. In and out in about 10 minutes. The inspection normally costs $7, but the car was such a hit, they did it for free. Also, while they all wanted to drive it, no one would. So, I sat in the car, worked all the lights, wipers, horn, etc., got my form for registration and was out of there. Here’s the cool part and the Corvette panache. The three guys doing inspections and basic maintenance were all in their 20’s. The manager was mid-30’s. The techs badgered the manager not to charge me as the car “made their day”. They must have asked me 100 questions about it and they clearly loved it! I answered every one and showed them all the cool little features from ‘61. With every answer, they became more enthralled. These cars are timeless as are their admirers. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...17a02ebb8.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...5dce89c0d.jpeg |
Good way to recruit new younger members. |
2 Attachment(s)
Nice looking car.
Do you have some good full size pics in full sun? Is that blue metallic, or metal flake? And, what wheels are those? I assume polished aluminum, or are they chrome? I have been thinking about TTII in a chrome to replace the Cragar S/S I have now. I never could decide whether or not silver coves for my car. Thanks, Doug Attachment 48351256 Attachment 48351729 |
I've posted this here before, but really quickly: I was getting into my '61 at the grocery store after food shopping and a lady in her 30's was dragging along a screaming and crying 4 or 5 year old boy who was having a meltdown. Her minivan was parked next to my '61. As soon as the kid was dragged in front of the '61, he stopped crying, his eyes turned into dinner plates, and he jumped up and down, with his mouth open wide in wonderment. He pointed at the car and went ape with joy. The mother snatched him up roughly and tossed him in the van and they took off. She never looked at the car. But that kid? He's HOOKED.
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I'd be enthralled with that car, too.
Great story. It's nice to see that people still care about these cars. |
Originally Posted by Factoid
(Post 1597588752)
Today I took the ‘61 in for Texas inspection. In and out in about 10 minutes. The inspection normally costs $7, but the car was such a hit, they did it for free. Also, while they all wanted to drive it, no one would. So, I sat in the car, worked all the lights, wipers, horn, etc., got my form for registration and was out of there. Here’s the cool part and the Corvette panache. The three guys doing inspections and basic maintenance were all in their 20’s. The manager was mid-30’s. The techs badgered the manager not to charge me as the car “made their day”. They must have asked me 100 questions about it and they clearly loved it! I answered every one and showed them all the cool little features from ‘61. With every answer, they became more enthralled. These cars are timeless as are their admirers. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...17a02ebb8.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...5dce89c0d.jpeg |
Your experience today made my day and reconfirmed just how compelling these early Vettes are. Keep your trophy car polished up and getting a new generation hooked on our hobby. |
On my recent Rt. 66 trip with the 57 a young man (late 20s/early 30s) with his 5 year old daughter shyly approached me and asked to look at the car. He said his daughter spotted it and asked to look. He recognized the car as either a 56 or 57 which is unusual for someone his age.
I had people approach me at every gas fill up or other stop. Most had no idea what year it was and often didn't even know what kid of a car it was. It just goes to show you that people STILL find them eye catching. |
Years ago, I owned a '54 that had a L79/Muncie conversion that was painted '62 Honduras Maroon. It had Tru-Spoke wire wheels as opposed to the original caps. A group of kids--around 10 yrs of age or so--asked me if it was a Ferrari.....
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Originally Posted by AZDoug
(Post 1597589264)
Nice looking car.
Do you have some good full size pics in full sun? Is that blue metallic, or metal flake? And, what wheels are those? I assume polished aluminum, or are they chrome? I have been thinking about TTII in a chrome to replace the Cragar S/S I have now. I never could decide whether or not silver coves for my car. Thanks, Doug https://i.imgur.com/eVX721Q.jpg https://i.imgur.com/31wS4w2.jpg Here are a couple in my driveway, but the trees make it hard to get a full sun shot. The wheels are Billet Specialties in 15x8. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...4b86358cb.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...6d4a22fbc.jpeg |
Dan and Doug, those are some beautiful vettes! Thanks for sharing! |
Beautiful car-that color really draws you in! No wonder they were impressed. The best way to keep people interested is to drive them so they are seen! Mike |
I think you guys are mistaken. I've read several times on this forum that this hobby will die after we are gone. No young kids care about these cars, they like cars from their own generation. All the young kids that hang out of their cars giving me thumbs up must be the exception rather than the rule. All the little kids that scream "Mommy look at that cool car!" and come dragging her over to it must have something wrong with them.
Until they make a car better looking than these old cars, they will always be desirable. With todays designs looking like one another (I can't even tell them apart) I can't see designers ever coming up with something original enough to stand out. |
Originally Posted by KC John
(Post 1597595861)
Until they make a car better looking than these old cars, they will always be desirable. With todays designs looking like one another (I can't even tell them apart) I can't see designers ever coming up with something original enough to stand out.
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At the C&C in San Antonio this morning. A whole bunch of C6 and C7, one C3 and me. Lots of questions and many thumbs up and not just from the old guys like me, um, us! To KC John’s point, people appreciate a well executed design and when you show pride in your ride. Lots of variety this morning and many people simply did it their way. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...fdf9dd14a.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...63e6e4528.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...577efe012.jpeg |
Good pics, thanks!
FWIW, I use lemon Pledge to dress tires, it blackens them nicely but doesn't make them shiny. Doug |
Originally Posted by AZDoug
(Post 1597596531)
Good pics, thanks!
FWIW, I use lemon Pledge to dress tires, it blackens them nicely but doesn't make them shiny. Doug 303 Aerospace protectant will do the same.. plus UV protection for the rubber! |
At the C&C in San Antonio this morning. A whole bunch of C6 and C7, one C3 and me. Lots of questions and many thumbs up and not just from the old guys like me, um, us! To KC John’s point, people appreciate a well executed design and when you show pride in your ride. Lots of variety this morning and many people simply did it their way.
And one C2 over at the VP Fuels booth!....:cool:https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...b97bcf2241.jpg |
I can't believe they do inspections, and then on car that old!
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