A ten year old and a Red Corvette

[XLR8]

Hey everyone.

What is your first memory involving a Corvette?

Mine was at the age of about 10. My uncle was dating the daughter of a Chevy salesman, and had a Chevrolet promo collection that would probably be worth a mint in today's market. This would have been either the 1964 or 1965 model year. I remember very clearly that he had several different Corvette models in various colors. I was so taken with the Corvettes that he gave me a red convertible and a blue coupe! I was in love! I knew what kind of car I wanted when I grew up!

I don't know whatever happened to those promos. That was many years and many moves ago. But I've never forgotten them, and in 2001 I finally fulfilled my dream by buying a 1994 Torch Red Convertible with a Black top and Black interior. I kept the car until this past June, only selling it after I bought my Carmine Red/ Black/ Lt. Grey convertible.

I loved the C4 and the C5 even more, but the midyears will always have a special place in my heart. I would love to own one, and maybe one day I will, but I don't have the mechanical background to restore/repair/maintain one, and hiring all the work done would cost more than I'm willing to spend on a hobby at this time.

I get alot of enjoyment looking at those that have been lovingly restored by enthusiasts, and got a real thrill seeing the pair together owned by 67HEAVEN and FUELIE. Way to go guys! They are truly works of art!

So... if a kid shows a little interest in your Corvette, take the time to answer questions and show some interest in return. You may just be nurturing a future enthusiast.

JAG
Save the Wave

 

[Rowdy1]

Nice Story

I agree and I make it a point to do just that. Where I'm from there are two or more cruise gatherings every night of the week withing 25 miles of me. For some reason, the little guys always seem to be fascinated by my 62, even some of the little girls and when I see that, I make it a point to put them in it. The parents are reluctant 99% of the time but usually give in when I assure them the kids can't hurt anything. It truely does me more good than the kids I think and they always come back, even months later and say "ThankYou" and the parents say that's all they talked about for days or weeks, that they hope I'll be there next time they go. I usually tell the parent to start saving, it's a first years tuition....

 

[61 Silver]

What is your first memory involving a Corvette?

Spring of 1963



At the ripe old age of 14, I was returning home from school. My dad owned a garage/gas station (Sinclair) and our house was attached to the garage. My dad was a very good diesel mechanic and had only one employee and he worked on gas vehicles. This mechanic (Al) liked hot rods and owned a 32 Ford coupe (58 Corvette 283CI punched out to a 301 CI) that he still owns today.



As I approached the opened garage doors, there it was! A 1962 white fuelie on the lift, WOW!! With my eyes wide open I started to ask Al questions about the car. Whose car is it, what size engine, how fast was it and about anything else that could enter a young boys mind.



The mechanic was servicing/tune-up the 62 for a friend of his and it was about ready for a test drive. As the old center post lift lowered the fuelie to the garage floor Al asked, "Would you like to go on the test drive"? I couldn't get in the passenger seat quick enough. That sound of the sweet 327 CI has echoed through my ears and mind for over 41 years and I still get a smile on my face every time I hear one. The ride was amazing and you know Al put the fuelie through the gears. I have been hooked on Corvettes every since and can never get enough of them.



I have finally purchased a few early Corvettes that I have and am restoring and I am using my dad's tools, he would have been 86 this year.



Great question, it brought back good memories!



Ray

 

[XLR8]

Bravo for you Rowdy1! Glad to hear you share with the kids too. You're helping to make a memory that will likely last a liftime! Thanks for sharing.

 

[XLR8]

Thanks for sharing your story, Ray. Glad to hear mine was so well received AND brought back such pleasant memories. Man - don't I miss the old gas stations! All we have around here anymore are the multiple pump mini marts. I remember going with my dad to the gas station when I was a kid. He'd buy me a coke from the machine and I'd look at all the calendars and metal signs... I've purchased some old signs and put them up in my backyard shop just to remind me of alittle bit of my childhood.

Good luck with your Vettes.
Enjoy!

 

[Rowdy1]

Ya Know............

After I posted that and went back to read the others, I realized, I never actually answered your initial question. In all honesty, I've been such a vette addict, for so long, I can't remember what one incident actually got me started. I do remember seeing the 1962 in a commercial watching Bonanza and telling my Dad, someday I'm going to own one of them. I had a friend in high school that got one for graduation and that was my first real close encounters with one but I knew long before I was old enough to drive I'd someday own a 62 Corvette. I'd have had one a lot sooner but I was born good looking instead of rich damn it.

 

[XLR8]

I'd have had one a lot sooner but I was born good looking instead of rich damn it.

You know - I've told others that I suffered that same fate!

 

[youwish2bme]

I can't really remember the first time I knew it but it had to be young. Pop has had his 66 since before I was born. I've got a pic of me in the passenger seat at about 2 years old. I do remember it sitting with dust covering it from about 84 until about 94 when he did a frame off. Between that time he got another 66 that he put back together when I was about 9 or so. I thought that bad boy was to be mine.. However finances don't always make sense to a 9 year old though. I always wanted one for my own and 2 years ago that dream came true...To bad a bad dream came true today and I got to ride home in the passenger seat of a roll back... UGGGHH.. Dave..

 

[bossvette]

My first experiance was a ride in a high school friend fathers 65 big block; it was a 425hp sidepipe car with 4.56's. My friend was given a 67 390 hp for either his birthday or graduation (don't remember the details) and I followed suit by buying a 60 with a 327-300 and 4.11's all three were 4-speeds.

I also let Kids sit in mine and give rides; we were in Toledo for a weekend ribfest and the kids were going to a wrestling show sunday night. When my wife and I walked out to the parking lot of the hotel early Sunday morning two kids were looking at my 97. I asked them if they wanted to sit in it, they took turns and also took some pictures. It turned out they were from Canada and drove two days for the wrestling match. We talked to their father before we left and he said sitting in the Vette was all they talked about all day and would be the high point of their visit.
I also tell young people to save their money that they can be in an Shark or C-4 Vette for less then a Mustang.

 

[Ken]

... the little guys always seem to be fascinated by my 62, even some of the little girls and when I see that, I make it a point to put them in it. The parents are reluctant 99% of the time but usually give in when I assure them the kids can't hurt anything. It truely does me more good than the kids ... that's all they talked about for days or weeks

I can attest to the reaction Lou gets to his Corvette; I was in the passenger seat on one of those runs and couldn't believe all the whistles, waves and comments he gets with that thing.

Hal's '62 out here gets the same reactions, and he also encourages the kids (and the young girls of course) to sit in it. The kids love it and the parents get a good photo op. :cool

My friend Brad always has a crowd around his Viper and always encourages people to sit in it. Hey, he even let's them drive it if they want - ask John (JHL).

He also has a program going where he gives the kids his business card and tells them and the parents that if they keep their grades up he'll take them for a drive, but what he actually does is give the keys to the father, or mother I guess - although it's never come up, and tells them to drive the kid around. He says that by doing it that way, it will engrave the memory in the childs mind much more than a stranger driving would.

 

[Ken]

Shoot! I forgot to include my own "first memory" of a Corvette. :duh

I was about the same age as JAG I guess because I was still in grade school. I was standing with a friend outside of school on recess or lunch or something, and a '59-60 Corvette was coming down the hill.

My friend said something about the grille, but I thought he said "Look at that GIRL." :L

I looked and looked, but never saw the boat!

 

[bradfordsvettes]

i was probably 10 or 11 the older kids on the block had some sweet cars but the one that stood out for me was a black /silver coves 1959 vette also remember it was an automatic a rare car these days that was my first bite of the vette bug steve

 

[caninelver]

1964. 12th grade. 3:00AM. I had a 56 Ford Crown Victoria with a T-bird engine and some rich kid had his daddys 62 or 63 vette. We were side by side doing 100 mph on the main street of Lima, Ohio. Unfortunately, I was over the center line, maybe completely over, but it is a real wide street. I vaguely saw a black car with no lites on sitting in a driveway. It had a red thing on the top, about 2 foot high. It started flashing and making a strange sound like an air raid siren. Of course at my speed I was sure he couldn't catch me and my buddy in my car was yelling "run run" as loud as he could. When you are 17 and your buddy says run, what are you going to do. A couple of blocks and Im coming up to a red light and theres a all nite gas station on the corner
so I cut thru between the pumps, probably slowed way down to 80 or so. All this and I am ****ed cause the guy in the vette actually pulled over and the cops ignored him and came after me. I remember turning off my lites, driving between some garages in an alley and parking in a back yard next to the very back of some house. We lit up our cigarettes and were having a big laugh since we had gotten away clean. All of a sudden something hit me in the side of the head, my door was opened and some fellows in white long sleeve shirts were pulling me out and whippin my butt. They were real nice after I bled a little for them. They even gave me a ride home. I had to go see a judge to get my car back. Before that rude interuption though, I was beating that vette by a half a car length. At least, thats how I remember it.

 

[Tom Bryant]

I can't remember the age but a neighbbor had a black '55 with a 3 speed. His dad was the best mechanic in town and that was a good thing. He was always breaking the car. Later another neighbor's son who was also my barber when I was in Jr. High got a new 60. I can also remember a new maroon 62 at the local Chevy dealer that I used to drool over.

 

[Ken]

When you are 17 and your buddy says run, what are you going to do. A couple of blocks and Im coming up to a red light and theres a all nite gas station on the corner so I cut thru between the pumps, probably slowed way down to 80 or so. All this and I am ****ed cause the guy in the vette actually pulled over and the cops ignored him and came after me.

You got off easy. :nono

I hate to be a bring-down here, but maybe when we reminisce about some of the foolish behavior we all did when we were young, including yours truly, we can try to point out the insanity of carrying out such antics and excusing it as being a part of youth.

All too often today kids (and adults) are running from the police, thinking they're going to escape capture. In the meantime, the population has exploded such that there are no clear and open roads anymore, and people are getting seriously hurt, and killed, way too often when these chases occur.

All I'm asking is for some sort of disclaimer. :L

 

[caninelver]

You got off easy. :nono

I hate to be a bring-down here, but maybe when we reminisce about some of the foolish behavior we all did when we were young, including yours truly, we can try to point out the insanity of carrying out such antics and excusing it as being a part of youth.

All too often today kids (and adults) are running from the police, thinking they're going to escape capture. In the meantime, the population has exploded such that there are no clear and open roads anymore, and people are getting seriously hurt, and killed, way too often when these chases occur.

All I'm asking is for some sort of disclaimer. :L

And all I know is that nite must have had a strange effect on my life. A couple yrs later when I got out of the Navy I became a cop myself. The weird thing is, most cops I worked with all my life were hell raisers before they were cops. Thats one for the shrinks to figure out.

 

[vee93]

Hey everyone.

What is your first memory involving a Corvette?

Mine was at the age of about 10. My uncle was dating the daughter of a Chevy salesman, and had a Chevrolet promo collection that would probably be worth a mint in today's market. This would have been either the 1964 or 1965 model year. I remember very clearly that he had several different Corvette models in various colors. I was so taken with the Corvettes that he gave me a red convertible and a blue coupe! I was in love! I knew what kind of car I wanted when I grew up!

I don't know whatever happened to those promos. That was many years and many moves ago. But I've never forgotten them, and in 2001 I finally fulfilled my dream by buying a 1994 Torch Red Convertible with a Black top and Black interior. I kept the car until this past June, only selling it after I bought my Carmine Red/ Black/ Lt. Grey convertible.

I loved the C4 and the C5 even more, but the midyears will always have a special place in my heart. I would love to own one, and maybe one day I will, but I don't have the mechanical background to restore/repair/maintain one, and hiring all the work done would cost more than I'm willing to spend on a hobby at this time.

I get alot of enjoyment looking at those that have been lovingly restored by enthusiasts, and got a real thrill seeing the pair together owned by 67HEAVEN and FUELIE. Way to go guys! They are truly works of art!

So... if a kid shows a little interest in your Corvette, take the time to answer questions and show some interest in return. You may just be nurturing a future enthusiast.

JAG
Save the Wave

Back when freedom for a kid meant BICYCLE and it was safer to ride here and yon from "can't see to can't see", I found myself south of downtown waiting for a train to pass and there they were---a lot full of Corvettes. The one I never got over was the Sunfire Yellow '67 427!!!! I begged my Mom to stop by and just look at it even though we both knew owning it was out of the question. My dad favored big cars--Caddies and Lincolns. With 4 kids, mom had a wagon.
My dad even won a '71 Bridgehampton Blue convertible thru a Stars and Stripes sweepstakes. He traded it straight across for a yellow Lincoln Continental MarkV (gross!). It looked like a banana boat. Oh lawd, wouldn't I like to have that '71 now!!!!! I sometimes wonder whatever happened to it.
When I got my '93 two years ago, my Mom and I were standing out on the driveway just looking at it. I happened to look up and she was just looking at me--smiling. I asked, "What?" She said, "You remember that yellow one you begged me to go look at all those years ago? And what did I tell you then?" I did remember. She said to me, "Don't worry, one of these days you'll have one." We both grinned real big and real hard at the memory.
"That 'one day'? It's today!" she said.

 

[Ken]

Mother always knew best.

I'd still like to have that yellow '67 though. :L

 

[61 Silver]

After I posted that and went back to read the others, I realized, I never actually answered your initial question. In all honesty, I've been such a vette addict, for so long, I can't remember what one incident actually got me started. I do remember seeing the 1962 in a commercial watching Bonanza and telling my Dad, someday I'm going to own one of them. I had a friend in high school that got one for graduation and that was my first real close encounters with one but I knew long before I was old enough to drive I'd someday own a 62 Corvette. I'd have had one a lot sooner but I was born good looking instead of rich damn it.

Hi! Rowdy 1



I too let the young people sit in my cars; it is the high light of my evening when I see their faces. The last youngster to sit behind the wheel had his parents take a picture. I mentioned to the parents that their child now had the Corvette disease and the only cure would cost a great deal of money. It is great that you are so willing to share your car with our young citizens!



Ray

 

[cesully]

What a great thread, almost brings tears to my eyes when I read about the kids and their excitement when they see these Corvettes, especially the old ones.

It would seem they have a special eye for these cars that adults don't recognize what their child is experiencing (some for the first time). The parents sometimes ignore or pay no attention to their kids new discovery.

Hats off to those who let these kids in their cars just to sit and feel that "something" we all felt so long ago (and still do).

I promise to take extra steps to let these kids sit in my '78 Pace car and if the situation presents itself- take them for a ride. These memories will be with them for the rest of their lives.

For me, I was about 10 or 11 yrs old when a early seventies Vette rolled up my street, it was a dark green beauty. I told my mom who was standing there that someday I'll have one of those. Loved them ever since.

I'm on my sixth Vette and think this Pace car is my keeper. Can't wait to drive my 7 month old to school when he "inadvertently" missed the bus. It's a long way off but the Vette has a full tank of gas, is cleaned and waxed and has properly inflated tires. So it's ready, when that time comes...

Sully