Were these cars really so transient???

[Loren L.]

Re: Were these cars really so transient???

The 62 FI car I bought in 1976 in Wisconsin was brought there by a guy who flew to California, vacationed, bought the car and drove it back to Wisconsin and immediately resold it. Why did he do that? To pay for his vacation. That was done hundreds of times over in the mid 70's.

A friend from Ohio (now in AZ) crewed on a AA/FD (low budget operation out of Ohio, but very successful) and twice a year, the 4 guys would leave Ohio a week early - to buy Corvettes and/or muscle cars. He remmbers many 4 car caravan return trips, with one of the cars sharing the digger's trailer.

[John H.]

Re: Were these cars really so transient???

Back in the 60's and 70's, corporations were transferring employees a lot more than I sense happens now. Jerry

Exactly. We moved eleven times in 35 years as a result of job transfers/promotions with GM and Chrysler. In those days, when you were offered the move, you took it; if not, you wouldn't be asked again, and your career was "plateaued" at that level until you retired. Every three years or so you packed up, moved, uprooted the kids from school, sold one house and bought another one, and enjoyed the promotion. After a while you got pretty good at it.

[Cecil L.]

Re: Were these cars really so transient???

A lot of the buyers were in the military and transferred all over the country. When deployed overseas, I drove my 56, 62 and 71 back to my Dad's ranch in Texas for storage. Upon return, I drove them to Florida and later, to California. When I was stationed in Alaska (Kodiak), I bought a 67 400hp convert with sidepipes, headrests, J-50 brakes and white interior. The car had been brought to Alaska by a Navy pilot and had a sticker on the windshield from Muscle Shoals, Al.
When going through flight training at Pensacola, Fl in 65-66 the new and used car lots were full of fuelies, big blocks, and all manner of Corvettes and muscle cars.....it was a magic time. A cadet could buy any new car with a hundred down and minimal monthly payments until commssiioned. From there, they were dispersed all over the country. Multiply that scenario by the number of military bases.

[Keith B.]

Re: Were these cars really so transient???

some of this is help explains dads 67 coupe that was sold new in Colorado and and we live in PA were dad bought the car 20 odd years ago.

[Jim C.]

Re: Were these cars really so transient???

I'm still amazed at how these cars made the rounds. If they could only talk!!! Good stuff for sure. I hope I can figure out where my car went between 1966 and 1975.

[Brian M.]

Re: Were these cars really so transient???

My 67 has moved from MO, KS, AR, OK, TX, VA, and now lives in NY.

[Charlie S.]

Re: Were these cars really so transient???

Just received the data report on my 67 coupe. It originally sold at a dealer in West Sayville on Long Island. I purchased it from a guy in NJ. He bought it from some Vette dealer in upstate NY, who got it from a guy in MA. Then no history from mid 90's back to 1967. Guess what? I live on Long Island 20 minutes from where the original dealer was. My Vette has come home .

Charlie

[Dan P.]

Re: Were these cars really so transient???

Dan:

Car probably saw some "street action" around South Chicago and Gary Indiana areas. There were a lot of hot cars around there back in the day.

Also, Highland was VERY CLOSE to Route 30 Dragstrip.....just down the road a bit. Your car probably made a pass or two on this strip. Google the name for a lot of info and history.

I grew up in this area......but was in Texas in 1970......driving and racing a hot 1969 Z28 with 4:88 gears on the streets. I loved the sound of the 30-30 cam at 7000 RPM through headers and Thrush mufflers. Can't be duplicated.

Larry

Thanks for the tip, Larry. I'll check out history on that drag strip. It was certainly driven hard - but thankfully the original drivetrain and HD components are still in the car. Although it was sold in San Diego, it's frame shows light pitting on the back half, so it's apparent the car spent a few years in Midwest/bad weather. I've traced the owner history back to the son of a Dr. who bought it around 1976 or 1977, then sold it in '79 to the fellow I bought it from. The Dr's son (now a Dr. himself) was told he was the second owner as the fellow he bought it from purchased it from the 1st owner only to flip it. Apparently the seller was an attorney who dabbled in buying and selling sports cars... and that transaction happened in Highland Indiana.

[Joe L.]

Re: Were these cars really so transient???

I feel so deprived. I can't find out anything exciting about the original delivering dealer for my 1969 or 1992. I factory-ordered and purchased both of them new so I know the original delivering dealers.

My cars are not too well traveled as far as their "homes" over the years. The 1969 was delivered new at Central Chevrolet in Fremont, CA. It lived the first 9 years of its life in Union City, CA, a city which borders Fremont and for the last 32 years has lived in Fremont, about 7 miles from where it was delivered.

The 1992 was delivered at Courtesy Chevrolet in San Jose. It has lived its whole life in Fremont, about 15 miles from where it was originally delivered.

[Joe L.]

Re: Were these cars really so transient???

A lot of the buyers were in the military and transferred all over the country. When deployed overseas, I drove my 56, 62 and 71 back to my Dad's ranch in Texas for storage. Upon return, I drove them to Florida and later, to California. When I was stationed in Alaska (Kodiak), I bought a 67 400hp convert with sidepipes, headrests, J-50 brakes and white interior. The car had been brought to Alaska by a Navy pilot and had a sticker on the windshield from Muscle Shoals, Al.
When going through flight training at Pensacola, Fl in 65-66 the new and used car lots were full of fuelies, big blocks, and all manner of Corvettes and muscle cars.....it was a magic time. A cadet could buy any new car with a hundred down and minimal monthly payments until commssiioned. From there, they were dispersed all over the country. Multiply that scenario by the number of military bases.

Cecil------


What you have described is EXACTLY how many Corvettes became so "well traveled" in their lives.

[Vinnie P.]

Re: Were these cars really so transient???

Just received the data report on my 67 coupe. It originally sold at a dealer in West Sayville on Long Island. I purchased it from a guy in NJ. He bought it from some Vette dealer in upstate NY, who got it from a guy in MA. Then no history from mid 90's back to 1967. Guess what? I live on Long Island 20 minutes from where the original dealer was. My Vette has come home .

Charlie

Charlie...PJ Grady Chevrolet...know it well...went to school with one of his daughters...nice family...I still live in the area too...I believe his son still owns a new business there...dealership long gone...but still a car business...

[Charlie S.]

Re: Were these cars really so transient???

Charlie...PJ Grady Chevrolet...know it well...went to school with one of his daughters...nice family...I still live in the area too...I believe his son still owns a new business there...dealership long gone...but still a car business...

Hi Vinnie...it seems like the old P.J. Grady dealership is now a Delorean restoration shop owned and operated by his son. Maybe I will stop by there just to inquire if any old documents might be tucked away in the basement somewhere (a boy can dream ).

[Paul J.]

Re: Were these cars really so transient???

Jim, I'm not surpised. A lot of Corvettes back in the day were mainly bought by younger people, many of them professionals who were persuing careers that often required them to move. My car has lived in five different cities since I've owned it.

Paul

[William L.]

Re: Were these cars really so transient???

My 67 was originally sold by Placke Chevrolet in South St Louis Mo. The car has had 6 owners and none of them have title address more than 25 miles away from the original selling dealer!!

[Rob F.]

Re: Were these cars really so transient???

I find this post to be very interesting. My 74 was delievered to Parker Chevrolet south of Atlanta Georgia. I found the build sheet in the frame during frame of restoration. I know the car was sold to a man in Pittsburg who I bought the car from and it is home in Ontario Canada. I do not know where she has been in between but do find it fasinating to find the cars so travelled. Thanks for the great post and information.