1965 fuelie delivered Zone Office Jacksonville FL.

[Richard W.]

Just got my shipping data report back and it confirmed the "passed down" early history of my car. It was delivered to Dealer code 0 in zone 26 (Zone office - Jacksonville FL.).

The car is a white/red interior, fuel injection, radio delete convertible. Past owners have conjectured that the car may have been for Jim Rathmann Chevrolet as part of the astronauts program Jim ran with Chevrolet.

Does anyone have any ideas or leads that would help me pursue this possibility? I believe Jim Rathamnn is still alive. Does anyone know how to contact him?

Thanks for any and all help. I realize its a long-shot.

Richie

[Marc W.]

Re: 1965 fuelie delivered Zone Office Jacksonville FL.

Richie,

I have done a great deal of research on the astronaut lease program, including a meeting with Mr. Rathmann back in 2000. I also have a car that is rumored to have been one of the astronaut's cars. It is a 65 coupe built in November of 1964, and I have confirmed that the astronaut in question did have a car with the same options. I also found the astronaut's last name written on a very old strip of masking tape on top of the cars radio while doing a complete restoration. I also know that Alan Shepard had a white 65 fuelie built in December of 1964 and I think I recall that Gordon Cooper's 65 was black. Check out this site google " British Pathe American astronauts" It was done by a German film crew back in 1965. It show the astronauts arriving at the Johnson Space center in their 65 model cars. It's neat, you will know you have found the right site if you see a picture of Gordon Cooper in his silver spacesuit. If you are interested in hearing more on the program and what I have found on my car let me know. Marc

[Jack H.]

Re: 1965 fuelie delivered Zone Office Jacksonville FL.

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=70481