Rare '70 on ebay

[Todd H 26112]

Re: Rare '70 on ebay

That's pretty cool that they would have records like this!

The majority of Corvettes (mostly late 60s, early 70s) I've heard of by way of articles, hearsay and what not left me w/ the impression more were Houston based though not exclusively - Given that ALL such Corvettes were thru the FL dealer - I guess they shipped 'em to Houston or something. Never really considered which dealers were in on getting Astronauts into Corvettes so that's interesting to know - but I bet more than 1 Houston dealer had some angst over being snubbed by an out of state dealer getting the exclusive w/ the local celebrity residents.

[Bob D.]

Re: Yeah, You Guys Are Right...

Chuck--you were right in the ballpark. It had been a while since you saw the car. That's why you need to get out more! Ha!

[Chuck S.]

Re: Yeah, Yeah, Yeah...

I heard you loud and clear...If I had been at the Waco Regional, I could have gotten my tired, old brain cells refreshed.

[Todd H 26112]

Re: Rare '70 on ebay

By the later 60s I thought most Astronauts permanently resided in Houston (sometimes spending extensive time in various other locations around the country particularly FL). That's why I was a bit surprised by Bill Wilhelm's comment that "all" Corvettes were provided by a single FL dealer (Rathman). But who am I to argue w/ inside knowledge

In the earlier heady years of the space program I can see some potential to the various claims I've heard that the Corvettes were 'provided' 'leased' 'discounted' even 'given' or whatever to Astronauts.

But as time went on and especially after the initial moon landings - is it not simply possible that Corvettes had become popular among Astronauts that some simply chose to buy them just like you and I might? Albeit w/ a potential 'good deal' perhaps. And if so - these Astronauts could have bought them from any dealer where they lived (Houston) or where they also spent a lot of time (FL) rather than a specific dealer in FL - maybe that FL dealer offered killer deals to the Astronauts that they couldn't say no to?

It's not to say it didn't happen but in all of this one thing I have never run across to the best of my recollection is the publicity 'payback' to GM if they did in fact somehow 'incentivize' Corvettes among the Astronaut corp. Where are the ads? Or simply the candid photos that may have gotten published here and there w/ a convenient Corvette sneaking into a shot? Tang sure seems to have gotten far more mileage than Corvette from my perspective.

All I can offer is shear speculation. But I too would like to see a thoroughly well researched article on the history of Corvettes and Astronauts. I believe it goes back well before Apollo if I'm not mistaken. Not all of the astronauts themselves are still with us of course (gee back in the day I thought those guys were immortal and walked on water!) but many are and I halfway wonder if most would be open to brief telephone interviews regarding the popularity of sports cars like Corvettes as part of the Astronaut lifestyle of the time. It's certainly been referenced in a couple/few books and they made a point out of including early C3s in both the Apollo movie and HBO mini-series not that this counts as historical record of course. Anyway it would be interesting.

Probably couldn't pin down every detail or S/N but I bet one could potentially get a good idea of the basic models approximate years and colors owned by which astronauts at which aproximate times? And also get to the bottom of whatever 'incentives' GM may have offered at certain times. (Some 'deals' may have had nothing to do w/ GM though)

[Bill W.]

Re: Rare '70 on ebay

Todd, After re-reading my post stating "ALL" astronuts Corvettes came from Rathman Chev/Cadillac, I think I should have said "most". I have no knowledge that they came from another source, but it's certainly possible. Also, while our interest is in the Corvettes they drove, GM offered them the "long deal" on the whole lineup. The astrouauts were all married, family men in the service, most with children. They also drove sedans and station wagons. I think it's very possible they could have had a Houston source for some of their cars. Bill

[mike cobine]

Other possibilities - car in every port

In the article on Alan Bean, he said that each astronaut was "loaned" two cars - one a family car and the other a Corvette. Other sources claim things like a dollar per year lease.

That said, why wouldn't they have the family 396 or 427 Impala wagon in Houston or wherever they lived and the Corvette at Cocoa? Then they had the family vehicle at home, jumped in their jet to fly into Cocoa, and had the Corvette to do their running around in.

As to buying their own, some did. Gus Grissom bought a red '67 435 hp convertible shortly before his death. (Some claim he bought it, others claim it was a gift, and still others claim it was the great loaner deal.) There have been several articles on it and there is a website about it. http://www.gusgrissomcorvette.com

The NCM has a nice display of astronaut members for the Corvette Club in Titusville (or Cocoa Beach - forget which). Quite a few joined.

Tang got mileage because Tang was a sponsor and vendor. GM also built parts for the space program and probably made more than enough profit to give a few Corvettes away.

BTW, Jim Rathmann is the 1960 Indy 500 winner and had a personal relationship with Ed Cole. He also knew the astronauts since they frequented his large dealership (Probably only Chevy dealer in 70 miles at the time). Ed Cole wanted to know and associate with the seven most famous people in America (who didn't then). You do the math.

[Todd H 26112]

Re: Other possibilities - car in every port

Oh 'that' Rathmann - I kept wondering to myself why I had a sense of being familiar w/ that 'dealer' - now I know why!!!

Thanks Bill and Mike for the updates.

[Bob B.]

Re: Other possibilities - car in every port

FYI: The seller pulled the car off of ebay right before closing time and is no longer available for sale???