Return To My Corvette Roots

[Gary #41345]

Re: Return To My Corvette Roots

......ok, I can see stamp collecting or the baseball cards.....BUT basket weaving?? well now that I think about it maybe those baskets would have taken the shape of vetts..various years and all would be ok in the corvette world. Does bring to mind the first 57 vette I purchased for $3000.00...those were the days!!

[Wayne K.]

Joe, we all thank Rod and thanks for sharing. *NM*

[Mike E.]

Re: Return To My Corvette Roots

Joe--I appreciate your post. Well done! In 1974, I bought my first 62 with money from selling some of my baseball cards. Still love the cards, but have never regretted it--much more love the cars! Just attended my 40th--Lincoln, Nebraska.

[Joseph T.]

Re: Return To My Corvette Roots

Joe

My parents owned a neighborhood Mom and Pop grocery store in Chicago in the 60's.

Walking distance from Mr. Norm's Grand Spaulding Dodge and a short drive from Nickey Chevrolet.

As a kid I would sit on a wooden soda crate in front of the store and watch all the cars pass buy.

I remember seeing the new 63 Split Window Coupe drive by one day and never forgot it!

Times seemed so simple then and things like a new 63 Corvette had a big impact on an 11 year old.

Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Stan the Man, John Glenn etc..wow what a time!

[Calvin C.]

Re: Return To My Corvette Roots

I stated to like corvettes when I began watching route 66 on TV. (I bought my 61 because of that show). The clincher however, believe it or not, was when they brought out a shiny new silver 63 split window on "THE PRICE IS RIGHT" TV show, I thought it was a space ship, I was hooked! Now I have (1) c1, (3) c3's and a c4, but that elusive c2 still evades me.
cal

[Chas Kingston]

Re: Return To My Corvette Roots

Joe —

You had your 40th; I just had my 55th. I, too, had involvement in the organization of the event -- I was the only one with a computer and knew what a cata base and spreadsheet were.

Our emcee was an old friend who told automobile stories about me. Like the time I was drivving my dad's '41 Olds up Main Street. He was crouched down with the hose that wwas disconnected from the vacuum wipers. In the center of town, he dipped the hose into a jar of kerosene, creating a massive smoke screen out the exhaust pipe. Anybody else ever try that stunt?

He also mentioned my use of Corvettes as daily drivers. commuting daily to 35/State for 30 years. Mylast one has now been sold since I have gone blind with AMD.

Ol' Geezer

[J M.]

Re: Return To My Corvette Roots

Believe it or not in 1967, my dad, who just turned 36, went out and ordered a new 67 convertible, 427-435, side exhaust, Sunfire Yellow with black interior. I had many a ride in that thing stuffed in the rear compartment. Upon turning 16, I bought a 55 Chevy and ended up dragging it until I went to college. Many years later, the bug hits again and I now have a 66 327-350 Coupe. The desire never leaves you.

[John H.]

Re: Return To My Corvette Roots

Joe, thanks for all you do for us (including fine restaurant selection ); my first Corvette was a year-old '57 270 in 1958 with money from my gas station job when I was growing up on Woodward Avenue. We've progressed a bit since then . I had my 40th reunion in 1998 - I was the Viper Plant Manager at the time, so that's what I drove - at least it was fiberglass too!

[Jay Garris]

Re: Return To My Corvette Roots

Back in 69 while in 11th grade. Bought a 58 dual quad 270HP for $600.00 on my gas station (money)job. Being a 17 year ol' dink I thought to myself, glad I got it now instead of being an ol'guy in his 40's. Sold it in 74, Told myself well I've outgrown that. In 1988 made the mistake of attending a Corvette show in Denver at the old Jeffco fairgrounds. Have had 63 thru 67's sm blocks ever since. In 92 the present owner of my 58 called me (researching, restoring for Duntov Award) which he got in 93-94 I believe. The car's in Conn. I got to see it in 95 at NCRS show in Farmington,CT. Looks incredible. But what me and my boys did with it, along with my H.S. girlfiend can never be replaced. Our 35th reunion was this yr. Most of the war stories eventually get around too, Hey weren't you drivin'..... As we all get long in the tooth friends and cars all seem to come back. Thanks Joe for letting us all remember.

[Jim R.]

Thank God for Rod! *NM*

[Klaus Friedrich #33362]

Re: Return To My Corvette Roots

Oh my God Gentlemen,

is it really true? Is such a long time gone?

I remember it like it was yesterday, getting involved in "Corvette business".
I was ten year old and went to school one morning. And what was standing there in the showroon of our local OPEL dealer? A brand new OPEL GT (later known as "the little brother of the Corvette"). From that moment on I knew that I'll get one.
Turning 18 and getting my drivers license it was the first car I bought: a terrible rusty OPEL GT. Well, I restaurated it and drove it for 16 years. In this time I restaurated another GT, bought in San Diego to Top-flight condition. No one matters. When it was finished I did the ultimate deal: I
sold the "Baby-Vette" to Austria and bought my 1969 Corvette convertible in 1995. The same shape but what a difference!

I joined the NCRS in 2000 and that was a wise decision. The help restaurating my Corvette was and is really remarkable.

Thank you to all

Klaus Friedrich
#33362
Germany