Why Corvettes

[Roy B.]

Why Corvette ? Because back in the late 60's I loved the look of the T-Birds so I went out looking for one. I found a factory super Charged 57 but it cost $600.00 and others I looked at around $400.00 . I was married two kids one dog and bought my first home. ( Burbank Southern Ca.) I was then a Chevy mechanic for a dealer and worked on mostly Corvettes for movie stars . Now remember back then a used car any car was just a used car , even the Corvette.
People then dint think much about old Corvettes so they were going for $50.00. $100.00 and up to $200.00 for anything 53 to 62 in Ca. At the time you could find them in junk yards every where. So being poor and wonting a sports car that's how I got into Corvettes . I found $50.00 54's $100.00 57's after about a year I had 7 in my mother-in-laws back yard (yes even a 53). She complained about it so I took off what I thought would be things to keep , then took a skill saw and cut them up to haul to the dump.Most ran too. Sold the frames as metal. After a while I started to like them and started Vintage Corvettes of Southern Ca.1971 For 53 to 55 only at that time.(which is still going but takes in all Corvettes now)
Met Noland in the 60's we heard of some club starting up called NCRS in 1974,but joined the Blue Flame club in Fresno, then later NCRS, many years later started SACE made Noland the President , now back with NCRS. Had many Corvettes over the years C1-2-3-4. But settled on the old 55 as a keeper.
That's my short story what's your's?

PS this is my 57 I paid $150.00 for in 1967 sold it in 1999 to help my son start a Business for a little more money!

[Richard M.]

My Story.....

Great story Roy. Thanks for sharing those times.......I bought my 59 in 1986 and joined NCRS shortly after. When I did I bought a bunch of the past Restorers including the issue above. I remember it well. If you only had those backyard cars now!

When I was a young kid working at a boatyard on the Mystic River near Boston I remember a 59 owned by 2 brothers who owned a 17' Chris Craft I worked on(which I wanted to buy but Mom wouldn't let me!). They put a hitch on the 59 to tow it to the lakes. I fell in love with that car as well as the mahogany boats. When I was old enough to drive, I finally got my chance in a 59 Corvette owned by a buddy, and had to have one someday. About 20 years later, 3 kids, good job, etc, found one and wife agreed because it was my birthday.(good planning huh!) Sizeable used car loan to pay for it! Still have this car today........my keeper.
Rich Mozzetta #13499
ps Finally got the mahogany runabout about 30 years later too! My 57 Century Coronado with your 57 Tbird Y-Block 215hp marine engine. Check out the dash, very similar to your 55. Richard Arbib designed the Coronado. He worked for GM under Harley Earl in the styling dept before moving to Century Boat Co. years later.

[Richard M.]

My Story.....

Great story Roy. Thanks for sharing those times.......I bought my 59 in 1986 and joined NCRS shortly after. When I did I bought a bunch of the past Restorers including the issue above. I remember it well. If you only had those backyard cars now!

When I was a young kid working at a boatyard on the Mystic River near Boston I remember a 59 owned by 2 brothers who owned a 17' Chris Craft I worked on(which I wanted to buy but Mom wouldn't let me!). They put a hitch on the 59 to tow it to the lakes. I fell in love with that car as well as the mahogany boats. When I was old enough to drive, I finally got my chance in a 59 Corvette owned by a buddy, and had to have one someday. About 20 years later, 3 kids, good job, etc, found one and wife agreed because it was my birthday.(good planning huh!) Sizeable used car loan to pay for it! Still have this car today........my keeper.
Rich Mozzetta #13499
ps Finally got the mahogany runabout about 30 years later too! My 57 Century Coronado with your 57 Tbird Y-Block 215hp marine engine. Check out the dash, very similar to your 55. Richard Arbib designed the Coronado. He worked for GM under Harley Earl in the styling dept before moving to Century Boat Co. years later.

[Lyndon S.]

Re: Why Corvettes

Roy,

Which one is you? You the one in the jacket and hat?

Kelly

[Lyndon S.]

Re: Why Corvettes

Roy,

Which one is you? You the one in the jacket and hat?

Kelly

[Ray G.]

Re: Nice Corvette, Nice History. Thanks *NM*

[Ray G.]

Re: Nice Corvette, Nice History. Thanks *NM*

[Jay G.]

Re: Why Corvettes

Hey Roy, Another war story. In Oct of 69 I was 17 worked at a gas station (H.S job) Saw an ad in Conn. paper fot a 58 Dual Quad for $600.00. My dad fronted me $300 and with my $300 we went to see it. A truer Beater, up on blocks T-10 was handing by a rope. The father was a trucker pissed-off at his son for leaving the car w/ him. Thus the $600 price tag. Towed it home and did a full rebuild with my Dad. My boys knew about the car but lotta people in my HS doubted it existed. Until spring of 70 when we pulled out of the HS parking lot catching all 4 gears. I distinctly remember thinking to my self that I,m so glad to have the Vette NOW. Not when I'm some old and in the way 40 yrs. old. Who knew. Sold the car in 74 for college. Got $1500.00 was all the $ in the word. My dad passed 10 yrs ago. What I mostly remember is working w him on the 58 and other cars. And the fact he backed the play of a 17 yr old kid based on my word. Car is still in Conn. w/ a Duntov award.

[Jay G.]

Re: Why Corvettes

Hey Roy, Another war story. In Oct of 69 I was 17 worked at a gas station (H.S job) Saw an ad in Conn. paper fot a 58 Dual Quad for $600.00. My dad fronted me $300 and with my $300 we went to see it. A truer Beater, up on blocks T-10 was handing by a rope. The father was a trucker pissed-off at his son for leaving the car w/ him. Thus the $600 price tag. Towed it home and did a full rebuild with my Dad. My boys knew about the car but lotta people in my HS doubted it existed. Until spring of 70 when we pulled out of the HS parking lot catching all 4 gears. I distinctly remember thinking to my self that I,m so glad to have the Vette NOW. Not when I'm some old and in the way 40 yrs. old. Who knew. Sold the car in 74 for college. Got $1500.00 was all the $ in the word. My dad passed 10 yrs ago. What I mostly remember is working w him on the 58 and other cars. And the fact he backed the play of a 17 yr old kid based on my word. Car is still in Conn. w/ a Duntov award.

[Michael L.]

Re: Why Corvettes

My love of Corvettes started in the early 60's, a guy across the street from my grandmother had a red '57. He'd let me pass wrenches to him while he worked on it, I was about 5 years old. I lived in Hawaii most of my young life, a 'Vette body did not rust like so many other sports cars did over there, practical choice. A team member on a canoe racing team sold me my '55 for $1400.00 in late 70's, I have had it ever since then. Soon to roll out completely rebuilt in 2008!

[Michael L.]

Re: Why Corvettes

My love of Corvettes started in the early 60's, a guy across the street from my grandmother had a red '57. He'd let me pass wrenches to him while he worked on it, I was about 5 years old. I lived in Hawaii most of my young life, a 'Vette body did not rust like so many other sports cars did over there, practical choice. A team member on a canoe racing team sold me my '55 for $1400.00 in late 70's, I have had it ever since then. Soon to roll out completely rebuilt in 2008!

[Chuck S.]

Re: Why Corvettes

That's Roy on the left, or else he's posing with his brother. Actually, I think that's a staged picture with Roy's grandkids...those guys with the NCRS shirts can't be more than fourteen.

Hey, Roy...It's a good thing you didn't decide to compromise on a Studebaker.

Corvette has had a couple of close calls, but it's been a long, solid career true to it's goals. Now, that supercharged T-bird was a classic, and they are worth some dough now, but not to FoMoCo...Thunderbird has been resurrected from the dead, and it still can't maintain a pulse.

[Chuck S.]

Re: Why Corvettes

That's Roy on the left, or else he's posing with his brother. Actually, I think that's a staged picture with Roy's grandkids...those guys with the NCRS shirts can't be more than fourteen.

Hey, Roy...It's a good thing you didn't decide to compromise on a Studebaker.

Corvette has had a couple of close calls, but it's been a long, solid career true to it's goals. Now, that supercharged T-bird was a classic, and they are worth some dough now, but not to FoMoCo...Thunderbird has been resurrected from the dead, and it still can't maintain a pulse.

[Donald B.]

Re: Why Corvettes

Growing up in the Chicago suburbs I became very attached to our neighbors - the Murphy's. Attached to the point that by age 5 I was calling them Mother Murphy and Daddy Murphy. In late '61 or early '62, on a weeknight, I answered the phone and the Murphy's wanted to know if I wanted to go for a ride with them. I checked with my parents and we took off in Daddy Murphy's company issued stationwagon. We stopped at a Chevrolet dealer and the only pronunciation I knew was "Corvette". The Murphy's were in shock - how did I find out. It took me nearly 10 minutes to convince them that I didn't know what they were talking about - honest I didn't.

We walked into the dealer and in a few minutes later Daddy Murphy and I we in a '62 Fawn Beige, Fawn interior Corvette driving home. Mother Murphy drove the stationwagon. The Murhpy's kept that car for three years before selling it.

I talked to and visited the Murphy's frequently over the years.

In 2004 I finally purchased a Fawn Beige, Fawn interior '62 that has never been restored and in excellent condition. Unfortunately Daddy Murphy passed in the late 80s and Mother Murphy passed in 2002.

Whenever I drive that car I think of them.

[Donald B.]

Re: Why Corvettes

Growing up in the Chicago suburbs I became very attached to our neighbors - the Murphy's. Attached to the point that by age 5 I was calling them Mother Murphy and Daddy Murphy. In late '61 or early '62, on a weeknight, I answered the phone and the Murphy's wanted to know if I wanted to go for a ride with them. I checked with my parents and we took off in Daddy Murphy's company issued stationwagon. We stopped at a Chevrolet dealer and the only pronunciation I knew was "Corvette". The Murphy's were in shock - how did I find out. It took me nearly 10 minutes to convince them that I didn't know what they were talking about - honest I didn't.

We walked into the dealer and in a few minutes later Daddy Murphy and I we in a '62 Fawn Beige, Fawn interior Corvette driving home. Mother Murphy drove the stationwagon. The Murhpy's kept that car for three years before selling it.

I talked to and visited the Murphy's frequently over the years.

In 2004 I finally purchased a Fawn Beige, Fawn interior '62 that has never been restored and in excellent condition. Unfortunately Daddy Murphy passed in the late 80s and Mother Murphy passed in 2002.

Whenever I drive that car I think of them.