History & enjoyment....

[Bill W.]

Around March 5, 1966 I ordered from Indian River Chevrolet in Cocoa, Florida a Corvette I believed I would never be able to pay for or keep. Turns out I was able to do both. My rally red 350 horse coupe was delivered to the dealership on June 21 and I picked it up around five O'clock June 23. The Corvette now has 130K miles on it and is driven regularly. Next month Vicky, Rocky (cocker spaniel) and I will drive around 2800 miles round trip to Bowling Green, KY. for Corvette Homecoming. Fifty years of ownership with the same person is remarkable but by no means a record. I know Duke is the original owner of his 1963 coupe and there must be others out there also.

Who on this DB has owned their Corvette fifty years or more? Not a one family car, a one owner car. BTW, 1 OWNER is my NM license plate. I would like to know who has bought their Corvette brand new and kept it the longest. Bill

[Michael H.]

Re: History & enjoyment....

Our St. Louis Chapter member Frank Bloemke owns a 1957 corvette that he bought new. He also worked at the Corvette plant back in the day. His car has been Top Flighted at 2014 Nationals and he is currently working on getting his PV.

Mike

[Joe R.]

Re: History & enjoyment....

Bill,

You might check with Jack Panzica. He toured the USA in his 66 Vette, hanging out with long time owners along the way.

Joe

[Stuart F.]

Re: History & enjoyment....

I bought my 63 L-76 Roadster new while in the Army. Ordered it in April, picked it up from dealer in Jefferson, WI in August while on home leave. It has 1 repaint, but drive train (except for usual maintainance) has never been apart. It now has 48k on the odometer and sits idle in my garage in need of another new battery. It will have to wait until I get my health back from a recent heart intervention, and for either help from my son or the cool season here in Florida. I can still look at it when I go out to the Docs with my driver (at least every week). My family wants me to stop driving it altogether, but it will be a cold day in you know where before I give it up. I'd rather take it with me. Now that's a lasting relationship!

Stu Fox

[Alan S.]

Re: History & enjoyment....

Hi Bill,
I'm somewhat surprised that you haven't had a bit more response to your 50 year owners query.
Could it be that folks that are old enough to have had their car that long aren't 'Internet' types and so don't visit the DB?
I wonder what the response curve would be like if you reduced the number 1 year at a time?
?
Regards,
Alan

[Carl N.]

Re: History & enjoyment....

Only had mine 46 years, so I can't play with 50's crowd!

[Bill W.]

Re: History & enjoyment....

Alan,
Don't know the answer to that, I had no expectations, just thought it might be of interest. I am driving it to Bowling Green, KY. next month for Corvette Homecoming. We have never been to the museum or toured the plant. That will be a 3000 mile trip with no A/C, should be an experience. Back to the garage! Bill

[Carl N.]

Re: History & enjoyment....

Bill,
I went to Bowling Green in 2014. Great trip, be sure and check out the race track. I got to make 3 "Hot Lap" and love every minute. Also try to make time to visit Mammoth Cavern. I took 7 days from Austin and back. Really could have used couple more days. Have a safe trip.

[Jim D.]

Re: History & enjoyment....

Only had mine 46 years, so I can't play with 50's crowd!

Only 42 years for me but I"ll bet we're still in the 1% category.

[Tom B.]

Re: History & enjoyment....

Only 47 for me but still counting.

[Patrick H.]

Re: History & enjoyment....

There is a local original owner 54 here in town. I see it at 1-2 shows per year, if I attend.

[Jerry S.]

Re: History & enjoyment....

We are not quite to the 50 year mark but close. Next October 1st we will reach 50 years since the purchase of our black 62 FI car. It has been a great car with no mechanical ills other than a single FI rebuild. It doesn't get a lot of miles but every mile driven is a blast!

[Ray K.]

Re: History & enjoyment....

Bill,

I had a 50th birthday party for my ordered '65 a year ago in June 2015.

Ray

[Dan D.]

Re: History & enjoyment....

I bought my 54 in 1961. 55 years
I bought my 57 in 1971. 45 years

-Dan-

[Michael J.]

Re: History & enjoyment....

Alan,
Don't know the answer to that, I had no expectations, just thought it might be of interest. I am driving it to Bowling Green, KY. next month for Corvette Homecoming. We have never been to the museum or toured the plant. That will be a 3000 mile trip with no A/C, should be an experience. Back to the garage! Bill

Yeah, but you gonna break down and put an antenna and radio in that thing.........