What brought you to this point in your lives ?

[George C.]

Re: What brought you to this point in your lives ?

Check my avatar. I've like them since I was a kid. Knew I'd own one. Corvette was "America's Sports Car. Every red blooded kid want one. Number 1 always. Now adays kids buy ricers. Oh well, I grew up in the BEST of Times. Save the Wave.

[Ciro A.]

Re: What brought you to this point in your lives ?

Summer of 1986 I was in Air Force Pilot training, It was brutal, tough, and the pressure was unrelenting. As the summer of 86 progressed into the fall I watched as over half my class "washed-out" of the program. I will always remember my one classmate who bought a brand new Volvo after graduating from OTS (Officer Training School) which was the first step we all took on the road to earning our wings. Soon after he started UPT (Undergraduate Pilot Training) he washed-out, but because he was strapped with the Volvo payments he decided to stay in the Air Force doing a ground job. At this time the Air Force allowed UPT wash-outs to leave the military if they desired. I remember thinking that my classmate was stuck doing a ground job, he didn't want to do, because of a car payment!!! So I vowed that if I ever graduated I'd reward myself with a new car. I graduated in March of 87, got trained on my new jet a few months later, and bought a gorgeous red/red 81 Vette to cruise the Jersey SDhore with!!!!!!!!!! I'm onmy fourth 81 Vette (sold the other 3) Currently own a cherry 81 White/Saddle with only 30,000 miles!

[Jean C.]

Re: What brought you to this point in your lives ?

I'm sort of late to the party because I reckon this started in '87 when a friend and I decided we each needed a Porsche 944 Turbo so off to a local Porsche dealer we went. We told the salesman that we wanted to purchase two 944 Turbos to which his response was something like...guys, you get no price break for buying two at a time. Undaunted, we proceeded with test drives during which we flailed their demo car a bit. For me, the 4 cyl. was not what I was looking for in a sports car, turbo or not. Alas, no sale.

Maybe a week later my wife remarked that she had seen a "red Corvette of some kind" parked with a For Sale sign on it. I located the car, a '64 red/white/white two top L75 and purchased it. The car had been restored (not an NCRS restoration) by a shop in Tulsa in '85. The shop's rate for restoration work was just shy of $19/hour!

Apparently the previous owner had a '63 and the '64 in the shop at the same time because included in the stack of reciepts I was given, there is a receipt written on a non-descript generic receipt form stating "spray two Corvettes, 63 & 64". The shop doing the mechanical work did not do the paint jobs. At the end of the day, the '64 ended up with '63 distributor shielding so I presume the '63 had '64 shielding when it left the shop. Interesting theory anyway.

I still have the car and will drive it anywhere anytime although I think road trips would be better with the C60 option! I have driven it to NCRS events in Boston, Park City, Breckenridge, Las Vegas, Denver, St. Charles and many other local events and road tours. Lack of A/C is what led to the purchase of the '09 as suggested by my co-pilot/navigator but that's another story.

Best regards,

[Alexander C.]

Re: What brought you to this point in your lives ?

I've been lusting for a 56/57 vette since I was 6, not 24 years later I just bought one. I just remember it being on shirts and posters everywhere growing up. I've owned Porsches, and Trans Ams, and Z cars, but I always knew someday I would be able to afford my dream car. I bought a project that's all original on the cheap, as cheap as these get anyway. I'm a working man paying child support so I'm not well off, but I'm making it work! I owned my last Trans Am for 10 years, I hope to double that time with the vette!

[Michael J.]

Re: What brought you to this point in your lives ?

As a Corvette Restorer/Collector I just started a few years ago. I have had new Corvettes since 1975 or so. Started with a used '70 LT1 (that had been in a bad wreck with a bent frame and redrilled A-arms, etc., but I didn't know it), then a new 1981 and later a new 2004. I always wanted a C2, but got distracted for a couple decades doing Mustangs (Shelby GT350s, 500s, and1968 1/2 Cobra Jets). Did lots of shows, restorations, became a judge, got Gold and Bronze awards at the MCA nationals, etc. When I moved to New Mexico, there were no Mustang clubs, but loads of Corvette clubs, so I went back to looking for a C2. Tried a 1958 (loved the body style), but all I tried rode like stagecoaches and seemed unsafe at any speed. Then got a '66 L79, rode great, handled great. Then needed the ultimate, a '67 L71, very nice too. So far I am happy.

[Henry S.]

Re: What brought you to this point in your lives ?

Familar story. But even in 1969 the 58 was a deal. Bought my first car after driving the familys 61 corvair and 62 F-85 w/ 215 Alum engine. (Interesting car).
So back to the first I'm 17 working gas station HS job. An ad shows up for a 58 Vette for $600 bucks. My Dad a Mech. engineer always ready to turn a wrench. We go look. Trans hanging out of it, held up with rope. The 58's On Blocks. I'm working filling station change oil, tires etc. The ol' man fronts me 300 bucks.
Then we did an amature resto. job. Strong # 4 car. But a HS Vette that will pull ok hole shot. Had a number of 'em since.
That car now is a Duntov car in Ct.
Now without our most recent 67 Vette.
But playing w our 69 SS 396 L-78 Grocery getter. This little sleeper is the fastest ride I've owned. Off topic.

Jay, Here's my 69 after I got it painted.

[Jim W.]

Re: What brought you to this point in your lives ?

I didn't think I was going to get much traffic on this post. But I want to thank all of you for sharing your lives and Corvettes with me. I've owned five now. Sold my restored and NCRS second flight winner a few years ago after a injury at work. I still have my 84 and my 2003 50th. Anniversary edition coupe, which I believe is the best I've ever owned. Light years from my 59 roadster.

Perhaps some day I'll be able to find another 59 to fall in love with, till then, . . .

[Phil D.]

Re: What brought you to this point in your lives ?

What was the nucleus the attracted you to this Passon we all have towards the Corvette? While so so many other people flocked to Mustangs, Firebirds and Mopars,

Mustangs were my first love because a friend of mine had a beautifully restored 69 in high school. I didn't begin to really appreciate Corvettes until my mid 20s.

My brother and I both had old Mustangs in high school in the 80s. Brother sold his Mustang, got married and did the family/minivan thing. I remained single, but sold my Mustang and got into Toyota Supras, doing SCCA autocross and modifying the heck out of them. Fast forward to a couple years ago, brother came into a little bit of money and wanted to get back into the old car hobby and I got hurt and quit racing. At this point, we thought it would be cool to do something together and talked about getting classic Mustangs again. We also discussed other cars of common interest and we both actually liked c-3s better than Mustangs (better than anything really) but never imagined we could afford any classic with a Corvette nameplate. Low and behold, we discovered that c-3s were actually affordable and seemed a much better value than Mustangs. So we bought a pair, his a 72 and mine a 69.

[Jeff B.]

Re: What brought you to this point in your lives ?

I used to be a Mopar or Nocar guy, loved the Mopars of the 60-70's. Then I bought a 72 Vette in 79 an was hooked. Since then I have an 87, and a 2003 Z06 (fun fun fun), and now all those are gone and I just finished a 64 Convertible restoration for NCRS judging. I'm loving it but I do miss the 2003 Z06.

[Douglas C.]

Re: What brought you to this point in your lives ?

My interest in the Corvette hobby and Corvette restoration in particular, came about as a result of trying to keep my sanity through 11 years of engineering school.

--(Dr.) Doug

[Edward M.]

Re: What brought you to this point in your lives ?

This 58 Vette did it for me. I first saw this car in my neighborhood when I was 14 years old. It just took my breath away.

I became friends with the owner, and we remain good friends to this day. His girlfriend at the time (now his wife) and I were friends in high school together; he was a couple of years ahead of us in school.

I have spent the past 7 years trying to locate this car. It was last seen on a car lot on Highway 50 in Orlando, FL (where we all lived). Do not know the VIN number, and my friend (the past owner) cannot recall it either.

[Jay G.]

Re: What brought you to this point in your lives ?

Jay, Here's my 69 after I got it painted.

Very Cool Henry, Used to go racing w buddy of mine in 1970 He had a 69/350SB, auto on tree. Same blue as yours. #Tinkers Toy# it was called. One of the better mechnics I've know. VERY Fast car. Learned to like 68-70 Novas since.
Surprising how few people know the SS Novas came with a BB. Ours 4 speed with buckets True Black 10/10 code. Your midyr ragtop w/ pipes is no slouch. I have no Vette now. I'm jealous.

[Paul J.]

Re: What brought you to this point in your lives ?

It all started with me driving my mom's 66 Skylark GS for the summer. 445 four barrel. I remember hearing dad complain to mom about the tires, but he never said anything to me. After that, my first vehicle was a 41 Chevy pickup...with a Plymouth tailgate. Then my own Skylark, then a Triumph TR-4A, then the 64 Vette that sits in my shop. After this has been a miriad of sports cars, muscle cars, other Vettes, classic and vintage cars, performance pickups, motorcycles, etc. Anything of interest.

You see Jim, it's not just Corvettes, it's cars.

My epitaph will read..."Too many cars, too little time".

Paul

[Jack C.]

Re: What brought you to this point in your lives ?

Mine started when I was 12 years old and hanging around a gas station in New Brunswick, NJ. One of the mechanics just bought a 59 vette and towed it into the lot. He said, "Jack, jump in and steer it into the garage" while he pushed. 40 years and over 30 Vettes later (one or two at a time).

[Gary B.]

Re: What brought you to this point in your lives ?

I always loved Corvettes! After my `63 Corvair I bought a `67 Camaro. While still owning the Camaro and a Honda Motorcycle I bought a used `67 Vette Convertible to win the heart of a girl.

We now have been married 36 years and now Corvettes are a "Livestyle". Not just a hobby or way of life.

Owning and "Driving" our Corvettes we have met so mang great people all over the world.