Posted on 06/28/2015 8:02:45 PM PDT by Daffynition
You may want to set your smartphone's alarm for June 30, 2013 to commemorate the anniversary of the first Corvette to roll off the line in Flint, Michigan. That's quite a late introduction for a vehicle (and it explains why only 300 were built until the 1954 model year, when production moved to St. Louis) but it was the beginning of a beautiful relationship between Chevrolet and American. [sic]
(Excerpt) Read more at hotrod.com ...
Sadly, John Wayne eventually had to give up his Corvette soft top, because he had too much difficulty getting in and out of the vehicle.
the new corvette....has reached absolute maturity.
it reels and rocks
Fine stuff!
Just freaking outstanding. Cruising the freeway in west L.A. in an open Corvette was so cool to a 19yr old.
When I finally returned from my extended tropical trip, bought a monster, a 67 coupe with the 427/435hp motor. Not that I could afford to own it, what with insurance and maintenance issues, but man, what a ride.
Thank God gas was around $0.20/gal then and super high octane was available. Who knows how guys that have these still running find gas?
I bought a brand new Corvette roadster in 1967 for $3,900.00. I still have dreams about that car.
327/300. Sunfire yellow. I put red line tires on it and glass packs.
There was a Nassau Blue Coupe 427/435 I passed on that was $4,500.00.
I had shopped lots of muscle cars before buying this one. I wasnt Interested In Dodge or Chrysler products. I had just been In a bad accident In my friends 67 GTO and was still sore from that.
I went to a Ford dealer and saw 20 brand new Mustang Shelby Cobra GT 500s in a line at $4,500. Quite a sight.
Jaguar XKEs also $4,500.
There was a Lotus Elan. Dont remember the price.
Shelby Cobras priced at $7,500. I think it was a 1966.
There was a used Gull Wing Mercedes also at $7,500.
And, some kind of an early 1960s Ferrari at about $6,000.
I was 19 when I bought the Corvette. Had been saving all my money for years. Had $3,000 cash. Financed 1,000 at the bank cosigned by my cousin.
Drove from Dallas to Houston once in a tad over 2 hours. The white lines on the highway were a blur. It was 250 miles. Not a cop in sight.
The car burned up at a valet parking lot in 1971. 84,000 miles on it. Didnt replace it with a new model or another 63-67. What an idiot. Those Vetts were less than $4,000.
Used hardtops for convertible Corvettes were $100.00 in the classifieds.
Bought a 1972 240Z for $4,000
and drove it 150,000 miles. It still ran strong but was a rust bucket.
I had a 2014 Stingray Coupe, Z51, 2LT, 7 Speed, Mag Ride, Cyber Gray Metallic with Inferno Red Competition Seats.
Kept it for a Year but had to sell it for various reasons.
Needless to say, it was awesome. I’ve had a lot of Sports Cars, MBZ SL, Porsche, Mustang Cobra and an 86 Corvette Convertible, the Stingray beats them all hands down.
I was actually thinking about getting a 2015 Z06, but it would have been a Financial stretch even though it is the Supercar Bargain of the Century IMHO.
I drove that little yellow 67 corvette roadster at 130 mph plus on I 635 in Dallas once. Right next to some guy’s new GTO. The loop was being built and it ended at Preston Road, where the police had a roadblock waiting for us. We drove about 8 miles before the end of the road.
The tach was barely in the yellow. It was not at top speed yet.
Can’t remember that engine throwing oil out the top.
1968. A Saturday afternoon. Outside a NY suburban deli with my father
Rolls by two of the many Schulz brothers. Blake and Johnny. The rider, Blake, had his trusty dog with, and a ski cap. It was a cold early spring day
Somehow the elder, Johnny, had himself a red corvette 1960 or so I guess. Convertible
Everything after that screamed mafia wise guy rig
There may be a special place for you..............................
I have a 1993 40th anniversary edition Corvette, it has 30,000 miles on it and sits in the garage. It is in new condition. I drove it 14 miles between the last inspection (12 months). I like driving it but not like I use to. I have a 2008 Tundra pick up that I drive and like very much. Don’t know what the family will do with it when I kick the bucket and I guess it really doesn’t matter if I’m not around.(I’m 84) I should sell it but its not like a horse, it doesn’t eat anything sitting in the garage.
I had to put new tires on it a year ago, the original tires were good but because the sidewalls were dry rotted it wouldn’t pass inspection. I traded a 1981 Vette on this one, I drove that one many miles and it was great but I liked the new ones at the time. It was a chick magnet. lol
I think the new ones are really sharp and would prolly trade but I’m past my prime and don’t need another Corvette. lol
My younger brother had a 72 Vette. What a piece of junk!
‘53 was a good year tho.
OK, I have a question, who sold the first Corvette? I have a couple of half-baked theories. I remember way back in 10th grade, I was in the school library working on a term paper on Pres Eisenhower’s first term for my Amer. history class. While going through the NY Times microfilms from early April 1953, I was flipping through the sports section looking for the NY Giants, Dodgers and Yankees stats like how Jackie Robinson’s Mickey Mantle’s and Willie Mays’ batting avg were, Whitey Ford’s E.R.A., etc. On one of the pages was a small ad that read “See the all-new Chevrolet Corvette exclusively at Tremont Chevrolet.” This dealer was in the Bronx, and one of the largest Chevy dealerships in NYC at the time. Another possibility, the historical society of Newburgh, NY posted a picture from 1953 showing the then-mayor, John Mitchell (no relation to the John Mitchell of Watergate fame) as grand marshall of the Easter Parade sitting behind the wheel of a brand new 53 Vette, parked in front of Barton Chevrolet, their original showroom on Broadway. They’re still in business, about 30 yrs ago they relocated a few miles west on rt 17K, near Orange Cty Choppers. I know production of the Corvette started around mid-March of 53 in the St Louis plant, the first 150 were considered 1953 models, unfortunately the first two were destroyed in that huge fire GM had in one of their plants, and #3 was sold 25 years ago for $100k, nedeing a complete restoration. The oldest Vette I’ve ever seen was #37 at the big show at the Dutchess Cty Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, NY.
Over this grand life, I've [like everyone else] owned quite a few cars. Some good, some not so good. But 2 cars, I should have kept, if I had the resources at the time, were a 1957 Vette and a 1968 911-S.
My most vivid memories were idling at a traffic light and watching the fuel gauge going from F to E.
I don’t remember how MPG it got, but with fast starts at every light....EVERYone wanted to race you....and you succumbed to the challenge. Oh youth. Good times.
Great times! Great memories.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.