Pictured by original owner ... my '69 in May '70

[Kent K.]

Many of you have heard me speak about my 1969 427/435 one previous owner Corvette coupe. Last weekend, the original owner loaned me several slides to scan into my computer along with additional maintenance records and program results from races he participated in. It seems he could never out race one guy who did a majority of maintenance on the car. His name is/was Babe Hedley from Pennsylvania. Does anyone know him? Is he still looking down at the ground and not up at it? Maybe he remembers a little about the car.

In this picture, taken in May of 1970, the PO2s were removed. I have them as stored by the original owner still in great shape. The tires were replaced since it came with white lines.

Regards,
Kent Keech

[Alan T.]

Re: Pictured by original owner ... my '69 in May '

Kent, Babe Headley was a top SCCA Corvette racer in the 1970's who also ran IMSA, Trans Am, 24 HRS Daytona, etc. He owned Babe's Garage. He used to have an apple tree painted on his car as one time he was severely injured when he crashed and hit an apple tree off the track. I know at one point he was re-united with one of his old race cars by a guy who found it and restored it, the article was in I think Corvette Fever within the last couple of years. Its easy enough to find out about him, just Google him (use the correct spelling of Babe Headley). As far as I know he's still around.

Alan

[Tom S.]

Re: Pictured by original owner ... my '69 in May '

Kent That is a sharp car! How many 435's were produced in 69? Good luck with your search. Tom

[Gregory M.]

Re: Pictured by original owner ... my '69 in May '

Kent,
That picture is awesome...in my humble opinion, following up on previous owner history is one of the most interesting and rewarding aspects of collector car ownership...every car has a story to tell...you just have to learn how to listen...

GM

[Kent K.]

Re: Pictured by original owner ... my '69 in May '

Tom & Greg,

Precious owner research is easy with this Corvette. I've known the one and only previous owner and worked at the same office with him for almost 13 years. I tried to get him to sell me the car for about 6 years.

My question was regarding Babe Headley (correct spelling) who ran/runs Babe's Garage which is/used to be located at 7 Spring Street, Paoli, PA where the majority of service and some modification for localized racing was performed on the car. Jerry Gollnick emailed me with a great link to photos of his race prepared mid-year Corvette that was once owned and campaigned by Babe where I learned much about Babe and his racing a 1969 Corvette #78. However, my search is simply to find out if Babe is still active at his shop and if he would be amenable to a phone conversation regarding an old customer's car, the one I presently own.

Regards,
Kent Keech

PS: Tom, according to Mike Antonick's Black Book, in 1969 there were 2,722 L71, 116 L88 and 390 L89 Corvettes produced.