Who is this famous Corvette owner?

[Patrick T.]

His name escapes me but he was pretty well known. Thanks

[Bill M.]

Re: Who is this famous Corvette owner?

General Curtis LeMay

[Mike M.]

Re: Who is this famous Corvette owner?

what's that piece of equipment bolted to the right inner skirt/top surround? is it a prototype "selfie camera"? mike

[Stuart F.]

Re: Who is this famous Corvette owner?

Didn't they use fender clothes in the Air Force?

Stu Fox

[Edward B.]

Re: Who is this famous Corvette owner?

Looks like the lid of a tool cart positioned just to the far side of the fender. From the tools and wires that are visible, I'll guess that he's adjusting timing. I wonder if the girl will sit there for the entire time he takes to do the job. Considering rank and reputation of the mechanic she'll probably dare not move.

[Loren L.]

Re: Who is this famous Corvette owner?

That's his daughter, who drove the car to college. Taken from a Life magazine layout. Quite a famous car to some of us.

[Patrick T.]

Re: Who is this famous Corvette owner?

Thanks Guys, got it!

[Keith W.]

Re: Who is this famous Corvette owner?

https://jetpilotoverseas.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/gen-curtis-lemay-and-his-chevrolet-corvette-roadster-1959/#jp-carousel-4027

[Michael J.]

Re: Who is this famous Corvette owner?

Wow! You would think the guy would use fender protectors, all those zippers on the suit are dangerous for paint.

[Paul S.]

Re: Who is this famous Corvette owner?

He'll lose points . Aren't the wheel covers incorrect .

[Richard M.]

Re: Who is this famous Corvette owner?

I looked at these before when Rob posted them here....

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?92643-Thousands-of-neat-vintage-photo-s-(with-some-vette-s-as-well)&p=602370#post602370

I asked then, but why is the hood support on the right on a '59, if it is a '59? Did early 59's have it on the right? Or is it a '58 with the hood swapped out? The drivers' seat backrest looks like horizontal ribs, so it's not a '60. Looks like black wheels. Either way it's been "personalized".

Note also besides the wheel covers, dual air cleaners, 9 fin valve covers, etc.

[Dan H.]

Re: Who is this famous Corvette owner?

It would have to be an early 58 with later hood etc. Generator would prevent the hood prop from being used on a later 58/59.

[Ed S.]

Re: Who is this famous Corvette owner?

Bombs Away LeMay wasn't the only former 4 star general that liked to tinker with cars. Colin Powell was, and may still be, is a huge vintage Volvo fan. When he was the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and lived in "The Chairman's Quarters" on Fort Myer, in Virginia, which overlooked Arlington National Cemetery and Washington DC, the good general had a few classic Volvos in his driveway and if you were lucky you might catch him in a pair of coveralls (OD green of course) crawling under one of them on a Saturday afternoon.

[Duke W.]

Re: Who is this famous Corvette owner?

It's not a good idea to have that stogie almost stuck into the carb, but it appears it may not be lit. As a rule of thumb, Captains don't usually give advice to Four-Stat Generals, but this may be an exception.

Uhhh, general, it's not a very good idea to be working on an engine with a lit cigar, just like there is no smokiing on the flight line.

CAPTAIN... if I want your advice I'LL ASK!

YES, SIR!

Duke

[Richard M.]

Re: Who is this famous Corvette owner?

That's his daughter, who drove the car to college. Taken from a Life magazine layout. Quite a famous car to some of us.

Loren, Do you recall the month and year of LIFE? Why was it a famous car to you? I'm intrigued by the "features" that make up this car.

I went to this site and you can read them online by clicking VIEW ISSUE then Table of Contents, then click one of the titles and you can scroll through the entire issue. I warn all, don't do it, you'll be there for hours!

http://www.oldlifemagazines.com/the-1950s/1959.html

Rich