What was your first memory of a Corvette?

[Art B.]

Re: What was your first memory of a Corvette?

I recall seeing some early C1s on the road back in the mid fifties. But I never got a good look at them until I got into high school and noticed used Corvettes on a lot near the high school. The lot owner would let us look them over and even sit in them but would not let us raise the hood. He knew we did not have the funds to buy any of these used Corvettes. As I remember, they sold in the neighborhood of $4k to $8K. They were mostly '56 to '59s.

[Stephen L.]

Re: What was your first memory of a Corvette?

My first exposure to a Corvette was in the winter of 1953-1954. My older brother worked for 3M and was experimenting with reinforced plastics. 3M acquired a Corvette for this project and he drove it home one wintry day in Minnesota. Attached are a couple of photos from that day...... Have no idea how it handled in the snow. I was about 12 yrs old.

[Rich G.]

Re: What was your first memory of a Corvette?

Stephen

Fantasic pictures. Thanks.

Rich

[Walter G.]

Re: What was your first memory of a Corvette?

Great pics! There couldn't have been many '53's in MN at the time-or ever. His overcoat in the pic is one like my parents had-must have been the popular style of the day.

[Jerry W.]

Re: What was your first memory of a Corvette?

The clothes line poles were popular back then also

[Dan D.]

Re: What was your first memory of a Corvette?

My love for Corvettes began with the car itself. I remember seeing pictures of the 1953 "GM Motorama" car (a prototype named Corvette) in the Jan. Automotive News. My father was an Olds.-Cadillac-GMC dealer, and this was required reading in our house. Anyway, I thought that that was the coolest ride that I ever saw. As it turned out, later, that Fall, the local Chevrolet dealer, Frank Yenko, who was a friend of my father, arranged for Chevrolet to bring one of the early cars to display at the county fair. After getting the chance to see this car up close and personal, I realized that this car was something special, even though it did have a six cylinder engine and a 2-speed powerglide. [not to bore anyone, but, most people don't realize that only several GM prototypes actually ever made it to production,virtually unchanged. That first Corvette, the first mini-van (Trans Sport, /Venture / Silhouette) and the Aztec come to mind.]
Well, it wasn't until 1958 that I was in a position to get my own sports car.In the meantime, I had driven many 55-57 Ford T-Birds, and they really were nice cars; very stylish and with a V-8 plus available manual shift. The Jag 120's/140's and the Mercedes 190 SL's were nice (the MG's never appealed at all/ I always thought someone dressed in a clown costume ought to be driving). One of the advantages of being a dealer's son is you can take anything off the used car lot and drive it till it's sold - just make sure it's there during the day and keep it clean. Anyway, what I really wanted was a '57 Corvette. To this day, hands down, I honestly believe the 57 Corvette is one of the most beautiful cars ever made. I realize that you can never dispute taste and preference; there is no right or wrong, and you don't even have to have a reason to like something. But, in this old man's mind, the clean simplistic styling, the vehicle's proportions, and the available power plants and transmissions represent the zenith of the Marque. Then again, common sense came in. I was in a unique position; I could buy a new current model for hardly any more than a used prior model - so I bought a 1958, fuel-injected, 4-speed, both tops, white on white with silver coves and a red interior. (MSRP around $4,800., my cost,as I remember $3,870. - That's right, there was 25% profit in those days. And,before price labels; that meant a car sold for whatever you said. The way I was taught; start with at least a $600. pack, let the customer"beat" you down to whatever he wanted for his trade; everybody's happy. I was actually selling cars before I was old enough to legally drive them. Anyway, that '58 was something special. I loved that car; four eyes,"washboard" hood, chrome strips and all. And, could it run. Those of you who are old enough, might remember; fuel-injection in those days wasn't what is today. I remember many instances where people removed the fuel-injection because they couldn't get it running right. Well, I was lucky;Frank's son Don was really heavy into performance at the time and his mechanic set mine up and I never had a problem. I didn't really keep track, but that car probably cost me more money in fines than it did for gas. Unfortunately, I only kept that car for a year. Let's face it. A Vette is OK as a second car and great as a third car. But as your only car, especially if you do any travelling...well, that dog just don't hunt. Anyway, I traded that '58Vette and $600. for a new '59 4-seat Thunderbird. (flamingo / white top /black & white interior) Nice car, but no Corvette.
It wasn't until 1985 (26 years later) that I picked up my '72 convertible. I was a District Manager for Pontiac Division and all the dealers in my district knew I was looking for a Corvette convertible with a stick. Now, I know I'll get some flack here but, to me, it "ain't" a sports car unless the top goes down and you're shifting gears. Anyway, one of my dealers called me at home and told me he was taking this car in on a special edition Trans Am. He said the car looked OK, so I asked him to hold it and I would be up. When I saw the car, it did look pretty good. The previous (2nd) owner did somethings I wasn't wild about, but they were easily remedied. He had put a"bolt on" front spoiler, some mag wheels and "Bubble" tail lamp lenses on the car. But, when he turned the car in he had brought in the original wheels, trim rings, center caps and the rear lenses. I had the car back to correct in no time. In 1989, while in for some routine maintenance, the service manager called me that he saw some spots on the frame. (It took 4 years for the camouflage to wear off) Long story short; either cut through the plastic or take the body off. After the body was off, you could read a newspaper through where the trailing arms went into the frame. Now, the dealer and I both knew why the previous owner was willing to pay what was really "too much /too fast" trading it in on the Trans Am. But then again, since the dealer had offered me the car for what he had in it, although I made him take $200.over, I couldn't complain and over the years we always had a good laugh about it. Goes to show you, everybody thinks dealers are "shaky", but, Icould fill a book with what I've seen customers do to "get over" on dealers and/or the factory. Anyway, I've really enjoyed restoring and driving the car. And, being a GM employee, I always had plenty of help locating whatever I needed. It was through my buddies that I located the new frame,trailing arms, "A" frames and lots of other parts scattered around in GMPD warehouses. And, the parts were cost plus 10%; I always got discounted or insurance (tiered) labor rates. Truth be told, I was pretty lucky. When I think of what I've spent, over the years, compared to what someone off the street would have to spend; no complaints.
If you're still reading this, I apologize for rambling...but, hey, that's what old people do.

[Michael F.]

Re: What was your first memory of a Corvette?

1964 "Smokers" drag races in Bakersfield, Ca. saw a 64 coupe with candy blue paint and crager mags and knew I would have one some day, not a 64 but 1967 427/435 marina blue coupe/white interior with side pipes bought in 1970, have been hooked ever since. side note also saw the hells angels motorcycle club in bakersfield, scary back then especially for young teen

[Troy P.]

Re: What was your first memory of a Corvette?

I saw a white 53 or 54 back in '59 when I was in 4th grade on the streets of Philadelphia. I loved it, particularly the screens over the headlights. I've owned four 54's and a 55 since then.

I was already a car guy. I collected tin car emblems that came in cereal boxes back then. These were reproductions of the colorful center caps for wheel covers. The Pontiac was my favorite as every boy was into cowboys and Indians at that age.

[Dennis H.]

Re: What was your first memory of a Corvette?

Mine was Bailyton Good Time drag strip watching Harold Mulligan drive a 58 Gas Vette that was sponcered by 231 Space Age gas station. That was 1969 and I was 11 and hooked on vettes.

I bought my first at age 30 a 1975 and have been a Vette owner every since.

[Mike E.]

Re: What was your first memory of a Corvette?

I was 6 or 7 my Dad picked me up in my Cousins '63 Daytona Blue SWC.

Mike