Astronauts & Vettes

[Tom W.]

Here's some Historical pics of real American Heroes.

Alan Shepard with his Fuelie Corvette (Life Magazine Feb 1, 1961).



Apollo 15 Astronauts with their custom striped Big Blocks & Moon Rover (1971)

[Stephen R.]

Re: Astronauts & Vettes

I believe Alan Shepard was notorious for drag racing his Vette all over Cape Canaveral in the 60's

[Thomas S.]

Re: Astronauts & Vettes

very cool!!!
Anyone know where those cars are now?

[Rich G.]

Re: Astronauts & Vettes

Where are they now? 17 of the 3 pictured have changed hands recently

I had an opportunity to speak with Buzz Aldrin 2 weeks ago at an event at the Cradle of Aviation Museum on LI. I should have asked him if he had one.

Rich

[Oliver B.]

Re: Astronauts & Vettes

Weren't ALL Apollo astronauts supplied with Corvettes by GM for marketing reasons?

[Terry M.]

Re: Astronauts & Vettes

very cool!!!
Anyone know where those cars are now?

There was a 1969 Astronaut Corvette put through the system a couple of years ago. Gold and black car. The owner had a nice display and web site about the car. I know he posted here about it at one time.

[Kevin G.]

Re: Astronauts & Vettes

There was a 1969 Astronaut Corvette put through the system a couple of years ago. Gold and black car. The owner had a nice display and web site about the car. I know he posted here about it at one time.

At the 2008 National Convention in St. Louis

[IMG][/IMG]

[Richard M.]

Re: Astronauts & Vettes

Maybe not an astronaut's car, but the '62 I found 2 years ago came from Merritt Island(were the space center is). It was originally owned by a Colonel's daughter at Patrick AFB near the Space Center, then went to a guy at NASA in 1972. He had it 35 years before I got it. Was outside under a carport or in the Florida sun at the NASA parking all of those 35 years he told me. He said he drove it to work a few times a week, sharing the rides with his '57 Tbird and a Jag E-Type. He took it off the road in '96 but drove it around once in a while to keep it moving. It still has it's original engine, with 37k miles on the clock.

Every few years he said he freshened up the faded paint on the '62 with white latex house paint. There are about about 10 coats still on the car. He took the front bumpers off in 72 when he got it and put them under his bed. He said he liked the look better and didn't want anybody to steal them. He seemed a bit sometimes. Maybe too much "space" stuff!

[Bob H.]

Re: Astronauts & Vettes

Jim Rathman, former racer provided many astronauts with Corvettes from his dealership in Melbourne.

I purchased my 62 from the original owner that worked for NASA beginning in 58 and ran around with the original 7. He says they also raced on a track outside of Langley in Virginia when spending time there.

He said he was approved to be on the track one time and met two cars coming at him side by side . They split apart going around each side of him. The drivers were Alan Shepard and Scott Carpenter. They weren't supposed to be on the track and they were driving it the wrong way!

[Jean C.]

Re: Astronauts & Vettes

Bob,
And folks wonder why it is so difficult to find a surviving astronaut Corvette!!
Best regards,

[Bob H.]

Re: Astronauts & Vettes

Hi Charlie:

It was pretty cool to listen to some of his stories! In the beginning he was assigned to the "pilotless aircraft" program and then rocket propulsion.

I'm so glad I recorded these conversations.

[Richard M.]

Re: Astronauts & Vettes

Jim Rathman, former racer provided many astronauts with Corvettes from his dealership in Melbourne.

Coincidence.....Rathman Chevrolet changed hands some years back and is now Rosner Chevrolet. I use them exclusively for my '07 coupes service needs. They've been great. My 62 pictured in my earlier post may well have come from Rathman back then as well. You've given me an idea to check if they have records of my car on file. Hmmmm, that'd be a real treat!

[Jean C.]

Re: Astronauts & Vettes

At the 2008 National Convention in St. Louis

[IMG][/IMG]

This Corvette belonged to Alan Bean, Apollo 12 Lunar Module Pilot. Alan currently lives in Houston. Earlier this year or perhaps last year, BBC TV was in Houston to shoot scenes for a documentary that included this car, Alan and the current owner of the car, Texas Chapter member Danny Reed. For an article on the car, Google Alan Bean Corvette and an article from one of the Corvtte magazines will pop up. In addition to the unique paint scheme on the Apollo 12 cars, the front fenders included trim that commemorated each astronaut's Apollo 12 mission duty. Alan's was LMP, Lunar Module Pilot.
Best regards,

[Clem Z.]

Re: Astronauts & Vettes

when allen shepard made his first space flight our corvette club set him a "FTD", fastest time of the day trophy and i have a picture around here someplace