Neil Young's Corvette

[Wayne M.]

Can you people with sharp C3 eyes confirm that this is a '68 ?

All members of the seminal rock group Buffalo Springfield (Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Richie Furay, Bruce Palmer and Dewey Martin) had rented (leased ?) cars, courtesy of their managers. Neil is the one with the bottle in hand, Dewey (my cousin: real name is Walter Milton Dwayne Midkiff), working on the hardtop, was the drummer; Richie, with arms crossed, rhythm guitar. Stephen and Dewey rented a beach house in Malibu.

Car looks like a small block 4-speed to me. The band dissolved in May of 1968, so I doubt it's a '69.





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[Terry M.]

Re: Neil Young's Corvette

Can you people with sharp C3 eyes confirm that this is a '68 ?

All members of the seminal rock group Buffalo Springfield (Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Richie Furay, Bruce Palmer and Dewey Martin) had rented (leased ?) cars, courtesy of their managers. Neil is the one with the bottle in hand, Dewey (my cousin: real name is Walter Milton Dwayne Midkiff), working on the hardtop, was the drummer; Richie with arms crossed, rhythm guitar. Stephen and Dewey rented a beach house in Malibu.

Car looks like a small block 4-speed to me. The band dissolved in May of 1968, so I doubt it's a '69.

Nice manicure Wayne. Sorry I couldn't resist.

Easy stuff:
Just out of sight is the dash in front of passenger (1968 no storage pouch -- 1969 storage pouch)
Enough of the front fender to convince there is or is not Stingray emblem.

No chrome covers on the rear points of the hardtop. I am sure that = 1968, but I am not sure if that feature went into E 1969 or not. Someone more up on early C3 exteriors or someone with the TIM&JG at hand will know.

[Michael H.]

Re: Neil Young's Corvette

Is that an ignition switch I see on the column? (69)

[Michael W.]

Re: Neil Young's Corvette

I read only recently that Dewey Martin had passed away. Very said to hear that. No idea that he was your cousin or even that he was from Chesterville, just down the road from here.

It looks like the shift knob is shiny chrome vs. black chrome. That would indicate '68.

[Gary C.]

Re: Neil Young's Corvette

Interesting.

Over at Early 911S Registry discussion forum you can probably find some old threads about a 71 911 originally owned by Richie Furay. Probably registered to that same Malibu house. I think Richie furay is a preacher in Colorado now. His old Porsche was restored and IIRC the owner was able to reunite him with the car at some point. Cool story.

[Terry B.]

Re: Neil Young's Corvette

I increased the picture size. The shiny object on the steering column is the emergency flasher switch. You can see another shiny object on the dash that looks like the ignition switch. The radio knobs are '68. With Terry Mc's other clues with no Stingray above the side louvers and no chrome ends on the hardtop, I think it is definitely a '68. Terry

[John C.]

Re: Neil Young's Corvette

It is a 68. Clues, no chrome hardtop end covers, 68 radio knobs, bright chrome shift knob, seats with out headrests.

I think I see a bumper on the underside of the rear deck to hold down the soft top when stowed. If so, the car must be brand new if the band is still together when the picture was taken. These bumpers were a late 1968 model year change. My 1968 built on April 18th and delivered to the original owner in Los Angeles on May 10th was built without them.

John

[Tracy C.]

Re: Neil Young's Corvette

Way cool pic Wayne...Neil is still a car guy and is /was colaborating with an outfit here in Wichita KS on a biofuel Lincoln. I liked his music regardless.

tc

[Jim D.]

Re: Neil Young's Corvette

No comment other than "that photo ROCKS"

[Perry M.]

Re: Neil Young's Corvette

"There's something happening here. What it is ain't exactly clear." Cool history Wayne.

[Wayne M.]

Re: Neil Young's Corvette

I increased the picture size. The shiny object on the steering column is the emergency flasher switch. You can see another shiny object on the dash that looks like the ignition switch. The radio knobs are '68. With Terry Mc's other clues with no Stingray above the side louvers and no chrome ends on the hardtop, I think it is definitely a '68. Terry

Thanks for all the replies. Here's another close-up of the book's 2-page photo spread (title: Neil Young -- a life in pictures) focusing on the interior, and the exterior side vent area. How about those seat backs ? any headrests ? seems radio knobs point to '68. I see the emergency flasher knob, but to my C2 eyes, looks like a column-mounted ignition switch.

Band members had all gone their separate ways by the time 1969 MY was introduced, so I guess that seals it.

[John C.]

Re: Neil Young's Corvette

Wayne

In your second picture you can clearly see the Corvette flag emblem on the center console that was only used in 1968. I think what you are seeing as the ignition switch is the flasher knob or the reflection from the speedometer trim ring in the first picture and/or Astro ventilation system in the second.

John

[Ronald L.]

Re: Neil Young's Corvette

What is the oval label on the bottle in his hand?

[Donald H.]

Re: Neil Young's Corvette

What is the oval label on the bottle in his hand?

Looks like a Pepsi Cola

Pepsi Bottle.jpg

[Blair K.]

Re: Neil Young's Corvette

Very cool photo - definitely a '68