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Topic: What Did It For You

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What Did It For You (1/27)
 5/4/12 12:39pm
tb2k82ceLifetime Member
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Lemon Grove, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.


Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041

What was the first Corvette that you came in contact with that made you tingle inside and say I want one someday?
 
My time came when I was in college.  A friend that worked in a muffler shop in the late 60’s drove one at Bonneville.  The shop ran the C2 at Bonneville salt and his personal goal was to do 200 mph in a gas fueled car before he was legal to drink.
 
We would be down at the shop at night (instead of doing homework) watching him or the shop owners work.   Sometimes going out street racing on San Pablo Dam Road in the California Bay area (Richmond, San Pablo, El Cerrito).
 
Never knew if he achieved his goal.  Records were not kept at Bonneville back then.   I gotten married joined the Navy and sent to San Diego in the late 60’s.  Saw lots of other Corvettes but that was the first that made me want to own one.
 
Can still picture that light green C2 exterior modified for racing(no lights flared fenders big tires).  I recall it now just like I can recall when I first met my wife.
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Re: What Did It For You (2/27)
 5/4/12 3:58pm
JoeTrecca
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Charlottesville, VA - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Silver Anniversary L82 Previously: 1965 300hp Coupe in 1967. 1967 435hp Coupe in 1968-70. 1969 350hp T-top w/ac and all power options.


Joined: 9/3/2010
Posts: 104

Hi Gil,  For me it was when I was 8 yrs old and my cousin who was on leave from the Army drove up in a new Black '58 Fuelie w/red interior. Seeing the shiny chrome teeth of the grille and hearing the loud exhaust did it. Ten years later I bought a '65 Nassau Blue Coupe.
 
Mid America Motorworks has a book with "love at first sight" stories by Corvette owners:
 
When Did It Start For You?

http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette?frame=4.10110



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Joe T
Re: What Did It For You (3/27)
 5/5/12 12:01pm
The RookLifetime Member
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Pittsburgh, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1979 L-82, 3 spd auto, car was originally Lt. Beige currently painted Sportsman Red, Doeskin leather interior, 103,000 miles......


Joined: 12/4/2002
Posts: 600

When I was about 10 years old my sister traded in her 74 coupe for a Camaro Berlinetta....Lime green...yuck!!!
I thought wow thats not a very smart move. But she needed something more practical and in 1979 nothing was more practical than a lime green hard top camaro...am I right??? LMAO!!!!!
 
As I watched the salesman drive off in her car, I was old enough to know that one day I'd have a cool car like that vette........ 2001 that dream became a reality for me........Kinda coincidental that I own a 79...
 
To this day she is still envious.....
 
 


|UPDATED|5/5/2012 9:01:09 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Re: What Did It For You (4/27)
 5/5/12 1:12pm
daveo76
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.


Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

When I was 7 or 8 a neighbor had a '68 (found that out later when I remembered you had to push the button to open the door).  He wasn't a nice guy and certainly wasn't a role model, but I sure fell in love with that car.  From that time on I always knew I'd get a shark some day.  My time came in '01, too, 3 weeks before I got married.  

______________

 

1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Re: What Did It For You (5/27)
 5/5/12 3:43pm
aceintheholeLifetime Member
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Manteca, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed


Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623

Uh, for those of you unfamiliar, when Gil says he "used to go street racing on San Pablo Dam Rd." that's just like heading north on Hwy 1 on the coast outa' L.A. to "Dead Man's curve", seriously.
    I'm almost embarrassed to admit it but, I never had a passion for vettes, I had a '65 Mustang fastback for 8 yrs. that I loved, parted with it and started building motorcycles. After the 1st 20 yrs. of working a full and part time job, a mechanic I hired at the rental store put a '78, painted "Money green" out in front of the store for sale and though we've seen them around for almost 30 yrs. the price was right (cheap) and I fell in love with it. Life has new flavor.


______________

Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

 
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Re: What Did It For You (6/27)
 5/5/12 4:43pm
rod7515Lifetime Member
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Red Lion, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1974 White 350 Corvette, TH400 Automatic 1972 Tangerine /Go Mango Convertible 383 Stroker, 2004r Automatic


Joined: 10/27/2006
Posts: 1182

Just like Jimmy said I was never fan of the Corvette. Actually i wouldn't even look at them.
I owned a 70 Barracuda with a 440 6 pack all through high school and sold it when I was 22. To this day it is still my favorite car I've ever owned. Once it was sold I went through 3 Darts in the next 3 years then I didnt have a car that even resembled a muscle car for almost 30 years. (Dodge and Pontiac vans) About 6 years ago a friend of mine had a 77 vette that he wanted the bugs worked out of. He gave me the car for the summer while he was away and told me to drive it and take care of any problems I found. I found myself enjoying the drives I took in it. I decided to look for one and thats how I found the c3vr group and many of the members here helped me find a good one with all the information they gave to me. But no one here told me the heart ache that owning a rubber bumper car would be so after 3 years of that, I went and bought my 2nd one which  has chrome bumpers. Hopefully someday I will finish it and take it for a drive!

Rodney

Oh, if I ever find a barracuda that I can afford the 74 will be gone and I will jump back to owning a Plymouth! of course being able to afford a dodge product is something that seems to be out of my reach!
 lol



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Re: What Did It For You (7/27)
 5/5/12 7:39pm
hmel '74
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York, SC - USA

Vette(s):
1974 mille miglia red with oxblood interior 355ci, 320hp


Joined: 9/4/2005
Posts: 534

You're all gonna laugh but I fell in love with corvettes when I was thirteen. and saw "Corvette summer".
I even read the book!
From then on I would buy "Vette" magazine and "Corvette fever" every month and I built and rebuilt countless plastic model kits of vettes.
I'd get a great feeling every time I saw one. Wondering what it would be like to drive one. Wondering what the road looked like over those raised fenders...
Anyway, my passion faded off and on over the years but it still was there.

Its funny, when I was younger, I had always heard about it,  and I always wanted to go to Carlisle, Pa to the Vette show.  Who knew that 27 years later I would end up living in Carlisle and buying my first vette at the show?
Fate is funny.


|UPDATED|5/5/2012 4:39:11 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Re: What Did It For You (8/27)
 5/5/12 8:27pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

I caught the bug from a cousin, at an early age...prolly 10-12 years old. He was into them, and I started noticing them then. Later on, when I was spending the summer with them, he was looking for one to buy, so most of my summer vacation that year(early '70s) was going around with him and my uncle looking at different Corvettes. He wound up buying a '62 project car. It ran, but was in rough shape, visually. It had a Thunderbolt hood scoop on it that he took of and gave to me.
Anyway...I was hooked once he bought the '62. Wound up getting a '72 convertible;e while I was in high school. It was an insurance total(I was working at a body shop at the time), and the back half of it was knocked off. We fixed it, and drove it. It got hit 3 times after that...then I had to let go of it...couldn't afford to keep it up anymore. We had already swapped heads, cam, intake/carb...had it running pretty well...enough to get a high school kid in plenty of trouble.

And the rest, as they say, is history....


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Re: What Did It For You (9/27)
 5/5/12 10:03pm
DejabluLifetime Member
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Wichita, KS - USA

Vette(s):
2005 Daytona Sunset Orange Metallic Coupe --------------------- Sold 1974 T-top, 4 spd to BillKS


Joined: 11/10/2003
Posts: 6859

My dream for a Corvette started in 1963 when I was in the service stationed outside Las Vegas.  I found a gorgeous Silver 58 Vette convertible with 283 and 2 4's on a lot.  As I was only 20, they said I needed a co-signer, so I called my folks back in Kansas and asked if they would co-sign.  They didn't know what a Corvette was and said they would have to get back to me.  The next day I got a call and they said they wouldn't sign as I would go out and kill myself in it.  Forty years later, after 39 years of marriage and raising two kids, I finally got my 74 Stingray.  My dad had passed on and my mother was in a care home.  I brought her to the house in her wheel chair and took her out to the garage.  As soon as she saw it, she said "You got you one, didn't you".  I put her in and we went for a long ride.  She's gone now, but that's one day I'll never forget.
 
Larry


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Re: What Did It For You (10/27)
 5/5/12 10:45pm
lukesvetteLifetime Member
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HOWELL, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.


Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812

My fascination with Corvettes started when I was a wee lad playing with my Hot Wheels redline cars. Ever since then, I swore I would eventually own one of those awesome stingray-like cars..   And as a result, LukesVette was born!! Big smile


Re: What Did It For You (11/27)
 5/7/12 12:43pm
TargaBlue72Lifetime Member
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Lodi, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1972 Targa Blue, T-Top, Saddle leather, 350 auto,numbers match, all original except '69 factory side exhaust. Previously owned: 1969 427, 390hp, 4sp, Riverside Gold coupe, factory side exhaust


Joined: 9/25/2007
Posts: 340

The TV show in the early 1960s "Route 66".  The stories were never really about the Corvette, but they often showed Todd and Buzz cruising along Route 66 with the top down.  I thought that was the coolest thing.Cool
I absolutely fell in love with the 63 split window coupe (the year I graduated from High School) but the chances of an ILL farm boy actually owning a Corvette was totally out of the question.Unhappy 

While stationed at FT Rucker Alabama, many of the pilots drove GTOs, 442s, T-Birds and of course Corvettes.
But they were Officers.  A Corvette was still out of the question for an EM.Unhappy

After the Army and Vietnam, I was in College and a friend of mine had a 67 427 Coupe and he would give us "Thrill Rides".Big smile
That was it!!!  I knew that somehow I had to have one.  A few years later, while still in school, the Chevy Dealership in Platteville, Wl had a 69 Riverside Gold 427 Coupe for sale.  This was in 1970.  I was 25 years old so insurance wasn't too bad.  I traded my 69 442 for that 69 Vette.  And the rest, as they say, is history.  I've owned one ever since.Smile



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Re: What Did It For You (12/27)
 5/7/12 2:16pm
eboLifetime Member
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Holland Patent, NY - USA

Vette(s):
#1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker


Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4420

I never really had eyes for a Vette, was pretty much out of my price range. I was happy with my 69 Cuda, 340 formula S with a snake shifter. Was always a Mopar guy, 383 Cornett, 340 Duster.
Then in 81 or so the local Chev dealer got in a Dark green Vette, the long nose and tail really did it for me. Still could not afford it!
Two years later after pimping myself out (opps that belongs in the occupation thread) we had some cash to buy a toy.
I found a 1980 Red vette 4 speed (Lori loves to drive stick), the car looked like it was doing 100 mph standing still. We did a private deal trading our mint 76 Camaro for this vette. While talking to some people at work one knew of this car and told me it had been driven off into a cornfield! I put a stop payment on the deposit check and called this kid, got his mother and she totaly denied it. I found the body shop and called them, they spilled the beans. I told the kid that my mechanic needs to see it before I went any further. My mechanic said the rear 5mph bumpers had been rewelded so they would once again line up and the transmission cross member bolts had to be left loose for it to fit. I told the kid no thanks and he threatened my life. Really it was a bad scene, I called my local police friends and they said if he steps in your driveway hit him over the head with a bar and call us we will do the rest. I stayed up that night and did'nt a car slow down in front of my house, blood was pumping I went out side approached the car with a piece of redi rod and the passenger door opens up and this drunk starts puking.....I darn near killed the guy.
Well I was out of the vette buying buisness until a work buddy with a vette found our white 80 in 83 with 7000 miles on it. This time my mechanic said buy it ....it still has all the tags on the springs!
You'll also see we do have a Red vette.....buts that another story!
 
Once you drive one, like Jeff said looking over those big front curves....your hooked!
Evil Smileebo


|UPDATED|5/7/2012 11:16:24 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Re: What Did It For You (13/27)
 5/7/12 11:28pm
Bobbi's78Lifetime Member
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Coatesville, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Silver Anniversary Paint w/Mahogany Interior


Joined: 3/17/2007
Posts: 368

How Funny Jeff...Corvette Summer was what got my attention, but when I really started looking at corvettes, I fell in love with the C2's.  Then came college, marriage, kid, house.....I told myself "someday".  Despite being a MOPAR guy, Frank & I used to go to the corvette show at Willow Grove Air base every year.  Eventually (as many of you know) a neighbor told us about this Stingray at an auto salvage yard where he worked.  Long story short - we saved her from an uncertain future.  It wasn't what I longed for, but I've fallen in love with those curves & I wouldn't trade her for anything......well, except maybe for a '69 427 convertible Heart  Wink

|UPDATED|5/7/2012 8:28:03 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Re: What Did It For You (14/27)
 5/7/12 11:46pm
dskopp
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Oak Creek, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops, Going to remain as Stock as possible. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vetts Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!!


Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1958

Speaking of Mike Yager's Book,   The Great White Shark is featured in it!!!!
 
I had been interested in Corvettes since my senior year of high school (1965) but I fought of the impulse to buy .......... until I saw my current 1981 White vette.  Sure it has high miliage (149,000) but she is "original"  and is gonna stay that way!!  My daughter wants to drop a 427 in her but she will have to wait until Prince Sirkie comes for me to visit with my friend Forrest J. Ackerman!!!!!
 
Dan


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Re: What Did It For You (15/27)
 5/8/12 5:54am
manget1Lifetime Member
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Indianapolis, IN - USA

Vette(s):
Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses. 2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible


Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2418

Interesting that so many of us started with Mopars.  While really not my "first love," my first car was a '66 Baracuda.  Largest back glass until the 82 Camaro came out.
 
As for how my infatuation with Corvettes started...  Well, I believe the court records are still sealed on that story, and I think things are better that way.  At least until I take the time to write the book or screenplay on that summer...


______________

I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!


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Re: What Did It For You (16/27)
 5/8/12 10:05am
my7t1Lifetime Member
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Dorr, MI - USA

Vette(s):
71 Colonnade Hardtop Coupe Torch Red with black interior originally L48 built to push around 360hp


Joined: 8/21/2002
Posts: 2581

Man Dean you really brought back memories of Route 66. I never missed a show watching Todd and Buzz cruise around Route 66 fighting crime & saving humanity. At least I think that's what they did. I was so in love with their Vette that I'm not sure what they were doing. The show being in black and white I fantasized their Vette as being RED. Recently I saw a color version of their car and was shocked to see it was........ blue Shocked???????????? Blew my whole fantasy. As soon as I was old enough I built model cars and the majority of them were Vette. When I was a senior in high school there was a girl whose dad worked for a chevy dealership. One day she showed up in a 69 vert. She took me for a ride (in the car) and that was it. From that point I always said that someday I WOULD own a Vette, and it would be RED. Well about ten years ago I finally got my 71 (black). As you can see it wasn't long and I put on the RED.

To me this simple car has not only been a great hobby, but has led me to some of the greatest people you can find that I have the pleasure to call friend.Hug Thank you Todd & Buzz


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Re: What Did It For You (17/27)
 9/2/12 12:21pm
corvette440hpLifetime Member
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Joined: 7/2/2006
Posts: 8205

When I was 18 and saw the 63 splitwindow coupe.........it was love at first sight. I had to have one. In 64 I bought a Riverside Red coupe. I was mad that they made the rear window one piece. To me it changed the lines. I bought the 327/365hp.

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corvette440hp
Re: What Did It For You (18/27)
 9/2/12 1:38pm
ROCKRDR
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Lakeside, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
1975 C3 Stingray


Joined: 7/23/2012
Posts: 126

I'd say it was all the corvette Hot wheels I had when I was a kid and later Corvette Summer...I'm a Star Wars Fan and watched it only because "Luke" was in it.. My family wasn't into cars.... I think I was adopted.. So my experience with muscle cars was with my friends out of high school.. One of my friends had a 67 Mach 1 fastback Which I was in love with, the other was a 69 Mustang Coupe they were both "built" I remember sitting in the back seat my ears going numb from the mufflers. I was mainly a VW person they were cheap and I could build them up pretty cheap... 

And now some 40 years later I got my first vette... a 1975 Vette Coupe Party


|UPDATED|9/2/2012 10:38:55 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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1975 Corvette Coupe 
My first Vette.....trying to fix stuff

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Re: What Did It For You (19/27)
 9/2/12 5:33pm
ceastham1
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greer, SC - USA

Vette(s):
C(6-5+2)VR - 1964 convertible 327/365 & 2003 convertible - 50th Anniversary Edition & 2010 3LT Coupe


Joined: 10/15/2007
Posts: 746

"little red corvette" with a big block.

I was 16 and working at the local car wash - that's where we ALL worked. A friend of mine showed up one day with a 67 big block and took a select few of us for a ride and an even fewer select drove it (lucky me). We would back into the staging area of the car wash ... spray a little water ... and let her loose .... the owner of the car wash did not like that very much so we had to take it else where.

Ever since that time ... C2 was in my blood ... between then and now .... lots of brit sports cars (65 Spitfire and 72 TR6) a 76 Vega ...  63 pontiac catalina, 72 Laxi 50 (that's all that was left on the badge) some ricers (79 RX7 - this is the car that caught Judith's eye and she said Hmmm ... he's goin' somewhere ! perhaps I will keep him) a prelude, several mitsu gallants during the child raising years ... and finally the 64.     

C3 when I get some more room !!
Re: What Did It For You (20/27)
 9/2/12 8:09pm
KDADDY79
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Dutchess County, NY - USA

Vette(s):
White '79 Corvette. It's a driver.


Joined: 8/27/2007
Posts: 2484

When I was a little guy --- 5 or 6 tops --- my mother's Ford Falcon wagon broke down for the umpteenth time. The mechanic drove her home in a Corvette.
I'll never forget it! Mom and the mechanic pulled up in front of our house in a dark green C3 convertible with black leather interior and redline tires on Ralley wheels. It just plain took my breath away.
After that whenever I saw a Corvette I made my Mom slow down or stop so I could take a look. (She remembers and says it was "cute".)
I learned that those other really cool looking cars (1st. & 2nd. gen.) were also Corvettes but the C3s always did and still do get a good, long look from me.
Kevin 
Re: What Did It For You (21/27)
 9/2/12 9:23pm
IWAVE2
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Bowling Green, KY - USA

Vette(s):
1975 Coupe, Black, 4-spd (IWAVE2) 1971 Coupe, Blue, 4-spd, Big Block (BLUBYU) 1982 Collector Edition (COOL CE)


Joined: 7/12/2003
Posts: 68

My Dad always loved Corvettes and he would show me the Stingray brochures that he collected each year.  I had a poster of a Red '73 convertible on my wall through my whole childhood.  I had a bleach blonde teacher in grade school that drove a an Orange Flame '75 Vette to work every day.   I had many toys and model Corvettes as a kid, but when the '78 Pace Car came out, that car sealed my fate as a Vette owner.  I don't have a Pace Car yet, but it is on the list. 

When I test drove my first Vette (the '75), it was like climbing into the cockpit of a fighter jet.  That narrrow cabin and those peaked fenders were just so cool and that car fit me just right.  It still does today, it's just not as easy to get in and out of it :)  I love the C3's because the styling is timeless.  They look as cool and beautiful today as they did 40 years ago.   There is just nothing like them.
 


______________
Take care and remember, "IWAVE2"
 
Jon
 
1975 CORVETTE (IWAVE2)
1971 CORVETTE (BLU BYU)
1982 COLLECTOR EDITION CORVETTE (COOL CE)
Re: What Did It For You (22/27)
 9/2/12 9:58pm
Case75
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, - Canada

Vette(s):
1975 Corvette 383 stroker w/Patriot 190 heads, Eagle stroker kit, Comp 279TH7 cam, DUI distributor, Edelbrock 7116 intake, Edelbrock 1806 carb, Hedman Hedders, TH400 w/TCI Breakaway 2400 stall, Transgo 1-2 shift kit.


Joined: 6/19/2012
Posts: 230

For me it was February of 1974 when my first cousin bought a brand new Corvette Gray L48 coupe with silver interior. I was 8 years old, and coming from a small town, it was the first Corvette I'd ever seen in the flesh. I thought it looked like some kind of space craft. I wanted one from that day on. As I grew up, my cousin had kids and I began babysitting for them when I was 14 or 15 to make some extra money. He would pick me up sometimes in the Vette and take me home. He still has the car to this day with only 40,000 miles on it. The car is in mint condidtion. I've been looking for a C3 mid seventies Vette for about 10 years and finally found a really good one this spring for a decent price. My wife said "you've always wanted one and if you think this is the right one then you should get it" and so I did. A 1975 coupe. And in my favorite color combination, silver with dark red interior. I've always liked the 68 to 77 model coupes with the straight back window. I remember when I was 11 years old in late 77 and they came out with the 78's with the big back window; I never liked them as much as they didn't look as unique; too much like a Camaro or Firebird I thought at the time. And then when the 84's came out, I thought they'd really ruined the looks. I hated the Star Wars dash, the lack of body lines, the big black rub strip around the whole car. I know they were a technological improvement but they had no style. I'm not fond of the C5's either. The C6's finaly get my approval except for the headlights. It's funny how to this day, Chevrolet has never repeated the styling of that straight back window; most likely for aerodynamics I know and I'm glad as it makes those earlier Stingray C3's kinda stand out to me. The C3's are still my favorite, even more than the C2's. It's funny when I take mine to cruise nights and car shows; some people love it for it's unique looks, especially women. Some car guys see that it's a 75 and call it gutless (although mine has quite a bit more power than it used to) or say things like I wouldn't want one as they're too hard to work on (they're not that hard to work on if you have any mechanical ability and can read) and some people see it and say they've always wanted one. Just like me!

______________
 
Build Date: May 7, 1975. 383 w/267 RWHP/310 RWTQ
Re: What Did It For You (23/27)
 9/13/12 7:48pm
glassic
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Roanoke, VA - USA

Vette(s):
Former--1979 L-48 auto, dark blue, oyster cloth Current--1979 L-82


Joined: 10/20/2011
Posts: 36

As a teen in the 70s, I was a sucker for late 70s Trans Ams. The mean 77/78 front end was my favorite, but I ended up with a blue/blue 403 79 T-top. Beautiful, comfortable and wonderful car. It finally died at 223,000 miles. I still miss it.

A friend back in the day had a 78 Pace Car, though, and seeing C3s up close, I don't know what it is, but you appreciate their swoopy curves far more when you're standing right next to them than when you see them on the road. Almost concept car bold and daring.
 
I was in the running to buy my friend's 78, as he wanted a C2. It ended up too expensive for me and I got a "regular" 79 (blue/oyster L-48 auto) for $8,000. He wanted $13,500 for the Pace Car. It had 10,000 miles on it (this was in the 80s). He sold it to someone just before another interested buyer showed up and offered the new owner 15K for it. The deal was made right in front of my friend. *chuckling* Sure wish I could've seen his face.


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Whoever dies with Jesus in his heart wins.

  
Click for larger images: 12 or 3
 
1979 L-82, close-ratio 4 spd, 3:70 gears
Rebuilt to 300 HP
Holley double-pumper, Edelbrock intake, headers
Upgraded suspension, American Racing S200 wheels
Re: What Did It For You (24/27)
 9/20/12 7:35pm
jimmys
Former Member

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Clarence, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1979 L82 96 Collector Edition 91 Roadster


Joined: 9/19/2012
Posts: 2

Way back when I was about six years old and seen my first Vette. It must have been
around a 1955, I told my Dad that when I get older I want one. He of course laughed.
When I finally bought my first Vette some 14 years ago I almost cried thinking of the
day I saw my first one and wished my Dad was around to see it.
Re: What Did It For You (25/27)
 9/21/12 12:08am
NorskyLifetime Member
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West Burke, VT - USA

Vette(s):
SOLD - "The Toy" - '70 Convertible
SOLD - "The Beast" - '90 ZR-1 (#682)
SOLD - "Betty" - '28 Ford Model A Tudor
Still have - "BLKBRRD" - '78 Pontiac Trans Am


Joined: 1/23/2002
Posts: 7190

As long as I can remember I've been a "car nut".  From the late 1950s and well into the 60s watching the annual styling changes was fascinating...!!!  I have to admit though I never paid much attention to the Corvette until "Route 66" came across the air waves.  The '61s/'62s are still my overall favorites but way beyond my means.  My first Corvette ride was in a C2 big block roadster with sidepipes.  I don't remember what year the car was but the ride was AWESOME...!!!  Then in high school a gym teacher had a '66 Laguna Blue coupe that I got a couple of rides in and that opened the door to wanting a sports car. 

Then a small foreign roadster with an American V8 came along and started kicking some serious butt in the racing world - the Shelby Cobra.  That car took my breath away then and it still does today.  I'll never own one in this lifetime but a guy can dream can't he...?!?!?!?
 
Now I'm not saying I "settled" when I drifted back into the Corvette realm.  As I mentioned above the '61s/'62s are well beyond my means as are the C2s.  So the next choice was to look into the C3 realm and that is where the hook got set.  IMHO the C3 styling has been the benchmark in the Corvette realm.  "The Toy" was a high school graduation present to myself - 30 years late...!!!
 
"BIGBRRD" is fun to drive and talk with folks about.  "The Beast" is an awesome driving experience and I know I'll never reach its full potential in my lifetime.  But "The Toy" is just simply pure joy.  Can't say anymore than that.


______________

Jim Olson 

"The Toys"...!!!  Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

Re: What Did It For You (26/27)
 9/21/12 12:34pm
Sarge81Lifetime Member
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WEST SENECA, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.


Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2379

I was in 5th grade at the time I fell hard for Corvette's. I damn near flunked out because all I ever did was stare out the window at the one teachers '72 vette.

The following year is when I took 'em hook line and sinker after my Dad pulled up in front of my grandparents house with his co-workers '69 Stingray, red w/ a black interior, Hooker sidepipes, Recaro buckets, Turbo Vec rims, 350/300 hp upgraded w/350 hp cam, 4 speed Muncie. I never forgot that ride.
 
I ran into the guy that owned the vette a couple years ago and thanked him for addicting me to the expensive hobby of Corvettes. lol. I couldn't believe he had a picture of that very car still in his wallet. That really brought those distant memories back.


______________

GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.
3.54 Dana 44
'69 "N11" Sidepipes
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975




Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.


Lifetime Member #26
Re: What Did It For You (27/27)
 3/31/13 10:28am
dyoes
Former Member

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Zachary, LA - USA

Vette(s):
1974 L-48 Auto. Just your basic Vette. GM crate motor w/vortec heads and intake. Crane cam. Scorpion rockers, Edelbrock carb. Lots of parts still in boxes... :(


Joined: 1/27/2013
Posts: 201

This thread is awesome!  Funny to hear how these things get into your blood. 


I remember seeing a brand new '74 when I was about 10 years old.  My uncle and some other men were walking around it, loudly verbalizing about how Chevy had "ruined" the Vette with those hideous rubber bumpers.  I saw something totally different, and fell in love with that one car and wanted it my whole life. 


30+ years later, I retired from the Navy and finally had the financial means and square footage to buy and work on one.  There was no other year that I even considered, and I went straight for a '74.  Buying the car from eBay, I got totally suckered and ripped off.  I thought I was buying a car that needed a new interior and some minor work, and I got a car that needed everything.  I considered sending the car back or filing fraud charges, but to be honest, I didn't want my "First Corvette" story to end that way.  So my budgeted "nine months" is now into year four, and I'm doing the car the way that I want it. 


My Dad turns 70 this month, and I'm very fortunate that he's still as youthful as he was at 40.  When I bought mine, he picked up a '69 a few months later and we are working on them together, along with my 13-year old son when he'll come along!  We also owned C5s together, although I've since sold mine.  Work and family obligations keep the pace slow, but it's fun. 


So to this day, the only time I've driven the '74 was when I backed it into the shop and started tearing it apart.


You guys have made me jealous talking about your first cars.  Cudas, Camaros, and the like.  I was unfortunate enough to come of age driving an '81 Chevette, followed by an '86 Dodge Colt, and a string of other embarrassing four bangers.  I've since owned some muscle, including a Mustang GT and a C5.  But nothing stirs the soul like the shape of that Stingray. 


So I'll keep dumping money into it, against the advice of myself and my financial planner.  But you only live once, eh?






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"Let them that don't want none have memories of not gettin' any."
- Brother Dave Gardner

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