Topic: Corvettes and Astronauts
in Forum: All Vettes Discussion
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Lifetime MemberIndianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2429
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
I've seen a few news articles lately about the connection of Corvettes and Astronauts. This is a good one that talks about a recent parade in FL celbrating the 50th anniversary of Alan Shepard's first sub-orbital flight. How cool would it have been to have your C3 in a parade with an Apollo-era astronaut riding with you?!
The article mentions a few of the ways that Astronauts got connected with Corvettes. It started with Alan Shepard. He was already an owner (driving a 1957) when he arrived for astronaut duty, but when he returned from space for the first time, the story goes that Ed Cole gave him a brand new 1962 Vette.
Later on, a Chevy dealer in Florida offered special leases to Astronauts. That dealer was Jim Rathmann. He was a former Indy 500 winner (1960). Wikipedia tells us this:
Rathmann later owned the Chevrolet Cadillac dealership in Melbourne, Florida where he befriended astronauts Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom, and Gordon Cooper. Rathman convinced GM President Ed Cole to setup a program which supplied each astronaut with a pair of new cars each year. Most chose a family car for their wives and a Corvette for themselves.[3] Alan Bean recalls Corvettes lined up in the parking lot outside the astronaut offices at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, and friendly races between Shepard and Grissom along the Florida beach roads. [4]
What neither this article, nor Wikipedia point out is that Rathmann was also the driver of the 1978 Indy Pace Car. The significance of that year, of course, is that it was the first year that the Corvette ever paced the race. What an honor. The Wikipedia article does note that Rathmann is still alive and is currently the oldest living winner of the 500
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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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
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
I've posted this pic before...I got it from a guy I know(Danny Reed) that owns one of the former Astronaut Corvettes, and I have it hanging in my "Corvette" room....kewl deal!
Allen Bean's Apollo Corvette
Adams' Apple 2011-05-10 10:06:14
Allen Bean's Apollo Corvette
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Lifetime MemberLodi, WI - USA
Joined: 9/25/2007
Posts: 340
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
Hey Marshall/Joel,
I really enjoyed the pictures and article.
Thanks for posting.
Thanks for posting.Dean
click on either image for larger view
I grew up on Air Force Bases. As long as I can remember there was a nice collection of Corvettes parked around the flight line. I should have taken more photos of the Vettes and fewer pictures of the airplanes.....
There are at least 5 Corvettes at the airport I use the most. Mine is the only shark...
Keith
There are at least 5 Corvettes at the airport I use the most. Mine is the only shark...
Keith
Nobody ever waves when I'm driving the Explorer.
K Woody
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
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
If you've seen the Apollo 13 movie, you've seen Tom Hanks driving a Shark in it. There were Corvettes for the space program guys as far back as the early '60's, and the association with the two has never stopped. Guys that ride in meeeeelion mile per hour rockets just have a need to go fast on the ground, too. 
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
I have 1969 Convertible that I will eventually begin a rebuild on.Have to finish one before i can dig into the second. Anyway, it originally belonged to a NASA Engineer. In his words, "We engineers felt that those guys that actually got to do the flying were gonna get them Gold Corvettes,, then us guys that got 'em them deserved 'em too." He told me stories of walking out into the parking lot there in Houston and there were (gold) vettes everywhere. I truly look forward to bringing that one out of the ashes, if not just for the history of it, because the old guy really had a true love affair with that car. To hear him talk anyway.
Lifetime MemberIndianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2429
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
A few years back, the Mecum auction at Indy had a chrome bumper car that had documentation that it had been owned by Jim Lovell, commander of the Apollo 13 mission. The price was affordable, but the car was rough. Still, it would have made for a hell of a conversation piece!
I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!
Lifetime MemberHOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812
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.
Great Corvette and space race nostalgia. One of those Apollo Covettes is worth a purdy penny!!
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Regarding Corvettes and Astronauts, there is a fictional movie, Terms of Endearment, wherein Jack Nicholson (playing a retired astronaut) drives his '78 Silver Anniversary on the beach:
Sitting on the roll bar steering with his feet! I haven't tried that with mine... yet.
Joe T
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
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
[QUOTE=JoeTrecca]...Sitting on the roll bar steering with his feet! I haven't tried that with mine... yet.[/QUOTE]
Let us know how that works out for ya, Joe....
I remember that movie...I did have to watch parts of it...it kinda sucked. Nicholson was really the only reason to watch it. I do remember seeing them flying down the beach steering with his footsies!
Let us know how that works out for ya, Joe....
I remember that movie...I did have to watch parts of it...it kinda sucked. Nicholson was really the only reason to watch it. I do remember seeing them flying down the beach steering with his footsies!
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
in Forum: All Vettes Discussion
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