When did YOU know someday you would own a CORVETTE ? - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

scottfab · 01-18-2013

Following the lead of the recent HOTB question, when did you first know you'd own a corvette?

My story is as a teenager I was 16 and with two buddies hitch hiking into town. A guy in a brand new yellow 69 stopped and we all piled in. There we were all 4 of us in that car with the top out.
It was a 427 and it was then I learned the letters L88.
T'was a screaming machine it was. They guy had just landed after a tour of duty in a hell hole and was letting off steam.

My one buddy Dennis was positioned with his head above the T-top line and every time the guy would accelerate out Dennis could not breath from the blast of air in his face. I can still remember looking up at him with his squinted eyes and tears whipping backward. It still makes me laugh.

When I got out of the car I could not stop staring at the car.
That's when I knew I'd have a vett someday.

-=Jeff=- · 01-18-2013

I was 7 years old, we were in California vising my Aunt and my Dad's friend. His friend had and still has a 71 (I think might have been a 70) 454 4spd. it was White when I first saw it with Saddle/Tan interior.. That was a cool car to ride it, with the T-Tops off in the warm weather. (his friend restored it back to the original gold color some years later)

I knew then I wanted one.. Bought my first corvette when I was 20

Blue Flame Restorations · 01-18-2013

I was four years old. My dad had bought a used 1961 Corvette in 1965. I remember holding onto the crash bar on the passenger side of the dash pad....standing up! I WAS and STILL ARE hooked on Corvettes.

That car was so smooth from Turtle Wax paste that I can STILL close my eyes and feel my hand rub across it. Honduras Maroon/Blk 4spd.

Fast forward to 1978. I was 17 yrs old. Bought my first Corvette. 1969 Maroon/Saddle 350 hp - 4 spd Coupe. I've had at least one Corvette in the garage ever since.

sammy · 01-18-2013

in 2004 when i drove my first zr1.it took all day to close the deal but i wasnt going to leave without that zr1

alwayscode390 · 01-18-2013

I remember being 5-6 and telling my Mom I loved the wheels on "that car" (sawblades)... the Corvette. She said " you have good taste son, maybe someday " ... well the savings account from that point on was titled " corvette money ".

I lost interest when my Mom took my savings account money from me when we were having hard times at the age of 15.

I only really wanted a c4, but the LT1 just wasn't fast enough for me. Hit a car dealer a month ago and saw a ZR-1 ... DAMN , I forgot about those!!! Stock wasn't going to cut it so I was out to find a LINGENFELTER CAR.

Found my car a day later LOL !!! ---

Paul in SC · 01-18-2013

June 1997
After separating from my wife, moving out, hitting 45 and the mid-life crises all at the same time, I decided I needed a wakeup call with a new car. Test drove Mustangs, Nissan Zs and Camaros. Even put $100 bucks down on a new Camaro SS SLP, vert, white with orange stripes. Then, a day later, passed a dealer that specialized in used Corvettes in Long Branch, NJ and stopped. A Steel Blue '91 ZR-1 sat in the showroom screaming, "Dirve me if you dare!" I did and bought it on the spot. What a machine!

I got home called the Camaro salesman and told him I wanted my $100 back because I bought something else. His response was, "What did you get, a Mustang", in a cynical tone. I said no, a Corvette ZR-1. After an extended period of silence on the phone, he responded simply, "Good choice, come and get your money">>>

USAFPILOT · 01-18-2013

I was at Landmark Chevrolet in Houston staring down a 1995 ZR-1 Corvette at around 15-16 years old and new I had to have one someday, and I do. It was a personal accomplishment for me when I bought that ZR-1. I was mesmerized then just as I am now when I see it, even more when I drive it.

WARP TEN · 01-18-2013

Dating myself, but in the spring of 1963 at about age 17. My dad came up from New York to Connecticut to pick me up from prep school for a weekend. Unbeknownst to me, he had borrowed a Silver 4-speed '63 Stingray convertible from GM (he was a journalist and could do things like that) and I got to drive it back home--a 2 hour drive. When we got home I told him that I had forgotten something vital at school and could I please drive the Corvette back up to retrieve it? He said yes and I got another 4 hours of wheel time. What a rush--I knew I would someday have one.
It wasn't until the mid 70's that I got a used Marlboro Maroon '67 Coupe, 300hp 4 spd that I kept for a few years, then on to other cars. In the early 90s I got to know about the ZR-1 and started searching and attending shows like Bloomington Gold. Joined Larry Merow's ZR-1 Registry around when it first started, I think in '93, and the ZR-1 Net fairly early on also. I really liked the idea of the special engine, the rarity and the group of enthusiasts involved with the ZR-1. Bought my '93 Quasar Blue HIL KING in October 1994 in Baltimore while attending a high school reunion in New York and drove it home to Chicago with a Permagrin on my face. Owned it for 13 years, sold it in 2007 and now have the '95. Life is good again. --Bob

John Boothby · 01-18-2013

It was 1965 and I was a senior in HS. I went down to the local Chevy dealer (Community Chevrolet) in Las Vegas and there was a brand new 65 Canary Yellow FI coupe in the show room. $5500 ( way too much for this poor boy at the time) but that was my dream car from then on. I did buy a 68 Camaro in 1968 when I got home from my first overseas deployment ($3,400 sticker) but they gave me 400 off for military service! Had to sell it after I got married. Never forgot the Vette. Went looking after I retired and found the ZR-1.

efnfast · 01-18-2013

I knew the day I wrote the check. Bought mine last year. It was the only 'vette I ever rode in. Yes, I said rode in. I didn't drive it until it was paid for and I was driving it home. My wife passed me on the way home. I was in the right lane doing 60. Now not much passes me.

01-18-2013	#1
scottfab Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Portland Oregon metro area (Washington side) Posts: 3,206	When did YOU know someday you would own a CORVETTE ? Following the lead of the recent HOTB question, when did you first know you'd own a corvette? My story is as a teenager I was 16 and with two buddies hitch hiking into town. A guy in a brand new yellow 69 stopped and we all piled in. There we were all 4 of us in that car with the top out. It was a 427 and it was then I learned the letters L88. T'was a screaming machine it was. They guy had just landed after a tour of duty in a hell hole and was letting off steam. My one buddy Dennis was positioned with his head above the T-top line and every time the guy would accelerate out Dennis could not breath from the blast of air in his face. I can still remember looking up at him with his squinted eyes and tears whipping backward. It still makes me laugh. When I got out of the car I could not stop staring at the car. That's when I knew I'd have a vett someday. __________________ Scott Vett owner since 1979._It's about the car and the people

01-18-2013	#2
-=Jeff=- Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bartlett, IL Posts: 7,181	Re: When did YOU know someday you would own a CORVETTE ? I was 7 years old, we were in California vising my Aunt and my Dad's friend. His friend had and still has a 71 (I think might have been a 70) 454 4spd. it was White when I first saw it with Saddle/Tan interior.. That was a cool car to ride it, with the T-Tops off in the warm weather. (his friend restored it back to the original gold color some years later) I knew then I wanted one.. Bought my first corvette when I was 20 __________________ 1990 Corvette ZR-1 #1051 Watson Headers (2" Primary) - Flowmaster Cats - Borla Catback Late Model IH - Plenum Coilovers - 4.10s Shelby Series 1 - Wilwood Brakes Custom Interior NCM Lifetime Member #978

01-18-2013	#3
Blue Flame Restorations Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pendleton, IN Posts: 3,906	Re: When did YOU know someday you would own a CORVETTE ? I was four years old. My dad had bought a used 1961 Corvette in 1965. I remember holding onto the crash bar on the passenger side of the dash pad....standing up! I WAS and STILL ARE hooked on Corvettes. That car was so smooth from Turtle Wax paste that I can STILL close my eyes and feel my hand rub across it. Honduras Maroon/Blk 4spd. Fast forward to 1978. I was 17 yrs old. Bought my first Corvette. 1969 Maroon/Saddle 350 hp - 4 spd Coupe. I've had at least one Corvette in the garage ever since. __________________ 1988 KOH Prototype EX5023 sold 1990 ZR-1 #444 Convertible 1990 ZR-1 Black #966 1991 ZR-1 Quazar Blue #296 1957 Duntov SS Project

01-18-2013	#4
sammy Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Lone Pine, CA Posts: 591	Re: When did YOU know someday you would own a CORVETTE ? in 2004 when i drove my first zr1.it took all day to close the deal but i wasnt going to leave without that zr1

01-18-2013	#5
alwayscode390 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: STL Posts: 492	Re: When did YOU know someday you would own a CORVETTE ? I remember being 5-6 and telling my Mom I loved the wheels on "that car" (sawblades)... the Corvette. She said " you have good taste son, maybe someday " ... well the savings account from that point on was titled " corvette money ". I lost interest when my Mom took my savings account money from me when we were having hard times at the age of 15. I only really wanted a c4, but the LT1 just wasn't fast enough for me. Hit a car dealer a month ago and saw a ZR-1 ... DAMN , I forgot about those!!! Stock wasn't going to cut it so I was out to find a LINGENFELTER CAR. Found my car a day later LOL !!! --- __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] 01' Dodge Viper GTS 11' Ford Raptor 90' ZR-1 Corvette LPE #699

01-18-2013	#6
Paul in SC Join Date: May 2012 Location: Bluffton, SC Posts: 151	Re: When did YOU know someday you would own a CORVETTE ? June 1997 After separating from my wife, moving out, hitting 45 and the mid-life crises all at the same time, I decided I needed a wakeup call with a new car. Test drove Mustangs, Nissan Zs and Camaros. Even put $100 bucks down on a new Camaro SS SLP, vert, white with orange stripes. Then, a day later, passed a dealer that specialized in used Corvettes in Long Branch, NJ and stopped. A Steel Blue '91 ZR-1 sat in the showroom screaming, "Dirve me if you dare!" I did and bought it on the spot. What a machine! I got home called the Camaro salesman and told him I wanted my $100 back because I bought something else. His response was, "What did you get, a Mustang", in a cynical tone. I said no, a Corvette ZR-1. After an extended period of silence on the phone, he responded simply, "Good choice, come and get your money">>> __________________ 1993 ZR-1 - "The Green Thing", LPE/LSV 385; 2021 HTC, Red Mist Metallic, Cool gray interior, stainless dual stripes; ZR-1 Net Registry #1376

01-18-2013	#7
USAFPILOT Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Spring TX Posts: 1,347	Re: When did YOU know someday you would own a CORVETTE ? I was at Landmark Chevrolet in Houston staring down a 1995 ZR-1 Corvette at around 15-16 years old and new I had to have one someday, and I do. It was a personal accomplishment for me when I bought that ZR-1. I was mesmerized then just as I am now when I see it, even more when I drive it. __________________ 1994 #293 ZR-1 Stainless Works Long Tube Headers, B&B catback w/ X-Pipe, 18" Shelby Series One Wheels, SLP CAI.

01-18-2013	#8
WARP TEN Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lake Bluff, IL Posts: 2,120	Re: When did YOU know someday you would own a CORVETTE ? Dating myself, but in the spring of 1963 at about age 17. My dad came up from New York to Connecticut to pick me up from prep school for a weekend. Unbeknownst to me, he had borrowed a Silver 4-speed '63 Stingray convertible from GM (he was a journalist and could do things like that) and I got to drive it back home--a 2 hour drive. When we got home I told him that I had forgotten something vital at school and could I please drive the Corvette back up to retrieve it? He said yes and I got another 4 hours of wheel time. What a rush--I knew I would someday have one. It wasn't until the mid 70's that I got a used Marlboro Maroon '67 Coupe, 300hp 4 spd that I kept for a few years, then on to other cars. In the early 90s I got to know about the ZR-1 and started searching and attending shows like Bloomington Gold. Joined Larry Merow's ZR-1 Registry around when it first started, I think in '93, and the ZR-1 Net fairly early on also. I really liked the idea of the special engine, the rarity and the group of enthusiasts involved with the ZR-1. Bought my '93 Quasar Blue HIL KING in October 1994 in Baltimore while attending a high school reunion in New York and drove it home to Chicago with a Permagrin on my face. Owned it for 13 years, sold it in 2007 and now have the '95. Life is good again. --Bob __________________ 2016 Long Beach Red Z06 #10281 "POPS Z" 1995 Polo Green #409 "WARP TEN"--Haibeck 350/510 package, 4.10s, Hurst, Stock Exhaust with QTP Cutouts --Sold but still running strong 1993 Quasar Blue #161 "HIL KING" --Sold but still running strong, now with more than 120,000 miles 1967 Marlboro Maroon/Saddle Corvette Coupe 300 hp/4-spd --Sold a long time ago ZR-1 Net Registry Founding Member #95 NCM Lifetime Member Favorite Quote--Attributed to Mickey Thompson: "Too Much Horsepower is Almost Enough"

01-18-2013	#9
John Boothby Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 776	Re: When did YOU know someday you would own a CORVETTE ? It was 1965 and I was a senior in HS. I went down to the local Chevy dealer (Community Chevrolet) in Las Vegas and there was a brand new 65 Canary Yellow FI coupe in the show room. $5500 ( way too much for this poor boy at the time) but that was my dream car from then on. I did buy a 68 Camaro in 1968 when I got home from my first overseas deployment ($3,400 sticker) but they gave me 400 off for military service! Had to sell it after I got married. Never forgot the Vette. Went looking after I retired and found the ZR-1. __________________ JB 1990 #148 Red/Saddle Haibeck AYBKG5 Chip/RC Engineering/Flowmasters/K&N/Samco/Fuzzy Dice :cheers:

01-18-2013	#10
efnfast Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Dunbarton NH Posts: 7,540	Re: When did YOU know someday you would own a CORVETTE ? I knew the day I wrote the check. Bought mine last year. It was the only 'vette I ever rode in. Yes, I said rode in. I didn't drive it until it was paid for and I was driving it home. My wife passed me on the way home. I was in the right lane doing 60. Now not much passes me.