On Saturday, May 7th in Cocoa Beach, Florida a parade commemorating the 50th anniversary of Shepard's flight will include 30 or so surviving astronauts in Corvettes from the proper generations. Fifty years ago this month, Alan Shepard became the first American to travel into outer space. NASA worried photos of them in the cars would serve as an official endorsement, and rightly so. This exchange led to a famous relationship between NASA astronauts and Corvettes. Alan Shepard Jr. was the first American in space, an astronaut of the Project Mercury Seven program. the first American in space inspiring my Dad to … Alan Shepard's 1962 Corvette had a custom space-themed interior. NASA Astronauts car of choice – Chevrolet Corvette. This story was updated at 6 a.m. 1962 Chevrolet Corvette. The last of the first generation, solid axle Corvettes, 1962 was an important milestone in automotive history. Here's Alan Shepard with his 1962 Corvette on the cover of Corvette News Magazine. Despite the help of a local dealer, the astronauts of the era would probably have still chosen the American vehicles most like their own spaceships: small, fast, and hi-tech. (For being the first ever man in space, Yuri Gagarin recieved a Matra Djet.) See more ideas about 1962 corvette, corvette, vette. For $1 per year, the spacemen could drive the latest model Corvette and then trade it in for a new one. Rathmann negotiated a special lease arrangement to put the Mercury astronauts into the cars. [ Photos: Apollo Moon Landing Sites ]. An eBay auction for a beat-up 1967 Chevrolet Corvette, purportedly first owned by astronaut Neil Armstrong, ended Sunday evening with a final sky-high hammer price of $250,090. The 1962 issue of Corvette News (Vol .5, issue #1) featured Alan B. Shepard with a white, 1962 Corvette coupe featuring a customized, "space-age" interior. Explore coconv's photos on Flickr. Rathmann, … A carbon rubbing of the raised plate shown with the description reveals the name "N. A. Alan Shepard's 1962 Corvette had a custom space-themed interior. It all started with Alan Shepard. Chevrolet Another shot from the same photoshoot. 7 of 11 . "As a vintage car collector myself, that is what I would be doing to verify the car's history.". For Alan Shepard, who was the first American to break free of the planet’s atmosphere on May 5th, 1961 the choice was almost obvious: a Chevrolet Corvette. "This Corvette is a true piece of history and belongs in a museum or private collection," the seller wrote. Some partners do not ask for your consent to process your data, instead, they rely on their legitimate business interest. Born on Nov. 18, 1923, to Renza Emerson and Alan Shepard, Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr. grew up in rural New Hampshire. After graduating from high school, he … Alan Shepard standing next to his 1962 Chevy Corvette with GM President Ed Cole and GM Styling President Bill Mitchell (GM) prev Image 2 of 2 (GM) When you … Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr. (November 18, 1923 – July 21, 1998) was an American astronaut, naval aviator, test pilot, and businessman.In 1961, he became the first American to travel into space, and in 1971, he walked on the Moon.. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Shepard saw action with the surface navy during World War II.He became a naval … Jim Rathmann, a Melbourne, Florida Chevrolet dealer and winner of the 1960 Indy 500, … If indeed the N.A. Although described as stored in a climate-controlled environment, the Corvette Sting Ray has not been driven since 1981. Though this was indeed a fine gesture shown to Shepard for his heroics, other astronauts of the day had yet to jump on the Corvette band-wagon. This story was updated at 6 a.m. “In the 1960s, astronauts were the American heroes that every child idolized and every adult respected,” Corvette historian Jerry Burton told GM in a 2011 interview. The association with astronauts was further strengthened by Tom Wolfe's book "The Right Stuff" and in films like Apollo 13 and Terms of Endearment. "As can be seen in the pictures, the car has 30+ years of dust and has had fender flares crudely added by the owner during it's time in storage," the seller wrote on eBay. In 1962, the Chevrolet 283 cu in (4.64 L) ... Astronaut Alan Shepard, a long-time Corvette owner, was invited by then GM Chief Engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov to drive pre-production Corvette models. Dec 18, 2011 - DETROIT – On May 5, 1961, Alan B. Shepard became the first American to travel into outer space. “His drive to push the limits, as test pilots would—to find the limits, find the edge, … In the background is the GM Design Center in Warren, Mich. Alan B. Shepard (center) with GM Styling President William L. Mitchell (left) and Chevrolet General Manager Edward N. Cole (right) with Shepard's 1962 Corvette … Astronaut Alan B. Shepard (center) with GM Styling President William L. Mitchell (left) and Chevrolet General Manager Edward N. Cole (right) with Shepard's 1962 Ermine White Corvette. But despite the astronomical bid, the seller may have not sold the first moonwalker’s car. The 1962 issue of Corvette News featured Alan Shepard with a white, 1962 Corvette coupe featuring a customized, "space-age" interior. That guy could make an acid trip boring... and did. Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom became famous for racing their Corvettes around the streets. In Episode 2 of Nat Geo and Disney+ series “The Right Stuff,” brash Navy test pilot turned Mercury 7 astronaut Alan Shepard (Jake McDorman) somewhat unwittingly negotiates the … Alan Shepard and his 1962 Corvette General Motors. “On May 5, 1961, Alan B. Shepard became the first American to travel into outer space. Upon his return, Shepard – who arrived for astronaut training in 1959 behind the wheel of a ’57 Corvette – was presented with a customized 1962 Corvette by Chevrolet General Manager Ed Cole and GM Styling President Bill Mitchell. 1961 Corvette with Astronaut Alan B Shepard, Bill Mitchell and Ed Cole Close Astronaut Alan B. Shepard (center) with GM Styling President William L. Mitchell (left) and Chevrolet General Manager Edward N. Cole (right) with Shepard's 1962 Ermine White Corvette. Alan Shepard’s $1 car rental was also real. According to his authorized biography, his first leased Corvette was damaged when a fire destroyed his house. Alan Shepard showed up to space training in 1959 driving his '57 Chevy Corvette. Five years later, when he became one of seven men chosen for NASA’s Mercury program, Shepard bought another used Corvette—this time a 1957 model. Today Alan Shepard’s Corvette is in rough shape. We're guessing Glenn was also the designated driver for the astronaut's many outings. After Corvette aficionado Alan Shepard became the first American in space on May 5, 1961, GM president Ed Cole presented him with a white 1962 Corvette. His choice of vehicle when attending Space Program training was a 1957 Chevy Corvette. Armstrong listed on the car's tag is the same as the Neil (Alden) Armstrong who commanded the Apollo 11 first lunar landing mission in July 1969, then he came to drive it through a special deal with a professional race car driver-turned-car dealer. The grill was black anodized (above), … Description for Chevrolet Corvette 1968: First American in Space – Alan Shepard’s 1968 Corvette 1968 Corvette Convertible with L89 427 c. i. Alan B. Shepard (center) with GM Styling President William L. Mitchell (left) and Chevrolet General Manager Edward N. Cole (right) with Shepard’s 1962 Corvette. The 1962 issue of Corvette News (Vol .5, No. That ruffled some feathers—both at GM, where some thought it set a bad precedent, and at NASA, which prohibited astronauts from endorsing a product or company. Jim Rathmann offered a solution. Even James T. Kirk drives a '65 Corvette in the latest Star Trek movie. In May 1961, aboard the Freedom 7, Alan Shepard became the first American (and second man, behind the USSR’s Yuri Gagarin) in space.Upon his return, Shepard – who arrived for astronaut training in 1959 behind the wheel of a ’57 Corvette – was presented with a customized 1962 Corvette by Chevrolet General Manager Ed Cole and GM Styling President Bill Mitchell. But despite the astronomical bid, the seller may have not sold the first moonwalker’s car. Though we must credit Shepard with being the first astronaut we know of to own a Corvette, former Indy 500 winner and GM dealer Jim Rathmann deserved credit for making sure the guys with The Right Stuff all drove the same car. The highest bid for the sports car described as the " ultimate Corvette 'barn find,'" failed to meet the seller's hidden reserve, the price above which he was obligated to sell. The seller could still choose to sell the car for the $250,090 offered, which appears to have been clearly focused on the claim that Neil Armstrong had driven the car rather than its make, model or condition. John Glenn decided to get a station wagon because he had a family. Close. Alan B. Shepard (center) with GM Styling President William L. Mitchell (left) and Chevrolet General Manager Edward N. Cole (right) with Shepard’s 1962 Corvette. July 20, 2019 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the first landing of the Apollo 11 Lunar Module on the moon when Astronaut Neil Armstrong, watched on television by an estimated 530 million people on earth, took his “…one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind” and became the first man to set foot on the lunar surface. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Long story. Corvette was a part of the space program from the very beginning. Dec 18, 2011 - DETROIT – On May 5, 1961, Alan B. Shepard became the first American to travel into outer space. He bought his first Chevrolet Corvette, a used 1953 model, from his father-in-law for $1,500 in 1954. A common misunderstanding is that GM as a whole, was solely responsible for … “Shepard wanted to [keep] his head down and not lose who he was or change who he was,” he says. 1962 Corvette For Sale: Very Original low miles Price: $67,900 obo After becoming the first American in space 50 years ago this very day, GM handed over the keys to a special 1962 Corvette as thanks for his bravery. Ed Cole, then president of General Motors, presented Alan with a 1962 Corvette having a deluxe interior created under the auspices of GM design chief Bill Mitchell, as a reward for being the first astronaut … RELATED This 1955 Thunderbird is the most beautiful machine Chris Hadfield’s ever … And thus began a love affair between Astronauts and Corvettes. After General Motors gifted astronaut Alan Shepard with a white 1962 Corvette to congratulate him on becoming the first American in space, Indianapolis 500 winner and Florida Chevrolet-Cadillac dealer Jim Rathmann came up with the idea to offer Shepard's fellow fliers Corvettes of their own. JIM RATHMANN’S CHEVROLET OFFER FOR ASTRONAUTS . In 1969, Apollo 12 astronauts Dick Gordon, Charles Conrad, and Alan Bean were so smitten with the 'Vette they all ordered custom 390-hp 427 Stingray coupes made out with a gold-on-black color scheme designed by Bean himself. GM did give a Corvette to Alan Shepard in 1962. Upon returning from his historic 1961 trek to space, Shepard was gifted a brand new, white 1962 Corvette by General Motors. It's not uncommon for items associated with Armstrong to command a premium on the collector's market. Oct 28, 2013 - The 1962 Corvette marked the end of an era. Here's Alan Shepard with his 1962 Corvette on the cover of Corvette News Magazine. In May 1961, aboard the Freedom 7, Alan Shepard became the first American (and second man, behind the USSR’s Yuri Gagarin) in space. Reminds me how much Space Monkey misses Pete Conrad, the only astronaut that made walking on the Moon seem like an adventure, not like that milquetoast Neil Armstrong. "I guess if you kept the 'worn' out original seat covers, then you can say that Mr. Armstrong sat in these seats. We and our partners process personal data such as IP Address, Unique ID, browsing data for: Use precise geolocation data | Actively scan device characteristics for identification.. The 1962 issue of Corvette News (Vol .5, issue #1) featured Alan B. Shepard with a white, 1962 Corvette coupe featuring a customized, … After returning from his Mercury mission, he was gifted a Corvette by the President of General Motors Ed Cole in 1962. The white exterior resembles the moon’s surface in some areas. It's worth pointing out that one of the original astronauts did not drive a Corvette. Read the article. Chevrolet's relationship with the space program dates back to 1961, when GM President Ed Cole presented the first American in space, Alan Shepard, with a white 1962 Corvette … 1) featured Alan B. Shepard with a white, 1962 Corvette coupe featuring a customized, "space-age" interior. The first documented astronaut to show up to space training in a Chevy Corvette was Alan Shepard, in 1959. "This Corvette was bought by a NASA employee when Mr. Armstrong turned it in and was retained by the owner until I purchased the Corvette from him in February of 2012," the eBay seller wrote in his auction's description. Though at the time it may have seemed a minor event, it would become a cherished piece of Corvette history. General Motors executives later gave Shepard a 1972 model with a Bill Mitchell interior. When he returned to terra firma, Shepard got behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Corvette – and the legends of America’s favorite sports car and spacemen have been intertwined ever since. "The only thing that has been done to the car since I purchased it is to get the motor running where it can be moved about the garage. When Shepard reported for Space Program training in April 1959, he brought along his 1957 Corvette. The car had been outfitted by GM designers with a … In 1967, Alan Shepard ordered his Corvette Stingray from Jim Rathmann Chevrolet in Polar White with a black interior. The trend towards a more subdued Corvette styling continued with the 1962 model. Shortly after returning from his historic flight to space in 1961, Alan Shepard got a surprise gift from General Motors — a dazzling white 1962 Chevrolet Corvette.
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