Today is the 59th Anniversary of my father purchasing his 1966 Corvette Sting Ray Convertible. Mom called it “Phil’s last fling,” and said it delayed their marriage by a year. I would come almost two years after.
People ask me how long I’ve been into Corvettes, and my simple one word answer…”forever.”
If you haven’t heard me tell the story, my dad won a sales contest for a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary and the prize was a new 1966 Ford Mustang. The story goes that my dad picked up the car at the Ford dealership and then drove it down to Rohrer Chevrolet in Camden, NJ where it was traded in for the Corvette. The trade-in nearly halved the MSRP of $4,988.48 and the rest was financed through GMAC for 36 months at $70.28 per month. You can see those details on the sales invoice including the VIN of the Mustang:
I’ve written about this previously, and you can read my original post from 2007 here.
Dad passed away in 1982 when I was just 14 years old, and mom sold his other cars (1929 Model A, 1966 Mercedes 230SL, 1970s Lincoln Mark V) but she always kept the Corvette. I graduated high school, went to college, moved to Florida, and got married. In 1993 my mom out of the blue said, “you can come get that car if you want it.”
I’ve now owned the ’66 Corvette for 33 years which was longer than he got to enjoy it, and I will always think of it as my dad’s Corvette. I have since added my own Corvette to the garage, a 2025 Corvette E-Ray. It’s fun, fast, and has really cool features like AWD and a power convertible top, but my heart will always be with the Black/Silver Sting Ray purchased 59 years go.
It’s amazing when you think about a man’s simple decision to purchase a new car and how that decision would eventually impact my life in such a positive manner. It’s a pretty cool story.
Related:
Join CorvetteBlogger’s Keith Cornett at the 12th Annual Corvette Invasion Show in Texas on July 18-19
A Long Time Coming: CorvetteBlogger’s Founder Finally Gets to Order His First New ‘Vette!
41 Years Ago Today A Young Man Buys A 1966 Corvette…
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Great story!
I was brought home from the hospital in my dad’s ’77, which was ultimately passed down to me. Although that car met an untimely demise in mid 1996 thanks to a drunk driver, my 2023 Z51, same external color (Arctic White) in tribute, now calls my garage home.
That said, I see so much Gen 3 styling cues in the Gen 8’s lines, reminding me of the very car that started it all for me.
Thanks for the share.
Great story and 1966 Vette.!
You are a lucky man to have a father with such good judgement…… i remember in 64 my Dad took me with him to purchase a new car. We went to several dealers and ended up with a 4 door impala , but what I never forgot was that red , 64 convertible with side pipes. Today , i have 2 C8s and have owned 13 lifetime… I am hoping to see and own a C9…..safe travels 2 All
We all dream of our kids getting to do something they love for a living. It’s extra sweet if it’s a passion they picked up from us. I think it’s safe to say Phil would be inedibly proud of what you’ve become. Thanks for everything, Keith!
That is unbelievable Mike, great story.
Great story, you and your dad (and mom) were all very lucky. I have a mint 1972, fully loaded with the 200 hp base engine. Also have a C6 Z06. Very different cars, love them both. The C8 doesn’t do anything for me, sorry.
Your dad was a smart man with good taste. Dumping a new Mustang for a new Corvette was a great thing to do. I too inherited my life long passion for Corvettes from my dad.
Awesome American sports car.
Great story!
I can’t imagine the heartbreak of losing your dad when you were still growing up, but many wonderful memories that shaped your future and that you will cherish forever.
Thanks, for your great work!
Hi to all, this is to Ronnie you said that c8 corvettes don’t do it for you but remember that change had to come. It was shown by Tadge that rear wheel drive was not helping corvette with so much power available. C8 better platform and style wise you know those cars have always looked different. Corvette is still the best and most advanced car from GM.
Great story.bout the 66 vette and your dad..glad you kept the car…I have a 81 vette I kept and several others..a 66ss396 chevelle that I bought in high school in 1971..still have the car..I always wanted a 65 vette.since college but never could buy one..maybe one day.if I still work ..I will have one and I have the motor in my garage..a 67..327 300hp motor..good story..randy.jones nash.tenn
Like the story.bout the 66..vette..always wanted a 65 vette..maybe one day I will own one..like the story..and glad you kept the car..I have a 81 c3 vette..rjones
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