Save the Wave
#1
Moderator
Thread Starter
Save the Wave
Have you ever wondered where the slogan, "Save The Wave" came from and what it means? Below is an article that first appeared in the August/September 1969 issue of Corvette News. The article was entitled "Save The Wave". Remember, this article was written and published in 1969!
Since there seem to be a number of members that are making the C7 their first Corvette, I thought we should share the history of the wave:
Since there seem to be a number of members that are making the C7 their first Corvette, I thought we should share the history of the wave:
SAVE THE WAVE
Ever since Corvette No. 00001 first met Corvette No. 00002 on the road, their drivers saluted each other with waves. Today, unfortunately, this grand and glorious tradition is wavering.
There's one item of standard equipment that comes as a pleasant surprise to every new Corvette owner. It's an instant wave of recognition he or she receives when he meets one of their ilks on the road. The first time it happens, they will be taken by surprise. He immediately thinks:
Indeed, one of the most perplexing problems facing a would-be waver is what to do when driving next to a fellow Vette owner. Passing him going in opposite directions is one thing. Greetings are exchanged, and that's that. But what happens when you pull up next to a guy at a light, wave, nod, smile and then pull up to him at the next light, a block later? Wave again? Nod bashfully? Grin self-consciously? Ignore him? Or take the chicken's way out and turn down the next side street? If you're expecting an answer, you won't find it here. Sad to say, some questions don't have any.
Girl-type Corvette drivers also have a unique problem: to wave or not to wave. This miss or misses who borrows her man's Corvette for the first time is immediately faced with this quandary. Should she wave first and look overly friendly, or ignore the wave and look like a snob? Most ladies who drive their own Vettes prefer to suffer the latter rather than take a chance of being misread. For this reason, all girls are excused for occasionally failing to return a well-meaning wave. So are new owners who are still learning the ropes.
There is no excuse, however, for a guy who refuses to return the wave, not out of ignorance, but of arrogance or apathy. While this type of behavior is the exception to the rule, it seems a few owners of newer models refuse to recognize anything older than theirs, while some others simply won't wave, period. Boo on them. These ding-a-lings don't seem to realize that they are helping to squash a tradition that had its beginnings back when most of us were still driving tootsietoys.
Ever since Corvette No. 00001 first met Corvette No. 00002 on the road, their drivers saluted each other with waves. Today, unfortunately, this grand and glorious tradition is wavering.
There's one item of standard equipment that comes as a pleasant surprise to every new Corvette owner. It's an instant wave of recognition he or she receives when he meets one of their ilks on the road. The first time it happens, they will be taken by surprise. He immediately thinks:
- He has been mistaken for Stirling Moss.
- His lights are on.
- He has just been given the bird.
Indeed, one of the most perplexing problems facing a would-be waver is what to do when driving next to a fellow Vette owner. Passing him going in opposite directions is one thing. Greetings are exchanged, and that's that. But what happens when you pull up next to a guy at a light, wave, nod, smile and then pull up to him at the next light, a block later? Wave again? Nod bashfully? Grin self-consciously? Ignore him? Or take the chicken's way out and turn down the next side street? If you're expecting an answer, you won't find it here. Sad to say, some questions don't have any.
Girl-type Corvette drivers also have a unique problem: to wave or not to wave. This miss or misses who borrows her man's Corvette for the first time is immediately faced with this quandary. Should she wave first and look overly friendly, or ignore the wave and look like a snob? Most ladies who drive their own Vettes prefer to suffer the latter rather than take a chance of being misread. For this reason, all girls are excused for occasionally failing to return a well-meaning wave. So are new owners who are still learning the ropes.
There is no excuse, however, for a guy who refuses to return the wave, not out of ignorance, but of arrogance or apathy. While this type of behavior is the exception to the rule, it seems a few owners of newer models refuse to recognize anything older than theirs, while some others simply won't wave, period. Boo on them. These ding-a-lings don't seem to realize that they are helping to squash a tradition that had its beginnings back when most of us were still driving tootsietoys.
The following 5 users liked this post by Zymurgy:
Artarmy (11-12-2023),
blkvet6 (02-19-2017),
F22md (07-15-2019),
F4 Phantom (09-12-2017),
ZenicaPA (06-09-2017)
#3
Banned Scam/Spammer
Sharing the wave is one of the great benefits of Corvette ownership. I've waved thousands of times and hope to have a couple thousand more down the road.
The following users liked this post:
Artarmy (11-12-2023)
The following 3 users liked this post by Bill17601:
#6
Burning Brakes
This miss or misses who borrows her man's Corvette for the first time...
He he!
#9
Instructor
Member Since: Apr 2013
Location: Southern ca
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lol is it like on a sports bike and a Harley when you pass they will usually not wave to each other, but sports bikes always wave to each other and Harley always wave to each other, so do C6's wave to C5's Im just sayin...
#12
CF "Young" Senior Member
On my trip back from Bowling Green I encountered only a handful of other Corvettes the whole way across the US, I don't think a single one waved. I did get a wave from a gal in a Camaro though.
#13
I'd take the wave from the gal in the Camaro or some dude in his corvette anyday
#15
Burning Brakes
#16
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
#18
Safety Car
The more I'm around Corvette owners, the more I realize why others don't want to wave at them.
#19
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jan 2006
Location: Down south in Dixie
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The most waves I ever got was while passing a Corvette club headed in the opposite direction. Must have gotten 30+ that day.
#20
Safety Car
I think it's more the ones I experience through this forum. In person, they are almost always very nice, personable people. On this forum, a large majority of them are a bunch of aholes that wouldn't say half of what they say on here in person. You know.....keyboard warriors!