My problem is getting out. :nopity

Was a young teen when the first Vette came out; it was a joke with an in-line six and two-speed Powerglide, when my 1950 Olds 88 had a high compression overhead valve V-8 and 4 speed hydramatic transmission. The '61 Vette was the first I ever wanted, but I was still in college and couldn't afford one, nor any of the sexy C2 Vettes, because then I was then starting a family. The C3 and C4 Vettes were total turn-offs, and, in my opinion, not worth owning. By the time the C5 came out I was already 57, and it wasn't until 2003 when Magnetic Selective Ride control became available, that I really started to think a Corvette might be worth owning. The 2008 C6 LS3 finally convinced me I wanted a Vette, and I finally ordered one of the earliest 2009 models at the ripe age of 68 after my wife of forty years passed away. So is it an old man's car? Well certainly in my case yes. Had the double-ugly 1968 C3 Vette been a better car I might have ordered it rather than a new 1968 Pontiac Grand Prix 2-door hardtop with the sport suspension, a much better value, and more attractive car, in my opinion. Timing is everything.

Where I live , I've notice almost every vette had some old gray haired or bald dude driving it. But the are happy and thats cool.

Postings like "Corvette - the old mans car" always appear rather foolish. Would the OP give the age a person stops enjoying the things they liked when younger? At what age are you supposed to stop living? At what age are you supposed to say: "No, I'm too old to buy a Corvette. The younger buyers wouldn't like it and might post ridiculous questions on the Corvette Forum."?

Well, they actually say: "F$@k what the younger crowed thinks. If they don't like it, let them find their own car." (maybe a car with dancing Hamsters?). :cheers:

Bought my first 'vette in 1980 (new) when I was 26, I am 58 now and have two sitting out in th garage. I don't feel any different, I look older, but I still love running them up to redline, and I don't quibble over whether or not I should buy a GT500, a Porsche or a Nissan GTR...I know I want to own only Corvettes...nuff said.

After 100 posts later, Post #2 says it all...In my case I was 51, this of course is after owning Muscle cars. The few times I have heard Mid-life Crisis associated with a car, it was always when I was in my Mid-Forties and driving a 4th Gen TA WS.6.

Since being a Vette owner, I have not heard anyone (to my face anyway) associate my Corvette with my age (53).

I suspect, when many see a Corvette with an older driver it's seen as someone who has grown kids, and has reached a level in their life that they can afford to have it....I see it as progression. :thumbs:

Besides, age is just a number....Ive seen people who are 30 who look and act much older and 50-60-70 Somethings who look and act much younger than they are......BTW, the guy who got me into Vettes is 70 and acts like a kid....life is good!

I was fully aware of this " reputation " but as soon as I laid eyes on the 427 that I bought I was not concerned whatsoever how others felt about Vette owners. On the other hand I was devastated when my wife's 40 year old sister saw my custom HD Road Glide and asked me why I had bought an " old man's bike ". She has ridden on the CVO Springer and thought it was a blast but she had to tell me I must be getting old to buy a touring bike as well.

Time for a Pangale 1199

Over here in the UK I used to go around the American car shows since I was around 18 and wondered why it was the "old gits" driving the Corvettes.

I had several US cars over the years from T'birds to an IROC-Z Camaro but always lusted after the Corvette.

When I got my 1st Vette, I realised that at 40, I was now one of the old gits...

I think over here it's the cost of the car and the insurance that stop a lot of youngsters owning them, but we do have a few younger owners in the club.

lol...back in 2006 i had my first chance to actually sit in a C6. I was 30 and still in my Mustang phase okay so I was just testing the water. The salesman sat me DOWN in the Vette...i thought the seat would never stop my rear from going downward!!! How low is this frickin car???:eek: Once inside, I admired the interior. Gave a thumbs up to the salesman and my wife who were standing outside. Then the problem came...HOW DO YOU GET OUT OF THIS THING????:willy:

Yes folks, i could not find the handle to open the door:hide:. I played it off pretty good but there was about a minute where I wasn't admiring the interior anymore, I WAS PRAYING FOR THE HANDLE!!!...Finally I noticed the nice little button and freed myself...to ROLL OUT of the car.

So getting OUT of the C6 was truly an experience for me years ago. On the flip side, my 55 year old uncle made several practice exits from my C5 last year. He said he needed to practice looking cool as he made his exit. It was hilarious but I did take notes.

Somebody else already said: "The Corvette is not an old man's car.. but old men surely drive them".

Thats about as correct as I can put it. I bought my '07 C6 because it provided incredible performance, looks, sound, removable roof, comfort, cargo, gas milage and exoticness for $25k. The other vehicles on my radar were either too small, too old, too complicated or too expensive. (Think German). Being a 36year old African American male.. I already knew that I was far from the stereotypical Corvette owner and just owning one would put me in some "interesting" situations. But I'm glad I gave the Corvette a chance and didnt get caught up stereotypes. The C6 is an incredible car and I'm amazed that it does not appeal more to younger/non-white crowd.

I think the long and traditional history of the Corvette, is actually what limits its appeal and what continues the old man target. Cadillac is dealing with the same problem of making its cars "cooler" and more attractive to bigger markets. With all the young, varied people driving Mercedes, BMW and Audis.. clearly there are plenty of 20 & 30 year old males and females of all backgrounds that can afford a C6. It is definitely not about about money. But when people think of just the Corvette name, a picture occurs in their mind of who's typically been driving the brand for the past 60 years.. and just that thought is enough to make them look at other choices without ever giving the Corvette a real chance.

Looking at the most recent C7 renders, it appears GM is doing its best to attract a younger crowd with more futuristic styling. Just like they did with the Cadillac brand, they are making the the car more angular, upgrading the interior & technology and adopting common styling themes like LED daytime/brake lights. GM is also making sure to keep its traditional Corvette owners satisfied.. by staying with the same formula that has kept the car around for over 60 years: A big V8.. in an affordable lightweight, RWD, 2-seater coupe.

Bought my first Vette in 1972 when I was 27
Next Vette at 29
Next Vette at 40
Latest Vette at 65 (2 yrs ago)

Didn't know it was an old mans car until I joined this forum.

Don't let my 3 kids 16,18,21 know as they love to drive it..

I guess with a wife 20 yrs younger makes me feel young and not
just a dirty old man..Ed

ha ^^good one!

Sort of been that way since the beginning. First year models were owned by John Wayne who was in his 50s, Ward Bond who was as well and some other Hollywood types.

One of the iconic advertising posters from 62 showed a guy with a little bald patch at the back of his head sitting in a Vette with his girl while watching the sunset over the water. The title was: "Some Guys Have it Tough".

Obviously, an upward mobile middle class guy. However, during that same time period the car was priced low enough that a young blue collar worker could buy one and go racing. Most of the guys collecting those cars now are the ones that put off their dreams until they reached late middle age and no longer are interested in racing.

Starting in the mid 70s it became harder and harder for a 20 something high school graduate holding a low skill job in a factory to go to a dealer and buy a brand new Vette.

Thus we have the Old Man's car now. I put my dream on hold until I left the Army, purchased my first house and had a few years at my new job before bought a 3 year old 69 that became my daily driver for 4 years. Now at 71 I have an 08Z and it isn't a garage queen.

Bill

If the old farts quit buying the new Corvettes, there would be no used Corvettes for the young ones to buy. For the few young kids that can afford to buy a $60,000 new Corvette the price would be $120,000 if the old farts were not buying the bulk of the new Corvettes.

Whether you like it or not, the old folks are keeping the Corvette badge alive.

I belong to 2 Corvette clubs……the bulk of the members are in their 50s and 60s so I would have to answer yes, the Corvette is an old mans car.

This thread cracks me up. In the summer of 2006 when I was 51 I ordered my c6. While it was on order my wife, kids and I flew down to So. Florida. We went for dinner at the "New York Prime" steak house. When we pull up an elderly man probably 75 years old rolls up in a new C6. He must be a regular there because two valet parking attendants rush over open the door and the old guy puts his arms in the air and the two attendants yank him out of the car. It was kinda hilarious but it doesn't end there. When we are leaving here he is by coincidence waiting for his car to be brought to him. Well he must have seen us chuckling and we got to talking and I mentioned that I have one on order. He says to me "watch how easy it is to get in"! The two attendants each hold an arm as he drops his ass into the car and they let him go. Poor guy cracks his head on the roof. I thought they were going to have to call 911, lol. He was okay just embarrassed as he waved and drove off. My smart ass son says dad that's going to be you in a couple of years! I wanted to smack him so bad. Well on another note my son who turned 25 a couple of days ago picked up a new 2013 Grand Sport. So not all owners are old guys!

I don’t know what the official demographics are for the average Corvette owner, but I can tell you from having attended Carlisle for years, my impression has always been that most owners are males north of their 50’s. So, IMO the stereotype reflects reality. But why does this matter? The car brings a smile to my face every time I’m in it – that’s what matters.

Hmmm- for those of us whose vette ownership has spanned young to old this is all very amusing. I enjoy cars that are a blast to drive and always have. To me the journey is the thing and it has always been that way. I believe the Corvette is accurately described as a car enthusiast's car.

agree totally

They're gonna have to do better than that. There's a difference between wanting something and being able to afford it.

In real dollars (adjusted for inflation), the Corvette has nearly doubled in price since the mid '60s. Combine that with the decline of the middle class, and there's not gonna be too many people left in the market.