91-year-old veteran gave away his one-owner 1996 Corvette but not before making one 'final gesture'
For decades, the 1966 Chevrolet Corvette had been this veteran's ultimate companion.
People are obsessed with different things. Some love their collection of books that guided them through a dark phase, while others are obsessed with cars that once gave them a roof over their head when they had no shelter. A 91-year-old man had a similar bond with his luxury car, the Chevrolet Corvette. As he grew older, he could no longer drive it and decided to hand over the keys to someone else. However, it was the man's final gesture, saying goodbye to his car, that summed up a lifetime of memories he shared with the vehicle. Karen Jones (@karen93003) posted the veteran's emotional video on Instagram on December 15.
The old man and his wife watched the new owner drive the car out of sight. For decades, the sports car had been the veteran's companion, and when it was finally time to give away the 1966 Chevrolet Corvette, he knew he had to express his gratitude. So, as the old man saw his one-owner car going away, he gave a salute to his most prized possession. His wife, who was sitting beside her in a wheelchair, looked at him as if she understood the dilemma in his mind. The moment was a little extra special, considering the man's military background. "91-year-old veteran says goodbye & salutes his one-owner, 1966 Corvette Coupe, as he passes the torch," Jones wrote in the video's caption.
It may sound vague, but car owners do feel emotionally attached to their vehicles. In fact, for them, it's not just a car, but something that reminds them of good memories, people, and places. Talker Research's survey of 2,000 car owners found 40% of owners reported loving their cars, with almost all confessing some level of fondness. Moreover, the study revealed that 21% of owners even have nicknames for their cars. Likewise, the old man also deeply loved his car, and his final goodbye represented the gravity of their lifetime spent together.
Meanwhile, the video went viral with people praising the old man's heartwarming gesture while giving away his car; for instance, @rudy_mwaurah commented, "[It's] better to see it off to a new worthy owner while alive than die and have your estate sell it to the highest bidder." @dukebabylon said, "I bought my Vette from an old guy who aged out of driving, and he was happy because it was going to be cared for just as well. His kids had zero interest and preferred cash."
Similarly, @kiddpreme wrote, "All those memories he made in that beautiful machine, and now someone gets to make even more memories in it. Cars are truly an extension of ourselves." @brandomanz06 wrote, "I recently sold my Corvette, and I can tell you that it is a heartbreaking event, so I know exactly how he felt, even though I only had mine for 18 years." @bkeezy86 commented, "Great story — the seller likely has many memories and time with it. I got to know when to hang up the keys and pass the torch. It will happen to all of us car collectors one day. I believe this sold on BaT last week and did very well." @roaddevil59 said, "I hope the new owner is local so that he can come by and take that gentleman for a ride occasionally; I definitely would."
You can follow Karen Jones (@karen93003) on Instagram for lifestyle content.
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