We’ve all heard one-owner stories and long-term ownership of vintage cars by a single individual. We recently read a story about Ann-Shirley Goodell in Postmedia Network’s DRIVING website.
According to the site, Ann-Shirley Goodell ordered her Corvette on January 15, 1962 at King Chevrolet in Cincinnati, Ohio. A native of British Columbia, Ann was working on her graduate program stateside at the time, and needed a car to get around. She originally purchased an Oldsmobile at her father’s request, but that car turned out to be a dud, so she went with her gut and bought the Corvette she actually wanted. She said then that she was going to purchase a Corvette and keep it forever. So far, she’s kept that promise.
Mrs. Goodell’s Corvette is as original as possible, save for the occasional repairs and the additional hardtop, to help protect her from those harsh winters. Photo: Jenelle Schneider / Postmedia News
She still enjoys the car just as much today as when she first purchased it, and there have been a lot of memories over the miles that she and her ‘Vette have shared. So far, the odometer has rolled over 300,000 kilometers (that’s 186,411.358 miles to be exact). In the almost 60 years and all those miles that Ann has enjoyed her Corvette, she has transported her two boys to school, enjoyed the car on her wedding day, as well as she and her husband’s honeymoon. Ann reports about her husband, Rob Goodell, “He married me for the car, but all he got was the bills”, she exclaims.
He married me for the car, but all he got was the bills – Ann-Shirley Goodell
Even today, she is enjoying the car daily throughout life’s menial tasks. While she did purchase a hardtop somewhere along the way to help keep out the brisk Canadian winter air, Ann concedes that she really enjoys driving the car with the top down. What if it rains you ask? She’s prepared herself with a beige-colored umbrella that she wields if the skies open up while she’s stopped at a traffic light and such. Ann reports that it only rains in the car when it’s not moving!
The Corvette still has its original 327 cubic-inch engine and three-speed transmission. Ann reports that at one time, four kids and a collie occupied the passenger's seat on the way to school. Try that today! Photos: Jenelle Schneider / Postmedia News
Driving a Corvette daily does have its pitfalls, and Ann’s Corvette is not immune to them. While driving the car in California once, she was struck by another driver making an illegal U-turn. Another time, the car was struck while parked, which damaged the rear of the car. Another fender-bender re-worked the front fiberglass, which was repaired in short order.
Ann concedes that she receives many offers to purchase the car, but replies with a solid, “No thanks!” She explains, “It’s not for sale, it’s my car for life and it will always stay with me.” By now they’ve worked out all the bugs in the relationship, and we see no reason to change that now. We say, keep enjoying your fine Corvette Ann-Shirley Goodell, you’ve definitely got your priorities straight!
