Rumblee Thunder

1966 Corvette 427/425 named Rumblee Thunder and his dad, Scott. The story of how they came together and how the Legend of Rumblee Thunder came to be!

Here is the story of a boy who loved a car. Not just any car but a 1966 Corvette 427/425hp beauty. The boy grew up into a man to find the car he always dreamed of. And the car, the dad he always wanted. How it all came to pass is told in the Ballad of Rumblee Thunder. Dreams really do come true! This is the stuff of legends!

Rumblee got a good bath and was excited to get to the car show to see all his old friends. It was another beautiful day and he and his dad just had the most fun and best time. And Rumblee won another trophy for being such a beautiful special car. He is looking forward to his next show and getting to talk and visit with all the other cars and people.

What a beautiful day for a car show. This is the first car show for Rumblee since being adopted into our family. Rumblee's dad, Scott, just had the best time and was so proud that Rumblee won his first trophy for being such a beautiful old car. Rumblee made many new car friends that he hopes to see again.

The saga of Rumblee's early days as told in one symbolic drawing and how we came to meet. Rumblee has been after me to post his picture and he wants me to be sure and tell the story behind it. Scott has done a lot of research to learn all about his adoptive son, Rumblee! He learned that Rumblee’s body was made in Ionia, Michigan and his engine was made in Tonawanda, NY and everything was assembled in St. Louis, Mo. Scott was about 6 years old, living in Alexandria, La., where he was born when he first saw Rumblee. Now we are not sure if the car he saw was this exact car but it didn’t matter. He was instantly in love. And that love has stayed with him. Scott also learned that Rumblee’s first destination after assembly was the dealership of Matthews-Hargreaves Chevrolet in Pontiac, Mi. On occasion, his parents would take Scott downtown to look at the cars in the dealership windows. They would do this most times after Sunday church. And Scott loved to look at the cars. So, we thought about having a picture drawn that incorporated all things Rumblee. Rumblee really like that idea! The picture is chocked full of symbolism which makes it a masterpiece for us to enjoy. Here are the finer points: 1. The map on the back wall has a tack in all the places important to Rumblee. Pontiac, Michigan, St. Louis, Mo., Alexandria, La. and Fort Worth, Tx where he now lives. 2. Rumblee’s first dealer (his delivering hospital) is on the front window. A front window just like the small-town dealerships of the 1960’s. 3. The calendar’s date is highlighted for Feb. 7, 1966. This is the date that Rumblee came to life being totally assembled and rolling off the line in St. Louis, Mo. He’s BORN!! 4. All the numbers – the building number, dealer phone number and address all relate to Rumblee’s VIN number. The VIN number designates that he was born as a convertible Corvette, assembled in St. Louis the number he was in line that year of Corvettes made. 5. The little boy is Scott and he is pointing at the car of his dreams. You see Scott is holding a jar with money inside. Even then, Scott was a saver and purposed to be able to buy Rumblee some day. 6. The little girl is Scott’s future wife, me, who just happened to be in the same place at the same time. In the picture, Scott could be pointing at Rumblee but he could also be pointing at the “girl”. He got both! In reality, God totally brought us together. I am pulling a wagon with my blue elephant Eduardo going for his ride. Eduardo came to live with us early on in our marriage. He is very loved and provides much fun! The little girl has flowers on her hat because I love flowers. Just not receiving live one. I hate it that they wind up dying. The little girl is also holding a teddy bear pressed up against the window looking at Rumblee. I have very fond memories of my first Teddybear. His name is Teddy. He went with me everywhere. He is a very smart bear and although he is very tattered and worn, he is still around today. 7. Scott’s parents are looking in the window but we only see their backs (they have both passed). Everyone is dressed in their Sunday best as was the custom.