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Our 1995 Z28 Camaro Convertible, original family survivor, belonged to NASA Astronaut Legend Admiral Alan Shepard, Mercury 7 astronaut, the first U.S. astronaut in space, and Apollo 14 astronaut. During the Apollo 14 mission, Shepard made history stepping foot on the moon and taking his passion for the game of golf by hitting a golf ball on the moon!
The Admiral was a true sports car fan owning ten Corvettes over his lifetime. As the years went by, he needed more room for his and his wife’s golf clubs so he special ordered this Z28 convertible from the famed *Rathman Chevrolet in Melbourne Florida which was the same dealership that offered Shepard and other astronauts new Corvettes.
The Z28 Camaro is equipped as follows:
1995 Chevrolet Z28 Camaro Convertible, quasar blue exterior / beige custom leather interior / beige convertible top, 5.7 Aluminum Head LT1 275 HP V8, 4L60E auto trans, ps, pdb, tilt, tach, clock, a/c, pl, cruise control, power mirrors, 245x50x16 radials on 16×8 factory alloys, performance axel, fog lamps, keyless entry, remote trunk release, leather wrapped steering wheel, front bucket seats, folding rear seat, color keyed carpet mats, molded convertible cover with bag and more.
Normal maintenance and upgrades include: Panasonic AM/FM/CD stereo installed when factory unit died, new Falken 245x50x16 radials, new Interstate battery and mechanical servicing including new brakes.
Daughters Julie and Laura have both personally expressed many recollections of their dad saying his Special Order Z28 had a factory/dealer installed Corvette motor. Considering the many new Corvette’s he bought from Rathman Chevrolet and his close relationship to dealership owner and Indy 500 Winner Jim Rathman, this could have been easily arranged. Unfortunately, the ID #s on the block and heads are very hard to get to without much disassembly so we have not made this verification. If true, it only enhances the cars value.
The Admiral’s Car is well documented with its original window sticker, owner’s manual, sales documents, 68k miles, clean Carfax, clean TX title in Shepard Trust name, family supplied photo of the Admiral, his wife and the car. We just shot a new photo of Julie and Laura, with the car and it still wears its original issue California license plate with original owner added Pebble Beach License plate frame.
Fortunately, it has always been garaged and gently driven. It is as nice and original as the photos show inside, outside, and underneath including a small dent in the rear muffler and burn in the carpet from the Admiral’s occasional celebratory cigar. Overall paint is excellent w a few spider cracks on the front and rear bumpers but they still have the same high gloss as rest of the car.
In 2022 we were fortunate to have been invited to be one of the lead vehicles at the NASA Houston employee only parade and car show.
Last year, May 2023, our Astronaut Car was on display at Keels & Wheels Concours d’Elegance collector boat and car show in Seabrook TX where it won The Mayor’s Choice Award.
It all started with NASA, but the new “Space Cowboys” are Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Richard Branson, and Robert Bigelow. To celebrate today’s excitement for space exploration, our Astronaut Car has been on a promotional tour which includes being on display at various facilities, auto shows, magazines and online.
The Admiral’s Z28 Convertible is truly 1 of 1. It is the nicest survivor Astronaut Car, belonging to the first of the Mercury 7 astronauts, in existence and its documented ownership, make it one of the most collectable vehicle artifacts in early Aerospace history.
His 1968 Corvette sold for $308k at Barrett-Jackson in 2022.
The Admiral’s Camaro is offered for sale at $150k. At that price, $50k will go to The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation which Admiral Shepard founded with the other Mercury 7 Astronauts. The Shepard Family continues to support ASF and is thrilled the sale of this car will carry on the legacy of Admiral Shepard and his commitment to ASF.
This is a great story with a great cause and a great way to memorialize Admiral Alan Shepard, the first U.S. astronaut in space.
AutoQuest Jeeps has been buying and selling Autos, Trucks, Jeeps and other cool rides in TX and worldwide since 1995. If you have any questions on our Astronaut Car or want to purchase, please contact Phil Collum at 832.473.7588.
Country Hours Mon-Fri 10am-5pm and all by appointment only. We are in and out of the shop; please call first for best results.
Phil Collum, AutoQuest Jeeps
Home of The Astronaut Car
Waller TX, 832.473.7588
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* Rathman Chevrolet is now owned by the Boniface Hiers Auto Group.
* We are not responsible for inaccuracies in the ad.
* Information in this ad is subject to change without notice.
* This vehicle is being sold AS-IS with no warranty.
DISCLAIMER: The vehicle was sourced from: https://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/ctd/d/waller-astronaut-admiral-alan-shephards/7710647688.html
MiamiCars.com is not responsible for any errors or omissions listed above.
