The association between astronauts and Corvettes started early. Alan Shepard, the first American in space, was a noted Corvette enthusiast. "Alan Shepard was a big Corvette person," said Larry Hayes of the National Corvette Museum. And Chevrolet made it easy for astronauts to become Corvette owners. Ed Cole, Chevrolet’s general manager in the 1960s, established a policy that allowed astronauts to purchase the Chevrolet of their choice for a pittance. Some opted for more sedate sedans, but many astronauts jumped at the chance to drive a Corvette on the cheap.
    The entire Apollo 12 crew was Corvette material. Their Corvettes were all identically optioned with 390-horsepower, 427 cid V-8s, four-speed transmissions and air conditioning. The gold and black paint scheme was created