Embedded Files
Jim Rathmann
Jim Rathmann
Acquired from Facebook Memorabilia group member
Acquired from Facebook Memorabilia group member
Date Acquired 12th June 2023
Date Acquired 12th June 2023
Collection Number TSM-177
Collection Number TSM-177
Jim Rathmann was an American race car driver. His most notable success was winning the 1960 Indianapolis 500. The signed image is of Jim in his winning car.
Jim Rathmann was an American race car driver. His most notable success was winning the 1960 Indianapolis 500. The signed image is of Jim in his winning car.
After he retired from racing Rathmann later owned a Chevrolet-Cadillac dealership in Melbourne, Florida, where he befriended astronauts Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom, and Gordon Cooper. Rathmann convinced GM President Ed Cole to set up a program which supplied each astronaut with a pair of new cars each year. Most chose a family car for their wives and a Corvette for themselves. Alan Bean recalls Corvettes lined up in the parking lot outside the astronaut offices at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, and friendly races between Shepard and Grissom along the Florida beach roads.
After he retired from racing Rathmann later owned a Chevrolet-Cadillac dealership in Melbourne, Florida, where he befriended astronauts Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom, and Gordon Cooper. Rathmann convinced GM President Ed Cole to set up a program which supplied each astronaut with a pair of new cars each year. Most chose a family car for their wives and a Corvette for themselves. Alan Bean recalls Corvettes lined up in the parking lot outside the astronaut offices at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, and friendly races between Shepard and Grissom along the Florida beach roads.
The crew of Apollo 12 with their Corvettes supplied by Rathmann
The crew of Apollo 12 with their Corvettes supplied by Rathmann
The crew of Apollo 15 with their Corvettes supplied by Rathmann
The crew of Apollo 15 with their Corvettes supplied by Rathmann
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