All my growing up years I had wanted a Corvette in the worst way. I was always thinking there would never be a chance in this world for me to have one, to personally own one.
In April of 1964, two months before I graduated college, an older friend of mine called me to say he thought he had found a deal for me on a 1959 Corvette, bright red, white top. He said it needed some work, which he could do, and some serious cleaning and polishing work, which I could do. Now came the problem, money: I had none. I had just signed a teaching and coaching contract, which included coaching three sports, for the grand sum of $5,400. What was I to do; no money? My good friend told me to meet him early the next morning to take me to his bank.
My friend called the man by name and then said to him, “If you need a co-signer, I will sign for him.” The man appeared to have been taken aback by what my friend had just said. He asked my friend to repeat what he said, then asked, “Are you sure you want to do that, co-sign? He is a young man with no previous credit record.” My friend answered, “Yes.” A few minutes later, we walked from the bank with the money, check in hand. Later that afternoon. I found myself sitting behind the wheel of a 1959 Corvette, living a dream I thought would never happen!
I was given a gift by my friend: “I’ll go good for him, I’ll sign.” I have never forgotten that day or that act of kindness.
Sadly, my friend died suddenly a few years ago. I gave the eulogy at his funeral and told that story. Since that time, I have owned four Corvettes. I currently own a 1965.
How many people in your past have “co-signed” for you?
Keep on,
Larry Adamson