- FORESIGHT REWARDED ;
DONNIE & DEBBIE
POGUE’S 1968 SUPER SPORT
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BY: Ronnie & Debbie Pogue #339
Yes, there are original owner automobiles still out there. We have a few in the Chevelle club, and for the first time in years we’ll be introduced to another. This is a neat story also; high school sweethearts, a young man who wanted a car, a father who helped him reach that desire and a young man that had the foresight to keep it for all of his life. Okay, here goes.
Ronnie saw the Chevelle at Carter-Schupbach Chevrolet in Seymour, MO. in August, 1968. It is Ash gold with a black vinyl top and Parchment interior. He saw that it was Super Sport with a 396, 325hp engine, 4-speed manual trans and 12 bolt with 3.73 rear gears. It was less than a month old, having been built in July, 1968. When he stopped, of course the commission based salesman was all over the young man admiring this sharp Super Sport, but a price could not be agreed upon. It was obvious Ronnie wanted it because the next day here comes the salesman with the car out to the Pogue’s home and with Ronnie’s father involved, a deal was made, his dad co-signed for the $3,425 purchase price and $110 per month car payment. While that doesn’t sound like much I would guess that this would be equivalent to approximately $500 per month now.
Well, after Ronnie had enjoyed the Chevelle for 60 days or so, Uncle Sam delivered an invitation he could not refuse, so while he was serving his country (Thank you, by the way), his parents kept the car. When he got back he and Debbie were married, they moved to
Rockford for a job and started a family. The Chevelle Super Sport was used until August, 1988 as a family car and all three of their children were brought home in the car (that’s awesome). Ronnie then started collecting all of the needed GM original parts to bring her back to the original glory and a full restoration was begun in 1995 and was back on the road in the Fall of 1996.The Chevelle has been shown at shows, including Chevy Vette Fest in 1998 and it was awarded a Bronze Spinner Award with a total of 899 out of 1,000 points. Oh yes, the Pogue’s drive this Super Sport. For instance, this past Labor Day they drove it back to whence it came, back to
Seymour, MO. Can you even imagine what it was like for those driving down I-55. Now I don’t want to imply anything, but if I saw those two in the car, I’d be saying to my family “I bet they are the original owners”. They just fit.Editor’s Note:
Well, there you have it. An ultimately cool story of a young man, who apparently keeps those things he values; he has his original first car and his original first wife !!!! Now-a-days, that is a rare thing. Thanks for sharing Ronnie & Debbie. It was worth the wait.
Ronnie & Debbie Pogue by their beautiful original owner 1968 Chevelle.
Parked on Byron Hill with the big block ready to go.
