Cherry Point, N.C. Marine Corps Air Station

[COPO]

My old 69 Yenko Camaro spent time at the base during that time and went through a series of Marines. I don't have the title history in front of me at the moment, but I think it was at the base from around mid 1971 through at least 1974. It was sold a few times through Cherry Point Motors. My guess is there were probably a number of hot cars in the area with all of those Marines.

[jbsides]

I don't remember there being all that many nice street cars there in 74 - 75. Gas prices had tripled from early '73, even in North Carolina, and being an enlisted Marine just was not a lucrative occupation, pay-wise. In 1971, as an E-1 over nothing, pay was $79 a month as I recall. The next year Nixon upped it to $276. I was living large when that happened, but still, the $93 payment on that Camaro stung, but at least insurance was included. As a sergeant with over four years service, pay was about $480 a month.
I did have a couple pals who were into the quarter mile scene, and a couple others whose parents helped them out. For the most part, there were a lot of beaters. We called them "Lance Corporal-mobiles." Lower enlisted ranks wanted nice rides, but all they could afford was cluged together clunkers. A nice SS427 or Yenko would have really stood out.
There was a Chevrolet dealer in Havelock, not far from the main gate. They did a brisk business, but almost everything was a truck or a family car, and the occaisional officer buying a Corvette.
I do have a local friend who was there with me, I'll ask him what he remembers.