Kevin Livering’s “Far Out” Survivor

A Young Man’s Car Deal of a Lifetime

Kevin Livering grew up in the ’60s and ’70s in Lebanon, Pennsylvania—right in the heart of what many call “Pennsylvania Dutch Country.” Lebanon sits about 50 miles east of Carlisle, home of the annual Corvettes at Carlisle show, and roughly 80 miles west of Philadelphia. Those two places couldn’t be more different. Philadelphia is fast, crowded, and noisy. Lebanon is beautifully rural, steady, and proudly small-town. It was a place where everyone knew everyone, and if you were into cars, you knew exactly where to go.

When Kevin reached his sophomore year in high school, the muscle car era had officially over, but Lebanon didn’t get the memo. With a population hovering around 25,000, the town supported a surprisingly strong car culture. Weekend nights meant “Cruise’n the Circuit,” hanging at the Dixie Drive-In, lining up at the McDonald’s parking lot, cruising the well-known Lebanon cruise circuit, including Coleman’s Park . Younger guys watched and learned. Older guys showed off. Burnouts happened. Engines revved. And yes, the girls noticed. Picture American Graffiti, and you’re right there in Lebanon, Pennsylvania.

First Car, First Taste of Freedom, and the Beginning of a Grand Corvette Adventure

When Kevin became a junior, life hit a milestone. It was time to get a driver’s license—and more importantly, his first car. He didn’t end up with a beater. Instead, he landed a solid ride: a white 1973 Chevy Monte Carlo. Chevrolet introduced the Monte Carlo in 1970 as its answer to the Pontiac Grand Prix, using the Chevelle platform as a foundation. The 1973 redesign gave the car a larger, heavier look, even though the actual increase in size was modest.