Do You or Do You Not "Blow the Dust" Off Your Vette Occasionally

[Edmund C.]

Gents: In the NCRS Forum Archives, there is a very neat string of conversation and photographs entitled "These were meant to be driven." It shows heritage Corvettes in all manner of endeavors (e.g., drag racing, daily commutes, with snow and ski racks hanging off them, off-road, etc.). Now, I'm as meticulous as the next guy and have some neat old muscle cars that I pamper, yet, I also occasionally "get on them" and will drive them as they were meant to be driven back-in-the-day. I have never understood owners that exclusively trailer or rarely even fire them up. We're all just caretakers if you think about it; so, why save them so someone else down-the-line can enjoy them as they were meant to be? While I highly respect all car collectors (and the good Lord knows we're all different), I belong to the school of thought that I will not carefully preserve an item to the detriment of my family's enjoyment. Case in point, if one of my sons has a date with a pretty girl, I'll throw them the keys to a HEMI Challenger, a Buick GS; or a C2 and say "have fun, be safe and careful where you park her." What are your thoughts along these lines. I've seen some real museum piece Corvettes at NCRS events, so I suspect you guys think this is a bit blasphemous. Sorry if I offend anyone. Best, EWC

[Mike T.]

Re: Do You or Do You Not "Blow the Dust" Off Your Vette Ocassionally

Ed - I think it comes down to a personal choice. I don't have any hesitation in taking my cars to the track to see what they can do. When I took my Mosport 66 Coupe to Infineon a few years ago, I did have some guys come up and ask why I might risk damaging it by running it down the quarter mile and I replied that's why I had a lot of tools in the garage. Of course, my Corvettes are best described as average street cars so my approach might be a bit different if I owned a matching number, high end/high dollar Corvette.

[David R.]

Re: Do You or Do You Not "Blow the Dust" Off Your Vette Ocassionally

I'm with you on this. My '62 is a very nice driver - accent on the DRIVER part. It's all stock, looks and runs great, and has won its share of trophies . . . but, as they say, while ships are safest in port,that's not what ships are for. I actually took it out this morning and , um, "blew the dust off it". I know a couple of great nearby stretches of road where it's relatively safe to do this, and while I tell myself that it's good for the car to be driven once in a while as it was meant to be driven, the truth is that it's even better for me. The car does seem to run better after it's been "properly exercised" for a while, but a large portion of that is due to the fact that it's faithfully maintained. Safety first, but safety FAST.

[Michael J.]

Re: Do You or Do You Not "Blow the Dust" Off Your Vette Ocassionally

I have several '60s era muscle cars and they all must be capable of PV tests like hitting 90% of red line frequently. I make sure they are, I don't race them, but they are driven in a "spirited" manner whenever I drive them.

[Vinnie P.]

Re: Do You or Do You Not "Blow the Dust" Off Your Vette Ocassionally

Just this past weekend...

Huge amount of fun, driving my 2012 Z07...like I stole it

https://www.ncrs.org/restorer/Pocono3cropped.mp4

[Rick A.]

Re: Do You or Do You Not "Blow the Dust" Off Your Vette Ocassionally

looked awesome, Vinnie! Don't think I could have stayed behind the silver Vette as long as you did

[Edmund C.]

Re: Do You or Do You Not "Blow the Dust" Off Your Vette Ocassionally

Vinnie: That response made me roll on the floor. Funny stuff. Of course, on the other hand, there's nothing worse than to see someone mistreat a Vette. I grew up one of 7 kids, so I had lots of summer jobs. For a few long summers, I worked at the Hyannis Port Country Club as a Caddy. There were about 70 kids from all over Boston living in 2 ratty green Air Force Barracks moved over from Otis AFB. Seeing Rose Kennedy, Jackie O or Ted Kennedy was a pretty common event. One of the jobs was to cover "top bench" so that when Members pulled in, you hustled out and grabbed the golf bags from their car. One cool lady was Mrs. Bacardi (yes, the well know rum family). She was a super foxy lady and drove a blue 1970 Vette. She was lovely, smiled and always gave you $5. She (or her servants kept the Vette spotless). On the other hand was this fellow named "Boots" Marshall (older grumpy snotty rich dude). He had a 1967 roadster small block yellow in color. He keep the top down all summer and it was filled with sand and junk. Not only that, he was a bit of a cheap skate and a poor golfer to boot. Whenever we asked about the car, he'd dismiss you. Funny, how some simple kindnesses are remembered well-after we depart. God Bless them both. The memories of those summers are still vivid.

[Vinnie P.]

Re: Do You or Do You Not "Blow the Dust" Off Your Vette Ocassionally

looked awesome, Vinnie! Don't think I could have stayed behind the silver Vette as long as you did

Thanks Rick...had a ball...we even had Capello & Scafidi out there with their cars too!

Unfortunately you have to be waved on to pass, and only 2 places on the track...otherwise I would have passed him much earlier!

[Rick A.]

Re: Do You or Do You Not "Blow the Dust" Off Your Vette Ocassionally

kind of figured that out

[Michael J.]

Re: Do You or Do You Not "Blow the Dust" Off Your Vette Ocassionally

That looks great! I have never been to Pocono, but have a national judging meet there in August and now I am thinking of signing up for track time with the vintage cars. Thanks!

[Brian M.]

Re: Do You or Do You Not "Blow the Dust" Off Your Vette Ocassionally

Looks like fun.

[Jimmy G.]

Re: Do You or Do You Not "Blow the Dust" Off Your Vette Ocassionally

My objective every time I drive my 60 is to reach three digits on the speedometer. I manage to reach this goal about 60% of the time.. so you can say I do drive them.

[Edmund C.]

Re: Do You or Do You Not "Blow the Dust" Off Your Vette Ocassionally

Agreed. Just went for a nice cruise with the Bride. Nothing like a Texas Spring evening (a Friday at that); a good looking and rumbling Corvette; and a fine looking lady to spend an evening with. Off to my first Car Show with the 1966 in the morning. Should be fun.

[Don H.]

Re: Do You or Do You Not "Blow the Dust" Off Your Vette Ocassionally

Two weeks ago I drove my '60 FI 375 miles (some rain) to our Chapter Meet and back. It has been driven in much worse weather. They were made to drive. Don H.


Chapter Meet..jpg

[Dan D.]

Re: Do You or Do You Not "Blow the Dust" Off Your Vette Occasionally

Good for you. I think owning a Corvette should be "fun." That being said, I feel that defining "fun"is a personal choice. I don't think any Corvette owner should ever feel obligated to explain, rationalize or apologize for whatever he or she does with their car. I love to hear people talking about enjoying their cars rather than being consumed over ribbons, plaques or cups. However, it's not my place to question another’s taste or preference. I truly believe in “live and let live.” If your passion is to return a car to absolute “showroom” condition... put it on a turntable in your game room and just look at it...fine. No matter if it's a pristine showcar that never gets driven or it’s a daily driver with bugs on the windshield; you paid for it, your money restored it to whatever degree suited you and, it’s your right to do with it as you please.