Ah��Retirement

[Michael J.]

After all the Top Flight, PV, and Duntov judging wars, today is retirement day for my '64. Now she gets to wear her road tires and wheels, a decent air cleaner filter element, and use her "Fritz Flaps" to keep the road chips off her paint. But best of all, now she gets to be driven regularly on the high mountain roads and emerge from her trailer as the hard running Corvette she was always meant to be. Retirement is good!

[Jimmy P.]

[Edward J.]

[Mark E.]

[Michael J.]

Congratulations Mike,
As you say it's time to drive her and enjoy her. She's earned it. It has to feel good not having to worry about every little nut and bolt. I wish you "many miles of smiles" with it.

Thank you! The last two years having it sequestered in the garage to keep it judging perfect was agonizing, since the car runs and drives so well, I really missed getting it out.

[Michael J.]

Mike, Next year is the nationals and its in my neighborhood (30 minutes) and my 63 will flight one more time, it will retire along with me, I am taking a early out at 62 and plan on enjoying my car the same. Your car looks great, my friend has a 63 with the same colors as yours, Daytona Blue/Blue is a great color in the sunlight.

[Michael J.]

These options may make more economic sense... but this hobby isn't all about economics, is it?

Michael- enjoy your car and keep it under 100 (at least on public roads).

[Leif A.]

[Don H.]

[Michael J.]

Michael -
Bravo!
Happy for you and your 64.
My 65 was retired from judging after San Diego in 2012, and also wears its fritz flaps, and Goodrich Traction TA blackwalls, and she is out on the road most weekends. The blue ribbons buried in a drawer somewhere. I enjoyed prepping for and playing the judging game over a 3 year span, and enjoy just owning and driving now as much or more. Car retirement is just as good as people retirement!


ps. your convertible is a wonderful example of Mid-year rolling artwork. And a more striking specimen in Daytona dark blue I have yet to see!

Thanks Don, you understand the joy of driving these great cars around like they should be, and my Daytona Blue paint is a perfect example.

[Michael J.]

Way to go, Michael!! Drive the wheels off that beauty!! Bring her to Dalllas (Frisco) in October...that would be a fun drive

Thanks Leif, but I am planning on try to bring whatever new car I get to start there, which is of course the best and most excellent regional in the country.

[Ed S.]

[Don H.]

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actually knowing Mike and Duke, he probably meant what your google search answered for you...... doctors that they both are.

double ps... I thought fritz must be the crap your tires throw up off the road onto your under fender bodywork! Didn't occur to me that you meant Fritz A.! A wonderful highly knowledgable mid-year Exterior judge who gets it. Unfortunately now retired from judging. He is on my friends list.

[Michael J.]

New subject - ok, I give up. What are "fritz flaps"? I googled "what are fritz flaps" and this is what I got: "a surgical technique for total palatomaxillary and orbital reconstruction using a fibula osteocutaneous free flap in a layered fashion". Sounds like something Duke would recommend having done to a heads to increase h.p. but I know that ain't it. So, what are they?

Ha! We named them that in the NM Chapter after our beloved and respected 400 point ++++ member/judge Fritz Allen. He had the first plexiglas mud flaps we ever saw.

[Duke W.]

But best of all, now she gets to be driven regularly on the high mountain roads

Be careful, Michael. You know those drum brakes will fade away on mountain roads and won't stop the car... just ask anyone on the Corvette Forum.

Duke