How many feel the same

[Roy B.]

What sad' ins me are all the nice restored (original) Corvette that never see the road again ,I feel alone among 53 to 57 on the road because I now never ever see another one. Driving my 55 (original) Corvette as often as I do . And for other people that may drive a restored Corvette (any year) they must feel the same way. The value of these Top flight Corvette keep 99% of those owners off the road .I did enjoyed seeing them and meeting other guys that drove them . Those days are long gone now (SAD) for young guys and use old farts because we now only have NCRS meets.


AND by the way that's why when NCRS members ask me why and how can you drive that 55 ( saying if you get into a wreck- parts wearing out) my replies is always= because driving a restored top flight is to see other people enjoy seeing it asking questions and learning about an older Corvette. That is what today has become for me!!

[Stuart F.]

Re: How many feel the same

Roy;

I continue to drive my 63 fairly often, but it is more original than restored (was out pullin red line today too). At my age of 70, I'm not sure which one will wear out first; the car or me! My son has had a few Vettes too, but as he told me; the interest in our family stops with him so I should not save anything for his children as they don't want it - have no interest. As I watched them play their new Christmas "I - something or others" yesterday, I can understand his point. They are a completely new generation with different values and interests, the likes of which we can't begin to understand.

Stu Fox

[Bruce B.]

Re: How many feel the same

Roy,
I just finished my 57 250 HP Poweglide car last year and drove it until the bad weather hit.
Put about 1000 miles on it.
I also have a nice "correct" 62 which I drive a lot.
Why have them if you can"t drive and enjoy them ???
Sure they are a good investment, but so is Enjoying Life.
Drive-um.

[Jeremy D.]

Re: How many feel the same

Tires......Smoke 'em if ya got 'em!!

[Lynn H.]

Re: How many feel the same

Roy,
While never having had any of my personal cars judged, I cannot comment from that perspective, but from an owning and driving standpoint, I could not agree more. I have a very original 63 roadster, and a few C3 era cars. The 63 is my "driver". During the summer months, I receive many invitations from friends to attend some of the many events in my area (including the Woodward Dream Cruise) with my car. Most of the larger "cruise" type events, are anything but cruising to me (more like parking). While having attended many of these "show and shine" type events, I usually end up declining their offers. I find it very difficult to find time for all of the things needing tended to in my life, especially things that are of the "want" variety. When it comes to spending time with my cars, I prefer it to be behind the wheel, rather than sitting in a lawn chair next to them. To me the true epitome of Corvette ownership, is the "driving" experience. While I thoroughly enjoy attending many car related functions, none of them compare to the enjoyment I get from just driving a Corvette, of any year or vintage. I believe that those of us that are lucky enough to have multiple cars may have different views than those who may have only one that they have put untold hours and energy into "restoring". I understand not wanting to damage, or use their cars for fear of devaluing them. With that said I also believe they are missing out on the BEST part of Corvette ownership, and that is DRIVING THEM.
Lynn

[Roy B.]

Re: How many feel the same

That is the point I'm making , when I asked I hear the same thing from many owners of restored Corvette , that they wish they could drive them but the money thing stops most .Afraid to put wear on it and losing money , money is killing the fun of owning and driving real original restored Corvette. Like you I restored my Corvette for ME to enjoy and drive NOT for NCRS tho it was nice showing and getting an award.Many people seeing use drive it, I know they wish they could drive their's too= BUT the money thing!!

[Terry D.]

Re: How many feel the same

I average 5000 miles a year in my 62 here in northern Ohio, don't really care what other guys do with their cars. It's nice to see another on the road but if not it sure as heck does not ruin my day. Life's too short to worry about things you have no control over.
Terry

[Jay G.]

Re: How many feel the same

Roy,
While never having had any of my personal cars judged, I cannot comment from that perspective, but from an owning and driving standpoint, I could not agree more. I have a very original 63 roadster, and a few C3 era cars. The 63 is my "driver". During the summer months, I receive many invitations from friends to attend some of the many events in my area (including the Woodward Dream Cruise) with my car. Most of the larger "cruise" type events, are anything but cruising to me (more like parking). While having attended many of these "show and shine" type events, I usually end up declining their offers. I find it very difficult to find time for all of the things needing tended to in my life, especially things that are of the "want" variety. When it comes to spending time with my cars, I prefer it to be behind the wheel, rather than sitting in a lawn chair next to them. To me the true epitome of Corvette ownership, is the "driving" experience. While I thoroughly enjoy attending many car related functions, none of them compare to the enjoyment I get from just driving a Corvette, of any year or vintage. I believe that those of us that are lucky enough to have multiple cars may have different views than those who may have only one that they have put untold hours and energy into "restoring". I understand not wanting to damage, or use their cars for fear of devaluing them. With that said I also believe they are missing out on the BEST part of Corvette ownership, and that is DRIVING THEM.
Lynn

We always drive our cars. Our nephew was in fom Cali-land couple yrs ago. We took out in the 67 Vette. Took it out again. Then 3rd time threw him the keys. Told him "I'll see you in a couple hours". The look on his face was a memory I'll retain. Saw 'em 2 hrs. No problems. Turned to me to say. "How many 19yrs olds get to drive a 67 Vette. This I'll always remember. So the Political Police/Insurance reg. under 25yrs ol stipulation and so on. Will say I'm crazy. But I was 17 when I Bought owned my $600.00 58 dual qual Vette in 1969. I remember. So drive all your cars. We can get hit by a beer truck tommorrow. Or terrorists.

[Tom P.]

Re: How many feel the same

I don't drive the 56 very often--------------I flog the crap out of it as often as possible!
I specifically built it to fly, but I don't want to ruin the original lines of the body by adding wings, so it will just have to remain on terra firma.
With 400 cubic inches of healthy small block, and a very functional fuel injector, it eats rice burners alive and gives the "fast" late model Vettes a serious run for their money.
At this time, I don't have any videos to post of the kind of abuse it receives on ocassion, because I'm the one driving it. I'll have to get someone to volunteer to hold the camera someday.
The 56 is neither a garage nor a trailer queen.
And like Roy, I have made arrangements for extra carrying capacity during road trips.

[Martin N.]

Re: How many feel the same

ROY-

I AGREE. I look at it like, a car is a car, is a car, right? A mode of transportation, right? Wether it's a Rolls Royce, Corvette, Reatta, GMC or a VW, they were built to drive, to move people and goods from one place to another. You know transportation! I do believe the ORIGINAL car / automobile makers wanted these machines of their's to be used not collect so they would wear out in time and hopefully (if you had a good experience) you'd buy another one just like it. BUT now, it's like people and lifestyles have changed this "mode of transportation" into a "collectible" frensy. WE, the automotive public / enthusists / hobbists / investors have created this world of collect, restore, preserve, museum them and don't use. I guess what I'm trying to say, if ya got one "use it before you loose it". I drive my 74 convertible whenever I can.

Marty

[Mark D.]

Re: How many feel the same

Roy,

I think it is fantastic you drive your 55. It's a great car and I always enjoy seeing the over the counter dealer items. I believe anyone who decides to drive their car has made the correct decision for themselves and that is great.

What I don't 'get' is you, or anyone else worrying about what others decide for themselves. What you are saying, Roy, is if everyone doesn't do as you do then it's wrong or, as you said, sad. I think you start these posts just to get an emotional rise out of people because you can't come up with anything else to post. I think it's sad that people worry so much about what others do. I think it's sad that you worry about such trivial things.

I have had several cars. Some I drove to death and others were trailer queens, but, I thoroughly enjoyed them all. I have mostly enjoyed the friendships I've made along the way. I have and will continue to support each individual with their right to do whatever they choose with their own car(s) without sticking my nose in matters that is none of my concern.

To those that wish to drive...go for it. For those that wish to just show...go for it. For those that wish to tell others what they should do...eat [censored].

Regards,

Mark

[Jim C.]

Re: How many feel the same

Roy,

I like seeing ANY old cars on the road, particularly Corvettes. I drive my 1966 (Top Flight, very original) as often as possible. I average about 1,200 miles per year, and would drive it more but have to take into account several things, like weather (I live in Illinois - there's a foot of snow on the ground right now), going to work (about 50+ hours per week), family related stuff (kids sports events, homework, etc.) projects around the house, blah, blah, blah. You get the picture. I think more people would get their cars out more often, but there's always something else to do. But I'm with you - these old cars should be drivien!!!

Jim C.

[Tom P.]

Re: How many feel the same

Roy,-----------------------------------------------------------To those that wish to drive...go for it. For those that wish to just show...go for it. For those that wish to tell others what they should do...eat [censored].

Regards,

Mark

Uhooooooooooooooooooooooooo, and this is the NCRS site where confrontational replies just do not occur!!!!!!!!!!!
DANG, I'm surprised. In the past, I've made multiple critical comments and the posts always ended with no harsh replies------------------do I perceive a change coming over the horizon within NCRS??????????????? 'Bout time some of you guys strapped on some balls!

[Jerry W.]

Re: How many feel the same

I also have a Harley....and i wave to all bikes....Do what you want....If you have to ask....you wouldn't understand.....only thing i don't understand is what does the marking on nuts and bolts have to do with quality corvettes.

[Mark D.]

Re: How many feel the same

....If you have to ask....you wouldn't understand.....only thing i don't understand is what does the marking on nuts and bolts have to do with quality corvettes.

Jerry,

In your own profound words, 'if you have to ask, you wouldn't understand.'