How many feel the same

[Roy B.]

Re: How many feel the same

Anyone can do what ever they like with their Corvette with out people getting a negative response like eat Sh**t . And I'm not the only one that knows what goes with (eat= blank means ) May be I have had to many Corvettes and other make cars in my 69 years and still like 50 year old stuff and the way it was back then. Why would I care what other do with their Corvette I dint criticize others ideas. just talking about not seeing older Corvettes on the road and why I think money invested in them may be the reason. So lets not start a dog fight

[Patrick H.]

Re: How many feel the same

I drive and enjoy my 66 at least once a week but never drive the 63's. I see both sides of the debate.

When was the last time you saw the 63s?

[Dennis O.]

Re: How many feel the same

I bought a '67 coupe new in May of 1967. It was sold 2 years later. I recognized my loss about 20 tears later, and bought another ' 67 coupe. A year later , I bought a well equipped '68 small block convertible for my lady. She didn't want it (she wanted an early thndebird)(. Anyway, I agree with Roy, even more so. My cars are ratty originals and I drive them every chance I get. I don't go to NCRS meets and have them judged, because from what I've seen over the last 20 years, a lot of "mistakes" have been made. I''m here for the information, but not for my peer's approval.

[John S.]

Re: How many feel the same

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!![/quote] roy, i understand exactly the way you feel! why i decided on a 55 was to give people a chance to see a car that i myself had never seen other than at bloomington. i really believe that when people see this car driving by it adds to their day. this car can be found parked at a burger king or the local grocery store. it also shows up at the weekly car meets where i and the 55-57 chevy group are continuously finding items unique to our vehicles. as for losing money by driving a 55, i really don't believe that to be much of a issue. the low number of 55s will help to keep the value of a well driven car.

[Joel F.]

Re: How many feel the same

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 completely agree with Mark on both counts. I enjoy driving my cars but I also understand there are circumstances where an owner might have a different goal.

I enjoy Roy's technical and historical posts, but it gets annoying when he adds commentary about how the NCRS members look down on aftermarket or accessory items, or how the NCRS has turned Corvette owners/restorers into museum curators who are afraid to drive their cars. I do not believe either of these are true.

[Michael L.]

Re: How many feel the same

Roy, we hit the high 30's in Reno yesterday, clear, sunny, no wind... Were it not for the county snow plows piling up 4 feet of snow and blocking my side driveway, my '55 would have been out yesterday! No top, no heater, but I have a good coat,hat and gloves. I love driving my '55, just got an MP3 player to patch into my radio so I can listen to something other than AM talk radio when I go out.

[Paul J.]

Re: How many feel the same

Roy:

When I finish my long and expensive frame off restoration I will drive the car. I enjoy that, just as I enjoy cruise ins, the occaisional car show, burn outs, and a little stop light dragging (although I'm getting old for that). That's how I used the car before the restoration and that's my idea of how to enjoy this particular car.

A car will deteriorate to some degree even in storage, so why not drive it? I can always restore it again. I think that the cost of the wear and tear is the price of the fun.

It's a little like the times that I went to Atlantic City or to Saratoga Springs. I took a certain amount of money specifically to lose. It was the cost of enjoying the experience (although I could never lose it all at Saratoga).

Paul

[Dan D.]

Re: How many feel the same

When I decided to get my 57 out of storage (after 34 years) earlier this year, I thought it would be great to make it a show car and have it judged. But then I slowly came to terms with the fact that my car was a long, long way off from being a show car. With the original driveline long gone before I owned it, plus the degeneration of 34 years of storage, I decided that it can only be a driver. And I also asked myself what did I really want? While being factory configuration and restored would be nice, that meant that I could not drive it. I came to this conclusion after looking at several top cars on e-bay, at meets, etc. The factory paint markings on various parts, the chalk marks, the plating finishes, fastener head markings and so on would be destroyed in no time flat. So all that money and work would be for not. That, combined with the fact that I want to drive it and enjoy it made my decision quite easy. I will drive it and enjoy it. While it would be nice to just show it, the time and money to get it there and keep it there would be to much. So to have the best of two worlds, you need 2 or more corvettes. One to drive and enjoy and the other to show and enjoy. Right now I do not see me ever having a show car, but the driver is a real possibility. So I am pressing on with the existing driveline, and fixing/replacing what needs to be fixed or replaced. While it will be a driver, I want it to look nice - not old and worn out. So chrome, interior, paint, whatever else is all getting redone. I want it to look new, at least from a close-up distance. Don't care about a microscope or eye loupe. Anyhow, this is the rationale I came up with. -Dan-

[Paul Y.]

Re: How many feel the same

I can relate to Roy and Tom and driving my corvettes. I have driven my 63 fuely almost 100k miles. 80k miles without paint and stripped to the two primers and glass. The only disadvantage to that was the peace officers. I had to quit driving it to retain my license. I believe that driving these cars is the utmost enjoyment of owning them. I appreciate a trailer queen and enjoy their value, but there is nothing like a 2-3k mile trip to get the bugs out. I have seen a lot of people who are afraid to drive their corvette out of town because they don't have faith in the mechanicals. My car is somewhat of a trailer king because he has towed a 6X7' trailer all over the United States. That is why I relate to Tom and Roy. Hey you two, want to go on a road trip? We can compete for the best gas mileage. As I set goals for the new year, I already have plans for road trips to the Moab car show and the Gateway Museum car show. My car feels the same way and acts the same way with paint as it did stripped to the glass. It has hardly ever failed me and when it did, I was able to repair it on the side of the road. With 4k put on last year maybe I can double that this year. It's a good life!

[Michael F.]

Re: How many feel the same

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!!

I agree. Driving them is the best part. I have to say, with the rarity of your early C1. Even back in the day. It was rare to see a 53-55 driving down the street. Seems like you are in a very exclusive fraternity. My Mom had one of the 1st 200 53' models. She got it for her 14th B-day new. Followed by a 55'chevy belair and a 57 T-bird. Her Dad loved cars and his daughter. Hence the string of future classics he laid in her lap.

[Michael F.]

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!!

Well, the "money thing" is valid. My C2 will hold it's value very well. That was a big decision in pulling big bucks from my investment porfolio. But I drive mine. It can always be restored again someday. No big deal. Enjoy it! You can't take it with you.Although you can be buried in it! Resto quality won't matter much then.

[Stan E.]

Re: How many feel the same

I don't drive my Duntov 63 SWC because it was a lot of work to take it from a car without a hood ,air cleaner,drivers door or rear windows that sat outside 10 years and was restored by me to that level. I also don't like to wash cars and have neaver washed this one in my 20 years of ownership. I don't enjoy driving it at all. I turned down my twins 93,40th,3400mi.,roadster w/top and 6 speed for free. I told him that "It's to hard to get in and out of". I stoped riding my 4 Harleys too and driving the Rolls Cornesh. I just love driving my 88 Grand Marque!

[Michael W.]

Re: How many feel the same

This 'money' thing makes no sense. Using Roy's logic, nobody would drive ANY car for fear of it depreciating.

Which depreciates faster:

$100K new car

or

$100K antique car

[Michael F.]

Re: How many feel the same

I don't drive my Duntov 63 SWC because it was a lot of work to take it from a car without a hood ,air cleaner,drivers door or rear windows that sat outside 10 years and was restored by me to that level. I also don't like to wash cars and have neaver washed this one in my 20 years of ownership. I don't enjoy driving it at all. I turned down my twins 93,40th,3400mi.,roadster w/top and 6 speed for free. I told him that "It's to hard to get in and out of". I stoped riding my 4 Harleys too and driving the Rolls Cornesh. I just love driving my 88 Grand Marque!

My condolences.

[Tim G.]

Re: How many feel the same