A Kissimmee Top Flight Surprise

[Stuart F.]

Re: A Kissimmee Top Flight Surprise

Tom;

Sorry we didn't get a chance to chat as well. I was by your car, or so I thought, but I must have had it confused with another (Daytona Blue Coupe, 340 hp??). The one I was looking at I thought was a Bow Tie candidate, and I was going to offer the owner some correct heater hose clamps and tie straps. My convertible is also Daytona Blue, but was painted in 1976 (some 33+ years ago) and has held up very well. This gives me cause to consider having mine judged some day.

Congratulations. Hope you enjoyed the event. We were pleased at the great turn out this year. The registration booth told me there were only 12 no shows and 20 cancellations which is a record.

Stu Fox

[Tom S.]

Re: A Kissimmee Top Flight Surprise

Tom I have a quick question! How did you dare drive the 63 all that distance and not have a heart attack worrying about snow,salt,sleet and everything else you have up there on the roads in the winter? I could never do that in the winter, and maybe not in the summer! Anyway congrats are certainly due! Tom Stanton # 41491

[Joe L.]

Re: A Kissimmee Top Flight Surprise

Some friendly arm twisting by Scott Sinclair in December convinced Mary Lou and I to enter our 63 SWC for Flight judging at the Florida Regional.

Our expectations were modest since we had 24 year old well worn paint and we knew we would lose 80 points for knock off wheels.

In our wildest dreams we never thought Top Flight.

So it was a fantastic shock to get a Top Flight ribbon. (Did I mention that we drove over 1500 miles from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada to get here?!!)

And we received the Long Distance Driven award to boot!!

A sincere thanks to the judges and the Florida Chapter for a memorable, once in a lifetime experience.

Great cars, great friends and lots of new friends. It doesn't get any better!!

Tom------


...and some folks think that they need to get the headmarking on every bolt exactly correct, the printing on every hose exactly as-original, and bring their car in a trailer or transport truck in order to achieve a top flight. Of course, it's admirable to strive to get everything exactly correct but, as you've discovered, it's not necessary for top flight.

[Tom P.]

Re: A Kissimmee Top Flight Surprise

Tom I have a quick question! How did you dare drive the 63 all that distance and not have a heart attack worrying about snow,salt,sleet and everything else you have up there on the roads in the winter? I could never do that in the winter, and maybe not in the summer! Anyway congrats are certainly due! Tom Stanton # 41491

Hi Tom

Actually we did some serious planning before the trip. Figured we needed a two day weather "window" to get south of the posssibilty of bad weather. We ended up leaving a couple days early to get a good window. Roads were bare and dry all the way. But there still was some serious cleaning of road grime when we reached Knoxville.

The week before we left, I had the frame oil sprayed, so I wasn't too worried about that. But I have to admit, I was surprised at the sudden appearance of surface rust on bolts and parts that I had never considered before. There will be some work when we eventually get home.

The only heart attack was about a half hour into our trip. 7 AM, in the dark, heavy traffic, major multi lane road. Traffic did a panic stop. I locked everything up and we slid to a stop just inches shy of taking the front end off!!!

We are currently in Punta Gorda and going to the Musclecar Museum tomorrow. Then on to Key West and back up to Daytona. Car continues to run great. Sure starts easier when it is used every day!!

We are going home by way of Bowling Green and the National Corvette Museum. Will stay there until we get another two day weather window. Hopefully we won't get trapped there for more than a couple days if there is a blizzard in from the mid west!!

Regards, Tom

[Mark R.]

Re: A Kissimmee Top Flight Surprise

Congratulations Tom !

Quite inspiring Corvette trip, with a Regional Top Flight to boot.

Have a safe and enjoyable trip home.

Mark

[Scott S.]

Re: A Kissimmee Top Flight Surprise

Tom and Mary Lou, Have a great time tomorrow at Muscle Car City llc. If you need any help just call. You call.... we haul! We got home, just a great trip.
Scott and Kay.

[Paul Y.]

Re: A Kissimmee Top Flight Surprise

Tom, That is great. I like hanging with people of your caliber. When are you coming out west? I'd like to road trip with you. Paul

[Pat H.]

Re: A Kissimmee Top Flight Surprise

Tom,
Congratulations on your Top Flight. I admire your courage to drive all that distance and get the ultimate award. Enjoy it. Hope you and Mary Lou have a same vacation and a safe drive back. It starting to snow again, but just flurries.

[Jim D.]

Re: A Kissimmee Top Flight Surprise

Way to go Tom. I'm sure your car deserved a TF.

[Rob F.]

Re: A Kissimmee Top Flight Surprise

Tom
That is absolutely awesome! I can only dream about doing this someday( and with any luck I will)!
Way to go! From a fellow Canadian Corvette owner.

[Henry J.]

Re: A Kissimmee Top Flight Surprise

Tom:

Barb and I just arrived back home from Florida an hour ago and learned of your Top Flight award. We couldn't be happier for you. Congratulations!