Winter ride

[Jack P.]

Re: Winter ride Portland Headlight Maine

Hi Gang,

True to my saying of "Drive your Car" , weather was warm today at 20 degrees, pavement dry.

I drove to Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth ME where the Portland Headlight is located. It is one of most photographed light houses in America.

A must see when you come to Maine to visit me.

Jack

[Stephen B.]

Re: Winter ride

Jack
Your my hero of the day. Drive those old cars,cause you can't take them with you and nobody else wants to maintain them when we're gone.
Stephen Barrett (21558) 59,66,71,73

[Dan D.]

Re: Winter ride

With the top down. Jack, you are an animal. I love ya!!! -Dan-

[Jack P.]

Re: Winter ride

That's a great observation. Come to think of it, when I see c1s, 2s and early 3s with reproduction tires, it has always struck me how narrow the treads were compared to the amount of horsepower. I suppose they weren't much different than passenger car tires. Was it common back in the day for people to throw a set snow tires or chains on a Corvette and just keep driving through the winter?

It was more than common, it was necessary. Most of us were in our early 20's , we could barely afford a corvette as a used first car, having a 2nd car for winter just wasn't possible.

We put snow tires on them and off to the ski mountains, skis in between the seats with socks on the tips to prevent damage to the radio speaker grill.

In the 70's we all switched to radials, and that made a great difference. My car still had it's original 195 70r dealer tires on it when I bought it in 1970 with 46,000 miles on them. They were bald and off to Sears to by Michelen radials.

Remember , our cars were used sports cars, not legends. My parents, like many thought we were crazy to spend $2,000 on a used car.

It has always been just a car, a very special car, but just a car, it breaks , you fix it, and drive it again.

Remember..... Drive your car! They need to be driven , just like we need to do exercise to keep vital and alive.

Jack

[Jack P.]

Re: Winter ride

With the top down. Jack, you are an animal. I love ya!!! -Dan-

Dan, finish that car ,, I am coming back and I want a ride. I know you have all the parts.

Jack

[Dan D.]

Re: Winter ride

You bet I am going to finish it Jack! And then I am going to drive it. And guess what - you can drive it to!! After all, you let me drive your ride last summer when you were here. If I have to drive to Maine, so be it. That would be fun - and then I could get to see that lighthouse in person - and maybe even swim in the big pond as well. -Dan-

[Jack M.]

Re: Winter ride

Jack- You are a true inspiration!

[George C.]

Re: Winter ride

Jack,
I had been away from the forum for a long time, and caught up with your amazing tour after it was all over. I am still reading your adventure and have to say you are a very lucky man. You planned it, you lived it, and we all got to share a piece of the history you created. I am grateful for being able to learn from your experience. In your writings you mention the third latch on the convertible top, but as yet I haven't found any explanation of what that is. Can you share that trick with us?
Thank you,
George

[Jack P.]

Re: Winter ride

Jack,
I had been away from the forum for a long time, and caught up with your amazing tour after it was all over. I am still reading your adventure and have to say you are a very lucky man. You planned it, you lived it, and we all got to share a piece of the history you created. I am grateful for being able to learn from your experience. In your writings you mention the third latch on the convertible top, but as yet I haven't found any explanation of what that is. Can you share that trick with us?
Thank you,
George

Hi George,

Glad you are enjoying my 48 state trip post. I will post new pictures and instructions on my latch next week. You will be able to say goodby to leaks from the front bow of the top.

This link will take you to the McMaster-Carr site.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#draw-latches/=b11g52

The part is called a Adjustable Draw latch.

Type A 303 Stainless Steel Part number 1864A13 without the safety button.

I had ordered both safety and non safety and found that the non safety one was better. Just before my trip, I could not find the non safety one, and used the safety latch. The button came off very soon. So use the one I stated above.

Here are a few pictures :







As you can see , the hole in the latch cover is where the safety button was. Even with out it , the latch never unlatched, so use the one I suggest, it will look better and can be polished to look almost like chrome.

When I get the new one in, I will post pictures and complete instructions on installation.

Jack

[Paul J.]

Re: Winter ride

Concerning the picture of the 56-57 in the mud which I posted on this thread.
Can anyone identify anything about this picture?
It appears to be taken on a logging road somplace.
It seems like the Corvette was traveling with someone who took the picture.
Can anyone help identify the picture?
Thanks.

I'll give it a shot. The terrain and the trees (standing) show the Pacific northwest. The logs that are down look like the area may have been logged, but only at that spot (as if someone was clearing trees for the view). The road is paved, and narrow like a driveway. It looks wider than a logging road and the turn is sharper than you normally see for logging trucks. Notice that there are no ruts and the snow has melted on the surface. The mud may have just accumulated in a low and poorly drained spot on the road, or it could be a small mudslide. It was caused by the clearing of the land at that spot. There's a lot of water there (notice there are no tracks). The carpets are a mess and the passenger has wet socks.

[Jack P.]

Re: Winter ride

You bet I am going to finish it Jack! And then I am going to drive it. And guess what - you can drive it to!! After all, you let me drive your ride last summer when you were here. If I have to drive to Maine, so be it. That would be fun - and then I could get to see that lighthouse in person - and maybe even swim in the big pond as well. -Dan-

Hi Dan,

You know, I bet you will finish it, and I want to be one of the first to get the call, when the engine turns over and you sit behind the wheel.

Love ya Dan,

Jack

[Jack P.]

Re: Winter ride

It is snowing today but yesterday (Sun) it was sunny cool and dry roads.

Started as a little trip and wound up being over 3 hours and almost 200 miles.

I drove up to So. Freeport, ME (yes there is water near Freeport (LL Bean) and stopped by the town dock. In summer it is filled with people, lobster boats and a great fish fry .





It was so nice I then drove to Portsmouth, NH about 80 miles down the Maine Trpk. stopped for a cup of coffee near the town square.







As I was leaving I made a wrong turn and ( horror to some of you but not me) , I was at the docks with a load of sand and salt being unloaded.





[IMG]http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu57/jackfit87/winter%20Portmouth%20and%20So%20freeport/WinterPortsmouthNHFreeportME016.jpg[/IMG

Back on road and had a great day, Drive your car!

[George C.]

Re: Winter ride

Jack,
Sounds like a great ride, but I can't imagine me being able to enjoy it with my fingers frozen numb. Jack you are incredible, and certainly enjoying your car year around.
I am not sure it was the Freeport town dock, but several years ago, I was at a dock in freeport, and ate at the Harraseeket restaurant. Best lobsta I ever had and home made Ice Cream to go with it. It is the same dock where the Brewers boat yard is located. Is that the town dock where your Sunday photo was taken?
Just a little note to share the best things in life, Seafood and Corvettes!
George

[Jack P.]

Re: Winter ride

Jack,
Sounds like a great ride, but I can't imagine me being able to enjoy it with my fingers frozen numb. Jack you are incredible, and certainly enjoying your car year around.
I am not sure it was the Freeport town dock, but several years ago, I was at a dock in freeport, and ate at the Harraseeket restaurant. Best lobsta I ever had and home made Ice Cream to go with it. It is the same dock where the Brewers boat yard is located. Is that the town dock where your Sunday photo was taken?
Just a little note to share the best things in life, Seafood and Corvettes!
George

Hi George,

Yes it is the Harraseeket River and Lobsta pound. I had a house just a few hundred yards from the dock. Lived there until son went off to college.

Spent many hours on the water when in the boat business. Glad you enjoyed yourself.

Jack

[John G.]

Re: Winter ride

Hey Jack, you're not gettin' wimpy on us are ya? That's the first time I've seen the windows up!
Keep on rollin'
John G