survivor66

For those of you who participate in parades, these questions are for you.

I was approached yesterday at a cruise-in by the chairman of our local VFW Veteran's Day parade to see if I would be interested in driving a 97 year old WWII vet as a passenger in the parade. I couldn't say no and am truly honored by his invitation, but awoke today facing the reality of the situation. I've never done a parade and my 66 convertible is a Top Flight and BG Survivor 4 speed with mostly original everything, including paint. The thought of trying to drive this big block car at walking speed in Florida weather has me thinking twice.

The parade route is about 2 hours and I'm envisioning left leg cramps just working the clutch, and it's the original clutch, while the temperature gauge rises! Plus I have no idea what to expect from a crowd mentality, even at a small town parade. Rose garlands with thorns come to mind! Do folks always respect the cars?

Anybody else have a similar dilemma to share and how you handled it?
This is one day I would like a powerglide...

Thanks and God Bless America and those who served!!

Nowhere Man

There would have to be a lot of money for me to even think about driving my car in a parade.

GTOguy

I don't do parades, but if I did, it would not be in a car such as yours. Something more user-friendly is in order here....like a driver quality car or an old Model T ford. Parade people generally aren't car people, and aren't aware of the delicate nature of a survivor vehicle such as yours.

Bluestripe67

I used too do parades of that kind and speed. Working the clutch had a negative side both mechanical and physical. I didn't always carry a person and a couple of times things got hotter than I was comfortable with and I bailed early. People always respected the car, never any issues about that. I just don't do parades at all any more. Your are in a difficult position. Dennis

bluestreak63

I would go through it. You saving it for the next person? Enjoy it while you can and imagine the stories and life adventures you get to hear from a 97 year old veteran.

He fought the freedom that enables you to own a car like the one your own. Maybe he has never been in a 66 Corvette and this is a "bucket list" time for him.

Did I guilt you into it yet?

DansYellow66

I don't have any personal experience with parades but my car club does and it left a memorable taste in their mouth. Apparently all the assurances that they would be placed near the front and not get stuck behind bands and have to sit their idling and the such - all went out the window as soon as the day arrived. Several of them overheated and then there was the left leg fatigue factor. This is a major problem with most organizers' who want to have some old cars involved in an event but know absolutely nothing about classic cars and their limitations. Since then we have passed on all such invitations.

Bruski

I did one parade in my 66 coupe once. It overheated, loaded up, used neutral a lot. Stalled once and had a hard crank to get it started. People where respectful of the vehicles in the parade. I would think again about doing it. I know I won't do another.

stratplus

2 hours. That is going to be rough. Hopefully you have a 4.56 rear end.

desertpilgrim

Veterans from the Greatest Generation have better luck than that! You'll be fine - don't be afraid to roll or sit in neutral, with your left leg resting; if the temp budges, open the hood to the first stop and give access to the air for escape; as a final, don't forget that you can turn the heater on - kinda like a supplemental radiator.
If you've got sidepipes, your guest may think he's back in WWWII. Have fun.

vettebuyer6369

Ive done a number of parades... last 2 times the car died one year and overheated the next. Havent considered it since.

to the WWII vet, though.

ejboyd5

Why not do a trial run and see how your car performs at low speeds in the heat? If all goes well the other excuses you posted are just that, excuses. Go for it, but don't follow the horses.

65GGvert

I can almost guarantee you that the car will overheat.

survivor66

Hey Nowhere Man, I spent the first 5 years of my life in Hanover - Stock Street and N. Franklin. They know how to put on a parade, especially the Civil War re-enactments down Carlisle St! The consensus here seems to say I'm looking for trouble. Now to let that gentleman know my limits.

59 navy

If your passenger (beauty queen, politician, whatever) gets injured while you are driving them, parade organizers are not held accountable...I believe you are. Sitting between seats on the back is slippery at best. I quit. 59 navy

JohnZ

Parade duty is the absolute worst thing you can possibly do to your throwout bearing - do you enjoy changing them? Parades in Florida heat are for small-block automatics.

Nowhere Man

What a small world. I grew up in New Oxford but I bought a house on the out skirts of Hanover. There is no Civil War parades But the holiday parades are very good.

If the parade route is all down hill you can just coast

59BlueSilver

65GGvert

I think it's pretty cruel to ask a 97 year old to sit in a car in the Fla sun for 2 hours. (in a car with no air and jerking back and forth with a clutch. I certainly would not let him sit on the deck lid, he'd end up in the windshield if you had to stop quickly)

6T7L71CPE

Forget about the car, a 97 YO is not going to be safe in a slow moving hot car, for two hours, in the Florida sun even at that time of year.

427435

I helped out in the local homecoming parade a week ago-------------but not with the C2. My C5 worked "OK" but the temp climbed rapidly until the electric fan kicked on---------then it would drop back. That continued for the 1/2 hour the parade lasted.

My C2 wouldn't stay cool in normal city traffic when it was new. You might visit a local car dealer and explain things including the veteran. They might loan you a convertible.