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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared))
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (track prepared)
There's a harvest gold '55 that's driven here where I live. Of course in northern Minnesota that's 3-4 months out of the year. He's not a forum member.
I don't see many 55 MGAs, 55 VWs, 55 MBZ190SL, 55 T-Birds out on the road much anymore either. Hardly ever see a 55 anything. I don't think it's a Corvette only issue.
Very few early C-1's are seen on the road in the MotorCity and I am out on Woodward most weekend summer nights. Not even many are at Cruise-ins or car shows.
Just finished mine . My 57 will be a common site this summer and every summer on the local roads . I can't see owning it if you don't use it . What are you saving it for , the next generation don't want it ?
I'm currently restoring my 55 (vin 398). When completed, I plan on driving it as much as possible. I own a 54 and a 56. I drive them as much as I can. I personally feel that it comes down to what makes you happy. If bringing your car in a trailer makes you happy, so be it. For me, the cars were meant to be driven.
'53 Healey I drive regularly during the summer. Once a year I do a 100 to 200 mile trek to an all Healey show Probably my favorite car to "just" drive.
There are way too many garage queens. How are kids going to want them for ANY price if they never see them hustling by doing something cool?!
Outside of where a car show (yawn) is occurring I see maybe a dozen old Corvettes a year out on the road. 67 and below.
What a shame. There are so many around and they’re another mass produced Chevy- no reason not to use them except for what goes on between the ears of the owners.
I will say this forum attracts people who drive and modify their cars and that is refreshing.
I don't see many 55 MGAs, 55 VWs, 55 MBZ190SL, 55 T-Birds out on the road much anymore either. Hardly ever see a 55 anything. I don't think it's a Corvette only issue.
One exception would be 55 Bel Airs, 210's etc. Of course it could be due to the fact they made a million of them.
I drive my 57 all the time. All over Cape Cod in the spring, summer and fall. In December I load her up and bring her to Cape Coral, Fl where I drive her all the time. I am from the school that says "if you don't drive it, why own it".
Many seem to be in the hands of geriatrics, who can't get in and out of them anymore, like they did 20 years ago, and lost interest in driving them. I am aware of a Physician, perhaps 75-80 years old, in Sedona that has two or three C1 cars, haven't left the garage in 10 years or more, not for drives, not for shows, just garage art, for all I know. I haven't personally seen the cars, but they are supposedly nice, I believe they were restored to 'as original", and never driven after that.
Ill never understand going out of ones way NOT to drive it..especially if its rare. Thats the whole fun of it!!!
Traffic conditions have pretty much deteriorated everywhere, many more cars on the roads, often driven by people not paying attention to what is going on, who wants to sit is stop and go traffic in a C1 or c2?. I drive my cars a lot more now that i live in a rural area, than compared to when i lived in metro PHX, (much less metro L.A. ) where you had a major stop light every 1 mile, with two minor stop lights in between, and it was always accelerate as fast as you can, brake hard for the next light in a pack of 30 cars. No fun.
Feels good to know others drive their Corvettes like I do ,drove my 57 FI aut. P/W P/T for over 30 years also . Got more enjoyment then any money could buy and by the way Im 78 and still drive the hell out of them
Last edited by 1955 copper; 01-20-2019 at 01:32 PM.
Reason: add more info
Many seem to be in the hands of geriatrics, who can't get in and out of them anymore, like they did 20 years ago, and lost interest in driving them. I am aware of a Physician, perhaps 75-80 years old, in Sedona that has two or three C1 cars, haven't left the garage in 10 years or more, not for drives, not for shows, just garage art, for all I know. I haven't personally seen the cars, but they are supposedly nice, I believe they were restored to 'as original", and never driven after that.
Doug
This is why I sold all our C1's and now have one C2, a 1967 with freezing cold factory air, power steering, power brakes, auto trans. I drive mine quite a bit but the summer heat in traffic can beat you up pretty bad here in So Cal. Windows up for me, with one eye on the rear view mirror waiting for the millennial texting to rear end me.
01-19-2019, 05:43 PM
Any 55 are still driven like they should be?
