Oh what a feeling!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 596
Likes: 1
Oh what a feeling!
After thirteen months of cleaning, scraping, grinding, busting, bleeding, burning and bashing I have finally found the end of the tunnel. After the wife and kids went to bed, I uncovered the car, brought it in the shop and realized that all I had left to do was add a little pinstriping to the hood and I was good to go. I eased out onto an empty road at around 11:30 P.M. , and went for the best ride I've ever had in this car. I'ts real chilly out tonight, and the cool air felt great flowing around the cockpit. The refreshed engine with new cam and lifters purrs nicely in the cruising range. Then, when I got into the 4-brl, puuwwaaaa! We're gone! I took a nice 30 mile cruise up the highway and back, tried a few launches when I got close to home, and everything went great! I didn't even bring my toolbox this run. I pulled in the driveway, shut her off, admired her for a while, and put the cover back on. No new problem. No new forum question. I can't tell you how good this feels, I only wish it for all of you going through the process now. A great ride will come to you one day and you will feel proud!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
That sounds like a nice little cruise for you, and near the end of your project. Sometimes those short 30 mile drives to nowhere end up being the best incentive to continue rebuilding our cars.
kdf
kdf
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 20
From: Central Michigan
Know exactly how you feel
The day I got my tags, after five long years, took the car out for the first time to the gas station and filled it up, then for a cruise. Didn't go far(needed to align it), but the feeling of driving my 68 for the first time was priceless
The day I got my tags, after five long years, took the car out for the first time to the gas station and filled it up, then for a cruise. Didn't go far(needed to align it), but the feeling of driving my 68 for the first time was priceless
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,581
Likes: 14
From: Tolar Texas
Congratulations ... and thanks for the inspirational post.
I took my Vette out of service in August of '05 for paint. I just declared the paint work complete as of today when I made my final pass polishing with a D.A. buffer.
Although the worst of it is done, (paint
), I still need to install the new carpet, weatherstripping, and doors. Repainting some of the interior trim pieces is starting to appear on my "WHILE-I'M-AT-IT" radar. I don't know, maybe I should hold off on some of the extra stuff so I can enjoy my car for a while before summer is over.
... and thanks for the inspirational post.I took my Vette out of service in August of '05 for paint. I just declared the paint work complete as of today when I made my final pass polishing with a D.A. buffer.
Although the worst of it is done, (paint
), I still need to install the new carpet, weatherstripping, and doors. Repainting some of the interior trim pieces is starting to appear on my "WHILE-I'M-AT-IT" radar. I don't know, maybe I should hold off on some of the extra stuff so I can enjoy my car for a while before summer is over.
