Sitting in school all day, I can't help but look out the window and sigh at the desolate gloom that is Northeast Ohio in January. The barren trees cry out to be reunited with the lush green that used to cover them. The horizon becomes indistinguishable, as the grey skies blend seamlessly with the salt stained roads. Venture into the outside, and the bitter air slaps you in the face and orders you to return to the synthetically heated indoors. Howling wind has a fowl edge that roars in defiance, professing its victory over the welcoming warm of summer.

How I long at the end of the day to walk out of my school, coatless, and turn the key on the pride of the parking lot. I yearn to let her sing her sweet song of 350 cubic inches for all of the four door, neon lit, coffee canned race car imposters to behold. Oh how I miss the feeling of the warm breeze in my face, as air rushes into the cabin, t tops stowed behind,windows down. I've almost forgetten the feeling of joy of crusing the highways late at night, the moon gleaming its pearly gaze upon her voluptuous fenders and slim wasteline.

Alas, she sleeps. Her rubber shoes removed, as she is suspended in air and time. Her innards lie on the floor, victim of a shift kit and headers. Days go by, and still she sits, waiting for the door of freedom to be opened, when once again she will roam freely the streets of the land. Her song will be heard, for she will sing it proudly.







Man, I miss summer. I miss my Corvette. :o

 

Even Poets Drive Corvettes!

 

When do you cold weather guys start your new season?

 

nice

 

Streched Her Legs Today For About A 30 Minute Drive

 

Im driving my vette this winter and i still long for summer. The tops havent been off in soooooo long. so did you write that bored sitting in school? i feel your pain

 

move to south texas i was driving around here last couple days woth the tops off and windows down mid 60s for the high nicest tmie ever

 

I'm glad you asked that question.

I live in southern Minnesota, not too far from the Iowa border. It is currently 14 above here and the skies are clear. Mornings are around
0 to -5 or so. We have had about 30+ inches of snow this winter, a little less than average.

I put my corvettes (and other toys) away about the 1st week of November. Some go into a storage building along with lots of other guys' toys. Everything from bikes to musclecars to campers sit there awaiting the first signs of spring.

All winter I only go out to the garage when necessary. No projects out there, just indoor projects. I plan my corvette projects and buy parts. And I try to learn as much as I can about my C3 via this website and some others.

Last week I went to Phoenix for a few days. That helped break up the winter. Toward the end of February we will go to Las Vegas. We go there twice a year, usually with some of our friends or our adult children. It's just nice to walk around outside with only a light jacket.

By the third week in March all the snow here will be gone. Then the reddy heater (70,000 BTU) will be able to heat the garage to 55-60 or so. Then I will start leaving my daily driver out and I will pull over the lift and the 72 and start my to-do list for this spring. This year I plan on pulling the rear end and refurbishing and replacing most everything back there. New composite spring, brake calipers, lines, rotors, etc., rebuild the trailing arms, new smart struts, edelbrock shocks, and u joints and seals. If that all goes well I will look at the exhaust. It really needs replacing. I have new VBP upper A-arms to go with the lower ones already on the car.

Inside I have a new console and emergency brake cover to install. Also I will be installing all new vacuum hoses. A few more minor projects and that will be it for the summer. This will all be done hopefully by mid-May. By Memorial Day it will be just as warm as all but the hottest southern regions.

I try to budget myself about $2000 per year for both corvettes. I don't think I have ever kept to that budget.

 

Don't tell my wife, but that's the main reason I wanted to stay in Florida instead of moving to Tennessee like we talked about.

For you northern guys, I dunno, maybe with any luck the global warming kooks are right and you'll be able to drive year-round soon.

 

i was able to make it to the sunday after thanks giving this year. the longest ive ever had it on the road.

a couple major things normally break over winter for me though, so im normally not back on the road till late july/august. im shooting for late march this year.

 

See I grew up in Mich and moved to California in 1979.I hear about the cold from the family all the time. I just didn't really think about cars going down for the winter when I was living there. I do remember bikes were only a summer thing as I had one then. Now I see it from a different viewpoint as I hear from owners in that climate. I do remember the March spring weather though.

 

..... maybe you've seen 'em, but those odd-numbered Red, White, and Blue signs, run North & South.



In the morning, put the sun (or where the sun would-be ) out the driver's-side window, and drive until you see these:



..... works everytime!!!!!

 

Except I was going to say: "That sounds like something a Philosophical Poet Major would say"!!!

Just kidding of course!!! Actually I feel the same way,........except a little less dramatic.

But, since mine is a project, I'm actually glad we have a few more months before it's that time again.

I still need to:

1) Pull the Tranny
2) Pull the stock Exhaust
3) Install the new VBP #550 Front Springs
4) Clean & Paint the Engine Compartment
5) Install the rebuilt TH350 w/Shift Kit & 3000 Stall Converter
6) Install the new 406ci motor
7) Cut a hole in the hood - (For the Dual Quads & BDS Scoop)
8) Install the new LT Headers, 2.5" Dual Exhaust, and Flowmasters
9) Install the new Weatherstrip Kit
10) Install the new HID Conversion Kit

And finally,.........

11) Take a huge truck load of empty cardbord boxes (that's holding all this stuff) up to the recycle bin.

 

Winter blues. Tell me about it. We had a minor ice storm yesterday in VA. Mine's been up on jack stands for 3+ weeks now; it's been about 5 weeks since I've driven it. Currently:

• installed rebuilt steering box. I had the best rebuild it: Gary
• working on installing new Sony CD/ipod radio
• preparing to build a rear speaker cab. in my dad's woodshop
• rebuilding shifter; almost done

 

I grew up in Northeastern OH (North Olmsted) and know what you mean. By February I was scrathing the screens out of the window just dying for a little sunshine and a few nice warm days. Hang in there it will come.

Oh, btw - it will be a "chilly" 65 degrees here in Chandler today

 

DAYUM..... it'll barely get into the 80*s today at Bradenton, without a cloud in the sky:
I gotta find my sun-tan lotion before headin'-out to the drag-strip.....

 

Dayum nice write up. Makes me ready for summer to be here too. I hate winter. Cold, dreary, my hands and feet never get warm........

 

I'm going to help a C5-owner get-started in drag-racing, competing in the Summit Points Series :
I'll take pix and post them for you to oogle until it thaws-out in your neck o' da woods!

 

This morning in Ontario Canada, summers under there somewhere.

 

One other good thing about California. I can head to the mountains for snow, and the ocean for a swim. All ion the same day. SO for today...Im taking the kids to see snow!