Indian Summer Arrived!
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Indian Summer Arrived!
After a few nights of mild frost, Indian Summer arrived this weekend which BTW is Thanksgiving in Canada. Not a cloud in the sky today and ~75*F. So the Wife and I headed out in the 1974 for a couple of hours. The leaves of autumn are not yet at their best display of colours but still pretty.
The old '74 was in a good mood and hummed.
The capital of Canada (Ottawa, Ontario) was established in the 1800s as a logging town. Trees were cut in the region and just north in Quebec and floated by river to processing mills (now long gone) in the city. These two pics show Gatineau, Quebec from the Ontario side. The Gatineau Hills are in the distance; in a few days they will be in much brighter colours. One pics shows the Gatineau River where it flows from the north into the Ottawa River. Many log deadheads still down below.
This pic is not too good because I was shooting into the sun. But just behind the one-way sign in the distance is 24 Sussex Drive, the residence of the Prime Minister of Canada. I tried to get a pic at the driveway leading in but the RCMP said "keep driving". But they were friendly.
A wonderful day.
The old '74 was in a good mood and hummed.
The capital of Canada (Ottawa, Ontario) was established in the 1800s as a logging town. Trees were cut in the region and just north in Quebec and floated by river to processing mills (now long gone) in the city. These two pics show Gatineau, Quebec from the Ontario side. The Gatineau Hills are in the distance; in a few days they will be in much brighter colours. One pics shows the Gatineau River where it flows from the north into the Ottawa River. Many log deadheads still down below.
This pic is not too good because I was shooting into the sun. But just behind the one-way sign in the distance is 24 Sussex Drive, the residence of the Prime Minister of Canada. I tried to get a pic at the driveway leading in but the RCMP said "keep driving". But they were friendly.
A wonderful day.
Last edited by Paul L; Oct 9, 2011 at 05:03 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 483
Likes: 3
From: d.d.o quebec
Very nice picture Paul, I to went out today with my wife. I finally finished updating the front suspension, with new upper and lower ball joints. Added the VBP rack and pinion and finally got the shark bar in..... We ended up downtown on saint Catherine street walked around and stopped for a couple of cappuccinos. It was a beautiful day for sure. One thing I have to say though, WHAT A DIFFERENCE it is to drive. The car finally feels like I imagined it would after all the upgrades. No rattles no squeaks SOLID.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Very nice picture Paul, I to went out today with my wife. I finally finished updating the front suspension, with new upper and lower ball joints. Added the VBP rack and pinion and finally got the shark bar in..... We ended up downtown on saint Catherine street walked around and stopped for a couple of cappuccinos. It was a beautiful day for sure. One thing I have to say though, WHAT A DIFFERENCE it is to drive. The car finally feels like I imagined it would after all the upgrades. No rattles no squeaks SOLID.
My steering is fine but I did consider the Borgeson conversion last spring until I got to the point where they said the steering column shaft has to be shortened. That was it for me.
Yes, despite the VBP people taking a number of shots in threads a few weeks ago I rather like their products. My rear suspension now has their #330 spring, KYB GR-2 VBP218 shocks designed for that spring, and adjustable strut rods. It sure does make a difference compared to my old steel spring and worn-out strut-rod bushings. In fact a world of difference!
And tomorrow looks the same. I may burn off more of that $1.36/liter ($6.00/gallon) gasoline.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 69
From: Regina Sk Canada
Awesome pics Paul. We have had great weather here as well. I had the Vette out this afternoon and went out on a 100 km hwy run. The car worked great, although i am not sure i could take it on a long trip? The roads are bumpy and the car rattles, i think i would sell it before i will punish myself in it for any length of time.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 483
Likes: 3
From: d.d.o quebec
Montreal is one of my favourite cities! And yes it is such a pleasure to drive rather than fix. I had a number of mechanical setbacks this summer but with a little bit of my own backpain and help from friends things turned out very nicely.
My steering is fine but I did consider the Borgeson conversion last spring until I got to the point where they said the steering column shaft has to be shortened. That was it for me.
Yes, despite the VBP people taking a number of shots in threads a few weeks ago I rather like their products. My rear suspension now has their #330 spring, KYB GR-2 VBP218 shocks designed for that spring, and adjustable strut rods. It sure does make a difference compared to my old steel spring and worn-out strut-rod bushings. In fact a world of difference!
And tomorrow looks the same. I may burn off more of that $1.36/liter ($6.00/gallon) gasoline.
My steering is fine but I did consider the Borgeson conversion last spring until I got to the point where they said the steering column shaft has to be shortened. That was it for me.
Yes, despite the VBP people taking a number of shots in threads a few weeks ago I rather like their products. My rear suspension now has their #330 spring, KYB GR-2 VBP218 shocks designed for that spring, and adjustable strut rods. It sure does make a difference compared to my old steel spring and worn-out strut-rod bushings. In fact a world of difference!
And tomorrow looks the same. I may burn off more of that $1.36/liter ($6.00/gallon) gasoline.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 483
Likes: 3
From: d.d.o quebec
Awesome pics Paul. We have had great weather here as well. I had the Vette out this afternoon and went out on a 100 km hwy run. The car worked great, although i am not sure i could take it on a long trip? The roads are bumpy and the car rattles, i think i would sell it before i will punish myself in it for any length of time.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,283
Likes: 4,373
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Paul,
Pretty Car, Pretty Picture of it!
I'm glad you two were out enjoying your car today. A wonderful weekend in Maryland too.
My Canadian city trivia.... (since you're talking cities...) my wife (the school teacher) has taken several trips to Toronto with groups of National Honor Society kids. They (and she) always have a wonderful time. Toronto is just far enough away that they stay over 2 nights, so the kids realize they're a long way from home!
Regards
Alan
Pretty Car, Pretty Picture of it!
I'm glad you two were out enjoying your car today. A wonderful weekend in Maryland too.
My Canadian city trivia.... (since you're talking cities...) my wife (the school teacher) has taken several trips to Toronto with groups of National Honor Society kids. They (and she) always have a wonderful time. Toronto is just far enough away that they stay over 2 nights, so the kids realize they're a long way from home!
Regards
Alan
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 483
Likes: 3
From: d.d.o quebec
Hi Paul,
Pretty Car, Pretty Picture of it!
I'm glad you two were out enjoying your car today. A wonderful weekend in Maryland too.
My Canadian city trivia.... (since you're talking cities...) my wife (the school teacher) has taken several trips to Toronto with groups of National Honor Society kids. They (and she) always have a wonderful time. Toronto is just far enough away that they stay over 2 nights, so the kids realize they're a long way from home!
Regards
Alan
Pretty Car, Pretty Picture of it!
I'm glad you two were out enjoying your car today. A wonderful weekend in Maryland too.
My Canadian city trivia.... (since you're talking cities...) my wife (the school teacher) has taken several trips to Toronto with groups of National Honor Society kids. They (and she) always have a wonderful time. Toronto is just far enough away that they stay over 2 nights, so the kids realize they're a long way from home!
Regards
Alan
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Awesome pics Paul. We have had great weather here as well. I had the Vette out this afternoon and went out on a 100 km hwy run. The car worked great, although i am not sure i could take it on a long trip? The roads are bumpy and the car rattles, i think i would sell it before i will punish myself in it for any length of time.
They all rattle. If they don't, something has fallen off! My limit is about two hours and a $100.00 flatbed ride home if need be.
Having said that, the repairs this summer have given me a lot more confidence in the car.
People rag on the rubber bumper cars but I rather like it more than my 1967 coupe. Heresy!!
Last edited by Paul L; Oct 9, 2011 at 07:56 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,207
Likes: 26
From: Ocean County NJ
Beautiful car and pictures! Happy Thanksgiving! I work for a company based in Vancouver so my colleagues and friends are also enjoying a long weekend. For those of us south of the border, it's back to work tomorrow.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Hi Paul,
Pretty Car, Pretty Picture of it!
I'm glad you two were out enjoying your car today. A wonderful weekend in Maryland too.
My Canadian city trivia.... (since you're talking cities...) my wife (the school teacher) has taken several trips to Toronto with groups of National Honor Society kids. They (and she) always have a wonderful time. Toronto is just far enough away that they stay over 2 nights, so the kids realize they're a long way from home!
Regards
Alan
Pretty Car, Pretty Picture of it!
I'm glad you two were out enjoying your car today. A wonderful weekend in Maryland too.
My Canadian city trivia.... (since you're talking cities...) my wife (the school teacher) has taken several trips to Toronto with groups of National Honor Society kids. They (and she) always have a wonderful time. Toronto is just far enough away that they stay over 2 nights, so the kids realize they're a long way from home!
Regards
Alan
Your Wife sounds like a wonderful person! Toronto can be fun but Montreal is an "experience" to be much more enjoyed. C'est bilingue and kids would love to have a go at French. The Botanical Gardens are a real joy. My undergraduate degree is in biology/plant sciences and I marvel at its offerings.
Ottawa has the national museums of Canada and very nice but does not have the joie de vivre (joy of life) of Quebec.
Last edited by Paul L; Oct 9, 2011 at 07:31 PM.
thanks Paul, for the positive review , Alain he is right Montreal is a nice change..... I love Ottawa too, i love the area near King street, you get both the old and the new together.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Alan,
Your Wife sounds like a wonderful person! Toronto can be fun but Montreal is an "experience" to be much more enjoyed. C'est bilingue and kids would love to have a go at French. The Botanical Gardens are a real joy. My undergraduate degree is in biology/plant sciences and I marvel at its offerings.
Ottawa has the national museums of Canada and very nice but does not have the joie de vivre (joy of life) of Quebec.
Your Wife sounds like a wonderful person! Toronto can be fun but Montreal is an "experience" to be much more enjoyed. C'est bilingue and kids would love to have a go at French. The Botanical Gardens are a real joy. My undergraduate degree is in biology/plant sciences and I marvel at its offerings.
Ottawa has the national museums of Canada and very nice but does not have the joie de vivre (joy of life) of Quebec.
Most Canadians find Toronto to be 'just like any another American city' with no real character. Paul is right that Ottawa and Montreal (amongst many others) are truly Canadian in culture. 
I'm sure to get bashed for my Toronto comment.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Ottawa is OK....But my post was just to celebrate the fine weather we are having and Corvette driving. Back to normal on Wednesday with rain and cooling temps and then I see winter storage in sight.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 483
Likes: 3
From: d.d.o quebec
)
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
