It is alive
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Irma Northern WI
It is alive
I have owned my '72 Steel Cities Gray 454 Corvette for more than 38 years now. We have grown old together. She is as beautiful today as the day I met her. The interior is near perfect. The paint shows its age even though it has been garaged and covered since I purchased it in '74. It is original with the exception of an LS-6, roller assist clutch and M-22 that I put in nearly 30 yrs ago. How time flies. (I have the original drive train still together in the corner of the shop.) This is the first that the car has been started in 10 yrs. The car has just over 41,000 original miles. When I put the LS-6 in the car at about 40,000 miles I also upgraded the suspension to F-41 Specifications.
I just wanted to share with someone that the car is now running after all this time. If you are wondering why now, I lost a couple of friends this last summer. Makes an old man think. Thanks for reading the words of a rambling old man but, I fell in love all over again today.
.
I just wanted to share with someone that the car is now running after all this time. If you are wondering why now, I lost a couple of friends this last summer. Makes an old man think. Thanks for reading the words of a rambling old man but, I fell in love all over again today.
.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
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RB
Sounds like a really great car. You must have been busy the last 10 years to ignore it. How about some pictures, and let us know how it feels to be back behind the wheel...maybe like hooking up with an old girlfriend?
FR
Sounds like a really great car. You must have been busy the last 10 years to ignore it. How about some pictures, and let us know how it feels to be back behind the wheel...maybe like hooking up with an old girlfriend?
FR
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Irma Northern WI
I have a million excuses for not having driven the car. I was never rich and it was a luxury. I worked away from home so home time was not all the frequent.
It is easy just to get caught up in life and other things. When I did have more money, I purchased an '09. I seldom drive that one either. I just happen to love the cars but certainly dont use them much. My '09 has just over 2000 miles, in four summers of driving. Life hands you little time and lots to do.
.
It is easy just to get caught up in life and other things. When I did have more money, I purchased an '09. I seldom drive that one either. I just happen to love the cars but certainly dont use them much. My '09 has just over 2000 miles, in four summers of driving. Life hands you little time and lots to do.
.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
i too have a 72 steel cities gray vette and start her up sometimes just to hear her run. More than 5 years ago I started the rebuild and it's killing me not to be able to drive her yet! Get that thing out and drive it!!!!
Sully
Sully
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,301
Likes: 4,389
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi rb,
Interesting tale!
Driving a car that you've owned for many, many, years, but haven't driven for a long time, is a wonderful experience.
I had the same situation and realized I'd really changed, (gotten VERY old).... but the car hadn't changed at all.
HOW ABOUT SOME PICTURES!!!
Regards,
Alan
Interesting tale!
Driving a car that you've owned for many, many, years, but haven't driven for a long time, is a wonderful experience.
I had the same situation and realized I'd really changed, (gotten VERY old).... but the car hadn't changed at all.
HOW ABOUT SOME PICTURES!!!
Regards,
Alan
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Nice to see a long time owner that is getting it ready to drive again 
I have had my 65 convertible for 41 years this month. I bought it in November of 1971. I definitely grew up with this car. Get out and drive it. It makes you feel 18 again 
I have had my 65 convertible for 41 years this month. I bought it in November of 1971. I definitely grew up with this car. Get out and drive it. It makes you feel 18 again
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Madeira Beach, FL
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Hey Steel Cities Gray is my favorite corvette color
I wanted something different and could not find such color avail when I was ready to buy.
I would have loved the BR green w/ saddle leather interior second.
I ended up w/ Safari yellow in a 68 BB.
I love this color more each day.
You are blessed to have been able to keep her for 38 years.
Sometimes life doesn't permit such luxuriies.
Drive it and show the world what they are missing.
I can''t take my 68 out w/o answering a bunch of questions.
Stop for gas, don't expect to get out of there quickly.
It is a lifestyle, you never loose it Bro!!!
Remember, what you used to do all night, now takes you all night to do!
Glad life has permitted you to enjoy her again.
Come to Philly and we will take a country ride outside the city.
Marshal
I wanted something different and could not find such color avail when I was ready to buy.
I would have loved the BR green w/ saddle leather interior second.
I ended up w/ Safari yellow in a 68 BB.
I love this color more each day.
You are blessed to have been able to keep her for 38 years.
Sometimes life doesn't permit such luxuriies.
Drive it and show the world what they are missing.
I can''t take my 68 out w/o answering a bunch of questions.
Stop for gas, don't expect to get out of there quickly.
It is a lifestyle, you never loose it Bro!!!
Remember, what you used to do all night, now takes you all night to do!
Glad life has permitted you to enjoy her again.
Come to Philly and we will take a country ride outside the city.
Marshal
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Williamsport PA
I have a '71 , enjoy driving her . Only problem I have is getting out of the Vette .
I'm 73 with bad knees, damn it can be struggle some days . Getting in NO
PROBLEM once in I feel dag gone cool . Enjoy! enjoy !
I'm 73 with bad knees, damn it can be struggle some days . Getting in NO
PROBLEM once in I feel dag gone cool . Enjoy! enjoy !
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Irma Northern WI
I took these pictures this am to share with you. I must apologize for the dust and condensation on the camera lens for the interior pic. Here you go. BTW I do not think that driving this will make me feel younger, more likely make me feel old. LOL
http://i1336.photobucket.com/albums/...9/DSC02004.jpg
http://i1336.photobucket.com/albums/...9/DSC02004.jpg
Racer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 341
Likes: 2
From: Elderslie, Scotland
get some miles on both of them, don't know what age you are. My wee mother has bought 3 new cars this year, (UK cars. 1 she got because her old one neede serviced, 2nd was due to the one she bought not having AC and now she is happy with the first model as it has AC now 
) she loves her iPhone as well, apps and facetime
She's 79.......
Get out there and drive.... Or I'll fly over and take them off you
) she loves her iPhone as well, apps and facetime She's 79.......
Get out there and drive.... Or I'll fly over and take them off you
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Irma Northern WI
Hey Steel Cities Gray is my favorite corvette color
I wanted something different and could not find such color avail when I was ready to buy.
I would have loved the BR green w/ saddle leather interior second.
I ended up w/ Safari yellow in a 68 BB.
I love this color more each day.
You are blessed to have been able to keep her for 38 years.
Sometimes life doesn't permit such luxuriies.
Drive it and show the world what they are missing.
I can''t take my 68 out w/o answering a bunch of questions.
Stop for gas, don't expect to get out of there quickly.
It is a lifestyle, you never loose it Bro!!!
Remember, what you used to do all night, now takes you all night to do!
Glad life has permitted you to enjoy her again.
Come to Philly and we will take a country ride outside the city.
Marshal
I wanted something different and could not find such color avail when I was ready to buy.
I would have loved the BR green w/ saddle leather interior second.
I ended up w/ Safari yellow in a 68 BB.
I love this color more each day.
You are blessed to have been able to keep her for 38 years.
Sometimes life doesn't permit such luxuriies.
Drive it and show the world what they are missing.
I can''t take my 68 out w/o answering a bunch of questions.
Stop for gas, don't expect to get out of there quickly.
It is a lifestyle, you never loose it Bro!!!
Remember, what you used to do all night, now takes you all night to do!
Glad life has permitted you to enjoy her again.
Come to Philly and we will take a country ride outside the city.
Marshal
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: candler nc
I took these pictures this am to share with you. I must apologize for the dust and condensation on the camera lens for the interior pic. Here you go. BTW I do not think that driving this will make me feel younger, more likely make me feel old. LOL
http://i1336.photobucket.com/albums/...9/DSC02004.jpg
http://i1336.photobucket.com/albums/...9/DSC02004.jpg
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,120
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From: Madeira Beach, FL
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roadblock,
nice pics love that color.
Outside Philly about a 1/2 hr away is Bucks County.
You will be in Awe in the fall.
As for WI sounds like a nice offer.
Can we see the HD museum and a packers game?
Marshal
nice pics love that color.
Outside Philly about a 1/2 hr away is Bucks County.
You will be in Awe in the fall.
As for WI sounds like a nice offer.
Can we see the HD museum and a packers game?
Marshal