So I'm out on the blue ridge parkway for an enjoyable cruise due to the nice weather with a gal I just started dating. It has snowed here but the roads were clear and mostly dry yesterday. While driving we come around a corner that was in the shade, so the DOT had spread sand on the pavement due to the snow. I hit the wet sand and skidded up on to an embankment that was close to 45 degrees inclined. We slid up the embankment, thru the snow and back down. I really thought the vette was going to roll over. We could see our tire marks and how far up the embankment we went and how close we came to rolling over. As we come down the embankment we just missed a road sign by about 1-2 inches. Had we skidded another 30 feet or so we may have actually gone right off the side of the mountain. Needless to say my date and I were a little shaken. I was not driving fast and infact was applying my brakes when we skidded.

We ended up half on the road and half in the ditch on the side of the road. After checking our pants for poo we tried to get the car out of the ditch. Too much snow and mud to get the car to budge. Some nice drivers stopped and helped us push her out of the ditch.

I can't believe how lucky we were not be hurt or killed had the car rolled as there is no protection in a rollover in a vert. Other than paint flaking off the front bumper there appears to be no damage to the vette. What an experience! I'll be posting soon with questions on how to fabricate a custom roll bar. I'm not tempting fate twice.

Jim



And here is the girl riding with me before we crapped in our pants...

 

yikes! pics would be nice... I mean, interesting..

 

I'm trying to get pics posted from my phone but can't figure out how to get it from text message mode to email.

 

When your ready, PM me and I'll fill you in on some rollbar ideas and 'vert specific issues.

 

I guess she won't be back, eh?

 

A famous philosopher once said: "Ice, ice baby, too cold....too cold!"

Here's the damage on my Mustang after hitting an ice patch (no chick in the car though)

 

Maybe you should wear a helmet, too. And safety glasses, ya never know when the windshield might shatter into a million pieces.....some steel-toed boots and a cup couldn't hurt, either.

I just had to use that new smily!


Scott

 

It was snowing here pretty good above 8000 feet. So I just put on my Vette tire chains.

 

I'll shoot you a pm after I talk to my guy who does custom metal work. I drew up some rough schematics this morning of what I want to make but need input on the structural integrity of what I want to possibly make.

 

Glad you're alright! Keep us informed on your roll bar. I may be interested in one for my 75 Vert.

 

 

Pics of chick?!?!

 

Glad you 2 are ok, and the car too. I have been on the Parkway in bad weather too, can get tricky. Ususally at the Meadows of Dan, it's closed when there is snow and ice. I am interested in a roll cage/bar also, have a '71 vert.

 

Glad the three of you ( you, the girl and the car, in no specific order) are all no worse for the wear.
It must be a beautiful ride this time of year. I learned when I rode it on my bike to take it easy on turns that you cant see around -- but in my case because of deer.

(Edit - I hope to ride it some day in the vert).

 

dude thats awesome and what a story...are you sure something else wasnt going on when you went off the road????? its totally reasonable looking at your pics to see how this could happen . i think role bars on vets just dont look right so in my opinion i would say just keep the zip up till you get home.

 

What you're implying would have made for an even better story but sorry to say I was simply driving... no distractions at the time. As for the rollbar, normally they don't look very good which is why I'm working on a chrome double hoop design which will look more like an oem rollbar... not a racing rollbar. I'm also going to work on making it partially removeable... if possible and without sacrificing strength. In the end looks are secondary to having some bit of protection in the event of a rollover. The thought of getting pancaked when the car flips is not a thought I want to experience again. A rollbar is no guarantee of safety but may give the passenger and I a chance. Most of the time I have my kids in the car and have an obligation to do everything I can to protect them.

Jim

 

Jim, I don't have a Convettable Vette, but I do have a soft top CJ 7 and a Soft top early Bronco. I concurre on building a saftey bar double hoop. I have rolled the Bronco countless times 4 wheeling. It is amazing on how much an 8 point FRAME mounted cage can withstand. Heck we even flipped over backwards walking up a limestone wall, and fell directly onto the top of the cage. Just remember, the safety bar is only as strong as the mounting points are, Seat belts must be worn also. Does this mean the 5 speed is being delayed? I hope not. Al

 

The T5 project is still moving forward. I have been assembling parts over the last week and hope to get the vette to the shop doing the tranny install within the next 2 weeks. Then the rollbar project will begin.

Jim

 

Snow? Ice? On the road?!?!?! We only use ice for our drinks here... I have heard of sand on the road though, when it's windy near the beach...
In all seriousness, glad you guys are ok.

 

Vettes, women and snow..................3 of the most common distractions!