I write a tech page for some C2 & C3 forums, todays was different and I think it is appropriate to post it here as well. Maybe some of you frequent those forums and have seen this.

2/9/24
Weekly Tech Page
This week was an interesting one. The usual Corvette issues of repairing others work and addressing problems within the work, but that is not important in the overall scheme of life.

We all have one thing in common, we like old Corvettes. In fact, I would say being around them since 1965 as a kid and finally buying my first one in 1978, we either Love them or Hate them. The haters move on typically, those like most of us deal with the issues to keep the car on the road and enjoy them for a short time.

All good but not the most important thing in life. Family and friends are more important, some may not agree, and I am sorry for those people. Today I was informed we lost another Corvette guy who was very much involved in the hobby, David Howard.
I knew of David from his participation on various forums for years and did have the chance to meet him on Nov 22, 2022 when he traveled to CT to visit me and have me check some differentials he had acquired. Nov 22 is also a dark day in history but has nothing to do with David’s visit. David and his friend Bob visited with me a few hours. I was happy to give them a mini seminar on Corvette rebuilding and how various rebuilders out there are scam artist. It was a pleasant time and didn’t seem all that long ago.

So, stop your whining about your cars for a short time. Take a moment away from these cars and be grateful for what you have today. These cars were not well made, they sell for more than they are worth in my opinion, but they are just a machine. Machines can be rebuilt, humans cannot for the most part. It is a path we all will travel and traveling in a vette is cool but not everything.

With that said, I actually do have some tech to share but this is it for this page for now. I will post some more information soon.
Stay well.

 

Amen.

 

I met David several times, and and he was a great person. We truly lost another good man, and a person we shared our love for these cars. He built multiple cars over the years I have been on this forum, and they were all very nicely done. I agree with Gary, and we all need to be grateful, and remember what is really important in life.

 

Agree 100%. I (we) all lost a good friend in David. I have been in the Corvette hobby with David for over 14 years. We worked on a lot of cars together. I sold my C3 but still have a passion for them. He just loved helping other realize their dream. He was a true friend and I will miss him a lot. I have found it is the people we meet through this hobby not so much the machines. They come and go true friends are forever and what is important.

 

Well said. As an old guy I can say it truly is important to value our family and friends, no matter how we acquire them, more than our material things. I am fortunate in having a spouse of more than 48 years and a half a dozen friends for more than 50. I am thankful for them every day, and make a point of telling them every chance I can. GTR, thanks for starting this.

 

Amen brother.

 

Much like yourself Gary - I've been messin' around here in the UK since '66/'67 firstly with bikes, then cars. Initially with Brit cars and when 25 (and sensibly priced insurance became available to me at 25, American cars). I bought my first US Ford in 1975. Having relatives working for Ford UK and living close to FoMoCo's main works in Dagenham it seemed the right thing to do........anyway a succession of Galaxies and Mustangs (some were quite rare - '66 Galaxie 7 Litre, '71 Mustang 429 SCJ, '67 Fairlane 390 GTA), finally buyingh my first (and only Corvette), a '68 427 Coupe at the age of 50 in 2000.
I made (and still have) many friends in the UK Corvette network (acting as Editor for Vette News and later as CCCUK Chairman). I am no doubt one of the 'older guys'......and, yes too here in the UK have gradually been loosing people, frequently younger than myself. Such is interest in 60's, 70's American vehicles, both street, hot rodding and drag racing) that we don't really see too many younger guys stepping-up with all the past experience and knowlege to replace the old stagers (not that anyone could can ever replace their personalities). And yes we too have also 'lost' some of our more experienced traders and specialists. Long gone are the days when we could take a drive out to the East Anglia region of the UK, visit a scrapyard full of wrecked American cars adjacent to some of the USAF air bases (not that many servicemen ever shipped over Corvettes during their stay here) and 'pull' some rare parts off. RIP David Howard.