Holy #$%!! - Not Again!!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
Holy #$%!! - Not Again!!!
I just had the nose replaced in late June after having a piece of retread fly up and smack it.
This morning on our way to the beach to see the sun rise, we're listening to xm and tooling along with the cruise on, and WHAMMM!!!
From nowhere a complete wheel and tire are laying in the middle of my lane and there isn't even time to hit the brakes or swerve before I took it right down the center. Luckily we didn't lose control or tear a wheel clean off, and we're VERY fortunate it went under instead of over the car. I'm still reeling in my head as we encounter what looked like the fender that used to surround this tire, also just about right down the middle of the undercarriage.
Dena and I are fine, and I pulled off about 200 yards ahead to check out the car. Bear in mind it's still not yet 6:30, and this stretch of I-4 has no streetlights, so it's quite dark. I expected to see all sorts of fluids draining out, and I had to look quickly to avoid having my head under the car on the shoulder there with traffic approaching. From what I could see there was only the expected water dripping from the A/C, and when I stopped there was no steam, oil pressure was steady, the e-brake worked, and the brakes held firm.
As I checked out the car and worked to break free the side of the center air flap that was still attached and causing it to drag straight back near the RF wheel, at least 4 or 5 other cars stopped either back closer to the spot where the wheel was or just past me. Once I got the air dam removed and decided nothing was dragging or draining, I drove to the exit just ahead and went to a gas station to wait for the trooper and see what things looked like in better light.
Looks like I'll need a new nose, front plate cover, possibly R brake duct, front subframe, air dam pieces, and a RF inner fender liner, plus some paint, so far
. I'll post pics when I get back to work tomorrow and grab a camera, but it looks like I'll be in a #$^@%$ rental again for a while, and probably won't have the vette back in time for the trip to the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. 
Once this repair is done, I'm pulling the hardbar and harnesses out, putting the stock exhaust back on, and it's time to order the 07, I think.
This car has done great at protecting me when it had to
and providing some really fun track days when it got to play
, but I think somebody's trying to tell me it's time for the C6. 
This morning on our way to the beach to see the sun rise, we're listening to xm and tooling along with the cruise on, and WHAMMM!!!
From nowhere a complete wheel and tire are laying in the middle of my lane and there isn't even time to hit the brakes or swerve before I took it right down the center. Luckily we didn't lose control or tear a wheel clean off, and we're VERY fortunate it went under instead of over the car. I'm still reeling in my head as we encounter what looked like the fender that used to surround this tire, also just about right down the middle of the undercarriage.
Dena and I are fine, and I pulled off about 200 yards ahead to check out the car. Bear in mind it's still not yet 6:30, and this stretch of I-4 has no streetlights, so it's quite dark. I expected to see all sorts of fluids draining out, and I had to look quickly to avoid having my head under the car on the shoulder there with traffic approaching. From what I could see there was only the expected water dripping from the A/C, and when I stopped there was no steam, oil pressure was steady, the e-brake worked, and the brakes held firm.
As I checked out the car and worked to break free the side of the center air flap that was still attached and causing it to drag straight back near the RF wheel, at least 4 or 5 other cars stopped either back closer to the spot where the wheel was or just past me. Once I got the air dam removed and decided nothing was dragging or draining, I drove to the exit just ahead and went to a gas station to wait for the trooper and see what things looked like in better light.
Looks like I'll need a new nose, front plate cover, possibly R brake duct, front subframe, air dam pieces, and a RF inner fender liner, plus some paint, so far
. I'll post pics when I get back to work tomorrow and grab a camera, but it looks like I'll be in a #$^@%$ rental again for a while, and probably won't have the vette back in time for the trip to the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. Once this repair is done, I'm pulling the hardbar and harnesses out, putting the stock exhaust back on, and it's time to order the 07, I think.
This car has done great at protecting me when it had to
and providing some really fun track days when it got to play , but I think somebody's trying to tell me it's time for the C6.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 727
Likes: 0
From: Olympia Washington
I'm so sorry to hear about this, but very glad you are OK. We had a simi go right next to us last summer and I thought we just got bombed. After I changed my shorts and pulled remaining leather out of my azz, we continued down the road.
Vinnie
Vinnie
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 19,557
Likes: 1,470
From: I love you & miss you Linda
2017 C7 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Contributor
You had a complete tire AND wheel go under your car from front to back????????
You are lucky that you were able to drive the car safely through that. Maybe more than lucky but a very good and cool driver...
That sounds almost impossible to a car that sits 4" off the ground.
Glad you two are ok...
You are lucky that you were able to drive the car safely through that. Maybe more than lucky but a very good and cool driver...
That sounds almost impossible to a car that sits 4" off the ground.
Glad you two are ok...
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,806
Likes: 70
From: Rochester MN
I know the feeling. I hit a wheel/tire going down interstate in dark in my Grand Prix. Blew out front tire doing 60, bent rim, ruined front wheel bearing, went under car and bent both rear struts so I rear tire was on a steep angle. Car was in shop over 2 weeks. This stuff is hard to see in dark.
Good luck with repair !
Good luck with repair !
Good luck with the repair!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,335
Likes: 0
From: Buckeye Country OH
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08
Wow, I'd say it is time for a C6 after that string of bad luck. Glad you both are doing fine, that is indeed a scary situation to find yourself in!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 4
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
I'll add to the list of condolences for the car and relief that you and your lady are all right. I hate it when stuff like this happens. The low ground clearance on these cars is a double edged sword. Good luck with the insurance and repairs.
The low ground clearance on these cars is a double edged sword. Good luck with the insurance and repairs.
