So I was pretty shocked to see this parked a few blocks from my house last summer. I am a 72 guy so this was fun to take a peek at.
Saw this Saturday about a mile from my house. In fact, I'd say I see muscle cars on the street several times a week. Of course, it helps to live in a big city.
A big city and where rust isn't usually severe. When I go to CA I always see a ton of old cars on the roads.
Wow, look how close that car is parked behind that car!!!! That is reason enough to limit where you drive/park your classic!!!
I don't which car was there first, but I'd NEVER park my Buick in a space like that. Unless it was an emergency. The least that could happen there is scratches on the rear bumper.
I used to park out at the ends of parking lots. Now I have my Handicapped plates and the spaces are Wider. Lotsa room and no worries. PONCH
If you were out here, you'd have to complete for the space with the healthy guy or gal in their 20's who are using the handicap placard that belonged to a dead grandparent. Or the person who doesn't have a placard but figures it's worth the risk and doesn't give a crap about the really handicapped person who might need that space. If you get caught, it's a healthy fine, but I'd like to see them impound the cars. That would throw some cold water on those jerks. I try to park at the ends of parking lots, if the lot isn't totally full. But then I worry about how visible the car is to thieves or vandals. I know some guys who never leave their classic cars out of sight, not even for a few minutes. Not even at a cruise-in or show. Probably good policy, and maybe one I'll have to learn the hard way. Sometimes I don't even put the convertible top up, if I'm only gone a little while. Even though I know it's probably a dumb thing to do.
Living in paranoia is over rated. If a a good thief wants it, they'll get it. Install a switch somewhere to slow them down or possibly make them give up, but otherwise its all to keep honest people honest. Or do what I do and let my neutral safety switch stay out of adjustment and require a bit of movement on the shifter for the starter to engage. Almost better than a kill switch.
you're thinking old-school theft - yesterdays' gone in 60 seconds is now down to 10 seconds [video=youtube;WOoW2gsIIfk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOoW2gsIIfk[/video]
That gives me a great idea of what mine would look like with the GSX treatment and a vinyl roof.. I like it!
Yup, as I said, if they want it, they've got it, just as you show there. Really old gone in 60 seconds is true with out fancy equipment. A thief that wants an older car just has to slim jim the lock (2 seconds), pop the hood, hook up a pre-made wire with alligator clips from the battery to coil +, a screw driver to bump the starter solenoid (cake on Fords, not overly difficult on others, I wonder if the dipstick would work?) and you have a running engine. If there is no steering wheel lock just drive away with the car. If there is, it gets a tad more complicated but not insurmountable.
I never, ever lock my convertible. That's just dumb. If it got stolen at least I might recover it without a slit in the top.
Lots of them on the Hot Rod Power Tour each year, although not enough Buicks. It seems like in some areas people are afraid to drive their cars.
What makes you think the dumba$$ stealing your car is even going to check if it is locked? My sister's '63 Chevy Impala SS, some little urban reformers pried the glove box door open rather than just turn the unlocked cylinder. I personally think that the only way your precious is going to be recovered is IF you use LoJack, and IF it's caught before it goes in a sea container. Thieves are even using trucks that shield the radio signal from LoJack. That's easy, I know how to do it. But I've never stolen a car. Well, if you don't count that '75 Dodge Coronet the neighbor gave me. What a stone that was. Like Dennis, I see muscle cars all the time, but then I also live in SoCal.
You just don't see older cars on the road as often- doesn't matter if its a say a '70 GSX or a basic poverty pack Skylark. Doesn't matter if the car is British, American or Japanese there's just less of them around. Its not just a USA thing either- I don't see many HQ Holdens on the roads here in Australia any more. Yet they sold nearly half a million of them in under 4 years. I too park in the end spaces if possible, or at least look for a spot next to someone who looks like the give a damn, not some beaten up POS. And I take mine to work, the pub, even shopping. Old cars need maintainence regardless of if we use 'em or not. Might as well have some fun with them- that's what they're for. And this Friday, the 'lark goes to the school formal ( Senior Prom to you guys) taking friends daughter & her date. Should be quite an entrance!
