I've had frame offs, survivors, and average drivers. As stated in other posts, to each his own, but I will take the presentable paint driver over all the others. A worry-free driver, and have a blast going anywhere, anytime. My son and I have put over 6000 miles on his 78 Z28 in the last two summers, many of which were with his permit. We've both trailered it to the dragstrip, but the last few times just drove it there, raced, drive home. Lots of it being freeway 70+mph th350 3.42 gears, and a small block just happily singing. I didn't enjoy the frame offs. I think I enjoyed the process and time with family and friends building them. After that, it was just worrying about it getting dirty if I drove it, and undoing all the hard work.
Well I have to say the most fun I EVER had with a car came one day when I took the convertible to A muscle car meat at Norwalk Ohio. Now Summit raceway park. About an hours drive on a cool morning. Never turned on the radio just "listened the engine moaning out her one long song." Got to the show and parked,cleaned up the car and went to check out the other cars and what great other cars. Royal bobcat Pontiacs including a Grand prix with a 428 and a 4 speed! Lots of Mopars Fords and AMC cars and right next to my parking spot... This enclosed trailer stops. A crew of four piles out of the cab laying carpet on the ground before unloading the most beautiful 69 Camaro I've ever seen before or since. After the judges had looked at all the cars the announcement was made that the track would be open for fun runs all afternoon. NOW WE'RE TALKING!!!!! Off came the restrictive stock air cleaner on went the rear mud flaps Set the timing up and go buy some Cam2. The owner of the Camaro watches in amazement. "You're not taking that on the track are you?" Shure- wana race? I made back to back rounds till the car over heated dumped A bag of ice on the intake and did it again. When the awards for the show were passed out I got second place and Mr Camaro got First. I congratulated him and told him how nice the car was. Then asked him if he wanted to race for the trophy. I then ran the car through tech and signed up to run Norwalk's regular program that night. While waiting to be called to the lanes was watching Mr. Camaro load up to leave. Car wouldn't start. He had to call for help to remove the plugs and clean them. That's what happens when all you do is start the engine pull it in the trailer and shut it off. I red lighted the second round and packed up to go home. Cool morning had turned into A warm evening. Top down cruising down Rt 18 about 65 and who do I come up behind? Mr Camaros trailer. Pull the THM400 into second and around we go on the wood and I hold second till I'm beside the cab. Shift to drive to be rewarded with that big "CHIRP" from the Goodyears. My buddy riding shotgun still smiles about the look on Mr Camaros face to this day. I ask you who had more fun that day? BUT those days are over My old convertible is now part of a "collection." Way to valuable to do burnouts or go for a coke in. Just a museum piece now. I miss the car but understand the way things are today. We all have different reasons to be in the car hobby. I envy those of you who still drive these valuable cars and love to see the level of restoration achieved on the trailer queens. I'll stick to the wagon for now. Not worth much, kinda slow, never gonna win A show or A race but great for making memories Trailers are ok but they can't do burnouts.
I bought a Z51 6 speed manual Vette off a guy who ordered it new with the "Factory Delivery" option in BG in 07, it had 17k on it when I bought it a year ago, so he averaged about 1100 miles per year. He had towels on the mats, all sorts of scuff protectors on the jambs, custom cover, never rained on and was in his CC garage on carpet, trophies, plaques all sorts of BS. Still had the original air bag decals hanging from the glove box door, essentially a 15 year old brand new car, the guy was fanatical. Me, I have put almost 6k on it and I drive the wheels off of it and run it pretty hard, rain, dusty roads, Publix, Home Depot runs. I am sure the original owner would have a stroke if he saw how I treated it compared to him, but the car is a blast to drive, can't keep em' virgins forever!
One of the reasons I buy the "No Badge" cars and then make "near clones", but never a clone or tribute. No badging, no pretending, just doing what folks did by putting in "some good stuff" and respectfully driving the wheels off them. This way, no rare or valuable metal gets ruined, and everyone has fun. (Not denigrating those who clone or own them, especially if they present the cars faithfully accurate and honestly.)
Once in awhile i consider taking the stage II motor out of the skylark and putting in a nice stockish 350 that will drink pump gas and get better than 11-13 mpg. I'd drive it way more if it didn't cost so much. It was my DD in college for a while.
Didn't you post this on the AACA forums also? Must of been a slow day. To each his own. All depends on why you restored it and how many cars you have, etc. Some folks restore a car drive it a little or not as much as an average car. No reason to spend all that money and turn it back to an average pile of junk. Not everyone is or has Jay Leno money and facilities.
Jason yours is not even close to being a restored car. That's also why the White low mileage GSX only sold for $120,000. a day or two ago at BJ in Arizona. I do wish I was there to get a chance at it though. Would have made a good driver.
Probably the nicest older car I've ever owned was this 65 GS. Even with 3.90 gears, still drove it 2500 miles round trip to the 2013 BPG meet in Newark, OH. Had a trailer queen Chevelle owner admiring it when stopping for gas on my way home.
Up until the time came that I desperately needed rebuild, my car was a daily driver. I can't wait for spring to finish up with her and have her back on the road.
So you've heard of "collectors" right? Not car specific, just collectors.... I drove my 68 as much as possible, so I wasn't a car collector, but I do collect certain COINS, and do not spend them. They are too valuable.
I will trailer it or drive, it depends. If I’m going to a car show far away I will often drive. If I’m going to race I will trailer even if it’s close. I like to be able to trailer it home in case of an issue when racing. I sold my enclosed trailer, it was a pain to strap down in there. I prefer the open trailer, easier to strap down, no door dings, easier to pull, and it gets lots of attention and much more conversations at gas stations or thumbs up on the highway.
Jim, I thought you saw that car at a chevell show in Nashville years ago. I can't tell the difference between a dream and reality anymore.
