At long last...

[Bill Braun #33186]

I have finally taken official ownership of my boyhood dream - that 1967 big-block convertible. Searched for the better part of a year. Put countless kms on the BMW. Looked at more cars (and more crap) than I care to remember. Studied books, magazines, tech journals. Eliminated one after the other as "not good enough". Then: Found it, bought it, flatbedded it home (snowy/salty roads here) and stuck it in the garage. I can't wait for spring. Now I think I know how Joe Lucia felt when he got all the parts together for his dream motor. Think I'll go and have a look and make sure I'm not dreamin'.


Bill Braun #33186

[Jerry]

Re: At long last...

Congratulations Bill, have followed your search with interest and will await reports of your first spring drive, What color ??


jerry

[Bill Braun]

Re: At long last...

The car is Goodwood green with saddle interior, white top and white stinger. It has the bolt-on wheels, which IMHO are the next best things to knock-offs. The car is very very clean, and drives very well (I think one of my old man's expressions "Goes like s..t off a stick" is appropriate). I have been wondering about the wisdom of either adding power steering (although it would make it too easy for the wife to drive and I don't need the competition...) or changing the steering linkage to the 'faster ratio'. Logically, the latter change should increase the steering effort, or am I off-base?


BTW, I went out to the garage before and looked again and damned if the car wasn't still there. Guess I'm not dreaming after all!


Bill #33186

[Ol' Geezer]

Re: At long last...

Next thing, Bill is to build a web page, showing photos of your dream machine. Try Homestead.com. I'll be looking forward to seeing your machine -- sounds a lot like the first Corvette that I looked at, back in '68. Still had the plastic on the white seats. But I wasn't willing to part with $3350.

[Bryan L.]

Re: At long last...

Bill,


It seems you and I have the same car (almost). I wish I could drive mine, bought it as a project(50% finished) 18 months ago. I didn't like anything the guy I bought it from had done and have ended up redoing everything he did. Live and learn. You obviously did your homework and ended up with the right car.


I hope to be driving mine in a few months.


Bryan

[C. E. Storer & son #24633]

Re: At long last...

Bill------Sure am glad you said green, had me worried for a minute there. Thought maybe I waited to long on the one I;ve been waiting on! But I guess your not in Ill. anyway. Congrats to you sir on your purchase. C.E. Storer

[Joe L.]

Re: At long last...

Bill-----


Yes, indeed, the change from the standard ratio steering to the "fast ratio" position will increase steering effort. If there is one thing that you don't want to do in a Corvette with manual steering is INCREASE steering effort.


I strongly recommend that you consider the addition of power steering, especially with a cast iron big block over the front wheels. Power steering will make the car far more enjoyable to drive, for BOTH your wife and YOURSELF. A Corvette power ASSIST steering system still provides adequate "road feel", in my opinion. I originally ordered my 1969 without power steering as no self-respecting performance enthusiast back then would even consider buying a performance car WITH power steering. In fact, that's probably the rationale that caused your car to originally be without it. In 1984 or so, I added power steering to my car by purchasing all new GM components. One of the best changes that I've ever made and I've never regretted it. In terms of pure enjoyment, it was second, only, to the addition of a soft-top to my original hardtop-only car. Of course, there will "soon" be a mod made to it that may eclipse, by a wide margin, the enjoyment that I experienced as a result of the soft top and power steering additions. But, a soft top, power steering, and a replica "ZL-1" under the hood.......could life get any better?

[Don O'Connell #33101]

Re: At long last...

Bill,


Would you be the same Bill Braun from Woodlawn High School, Baltimore MD, circa '72, with the blue Chevelle with 5:13 gears?


Don - '68 gray primer BB Camaro - circa '72

[Juliet P.]

Re: At long last...

Congratulations, but we need pictures!! May you have many many miles of fun with the new toy. :) ~Juliet

[Jack H.]

Memorial!

And don't forget your pal's at NCRS throughout the winter and into the spring. Forget what's 'right' and what's 'wrong' as you sit and study 'baby' in your garage by yourself. Think about the joy of sharing....


Consider finding a Chapter/Regional meet and taking baby 'as-is' to: (1) confirm/deny your research and acquisition savvy, (2) share her with others who are equally anal-retentive and read themselves to sleep with this/that Covette book....

[Bill Braun]

Re: At long last...

Joe,


Thanks for your good advice. Regarding your rhetorical question : I'll letcha know in Spring!


Bill

[Bill Braun]

Re: At long last...

Sorry, can't help ya on that one. I am a good ol' boy from the south - southern Noo Yawk, that is... But I DID have a thoroughly cherry 57 Ford Fairlane 500 before getting the Vette virus. Bill

[Ol' Geezer]

[Bill Braun]

Great stuff!

Well, the list is growing - 1) borrow digital camera for weekend 2) take appropriate photos 3) try to figure out how to post to website 4) add to this thread so people can see the new addition... And lastly, many thanks to all well-wishers!


Bill Braun 33186

[Kenneth G.]

Re: At long last...

Bill,


Where in southern NY are you?? I am located in westchester (Yonkers Noo Yawk). Did you locate your gem in the area?


Kenny-located my 69 in upstate NY (Goshen)