Having withdrawal symptoms already

[Kurt B.]

After 8 years of working on my 68 coupe to restore it to factory original state, it finally went into the paint shop this afternoon and I am already having withdrawal symptoms. This car has not been out of my sight since I purchased it in 1972. They tell me I wil have it back in 2-3 months with a new LeMans blue paint job. The stress is going to kill me.
Kurt # 26406

[Greg L.]

Re: Having withdrawal symptoms already

Hey Kurt, You might try checking the yellow pages for a support group to help you through this very difficult time. There must be something out there to help "special" guys like us.

[Kurt B.]

Re: Having withdrawal symptoms already

Greg,
I am getting on in years and was raised to take excellent care of everything I own. As a result, I have spent 8 years, with the help of amny on this forum, getting everything on this car to be as "correct" as I can and now it sits in a body shop where it is just another piece of machinery. I have detailed the motor and accessories and wrapped everything in plastic to keep it dirt free and I know that I am in for a rude awakening. Frame has also been detailed and painted. On the way over on the flatbed, the driver hit a bump and knocked a rubber mount of some sort out of the front suspension. Not exactly sure what it is but I think it came from a control arm or a frame stop. Nobody treats your Vette the way you do and I can't wait until it is returned to my care. I need more than a support group, I need a tranquilizer.
Kurt

[Dave F.]

Re: Having withdrawal symptoms already

And I thought I was going nuts after two years working on mine! My hat's off to ya! You're an inspiration Kurt. What you really need is another Corvette to work on

[Kurt B.]

Re: Having withdrawal symptoms already

Dave,
If I had another Corvette, I would probably end up in the nut house. This started out as a one year project where one thing led to another and finally I was in so deep I had to keep going. It all started with a freshening up of the paint job and went down hill after that. I don't regret doing it, I just wish I could have done it all without farming anything out and thereby losing control of the quality. I'm crazy, but it was that military training and always being ready for that upcoming inspection.
Kurt

[Jim S.]

Since your ex-military !!

Might I suggest hanging out with "Captain Morgan" ! He could help relieve some of that tension ! It works for me !

[Charles P.]

Re: Having withdrawal symptoms already

Kurt,

Since crossword puzzles for the next 2-3 months won't cut it I suggest the folowing website www.c3sharktank.com/sound/sound1.html
This is a collection of shark sounds and movies that may help to lessen your separation anxiety symptoms. They are best viewed/listened to with DSL or other high speed connection. Crank up the speakers. These may also help those in weathered in parts of the country or those on business or vacation who need a HP fix. Of course there is always a chance that this may make things worse but for refractive cases there is always Prozac. Disclaimer: Most of these cars are not NCRS correct and of course all clips were performed by a "Professional Driver on a Closed Course. Do Not Attempt"...Yeah Right.

[William O.]

Re: Having withdrawal symptoms already

Take it easy....

Mount a webcam in there shop, you will see your car's any time you want!

Bill

[Kurt B.]

Very good suggestions *NM*

[Mike M.]

Won't he let you set-up a cot in the corner? *NM*

[Dave F.]

Re: Having withdrawal symptoms already

Kurt,
Your's is a familiar story, if that is any consolation. Being crazy isn't all that bad (there really is no defense against insanity ) And in a few short weeks, you will be out and about enjoying the fruits of your labors. In the meantime, try to rest up for all that fun you're going to be having.
Dave

[John L.]

Re: Having withdrawal symptoms already

So your worried about your car being out of site at the paint shop ??

The fun is just beginning - when finished you may have to deal with crazier people on the road while you are driving it as well as strollers, mis-behaved children, bicycles and large woman's pocketbooks at cruise ins and shows (NCRS excluded of course).

Relax and enjoy the car - most of us deal with this every summer -- it is challenging but can be controlled.

[Chuck R.]

Re: It's like your teenage daughter out on a date

With Fonzi! A ton of hand wringing and worrying. I suggest lots of visits if it's possible. At least that way they know your watching (casually of course)You don't want to get em too nervous

I hear and see this more and more Kurt and I too share your pain.

My 68 also was a "one year wonder project" that I picked up in 2000. Well?............. I'm still wondering how I allowed it get so far financially off the beam! Well I DO know actually, I just couldn't turn away from the "right" way to repair things rather than to compromise.

These damned cars just naturally influence us to raise the bar! I swear it's that little bit of Harley, Zora and the rest of the spirits whispering in our ears.

The rolling chassiss is done and the engine is starting to go together.

Two more years at this rate I figure.

Hope I've still got enough strength in my left leg to pump the clutch when I roll the finished product out!

Oh well, the grandkids will have fun with it ..................at $10.00 a gallon!

Chuckster

[Kurt B.]

Re: It's like your teenage daughter out on a date

Chuck,
That is exactly what happened to me; one thing led to another and my logic was that I might as well do just this one thing while I am in the process and the ONE thing became the entire car eventually. I have two sons who are eagerly awaiting the completion and hoping it will one day be theirs. Once I started reading my NCRS Judging Manual and the AIM, I was a goner and no hope of turning back. My concern is that the body shop will not be as fussy as I am and possibly damage some of the things that I have already restored to perfection. I sure don't want to have to again remove the power brake booster to repaint it the correct color. That was a pain to remove and reinstall. Little things like that worry me. My dash is pristine and I have visions of paint dust behind the bezels in the instruments and then will need to remove all to surgically clean, etc. The list of concerns goes on and on.
Good luck with your restoration. Hope it doesn't drag out to 8 years like mine did.
Kurt

[Dave F.]

Re: Having withdrawal symptoms already

Wouldn't want to leave out the antlered and furry friends on those back roads we like to drive as well. It's amazing how large a 175 lb deer looks when you're in a Corvette.