times are different

[Stuart F.]

Re: times are different

Bill;

Are those landing lights in the high beams?

Why is it I love to see those pictures so early in the season? Makes me appreciate Florida in the months to come even more.

Stu Fox

[James B.]

Re: times are different

I had a '60 Maroon/black hardtop only car (3 spd,base motor) in '67; two fond memories:
1. A drive from Detroit to Kalamazoo MI in Jan on I94 in an ice storm. At 30 mph the back end was sliding off the road because of the slight crown.
2. In a rain storm I draped a towel on my lap because the hardtop to windshield header was so bad the rain came through, dripped onto the steering wheel, occasionally set off the horn and then went in my lap- those old pictures of GM plants water testing cars...sure they did.
When I went overseas I had to wholesale the car to a dealer in Alexandria, VA. Would love to find current owner and see the car again- water leaks and all.

[Gerard F.]

Re: times are different

I learned the hard way that if you drive a car with posi on very slick winter roads that have a steep slope to the curb, you need to stay in the curb lane. If you're in the left lane, when you let out the clutch, the rear end will walk toward the curb and into the cars next to you in the curb lane. You're stuck until all the cars in the curb lane pass.

I learned about black ice with my original tires and positraction on my 67. It was in early 69 after I had just got the car, and was on an evening trip from the Naval Amphib base in Little Creek VA to the Army O club in Fort Story on the way to Virginia Beach..

The highway was along the coast and had inlets with small bridges on a downgrade. They would always develop this black ice in the winter when it was cold.

So I come down this downgrade and coming up the other side I accellerated. The car actually turned 180d and I wound up in the opposite lane going in the opposite direction. With my grommet puckered up, I though that maybe I should not go out tonight. I just slowed down and limped home to Little Creek.

And the next day, I trashed the original bias ply tires for a set of Michelin X radials. Never had a problem with them in snow or ice, but I had some cable chains on them once or twice going skiing.

[Jim B.]

Re: times are different

In 1978 I was living in Rhode Island when the Blizzard of '78 hit. We had over five feet of snow with drifts over the roof of my home,
My 68 convertible was outside in my driveway. After the storm it was completely covered/buried, a foot over the roof in snow. It didn't go anywhere until I could find it and dig it out.

[Bill M.]

Re: times are different

Bill;

Are those landing lights in the high beams?

Why is it I love to see those pictures so early in the season? Makes me appreciate Florida in the months to come even more.

Stu Fox

Hi Stu,

They are from a 12V hand-held spot light. I don't know how much current a landing light would suck, but these worked fine.

I don't mind the winter (now that I'm retired and don't have to commute in the stuff). This summer has been unusually warm for Michigan, but it looks like the weather will be perfect for my drive down to Columbus OH for the Queen City Regional tomorrow. The '92 makes her first try at the PV.

Bill

[Gene M.]

Re: times are different

The studded snows were a big help back in the 60's so you could drive 'em in the winter. Deep snow was something else. I never drove my Vette in the winter but did drive the Camaro. It turned into a rust bucket, but back then they were just cars.

[Joseph T.]

Re: times are different

we drove our "old" corvette every day. that white stuff is snow.

Clem..They only seem different..because of experience!

This hard charging big rear end 57 Fuelie was like a jet powered roller skate in the snow.

Joe

[Joseph T.]

Re: times are different

The studded snows were a big help back in the 60's so you could drive 'em in the winter. Deep snow was something else. I never drove my Vette in the winter but did drive the Camaro. It turned into a rust bucket, but back then they were just cars.

Gene

I ran studded snow tires on my 74 convertible..and it drove great.

After a few years I sold the car to my brother in law who was at West Point at that time. Shortly afterwards he ran the car into a bridge in the summer time.. Luckily he was okay.

Joe

[Patrick H.]

Re: times are different

When I lived in York, PA it was definitely warmer and less snowy in the winter than here in west Michigan.

I drove my 71 late into the year since there wasn't much snow and little salt. Jan 2, 1995 I thought I'd drive it to work just to say I could do it, as the roads weren't bad at all. Hit some black ice when going around a turn, and spun 180 degrees before I knew what happened. I gingerly made it to work and later that day back home.

It then stayed in the garage until April.