C2 Sensory overload!

[67HEAVEN]

Many of you will know the story of how I got fed up, parked the '67 nearly 20 years ago, and forgot about it.

Then, a few years ago the rebuild began.

However, I admit to be lulled to sleep (as a driver) over the years....I pretty much forgot what "driving" was like. "Fuelie" gave me a reminder this evening.

Yes, one of our own members, who quite frankly is becoming a good friend, stopped by this evening with his beautiful '65 red Fuelie coupe, fresh out of the garage for a spring drive.

He was dangling the keys in his hand and with a smile said, "Wanna drive?"

Quicker than you can say, "Wazzzzzup", I'm behind the wheel of a C2 for the first time in 20 years.

What a flashback to getting in touch with the road. The new cars and SUV's I've driven over the years had just about removed all traces of "feel" and road "feedback".

I had a ball. Great car that handles beautifully and has lots of punch. What a primer for the upcoming re-launch.

 

[dennisinmaryland]

Oh, how I agree. I waited over 10 years to get another 67. I told my wife not to expect a "Mercedes" ride, that this is a true muscle/sports car. But even I have to admit the memory of it all was just too perfect when we took her out for a drive. Nice ride, feel the road (not get beat to death with it)...all the great memories came flooding back. And when I mashed it and the other 2 carbs kicked in....Lordy, Lordy, (and to quote Jackie Gleason) How sweet it is!!

 

[Fuelie]

Don't know who had more fun......you with full sensory overload?

Or me watching the smile on your face as you clicked through the gears running the rpm's up

 

[IH2LOSE]

Fuelie

A sincere thanks for sharing with Bob.

You know I nest my cars for month's on end.Allthough not for 20 years and I am shocked when I get back behind the wheel and take it out on the road and the car pulls hard all the way up to 6 grand and then a quick shift into 2nd and your still firmly planted in your seat.and its still pulling hard up till your next shift.the feel of the road.the shifter in your hand feeling the harmonics(is this the right word) of the motor and transmition gears meshing into each other.The roar of a REAL carberated V8 I mean it doesnt get much better then that in terms of driving a car.

You know its funny when a freind or neighbor says why are you always fiddeling with that car,And I take them for a ride and all they can say is WOW.And one of the coolest things is my kids have grown up with there always being a muscle car in the garage and to them its perfectly normal.I can run throught the gears real hard and my son or daughter wont bat an eye.But if I take a freind or neighbor out they are almost breathless and surely there heart is getting a work out.

Bob I am real glad you had a good ride,Did it bring back any memories? Did it make you angry that you waited so long to get the project started?

 

[67HEAVEN]

Larry,

It is shocking how far away from the "feel" you can get in 20 years. :crazy

I've driven several late model Corvettes over the years, and while they are truly excellent cars, they are very different from the early Corvettes.

I would think that if you put any late-model Corvette owner, assuming they had never driven an early car, behind the wheel of a C2 or C1, they would feel like they were in the Twilight Zone.

These early cars are so rudimentary.....so "all about driving"....so requiring of the driver's attention....so overwhelming in their impact on the driver, the passenger and the audience on the street....that to drive one for the first time (or after a 20-year hiatus ) is a very moving experience.

Am I angry that it took me so long to get around to the project? Truly, the answer is no. Until recent years, I didn't have the money to do it properly, and no matter what, now, the car will be done "exactly" the way I have always wanted it.

It's costing an arm and two legs, but it really is my only vice. My wife understands.

 

[BarryK]

67 heaven

I know how you feel!!
When i got BABY the beginning of March, it was the first time I ever drove a C2 at all. The only other corvette I had ever driven (actually the only other "muscle" type car at all, was my dad's corvette when he got one new back in '79 - and as far as 'Vettes go I hate to say there really isn't much performance in a '79) Even than I only drove that car once or twice when I was stupid enough to sneak it out while my parents were gone - I was only 14. LOL
Hitting the gas, feeling the power even on my SB motor (327/365), actually DRIVING the car, not just sitting there and barely steering, WOW!!!! what a feeling that was. Every drive since than was great (except one......) but nothing at all like that very first time 6 weeks ago.