RANT: Corvettes VS collectable TQs

[John Mcgraw]

Magicv8,
I could not agree with you more on the parts description "Driver Quality"! To me this usually means that the part is not really fit to be seen in the light of day. On my non-judged cars I will use Repro parts for any part that I need. I would rather have a nice looking repro part than a nasty looking original part. Sellers are constantly loooking for a description that will make their parts more sellable, as is evidenced by the incredible ammount of sellers who have no idea what the term NOS truly means! and I agree that no one should ever trash another man's ride, unless of course it is that hideous hand painted C4 that has been at Carlisle the last couple of years!!! LOL
Regards, John McGraw

 

[Mac]

On the way home we went through a rain storm, the car now sets for the past 25 years because what he wanted was a "top flight" car and after the 1000 mile round trip and the rain storm, the car is no longer premier show quality. If he wishes to reach that level again, it will take another ground up restoration. He should have trailered it, $25-30,000 mistake!

One rain storm 'ruined' the car? How about sitting for 25 years, did that have any effect?? I know, I know, it's his car and it's his choice but it pains me to think someone went 'top flight' and then parked it forever. It's just wrong.

 

[cntrhub]

When we talk about football teams, I kind of keep my mouth shut. Last time someone asked me how my football team was doing, I told them, "Oh, 25 to Life."

 

[magicv8]

My son-in-law is a die hard Denver Broncos fan (he has never lived in CO - go figure) and I called to ask if I could still show up at his place in NC for turkeyday after the Bears (I live in IL) whupped the Broncos last Sunday - but I'm rally a Packers fan now - my wife's family is in WI, and I get to the Appleton/Greenbay area a lot.

I need a different team hat every weekend.:Silly

I decided to quit getting excited about football when I left Buffalo in 74 - living almost equidistant from 5 or 6 NFL teams really makes it hard to become a serious fan. I spend fall and winter in the garage now - listening to Click & Clack on CarTalk.

 

[88Z51]

as long as they don't sneer at the rest of us - even by inference.

By the same token, I would hope that those who do not restore their cars to original will stop using such condescending
terms like "trailer queen", etc......

 

[67HEAVEN]

By the same token, I would hope that those who do not restore their cars to original will stop using such condescending
terms like "trailer queen", etc......

88Z51,

I won't disagree with your sentiment here, but I will disagree that it is possible to restore "anything" to original.

It's either original or it isn't. You can't get there by restoring. That would be like sending the Mrs. in for a back-to-virgin operation.

Since we're concerned with labels in this thread, let's call those beautiful cars "rebuilt-in-the-likeness-of-an-original". YIKES.......gets wordy doesn't it.

 

[88Z51]

"rebuilt-in-the-likeness-of-an-original".

:L Fair enough :L


Greg.

 

[ChuckG]

There seem to be some misconceptions here about "judged cars" and "driver cars". The term trailer queen is tossed around, etc.

You don't have to have a perfect car to get a NCRS Top Flight award. Case in point....my 69. We drive it a lot. It's been on two 2000 mile NCRS Road Tours. Also drove it to Montauk, Long Island. Drive it a lot locally. Take it to the drag strip once or twice per summer. Turns 13.70's in the low 100's at the track.

Don't like to go out in the rain, but if I get caught, so be it.

NCRS isn't into dirt. Drove it to the NCRS Nationals in Hershey this summer....only about 80 miles. Got my National Top Flight. Scored about 97.4. If I added mileage points, it was in the low 98's. That's Duntov territory, if I chose to do so. (I don't).

I like nice parts on my cars. I like original parts on my cars. I don't care about a little dirt or wear.

I have a 54 which I don't drive much. Why? It's a pretty unconfortable car for a guy that's 6'4" and 240 lbs. It's pretty much a trailer potato IF it goes on a long trip.

I drive my 63 a lot, less so since I bought the 69. SO, you can "have your cake and eat it too" Chuck

 

[Sams '66]

;worship

I agree!

Sam

 

[Montana]

TQ?

I remember when a trailer queen was the chubby easy gal living in a double wide and a driver was the skinny easy gal you took to the drive in theater.

Oh yeah, one more thing, The was a BAD call in the snow against the Raiders and the Patriots should never have gone to the super bowl 2 years ago.. That said, after last years super bowl, my sundays are free to work on my 65. (Its to embarassing to watch the Raiders this year)

 

[Sams '66]

Yep....the Raiders suck as much as do the Falcons....

Go Georgia Bulldogs!

 

[ROUTE66]

Rust buckets

Magic . I have a trailer queen I bought new & Im proud of. I put only the best American made parts on my car! & Yes I trailer it to shows, I like that! Once & a while I drive it , just a little.[ It runs like a scalded dog & I like that] I don't drive it in the rain or snow It's too fine a car. You can drive your rust bucket in the snow & salt I will set in my shop & look at mine tell the weather is nice again. I like my ZR1. Thank you very much! Eli.

 

[studiog]

I'm restoring a 61 Vette and I had this same arguement about Driver VS Trailer Queen... with myself. In the early days of my restoration, when I was still taking things apart, some days I was the purist guy who wanted the perfectly judged Corvette. Other days I was the driver guy who was not worried about judging and just wanted it my way but the "driver" label bothered me and seemed almost derogatory. These days I'm not worried about judging but I still want my Vette to be mostly and look mostly stock... and I want to drive it, just my personal preference. I admire cars that are factory perfect and I also admire cars that have been modernized and/or customized. I also admire cars that look worn and torn. I think it is this variety that makes the Corvette hobby thrive. There are many levels of restoration and customization and that to say a car is either a 100 pointer or it's a driver is misleading. Most of our cars probably don't fit into either of these definitions. Its good to see a discussion about this and both sides had good points and no one resorted to four letter words or bodily harm and that says something these days.

 

[67HEAVEN]

You should see what happens in the "Solid Axle Lounge" ad :crazy :gap

(j/k)

 

[Dave Worsman]

Pats all the way.

BTW Crap glove compartment parts maybe OK but crap break parts nfw especially if your hitting 3-digits

 

[magicv8]

ZR1 - if you can find a speck of rust on my car - I will wax yours. My car has frame shields to protect the rear - stainless mud guards to keep the wheel spray down - and an owner who waxes the chassis on a regular basis.

Just because I am willing to drive mine anytime and any where doesn't mean your car is cleaner or better - it means you may be a lazy wuss - not willing top clean up the mess after a hard trip. Pour on the wax. Leave out the derogetory remarks.