To RARE... I am Sorry....

[Yoda]

I owe RARE a public apology!!

Today I went down to DMV to renew the plates on RARE. In the course of renewing her plates for another year, Texas requires an annual "Safety Inspection" no problem

The kid brings me he keys after the inspection and said to me Sir are you aware that you only drove this gorgeous car 49.6 miles since last years inspection :ugh

I stammer around ah... ah.. oh... hmmm Yea that sounds about right :ugh

Have you ever been lectured to by a young man... I guess him to be 19 maybe 20... he then asked my how long I have owned RARE... stumbling around I said sheepishly I've had her since July of 1998 Next question from him was .. 73,161 miles I bet those are original huh?? Quick to respond here ... I told him it had 58,600 on it when I picked her up in Detroit and that it's just been the last 3 years or so that she has sat around so much

His parting words... it's such a shame to see such a beautiful Corvette sit around and not get driven..

He said if he had the money he would take it off my hands for me...

So RARE here is my PUBLIC apology for neglecting you for the last 3 years. You truly deserve better :dance

ashamed in Amarillo
Bud Dougherty
RARE81 keeper

 

[6 Shooter]

Bud - Get out there and drive Rare, I'm starting ta think ur getting old!

​

L8TR - D

 

[jrose7004]

Well hey Bud, you can certainly solve that low miles problem!

 

[Toms007]

Man Bud, you need to get her out and give her some exercise.

 

[KauaiCorvette]

:L

I too went to renew my tags and Safety inspection on my 1979 L82 today. Likewise, I only drive it for the purest of fun. Last years inspection...24,306 miles. This years...25,779. Now after hearing you only added 49.6 miles to yours, I feel a little guilty. But not much. I did have 1,473 miles of fun so that's what it is all about, right?

 

[GerryLP]

Next time you go visit General Dawg, let me know, and I go along with you....at least to the state-line, if not all the way .

GerryLP:cool

 

[bill81vette]

The SHAME OF IT ALL!!!!!
can you say ROAD Trip??????

 

[craig32]

You're not alone, Bud! I got mine inspected last month and also had less than 50 miles on it. This includes the 5 mile trip to the inspection station, (and 5 miles home last year!) And one day this year I 'bent' the law a little and drove it to work (classic plates) when the original battery in my Monte Carlo let go after only 8 years and 8 months.
Every time I thought about driving it, the battery was dead - so I replaced it this year too. A few months later it was still starting slow, so I replaced the alternator as well and now everything is fine - except the weather.

 

[KANE]

Every time I thought about driving it, the battery was dead...

My dad has an '82. He's said the same thing about wanting to drive it... only to find the battery dead. :L

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Just a dumb question. What exactly are 'original miles'? Do people really mean 'total miles'? I frequently get asked this question at car shows and most often the person that asked doesn't know what it means either.

I used to answer 'No, the car originally had zero miles. Now, it has lots. That's what the numbers mean on the gauge.' That didn't go over too well.

 

[bill81vette]

Ive always considered 'original miles' to be where the odometer hasn't rolled over once..eg over 100,000 miles.

 

[craig32]

Ive always considered 'original miles' to be where the odometer hasn't rolled over

OR been rolled back!

 

[GerryLP]

My dad has an '82. He's said the same thing about wanting to drive it... only to find the battery dead. :L

Warm climates are less severe than cold ones upon batteries. The battery tenders are a great investment. Eastwood.com often has them on special sale.

Bud, before you jump on Rare for a long trip, have someone look him over underneath, check the brakes, and you check ECM codes and the like. Who knows, but perhaps he's holding a grudge on you for seen Abby getting all the attention, and leave your a$s stuck on the road somewhere.....:L

GerryLP:cool

 

[crowvet]

My dad has an '82. He's said the same thing about wanting to drive it... only to find the battery dead. :L

Battery disconnect on the negative cable works great $10 or less. 10 minutes to install

 

[bill81vette]

Bud, before you jump on Rare for a long trip, have someone look him over underneath, check the brakes, and you check ECM codes and the like. Who knows, but perhaps he's holding a grudge on you for seen Abby getting all the attention, and leave your a$s stuck on the road somewhere.....:L

GerryLP:cool

Lord Knows THAT'S never happened before!!!!!!

 

[Yoda]

I deserve all the grief... but you guys lay off RARE ad ( )

I've made 3 Trips from Modesto, CA to Bowling Green, Ky and one trip from Modesto to Auburn, IN and she ran flawlessly.... with one exception.

Second trip to BG her alternator gave out at 3:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning outside Evanston, WY .. and when the local NAPA store opened I got another, changed the clock face and pulley and we were good to go :dance

As most of you know... RARE has been "COMPLETELY" gone through, minus the engine, just about R&R every component from Trailing Arms to front springs... Steering Wheel to Carpets...

I got her out for a Corvette Display at one of the local Chevrolet Dealers September 11th this year. Rare was one of 16 chosen to be displayed during the 911 Tribute this year..(I am very proud of being asked to participate, esp. since I do not belong to any of the local clubs)

Long story... the brakes went to the floor and when pumped up bled down to the floor... got her to the display, and had all new calipers/hoses and pads installed last week, before inspection.

So hammer away at me for being a neglectful owner for not driving my lovely, but lay off RARE She still sends a trickle up my leg when I am commandeering the 4-Speed and hearing those Flow Master 40's rumble then OMG that Quad opening up... it's enough to cause me to have the Big One Ethel :dance

Thanks guys for posting, I am really appreciating and enjoying your comments :dance

Bud

 

[Tom Bryant]

This neglect club is getting too big. I only had the '81 out once this year. A few weeks ago Chris took it down to fill the gas tank. Then I added the Stabil and drove it along the river road for about 20 miles before putting it back to bed. It just might make the trip to CruiseFest next June.

Tom

 

[Toms007]

Tom, that's not neglect.....now the 59, well I would call THAT neglect!

 

[GerryLP]

I take Gail out every other Friday on average (unless it is storming out), and sometimes on a nice day across town.

By the way, it is time to upgrade her brake lines, and I just ordered a complete set of stainless steel brake lines, clips, and even the junction blocks, so I can take her out in more vigorous driving with harder braking.

 

[JGRWilson]

Wow folks.
I picked up my '07 convertible 27 Dec 06. I now have approx 109,000 on her.
What are you thinking?
These machines are made to be driven!!! Period.
Sincerely,
John