CRG Discussion Forum

Camaro Research Group Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: dale_z28 on June 13, 2016, 04:49:26 PM

Title: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: dale_z28 on June 13, 2016, 04:49:26 PM
I know, to most of you it's no big deal. But I haven't driven MY (first) car since 1991, and that was just a few miles home from a botched partial (2 year) restoration. Then after a lot of years sitting almost forgotten in a corner of a barn.... She lives again! :) ;D I'll post some pics when I get it home in a week or two. The shifter was really stiff and it probably sounded like I'd either never driven a stick or I was double-clutching a dump truck, but I DROVE IT!!!!! 8)
Also making it memorable, my two sons had never heard it run - or ridden it in, and my wife was also along for the first of (I hope!) many rides. It's a good thing I have experience riding motorcycles with no windshields, 'cause tears in my eyes didn't stop me!! ::)
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: 69Z28-RS on June 13, 2016, 04:53:09 PM
Congratulations Dale!!   :)    I'm smiling with you...
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: BULLITT65 on June 13, 2016, 05:21:30 PM
WTG, another one sees the road again!
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: 69 Zee on June 13, 2016, 05:21:57 PM
Don't under estimate us Dale   ;)  I think we all wanna see and hear these ole gals up and running.

Now out of curiosity,  just why was it parked in the corner of a barn only to drag out 25 yrs later ?  Were you always the current owner and life in general got in the way and she sat ?
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: dale_z28 on June 13, 2016, 06:06:28 PM
Yes, I've owned it since 1977, it was my first car. After the first few years it needed more attention - more things went wrong and I just didn't want to drive it into the ground, so it got put on the back burner....and then 3 kids came along! Now we're all older and getting things sorted out is a bit easier.
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: 69 Zee on June 13, 2016, 06:43:27 PM
Kinda lost but never forgotten   :D  and I bet with the family around it made the hair on the back of your neck stand up after all those years.
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: 6667ss138 on June 13, 2016, 06:56:35 PM
Congrats Dale! Your post made me smile  :)

When I first purchased my HO Z about three years ago, she hadn't been driven much at all in many years. I rebuilt the carb, bled the brakes, tuned her up and drove her around town once in a while... Even though she's worn, faded and torn and doesn't look the greatest anymore, I absolutely loved driving it. I had many positive comments each time I drove it around town. I kind of wish now that I hadn't parked it and started taking her apart. :)

Look forward to your pics!
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: elcamino72 on June 13, 2016, 08:09:01 PM
Congrats ... I too smiled when I read this!!
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: bcmiller on June 13, 2016, 10:13:02 PM
Congrats Dale.  Good to hear it's back on the road again.  :)
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: 1968RSZ28 on June 13, 2016, 11:45:37 PM
Pics or it didn't happen!  ;)

Paul
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: BULLITT65 on June 14, 2016, 02:45:23 AM
Pics or it didn't happen!  ;)

Paul

X2
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: BillOhio on June 14, 2016, 03:16:14 AM
Way to go Dale!
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: JKZ27 on June 14, 2016, 10:24:47 AM
Good for you, Dale! That is exciting.
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: PURESS on June 14, 2016, 10:35:14 AM
Can not wait to do what you did....Congrats!!!!
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: cook_dw on June 14, 2016, 11:52:47 AM
Pics or video or it didnt happen.. 











Nah just messin' congrats.
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: dale_z28 on June 14, 2016, 04:31:58 PM
If photobucket will allow me to post a video, I will (it's on facebook, so I know BillOhio has access to it), and pictures for sure. I just have to be patient for a week or 2, to get the shifter (stiffness) ironed out and the splash aprons on the fender inners installed. Then to trailer it home!

I'm really toying with driving it, but it's 150 mile trip and it would be non-stop interstate (which actually seems like a decent break-in drive) but the wife is concerned that there may still be bugs that we're not aware of, and she's proven to be right more times than wrong, which certainly beats my record!
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: bcmiller on June 14, 2016, 04:40:45 PM
Trailer it. If you aren't confident, the interstate is no place for testing.

Get it home, then work out the bugs.

Good luck!
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: Steve Shauger on June 14, 2016, 06:21:36 PM
Congratulations! I'm sure it's very satisfying...... :D
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: dale_z28 on June 22, 2016, 11:55:07 AM
It's still not "home", but it's finished! This Saturday is "The Day"
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: mikefam on June 22, 2016, 12:13:20 PM
Nice car! So how was the trip? Is the car home yet?

I would highly recommend that you change the transmission fluid for that stiff shifting and change the brake fluid too after sitting so long.

Mike.
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: BULLITT65 on June 22, 2016, 02:37:13 PM
Very cool color combo. Reminds me of Jimmy V's 69 Z, except yours is burgundy. Keep the pics coming ... :)
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: dale_z28 on June 22, 2016, 08:45:36 PM
Nice car! So how was the trip? Is the car home yet?

I would highly recommend that you change the transmission fluid for that stiff shifting and change the brake fluid too after sitting so long.

Mike.
Thanks, Mike. No it's not home yet... It's actually never been "home", since I moved while it's been undergoing restoration. Yes, it's been that long!

My mechanical guy said second gear will be stiff (getting into it) for awhile until the new syncro's break-in.

Transmission has been rebuilt so gear oil should be new. Brakes are all new so, likewise, new fluid. The shifter itself (I think) is the culprit. Once before it was stiff and require lubrication after blowing out all the sand and dirt (car had been sandblasted while undergoing some bodywork). I plan to take out the shifter and clean thoroughly, then if it hasn't improved, I'll buy a rebuild kit.
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: jdv69z on June 23, 2016, 02:20:45 PM
Very cool color combo. Reminds me of Jimmy V's 69 Z, except yours is burgundy. Keep the pics coming ... :)

Yup, never seen another one exactly like this one, although I have seen the same combo in a rally sport. Love the color and the white top really provides a nice contrast.
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: dale_z28 on June 23, 2016, 04:47:36 PM
Very cool color combo. Reminds me of Jimmy V's 69 Z, except yours is burgundy. Keep the pics coming ... :)

Yup, never seen another one exactly like this one, although I have seen the same combo in a rally sport. Love the color and the white top really provides a nice contrast.
BillOhio's car will be very similar, too, and actually his car has the flat hood and non-rear spoiler like mine was when I originally bought it. I don't know his interior color, but I don't think his is a vinyl-top car.
Thanks, Jimmy!
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: 68camaroz28 on June 23, 2016, 06:22:15 PM
Trailer it. If you aren't confident, the interstate is no place for testing.

Get it home, then work out the bugs.

Good luck!
Congrats Dale & know the feeling. X2 on what Byron stated! A few heat cycles to ck for leaks & short runs doing checks. Enjoy!
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: jdv69z on June 23, 2016, 07:14:22 PM
Here's a pic of the one I saw very close to yours. Don't know where I got the pic.
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: dale_z28 on June 23, 2016, 11:23:57 PM
Here's a pic of the one I saw very close to yours. Don't know where I got the pic.

Thanks Jimmy! I was told by 2 people that this color combo was only produced in Z's. Do you think there's any truth to that?
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: BillOhio on June 25, 2016, 12:30:57 PM
That  RS is stunning. Hopefully mine starts this weekend and the hood can go back on!
There is  a burgundy z at mecum next month that is unrestored Looks like someone added a rear antenna
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: KurtS on June 27, 2016, 01:56:38 AM
Thanks Jimmy! I was told by 2 people that this color combo was only produced in Z's. Do you think there's any truth to that?
No. Why would colors and engine options be tied together?
Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: mikefam on June 28, 2016, 01:38:57 PM
Here's a pic of the one I saw very close to yours. Don't know where I got the pic.

Thanks Jimmy! I was told by 2 people that this color combo was only produced in Z's. Do you think there's any truth to that?

I found the build sheet in my plain Jane 68 convertible and it was cordovan maroon with deluxe parchment interior and white convertible top which is similar color combo. I repainted it Ford dark toreador red and re-upholstered deluxe parchment interior and white top almost the same as the day it was new.

Title: Re: I got to drive my car!!!
Post by: BillOhio on June 28, 2016, 04:09:24 PM
You can't say f*Rd here! My dad painted his 57 retractable gm Hawaiian blue, looks the same as my buddies 72 chevy truck. Really upset my buddy when I told him his truck was ford color

Is your 68 a van Nuys car?