My wife drives the Corvette for the first time today
#1
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My wife drives the Corvette for the first time today
I've been grounded from driving for the past 3 weeks (and will be for the next 2) because of cataract surgery. It's a beautiful 80 degree day today and I wanted to take the '67 out. So I told my wife it's time for her to drive it. She knows how to drive a stick but hasn't driven the Corvette since we bought it last spring because she's afraid she'll damage it or break it somehow. Anyway, we had a good ride and she had a blast. I didn't think I was going to be able to get the keys away from her.
Her only complaint was that the clutch was a lot stiffer than her car (Mitsubishi Eclipse). She's only 5' 3" and I noticed that her left leg is fully extended when the clutch is engaged, even with the seat moved all the way forward.
Her only complaint was that the clutch was a lot stiffer than her car (Mitsubishi Eclipse). She's only 5' 3" and I noticed that her left leg is fully extended when the clutch is engaged, even with the seat moved all the way forward.
#3
Le Mans Master
it's really bad to use the drivers seat all the way forward in a c2
it changes the angle of the johnson rod for the crossmember which in turn can damage the transmission because of improper torque load...
if a pillow is used on the seat back to help with the clutch, it changes the smortagray load on the seat belt bolts and could lead to tragic consequences!
at least that's what my wifey has been told!.....
it changes the angle of the johnson rod for the crossmember which in turn can damage the transmission because of improper torque load...
if a pillow is used on the seat back to help with the clutch, it changes the smortagray load on the seat belt bolts and could lead to tragic consequences!
at least that's what my wifey has been told!.....
#5
Safety Car
I've been grounded from driving for the past 3 weeks (and will be for the next 2) because of cataract surgery. It's a beautiful 80 degree day today and I wanted to take the '67 out. So I told my wife it's time for her to drive it. She knows how to drive a stick but hasn't driven the Corvette since we bought it last spring because she's afraid she'll damage it or break it somehow. Anyway, we had a good ride and she had a blast. I didn't think I was going to be able to get the keys away from her.
Her only complaint was that the clutch was a lot stiffer than her car (Mitsubishi Eclipse). She's only 5' 3" and I noticed that her left leg is fully extended when the clutch is engaged, even with the seat moved all the way forward.
Her only complaint was that the clutch was a lot stiffer than her car (Mitsubishi Eclipse). She's only 5' 3" and I noticed that her left leg is fully extended when the clutch is engaged, even with the seat moved all the way forward.
Sounds like she had fun driving the '67. But, did she hit anything while driving? Oh that right, you wouldn't be able to see if see did, you just had cataract surgery.
Wishing you a fast recovery with good vision.
Bruce
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Now she will want to drive it all the time
At least you got to go for a drive. Best of luck with your recovery
At least you got to go for a drive. Best of luck with your recovery
#7
Pro
I had cataract surgery 14 years ago (I was young!). At that time there were no driving restrictions. I let my wife drive me home from the hospital but other than that, I was free to drive. Now my eyesight is still virtually perfect!
Not so sure I'd like my wife drive my '63. It scary enough to ride with her when she is driving our Cad SRX!!
Not so sure I'd like my wife drive my '63. It scary enough to ride with her when she is driving our Cad SRX!!
#8
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I had cataract surgery 14 years ago (I was young!). At that time there were no driving restrictions. I let my wife drive me home from the hospital but other than that, I was free to drive. Now my eyesight is still virtually perfect!
Not so sure I'd like my wife drive my '63. It scary enough to ride with her when she is driving our Cad SRX!!
Not so sure I'd like my wife drive my '63. It scary enough to ride with her when she is driving our Cad SRX!!
In the meantime, you wouldn't want to be on the road with me right now if I were driving. I can see the road and the cars but it's all blurry. I can't read street signs at all. I certianly don't want to drive a 45-year old collector car with these eyes. And my driver license has a restriction on the back saying I have to wear glasses at all times when driving which might be tough to explain if I get stopped or I'm in an accident. Can't wear my old glasses. They make the situation worse.
So, my wife is my chauffeur for now. She's a good driver did good driving the Corvette today. She did miss a 2nd to 3rd shift but who hasn't done that?
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Ya, but did she try parallel parking it?
#11
Team Owner
Heck, if your wife gets tired of driving you around in the vette I can certainly run over there and do it. Just the kind of guy I am!
Your eyes are still too blurry to see the speedometer from the passenger's seat ? Right ?
Seriously - that sucks about the lens implants. You're doing the right thing taking it easy and letting things work out.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery !
Your eyes are still too blurry to see the speedometer from the passenger's seat ? Right ?
Seriously - that sucks about the lens implants. You're doing the right thing taking it easy and letting things work out.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery !
#12
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it's really bad to use the drivers seat all the way forward in a c2
it changes the angle of the johnson rod for the crossmember which in turn can damage the transmission because of improper torque load...
if a pillow is used on the seat back to help with the clutch, it changes the smortagray load on the seat belt bolts and could lead to tragic consequences!
it changes the angle of the johnson rod for the crossmember which in turn can damage the transmission because of improper torque load...
if a pillow is used on the seat back to help with the clutch, it changes the smortagray load on the seat belt bolts and could lead to tragic consequences!
Last edited by dahogan; 01-31-2013 at 08:15 AM.
#13
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Heck, if your wife gets tired of driving you around in the vette I can certainly run over there and do it. Just the kind of guy I am!
Your eyes are still too blurry to see the speedometer from the passenger's seat ? Right ?
Seriously - that sucks about the lens implants. You're doing the right thing taking it easy and letting things work out.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery !
Your eyes are still too blurry to see the speedometer from the passenger's seat ? Right ?
Seriously - that sucks about the lens implants. You're doing the right thing taking it easy and letting things work out.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery !
But the deal is, once my eyes recover or I get glasses, I get to drive your car (either one, makes no difference). Oh yes, my wife will want to drive it, too <LOL>.
#14
Instructor
I was a little nervous the first time I let my girlfriend (of 6 years) drive my car because it certainly handles a little differently than anything she was used to driving but she LOVED it.
One day over the summer I had to take my 3 kids back to their mother's house and my 14 year old daughter wanted my girlfriend to drive her in Corvette. I said sure and it was really cool seeing my car on the road from a different perspective and hearing it when they went by. It was funny all the looks the two girls were getting from just about every single guy on the road! When we came to a stop light I pulled up next to them and said to my boys "Hey, check out the two hot chicks in the convertible!" and in all seriousness they said "Where?"
One day over the summer I had to take my 3 kids back to their mother's house and my 14 year old daughter wanted my girlfriend to drive her in Corvette. I said sure and it was really cool seeing my car on the road from a different perspective and hearing it when they went by. It was funny all the looks the two girls were getting from just about every single guy on the road! When we came to a stop light I pulled up next to them and said to my boys "Hey, check out the two hot chicks in the convertible!" and in all seriousness they said "Where?"
#15
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That's a deal Steve.
Kinda feel your pain. I am not a candidate for LASIK so my hope was that when I finally need cataract surgery they could do corrective lenses at that time. Worn glasses since I was 6 years old and hated every minute of it.
Get better soonest pal!
BTW - you have to train those gals on that 2-3 shift from a young age. I'm already coaching my grand daughter on proper technique !
Kinda feel your pain. I am not a candidate for LASIK so my hope was that when I finally need cataract surgery they could do corrective lenses at that time. Worn glasses since I was 6 years old and hated every minute of it.
Get better soonest pal!
BTW - you have to train those gals on that 2-3 shift from a young age. I'm already coaching my grand daughter on proper technique !
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; 01-31-2013 at 08:38 AM.
#16
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My wife was surprised at how easy the Corvette was to drive. She didn't have to muscle it around much because the car has PS, PB, and I've swapped the original steering wheel for a smaller diameter wheel. Her biggest problem was getting into reverse. She did it, several times, but it was hard for her to pull up on the T-bar while pushing the stick forward. A weaker spring in the T-bar would have solved the problem, I think.
#17
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That's a deal Steve.
Kinda feel your pain. I am not a candidate for LASIK so my hope was that when I finally need cataract surgery they could do corrective lenses at that time. Worn glasses since I was 6 years old and hated every minute of it.
Get better soonest pal!
BTW - you have to train those gals on that 2-3 shift from a young age. I'm already coaching my grand daughter on proper technique !
Kinda feel your pain. I am not a candidate for LASIK so my hope was that when I finally need cataract surgery they could do corrective lenses at that time. Worn glasses since I was 6 years old and hated every minute of it.
Get better soonest pal!
BTW - you have to train those gals on that 2-3 shift from a young age. I'm already coaching my grand daughter on proper technique !
If you're wondering about the procedure, there is no pain at all. Takes 10 minutes and they give you an IV with a "twilight drug". I've had much worse experiences in the dentist's chair.
BTW, nice looking family members sitting there in the car with you.
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My wife was surprised at how easy the Corvette was to drive. She didn't have to muscle it around much because the car has PS, PB, and I've swapped the original steering wheel for a smaller diameter wheel. Her biggest problem was getting into reverse. She did it, several times, but it was hard for her to pull up on the T-bar while pushing the stick forward. A weaker spring in the T-bar would have solved the problem, I think.
#19
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I'm glad it went well, Steve! My wife can't drive a stick shift, I'm all the time trying to convince her to learn. I guess her dad was pretty hard on her during a session as a kid. That's on the C6. I can tell you with a C2, I'd have a hard time letting her out alone in one, she needs all the electronic help she can get, a car is simply not applied physics to her but rather a transportation appliance she expect to be capable of...almost...anything.