Tyler Townsley

I have a 66 I bought in 74, it has been through 3 paint jobs and engine rebuilds and until a couple of weeks ago it was an unhit driver. This happened, he pulled out in front of me, no insurance, but my ins company will write a check to whoever fixes it.

http://www.deliquescence.net/~tyler/misc/Wreck1s.jpg

I am having a local known for his show quality paint and body do the body and paint and it will be a driver when he is done. Drive the car let others enjoy seeing it.

Tyler

vettefred

Both my wife and I decided that our '58 would be a driver. We have had show cars before and while it is initially fun to own one, the joy of driving your baby far outstrips the worry and sometimes fanaticism of keeping the car "perfect".

Many folks think we are nuts for driving a 49 year old vehicle any kind of distance. Our Vette runs great and is really a joy to drive. All I can say is that it gives us pleasure to drive along the highway and have folks stare or give us the thumbs up.

In closing, as you mentioned, it is your decision. Enjoy whatever you do and keep the Corvette spirit alive.

Fred

OverBudget

You guys are great. That's what I needed... A little encouragement. Yes, I will struggle to drive it and not care, but maybe it will be good for me.

I think I'll go for it, and I'll let you know how it turns out.

I will struggle with the 1st and 2nd big rock chips..., other items I need to consider is my cooling. I have 2 electric fans, but I'm not sure if that will be sufficient in 115 degree stop and go driving...

Keep the comments coming,

James

VanIsle66

Budget … My $.02? If day to day wear on your show car is going to take away from driving enjoyment, leave it a show car. You rightfully take pleasure and pride in what you’ve accomplished with that beautiful machine. At the same time, there’s nothing like a regular dose of C2 on a sunny day! So, if money doesn’t dictate an “either / or” decision, find a driver that you won’t mind taking out of the garage without a care. Show one, drive the other. Either way, have fun. No one promises us tomorrow.

crw41

Any damage from driving can be easily fixxed here in Ohio - then again, probably not.

Tom E.

If you want a Vette just to look at, there are plenty of books, photos, & posters that can be viewed or attractively displayed.

But, to get the full experience; buy it, work on it, take pictures of it, then drive it every nice day that you can; and it will then give the most pleasure to yourself & others.

It is a changing market, and I believe the next generation of Early & Mid-Year owners will not be nearly as particular about "correctness", but rather of its overall appearence AND "driverness".

tdelph

If I understand your post...it sounds as though when you are at your second home you would like to drive the 63. I assume this is like a vacation home and you will only be there on nice days, vacation or long weekends. My father-in-law has an old caddy convertible he used to take to the beach home and he loved it. It wasnt damaged at all...just normal wear. Driving the vette is the fun part. Drive the vette. Remember what it looked like before you re-did it? Re-doing the car is also fun...so in about 5 years we will watch you rebuild this one.

ssgnco

My $.02 worth. If you want to drive it, drive it. If you have the money, you can keep it "near-perfect" and put it back later if you really want to (or let someone else). But, I agree with those who think that cars are to drive.

richscorvettes

James,

Hope the encouragement pushes you over the edge to drive the car. I think I would even seriously consider driving it to Arizona.

Arizona should be the perfect place for the way you have built the car.

Rich

RFJohnston

I sold my 67 and didn't drive it nearly enough... wish I still had it.

632C2

James,

I would drive it, but only sparingly. I can tell you that there is no getting used to ANY rock chips. And rock chips are minor in the grand scheme of things.

I will be interested to see what you decide on.

Steve

steemin

IMHO.. Sell the show car and buy a High end driver.
I recently had a car built for me and my only dissappointment is that
I went overboard and built a car that is not/should not be a driver.
Yeah I drive the car once in while. But I obsess over weather,parking,rock chips etc...
How nice would it be to just get in and drive whenever/wherever you want with little or no worries?
Again just my opinion.
Scott

adrenaline-guy

Step 1--- Grab a creeper, jack, jackstands, a hammer, and a chisel

Step 2--- Raise your car safely with the jack, put on jackstands

Step 3--- Ever so gently...put a tiny (1/16" diameter) chip in the paint with the hammer and chisel in the front fascia where no one will ever see it from a normal vantage point

Step 4--- Enjoy the fact that no one else could ever put the first rock chip in your car.

Step 5--- Have a beer.

OverBudget

Ha Ha,

I like that last rock chip post!

Buying a driver wouldn't work. It's either drive the dream car I built, or keep it, take it on small cruises, and buy something else to drive.

I'm leaning towards shipping it and making it my driver. I'll be down here with family when school is out for kids (Christmas, Spring Break, and Summer).

James

tommyn

When I lived in Phoenix full time I daily drove my 60 for 3 years. I did 2 power tour long hauls and almost never had the top on the car (hardtop only). I did have a covered employee only parking garage. You will always have a smile on your face. The Arizona forum crew is a great group and there are a lot of great weather days to drive. You will limit your driving during Monsoon season as the weather changes quick but this is very short. The only other recomendation I can give after seeing Tylers post is get an agreed value insurance policy with NO driving limitations. As they say hope for the best and plan for the worst. I hope I get a chance to see your car around phoenix as the photos look great!
TommyN

CRVT427

My car is 90% complete and hoping to be drving it in about 2 months. I did not want an original car because I wanted a driver. Once the car is complete, I'm taking a lot of pictures as this will be the best condition for the car. It will be downhill once I start driving it but I will be enjoying every moment of it. There may come a time when it may not be fun to drive my 67 so I'm going to enjoy now and not worry about the net worth of the car.

Most people lose money on cars and I'm admitting to myself that I'm going to lose money on my 67. I'm also losing money on my dirtbikes, jeeps, RV and other toys. I'll make up for the loss with my primary and secondary business. Good luck with our decision.

noelga

Overbudget
My car was built to be a driver.
It got a little out of control.
I think we are in the same neighborhood build cost wise.
I will show it when done but after that it will be driven on the street.
I can not see building your dream and then not enjoying it.
Don't you just love driving it?

chris ritchie

Don't do it. Very bad idea. A second car is for running errands and convenience. You will not be happy carefully driving this car in crazy traffic and parking in crowded lots next to minivans with children. You know, the regular stuff you have to do every day. A fancy car like yours wasn't made for that. And you won't be happy using it that way. Will you be broke after you buy the Scottsdale house? If not, buy a regular second car, and make this the third fun car.

Big question. Scottsdale? Is your car air conditioned?

Mr D.

Drive it like it owes you money.

kidvette

May as well drive it now.
Because when your dead someone else sure will.