After 5 years, finally took that first pleasurable drive tonight...
07-02-2016, 10:29 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
After 5 years, finally took that first pleasurable drive tonight...
A good breeze was blowing and the southern Texas summer heat was cooling off a bit. The sun was starting to go down and I had the strong urge to take my '73 'vert out for a drive. The wife happily went with me and we hit the interstate loop around town.
I had the car aligned on Friday and that was the last big item to make her mechanically reliable. I've spent five years completely rebuilding suspension, steering, cooling system, rebuilt original carb and distributor (thanks to Lars.) The humble little L48 starts right up and idled smoothly. Hitting the throttle to merge in 70mph light traffic was effortless.
It has all been worth it - the five years and the hundreds of hours invested. And it all culminated this evening. Sure, I've got plenty more to do - she's a 43 year old car, and I haven't even started in the interior and new paint. But she's mine and she runs - probably almost as good as she did back in 1973.
I wish I had a picture of the car driving along in the evening sunset - this is what it is all about.
I had the car aligned on Friday and that was the last big item to make her mechanically reliable. I've spent five years completely rebuilding suspension, steering, cooling system, rebuilt original carb and distributor (thanks to Lars.) The humble little L48 starts right up and idled smoothly. Hitting the throttle to merge in 70mph light traffic was effortless.
It has all been worth it - the five years and the hundreds of hours invested. And it all culminated this evening. Sure, I've got plenty more to do - she's a 43 year old car, and I haven't even started in the interior and new paint. But she's mine and she runs - probably almost as good as she did back in 1973.
I wish I had a picture of the car driving along in the evening sunset - this is what it is all about.
07-02-2016, 10:37 PM
#2
Racer
Wow. After all the time it takes to get a car to the point of it's "maiden voyage", It's great to finally get that first ride!. I love that feeling. Something that you never forget. Good luck with her.
07-02-2016, 10:43 PM
#3
Nam Labrat
Member Since: Sep 2013
Location: New Orleans Loo-z-anna
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Congrats! I'm jealous......every time I take mine for a test drive I "get A.D.D.'d" and decide to repair "one more thing"
07-02-2016, 10:48 PM
#4
Racer
Thread Starter
Oh, I've got a million things left to repair, repaint, refurbish - but at least I can now drive her anywhere and know I have a good chance of getting there and back home reliably. 
07-02-2016, 10:56 PM
#5
Melting Slicks
Congrats! Glad you could enjoy the fruits of your labor!
07-03-2016, 08:07 AM
#8
Dementer sole survivor
Member Since: Oct 2015
Location: YUPPY HELL Westford MASS
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2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Good job!!!! I would enjoy it the rest of the weekend then start other projects on it next weekend. Burn that memory into your head, it will be great incentive to continue until its done.
and nothing feels better than completing that first real cruise! Congrats!
07-04-2016, 08:26 AM
#12
Racer
Thread Starter
Thanks for all the kind words. And for those of you still working to get to this stage - persevere! It's worth it!
07-08-2016, 04:06 AM
#13
Burning Brakes
WOW.. I'm jealous... LOL one day mine will be on the road... Great to see another 73 back on the road....
I have some concerns about finding a person that knows how to align a C3. I have asked locally and no luck. will likely have to go to Austin
I have some concerns about finding a person that knows how to align a C3. I have asked locally and no luck. will likely have to go to Austin
07-08-2016, 07:26 AM
#14
Just started on my 77 and I know how good it feels after building my Hotrod ,I'll be looking forward to my first ride in the 77,good luck.
Pete
Pete