[Postman57]

Cruise Ins are my preferred type of event. Meet some folks, look at and talk about cars- good times. Still fairly new to the area, so it’s a good way to meet people with some similar interests. I enjoy the big shows; I’m going to Good Guys later this week. Not taking a classic, though. The 57 is still under construction and the Super Bee isn’t compatible with a happy wife and a 5 or 6 hour drive.
To the original topic- I think friends are key to enjoying this hobby. My wife tolerates it (usually), but can’t say she’s enthused. The garage time alone is good for my mental health, but it’d be great to work with somebody else sometimes.
Come to think of it- lack of local “car friends” is one of the things that keep me coming here.

 

[69SHEVL]

Something fast and loud just to play with.

For now, you got to play with what you got..........

 

[Kenc106]

Hi everyone. For some reason, I loss interest in my '55 and taking it out. I parked it last Oct-Nov and that's where it sat. I have no idea why I didn't care anymore, but I didn't. Very unusual for me. It's not that I was busy with other projects and didn't have the time. I did have the time on almost any given day. Just didn't have the feeling for it. I knew for a while that there were some nice shows coming up soon, but that didn't influence me either. This past Friday, for some unknown reason, I decided to see if I could start the car. It was somewhat difficult. I ended up pouring gas down the carburetor throat. It started and stayed running. I let it warm up and back it out of the garage. About 1 quart of transmission fluid on the floor. No surprises there. The inspection was 10 months overdue and I took it to my mechanic who did the inspection. About a 20 mile round trip. The car ran and drove flawlessly. Returned home and cleaned and dusted it off. Put the cover back on. Today, Sunday, I decided to take it to a cruise in type car show. No trophies or awards. Just honorable mention. Peoples choice. Some real nice cars there. About 100 or so. I stayed 6 hours and it felt good to get out with it. Returned home and back into the garage. There is another show next Saturday and then a big 1200 car show in October. About 1.5 hours from me and I would like to take the car. I just think it's so reliable. Not afraid of break downs. I've never seen a motor this old idle so smooth as this one. I bet it's turning about 450-500 rpms. Remarkable to me.
I believe I'm starting to recapture the spirit. I know my driving season is coming to a close. I didn't get out with the car at all over the summer. That's my fault. Has something like this happened to others??
I took a pic of the car. Thanks for looking, Carmine.

View attachment 467628

Problem occurs when you’re not driving a 67 Camaro, there’s only one cure.

 

[K-Dog]

My guess is you have had something else on your mind lately?

 

[eeketch]

Hi everyone. For some reason, I loss interest in my '55 and taking it out. I parked it last Oct-Nov and that's where it sat. I have no idea why I didn't care anymore, but I didn't. Very unusual for me. It's not that I was busy with other projects and didn't have the time. I did have the time on almost any given day. Just didn't have the feeling for it. I knew for a while that there were some nice shows coming up soon, but that didn't influence me either. This past Friday, for some unknown reason, I decided to see if I could start the car. It was somewhat difficult. I ended up pouring gas down the carburetor throat. It started and stayed running. I let it warm up and back it out of the garage. About 1 quart of transmission fluid on the floor. No surprises there. The inspection was 10 months overdue and I took it to my mechanic who did the inspection. About a 20 mile round trip. The car ran and drove flawlessly. Returned home and cleaned and dusted it off. Put the cover back on. Today, Sunday, I decided to take it to a cruise in type car show. No trophies or awards. Just honorable mention. Peoples choice. Some real nice cars there. About 100 or so. I stayed 6 hours and it felt good to get out with it. Returned home and back into the garage. There is another show next Saturday and then a big 1200 car show in October. About 1.5 hours from me and I would like to take the car. I just think it's so reliable. Not afraid of break downs. I've never seen a motor this old idle so smooth as this one. I bet it's turning about 450-500 rpms. Remarkable to me.
I believe I'm starting to recapture the spirit. I know my driving season is coming to a close. I didn't get out with the car at all over the summer. That's my fault. Has something like this happened to others??
I took a pic of the car. Thanks for looking, Carmine.

View attachment 467628

I took my 55 apart to add power steering. Complications stopped progress. Then, customer work, medical stuff, and life just kept me from it. So, this year. I got the steering box almost where it needs to be and found the headers interfered. Eventually, I got exhaust manifolds. The box and column are now aligned. Now, I need to make the exhaust pipes reach the manifolds. But, I bought a battery, connected the fuel line and got it crunk. Oops, customer work pause. Next week, I get back to the exhaust, replumb the a/c and put the front end back on.

 

[RickM56&57]

I spent most of the time for past 3 years over at Corvette Forums while redoing my 78 Pacecar. Car was finished and driving last April. Drove it around the block a few times and made some mental notes what needs addressed. Then stuck it in my back garage. Needed a break, I guess. Or ready to start something new. Likely will get back to it next spring/summer. For now am proceeding forward on the 56 sedan.

 

[K-Dog]

I took my 55 apart to add power steering. Complications stopped progress. Then, customer work, medical stuff, and life just kept me from it. So, this year. I got the steering box almost where it needs to be and found the headers interfered. Eventually, I got exhaust manifolds. The box and column are now aligned. Now, I need to make the exhaust pipes reach the manifolds. But, I bought a battery, connected the fuel line and got it crunk. Oops, customer work pause. Next week, I get back to the exhaust, replumb the a/c and put the front end back on.

You sound like you are 'exhausted' from working on the 55. I typically pace myself. Work on it enough to keep it running and keep the checking account in the black. I do the majority of my work over the winter when I know I can't drive it for the better part of 6 months.

 

[mikelly]

A couple years ago the carb on my 56 wagon was giving me trouble and I was considering going to fuel injection. I was given a fuel injection style gas tank by a friend whose nomad project went a different direction. That inspired me to purchase the Sniper kit. I figured it would be about a three day project but I swear every single step was problematic. About two weeks later I had it together and was able to drive it only to find the gas tank leaked at the seam in spite of the fact that I had used por-15 sealant. The new tank I bought wasn't oriented the same which required rerunning lines etc. By the time I got it all squared away I didn't want to play cars anymore. It's only recently that I've started driving it again.

 

[jc56BelAir]

Do you think the transmission leak is getting to you? I know that can be disheartening. You have a beautiful car Carmine, and I'm sure you'll get your joy back.

 

[Carmine2]

The transmission leak I've learned to live with because I contribute to it by not starting or driving it. It's the original Powerglide that was supposedly rebuilt in 1991. I have no desire to have it removed and rebuilt. If I did though, I wouldn't put it back in. An OD transmission with a different motor and gears. But, not by me in this lifetime. I'm certainly starting to feel better and more attached. Going to a car show tomorrow with it. Weather should be good. Found out a local Mustang club has a Friday night cruise in, every Friday night, weather permitting. Going to look into that. They say all are welcome, Carmine.

 

[Churchkey]

Watch American Graffiti again + download & listen to 50's & 60's music. If the fire does not reignite the embers have been extinguished.
Luck

 

[Scarlett]

Hi everyone. For some reason, I loss interest in my '55 and taking it out. I parked it last Oct-Nov and that's where it sat. I have no idea why I didn't care anymore, but I didn't. Very unusual for me. It's not that I was busy with other projects and didn't have the time. I did have the time on almost any given day. Just didn't have the feeling for it. I knew for a while that there were some nice shows coming up soon, but that didn't influence me either. This past Friday, for some unknown reason, I decided to see if I could start the car. It was somewhat difficult. I ended up pouring gas down the carburetor throat. It started and stayed running. I let it warm up and back it out of the garage. About 1 quart of transmission fluid on the floor. No surprises there. The inspection was 10 months overdue and I took it to my mechanic who did the inspection. About a 20 mile round trip. The car ran and drove flawlessly. Returned home and cleaned and dusted it off. Put the cover back on. Today, Sunday, I decided to take it to a cruise in type car show. No trophies or awards. Just honorable mention. Peoples choice. Some real nice cars there. About 100 or so. I stayed 6 hours and it felt good to get out with it. Returned home and back into the garage. There is another show next Saturday and then a big 1200 car show in October. About 1.5 hours from me and I would like to take the car. I just think it's so reliable. Not afraid of break downs. I've never seen a motor this old idle so smooth as this one. I bet it's turning about 450-500 rpms. Remarkable to me.
I believe I'm starting to recapture the spirit. I know my driving season is coming to a close. I didn't get out with the car at all over the summer. That's my fault. Has something like this happened to others??
I took a pic of the car. Thanks for looking, Carmine.

View attachment 467628

Hey, Carmine! Well, I have no idea what it would feel like NOT to want to take either of my '57's out each day. I miss my 2 door 'Scarlett" as she's been in the body shop for over 6 months now. The guy keeps telling me he's almost ready to do her primer. I do go and see her almost weekly. Used to sit in her and "pet" her. Now, her wheels are off and she's sanded down so I can't do that. Driving her got me through the death of my mother and my husband 3 years ago so it was difficult to get this body work and a new paint job done. AND, if I had been warned that it would take this long, I surely wouldn't have done it and just lived with the two small rust spots.
However, with that said, I LOVE my 4 door "Dolly." I was able to get the seat backs' seams repaired without replacing them. Thankfully, the seat material was not rotted as she had been sitting in a garage for 42 years. Just turned over 50,000 original miles last week. I'm going to my first "cruise in" with her tomorrow evening. Looking forward to it.
The weather should be turning nice here in Florida in the next couple of weeks. Dolly has no a/c so it does get a bit hot in traffic and I have to remind myself that my first two cars had no a/c. I'm planning to drive her the 7 hour drive to the Keys Columbus Day weekend. That's where I grew up.
Please get out with your "girl" more often, Carmine! She's a beauty! Lori

 

[Carmine2]

Thanks for sharing your story. I plan on getting out more with the seasonal driving time remaining. I have driven it right up to the first snowfall, right into November. Then, I put it away. The heater and blower, levers, all work quite well. I was surprised, Carmine.

 

[segastured]

Hi everyone. For some reason, I loss interest in my '55 and taking it out. I parked it last Oct-Nov and that's where it sat. I have no idea why I didn't care anymore, but I didn't. Very unusual for me. It's not that I was busy with other projects and didn't have the time. I did have the time on almost any given day. Just didn't have the feeling for it. I knew for a while that there were some nice shows coming up soon, but that didn't influence me either. This past Friday, for some unknown reason, I decided to see if I could start the car. It was somewhat difficult. I ended up pouring gas down the carburetor throat. It started and stayed running. I let it warm up and back it out of the garage. About 1 quart of transmission fluid on the floor. No surprises there. The inspection was 10 months overdue and I took it to my mechanic who did the inspection. About a 20 mile round trip. The car ran and drove flawlessly. Returned home and cleaned and dusted it off. Put the cover back on. Today, Sunday, I decided to take it to a cruise in type car show. No trophies or awards. Just honorable mention. Peoples choice. Some real nice cars there. About 100 or so. I stayed 6 hours and it felt good to get out with it. Returned home and back into the garage. There is another show next Saturday and then a big 1200 car show in October. About 1.5 hours from me and I would like to take the car. I just think it's so reliable. Not afraid of break downs. I've never seen a motor this old idle so smooth as this one. I bet it's turning about 450-500 rpms. Remarkable to me.
I believe I'm starting to recapture the spirit. I know my driving season is coming to a close. I didn't get out with the car at all over the summer. That's my fault. Has something like this happened to others??
I took a pic of the car. Thanks for looking, Carmine.

View attachment 467628

So glad you got it going and recaptured your love for that beautiful car.