Memorable Experience

[GMachineDartGT]

I usually don't post on boards anymore, but I thought I'd share an experience most should have at least once with their project car. I've had mine 25 years now, and have put over 200k miles on it, so I've done some seat time. However, as everyone knows, work/family comittments become more demanding, the car goes out the window in a hurry. Fortunately, I was never in the position of most on this board, buying a car in pieces then spending years putting it together. I bought an original car in the 80s cheap, and was forced to upgrade while driving. This lasted until 95. Anyway, I've gotten this car to the point where it looks good, has ac, highway gears, and is very reliable as well as usefull. Yesterday, I was up at Monticello for a track day, which was amazing to say the least. The point of this post is not to brag that I was the fastest/best, because I wasn't..Its about being able to jump in your hot rod with a cup of coffee, drive 125 miles to the track, run wide open for a total of 2 hours track time, then drive home another 125 miles in the pouring rain without skipping a beat. I was coming home last night on the NY thruway, and literally forgot what kind of car I was driving. Its rare when you are so connected with a classic car, that it can be driven like a daily driver. I know for a fact not many have had this experience, but if you do, you'll know what I mean. Kind of makes the whole thing worth while. Musclecars still rule, and though I wasn't even close to the fastest car on the track, I know its fun to watch and even more fun to drive. Enjoy!

[Yellr79]

Thats really cool!! I had a similiar experience when I bought my dream car (70 camaro)out in Long Beach,ca. and drove it home to Ohio when I got out of the Navy.It was a blast,and I loved every second of it!!!

[Bill Howell]

I know exactly what you mean Peter. That is why I have put 10,500+ miles on the charger this year. There is nothing as fun as driving to an event, driving your car like a rented mule at the event, then driving home. And yes, you have to experience it to understand the feeling you describe. Pro-touring cars are meant to be driven and used, to put them in a trailer or leave them in a garage is just wrong.

[DarkBuddha]

I'm with ya! It ain't gotta be the fastest, it ain't gotta be the prettiest, it ain't gotta be nicest. It's just gotta haul you (and maybe the family) and show you a good time, not cause you a ton of suffering or leave you fretting, and not scare you to drive it the ways you wanna. And it's gotta be yours... all yours. That's freaking golden.

I'll get there one day... one day.

[dogz67chevelle]

Add me to the list of believers. When I first got the Chevelle about 6 years ago, it never came out of the garage if there was a hint of rain. That all changed a little over a year ago, and Ive never looked back or had any regrets. Trips to Vegas, or LA... let's go!!! Take it to the autocross and beat the snot out of it? I'm in. It doesn't get much better than that.


deanna

[shmoov69]

Amen!! Can i get a witnesss?!?! Amen brother!!

[formula]

I've said it before, I'll say it again--It's only as cool as it drives. That INCLUDES bein' cool on the streets.

Everytime I see a P-T build get loaded into a trailer for a less-than-300 mile drive, I choke up a little. If you REALLY want to get to where you're comfortable with your car, daily-drive it for a year or six. Man and machine will become ONE!

[wellis77]

This is what excites me about PT and finishing my car one day. It will be a d.d. and track-driven. Oh come on someday...

[BayouSS]

This is what its really all about. Well put.

[critter]

Kudos to you brother. You have it right.

[neki67]

Amen,

finally have my car in a driveable state and am driving it everywhere. I work on an onshore oil rig here and brought it along for the second 2 week hitch. Rain, mud, I don't care. Some guys @ work don't understand but I tell 'm; I built it to drive and when it looks good in the mean time, it's a bonus.

[Jim Nilsen]

It's something to ponder as to how a track day can change your whole life but it does, to drive there and back and have all that fun is what it is all about !!!!

Welcome to club

[rockytopper]

I just got this same feeling last weekend at Goodguys in Fort Worth. It was only autocross old hat to most of you guys but my first time out. My car was just finished a few weeks ago after a 3 year build. 1 year to put the drive train in. 1 year driving it 10k and enjoying it rat style . 1 year tearing it appart and making it pretty. Got my first dent in my first autocross event and I wasn't even upset. The word proud comes to mine. My car to my surprise handle so well it thru a bottle of windex across it's manmoth trunk and shot pinged the rear quarter. Awesome just awesome. I can't wait until I get a track day somewhere.

[GMachineDartGT]

Enjoy!

[asifnyc]

great post and great car! I've done 6 track days at various tracks (no towing) this year in my Javelin and it's been the best time I've had with the car in the 18 years I've had it. So I know exactly what you're talking about (except for the car looking good and having AC part, I'm not quite there yet with mine )

[Tony_SS]

Right on! Your enjoyment comes from your commitment over the years.. you have built a great machine, and stuck with it. It takes time and patience. But the end result is pure enjoyment. I think I'll go for a ride this morning.