When my 2 kids were young, a long time ago (before cell phones), we used to play a driving game.   After we had gone somewhere (anywhere), I would tell the kids that it was their job to get us home and that they had to tell me where to go, when to turn, etc.  At ages of under ten, they gladly played along, telling Dad when to turn, etc and I dutifully followed their directions, much to my wife's consternation.  It made for great fun, perhaps more for me than anyone else, but we inevitably got to see some neighborhoods and countryside that we wouldn't have ventured into otherwise.  BTW, we never made it home under their direction, and after a couple of hours of wandering (and my wife's pleading to "let's just go home now"), I would end the game and head to the house.  I don't think people would do that now, mostly because devoting a couple of hours to nonsense just isn't acting responsible anymore.  It's a shame! I'm glad to see that Sam is still a free spirit.  Maybe next time he could take the kids with him and share the adventure. ... View more

I disagree.  The 24 hour race was the first time competing on a track for the C8.  The second race at Daytona in July suggests otherwise, after the Corvette got a fair shake on the BOP.  Let's see how it goes this weekend at Sebring. ... View more

I really enjoy Sam's stories.  I can so identify with this, and it's timely, too.  I just spent 3 weeks pouring over forums, internet gurus, manuals and whatever opinion sources were available trying to find out what were the right OEM part numbers to use to replace the front suspension of my high mileage, but late model car-hauling truck.  After pulling and finding an interpreter for the truck's RPO codes, the OEM sites were less than helpful.  It turns out there are lots of parts and part numbers that could fill those spaces under the fenders, but finding the exact replacements was an adventure down the rabbit hole.  Does my truck use aluminum A-Arms or cast steel; does it use blue or green striped strut bumpers; are the ball-joints pressed, threaded, staked or an integral part of the A-arm?  I finally threw my arms up, covered my eyes and said "I choose you", hit the "Order Now" button, and waited.  Within a few days (or weeks in some cases), boxes and boxes arrived from all over the country with just one order.  As you said, it's Christmas time in June and you  open everything.  And the wife has no idea why I'm so excited. Of course, after the vehicle is all apart, and the new shiny parts are going in, you inevitably discover that you forgot to order something, and you need to make that mad last-minute dash to the parts store before they close (or it is already the weekend and they are closed until next week).  Or, even better than getting new parts, you discover  that there is a new tool that is needed to disassemble/reassemble the vehicle and you get to order that to add to your already large inventory of single-use tools. Truck is now together and I took it to be aligned.  It is now proudly back on the road and I regale to my wife how talented I was and how I saved us big bucks by doing the work myself, even if it did take the truck out of commission for 5 weeks.   Next week I start on the brakes for my sports car.  I've pulled the RPO codes and already started looking on the internet for the correct part numbers.  Perhaps I can get the parts ordered later this week and it will be apart for only a couple of weeks.  I'm getting better at this! ... View more

Although I like the lead-in of "2 Shelby's and a McLaren...", my ideal 3-car collection is currently in my garage.  That is a pony car (my '66 Mustang), a hot rod (my '34 Plymouth coupe), and a sports car (my C6 Corvette Grand Sport).  Of course, it is a growing collection (currently building a '33 Ford roadster with a fuel-injected Chevy 348) and the needed support vehicle (my crew-cab pickup).  But perhaps the best part is the shop itself.  With the exception that it is taking longer to get mail-order parts, I have hardly noticed the "stay-at-home" orders 'cuz I have lots to keep me busy in the shop. Everybody stay safe, healthy and keep the dirty side down. ... View more

Great suggestions.  I have used all of them except the hose.  I just learned another new trick.  I would also caution people to be careful when working around the front of a running engine not to catch the probe, etc in the fan belt, pulleys or fan.  That will get your attention in a hurry! ... View more

I purchased a 1968 Camaro SS 350 4-speed new off the dealer's showroom floor in 1968.  I have seen the comment several times in "official" articles on '68 Camaro configurations that also stated that the "window" vents on the hood were only for big block cars.  I have proof that that comment is wrong.  My '68 SS 350 had the "window" vents in the hood from the factory. ... View more