Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Wednesday, 9/17 - All the official Motorama II activities are now over. It's just a matter of getting home to Naperville, IL. We left the hotel at 7:00 EDT, about an hour later than planned, but we're on our own schedule now. A rather uneventful trip except for avoiding the flooded sections of I80/I94 south of Lake Michigan. We had hoped that more than 2 days would have been enough time to remove the flood water from the interstate. No such luck. We opted to take the Chicago Skyway. That decision necessitated an additional fuel stop. Jan did not, did not, did not want to stop for gas along the Chicago Skyway, bad neighborhoods! Other than construction (what's new about that?), and 2 lanes rather than 4 on I80/I94, it was no big deal. At the last toll booth, a bus driver opened his door and asked me if it was a 68 or a 70 Vette. 68, of course. As we neared home, we stopped at Mickey D's again, and picked up lunch. We arrived home at 12:30 CDT. In the end, the trip took 9 days, we drove 2058.6 miles, and took 326 photos. Those photos will get uploaded to a web site. Most of them will get burned onto a CD and sent to Roc L at the NCM. He is collecting photos from all participants and will send the full collection to all participants. Some highlight photos will be added to this blog. Note: I have already added photos to the Tuesday, 9/9 post on this blog. One last thing, it looks like I'll be able to get the stain marks left by the duc tape, but is will be a slow process.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Tuesday, 9/16 - I woke up about 1:30 and couldn't get back to sleep, finally got up at 4:00, took a shower, and was in the parking lot at 4:30 to check the 68. Some dew all over and some bird shit on a rear fender. A little before 5:00 I fired up the 68, it started, and the choke set properly. It finally settled into a 1500 rpm idle. From the agenda, you will note I had quite a wait, and the 68 had a long time to get warmed up. I noticed that the 67 that was missing when I parked the 68 on Monday night. Strange, I thought it was a yellow 427 convertible, not coupe. I later found out that I was not mistaken, our 67 had developed a problem on Monday, and we had a stand-in. But the 54 was back with us for the big day. Yeah!
We were staged in 3 groups to be located at 3 locations at the Ren Center. The first and last Vettes of each generation were to be located on the fountain near the river, the highest profile location, the even number cars were located on the street between the Ren Center and fountain, and the odd numbered cars were in a similar location on the same street. All in all, a nice location for all the Vettes. Jan was particularly happy with placement of the 68 because as you may know the 68 was the first year of the C3's and we were to be parked on the fountain.
Finally, it was 5:30 and time to leave. The fountain group was the first to go. We were lead by a read Z06 from the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving. The 68 was behaving well, but before we got to I75, it quit, and I poped the clutch to get it started again. I75 going into Detroit was about as busy as the Kennedy or Eisenhower going into Chicago at that time of morning. When we got the cars parked at the Ren Center, it was time to put the finishing touches on it with Final Inspection. Boy that duc tape made a (permant?) mess. Nuts!!!
GM provided breakfast, and we were off to find the location where we would view the festivities. We were in an area across from a new Camaro with a few chairs, more standing room, a TV, and a bunch of broadcast lights. BTW, there were a lot of prototype GM cars in a special area near us. The day's program was mostly the usual corporate rah, rah with people from all of GM's major location around the world talking about what they do and how they fit into GM's future. Then Bob Lutz, Chairman, of GM showed up in our area. A lot of those close to where he stood got autographs. Jan tried to get an autograph also, but he left to give his speech before she could get to him. Nuts! He spoke about styling being a key differentiator in the future. He noted that GM would have all the key technologies, quality, etc. as everyone else, but would lead the industry in styling. Then he was gone. After the CEO have his speech, he introduced the new "production" Chevy Volt. It drove out onto the stage, rotated, and Bob Lutz stepped out. The presentation was done. Jan, Carol Dale (69), and I went down to see the car close up. Super looking 4-door hatchback, with a shiny black painted roof, and a white dashboard pod in the middle that looked like a kitchen appliance. My FVCC yellow Corvette jacket attracted a reporter from the NY Times, and I got interviewed about what I thought about the Volt and what I would compare it with w.r.t. impact at the time of introduction. I rambled on and finally said that from a technology and styling standpoint that it could have the same impact as the 55 Chevy. We'll see if I get in the paper. After lunch we went down to be with the cars. We took pictures, talked amongst ourselves, and talked to strangers who had questions. I saw the owner of the 53, let an interested gentle man sit in his car. Another person took my picture next to the 68, told me it was a beautiful car, and that he was happy I had not made it a trailer queen. Quite a day, and no rain. A beautiful, sunny day. Good timing At 2:00 (sharp) we got another guided ride back to the hotel. Jan and I did some prepacking, and collapsed. Another long day of driving home was ahead of us, and I94 near Gary, IN, was closed with flooding. We'll see how that goes tomorrow.
We were staged in 3 groups to be located at 3 locations at the Ren Center. The first and last Vettes of each generation were to be located on the fountain near the river, the highest profile location, the even number cars were located on the street between the Ren Center and fountain, and the odd numbered cars were in a similar location on the same street. All in all, a nice location for all the Vettes. Jan was particularly happy with placement of the 68 because as you may know the 68 was the first year of the C3's and we were to be parked on the fountain.
Finally, it was 5:30 and time to leave. The fountain group was the first to go. We were lead by a read Z06 from the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving. The 68 was behaving well, but before we got to I75, it quit, and I poped the clutch to get it started again. I75 going into Detroit was about as busy as the Kennedy or Eisenhower going into Chicago at that time of morning. When we got the cars parked at the Ren Center, it was time to put the finishing touches on it with Final Inspection. Boy that duc tape made a (permant?) mess. Nuts!!!
GM provided breakfast, and we were off to find the location where we would view the festivities. We were in an area across from a new Camaro with a few chairs, more standing room, a TV, and a bunch of broadcast lights. BTW, there were a lot of prototype GM cars in a special area near us. The day's program was mostly the usual corporate rah, rah with people from all of GM's major location around the world talking about what they do and how they fit into GM's future. Then Bob Lutz, Chairman, of GM showed up in our area. A lot of those close to where he stood got autographs. Jan tried to get an autograph also, but he left to give his speech before she could get to him. Nuts! He spoke about styling being a key differentiator in the future. He noted that GM would have all the key technologies, quality, etc. as everyone else, but would lead the industry in styling. Then he was gone. After the CEO have his speech, he introduced the new "production" Chevy Volt. It drove out onto the stage, rotated, and Bob Lutz stepped out. The presentation was done. Jan, Carol Dale (69), and I went down to see the car close up. Super looking 4-door hatchback, with a shiny black painted roof, and a white dashboard pod in the middle that looked like a kitchen appliance. My FVCC yellow Corvette jacket attracted a reporter from the NY Times, and I got interviewed about what I thought about the Volt and what I would compare it with w.r.t. impact at the time of introduction. I rambled on and finally said that from a technology and styling standpoint that it could have the same impact as the 55 Chevy. We'll see if I get in the paper. After lunch we went down to be with the cars. We took pictures, talked amongst ourselves, and talked to strangers who had questions. I saw the owner of the 53, let an interested gentle man sit in his car. Another person took my picture next to the 68, told me it was a beautiful car, and that he was happy I had not made it a trailer queen. Quite a day, and no rain. A beautiful, sunny day. Good timing At 2:00 (sharp) we got another guided ride back to the hotel. Jan and I did some prepacking, and collapsed. Another long day of driving home was ahead of us, and I94 near Gary, IN, was closed with flooding. We'll see how that goes tomorrow.
Monday, 9/15 - Flash back to Sunday night: Kirk Dale with the 69 came back to the hotel with a small tarp and twing. We wrapped the center of the 68 in a driving rain (thanks to Ike). Even with ponchos on, we looked like we had a shower.
Early on Monday morning I unwrapped the 68 and checked the interior. Given the amount of rain and wind, it was not as bad as it could have been. I vacuumed and towel dried the interior, and we were ready to go. We left the hotel at 8:00 for the Performance Build Center in Wixom, MI, where they build the LS7 engines for the Z06 and the new LS9 for the ZR1. Whoa! What a tour! Only 1 person builds each engine, and they put their name on each engine. We got to stand next to the workers, watch, and ask them questions. One of our women put a piston in a block. When an engine is done, the worker fills out a build sheet and the computer spits out 1/4" of paper with the torque specs of every important nut and bolt on the eingine. An excellent tour!
We then went to the Sloan Museum in Flint, MI, the home of Buick for a box lunch. After lunch we toured the museum that covered civil rights in Flint, dolls of historic figures, and of course, cars. Jan and I got our picture taken in a 1920's Buick.
Then it was off to Sterling Heights, MI, and GM's Heritage Center for a Hors D'oeuvre dinner in a huge room full of some of the coolest GM cars from the past. If you ever get a chance to go here, do it! We then had a briefing on the agenda for Tuesday, "THE" day for GM's 100th birthday.
Early on Monday morning I unwrapped the 68 and checked the interior. Given the amount of rain and wind, it was not as bad as it could have been. I vacuumed and towel dried the interior, and we were ready to go. We left the hotel at 8:00 for the Performance Build Center in Wixom, MI, where they build the LS7 engines for the Z06 and the new LS9 for the ZR1. Whoa! What a tour! Only 1 person builds each engine, and they put their name on each engine. We got to stand next to the workers, watch, and ask them questions. One of our women put a piston in a block. When an engine is done, the worker fills out a build sheet and the computer spits out 1/4" of paper with the torque specs of every important nut and bolt on the eingine. An excellent tour!
We then went to the Sloan Museum in Flint, MI, the home of Buick for a box lunch. After lunch we toured the museum that covered civil rights in Flint, dolls of historic figures, and of course, cars. Jan and I got our picture taken in a 1920's Buick.
Then it was off to Sterling Heights, MI, and GM's Heritage Center for a Hors D'oeuvre dinner in a huge room full of some of the coolest GM cars from the past. If you ever get a chance to go here, do it! We then had a briefing on the agenda for Tuesday, "THE" day for GM's 100th birthday.
- 5:15 am gather in the parking lot
- 5:00 depart
- 8:30 - 9:15 the main GM presentation
- 11:00 - 12:00 lunch
- 2:00 we're done, time to leave
We all bought those Corvette posters with nearly every year Vette. Everyone signed near/over their Vette. A great souvenir!
Back to the hotel. The observant reader will note that the 68 has not been washed since Tuesday, 9/9, if you don't count rain. I washed the 68, removed the duc tape, and parked it in it's staging spot for Tuesday morning.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Sunday, 9/14 - Guess what? The rain had stopped when we awoke. We got up around 7:00 am, and went out to check out the 68. Damp inside. I used some towels to soak up water in the foot wells and rear storage area. Then I wet/dry vaced the carpeting and put towel scraps from the hotel down on those wet areas and the seats. About 10:00 we drove to the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. A fun time. Lots of interesting things to look at. Planes, trains, and automobiles. We even took a ride in a model T. Unfortunately, the rain returned when we were headed back to the hotel. Got the 68 ready for an evening of rain. The owner of the 69 was going out and said he would bring a tarp to wrap the car. See you tomorrow.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Saturday, 9/13 - This was an off day, and all we had to do was get ourselves to Troy, MI. However, the word that best describes Saturday is "RAIN." It rained the night before, in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Not a light rain, but a good, heavy soaking rain. In the morning we stood under the hotel's canopy and watched the guys prep the old cars for the day's drive. The first thing many of them had to do was dry their car out. The 63 had 3" in the passenger's foot well. The 58 had a starting problem. Duc tape was used everywhere. They put it around windshields, at the leading edge of convertible tops, and all around T-tops. After we dried out the 68, we knew we had it better than many of the others. The 68 & 69 finally departed at 11:20 EDT. After a gas stop, the choke on the 68 was not happy. The car was running rough and wanted to stall anytime it was allowed to idle. Fortunately, it was purring like a kitten again by the time we reached Troy. More to come on this topic I'm sure. We reached Troy at 2:00 EDT. After unpacking and a short rest, Dave took Harry, owner of the 70, to the garage to pick up his Vette. It had been there since 10:00. A rocker arm stud had come out. The mechanics at Masterworks Automotive Services were great. Besides fixing and tweaking the 70, they worked on the 58, and checked out the 68's choke. No apparent problem, just a drive problem. The 54 was also there having an engine transplant. Dave and the 68 made their way back to the hotel. With Jan's help, the 68's interior was covered with plastic again. The rear ducs were taped shut also to keep the water out. Rain!
Friay, 9/12 - Good thing we protected the car inside because it did get water, of course, on the passenger side, but surprizingly the seat was dry because of the pastic curtain. YEA.
As we traveled to Battle Creek, the actual rain caught us and Jan was leaked upon. She had to hold towels around the window so as not to get wet. Went to Tire Rack for a tour and lunch and got to take a test drive around their test track. They use the track to test tires in rain, sun, snow, or whatever. So guess what, we got to do the rain test!!!! From there we went to the Studebaker Museum in South Bend, but no one told us the name on the main street to turn on was changed. We made our way around a few blocks and found it anyway. Great museum!!! We had to rush through it, however, because of the Mich/ND game the next day. We had a polic escort to help us get out of town. Had to find our way to Sawyer, MI or maybe Three Oaks, MI, we don't know. Yet another incorrect street name. We then let the good old boys from Lousiana lead because they had their GPS on for Sawyer, MI. After a little scenic drive, we were headed down a hill and the boys made a left turn, but we spotted the Corvette Central sign straight ahead and went there. The boys showed up about 20 minutes later.
Corvette Central gave us a wonderful tour and dinner. They also gave us some goodies to bring home.
35 miles out of Battle Creek the 70 Vette in our caravan broke down on I94. It was early evening, but a misty rain was falling. The semi's were rolling past about 60-70 mph but it seemed faster to Jan and little frightening. We called our emergeny trailer and three showed up in just a few minutes because they were not far behind us. Got the 70 loaded into the trailer and off it went and also another call came in with another break down about 30 miles up the road. (the 61 Vette). We all got back into our cars ready to go and Dave's car started and then stalled. It was flooded. What next? We got to Battle Creek and little late and again got the car ready for rain and man did it rain!!!!!
Photos coming
As we traveled to Battle Creek, the actual rain caught us and Jan was leaked upon. She had to hold towels around the window so as not to get wet. Went to Tire Rack for a tour and lunch and got to take a test drive around their test track. They use the track to test tires in rain, sun, snow, or whatever. So guess what, we got to do the rain test!!!! From there we went to the Studebaker Museum in South Bend, but no one told us the name on the main street to turn on was changed. We made our way around a few blocks and found it anyway. Great museum!!! We had to rush through it, however, because of the Mich/ND game the next day. We had a polic escort to help us get out of town. Had to find our way to Sawyer, MI or maybe Three Oaks, MI, we don't know. Yet another incorrect street name. We then let the good old boys from Lousiana lead because they had their GPS on for Sawyer, MI. After a little scenic drive, we were headed down a hill and the boys made a left turn, but we spotted the Corvette Central sign straight ahead and went there. The boys showed up about 20 minutes later.
Corvette Central gave us a wonderful tour and dinner. They also gave us some goodies to bring home.
35 miles out of Battle Creek the 70 Vette in our caravan broke down on I94. It was early evening, but a misty rain was falling. The semi's were rolling past about 60-70 mph but it seemed faster to Jan and little frightening. We called our emergeny trailer and three showed up in just a few minutes because they were not far behind us. Got the 70 loaded into the trailer and off it went and also another call came in with another break down about 30 miles up the road. (the 61 Vette). We all got back into our cars ready to go and Dave's car started and then stalled. It was flooded. What next? We got to Battle Creek and little late and again got the car ready for rain and man did it rain!!!!!
Photos coming
Thursday, 9/11 - Had a drivers' meeting and found out that the shift linkage on the 65 had broken the night before. Oh, oh! It got fixed later. We left about 8:00 am in a misty rain that we eventually outran. After our 1st stop for gas we wound up leading the chrome bumpered sharks. Gas prices did not keep the 18 wheelers off the road, there sure were lots of them. Did a tour, lunch, and Vette show at Griot's Garage in Plainfield, IN. The public was invited and they had to go to the local grocery store for more food. They did expect so many people on a weekday. Then it was on to a car museum in southern Indy. Then during a rainy rush hour, we traveled through construction on I465 to a Chevy dealer in Speedway,IN. for a spagetti dinner. We left there about 8pm to our hotel in Carmel,IN, with only 1 missed turn. We protected the inside of the '68 from water with an old shower curtain. Later that night around the bar we learned that the engine of the 54 self distructed. Good Night, it was a long day!!!!
Photos coming.
Photos coming.
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