Big Block Dave Big Block Dave is offline

Hey Dude!

A while back we were talking about the effect of gas prices on the use of our old cars. Our son just sold his '69 454 powered Malibu. He still has his survivor '65 Acadian Canso (Chevy II) that can get 30 mpg highway (Imperial Gallon). He bought himself an 800 Kawasaki Vulcan to play with. People around here are not even taking their cars out to shows unless the weather is perfect, and that has been rare this year. Times are changing but people will adapt. Keith

Dave:
I think I have been going through the same thoughts as you. Since the snow left, I have been doing nothing but working on our old cars. With engine problems in the el Camino, the first time out this spring, I ended up installing a fresh 355. At least it runs better than the 307 it replaced. The 396 started out running like crap but that turned out to be points running at 38 degrees. Easy fix once I found it as I was chasing a carb problem as that is what it seemed like. The el Camino needs different mufflers as the Dynomax stainless ones drone something terrible between 1500 and 2000 rpm, and the rear gears don't suit the engine and cam at all. It just seems to be money going out all the time that I would rather be spending somewhere else. We've been doing cottage renovation work and that is a relief from looking at the bottom of the car. A guy from Calgary made me a pretty good offer for our COPO car and it needs a full restoration and I don't know if I want to face another body shop. He would probably take both Chevelles. We could have money in the bank, the el Camino with a '94 LT1, and a newer Corvette for the wife. Perhaps then we could get decent enough gas mileage to actually drive the cars some distance. 12 mpg isn't the hot ticket any more when the nearest GOOD cruise night is about 50 miles away. If we sell our cars, we'll probably kick ourselves down the road, but again maybe not. My wife, Dale, and I would like to spend more time at the cottage and travel a little. Perhaps now is the time, after 42 years of cars, cars, cars.