After 8 years, I took my first drive...and got yelled at.

[jski67]

For the first time since 2002, I drove my camaro today! Of course, there were a few bumps along the way. I was going to head out for the maiden voyage on Saturday, but the normal Florida afternoon rain started so I pushed it back in the garage...then the rain quit so I pulled it out...then it started again...back into the garage...rain quit again...etc, etc.

During my driveway shuffle I noticed that the brakes...well, sucked. Hmm, what's wrong? No leaks...decent pedal...hmmm. Ahhh, I never hooked up the booster! So I made a quick trip to the store, grabbed some vacuum line, plugged everything in...and now the car won't start. Now what? I spent the rest of Saturday and Sunday morning resetting the timing, checking for loose hoses and wires, reset the efi tps, yadda yadda yadda.

Anyone guessed the problem yet? Of course...outta gas!!!!! Why should I check the obvious? Threw five gallons in the tank, turned the key and bam...fired right up.

So I take the first "lap" through my neighborhood and everything feels pretty good, but the power steering is squealing really bad. I head back to the house, dump some more fluid in it and head out again.

I made it about two blocks and a little old lady stops me to ask if I won't drive by her house again because my car "is very disturbing". Trying to be a good neighbor, I say fine and pull around in the cul de sac, after which she stops me again to tell me I don't have a tag. I can hardly wait for the inevitable letter from my home owners association. (By the way, I already have exhaust on it with Borla XR1s dumping in front of the axle...on my iphone decible meter, it said 89db at idle which I don't think is too bad) Oh well, I got enough thumbs up from other folks that I don't feel too bad.

Anyway, nothing fell off...I didn't hit anything...and nothing caught fire...a total success in my book! I put in full frame rails and built my own triangulated four bar for this car, so I've been really nervous on how it would track...I know a 30mph neighborhood cruise isn't the best indicator, but so far it feels good.

Thanks to all the members of Lateral G.net, Pro-Touring.com, Team Camaro.net and Prodigy Customs for the killer paint...today was a big day!
Jason

As purchased in 1991...


Major rebuild started in 2002...


Tonight in the garage with one mile on the odometer...

[will69camaro]

Car looks awesome. Funny story too! I hate HOA so hopefully they dont give you a hard time. I can only imagine what mine will say....

[Ron in SoCal]

Congrats Man. It's a long road, a big moment and I can't wait to do the same thing! Your car looks great....

[DOOM]

Great story!! Looks good way to go....

[DFRESH]

That's awesome---as if it's not gut tightening enough to take the car out for it's first spin, you got granny on your six to boot. Typical first car shakedown--something bizarre always seems to happen--LOL. Congrats----that is a huge accomplishment---more pics of the car would be great---looks awesome from the one pic.

Doug

[aany001]

Car looks great do you have any more pics?

[ROKN69]

A great story and a great car. Hopefully "grandma" doesn't cause any grief.

[Vegas69]

Nice, I remember my first open header run up through my old neighborhood. The crotchity old guy tried to wave me over and I just kept going.

[awr68]

That's a great first drive! After all, it made it back home!! Congrats on sticking with it and getting to the point you are at now! And it looks great!!

[Spiffav8]

just another example of how a love of cars can open a conversation with a stranger that you would never have talked to.