Paul Burr wrote: "....It's better to burn out than it is to rust!
Can't argue with you on the rust. 10 years of NY driving and 6 years of
Chicago winters took its toll. That's why I am doing a full frame off
restoration.
After 25 years of being an outside car the frame has a lot of surface rust
but repairable - the driver's floor is gone, as are both rockers and the
upper corners of the rear fenders. Not too bad for the abuse given by the
driver which was only me. I blame the rear fender rust on a poor paint job
after a truck decided that he could start rolling before the light turned
green even though I was sitting in front of him.
But the driving was worth it. Killed a set of expensive Pirelli snow tires
in less than 6K miles with some very aggressive driving and letting the
tail slide in the corners on the country roads near my home. Finding the
proper speed on the highway so the wind forced the rain over the cockpit so
I didn't have to put the top up while the hope of clear sky remained down
the road. That's why I bought the car - to drive it.
For those faint of heart, maybe you don't drive on slushy days with the
salt still on the road but the sun always felt the best driving with the
top down on those clear days right after a snow storm.
I think it is better to drive your car as much as possible than to have it
sit in the garage and watch the rubber and gaskets and insulation and
carpet rot with age.
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Sandy Levine 813-876-9800 (v)
slevine@netmatics.com 813-876-9123 (f)
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