Re: Easy driver?

Posted by Dave Brownell On 2014/1/28 12:05:37

My collector cars are covered by a limited-use policy that keeps me from doing the usual driving in them. So I don't. Both the Packard and 67 Corvette have newer radial tires on them, but the stick-shift, non-power steering and brakes Corvette is as different from the Packard as night is to day. Both would be lousy if I had to drive either as I do with my newer cars. My wife really prefers the wide, expansive cabin of the Packard, with its smooth ride and great visibility to that of the old Corvette.

Our family business includes huge to little vehicles, ranging from Peterbilts and Autocars, many Chevy/GMC crewcabs and pickups, down to the GTI. All get your attention when you switch from one to another. But, psychologically, big must matter to me. Both the Peterbilt and the Packard make me hypervigilent when driving them in normal traffic. Both are loved and well-cared for, so I would not want to do anything to hurt them or others. Even the 67 Corvette, which has been in the family for more than thirty years, takes some reacquainting time. I'd never think of leaving either on a store lot unattended.

But the newer cars tend to "cocoon" me, with alert dynamics that transmit road feel in a completely different manner than Torsion-Level. I'll reserve the special times of driving for the forty--seven and fifty-eight year old cars in the house garage, and leave the daily stuff to the newer ones. Someday, maybe a museum will appreciate that.