He's ninety-six now and barely goes outside. I was able to get him to go for a brief drive. He enjoyed the rumble of the engine thoroughly.
God bless. I wish you many more.
My Dad never felt comfortable with me driving. I can't imagine why? ::)
excellent!!
That is very cool.
What a blessing!
Quote from: shelbydoug on June 13, 2024, 08:14:59 AMGod bless. I wish you many more.
My Dad never felt comfortable with me driving. I can't imagine why? ::)
I can't imagine either. All reasonable inferences drawn, judging by your lineup of cars in your stable.
Quote from: deathsled on June 12, 2024, 11:07:08 PMHe's ninety-six now and barely goes outside. I was able to get him to go for a brief drive. He enjoyed the rumble of the engine thoroughly.
Mr.E "You will be blessed beyond measure"
Very cool. Great work
Thanks for sharing
He drove my 68 GT350 once and drove it like an Army truck. He would double clutch everything. He couldn't get used to the concept of synchromesh transmissions?
He did ask what the matter was with my engine? Why it made those noises?
Sometimes there is just nothing that you can say? Kind of like what "wifey" hits you with all the time?
I would say that my wife is in that same school as being uncomfortable with me driving.
She grabbed the padded dash in front of the passenger seat and held on for life. I swear you can still see the fingernail indentations?
I don't get it? It was only 5,500 in 4th. 115mph? So what's the biggie?
That was 35 years ago and she won't ride in the car with me anymore.
I've often been accused of or more correctly asked why I make faces? I wonder if I was the model for the "Portrait of Dorian Grey"? Is that concerning to a passenger?
I do find these cars more then somewhat of a time machine. I often feel more youthful after a drive in one. I hope that your Dad does also. To me it is one of the inexplicable things that happen in life that enriches it?
Some understand that. Others never will. Maybe it's that they never could? "Missing some sort of geno in their DNA?
Perhaps that's why even at my age I get accused of being SO immature? You think? 8)
Quote from: shelbydoug on June 13, 2024, 10:12:14 AMHe drove my 68 GT350 once and drove it like an Army truck. He would double clutch everything. He couldn't get used to the concept of synchromesh transmissions?
He did ask what the matter was with my engine? Why it made those noises?
Sometimes there is just nothing that you can say? Kind of like what "wifey" hits you with all the time?
I would say that my wife is in that same school as being uncomfortable with me driving.
She grabbed the padded dash in front of the passenger seat and held on for life. I swear you can still see the fingernail indentations?
I don't get it? It was only 5,500 in 4th. 115mph? So what's the biggie?
That was 35 years ago and she won't ride in the car with me anymore.
I've often been accused of or more correctly asked why I make faces? I wonder if I was the model for the "Portrait of Dorian Grey"? Is that concerning to a passenger?
I do find these cars more then somewhat of a time machine. I often feel more youthful after a drive in one. I hope that your Dad does also. To me it is one of the inexplicable things that happen in life that enriches it?
Some understand that. Others never will. Maybe it's that they never could? "Missing some sort of geno in their DNA?
Perhaps that's why even at my age I get accused of being SO immature? You think? 8)
Since I am not a pathfinder in philosophy, I can only quote one of the Roman senators (Seneca) who said it best:
Seneca — 'Hang on to your youthful enthusiasms -- you'll be able to use them better when you're older.'
When my wife and I were married, my salary-challenged job meant my 68 TVR Tuscan was our only car to commute in. I told her that when she was driving she must continue my streak of never losing a street race, especially against any GM infidels. Hot blond in a sports car got lots of attention, but she performed admirably. Streak stayed intact. I'm a lucky man.
Take him out as often as you can and make the most of them. Any trip could be
the last and you won't know which one until it's too late. Wish my dad was around to go for ride!!
Good stuff - I agree that you are lucky to still have him around and get to go for a ride.
I tell the [100% true] story of a ride with my Dad in the Tiger... probably close to 40 years ago.
We were headed home from lunch at my brother's house... the Ladies were going shopping in Mom & Dad's car - so I was taking Dad home. It was one of our "Three Hs" days in the summer - Hazy Hot Humid.
We're riding with the top down. Sitting at a red light. Baking in the sun and from the engine/exhaust heat.
Dad looks over at me and asks, "... and this is fun?" ???
(yesterday would have been his 97th birthday)
Later I thought how ridiculous his comment was - since his only mode of transportation "back in the day" was 2-wheeled stuff from Indian :o
Quote from: mark p on June 13, 2024, 01:09:21 PMGood stuff - I agree that you are lucky to still have him around and get to go for a ride.
I tell the [100% true] story of a ride with my Dad in the Tiger... probably close to 40 years ago.
We were headed home from lunch at my brother's house... the Ladies were going shopping in Mom & Dad's car - so I was taking Dad home. It was one of our "Three Hs" days in the summer - Hazy Hot Humid.
We're riding with the top down. Sitting at a red light. Baking in the sun and from the engine/exhaust heat.
Dad looks over at me and asks, "... and this is fun?" ???
(yesterday would have been his 97th birthday)
Later I thought how ridiculous his comment was - since his only mode of transportation "back in the day" was 2-wheeled stuff from Indian :o
Indians are cool. My dad had a red 46 with a side car. He rode out to California in it back in the 50s. Would have been an interesting time to be a young adult.
My Dad had 2 or 3 -maybe more(?) Indians over the course of time - the mid-40's to mid-50's.
We only have this photo for evidence, the story is that he sold this one to buy the engagement ring for my Mom.
(https://i.imgur.com/uF4BjgS.jpg)
This forum still needs a like button......
My dad would ride with me no problem but didn't want to go flying with me after a friend of his had crashed.
I don't have any photos of my dad's midget but have one of gramps on his Excelsior.
Good on you for taking dad for a ride ... love the shirt! ;)
Fred
Great for you and him. My dad would have been just short of 95 now. He was a car and motorcycle guy just like me,(or I like him). He had a few Indian's back in his youth. I really never got to take my dad out in our KR, but my wife took him for a short drive in it once at an INSAAC Spring Fling. She has a 68 GT/CS with manual drum brakes. So she gets in the KR with my dad as the passenger and comes to the first stop and steps on the brakes hard as she would in her GT/CS. Damn near launches him into the dash! Now my dad was not the quite type and was usually pretty loud. But his only comment to her was "the brakes work good".
Enjoy every moment with your dad. Lost mine way too soon. He used to "borrow" my GT350 occasionally. He liked his Lincoln better. I did get a chance to drive a WWII Vet last Veterans Day in the Washington DC Parade. He was a Mustang enthusiast and a hoot to drive around
Well riding in it and driving it are two remarkably different experiences. :)
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on June 13, 2024, 02:54:15 PMThis forum still needs a like button......
My dad would ride with me no problem but didn't want to go flying with me after a friend of his had crashed.
I don't have any photos of my dad's midget but have one of gramps on his Excelsior.
So the membership expired in September of 1914. Wow! Long long time ago!
Quote from: shelbydoug on June 13, 2024, 07:58:18 PMWell riding in it and driving it are two remarkably different experiences. :)
Letting him drive it now would be a frightful experience. Plus it would create insurance issues in the event of a wreck. No valid license. And and and...
Ironic how memory is so convenient?
I remember the first time I took my 5 year olds training wheels off of his bike. He promptly crashed into the rear of my neighbors car and broke the taillight.
In fact, I remember waking up on the couch with our doctor staring me in the face with my Mom in close attendance. Apparently I attempted to do a handstand on my 'Hop-a-long-Cassify' bike and fell off hitting my head on a telephone pole.
No I wasn't 18. I was 5 but I suspect that un-diagnosed brain damage there would explain a lot now?
MY Driver's License is still valid but I was just looking at a 6R80 automatic transmission to replace the 'stick'. Hum? That left leg is draggin' a little?
Quote from: deathsled on June 12, 2024, 11:07:08 PMHe's ninety-six now and barely goes outside. I was able to get him to go for a brief drive. He enjoyed the rumble of the engine thoroughly.
This is awesome!
Very cool that you can enjoy a drive with your dad like that...and cool shirt too! Thanks for sharing!
My father never cared...Never did anything to a car except drive it into the ground...How did I ever get into cars? Mind boggling. Nice to too that!!!
He's still ticking along. Took him for a haircut today. He is still sharp but his hearing is really gone. Glad he is here.
Quote from: deathsled on July 13, 2024, 10:32:25 PMHe's still ticking along. Took him for a haircut today. He is still sharp but his hearing is really gone. Glad he is here.
use the limited tine we have on earth with him
cause all we have in the end is memories