<VV> Fw: A cruise night horror story(NO CORVAIR)

[Gary Swiatowy]

OK, I know this does not involve Corvairs, but I thought it may be of interest
as a cautionary tale. A lot of us do frequent cruise nights so it may be of
interest. I received this as I do the newsletter for the Buffalo T-Bird club.
Gary Swiatowy

The following was posted Sunday by an Ontario Thunderbird owner on The
Flairbird Forum. For those who own 61-66 Thunderbirds it may serve as a
reminder to replace those worn automatic transmission shift levers:
Gregg Z
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As the cruise season ends for most of us in the Northern climes, I bring you a
story of woe!

I was at a cruise night last night (Saturday) one which I frequent often and
it was a most enjoyable evening until the very end.  I was standing in front
of my car talking to another T-bird owner about his beautiful 65 Samoane Coral
Convertible as cars were starting to leave.

One fellow with a 46 Mercury coupe, rod started his car up while standing next
to the open driver's door.  It was on fast idle as the electric choke kicked
in.  This vehicle had an automatic transmission!  Needless to say the shift
bushing was worn and the car kicked into reverse dragging him thru the parking
lot while he hung onto the steering wheel trying and door to pull himself into
the car.  He hit and totaled a 71 Mini Minor, pushed it into a  67 Mustang
convertible that was leaving the parking lot and spun it around as the driver
managed to get it a stopped before hitting anything else.

The Merc continued to speed up careening off the Mini until it hit the front
end of my vehicle narrowly missing pedestrians looking at the cars.  My fellow
Birder had to dive out of the path of the Mercury.  The rear end of the Merc
took on the outline of the T-Bird's passenger side front bumper and came to a
dead halt.  The bird did not budge an inch.  The Merc wrapped it self around
my car and I feared the very worse that the body would be damaged.  Damages
are minimal perhaps ( $2,000 ) but Mercury's rear end is toast (estimate
$10,000) in damages to it!

So a word of caution, if you see someone starting their car and not staying
inside warn them, if you do it yourself be wary as we know sometimes these old
cars will shift into gear without warning.  Fortunately no one was killed or
injured.

For my part I was thoroughly p-ssed at the stupidity of the Mercury owner.
This is the first time in 37 years of my ownership of this car has been hit,
but I must say driving a 64 T-Bird is like driving a tank especially the front
end.  The Merc must have been doing 40 mph when it hit my car.  Once I backed
away from the Merc it appeared my bumpers did their work, but of course all
the front end chrome, grill and front prow have to be replaced.  It was all
rechromed two years ago. The hood had slight damage to it but all the seams
and gaps are perfect.

So boys and girls, lets be careful out there.  Swing those steering wheels to
the right and lets not be the cause of the accidents.   My season is over now
but, she will be back on the road cruising as early as possible next spring.

Gord Robinson

Oakville, Ontario.  Canada