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

Alan and Clare Wesson alan.wesson@atlas.co.uk
Wed, 29 Sep 2004 12:54:03 +0100


I saw a very, very close shave at Hershey a couple of years ago. One of the 
early arrivals was just parking a Stanley Steamer in one of the lots right 
by the entrance, on concours day. Just as he was manoeuvring it into 
position it suddenly took off without warning, right across the entrance 
where the concours entrants were coming in, and shot right up the grass bank 
opposite. It fortunately stopped with rolling back down the bank 
upside-down, and how it missed the entering cars I will never know (they 
were only about 20 feet apart and it went straight between them!). I don't 
know how it happened, but I think steam cars must have some kind of 
regulator valve for shutting them down, and either it stuck open or the guy 
pushed it the wrong way. Whatever, it was a VERY scary incident!

Cheers

Alan

P.S. And I leave for Hershey tomorrow, so I shall be uncharacteristically 
quiet for 12 days!

www.xtraspecialsevens.co.uk
Lotus 7 S2 and S3 spares and restoration specialists


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gary Swiatowy" <mopar@jbcs2.net>
To: <virtualvairs@corvair.org>
Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2004 11:14 AM
Subject: <VV> Fw: A cruise night horror story(NO CORVAIR)


> 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
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> -----------------
> 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
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