<VV> "trailer queens" vs. drivers

Fri Jan 1 13:41:44 EST 2010

I have a problem with "Trailer Queens".  But not ALL trailer queens are 
alike.

Some owners will trailer their car to a convention or a race, and once there 
will drive autocross with insane abandon in order to win a "Dust Catcher". 
Others drive with the same abandon to judge their skill against other 
drivers usine the same basic car platform.    I won't say there's anything 
wrong with either approach,  at least they DRIVE them.

My friend Bill Hubbell sometimes drives his car, sometimes trailers 
it--Depending on where it's going and what he plans to use the car for on 
that trip. But you can bet as sure as your butt points south, that when he 
turns the key, all systems are functioning properly.  The restoration on his 
64 was meticulous, and certainly got my respect for a very well done job.

And I also totally understand the trailering of a car to compete in 
Concours.  Also not my glass of tea, but I've watched many people prepare 
for Concours----many are list members, and if you want to take the deduction 
for trailering, you probably saved yourself a butt-load of work re-cleaning 
the car.

The first show I went to after buying my first Corvair where there was a 
Corvair class was on the front lawn at Chevrolet Tonawanda Engine Plant in 
Buffalo, in June of 1988.  One of the cars was from Rochester, I believe. 
Perfect Factory stock car, a 67or 69 Monza 2dr.  Never restored from what I 
was told, and had only about 9K on it.

What gave me the red ass is when they were leaving they pushed it into the 
trailer. When I inquired "Why not start it and drive it in ?"  I was told 
that if it was started, oil would puke from every seal on the car.  THEY 
NEVER DROVE IT----EVER.  Just roll it off the trailer to sit in the grass 
and be looked at, then push it back in the trailer, park the trailer at the 
house, and the car doesn't see the light of day until the next show. I also 
surmised that the exhaust system was probably rotten on the inside, manifold 
gaskets were missing, and the brake system was probably siezed.   I wanted 
to, but didn't suggest they just park it lenghways on their lawn, cut off 
the top, fill the thing with dirt and plant flowers in it, for all the 
usefulness as originally designed  it was in its present condition.

It's just my opinion of course, and everyone's mileage may vary. But what I 
CAN tell you is that If I had a Corvair and couldn't drive it,  I wouldn't 
want it.

Driving the Corvair (to me)  is the most fun part of owning one.

Restoring them can be a labor of love, as mine has been with the Ultra 
Monza----Which is juuuust about ready for primer.   But it is LABOR 
nonetheless.  I'd prefer to be driving rather than restoring.

And not for the horn beeps, the waves and high fives and the stories people 
want to tell you in the parking lot or the gas station.   But because it's a 
FUN CAR TO DRIVE.

So let's not be TOO tough on cars that get trailered.  Except for the ones 
that can't be driven, there's usually a good reason why it's on a trailer 
and not on the road.

BTW, As my CORSA membership expired yesterday, Thanks for the free ride on 
VV!!   If it makes ya mad, let me know--I've a LONG list of Directors and 
other sympathizers of the "Free Ride" you can express your derisions to.

Hank

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark Durham" <62vair at gmail.com>
To: <wrsssatty at aol.com>
Cc: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Friday, January 01, 2010 12:59 PM
Subject: Re: <VV> "trailer queens" vs. drivers

> Bill, I understand. It really comes down to what your purpose is. I plan 
> to
> restore my car over time. Mechanicals first. But I still plan to put up to
> about 4-6K miles a year on it having fun. It will be put away for the 
> winter
> and driven when the roads are dry. I also plan to restore it to original,
> accept I plan to upgrade the engine compartment to make things more
> reliable. I've alreadyreplaced the generator with a alternator, for 
> example.
> I will also enter the car in local shows only to show it off. EFI is on 
> the
> horizon but I plan to do the mod in such a way it will maintain the basic
> stock look of the engine compartment. Mark Durham
>
> On Fri, Jan 1, 2010 at 9:26 AM, <wrsssatty at aol.com> wrote:
>
>> I have never understood the reverse snobbery against so-called "trailer
>> queens".  I, for one, appreciate the work, money and time that goes  into 
>> a
>> proper restoration that respects what is stock, original and  correct. 
>> And
>> I
>> salute the people who, once they've accomplished such a  restoration,
>> endeavor to preserve it.  In the end, the car belongs to the  owner and 
>> he
>> or she
>> is free to do with the car whatever he or she wishes (within  the law). 
>> I
>> do know, however, that if your great-grandchildren ever see a  Corvair, 
>> it
>> will most likely be today's "trailer queens" and not today's  drivers!
>>
>> ~Bill Stanley
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