We came across these few photos recently, and I kind of wanted to share with you guys. The ones where the car had no louvers were probably when Dad had just gotten the car and brought it by to show me (my parents were divorced and I lived with Mom)...

These pictures- just like driving the car or working on it- bring back lots of memories... some good, some pretty bad. Never bad feelings toward the "old man"...we always had a great relationship. Just other family stuff, personal stuff... you all know how it goes.

As some thoughts and feelings about his death and my life since become clearer to me, I might post them on this thread. For now though, I hope you like the pictures.

 

Thanks for sharing Bubba, too cool for school sitting in that car!

 

Thanks for sharing! Great pictures.

 

That's good stuff

 

Everyone here can remember strained relationships with their "OLD MAN," I know I do. My dad is almost 80 today and I can only imagine what you must be going through losing your dad. Thanks for sharing these pictures bud.

 

Your dad was a cool cat

 

Thanks... foolishly, he used to let me borrow the Z28! A 17 year old kid- just got my license... lucky I didn't kill myself in that thing!

 

Could you imagine letting your kid drive a new Camaro SS?

On the one hand new cars are much safer than they were in the 80's better crash protection, standard airbags, safer interiors. But the cars now are so darned fast... I have been so tempted to buy a new Camaro SS2 and then get a supercharger installed... It would be craaazy, but dreaming is a lot less expensive than doing, so unless I win the lottery... My Son would beg and beg to drive it... I dunno... My 14.8 second Formula is fast enough for me to put a smile on my face without killing me too quickly.

 

bubbaz28, being 17 and driving it I'll bet was pretty cool.

okfoz,

I had a new 14 Camaro 2SS/RS 6speed, 430HP for 6 months. CWAAAZY fast. No kids, but I couldn't let em drive something like that.

I'm think'n a 16 SRT 392 Scat Pac Shaker 6speed 480HP.

 

I remember being bout that age and being sent to the store in my uncles 454SS truck. When I got back he asked me did I burn rubber and I said no. He then asked why the hell did he smell burned rubber when I pulled up. I bet at 17 you probably burned a lil rubber too!

 

Yeah, might have burned a little rubber... most of the time I was careful, but at that age... temptations...!

 

That's great you have pictures & memories.
The louvers & wheel locks are apparently early add-ons. Anything else he updated or modded early on?

 

 

That's a great story! He sounds like a great man, and raised a great son to keep his memory alive and share things about him. My first car was actually a 65 Corvair that my dad restored for me. I didn't have that long, but eventually bought a 70 Challenger that we restored "together". I am thankful I sold that one before I lived my partying days. I would have a car worth at least 35 or 40K now and probably would be driving it every day I could. I sold it for only 5K in 1988. But, I would have killed myself in a car capable of what it was capable of.

Thanks for sharing this!

 

At that age I was terrible. I'd convert rubber to blue smoke at every opportunity. I just couldn't help myself.

 

Ok. I had a 1983 Z28 for my first car in 1985. It was a nice car and yes I did burnouts and had fun, but I never really got into much trouble. My son, who is now 18 has had a 2014 Mustang GT since new, and it has 420hp. He hasn't gotten speeding tickets or anything yet. I guess it's all in the training. I taught him to drive it responsibly and to understand it's power. He knows the car has power, and he respects that. I'm glad. He gets 21mpg out of the car in mixed driving. When he doesn't drive that car, he drives mom's 2015 Charger Scat Pack with an underrated 485hp. He has been getting about 20mpg in that car. I drive the Mustang or the Scat Pack and the mileage drops drastically, even when I drive responsible. Not sure what he's doing different, but I think he respects the power!!

 

It all comes from "up bringing" and how you teach them. Sounds like you done well.

On the Charger note....how do you like it? I've been thinking about placing my order from my Sis in Law at Dodge....2016 392 Scat Pack Shaker 6 speed in that same color....still on the fence though.

 

We like it. It's very fast. Best 500hp you're gonna get for about $40k. Many people that would prefer the manual are choosing the 8 speed due to it being faster!

 

Yeah, they are fast. My problem is I went stupid crazy on the Option Packages so its a tad bit more.
6-8 week wait, we'll see
Thanks Scott

Back to topic!

 

He is pretty much driving a WEAPON. Hope hes more careful than 99.9% of kids would be.

 

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Im loving this thread. Thanks for sharing bubbaz28 !

 

If you ever met Scott's Son, I would probably be more inclined to let him drive one of my cars than my own kids... But there is slim chance of that happening.

John

 

Thank you for your kind words! Yea, restoring that old Mustang with him was fun... he taught me a lot about cars, more then my little brain could retain!

 

Teaching a young lad to respect that kind of power could be tough- sounds like a mature kid!

 

Not only that... a lot of law enforcement types are just jonesin' to ticket a young guy in a hot car... do 56 in a 55 zone and they'll light you up!

 

jmd, the louvers were added long ago, as were the wheel locks. Nothing else but an alarm system from early on also... and I think an ignition kill switch, which now that I think about it must be disconnected at this time. Those were added after it was stolen- I think that was 1986?

 

I have a supercharged 2010 corvette Grand Sport with 570hp at the wheels. I would have killed myself in it at that age but Ive taught my son to respect its power. Would I let him drive it alone? Probably not because of peer pressure and what his friends might do or want him to do.

Thanks for posting these old photos Bubba! Looks like your old man was a cool dude. I lost my dad 26 years ago when I was 19. I wish I had had that kind of relationship with him. Cherish your memories.