Son off to the prom in my Cobra Replica

[john chesnut]

R.I.P. Carroll Shelby. Your creativity helped to create a passion for cars that has not waned. Now my son is continuing on with that passion.

My youngest child of 5, Johnny, is graduating High School next month. Tonight he took my Cobra to the Prom. An accomplished motorcycle powered dirt Sprint Car driver, tomorrow he makes his Asphalt ACT late model car racing debut in Fair Haven, VT. A big weekend and a big couple of months for him.

I'm making the "Empty Nest" transition. Not really liking it, as my Joy has always been my Family. Guess I'll need to build another car.

[lovehamr]

Good looking couple there!

[Silverback51]

So how exactly do you clean melted prom dress material off of the side pipes?

Congratulations on raising 5 children. I could only do it once, but then I started later in life.

Hope they both have an evening to remember for the rest of their lives.

[Bannon]

John. Good for you for putting that trust in your son. You are creating a memory that will last a lifetime. When I was 17 my Dad entrusted me with his pristine 1971 Corvette (Silver with red leather interior and Dayton wire wheels) to take to my prom. It was the coolest car there and while it was a great experience at the time, it was only until I was much older that I realized how special it was for my Dad to trust me with his prized possession. I remember and cherish the experience to this day... 26+ years later. I am sure your son will always remember you for giving him this experience...
JB

[mdross1]

It is a good thing to trust your children.20+ yrs we let our son take our prized 4wd Chev pickup to his senior prom.He backed over a granite property marker picking up his date folding the right rear quarter up under truck.He said his date was worth it, of course he was horrified.He has nervously driven our Cobra a couple of times.

[Sawdust]

John,
Kudo's to you for doing that. Your son will remember that moment for the rest of his life!

Stu.

[madmaxx]

Sooo where is your son and car? All I see is the girl!

[Maricopa]

Good choice Dad, no back seat....

[Danr55]

So John, prom weekend is over. Any incident reports? Did the dress survive? Have you figured out how to get melted prom dress off of the sidepipes? Are there black stripes in front of the Prom venue?

[avanti-176]

My wife walks in the room and see's the picture over my shoulder, and the first thing out of her mouth (being an experienced Cobra passenger and a woman) was, "What about the poor girl's hair?!"

she was genuinely distraught thinking of the ramifications.....

Hope all went well.

[john chesnut]

John had a great prom. No accidents, no issues, and no burned dress. He is a straight A student going next year to college for a dual Physics and Mechanical Engineering program.

He started racing go karts at 10 and won a lot of races. He switched to Motorcycle powered dirt Sprint Cars at 14.(127 mph on 1/4 dirt track) He won 3 championships driving 3 different cars (Drove for car owners, not on my dime) at 15. We had to take last year off from racing as My grandmother and Father both had terminal illnesses. So, it was all about family last year.

Sunday he made his full size Asphalt stock car racing debut. It was not good. Several cars wrecked in front of him. Unable to avoid them, a lot of damage was done to the car. I am working feverishly this week to get ready for next sunday. ( picture doesn't show rear end damage.)

I know that I sound like a proud dad. I am.

[86Sebring]

Originally Posted by john chesnut

I know that I sound like a proud dad. I am.

AND YOU SHOULD BE. Congrats on raising a winner

[airspeed1]

Congratulations. Sounds like a great kiddo.

Are you able to get him insured in the car? My son is 18 and despite being insured in a 412hp Mustang GT of ours, I have had no luck getting him insured in the Cobr@.

Don't mean to hijack your thread...just curious.

Thanks,
Jerry

[Varmit]

Fist of all, it is good to see there are good prospects out there for this generation...congrats.

Way cool to trust him with your ride, and him to respect the decision by not damaging it. You guys have been good parents indeed.

Good luck to him in his racing ventures!!!!!!!!!!!

[doug cords]

With families today disintegrating and kids going south, what a joy it is to see a
Dad giving of himself the two key elements our children need: unconditional love and a strong role model.

Awesome -

[RET_COP]

You have to honest with yourself when it comes to teenage kids. During my career I spent 4 years in a high school. I will say the odds are good that something interesting or not good will happen. Your son seems like a fine young man. Good call Good job. I cringed when I read your first post. Later you filled us in on more about your son.

[john chesnut]

Thank you for the kind words.

Ret Cop, I understand your concern. Until injured, I was an AZ State Cop, way back in the 70's. A life time ago.

The faith I have in Johnny is a result of the close relationship that we have and how I have seen him conduct himself. When he started racing I sat down with him and explained that it was a huge privilege and responsibility. That I would only work on the car when he was there to work with me. That he needed to conduct himself on and off the track in a mature and respectful way. That I would not tolerate tantrums or displays or disrespect to the equipment, competitors, officials or me. It was OK to get angry but to control it, walk away, calm down and then come back and deal with what ever situation that he finds him self in. To race, he needed to get the best possible grades and to stay out of trouble. When he got to driving age I told him that any street racing, speeding, or recklessness would result in him losing his racing privileges. I am an example to him in this regard as I NEVER abuse the laws with my Cobra or any other vehicle. I keep this to occasional trips to a track.

About 10 years ago, when I was building my 550hp lister inspired "Dragon" my nephew asked me if he could ever drive the car. He was a freshman in High School. I lived in New Hampshire and he in Scottsdale, AZ. I told him that if he became Valedictorian that he could have the car for the Prom. He achieved that goal! I shipped the car to AZ and back. I made his Dad promise that he would only allow the car to be driven if he followed directly behind him in the family van. My nephew became a forensic accountant and has just been accepted into the FBI. A tradition was started.

[fastraxsg]

This such a neat thread to read. I wish you could write a parenting manual or bottle your inspiration. There are more and more familys to day that need this example in their lives. Hope I can do that well with my girls. Congats to your family!

[jbmatth]

I think that was a great idea, glad everything went great, for the three of you. I have promised my youngest brother that if he keeps up his grades I'll let him use my cobra for his driving test/proms. He is in 7th grade now, never had a B, and has driven around my parents farm for years. I'll be right there for the driving test in a small town of about 4000 people, it shouldn't be too difficult to parallel park at least.

[xlr8or]

[quote=avanti-176;1190478]My wife walks in the room and see's the picture over my shoulder, and the first thing out of her mouth (being an experienced Cobra passenger and a woman) was, "What about the poor girl's hair?!"


[quote]

Same thing happened at my house.