146 chilly miles

[Hal Copple]

Have spent about three weeks re-doing my front hubs/rotors, bearings, new Trigo pins, and swapping out the PF 80 race pads for Hawk HP Street pads in an attempt to cut down on the pad dust. Had a machine shop cut down the wheel studs, then broke one of the pins, and basically, with all illness from the flu in our community (sadly, we lost three children in one day in our community), it just took three weeks to drop the Great Stroker off the jack stands. Worked my buns off this morning, feasted on beef tips and Philly Cheese steak for lunch, with three pieces of Southern Pecan pie (the recipe for this was the actual cause of the War Between the States), then zipped home, wiped off the car, put on the long johns, and cranked the Olthoff motor, it fired immediately, and tossing Abby a dog biscuit, backed down the driveway, and swung north.

Temps were low 40's, but warm and sunny. First went to my "test road", where i properly bedded the new pads, then hit NC, crossed Charlotte, and eased on up the road. I had forgotten in the three weeks how loud this car is, and how prodigous the power on a cold, dry day. North of Charlotte, traffic cleared out, and as some gray clouds began to seep in from the west, turned off onto the back roads. Cold, but i was dressed properly, Diet Coke in the cup holder (no comments, please), and i reflected just how comfortable this car really is, even with the full race suspension, and how ideally suited it is for ridge running; so nimble, so tiny, and so incredibly powerful. Dipped down into one small valley, and a lady in her Saturn decided at the last moment to pull out in front of me, so being glad i had properly bedded in the pads and rotors, went to incipient slip, then just as i passed her, decided to put all 8 front Wilwood pistons to full lock up, just to smoke and squeal a caution to her to be more careful next time.

Soon arrived at the Olthoffs, where the crew was busy readying anther Coupe. Soon Bob Olthoff arrived from some errands in his own Coupe, so i begged a ride, and he opened the door, and i climbed in, as he cruised over to their "test road." Once there, with the coast clear, Bob put the T 56 into second, and put the Roush stroker to the test. How seamless that never ending surge of power was, Bob shifting at 7000 rpm, and when he upshifted into fifth, i was enthralled at how this car just hunkers down and follows the undulations and curves of the narrow asphalt. Being driven by Bob, who raced the Willmet coupe so successfully, i felt totally safe, as the trees flashed by.

Later, after wishing them all the very best for the upcoming holiday season, headed back under the darkening sky, detouring in Charlotte to "the Place Where the Beautiful People Go", a trendy (expensive!!) mall, where i pulled into the valet line, and told the first guy running up past the MB's and BMW's that i wanted to park it myself, so he ran in front of me to lead me past all the people waiting on their cars. Of course, it was necessary to clear out the HP Holley several times under the overhead cover, sending children fleeing to the safety of their mom's skirts. Exercise is good for children.

Checked out the jewelry for Lynne, and then came home, under the brilliant stars. It seems to me that the colder the night, the darker the sky, and the more impressive the stars are to my aging eyes. Came home, my wife, who runs a large cardiac cath dept, was in the midst of her Christmas reception with the house packed with nurses and staff, so i blipped my way into the garage, hit the Holley hard several times, then let the big thumping exhaust reverberate off the house walls, no doubt overfizzing all the carbonated drinks being held just inside.

Ate more pecan pie, popped a cold Guiness, and wandered back to the bathroom, ran a hot tub of water, climbed in to thaw out, and settled back.

How can life ever get better, South Carolina, Pecan Pie, and a Replica cooling off in the garage, guarded by Abby, my trusty Weimerainer.

All the best to each of you....