First drive to work

Jim Barnett · #1 (**permalink**) 01-20-2005, 05:28 AM

Well, today was the first time I drove my CR to work!! I left the house at around 03:30 and drove cautiously the 20 odd miles to Coronado, keeping the speed in the 60-65 MPH range so as to not attract any unwanted attention from certain folks who wear uniforms and badges. Car ran like a top!! Certainly drew a LOT of attention from the military security guards at the Main Gate of the DEPOT in Coronado where I work. Only fear I had was being stopped by the Coronado police who'll ticket drivers for ANYTHING they can think of. However, the drive went smooth and I had NO problems along the way. This was also the first time I had driven the car in the dark. I did notice that the windshield does weird things to reflected light. Numerous times I had what seemed like yellow paper flying across the road or hood of the car and finally realized that it was only reflected light (my glasses also contributed to this, I think). I have to stop by my Insurance Agent's office on the way home for pictures and evaluation of the car. It's insured as a 1965 Ford "Other", but my agent told me he just has to see that the car isn't damaged or anything like that. Hopefully the sun will be out when I leave and I can enjoy the drive home. My CR is a JOY to drive and I can't EVER recall having so much FUN in any car (well, possibly the '60 T-Bird Convertable that my buddy owned in High School which we frequently ditched classes in and cruised around town all day long!!). Now I just gotta get the add-ons that I need to make my CR look like I want it too. "What a RUSH!!!"

SCOBRAC · #2 (**permalink**) 01-20-2005, 07:14 AM

Show off

Believe it or not you will find you get less attention from cops. They look but will most likely leave you alone. I'm not the only one to notice this. As the value of the car increases the numbers of police stopping you decreases.

I have a few theories why, none of which are politically correct so I will not elaborate.

If you are worried about the MP/ Coronado Police force I suggest a POW/MIA sticker in the window.

bmalone · #3 (**permalink**) 01-20-2005, 07:19 AM

That is a nice drive--across the bridge, in the early morning. Nice that you are able to do that.

Not sure I'd want to try it during rush hour.

Enjoy.

Jim Barnett · #4 (**permalink**) 01-21-2005, 04:50 AM

The drive home at 10:30 was GREAT!! Sunny and warm. My Insurance Agent really liked the car a LOT!! He is a younger guy who appreciates fine machinery too. He told me that I need to get an appraisal done on the car for replacement purposes in case of damage or theft (God forbid). Can anyone here in San Diego give me the name/phone number of someone who can do the appraisal for me (my agent said that someone in the local Cobra Club could possibly do it??). Car ran super as it has since I bought it. I'm going to order some stuff from Pete/Don in a few hours. Now I want to get an even more original looking Cobra with a real 427 in it, BUT to do that, I'd probably have to sell my Hemi Bee! Considering how much FUN my small block version is... it might be worth it!!!

SCOBRAC · #5 (**permalink**) 01-21-2005, 07:09 AM

Hmmm... Hemi Bee... Cobra... Hemi Bee... Cobra... interesting quandary.

Ron61 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-21-2005, 07:40 AM

If the Hemi Bee is all original I would take it over the Cobra replica. Any original muscle car around here is really getting a lot of people trying to buy it. And a Hemi or 427 anything is just out of my price range.

Ron

newBDR · #7 (**permalink**) 01-21-2005, 10:24 AM

I've been noticing cops that see me, pull out and get behind me and seem like they're checking my plate on their computer, and then break off and go on their way. Just to make sure I'm legal, I guess?

maxrpm · #8 (**permalink**) 01-21-2005, 10:49 AM

Drive to work was sunny & warm...waAAA!

It says 11degrees on my monitor....

As far as cops and Cobras, though I can't speak for all Depts. I've only had pleasant experiences with police while driving my Cobra. I had one unit tail me for about 2 miles only to pull up along side and tell me he was enjoying the sight sound and smell of my car. The funny thing was how he had to yell this over the thumping from my unmuffled sidepipe that was pointing right in his window. I responded that I thought his blue & white Ford CVPI was pretty cool item also.

jdog · #9 (**permalink**) 01-21-2005, 12:03 PM

When I was a kid growing up in 'Dego' we had to take the ferry over to Coronado. Or go around via the 'Silver Strand'. My dad was stationed at North Island NAS.

jdog

P.S. Go Chargers!

Jim Barnett · #10 (**permalink**) 01-21-2005, 02:28 PM

jdog: yep, I rode the Ferry MANY times when I was stationed at the Amphib Base before the bridge was opened. My wife IS from Coronado and she has a certificate stating that she was one of the last persons to ride the Ferry in 1969 when the bridge opened. In fact she has been working for the Star and Cresent Boat Company for over 10 years now. They are the owners of San Diego Harbor Excursions who own and NOW reopened Ferry service across the Bay. She and I both work in Coronado (I have for the past 27 years). I fondly remember doing 125 MPH on the Strand one 1969 summer day in my buddy's '69 383 Superbee (speed limit was higher then, but not that high).

A tidbit of relent: in 1972 when I reenlisted in the Navy and received a $10K re-up bonus, I was offered an ORIGINAL '67 Cobra SC for $7,500 from a guy in Coronado who had it sitting up on 4 stands on the side of his house. He never drove it much and I remember going to look at it, but decided to buy another buddy's 1970 440 4 spd. Limelight (lime green) 'Cuda for $2500.00 GEEZ, did I goof on that one or what?? I have lamented that LOSS many, many times over the years and even MORE so now!! What are the original 427 sideoilers selling for nowadays.... around $500K if I remember right?? BUMMER.