As the 49th Frank Maratta's Auto show came to an end last year, Heavy snow squalls were forecast for about the same time as the ending of the show.
As we came out of the trophy portion of the show, of which many of us were rewarded for our efforts that weekend, I called back down toward Bristol to check on the weather. My wife assured me it had begun to snow and blow around and kinda not stick too much as of yet. Little did we know these squalls were coming directly west to east and about to clobber our area.
We heard that Ralph had pulled out and headed toward home, and figuring that his convertible top was most likely down, we opted to leave the confines of the warm dry trailers that were there and waiting and chase the drop top back to town.
Being that we were 20 to 25 minutes behind Ralph's departure, this snow squall came thru our area dumping 3 to 4 inches of snow and 50 mph winds that lasted about 1 hour.
I got the car home, with windshield wipers that were original to the car, for sure, and defroster, no such luck, who knew, never in the weather.....The R/T became a survivor for a reason.
Every time I stepped on the throttle at all, the car squirmed sideways and mortified me that I was about
to become a ditch statistic.........Made it home, whiped it down and went back (with trailer) for the DeSoto.
I, like some that are posting, drove a hot rod in school, my first being a 1969 Pontiac GTO with a 421 mill out of my grandfather's Grand Prix (broken frame) back and forth to school, (1980 as well), and had very little traction. We believed in the N-50's and tires blowing out of the wheel wells a good 4 inches, so I understand no matter what you did, you could not move until you put the studded snows on.
And just like today........the more times I can stage the car, the better. At lights, the drive thru, parade, track.....everyplace.
As a challenge, My friend and I pulled up to the big front doors of the school, with school in session, (we were off to work after our last class), and proceeded to melt the snow tires off the cars, and completely
mark up the front concrete entrance of the school with gorgeous Armstrong belted studded snow tires.....
not only rubber, but the deep etching of the studs, that we never thought twice about......including two
studs that came out and pierced the glass front doors of Southington High School.....That was a week off and a big bill, as well as the car being taken away, I think like for a month or so. There was also a mention of restarting the Ridelin for the rest of the school year.......it went by without incident.....
This is a very good topic............lets here the stories!!
D