Project No-Flight - The Story Behind the Name
Fall / Winter 2000
First, the history of Greg's "Project No Flight".... It all began when Juliet purchased her much more original than planned (but not more original than hoped!) 1970 Ragtop Corvette in December of 1999. Well, the purist restoration bug bit her pretty hard - (She's an active NCRS member). In fact, it bit so hard that this purist bolt matching, overspray seeking blonde needed to be 'balanced' a wee bit. While hanging out with some corvette buddies watching the Corvettes at Carlisle Burnout parade, "Project No-Points" was born - in jest. During the months following, the joke was mulled over and discussed at numerous dinners and events with our corvette friends. Eventually Greg forumlated a real plan! However, it soon became apparent that a completed corvette with operational items (engine, accessories, wipers, windows, headlights etc...) could never achieve a true 0 point score in NCRS flight judging. So, Chuck G. suggested the "Project No Flight" name change. Eventually, even this project WILL run!
With the boat engines rebuilt and stable for the time being (it never stays that way for long!) and with a built from scratch '27 Ford Model T and a '32 Deuce Roadster under his belt the HOT ROD BUG bit 'My favorite tool is the Saws-All' Greg. With spousal veto in hand, Ford's were not even to be considered for sharing the garage - Why not a Corvette Hot Rod? You'd think with all these bugs running around the house we'd call the exterminators or something! <g>
In order to preserve marital harmony, an original or even remotely restorable corvette was not going to be permitted to be 'harmed' by the hot rodding process. With some active searching and networking for many months Greg found the perfect starting point for his tube frame chassis, Pro Street Style Hot Rod Corvette. In Illinois, tucked away in a garage for the past 7 years, collecting dust was a 1965 highly modified former race car chassis and body (no engine, transmission or interior), complete with the all important clean title, original factory vin tag and trim plate.
Well, the new 'toy' arrived safe and sound to our home in Maryland on February 1, 2001. Having purchased it sight unseen (other than via the digital pictures in the Feb 2001 The Beginning Page below) we were pleasantly surprised at it's completeness and condition. It's a tight squeeze fitting the two corvettes in a barely 2 car garage.... but with some creativity and major garage reorganization we can even get the doors open - well sort of! <g>
Juliet's looking forward (when she gets her school work under control) to tracing the history of this heavily modified racecar, since her '70, purchased from the original woman owner didn't require too much detective work. So far we have knowledge of 3 prior owners of this racing beast. The car was last licensed and 'on the road' in 1983. Hmmmm... I wonder if this car ever saw any big time racing?
Yes Alexanna, your first reaction at seeing the new car was correct - It IS missing a LOT of parts! :-) ...and as of December 2001, it still is!
