driving my Mach 1...
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Posts: 306
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Friday morning I had a Dr. appt. about 45 min. away. I was running a bit late & my daily driver (69 Cougar) needed gas. I hate being late so I just decided to drive my 72 Mach 1, which had plenty of gas. You need to understand a couple of things; First I am 51 yrs. old, my wreckless street racing days are only pleasant memories, 30+ year old memories. The other key factor is after selling my 72 Cleveland powered Stang when I got married (in 1981), I've had a number of nice cars but nothing has lived up to the memory of that 1st sportsroof with it's grabber blue stripes on the cherry Wimbledon white sprint. Two years ago the man who was writing an estimate, for the hardwood floors that my beautiful 2nd wife had been craving, saw my 69 Cougar in the driveway & told me about the 72 Mach 1 he had bought 5 years ago but lost interest in. "I'm just more into Harley's than hot rods" I remember him saying. Two months later I had the Mach 1 in my garage. Eventually I had the engine (a Q code) completely professionally rebuilt and balanced while the spec.s were per the "blueprint". The rebuild included a hotter cam, taller pistons, &` Edlebrock intake & carb. & a HEI ignition, the ram air, 4spd , 3.73 trac loc car ran great. So it's well broke in now & after my Dr. appt. I pulled up, first in line at a stop light. Next to me lined up a toytanissamishi tuner. (don't get me wrong, I know it was likely "assembled in the U.S"., I'm on disability from once such assembly plant) At first I though the driver was waving in approval, but it wasn't approval he wanted, he wanted to "runnem" not for titles or money, just for knowing his car was a fast high tech tuner. I hesitated when the light changed, still considering if I (being older, wiser & more mature) had anything to prove. The tuner didn't hesitate and had a 1.5 car length lead almost instantly. When I shifted into second at 5800 R.P.M. it was over, the tuner had fallen behind I kept the R.P.M.s high as I scratched the tires going into third. The tuner was only a memory for me, & my tail lights a memory for him. When it was all over I was a little ashamed of my self, but only a little. Man I love the song a Cleveland sings at 5000+ R.P.M.s!!
Kids don't try this at home,
A good day,
Keith
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Posts: 8
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Im with you Keith, I have a love for the harleys and clevelands also. There is something about the american MUSCLE that cant be overcome. I personally like to take out my roadrage on a tractor pull track.
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Ah Glorious Excess! You couldn't have lived with your self if you had let that tuner/ rice rocket out run you. And yes a Cleveland makes beautiful music. JTS 71 Mach1
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Great story. Took mine out today for a short ride. I have owned it for 10 years and have yet to be challenged at a light or the on the road. With 2:78 gears in the rear end, I'm not too quick out of the hole but at 70 mph the Cleveland wakes up and screams.
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Great story; I'm sure your smile was even bigger.
I'm a few years older than you and know the feelings you were having about being older, wiser, and more mature when it comes to stop light encounters. While my 73 convertible is only a 6 cylinder it is no problem to "hold back", but when I'm out in my 04 Mach 1 the temptation is always there.
I've succumbed a couple of times to the temptation. One memorable time was when I pulled up next to a Nissan 370Z at a light. It appeared to have some custom touches and the driver looked over at my Mach and started gunning his engine apparently showing off his loud exhaust. Well, temptation gave in, so when the light turned green off we went, he had a slight lead off the line but the Mach quickly overtook him and I could hear his engine whining as I went past. Once I took him, I let up and was barely over the 55 MPH speed limit. The real clincher was that he stayed behind me and never even tried to pass or get ahead of me.
Anyway, I know better, but the temptation still kicks in on occasion.
Posts: 306
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Joined: Jul 2011
quote='Rare Pony' pid='24217' dateline='1365429217']
Great story; I'm sure your smile was even bigger.
I'm a few years older than you and know the feelings you were having about being older, wiser, and more mature when it comes to stop light encounters. While my 73 convertible is only a 6 cylinder it is no problem to "hold back", but when I'm out in my 04 Mach 1 the temptation is always there.
I've succumbed a couple of times to the temptation. One memorable time was when I pulled up next to a Nissan 370Z at a light. It appeared to have some custom touches and the driver looked over at my Mach and started gunning his engine apparently showing off his loud exhaust. Well, temptation gave in, so when the light turned green off we went, he had a slight lead off the line but the Mach quickly overtook him and I could hear his engine whining as I went past. Once I took him, I let up and was barely over the 55 MPH speed limit. The real clincher was that he stayed behind me and never even tried to pass or get ahead of me.
Anyway, I know better, but the temptation still kicks in on occasion.
[/quote]
Yeah it was alot of fun. Like you, I barely broke the speed limit before it was all over. I did have a small traction issue at launch (unintentional burn-out). Back in High School I got a ticket for doing a short burn-out, local Police cited me for "wreckless driving". I was lucky this time, no Police were around. Next race I'm looking forward to, is at the local drag strip. (Havana IL)
Keith
Posts: 3,222
Threads: 197
Joined: Nov 2009
(04-09-2013, 02:15 AM)keith1562 Wrote: quote='Rare Pony' pid='24217' dateline='1365429217']
Yeah it was alot of fun. Like you, I barely broke the speed limit before it was all over. I did have a small traction issue at launch (unintentional burn-out). Back in High School I got a ticket for doing a short burn-out, local Police cited me for "wreckless driving". I was lucky this time, no Police were around. Next race I'm looking forward to, is at the local drag strip. (Havana IL)
Keith
I had the Traction Control "on" with the Z car, but I've heard you should turn it off in a real drag situation. I've been wanting to take it to a track, but never have. There is an 1/8 mile track and a 1/4 mile track within about an hours drive. Maybe one of these days.
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