A Day in Phoenix

[427TJ]

Yesterday I was in Phoenix all day and I hooked-up with Bruce (Xplantdad). It was only about 105 degress by noon but Bruce, ever the good host, was happy to get the Chevelle out and take me for a spin. How could I refuse?


First stop was the gas station for some pump 92. That's Bruce and his daughter Holly.


Then out on the boulevard rumbling along at 50 mph. Nothing like a 4-speed, 3:73s, and the Chevelle's 360-horse Rat making sweet music through the Flowmasters. This shot reminds me of high school 30 years ago. First time in three decades that I had been in a '66 Chevelle.


Then Bruce headed over to a new housing development under construction for a few launches. I told him not to break anything on my account but Bruce, ever the good host, brushed-off my concern and revved-up the 396 and let out the clutch. The guys working on the new houses (out of shot at left) were smiling as Bruce hit it, nailed second, and the Cokers wailed in protest.


We went back for an encore and the construction guys nodded YES when I asked them if they wanted another display of tire-scorching big-block Chevelle. WAAAAAAA (shift) WAAAAA (smoke). Holly screams in the back seat as the Chevelle gets out of shape near the top of first gear and the cable TV guy in his work truck swerves over to the curb to get out of our way. Bruce hits second just as the car heads toward the cable guy's truck but Bruce skillfully guides the Chevelle past him. I gave the cable guy a wave and a big grin as we roared past. The cable guy looked old enough to remember when dinosaurs ruled the planet. (You know, dinosaurs like the SS 396 Chevelle and all the other big-inch beasts that were afraid of nothing and killed and ate everything that got in their way.)


Actually, I took the two shots of the tire marks later on after Bruce had put the Chevelle back in its cave, I mean, the garage. I should have gotten a photo of the construction guys and especially the cable guy's face as we fish-tailed past his truck. Next time, eh Bruce?

Bruce and Holly and I then cruised around Phoenix and he showed me the HUGE Barrett-Jackson tent as we drove past on the freeway. (I am definitely going to B-J in January and Bruce, ever the good host, is saving me a spot to crash on his living room floor.) I tried to buy lunch at Applebee's but Bruce (say it with me: "ever the good host") moves too fast and grabbed the check so I elbowed him out of the way at Dairy Queen later on and I got that tab. We picked up Bruce's wife Lynn at her office and then they took me back to my hotel by 5:00 for my flight home. I had a great day talking cars and doing burnouts. And, for 111 degrees it really wasn't that hot--when you're having fun you just don't care. If you're ever in Phoenix call Bruce, you will have a GREAT time!

Hey Bruce, I'll let you tell everybody about the guy's garage and cars we came across while out driving.

Thanks again Bruce! x 100!!!