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Old 24 July 2019, 04:24 AM   #1
TheVTCGuy
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A journey of 20 years and 400 miles

Tomorrow begins one journey, and ends another.

My father died relatively young from a terrible disease. A couple years later my mother re-married.. an old friend. This will take some explanation but my stepfather, his wife, and my mom and dad used to be good friends. Going out to dinner, events, playing cards etc. Around the time my father died my step dad’s first wife passed from cancer. A little while later, my mom and step dad decided they didn’t want to spend their final years alone, so got married! Yeah, it was a shock to me too. They moved to a retirement community in Mesa Arizona and it must have worked because they celebrated 20 years last summer, and for those last 20 years my stepfather was just “Dad”

Dad always had a love for Corvettes. He had all the hats, shirts, magazines, knew the intricacies of every year and model; but didn’t own one. That all changed when his first wife was diagnosed terminal. On her death bed, literally right before she passed, she made him promise after she was gone he would buy himself a Corvette. He did; A 1995 C4 basic Coupe. He stared at it more then drove it because the car is 25 years old and has 46,000 miles. AND, for the last 20 years, ever since he has been married to my mother, he has made me promise I would take care of it after he was gone; of course I made that promise.

Christmas night 2018, the whole family is sitting around the living room opening presents. Dad, being his usual ornery self, said something about having to get his own egg nog, stood up out of his favorite recliner and went down. He was gone; completely unexpected.

At his funeral a few days later I had the corvette parked next to the grave, with a picture of him touching his brand new Corvette the day he brought it home all those years ago. That is the picture I am holding.

For the past six months, I have been visiting my mother often, helping her adjust as much as possible, and in my spare time getting the car ready to make the trip to her new home with me in San Diego. I replaced all the hoses and belts, flushed all the fluids, new plugs, brake pads, filters, and four new tires/alignment. Tomorrow is the big day, I’m bringing it home where I will fulfill my promise and take good care of it for the next 20 years.

I think Dad is proud
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Old 24 July 2019, 04:33 AM   #2
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You are a good man, Paul !!
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Old 24 July 2019, 04:34 AM   #3
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Great story and real testament to a life well lived. Beautiful car too :)

Safe Travels!
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Old 24 July 2019, 04:42 AM   #4
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you sound like a nice bloke, the car is great aswell,

i always think of the corvette as americas ferrari
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Old 24 July 2019, 04:53 AM   #5
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Good for you Paul.
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Old 24 July 2019, 04:58 AM   #6
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Great work my friend.
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Old 24 July 2019, 05:08 AM   #7
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Happy motoring, Paul

(and maybe check the hang of your shirt before the next photo)
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Old 24 July 2019, 05:10 AM   #8
TheVTCGuy
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Happy motoring, Paul

(and maybe check the hang of your shirt before the next photo)
I thought that was the new way to be “hip” 🤔
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Old 24 July 2019, 05:21 AM   #9
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Good on you, Paul
I'm sure your pops is proud Safe travels
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Old 24 July 2019, 05:32 AM   #10
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Touching story. Thanks for sharing it with us.
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Old 24 July 2019, 05:42 AM   #11
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Well done Paul! Surely he is smiling down upon you!


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Old 24 July 2019, 05:52 AM   #12
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What a touching story. Well done you.
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Old 24 July 2019, 05:52 AM   #13
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What fun you'll have driving this car, and the memories it will carry with you! Enjoy, and here's to your next 20!!
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Old 24 July 2019, 05:53 AM   #14
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Great story Paul. You’re a good man.

Take me with you.
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Old 24 July 2019, 05:58 AM   #15
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Very cool!
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Old 24 July 2019, 06:05 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy View Post
I thought that was the new way to be “hip” 🤔
Or hide you are not fit.
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Old 24 July 2019, 06:28 AM   #17
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Wonderful story Paul, I’m sure it would make your dad happy to see you enjoy it.
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Old 24 July 2019, 06:35 AM   #18
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Great story Paul. Enjoy the ride home.
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Old 24 July 2019, 06:39 AM   #19
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Thanks for sharing Paul. Enjoy.
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Old 24 July 2019, 06:45 AM   #20
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Wow! Great story Paul and enjoy driving that beautiful vette.
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Old 24 July 2019, 07:05 AM   #21
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Wow, that's quite the story, Paul. Very touching and I'm so glad you shared this with us. So much sentimental value here and I'm glad it's now in good hands.
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Old 24 July 2019, 07:42 AM   #22
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Great story. Drive safely.
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Old 24 July 2019, 08:17 AM   #23
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This will be a trip that’s more than 400 miles; really a journey of a thousand emotions.

Safe travels along your route. I’m guessing there’s Tumi bag of some sort stuffed in the boot?


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Old 24 July 2019, 08:24 AM   #24
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Great story and you will always remember him when driving the car
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Old 24 July 2019, 09:56 AM   #25
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You are one of the good guys,Paul.
Drive safe!
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Old 24 July 2019, 10:28 AM   #26
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Beautiful car and story paul.
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Old 24 July 2019, 10:57 AM   #27
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What a great story and beautiful car, Paul.

Enjoy it!
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Old 24 July 2019, 11:09 AM   #28
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I am certain he is proud of you!
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Old 24 July 2019, 11:25 AM   #29
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Great story Paul!

Enjoy the car as much as he did!
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Old 24 July 2019, 11:26 AM   #30
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Very good on you, Paul! You are a good son and step-son! The best to you, sir.

Sir Paul...has a nice ring to it!
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