Thank you tube bumpers

[launieg]

I should start by saying that I'm not proud of today's event, but it was exhilerating and instructive

I took my 42 year old son-in-law out for a first drive in the spider today. Gorgeous day and we headed down the winding road to the ocean a couple of kilometers away. I like to drive it quite fast on this road - usually clear of traffic, but I got a little carried away and took a corner a bit too fast to stay in my lane. Sure enough a car appeared around the bend and I had to move over quickly. A rise in the road at the same time and my rear wheels lost traction and slipped away. I corrected twice but we went into the ditch at an angle, after a good squeal of tires end ending with a resounding thunk as we hit the bank, with one wheel in the shallow ditch and the other on the dirt shoulder. A shout from behind the trees "you alright?" and then the fellow and Dan quickly pushed me out while I gunned the engine (started up right away to my relief). I drove it a few more kilometers (more carefully) and then let Dan take over on the round trip (by way of town this time).

Absolutely no damage. I drove the wife around for about an hour during the afternoon (ice cream, coffee, sightseeing) (and a lot more carefully .

That front tube bumper took an enormous smack. I'll have to think twice about even collapsing the shocks on it, let alone removing it. Or maybe I can turn the parts car into a show car and keep mine for "fun".

Seriously, I must have been out of my mind to show off like that. Thank you little car and good fortune or whatever/whoever is taking care of me! By the way, Dan (big Bimmer fan) loved driving the car. What a little dream machine she is. By the way, I did tell my wife. I'll take my lumps sooner than later (she was nice about it).

[kilrwail]

Wow! Glad to hear that you and the car are not damaged. It's too bad you don't have a road course nearby. I have learned to restrain myself on public roads (except when rallying in my disposable car) and save my high speed work for the track. I don't plan to change my bumpers either - good point. Thank your wife for being so understanding with a nice surprise.

[mdrburchette]

Wow, bet that was scary! Thanks goodness nobody and nothing was hurt. I also like to push the limit on a track and drive more cautiously on the road.

[ga.spyder]

Good point,Launie.Without the bumper on there,you could have had signifigant body damage.I have got to learn to restrain myself on public roads.I tend to drive way too fast at times.My wife recently asked me''Do we have to take every turn as fast as we can?" Glad you and the car are ok.
Craig

[rlux4]

Bummer!
With stories like that I guess I won't be the only one left with unmolested big tube bumpers on my car after all.
Glad to hear it didn't have a bad outcome Launie.
Ron

[pope]

Maybe we should just make sure that the big bumpers go back on the car when you reach a certain age! LOL
Any video of the spin-out?

Glad your OK and now that your OK, I'll bet it was a blast to take a chicane like that!
Your wife will NEVER let you forget it.

[sptcoupe]

Parked our '81 spider in a Home Depot parking lot, way out there where nobody else was parked. As I was walking back to, an elderly lady in a Cadillac DeVille was backing up, way too fast, and obviously didn't see the spider. Hit it in back hard enough to move it a foot or so while it was in gear, but it did not do any damage except for some scuffing on the rubber. Made me a believer, but I still like the older bumpers on them.

[launieg]

Thanks for the well wishes and reminder to slow down. When I got married (30 years ago) and I got an instant 10 year old in the bargain (great kid, who is visiting us today with her husband and our grandchild), my wife pointed out after a few days of driving with me that I was no longer driving for myself only. It really sank in, and I slowed down and have ever since, but I forgot myself and turned into a reckless youth for a bit when I got the spider last year. So yesterday was a gentle but firm reminder to me, to take it easy. The thing is, I don't need to drive dangerously to enjoy the top down experience and wonderful feel of this litle car on the road. After all, it feels a lot faster anyway!.

I did get off very lucky. As my son-in-law said, we did not even have to do the "walk of shame" home without the car.

Today is even more gorgeous weather - as good as it gets here , and I'll take the car out a few times to enjoy it. No, no video of yesterday, but I'll get my daughter to take a video of a drive today and we'll post it for you. The scenery is stunning here.

Yes, I like the old bumper look too, but the tube bumpers definitely worked well - saving the car and reducing the impact for us in the car.

[azygoustoyou]

Wow! That was scary just reading. Are the bumper shocks still working right? You might want to check them for your next outing. I bet your heart is still pumping hard just thinking about it.

[narfire]

I'm glad you and the son-in-law are fine. I've taken the bumpers off mine and am always thinking about when will someone back into my car,50% of the population here are retired and driving/eyesight skills are varied.
I'll agree, on a nice day though, few places match the coast of BC for scenery. (now theres a topic for discussion)
Also glad the car is fine.
Are there any tracks on the rock that will let weekend warriors go play?