I have spent many hours and much money in the maintenance, restoration and upgrading of my daily driver 1982; I also have the scars to prove it..... With all this work, time and money; it is the little things that seem to get me excited.... After 2 years of searching, I finally found and installed the small obsolete circuit board that turns on my "Low Fuel" light when the fuel is low. I had to buy a complete center gauge cluster (Used) from ebay just to get this part and I didn't even know if it worked - neither did the seller.

Well, I got it installed a few days ago and have been waiting for the fuel to get low to see if it works. This morning on the freeway it came on - IT WORKS! In my overly exuberant excitement..... I discovered that it is these little things that make all the pain and sweat worth it! Most people take these little things for granted, but until you own one of these old ones, you'll never know this excitement!

I should also add that when I finished installing this circuit board and put the dash back together, I started the car and ran it for a little while. A loud screeching noise started coming from the engine when I turned on the A/C; I lifted the hood and the compressor clutch was smoking! No, not related to nothing I just did - just the original old OEM compressor that was getting ready to go out anyway. It couldn't wait another month when it cooled down in this God forsaken city..... This Corvette has always been in charge of my budget anyway and SHE decided when something needs to be repaired, not me! Fix one thing and something else breaks or just falls off..... No complaints though, I love working on this car and I absolutely love to drive it!

The moral of the story is:
Appreciate the little things in life!
Thanks!

I know what you mean.  I spent the better part of two years looking for the T-Top carrier for my '80.  I was scared to death the first time I used it.  The tops tend to lift up at speed and vibrate a bit.

I found a neat trick at the Gathering in Hot Springs at the car show this year.  An early C-3 had straps holding down his T-Tops and had used the fleece seatbelt covers to keep the straps from leaving marks on the tops. 

You are correct, it is the little things that keep us going.

Enjoy!

Boy do I know what you mean. Im in the middle of a total restoration and my wife thinks Im nuts.  I call her out to my shop and say " You gotta see this"  and turn on the blinkers.  Shes not impressed that the blinkers blink. But I  know the time and work thats gone in to staring at wiring diagrams,  tracing the wires, checking the bulbs, searching for the flasher ( found it right of the glovebox )  and the joy of them actually working when they're supposed to.  If you cant enjoy the little things, you need a new hobby. 

Aw the joys of owning a C3............or maybe the C3 owning us........

Ha... Ha....Ha.... you guys are beginning to understand the meaning of Passion..... that's what the little things are...... Enjoy!

Phil,

The big victories are wonderfull, but those small ones just eat at you until they get done.  It's a great feeling.

C3 Corvette:

I know what you're saying Phil. I put a new e-brake cable on the car while Hanna was blowing through on Saturday. Pulled the lever and the shoes engaged solid half way up!! Set the tone for the rest of the weekend!!