KillerX

Hello everyone this will be my first post and hopefully I can tell you guys and gals a bit about my situation.

Im from Ontario, Canada and am 26 years of age. My father had a 1980 Corvette that he only took for a spin in the summer months that he purchased from his close friend that kept it in a barn most of its life. Hhe was diagnosed with ALS in September 2008 and this was a shock since hes only 53. He was a very proud man and liked doing everything for himself and this is why it hurt him to know that he would loose his ability to do anything eventually. He was doing alright and had planned a cruise to go on with his 2 brothers and our entire family the week of feb 1 since he would know this would probably be the last trip he would go on before the symptoms would kick in, but before he could go on the cruise with his family something terrible happend.

It was 2:10 AM when my sister woke me up crying and yelling and I woke up didnt know what had happened, she was screaming to call 911 I ran to the phone and told the dispatcher my dad was having a hard time breathing. I ran up stairs to take a look at him and he was talking but was having a hard time breathing. I opened the door for the paramedics and as I held my father I felt him not being able to sit up anymore, my heart sank and told the paramedics something was wrong, they checked his pulse and told me to help them put my father on the floor. I could hear the sound of the screeching straight line beep that you hear on ER and shows like that and knew this was more serious then I thought. They ordered me out of the room and that was the last time I saw my dad alive, he died peacefully with his family close in my arms. He passed away December 23 2008 of a blood clot in the leg that stopped the heart. He left a wife, a 17 year old daughter and a 26 year old son that loved him sooo much.

The corvette never saw winter but on his funeral day on the 27th, I drove the car to the funeral home, the church and to the mausoleum where he stayed.

Now I know this was not his original car but it did mean a lot to him, even though he wasnt the original owner of the car and at the end wanted to sell it because he knew it would kill him to look at something he could never drive and appreciate again, but this car holds something in my heart.

Im selling my 1999 Ferrari 355 Spider Replica to buy the car off my mom (I know she would give it to me but Id rather give her the money) and am planning to fix it up (the interior needs a bit of work and thats why im here ) My father was always ashamed of bringing this car to any old car shows even though his car looked 10X nicer then most of the C3 corvettes in the shows but thats how he was.

Thank you for hearing my story, hes pics of my dads car





Brad

NitroShark

So sorry for your loss. Beautiful car too.

ed1655

amazing story. i'm sure your dad would be happy and proud. sorry for your loss. sounds like he was a great guy but it also sounds like much of his "go getter" personality will live on with you

Sidepiper

Sorry for your loss. The corvette will be a great way to remember your Dad, hopefully your kids some day can enjoy it.

Spocc

i hope it becomes your car.
ya got a good reason to take care of it & enjoy it !
Pete

brdd

All across Canada and the US, every day, thousands of stories like yours are told. Some involve corvettes, some involve other cherished cars, and some involve other pasttimes which will be missed by the loved ones left behind. Eventually we all have a similar story to tell. They are important and should be shared with those who would understand your feelings and who can sympathize with you.

Your Dad sounds like someone we all would have liked to know. We all feel for your loss here. Thanks for sharing your story with us.

Cobra_4

Great story and so sorry for your loss. Enjoy that vette and make your dad proud!

JungleCat

I'm also sorry to hear about your dad. That is a great looking car.

C3bdj1

Brad,
This is not a story we like to hear, but it is a story that needed to be told.

I am truely sorry for your loss. This forum shares in your loss, as we have lost a fellow Corvette brother. May peace and healing come to you and your family.

You will find everyone here very helpful with any information you may need as you maintain and improve one of your Fathers prized possessions.

May I offer a sincere welcome to you, new friend and Corvette brother.

Bobby

spedaleden

I'm right there with you. My dad passed in Oct. He liked cars but we didn't have alot of mnoey growing up. Education was a huge priority to my dad. He put 5 kids through catholic school and lived in a small house. Family was very important and all of us are very close, thanks to him and my mom.

Make dad wanted to come with me to pick up the car. My dad, my son and I drove ot Toledo OH from Chicago and towed the car home. The pic below was when we got the car in my garage. My dad weighted 240 pounds and he is waving at my wife and mother telling them, that he was able to get in the car.



I understand what your going through and I wish you well. This forum will help you with any car issues you have. Great people on this forum.

I am very sorry about your loss

OURSHARK

I am so sorry to hear you lost your dad. I know what you are going through, I lost my dad when I was 18 years old. You sound like a fine young man, it's great you are keeping your dads vette. Enjoy her, your dad will always be with you.

sixxgunn13

Sorry for your loss..
and its great of you to give your mom the money, Your dad's vette is way nicer!

ratmotortom

Sorry for your loss, but glad you'll be getting the car ! Best of luck with it and "Enjoy the ride "

Mia

So sorry for your loss. The car looks great. That's a great way to keep your dad's memory alive.

speedbird1229

I'm very sorry for your loss and I'd also like to welcome you here, where every issue will be solved! It's now even more important for you to keep the car, take good care of it, drive it (that's what your dad certainly would have wished) and just enjoy it.

demoke

killer x,
i share some similarities with you...i grew up without a dad as my dad died when i was 2yrs old of kidney failure...i also own a red, 1980 4/speed corvette that i am restoring myself(except for the engine work)...if i can be of any assistance with any of your corvette questions/issues, i'd be glad to help...i am just learning about working on my own car from a fellow corette club member and maybe can answer a few questions...anytime Robert

pbcanney

I already know what my kids would do with my C3, so I have willed it to my grand daughter. That'll show 'em.

I'm thinking about getting a vanity plate that says CAYLA'S now

Smadoo

I am truly sorry for your loss. I have a 1980 as well, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask. good luck, you and your family are in my prayers.

KillerX

Thank you to everyone for your kind words, It makes me so happy that there are so many kind people in the corvette scene.
I wanted to share my story because I want people to know that we are very fragile, were here one day and were gone the next. It seems kinda silly to worry about the small things in life, when we dont know when life will end. So never forget to hug or kiss your wife or husband, or your kids because we never know if we will have a chance to do it the next day. With my father, if he was a bad man, it would have been so much easier to say goodbye but he had the biggest heart and never said a bad thing about anyone and this makes it soo hard.

With the corvette, I know a bit about cars but my dad was my teacher, and when he died I felt lost. Even going to his shed and looking for things made me feel useless because there were some things that he just knew and I didnt.

Again I thank you guys for the kind words. I hope I can contribute as much as I learn here on the forum.

spedaleden, Im sorry for your loss as well, I dont think how the younger generation know how it was growing up. (heck even now some of us arnt in the greatest financial situations) but my dad came to Canada with his parents and brothers with nothing and he worked hard to give me and my sister what we have today and I only wish I could repay him. PS I love that picture! I would keep that picture in your car forever.

Im sorry for you loss This is so weird, because my father had kidney failure 9 years ago and almost died due to the doctors not thinking it was kidney related (doctors are human too I guess) he did 4 years of dialysis and then his brother gave him his kidney.


Brad

Vampyre

Nice to hear about the passion you and your dad shared.