A manual shifter in a parade

Rapewta · 09-07-2023, 02:42 PM

Has anyone driven a stick shifter through a parade?
I have been asked by my daughter-in-law if I would cruise in a parade for the prom with my Grand Daughter and her date in my convertable as they sit on top. They have the luggage rack to hang on to. (71 ragtop vette with a luggage rack.)
I am thinking it is going to be pretty tough having to start stop, clutching the heck out of the car. Don't know how long the route is.

I know what it is like getting stuck in start/stop traffic in the city but this might be
more of a burden on me and the clutch.

The car doesn't run hot but this is different.

Thanks.

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

I have done that before in an XKE, it was not too bad, but I don't know how stiff your clutch is.

pwd72s · 09-07-2023, 02:43 PM

I'd say no for just the reasons you gave.

Evans, Marv · 09-07-2023, 02:50 PM

Just rent a convertible with an auto trans for the event.

p911dad · p911dad's Garage

Ask yourself if a cool time with your grand daughter (something she will never forget) trumps a little wear on a clutch on even a special car like your Vette'. I know what I would do.

pavulon · 09-07-2023, 03:02 PM

If your engine is mild-mannered, you have electric radiator fans, your trans is wide ratio, your rear gears are short enough, your clutch has plenty of material and the parade is only a few blocks long you could be fine...but that seems like a lot stars to line up.

pwd72s · 09-07-2023, 03:08 PM

I like the rental suggestion. But then, I was looking at it from my own driving perspective...79 with a snapped tendon in my left foot and weaker leg muscles making clutch work difficult these days...a fear of the foot slipping, or maybe a bad clutch engagement making the car jerk...Only the guy making the original post knows his abilities and/or limitations. Then the fact that doubts are there? I'd vote for the rental ragtop..

Zeke · 09-07-2023, 03:18 PM

Hook a rope to the vehicle in front of you.

flatbutt · 09-07-2023, 03:18 PM

Well if'n it was my granddaughter I'd either rent one or use the Vet. I know from riding my MC in funeral processions it can be tiring but it never hurt my clutch.

RANDY P · RANDY P's Garage

Having a hard time visualizing how they would sit? 3 people?

MMARSH · MMARSH's Garage

Jeez it's parade route in a car. Not that complicated. Yes I did one in my 4 spd GTO with my car club. No big deal.

masraum · 09-07-2023, 03:31 PM

I suppose it depends upon your car and the route. I wouldn't think it would be that bad. How slowly will your car roll at an idle? I assume with a '71 vette unless you've got a crazy cam, you could drop the idle down to somewhere in the 500-650rpm range and idle around in 1st at just a few mph. I wouldn't think you'd have to be using the clutch that much. If you did end up having to stop, you could always put the car in neutral and let the clutch out.

You could have a real bear of a car and clutch, but remembering my days with a '65 impala, manual brakes, manual steering, heavy clutch, I wouldn't think it'd be that big a deal. Maybe get the kids ahead of time and try it out in your neighborhood just to see how it feels to you.

carreradpt · carreradpt's Garage

Is it in San Francisco or anywhere FL? You'll wear out your arm from waving and forget about your clutch leg.

look 171 · 09-07-2023, 03:51 PM

Do it man. Clutch is a wear item, they want you to drive them in a parade but once then they go away to college and only come back for Christmas you will be lucky if they go get fast food with you. Enjoy the time, the hell with the clutch.

I drove stick shifts for 20 plus years in LA stop and go traffic. At times, we are stuck for an hour crawling at a pace often slower then any parade. The clutch lives and I done it in my 930 for a couple years. There's a good reason my left leg is bigger

Rapewta · 09-07-2023, 03:52 PM

Well.. thank you for the opinions.
I will put my grand daughter and her date sitting on top of the back portion of the Vette.
Really ... the pictures will be so cool and even though I hate hydraulic clutches, it will work.
History in a small way for our family. Maybe in 20 years from now, someone will see the pics and smile.

Thanks for the input.

masraum · 09-07-2023, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapewta

Well.. thank you for the opinions.
I will put my grand daughter and her date sitting on top of the back portion of the Vette.
Really ... the pictures will be so cool and even though I hate hydraulic clutches, it will work.
History in a small way for our family. Maybe in 20 years from now, someone will see the pics and smile.

Thanks for the input.

Awesome! Yep, we need pics of the happy fun event.

Hopefully, your car isn't anything like this one when it's idling.

A930Rocket · 09-07-2023, 04:00 PM

Good for you for taking your granddaughter and her date in the Corvette. There are only so many opportunities for things like this, and she will always remember it.

Don’t forget to post pictures!

911boost · 911boost's Garage

Glad you decided to do it, I would use a convertible if I had one for something like in a heartbeat.

Good choice!

flatbutt · 09-07-2023, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapewta

Well.. thank you for the opinions.
I will put my grand daughter and her date sitting on top of the back portion of the Vette.
Really ... the pictures will be so cool and even though I hate hydraulic clutches, it will work.
History in a small way for our family. Maybe in 20 years from now, someone will see the pics and smile.

Thanks for the input.

Rock on Gramps! You're gonna be a hero.

stevej37 · 09-07-2023, 07:16 PM

I was never in a parade with my SC, but I did join a metro-cruise along with thousands of other cars a few years back.
Stop and go every 100 ft for the 15 miles stretch....I cut out after half-way, I was afraid of frying my clutch.

Worse than that...the guy behind me with his built Z-28 was hanging back and doing burn-outs over and over. Some of them ended too close to my car.

I would never do that cruise-in again.