Sweatin Bullits because you ...

Clois Harlan · #1 (**permalink**) 06-25-2003, 09:48 AM

When was the last time you either ran out of gas in your Cobra or thought you were going to before you got to a gas station?

Last night my wife and I took the Cobra to the Braums (ice cream) to pick up a half gallon of ice cream. I checked my gas before we left and noticed a little more than a half tank, No problem. Got the ice cream home and put the Cobra away for the night.

This morning I decided to drive the Cobra to work. As I was driving from one expressway to another I noticed my gas gauge was setting on the big "E". Damn, I am in the wrong lane for the next exit so I hung in there another mile and eased off the expressway and had to wait at the light for about 5 minutes it seemed. Finally, I got the green light just in time to catch the next light under the expressway, another 3 minutes and away I go to south about another 1/2 mile just to catch another light at the golf course (damn golfers and joggers are going to cause me to run out of gas). I waited another two minutes or so and finally got another green light when this frickin Nissan made a right on red just before I crossed the intersection I proceeded to crawl at 25 mph behind the Nissan for the next half mile (where the Phillips 66 station was at) and just as I was pulling in the drive the beast coughed once just to let me know that next time I may not be quite so lucky.

Quarter tank of gas in a 16 gallon fuel cell and a 30 mile drive to work during the morning rush sometimes DOES work out. But believe me I was sweating bullets that last half mile. Next time I will take the Expedition when I go after ice cream or I will fill the Cobra up before I get back home, maybe.

Clois

Hotfingrs · #2 (**permalink**) 06-25-2003, 10:05 AM

Same situation and why I now fill the tank of rental cars, instead of prepaying for a tank of gas....I was taking a rental car back to the Tampa airport and had prepaid for a tank of gas, of course I was trying to leave the least amount in the tank I could. Needless to say I missed the exit for the airport and ended up on the 7 mile bridge across the bay...and if that wasn't bad enough, when I got to the first exit, it was closed for construction...I didn't run out.....but damn sure held my breath

Jamo · #3 (**permalink**) 06-25-2003, 10:11 AM

Try driving a Cobra with no fuel gauge (fuel pressure only like the REAL ones--course, REAL ones had pit crews).

Wife asked about the lack of a fuel level gauge. Told her only a moron would run out of gas with a 40 gallon tank. Called her several hours later to bring a can of gas. Damn women have memories...

Clois Harlan · #4 (**permalink**) 06-25-2003, 11:09 AM

Ain't it the truth Jamo. I am still hearing about that despiration gift I bought here for her birthday last year. Hell I thought she could use a Mac Timing Light...(just kidding about the light). The despiration gift is true. Women have the best long and short term memory.

Have your ever heard a woman say "Forget It" and mean it? It has been my experience twhen they say forget it your pretty well screwed. But ya gotta love em, or else.

Clois

Excaliber · #5 (**permalink**) 06-25-2003, 11:24 AM

No gas guage on my Austin Healey 3000 (recently sold). Because I seldom drove it I ran out of gas a couple of times with it, and came VERY close several other times.

Rocking the car back and forth was the "ticket" for me! My clue would be under hard accelleration (and I never drove it any other way, lol) the engine would cut out or miss. Rocking the steering wheel back and forth would slosh the gas over to the electric fuel pump pickup and I was good for another couple of miles, but you had to keep the car moving and catch the problem right away!

Worse case? 3 miles from home, test drive, no wallet, no cell phone, no loose change (only going "around the block") and ran out of gas! I had to knock on someones door and ask to use their telephone to call home.

Money, don't leave home without it!

Ernie

Mr.Fixit · #6 (**permalink**) 06-25-2003, 12:16 PM

Only once. I had just picked up my 69 camaro out of a paint shop after having the front end resprayed, I got about one mile before it died in an intersection. I dropped the car off with 3/4 tank of gas. I called the paint shop from the nearest phone, not very happy that they had siphoned my gas out. Owner of shop came by with a gas can, then folloed me to the gas station where he filled the tank. I was MAD, shop owner was too.

CRZN427 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-26-2003, 12:00 AM

Mr.Fixit.

How much would you bet that the gas wasn't drained out through the Carb.
Was there a mileage check on the car?
Can you tell if the spedo cable was tampered with?
Are your rear tires looking a little long in the tooth?
Any roomers of a fast Camero around town at that time?
Any other body panels recently repainted?

Rick Parker · #8 (**permalink**) 06-26-2003, 01:29 AM

Several years ago about 1989, I saw an ad in the classifieds of the local paper offering a reward for information about a certain missing Cobra from a small town nearby. The following details were conveyed during the conversation with the owner: He had been working on the car (don't remember the MFGR but recall it had a 427 Side Oiler) for about 3 years off and on. He said that he had had finally gotten it to a running stage minus paint and was excited and decided to take it for a short drive in the rural farming area close to where he lived on a Sunday morning before going to work, this was in the Spring or early Summer. Well you guessed it he ran out of fuel. He said he parked it off the side of the road next to a peach orchard and set out to walk back to town for some gas about 2 miles. He had said it was in the early part of the morning maybe 7-8 but when he returned his car was GONE. All attempts to locate it as far as I know failed. I called him back 2 weeks later and was told they had no sightings or clues to its whereabouts. Sad situation.

Rick