Any helpful tips for parade driving?

Amen, Ed! Watching is easier on the clutch leg than driving. Still, it's fun to see all of the people and honk your horn. It's good PR for the hobby. For hints, do keep the idle a little faster than normal. Carry a gallon jug of water for after the parade. Add it slowly to top off the radiator. (Once in a parade, I gave a gallon of water to a newer Pontiac that had overheated.)
Pay an entry fee for the honor of having people look at your car??? Bullcrap! I feel the same way about a lot of the shows that charge for the privelege of letting you in. I just don't go.
 
Ed, your last statement is so true! I've been in parades for years and end up only seeing the float/car in front of and behind me -boring! I have to ask family and friends afterward (who were smart enough to sit along the curb and enjoy the whole thing) to tell me all about the parade and show me their photos!

I enjoy showing my car by being in a parade but maybe this summer I'll do more watching than participating. Plus, I'll save some wear and tear on my engine, clutch and horn!

Earle
 
SteveM said:
I've sat for 9 parades in my town and driven in three. The most fun I ever had was when I had three WWII vets in the car. The guys in the rumble seat were 84 years old and got in by themselves. The fellow in the car was 86.

One of the guys in the rumble seat was an Army combat engineer that landed at Normady a couple of days after the invasion and fought at the battle of St. Lo in France. The other was on a ship in the Navy, and the fellow inside was a Navy mechanic / machinist who repaired airplanes.

They were all school buddies that enlisted together.

I've NEVER had a better time at a parade in my life!

Steve
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Thats a great story and picture Steve.
 
Enjoy the parade, the spectators will love the cars. This is the view from my tudor this morning.
 

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Will be in countries oldest continuous Memorial Day Parade, Ironton, OHIO, there will be 15 groups, we will be in group 11 again, takes about 15 minutes for a lap, will be a lot of stop and go traffic, first gear is too fast most of time, will turn off car and wait a couple of hours for our turn, freezing water bottles and a small snack, here are some photo's from last year, Bruce
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Following too close. You need to space out as this will allow you room to vary you speed and allow others to see your car.

Say hello to the spectators.

Tune your horn. Sometimes you need to click it out one to get it spinning at the lower voltage.

Get used to saying what year the car is. Even if the sign on the side of the car says it.

People look at you funny when you get the car idling at a walking pace and then you get out and walk along side it. So do not do it too much.

When you are in the Miss America parade let the councilman that complains about your 65 Mustang conv go to the 69 Cadillac. Miss Atlantic City is much more fun to have in your car. Yes, I almost kicked the whinny councilman out of my car and left. The mayor got a Rolls conv at the last minute so his 69 Caddy became available. The councilman actually jumped out of my car and ran to the Caddy to stake his claim!!!
 
I know this sounds ruff but put signs on you car [please keep off unless your ****].Honesty put some signs { please keep off} Had some kids jump on the running boards and all.
 
1. Memorial Day is a solemn occasion, so don't use the horn!
2. Salute the veterans and thank them for their service.
3. Put Old Glory on your car in a prominent place.
4. Do not throw candy from the car on Memorial Day.
5. Stand at attention and salute the flag when the color guard passes by you.
For parades other than Memorial Day:
6. Service the horn and make sure it operates well. You will not need the horn for Memorial Day.
7. Run the engine at a fast idle using the hand throttle. This will raise the generator's output to run the horn.
8. Set the spark advance halfway down the quadrant. The engine should idle well at this setting.
9. Smile & wave at the people.
10. Indulge the kids when they give you the signal to blow the horn.
11. Open the rumble seat if your car has one.
12. Watch for kids darting out into the street to pickup candy.
 
if you have a Mitchell OD,

I use the neutral gear of the OD while the main transmission stays in 1st.

that way I can take my tired old leg off the clutch and bang it into low range quickly when movement resumes without grinding 1st gear.

I even use that same procedure at traffic lights. love that Mitchell!:p
 
peters180a/170b said:
I know this sounds ruff but put signs on you car [please keep off unless your ****].Honesty put some signs { please keep off} Had some kids jump on the running boards and all.
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Peter, I guess if I had a fine point car like yours, I'd try to keep the ignorant masses at bay, too.

but since 1986, I've had cars I am not reluctant to let everyone climb over and into. even after one of the little heathens across the street tore the original window shade fabric on our unrestored Coupe I have not changed that policy.
 
Hopefully, the photos came through this time for my "Eat your heats out" message!....
 

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Well, the fellow that might ride with me tomorrow isn't as good looking, but he did land in the first wave at Anzio, Salerno and Sicily.

Steve
 
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