My first Vette was an '80 model, red with black, auto, just turned 100k miles. It sat for a year or so before I bought it due to a DUI by the previous owner. Had it a day or two and went to the mall with the wife. Coming down the entrance road into the mall I applied my brakes as I approached the light. Nada. Tried again. Nada. I calmly told her, "Brace yourself. I have no brakes." A goofy look, followed by a you're joking right? look and then she realized I was serious. It was a slight upgrade so I downshifted to second, then first and luckily the light changed and traffic started to pull away. I got into the right turn lane, made the turn and then turned into the parking lot for a restaurant and slowly applied the E brake. I rolled to a stop right as the front tires gently bumped the curb. I exhaled, unclenched my butt cheeks, and called a tow truck.
Turns out both rear calipers had been leaking and let go as I hit the brakes. By keeping my wits and a little luck I averted what could have been an expensive malfunction.
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