tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61770885551404952302024-03-13T10:23:36.045-05:00Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of More CarsMe, my car, the road, and the cars I wish I could build.Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08625879578538987788noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177088555140495230.post-64551802106282486752018-01-25T15:39:00.003-06:002018-01-25T15:39:46.422-06:00Massive Project Update!It doesn't take much sleuthing to check the posting dates on this blog and realize I'm terrible at keeping up to date posting things as often as I originally wanted to. Life and my two jobs always try to pull me away, and it gets even worse in Summer when car shows and cruising start up. It seems I always try to revive it in Winter new-years-resolution-style. One of the biggest downfalls in this apparent plan is that there are huge changes that happen to my personal vehicles in the interim. This post is hopefully going to catch you all up to where you need to be for us all to move forward.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_RG-cb8sFig/WmpDxX-8WVI/AAAAAAAAKQI/tt9WRhT-ZokMp7aPVJ-qcq7FZ1fzELNfwCEwYBhgL/s1600/20170527_195337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_RG-cb8sFig/WmpDxX-8WVI/AAAAAAAAKQI/tt9WRhT-ZokMp7aPVJ-qcq7FZ1fzELNfwCEwYBhgL/s320/20170527_195337.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just not touching. Paper-slipper</td></tr>
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Based on the posts here, I'm pretty sure our last chat was when I owned just the '74 Maverick (it never leaves or gets worked on), the '79 Bronco Free Wheelin' Edition, the '02 black Crown Victoria, and the '03 white Crown Victoria (re-dubbed the White Prowler as you'll find out). Well, since then much has changed. I'm currently sitting at eight cars, but I'll bring you up to date on each of them separately.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eJZd4ygqIOQ/WmpDEOzO5zI/AAAAAAAAKQE/daJd8H0fN-Yn39RiILK2ozqjbDhCIflWwCEwYBhgL/s1600/FB_IMG_1506221974957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="720" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eJZd4ygqIOQ/WmpDEOzO5zI/AAAAAAAAKQE/daJd8H0fN-Yn39RiILK2ozqjbDhCIflWwCEwYBhgL/s320/FB_IMG_1506221974957.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is pretty much how I last left you</td></tr>
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Sabotage: '02 Crown Vic<br />
This car has been with me for several years and has had the most modification of all my cars so far, but after much deliberation, I've decided to let it go. If I keep if, it will turn into a much larger project than I really want or need that car to be, so I'm selling it before it gets out of hand. There is a pending sale on it now, just waiting for him to come sometime this winter to pick it up. Plans are to reinvest in a welder/plasma cutter combo for future projects.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GkGgmIDzfqY/WmpOdsMA8XI/AAAAAAAAKSI/yOGzqJdPMEUm_jCgvde_I2901jTRVvFwwCLcBGAs/s1600/26962284_10156243057667189_2750919035551726337_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GkGgmIDzfqY/WmpOdsMA8XI/AAAAAAAAKSI/yOGzqJdPMEUm_jCgvde_I2901jTRVvFwwCLcBGAs/s320/26962284_10156243057667189_2750919035551726337_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost prepped for shipment</td></tr>
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The White Prowler: '03 Crown Victoria P71<br />
This car I bought last Fall in the hopes of making a big project out of it. I got it running and got sidetracked with a different idea. I started fixing it up to run an event and soon found it wasn't up to the original project I had planned to use it for. Then we started calling it the White Prowler. In the end, I ran it for the event (later to be posted about), and I had no real plans for it afterward. I thought it would make a great body swap candidate, but decided it would be too long before I got around to that, so I listed it on a couple Facebook buy/sell/trade groups saying what a good body swap it would be. About four months later, a guy took me up on the idea and traded me a '79 F-150 Ranger Larait 4x4 with a 351M, auto, utility bed, 4" lift, and 35" BFG All-Terrain T/As. It's cool and tons of fun to bomb around in, but in the end, that's on the chopping block too. It was good motivation to get the Broncos figured out though because that was the same lift combination I was hoping to run on that too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-455FgGes3x4/WmpMXEykeXI/AAAAAAAAKRo/VkQhRH04LC8dwO8eaxTYb-vskW2B2f7KwCLcBGAs/s1600/18208996_10155426086817189_6596913503114224094_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-455FgGes3x4/WmpMXEykeXI/AAAAAAAAKRo/VkQhRH04LC8dwO8eaxTYb-vskW2B2f7KwCLcBGAs/s320/18208996_10155426086817189_6596913503114224094_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This had a rough weekend in Michigan last April</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--xRqK2YGL_U/WmpDx1gRm1I/AAAAAAAAKQM/MDRYRk_Wz_kEdG1WgtfHthtOP-RGe-FIgCEwYBhgL/s1600/20170922_070735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--xRqK2YGL_U/WmpDx1gRm1I/AAAAAAAAKQM/MDRYRk_Wz_kEdG1WgtfHthtOP-RGe-FIgCEwYBhgL/s320/20170922_070735.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Probably the best trade I could've made to not lose money on the white Vic</td></tr>
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Project Glory Hole: '79 Bronco Free Wheelin' Edition<br />
Seemed like a good segway. What had always been the biggest issue with this Bronco while I've owned it? That's right; rust. Well, just about the time it was starting to get nice out and I could start working on it, wouldn't you know my friend sends me a link to an online auction saying, "hey, they have a Bronco just like yours with way less rust!" I would be a fool to not look into it. Sure enough, clean '79 Bronco with an opening bid of $8. This is how I spent May and June, watching this auction. Back to the black Bronco, I just setup a pending transaction, a gentleman's agreement, with a guy from North Dakota who really seems to want my Bronco to rebuild like one his Grandpa had, just like mine but burned in a fire. He's trading me a '94 Bronco that needs a trans, but my brother is looking for one that style, so all good!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LwwRpCWUbZ0/WmpDDRkuYTI/AAAAAAAAKP8/4UX3vkTLPVECX1jq95qgPs6t6FkFk6CpgCEwYBhgL/s1600/FB_IMG_1506221915703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="720" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LwwRpCWUbZ0/WmpDDRkuYTI/AAAAAAAAKP8/4UX3vkTLPVECX1jq95qgPs6t6FkFk6CpgCEwYBhgL/s320/FB_IMG_1506221915703.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks good with 35s stuffed in there; won't turn.</td></tr>
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The Junkyard Auction: Don't show me a "bid" button<br />
What started as a simple "hey, check this out," turned into 7 pages of old inventory getting purged at liquidation prices out of a wrecking yard out in north central South Dakota. So many great projects all in one place, all starting at single digit prices! I could barely contain myself. I finally got the list narrowed down to eight that I was watching... for two months. In the end, I wound up with the Bronco (Ranger XLT with no engine and a 4-speed) and a rwd '72 F-100 long bed (302 automatic). My mom even got in on the fun with a '74 Valiant sedan (slant six automatic). By the end of the summer, we had a friend with a trucking company bring all three down to us in southeast Wisconsin. The shipping cost almost triple what the vehicles did, but it was a fun bucket list item to be able to say I saved cars out of a junkyard.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hCirfsS1YrE/WmpDC1_N8NI/AAAAAAAAKPw/P5H-TGzvJjww9cUOerakcHle3rWf76GoQCEwYBhgL/s1600/FB_IMG_1506221854847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="720" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hCirfsS1YrE/WmpDC1_N8NI/AAAAAAAAKPw/P5H-TGzvJjww9cUOerakcHle3rWf76GoQCEwYBhgL/s320/FB_IMG_1506221854847.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My truckload of toys from the junkyard. Can't wait to drive the F-100!</td></tr>
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Ok, they're home. Now what are you going to do with them? The plan for the Bronco is to make it a good looking, fun off-road toy that's fun to bomb around town with too. Looking to fix it up with a 4" lift, 35" tires, some rock sliders, basic roll cage, off-road bumpers, and a '91 460 and 5-speed (I bought a donor truck) with a stroker kit that makes it a 545. That should get through, over, or around pretty much anything in its way. The plan for the Valiant is a fun cruiser that can pull my mom's canned ham camper. I want to swap the slant six with a warmed over 360 and a newer automatic with overdrive and a Hotchkiss TBS suspension kit. She's even picked out a set of American Racing Torque Thrust D's all on her own! This thing will hopefully handle better than it looks, but it'll look good too! My favorite out of the lot, the '72 F-100, is supposed to be a trailer-pulling muscle truck. I want to build a Windsor-based 427 stroker to put in it with a ZF-5 out of a F-350 diesel (at least, until I can afford a T-56). I want it slammed to the ground and handling well but with the ability to pull a car trailer, stop 10,000 pounds of steel, and drive into my steep driveway without worrying it will hit. Tall order? Yes. Will I do it? You bet your ass! Long term project? More than likely. I can't wait to start on it this spring when it thaws enough to go outside!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_32q28_aCyA/WmpDDKhMywI/AAAAAAAAKP4/x3yPMxY7c6I_ozky2rl5itVbgZfxED4YgCEwYBhgL/s1600/FB_IMG_1506221820943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="720" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_32q28_aCyA/WmpDDKhMywI/AAAAAAAAKP4/x3yPMxY7c6I_ozky2rl5itVbgZfxED4YgCEwYBhgL/s320/FB_IMG_1506221820943.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This will replace the rusted out black Bronco and will be getting a 460 and 5-speed from my '91 F-250</td></tr>
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MFP71: '01 lifted Crown Vic P71<br />
For a short while, I owned three Crown Victorias at the same time (what a glorious world!). Now I only own two. The one you haven't seen yet (which needs some build posts) is a '01 P71 that I may have just installed a 3" lift onto and a set of used, take-off 31" Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs. It is going to take a turn for the Wasteland and get a paint job like the original Mad Max police cars. It's gonna be pretty cool, and I can't wait to take it to the couple events it needs to be at, but last week, the head gaskets blew on my way to work in -15° weather. Hooray for my junky cars! Already looking for a replacement motor. We'll keep you updated... mostly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vtKnjtKWIRA/WmpDDrNU7mI/AAAAAAAAKQA/nI1lQzWgUQU3uOOct1A-xg3mRXSzHVnTQCEwYBhgL/s1600/FB_IMG_1506221932584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="720" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vtKnjtKWIRA/WmpDDrNU7mI/AAAAAAAAKQA/nI1lQzWgUQU3uOOct1A-xg3mRXSzHVnTQCEwYBhgL/s320/FB_IMG_1506221932584.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how I got it</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wit3jv9xeUU/WmpMXRzBkfI/AAAAAAAAKRw/FKaz4zIjD1840sDiy4QBGKjwapQd7jLcgCLcBGAs/s1600/24273609_10156102882302189_4658262021661076001_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wit3jv9xeUU/WmpMXRzBkfI/AAAAAAAAKRw/FKaz4zIjD1840sDiy4QBGKjwapQd7jLcgCLcBGAs/s320/24273609_10156102882302189_4658262021661076001_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what I've done to it</td></tr>
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Not my cars: family vehicles I get to also fix<br />
My brother got an '11 Wrangler, and that got a 3.5" lift and 35s, so I need to show you that. It also seems to be the only way I got out and took pictures in 2017, so expect some fun off-road shots. The family F-250 is still down pending rebuild, but I think I found a motor for that too. Still no movement on the cars still in Minnesota ('63 FC-170 heirloom truck and my '74 Maverick sedan). There's also a Jeep Commander, Ford Escape, and Jeep Grand Cherokee around, but you'll probably only see the Grand Cherokee since we took it off-roading. I doubt I'll post basic maintenance on the ladies' rides.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-675pdQdBLSE/WmpDC7H5VXI/AAAAAAAAKP0/jjscicXs-yo62fpu-UR3WjH4pW-X1m_igCEwYBhgL/s1600/FB_IMG_1492863541411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="720" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-675pdQdBLSE/WmpDC7H5VXI/AAAAAAAAKP0/jjscicXs-yo62fpu-UR3WjH4pW-X1m_igCEwYBhgL/s320/FB_IMG_1492863541411.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Modded with no lift and 31" BFG Mud Terrains</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e1ivsMeF6Io/WmpFYTiSBsI/AAAAAAAAKQU/NSiDpgPz7m8D8JxPOwGHhFKXI0dwJvkkwCLcBGAs/s1600/22829662_1541980795886387_5604069904115232897_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e1ivsMeF6Io/WmpFYTiSBsI/AAAAAAAAKQU/NSiDpgPz7m8D8JxPOwGHhFKXI0dwJvkkwCLcBGAs/s320/22829662_1541980795886387_5604069904115232897_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'11 JK with lift and 35" Nitto Trail Grapplers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aoHBMDh3qcs/WmpFYaY83_I/AAAAAAAAKQY/mKLKzKkCLgUv3Hqj-PnYnKa2uyoRXIjdwCLcBGAs/s1600/22829470_1541973479220452_6206768617552440941_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aoHBMDh3qcs/WmpFYaY83_I/AAAAAAAAKQY/mKLKzKkCLgUv3Hqj-PnYnKa2uyoRXIjdwCLcBGAs/s320/22829470_1541973479220452_6206768617552440941_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ZJ on the JK take-off wheels and 31s in the UP</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9UaTcBL0d3c/WmpDyaZoq0I/AAAAAAAAKQQ/zSuN1p-40y4d95YJO5p1h9IauJwRNjjQQCLcBGAs/s1600/20171008_101236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9UaTcBL0d3c/WmpDyaZoq0I/AAAAAAAAKQQ/zSuN1p-40y4d95YJO5p1h9IauJwRNjjQQCLcBGAs/s320/20171008_101236.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I killed it and left it in the woods overnight, but that's a different post...</td></tr>
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So that's what I've got and where the projects are at. We'll get to working on those once the snow starts thawing, and I'll make sure to tell you about what I'm doing with them and to them (and in some cases, catch you up on what I have already done to them). It's gonna be a fun ride to building fun rides. This will be a year of building engines, but I also hope to revive the Valiant and F-100 with their junkyard-fresh drivetrains to see how bad they are. Might be able to drive them as is. If so, I'll be sure to tell you all about it, and what it takes to get them running, right here!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GY5CunYYz9k/WmpMXJl4oaI/AAAAAAAAKRs/neCMcSy4-Ro5ajTLQTgBC2WNEj5ZIIMiQCEwYBhgL/s1600/26063465_10156186249122189_7149526641758480722_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GY5CunYYz9k/WmpMXJl4oaI/AAAAAAAAKRs/neCMcSy4-Ro5ajTLQTgBC2WNEj5ZIIMiQCEwYBhgL/s320/26063465_10156186249122189_7149526641758480722_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My outdoor storage space is currently well endowed</td></tr>
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Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08625879578538987788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177088555140495230.post-76868288271577777262017-03-12T22:04:00.000-05:002017-03-12T22:04:09.673-05:00Charlie's Ramshackle Race Team... In Theory<div>
I have an idea. I want to go racing. There are some nearby events that would be a lot of fun to attend, but they involve a crew and more money than I currently have to invest in this. There are the two annual Chump Car events at Road America along with other days where for $300 and tech inspection you can do practice laps. Down in Joliet, IL, they have a 24 Hours of Lemons race. I forget if it's once or twice a year, but it'd be fun to join in and experience it. There's Grid Life over at Gingerman Raceway in South Haven, MI, which although it's not a cheap car ideology, I think my concept of a race car would fit in fine over there. They're a kind of racing and music festival with a good deal of camping going on, and it sounds like fun. I'm pretty sure Chump Car and Lemons also race there. I'm currently unaware of any other road racing within a doable driving distance from home, but I try to keep my ears open just in case. There is, however, plenty of places to autocross, and this intrigues me very much. While this is more of a solo race, I would still be able to let other guys in the team take turns driving it.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DE2Mk7oCFSY/WLN0nWQUD4I/AAAAAAAAKDE/lNfCYqtkbkkWq1BQrrqc9cgPZ6V8i_wfwCLcB/s1600/fiero_no_body.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DE2Mk7oCFSY/WLN0nWQUD4I/AAAAAAAAKDE/lNfCYqtkbkkWq1BQrrqc9cgPZ6V8i_wfwCLcB/s320/fiero_no_body.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Could be a lot of fun.</td></tr>
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We know where I want to race, so why not get on with the what and the how already?! I mentioned in a previous blog how is like to build a Fiero Kart along the same concept of Roadkill's Vette Kart, but I was thinking about it the other day, and realized that if you find a good looking one and strip it carefully, you could make it Lemons legal which automatically makes it Chump Car legal. If I can find one that's solid underneath and has good looking body panels and interior, I should be able to sell the body plastic and interior to refund the purchase price of the car and probably even pay for the steel for the roll cage. The only other thing I'd need to be careful on when selecting the car would be to make sure it has the good Getrag 5-speed. The trans and subframe would likely need to be bolstered a bit to compensate for what I want to do to it, but that shouldn't be too bad.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RMCQIVpyRro/WLN0nJZAQ2I/AAAAAAAAKC0/W86xdZSlUfYnVWYGZghMK0piOqwQgYw6QCEw/s1600/Lambo%2BFiura_43.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RMCQIVpyRro/WLN0nJZAQ2I/AAAAAAAAKC0/W86xdZSlUfYnVWYGZghMK0piOqwQgYw6QCEw/s320/Lambo%2BFiura_43.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at how light that would be and how quickly that could move.</td></tr>
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The rules impose a fairly strict budget. Chump Car simply says a vehicle with a market value of $500, but Lemons says only actually spending $500 with the ability to sell parts to recoup costs and stay on budget. I would like to upgrade the brakes, seats, wheels, and tires because they don't count in the budget for the rules, but there is one thing that I'd change that would be a possible penalty worth taking. This thing would be a rocket with a small block Chevy swapped in, and you can get those motors for dirt cheap. The beauty of this is that it's so light and nimble, I could install the junkiest barely running 350 or even 305 and it'd still have enough power to really move on the track and be a contender. In fact, it would be better to have a junk motor because then there's less likelihood of crashing do to spinouts or over driving it. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to eventually rebuild it and make some better power, but the point is learning the car and you don't need that much power because of the weight. Eventually, when I'm done with Lemons and Chump Car and want to stick to autocross, I'll put a suspension in it, and then it'll really handle well. That's further down the road though.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JVr3948Idq8/WLN0mrKs8II/AAAAAAAAKDk/EQTOt5WcZ9sc-MqY-mF4T_ztg9IFq0fhgCEw/s1600/Fiero15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JVr3948Idq8/WLN0mrKs8II/AAAAAAAAKDk/EQTOt5WcZ9sc-MqY-mF4T_ztg9IFq0fhgCEw/s320/Fiero15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Something like this would only be a starting point.</td></tr>
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That's all well and good, but the rules state a 4-6 person driving team. Here's where the plan gets good. I know some guys who would be more than likely interested in being able to race cars on the weekend if only they could afford to, but between families and other monetary obligations, they simply can't afford the money or the time that you would feel you need to put in to make the investment worth the money. On the other hand, you can get a Fiero on Craigslist pretty often for under $1000. My goal is to find a solid, good looking Fiero that doesn't run for as close to $500 as possible with the possibility to go lower always appreciated. Then I want to convince these guys that this is a good idea and we should all pitch in $100. I'm also looking to find a good 305 or 350 for under $200. Once the guys are onboard and the car is purchased, we'll go about stripping the interior and body and selling it on Craigslist or eBay to refund our purchase to reinvest into roll cage, brakes, tires, and whatever else we'll need.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See? They let anything in</td></tr>
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If we can keep it at that $100/team member, that'll be awesome. The only other thing would be splitting the entrance fees and fuel costs of each event and getting them to all commit for at least a season, which is really just three events. It should be a doable investment of both time and money, and if they decide it was fun, but I'm done, we can always buy them back out at the end of the season. I'm not sure how many seasons I'd want to do Chump Car and Lemons, but when we're done, I really want to go autocross racing with it. That'd be fun. Now I just need to find my team.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ofHxRsowmrM/WLOGRn5tPhI/AAAAAAAAKEM/p_HAjyO6Uu4lkINOria_utcQ5t_AQHcCgCLcB/s1600/IMG_2533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ofHxRsowmrM/WLOGRn5tPhI/AAAAAAAAKEM/p_HAjyO6Uu4lkINOria_utcQ5t_AQHcCgCLcB/s320/IMG_2533.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We want to go racing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CTNBZ2aWQ3U/WLOGPu3i1aI/AAAAAAAAKEI/KczKyVlQ0PcKFT25EQPmrhesGRBGeUdUwCEw/s1600/IMG_2537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CTNBZ2aWQ3U/WLOGPu3i1aI/AAAAAAAAKEI/KczKyVlQ0PcKFT25EQPmrhesGRBGeUdUwCEw/s320/IMG_2537.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He said, "take my picture." How could I say no?</td></tr>
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Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08625879578538987788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177088555140495230.post-76368667902259231242017-03-05T10:01:00.000-06:002017-03-05T10:01:01.077-06:00Fiero KartIt's no surprise to anyone that I miss my Fiero. That thing didn't last very long, and for how many decades I'd been wanting one, it is definitely not out of my system. Those things are really fun to drive and can be made to handle really well. I also have this bad idea about using a Fiero to one-up Roadkill's Vette Kart. I also like Mad Max cars and autocross... Separately. Then I saw something that put it all together for me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9hsA_dcF88o/WLL5tCzbzvI/AAAAAAAAKAI/RUzPsyiv_DsHZYfFdiEsjMKBxOLdVGtawCLcB/s1600/00808_lsuW1gk7Sb7_1200x900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9hsA_dcF88o/WLL5tCzbzvI/AAAAAAAAKAI/RUzPsyiv_DsHZYfFdiEsjMKBxOLdVGtawCLcB/s320/00808_lsuW1gk7Sb7_1200x900.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I need another project car.</td></tr>
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This is a Fiero that has shed its body in the pursuit of being a kit car. But look at it! That thing with a cage and some different tread and a better motor would be a killer autocross car. Not only that, but it would fit perfectly into my motorsport fantasy where I would buy a cheap car, prep the chassis, enter it in Lemons and Chump Car, and modify it until it gets disqualified. Then I can do road course or autocross and have a sweet race car that I could probably drive to work sometimes. I only live an hour from Road America, there are groups that run autocrosses in Milwaukee, it'd be hilarious to take on Power Tour, and it'd be a riot on twisty backroads. I just need to find a clean car for cheap.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QgXuoVQ6bpU/WLL5tEXiqwI/AAAAAAAAKAE/7MKRDWWsWWoFLVEmYG9nKYI11qeZFPCnACEw/s1600/00T0T_36x5yJBRpQJ_1200x900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QgXuoVQ6bpU/WLL5tEXiqwI/AAAAAAAAKAE/7MKRDWWsWWoFLVEmYG9nKYI11qeZFPCnACEw/s320/00T0T_36x5yJBRpQJ_1200x900.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doesn't this look like the Fiero of the apocalypse?!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L9FAughBA0s/WLL5ueaH56I/AAAAAAAAKBs/Ju7GNZ9FMJoaCGGktHoKe7fM9kwcK8I5wCEw/s1600/fiero_no_body.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L9FAughBA0s/WLL5ueaH56I/AAAAAAAAKBs/Ju7GNZ9FMJoaCGGktHoKe7fM9kwcK8I5wCEw/s320/fiero_no_body.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one too.</td></tr>
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If I was going to do this, I'd want to do it right. While the removal and sale of body panels would pay for the car and increase our Lemons budget, the addition of the roll cage would literally outweigh any kind of weight reduction you would've been hoping for. The 4-cylinder is really only good for gas mileage, and the stock 6 is a dog. If I was building a modified Fiero GT (with a body), I'd go with a 3.8 GTP motor because they're great in every aspect, but this car is crazy, so why not keep it that way? They always say a 350 bolts right up to the bellhousing on the Getrag 5-speed; why not just use that?! Even the most used up junkyard 350 will be too much power for this car. It would be hilarious to autocross this with a turd of a used V8 just to see how well it'd do and how mad people would be if you won. The fact that you can use huge sticky tires will help keep it going the right way too. This could be a rocket.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QmL0yzxZifg/WLL5ug5CA7I/AAAAAAAAKBs/zWtwQkzsII8VFK6w4_8BTxA1k4jqo-AbgCEw/s1600/th%2B%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QmL0yzxZifg/WLL5ug5CA7I/AAAAAAAAKBs/zWtwQkzsII8VFK6w4_8BTxA1k4jqo-AbgCEw/s1600/th%2B%25287%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was an interesting cage concept I found.</td></tr>
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So the plan is all figured out, I just need an extra grand and a couple good Craigslist scores. This needs to happen, and I need to take it to Summer Nationals and Roadkill Nights and pit it against the Vette Kart to see if it's a better choice of platform than theirs. Gotta have goals, and it pays to have fun ones!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P2BLhVhF5Ok/WLL5uomnK5I/AAAAAAAAKBs/HDeHqd74ROssbwXcT3gbWvEEcEwIGvVrACEw/s1600/th%2B%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P2BLhVhF5Ok/WLL5uomnK5I/AAAAAAAAKBs/HDeHqd74ROssbwXcT3gbWvEEcEwIGvVrACEw/s320/th%2B%25285%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roadkill's Vette Kart.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ogcUvBqL9lY/WLL5uIKHIrI/AAAAAAAAKBs/nBb8FVfle2YjDIv-15obThXCLr2bHqn5gCEw/s1600/Lambo%2BFiura_21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ogcUvBqL9lY/WLL5uIKHIrI/AAAAAAAAKBs/nBb8FVfle2YjDIv-15obThXCLr2bHqn5gCEw/s320/Lambo%2BFiura_21.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What could be the Fiero Kart</td></tr>
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Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08625879578538987788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177088555140495230.post-74647169563410452322017-02-26T09:44:00.000-06:002017-02-26T09:45:03.183-06:00Autocross: The Great EqualizerThere are many different ways you can build a car. Shiny or rusty, SEMA or Symco, stage rally or road course, they all are trying to achieve a goal. Often people want more power when they build, and while power is fun, they don't always add it in a usable way. I've seen plenty of cars with added power and either too poor of tire or too lame of suspension to get that power to the ground and do something with it. It seems to me that of you spent thousands of dollars on a fancy engine, you would want to be able to enjoy the power it can make in more ways than a burnout (not to discount the juvenile joy of burnouts; I love those too). If only there was a stage on which you could drive your car enthusiastically and enjoy it without fear of hitting other competitors or going off into a ditch or wall and ruining your museum piece of a car.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Z23xlWUjwQ/WLL1xcEqTUI/AAAAAAAAJ_s/VMBu-fcipE8YMhMQxXfPDix_Gu5COG_LQCLcB/s1600/wrecked%2BCamaro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Z23xlWUjwQ/WLL1xcEqTUI/AAAAAAAAJ_s/VMBu-fcipE8YMhMQxXfPDix_Gu5COG_LQCLcB/s320/wrecked%2BCamaro.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because that would really suck.</td></tr>
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But wait! There is! Autocross is a wonderful type of racing that puts you at odds with the clock and yourself with nothing to hit but cones. Normally autocross races are held in large, unused parking lots. These big flat areas have nothing to drive or off of and seem to be the safest way to enjoy an expensive build quickly. The cars basically do individual time trials and try to speed up every time they go. It's supposed to be a race against yourself, but I always find a couple of cars I feel I should be able to do better than. I mean, it's never worked, but you gotta have goals, right?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yWrzKSUGPNQ/WLL1w0K9HRI/AAAAAAAAJ_8/rfL_gZLUGVYyMJXkpy0OFJAv8QzxU8PBgCEw/s1600/IMG_4228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yWrzKSUGPNQ/WLL1w0K9HRI/AAAAAAAAJ_8/rfL_gZLUGVYyMJXkpy0OFJAv8QzxU8PBgCEw/s320/IMG_4228.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy was really getting after it, and that was surprising to see with a car that expensive.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LJ06aA9jLv4/WLL1whX8SgI/AAAAAAAAJ_8/cKxoBvZiSSEZxln5FpCbW1r7uAPBx1gRgCEw/s1600/IMG_4235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LJ06aA9jLv4/WLL1whX8SgI/AAAAAAAAJ_8/cKxoBvZiSSEZxln5FpCbW1r7uAPBx1gRgCEw/s320/IMG_4235.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This thing you could tell was built for this.</td></tr>
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My absolute favorite part about autocross is that it doesn't matter what you bring just as long as you're there. This is the kind of racing where a $600 beater with the right modifications can hang with expensively built cars, especially the ones that are a little too much form over function. It doesn't matter how good it looks so long as it's fast and corners well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iZpiUUMN3T0/WLL10KWYd1I/AAAAAAAAJ_w/7930aHC_do40FeXqXilW6VHwQvoegWO3wCEw/s1600/IMG_4243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iZpiUUMN3T0/WLL10KWYd1I/AAAAAAAAJ_w/7930aHC_do40FeXqXilW6VHwQvoegWO3wCEw/s320/IMG_4243.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No. This guy was not fast, but he had fun.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EF6evE2E19I/WLL10viFa1I/AAAAAAAAJ_0/eSrBDKEoYtIEnfntxH1eCF2VOkGvo5wYACEw/s1600/IMG_4286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EF6evE2E19I/WLL10viFa1I/AAAAAAAAJ_0/eSrBDKEoYtIEnfntxH1eCF2VOkGvo5wYACEw/s320/IMG_4286.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This shows a good cross section. My friend is finishing his run with his stripped out V6 5-speed Camaro while a first gen Monte Carlo and a fast third gen Camaro are waiting to run.</td></tr>
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Of the few times I've participated, my favorite "underdog" story I've seen was the kid in the late '90s 4-cylinder 5-speed Ranger that was slammed on sticky tires. I said, "I'm sure I can beat him. I've got twice the engine!" Unknown to me was the fact that those Rangers have plastic fenders and hood and a fiberglass bed and his suspension seemed pretty dialed in. My best was a 39-second pass, his was 34, and the quickest car there was 29. It's all about the right modifications and knowing how to best use your vehicle. Then the next year he V8 swapped it, but if I'm honest, I think he needs to change his front spring rates because it leans more now. It's still really quick.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ups9V3V6__E/WLL1uror_fI/AAAAAAAAJ_g/RL5zmOPBV80v3urf-wr8QVLTqap1sa_hwCEw/s1600/IMG_4220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ups9V3V6__E/WLL1uror_fI/AAAAAAAAJ_g/RL5zmOPBV80v3urf-wr8QVLTqap1sa_hwCEw/s320/IMG_4220.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was after the V8 swap.</td></tr>
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I wish I lived closer to where these events happen because they always start so dang early, and I'd be leaving the house at around 6am to get there in time for the driver's meeting and walk through. Maybe when my car becomes more competitive I'll be more enthusiastic about the early mornings.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AszgSIxdCBU/WLL1rNfjFwI/AAAAAAAAJ_c/VNZ70lVD0mUbkUo2CnnxAcjetp7LPRUvwCEw/s1600/IMG_4211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AszgSIxdCBU/WLL1rNfjFwI/AAAAAAAAJ_c/VNZ70lVD0mUbkUo2CnnxAcjetp7LPRUvwCEw/s320/IMG_4211.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't have the right car, but it sure is fun!</td></tr>
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Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08625879578538987788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177088555140495230.post-2043121710795198312017-02-05T21:08:00.001-06:002017-02-05T21:08:23.323-06:00Project Update: Night Prowler - On The Road Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It took a month of sitting half in my garage, but the car is together and ready to roll! This "make it run" project spiralled out of control pretty quickly. What started as fix the charging system and find the cause of the engine code (assuming wiring issues) turned into most of the accessory drive, half the top end, tune up, charging system, and some hop-ups. But it looks pretty now!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8SMGdnxMxto/WHuomQFOdtI/AAAAAAAAJ9c/pmKsI4GH1g0D_1C16m2T-kHrnilCJs98wCEw/s1600/20170108_170547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8SMGdnxMxto/WHuomQFOdtI/AAAAAAAAJ9c/pmKsI4GH1g0D_1C16m2T-kHrnilCJs98wCEw/s320/20170108_170547.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If only it was that easy!</td></tr>
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I started out changing the alternator and getting a cheap battery. The old alternator had a bearing that sounded like it was made of gravel, and it was noted when we were unloading it that it was sparking internally. While I was removing it, I also noticed that it wasn't even plugged in, so the thing was only running off a $35 junkyard battery. I suddenly understood why we had to jump start it so many times. It ran really decent in park after I swapped these, but it was still unhappy when I tried driving it around. I decided I'd try a tune up, to see if that helped, but when I started pulling spark plugs (some with a breaker bar), I noticed that the coils were all green and some filled with corrosion. That pretty much pointed straight at the classic cracked plastic intake. That's when things got interesting.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IWUn3llyUN4/WHuopnVmyOI/AAAAAAAAJ9s/3-wuNu3_2Dwqu-D4ihQuf_CBXaW8pUJqgCEw/s1600/IMG_20161128_115652_534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IWUn3llyUN4/WHuopnVmyOI/AAAAAAAAJ9s/3-wuNu3_2Dwqu-D4ihQuf_CBXaW8pUJqgCEw/s320/IMG_20161128_115652_534.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gooey Green</td></tr>
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My one mechanic friend said to me that this is the easiest intake I'd ever change, which I don't find any comfort in because it took way, way, way, way longer than it was supposed to. I'm blaming it being my first time doing an intake and also lack of time as my cop-out for why my car has been sitting for a month to do an afternoon's project. It was also really rusty and stick together. I took everything off the intake, but I didn't want to mess with unhooking all the junk off the throttle body (like the EGR pipe) because of the rust, so I instead devised this clever way of suspending it from the hood with zip ties while I snaked the intake out from under it. Once the intake was off, I went at the spark plugs because it's way easier to get at them then. Three of them I needed to wash, vacuum, and blow corrosion out of the holes enough to get the socket to just barely grab a corner of the plug to know it was lined up. A few taps with the dead blow, and we were ready to break them loose... with the breaker bar. Worst plug job so far, but just wait til I get back to dragging cars out of groves!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zvoH4GPeV2M/WHuosDIYizI/AAAAAAAAJ94/osxagRgHHAQYyxzVds2C4fVuLuEXh4uBwCEw/s1600/IMG_20161224_213056_951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zvoH4GPeV2M/WHuosDIYizI/AAAAAAAAJ94/osxagRgHHAQYyxzVds2C4fVuLuEXh4uBwCEw/s320/IMG_20161224_213056_951.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corroded down in the hole</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4g6z29Az8-Y/WHuotI1ePyI/AAAAAAAAJ98/2N7MOcXLcAYn-D9bx1TYvCMmuNae5DfuQCEw/s1600/IMG_20161224_212929_968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4g6z29Az8-Y/WHuotI1ePyI/AAAAAAAAJ98/2N7MOcXLcAYn-D9bx1TYvCMmuNae5DfuQCEw/s320/IMG_20161224_212929_968.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the corrosion in the socket keeping it from going onto the plug</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_witbUwGeno/WHuokP-23dI/AAAAAAAAJ9M/36G6aTq8gMInirLexZOUdXddBaLxIxDaACEw/s1600/20161218_151321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_witbUwGeno/WHuokP-23dI/AAAAAAAAJ9M/36G6aTq8gMInirLexZOUdXddBaLxIxDaACEw/s320/20161218_151321.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The throttle body hanging from the hood, but the intake is hanging from the throttle body because I missed a bolt.</td></tr>
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At this point, I held the manifolds up to each other, and realized they didn't match. After about three days and a few e-mails back and forth and around the office at Dorman, I finally got a guy more knowledgeable who basically said you're not looking at it right; it'll be fine. It was, but it killed some vacation days I was taking in the hopes of fixing my cars. Once I got the "ok," I began putting on the intake, and found my torque wrench was not working correctly. Pretty sure I over-torqued the intake, but so far it hasn't been an issue, and I'm kind of afraid to back it back down. There were a few less than cheap sensors under the intake that I decided to change while I was there, and I also figured I should replace the coils because the old ones were bathed in coolant. Luckily, my friend took his '04 Mustang GT to the dyno, while my car was down, because he added a Procharger kit. He donated cast off injectors, coils, and mass air flow sensor which was awesome right up to the point where I installed them all and found that the wiring connectors were different for the injectors. One of my injectors had an end that kind of crumbled apart when I pulled it out, so I went online to find a set of injectors that had the upgraded flow rate of the ones I got off the Mustang but would plug into the Vic harness, and way at the bottom of the page, I found adapters to make them work for $28!. I was so excited. They were a struggle to install because they were stiff, but they worked great.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gvSvAH2zSSI/WHuotTwkAEI/AAAAAAAAJ-A/2ccbGIYD_FM7apIPzbIgRxtStpaWc66fQCEw/s1600/IMG_20161226_160228_589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gvSvAH2zSSI/WHuotTwkAEI/AAAAAAAAJ-A/2ccbGIYD_FM7apIPzbIgRxtStpaWc66fQCEw/s320/IMG_20161226_160228_589.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You'd think that would make a difference, right?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zjom8fGywUA/WHuqnxuSYYI/AAAAAAAAJ-M/dDHcDWU-DHoUq6u565r0ctHjcCN2hWZAACLcB/s1600/IMG_20170101_140611_495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zjom8fGywUA/WHuqnxuSYYI/AAAAAAAAJ-M/dDHcDWU-DHoUq6u565r0ctHjcCN2hWZAACLcB/s320/IMG_20170101_140611_495.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That did make a difference, though.</td></tr>
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When I replaced the alternator, I noticed that the belt was meh and the tensioner was dead. I honestly reapplied tension with my giant prybar and a dead blow. Then I figured that the coolant system was half replaced, I might as well do a water pump while I was at it because I'm right there. A water pump, belt, tensioner, idler pulley, and alternator later, the accessory drive is almost completely replaced. Now I just need underdrive pulleys.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-50Vphlj1Li8/WHuonM-1hLI/AAAAAAAAJ9g/u7BArUuLBuEvzuZOSNSt-jknBnjf5IYFgCEw/s1600/IMG_20161126_125019_445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-50Vphlj1Li8/WHuonM-1hLI/AAAAAAAAJ9g/u7BArUuLBuEvzuZOSNSt-jknBnjf5IYFgCEw/s320/IMG_20161126_125019_445.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, this is the only way it returned to applying tension.</td></tr>
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It's been two weeks since I wrote the previous section of this blog, and I finally found funding (or stopped buying parts long enough) to license it! I don't have everything done from the intake swap, but a couple sensors and an exhaust leak aren't keeping this thing off the road. I took it to work and did a few things to it, most notably swapping the tires and wheels for 17" steelies with oversized Blizzaks. I'm excited to see how the Blizzaks work because I've heard so much about them, all praise and rave reviews. She's on the road, but jot out of the shop yet. The initial drive found the power steering barely works, some lights don't work, the brakes are sketchy at best, a caliper hangs up, the torque converter shudders, there's a howl coming from the rear end, and it's still an open dif. I've got a 3.73 ring and pinion and a limited slip differential for it that I scored off Craigslist, and I'm going to see if we can flush a few systems into submission. I plan on attending the Detroit Gambler 500 with this car at the end of April, so we'll see if I can get it all together by then. I'm pretty optimistic. Either way, I'm excited for my new wheels, having actual coil springs in the rear suspension, and having heat in winter. If this keeps up, the black Vic may not be long for my driveway.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UXMlSvffS28/WJfndumJgOI/AAAAAAAAJ-g/cPIVGJf52Iw53kxLSuNAeA4umoN29VKrQCLcB/s1600/IMG_20170204_122419_563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UXMlSvffS28/WJfndumJgOI/AAAAAAAAJ-g/cPIVGJf52Iw53kxLSuNAeA4umoN29VKrQCLcB/s320/IMG_20170204_122419_563.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old wheels and tires</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tz7Dvn1wN2Q/WJfnfKm6IPI/AAAAAAAAJ-s/y3jBGOf7PXEhCo_TtgqLFEEJm1SiuwySQCEw/s1600/IMG_20170204_144956_272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tz7Dvn1wN2Q/WJfnfKm6IPI/AAAAAAAAJ-s/y3jBGOf7PXEhCo_TtgqLFEEJm1SiuwySQCEw/s320/IMG_20170204_144956_272.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New wheels and tires</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EpE40WJIIsU/WJfnfDbfBTI/AAAAAAAAJ-s/T-McvLGUdYE80jOPDqe0Rbk38QhILfUVACEw/s1600/IMG_20170205_153436_590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EpE40WJIIsU/WJfnfDbfBTI/AAAAAAAAJ-s/T-McvLGUdYE80jOPDqe0Rbk38QhILfUVACEw/s320/IMG_20170205_153436_590.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beauty shot</td></tr>
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Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08625879578538987788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177088555140495230.post-78121636478867617532017-01-15T10:45:00.000-06:002017-01-15T10:45:23.782-06:00Project Night ProwlerIn the two and a half months I've owned my Bronco, I've bought almost all the parts to make it drivable (sans floor). Also, I have spent exactly two days working on it, and both were cut short. It's currently residing too far away from my home and tools, but I'm bringing it home today. With this in mind, what's the logical thing to do next?! That's right! Buy another project!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dXLHHhRIFrc/WHuj0Budx9I/AAAAAAAAJ8A/TnBrQlkHIXY-4VvBR_-awRj63wYulzYKACEw/s1600/00000_9filkJ7WMtI_1200x900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dXLHHhRIFrc/WHuj0Budx9I/AAAAAAAAJ8A/TnBrQlkHIXY-4VvBR_-awRj63wYulzYKACEw/s320/00000_9filkJ7WMtI_1200x900.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craigslist photo. Haven't gotten a chance to do a preliminary photo shoot with this one yet.</td></tr>
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I've been looking for a '03 Crown Vic since I started looking for my second one back in 2012. Eventually, I had the money to get a Vic, but I found a sweet deal on an '02 LX Sport that was really clean. It was supposed to be an interior donor with a drivable shell for cheap, but then I thought it was too nice, I put more money into it, and now I'm fairly upside down on it. I'll never get my money back out of it, so I guess it'll be here for a while. I will say, it is a blast to drive, and it's exactly what I wanted it to be in its second rendition (once I started putting tons of money into it), a badass daily driver that is fun to beat on.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T17StsUpRcs/WHuj2uxlJBI/AAAAAAAAJ8U/xhDLAiw9L_EehaSnFPFmqYueAzqFK4GCgCEw/s1600/IMG_20161112_150913_637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T17StsUpRcs/WHuj2uxlJBI/AAAAAAAAJ8U/xhDLAiw9L_EehaSnFPFmqYueAzqFK4GCgCEw/s320/IMG_20161112_150913_637.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picking it up at the guy's house.</td></tr>
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The time has come to go back to my original plan, however spread out the timeline may be. I want an '03-'04 P71 with cruise control, hopefully not too much rust, and as few police wiring holes as possible. If I'm lucky, I'll maybe even find one without that puke cleaner smell inside. (As of writing this, I'm going this afternoon to move my Bronco and buy a Vic, so that's why the writing changes later.) You may ask why a '03-'04. Because I hate computers and like big motors. What? The "whale" version of the late model Panther platform, in this case Crown Victoria, has three notable variations in the under pinnings. '98-'02 had coil springs and shocks at all four corners and an old school, recirculating ball steering gear box. In '03, they updated the front suspension to have a rack and pinion and coilover style struts. In '05, they changed the material of the control arms and added drive by wire. I don't like drive by wire on a fundamental basis, but the early Ford stuff seemed especially laggy in my mom's '05 Five Hundred. The added benefit of an '03-'04 is that the lack of a steering box makes more room for a 5.4 swap. Now I've completely killed any kind of suspense that could've been building for the next paragraph.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p5lhe_rsDGs/WHuj3KI8UNI/AAAAAAAAJ8Y/CBglXdooI-cE5SRpaekdwIF3KRNJl0odgCEw/s1600/IMG_20161112_154206_912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p5lhe_rsDGs/WHuj3KI8UNI/AAAAAAAAJ8Y/CBglXdooI-cE5SRpaekdwIF3KRNJl0odgCEw/s320/IMG_20161112_154206_912.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sweet tow rig pulling her home.</td></tr>
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While the 4.6 is adequate and happily accepts boost if I so choose, and the 4R70W can really be livened up with a good shift kit, what I really want to do is pitch it all in favor of some more displacement and a shifter I can really wrap my hand around. I want a 5.4L Vic with a stick. I'm not talking the normal swap you see with a SOHC truck motor and a T-4650 out of an SN95 Mustang. No, I'm a firm believer in the "go big or go home" mentality. I want a GT-Five-Hund-Vic with a 6-speed, a DOHC 5.4, and a twin screw supercharger on top making belt noises ("Wreeedom!"). But alas, I'm super cheap, and big mod-motors cost big money. So what am I gonna do? I'm gonna properly build suspense for the next paragraph this time!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WF2t0ghvUO0/WHuj2eoBw_I/AAAAAAAAJ8Q/1AkM_1GAPDM3oYR4fv2gHnGCb2IjOS1YwCEw/s1600/IMG_20161112_154036_364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WF2t0ghvUO0/WHuj2eoBw_I/AAAAAAAAJ8Q/1AkM_1GAPDM3oYR4fv2gHnGCb2IjOS1YwCEw/s320/IMG_20161112_154036_364.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was fun following my Vic in my Vic</td></tr>
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See? It worked; you're still here. I'm going to save money for the 6-speed kit from adtr.net and find either a junkyard Navigator motor or a cheap, junky Navigator that I can harvest the motor out of and possibly make most of my money back on by parting the rest of it out. In the mean time, I'll keep working on the body to make it happy to receive the transplant... while probably also having to daily drive it. Speaking of which, how is this newly found project car of mine? (Please hold...)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jBaj-t-2FSs/WHuj4crM_rI/AAAAAAAAJ8g/6pEuYnrv7XIHX_kIprjj85WhTZztxG6nwCEw/s1600/IMG_20161112_164419_836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jBaj-t-2FSs/WHuj4crM_rI/AAAAAAAAJ8g/6pEuYnrv7XIHX_kIprjj85WhTZztxG6nwCEw/s320/IMG_20161112_164419_836.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a good view on the way home</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jMG51ZmG7LQ/WHukUcDCT0I/AAAAAAAAJ8w/ys6v55Y61pIaUtta__bu8u2-DPwuDWuYgCEw/s1600/IMG_20161114_170805_073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jMG51ZmG7LQ/WHukUcDCT0I/AAAAAAAAJ8w/ys6v55Y61pIaUtta__bu8u2-DPwuDWuYgCEw/s320/IMG_20161114_170805_073.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We actually snapped a spring on the F-350, but he thinks the previous owner was eager to overload it.</td></tr>
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Ok, so this isn't the best car I've ever bought, but in the world of project cars, it's not totally junk. The body is fair. There are some rust spots that I could do without, but again, I'm looking for a 13-year old car in Wisconsin, so it's not gonna be perfect. The motor idles well, but we think (based on the cobbled wiring repairs) that there's something messed up in the engine wiring harness causing a P0355 code (Ignition coil E, primary/secondary -circuit malfunction). When you finally get it to rev there's a bad bearing noise from either the alternator or maybe the water pump. The pump in the trans is a little slow to engage, but as far as I can see, it works. The power steering is heavy like it has poor flow too. Not sure what that is. Also the driver's seat is power, and it's stuck in a less than comfortable position. All things considered, I don't feel too bad about the price or what I got. It's a decent beater with a heater, and in Spring, it'll start to be a really ok starting point for my newest project car.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PH6cX_glwig/WHuj5LS957I/AAAAAAAAJ8o/vvQd4iSGF48uxOk7Zw9i6xbPSevwD2TAACLcB/s1600/IMG_20161128_114258_267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PH6cX_glwig/WHuj5LS957I/AAAAAAAAJ8o/vvQd4iSGF48uxOk7Zw9i6xbPSevwD2TAACLcB/s320/IMG_20161128_114258_267.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family picture!</td></tr>
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I've even already started having other bad ideas based on the stock of junk in my garage! I found a pair of Mustang wheels in my tire pile, and then I found another one for $40 on Craigslist. One more, and I'm in business!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aVX7gahIpeo/WHukU-JAB9I/AAAAAAAAJ80/2BPCaPhA0XYznHa9u_nBYQSIiKXW-qPOwCEw/s1600/IMG_20161126_101901_578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aVX7gahIpeo/WHukU-JAB9I/AAAAAAAAJ80/2BPCaPhA0XYznHa9u_nBYQSIiKXW-qPOwCEw/s320/IMG_20161126_101901_578.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The magical tire pile</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ofbV8VkAXQ/WHukUIRYfII/AAAAAAAAJ8s/SJehJdBTLPods8eCu3YPZA15yuAQ9p1nwCEw/s320/IMG_20160129_175737_229.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I bought these last year with some snow tires.<br />They're rough, but a little powder coat goes a long way. Probably dip them first.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BQChQJuBX4w/WHukYNqI9HI/AAAAAAAAJ84/1uHQDyL11dUIDE4aXCGe2j6atK6d3wvLgCEw/s1600/IMG_20161126_102659_434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BQChQJuBX4w/WHukYNqI9HI/AAAAAAAAJ84/1uHQDyL11dUIDE4aXCGe2j6atK6d3wvLgCEw/s320/IMG_20161126_102659_434.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They're just lined up, but they look good.</td></tr>
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<br />Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08625879578538987788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177088555140495230.post-2209307851899297432016-12-31T12:51:00.000-06:002016-12-31T12:51:00.771-06:00Project Update: Bronco Movin'This isn't really an update, but it was just funny. We swapped place with the Bronco and the F-250 the other day. The Bronco came home, and the F-250 went from storage down to a mechanic friend's house where the Bronco was. The F-250 has a blown head gasket, nearly blown transmission, and needs some minor rust repair and front u joints. It does also have a parasitic drain in the system which means I really should've unhooked the battery before I let it sit since February. The battery in the Bronco is a Never Start and has been bad since before I bought it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LIMptjcyp3U/WGQHzI28CEI/AAAAAAAAJ5s/0BZz-02o9KE14-F5XMwN1bKSjO7ZKak1wCLcB/s1600/2014-11-07%2B16.29.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LIMptjcyp3U/WGQHzI28CEI/AAAAAAAAJ5s/0BZz-02o9KE14-F5XMwN1bKSjO7ZKak1wCLcB/s320/2014-11-07%2B16.29.12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The F-250 pre-gasket failure.</td></tr>
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I convinced my coworker to help move these around because he likes trucks and has a trailer to move them. I met him at the storage spot with my Vic. I pulled my super short jumper cables out of the trunk and went to jump the truck. While I was cranking it, I saw a pair of better cables on the floor of the truck, so I put mine away when we got done, and loaded the truck onto the trailer. We drove to the Bronco, and that's when our day started getting interesting. Not only did I forget to bring gas for the Bronco, I also forgot the tire would be flat. The trailer has no ramps, and we just 4x4 crawl things on and off. (That'll be interesting in a later post.) This means we're now loading a front wheel drive Bronco with next to no gas, an engine that won't rev, a stick, and a flat front tire onto a trailer, and we still need to jump it with the truck and hope we don't kill it and have to try starting either one again.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wh6pw4ilXSQ/WGQHyzQVn2I/AAAAAAAAJ5o/1U1rMyhq7UQgDlhTkdJm3txCPw-tPK1BwCEw/s1600/IMG_20161105_153917_518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wh6pw4ilXSQ/WGQHyzQVn2I/AAAAAAAAJ5o/1U1rMyhq7UQgDlhTkdJm3txCPw-tPK1BwCEw/s320/IMG_20161105_153917_518.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our way to swap trucks</td></tr>
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The pickup had just enough power left in it to start and back off the trailer. We then used it's alternator and longer jumper cables to start the Bronco... That took a few tries. She finally lit off, and I threw the cables and slammed hoods to move the truck out of the way while Lucas expertly loaded the Bronco in one fell flat tire swoop. I parked the truck in the same spot. It's a bit of a smoker though, and while we were starting the Bronco, let's just say we didn't need to worry about mosquitoes. We were all loaded and off for home with the Bronco in tow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O7oxY_q8HiU/WGQHx08bGpI/AAAAAAAAJ6E/SLI_nGF752IJkhWxexsjIUpsthjjH3GGQCEw/s1600/IMG_20161105_164408_384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O7oxY_q8HiU/WGQHx08bGpI/AAAAAAAAJ6E/SLI_nGF752IJkhWxexsjIUpsthjjH3GGQCEw/s320/IMG_20161105_164408_384.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We didn't run it long since the head gaskets are shot, but I guess it doesn't take much!<br />This picture has a trailer and an '06 F-350 in it. Trust me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Syv78iz_Pkg/WGQH0MQsMuI/AAAAAAAAJ6E/TRa9RRrgGlAdPuyjD_6lvY_6ZNxgl3_QACEw/s1600/IMG_20161105_164536_607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Syv78iz_Pkg/WGQH0MQsMuI/AAAAAAAAJ6E/TRa9RRrgGlAdPuyjD_6lvY_6ZNxgl3_QACEw/s320/IMG_20161105_164536_607.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was covering a good 60' radius.</td></tr>
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It was dark when we got home, and the Bronco was unhappy with us. We filled the tire, but it wouldn't roll off the trailer. I wound up pushing the thing down hill which it still didn't want to do, and then the driveshaft caught the trailer (because that's not hooked up). After that, the running board was dragging on the trailer fender. It finally came off, but our attempt at bump starting on the way down failed. I pulled yet another set of cables out of the garage and used my mom's Escape to start it this time. We got it home, but in about two and a half hours I used three different sets of jumper cables. I guess we're properly prepared! Now I just need to actually work on this thing.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BrALsVwsJKE/WGQH1UHJjJI/AAAAAAAAJ6E/_pg_b8f7VpcDzTY8hk4SkbrcwnGpHy3vwCEw/s1600/IMG_20161119_120955_003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BrALsVwsJKE/WGQH1UHJjJI/AAAAAAAAJ6E/_pg_b8f7VpcDzTY8hk4SkbrcwnGpHy3vwCEw/s320/IMG_20161119_120955_003.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where we parked it when we got home.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ud5I9HBrpbA/WGQH1xBoH7I/AAAAAAAAJ6E/GnIE4afu_20zwgmIAKz_CG4WFB18b8xqgCEw/s1600/IMG_20161120_193541_483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ud5I9HBrpbA/WGQH1xBoH7I/AAAAAAAAJ6E/GnIE4afu_20zwgmIAKz_CG4WFB18b8xqgCEw/s320/IMG_20161120_193541_483.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eventually, we cleaned enough garage for it to fit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Rud-BxG91M/WGQH2k05QNI/AAAAAAAAJ6E/pP7zGnHVkTAO6mgtljZBa4jqlG-oIoaogCEw/s1600/IMG_20161203_200042_014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Rud-BxG91M/WGQH2k05QNI/AAAAAAAAJ6E/pP7zGnHVkTAO6mgtljZBa4jqlG-oIoaogCEw/s320/IMG_20161203_200042_014.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most awesome $40 I've put into this truck yet. Just wait 'til they're on!</td></tr>
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Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08625879578538987788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177088555140495230.post-87903750138620308572016-12-28T12:04:00.000-06:002016-12-28T12:04:00.288-06:00#BecauseRoadkill&MCMI just watched the Roadkill episode with Mighty Car Mods... for the second time... in two days. If there's one thing I can take away from that video as an absolute truth, it's the fact that those cars are super cool. I'm just about speechless looking at them, and I'm really good at endless talking. As is the case with many Roadkill vehicles, I'm jealous and want one for myself. That, however, presents a small problem.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-259wPaM_FQQ/WGP7qU24SLI/AAAAAAAAJ4k/yeIFgOXpG2sXnmZXwwwBlB4xe6p4KuvHwCLcB/s1600/610285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-259wPaM_FQQ/WGP7qU24SLI/AAAAAAAAJ4k/yeIFgOXpG2sXnmZXwwwBlB4xe6p4KuvHwCLcB/s1600/610285.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hardest question is, "which do you like more?"</td></tr>
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The Subarute is legitimately jaw-dropping and inspiring, but I don't want to recreate it. Why, you ask? Two reasons come to mind; originality and brand. I have always wanted something personal, something I've put my stamp on, something that reflects the fact that it's mine. I don't want a '69 Mustang Mach 1 (yes I do) that's stock (no I don't) and looks like right out of the brochure because it'll be sub-par in the performance category and it'll look like eight others at a car show or cruise night. I want cars that say, "this is Charlie, and he built me to be perfect for him." In the spirit of that concept, I wouldn't make my own Subarute (however tempting that may be). I have been considering what other cool compacts I could do that to though. I also have never owned a foreign car, and I have a pretty solid rule that I can't afford maintenance on a Subie. It seems that perhaps a gen 1 Focus ZX5 might be a good candidate, but it could just as easily look stupid, so I think I should play it safe and just do it to a Bronco II or a 2-door Jeep Cherokee XJ... but those aren't anything near what they did. Guess I'm not doing it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6v7hMsl2oos/WGP7rHIHodI/AAAAAAAAJ5I/9SFu04ldbJIJNfCzSwj4Wuzh_sZ7tAGmwCEw/s1600/ex6EhiE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6v7hMsl2oos/WGP7rHIHodI/AAAAAAAAJ5I/9SFu04ldbJIJNfCzSwj4Wuzh_sZ7tAGmwCEw/s320/ex6EhiE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is pretty much Subaru perfection</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3fmchQiwZVs/WGP7rDwxNlI/AAAAAAAAJ5A/vq7rnuc7T1koN4_H2-UFFIRL9MZ58hapQCEw/s320/choptop.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is basically Comanche perfection because it's an XJ</td></tr>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3fmchQiwZVs/WGP7rDwxNlI/AAAAAAAAJ5A/vq7rnuc7T1koN4_H2-UFFIRL9MZ58hapQCEw/s1600/choptop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3fmchQiwZVs/WGP7rDwxNlI/AAAAAAAAJ5A/vq7rnuc7T1koN4_H2-UFFIRL9MZ58hapQCEw/s1600/choptop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
This brings us to the second sweet ride in the show, the '69 Impala. They shoved that big block with the Weiand 8-71 blower into a poor, "little" '69 Impala coupe, and it was a riot to watch. This has revitalized a flame I've had deep down for thirteen years now. I very much want a '72 or '71 Galaxie or LTD 4-door hardtop in the glorious triple green. I've missed out on two of these for sale for Charlie money when I should've bought them. The first one made a huge impression with the perfect killer stance and a set of slotted mags and raised white lettered tires and no exhaust. I pretty much want that with a slightly tighter suspension and a built drivetrain. I've been debating what motor, but I'm pretty sure a yacht that big would love a 460 and an overdrive automatic from a late '80s rwd F-350 that'll bolt up to it. I just want a sweet, old school daily driver that can light the tires and glide effortlessly down the highway. Other than mileage and availability, I'm not seeing a downside! At some point in my life, this car will happen. Someone hold me to that.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3pDqKCCRyJ4/WGP7qlGg42I/AAAAAAAAJ5M/9Mp1swUVgbwszXBPNSNraEkjtyIehlAbwCEw/s1600/076-Roadkill-Bonus-Episode-60-Mighty-Car-Mods-Christmas-Special.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3pDqKCCRyJ4/WGP7qlGg42I/AAAAAAAAJ5M/9Mp1swUVgbwszXBPNSNraEkjtyIehlAbwCEw/s320/076-Roadkill-Bonus-Episode-60-Mighty-Car-Mods-Christmas-Special.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is everything that is right with the world.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kMfTl78vjhg/WGP7rDwngVI/AAAAAAAAJ5M/fN1YbHEQQ20Sd4YqYxWw2Z_6ysAel4j_gCEw/s1600/Ford-LTD-72.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kMfTl78vjhg/WGP7rDwngVI/AAAAAAAAJ5M/fN1YbHEQQ20Sd4YqYxWw2Z_6ysAel4j_gCEw/s320/Ford-LTD-72.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't know why either. Something is wrong in my head.</td></tr>
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I love Roadkill, and I've seen a good deal of Mighty Car Mods, but together, they seem like a good fit. I'd love to watch more of both of them, together or separately. The real stand outs are the cars, in my opinion. I love the vehicles they built and the fact that they're so over the top with parts hanging out and just random awesomeness. This is the inspiration sometimes to find a new project and get it on the road and drive it for enjoyment and not as a pretty museum piece. Concourse show cars have their places, just not in my driveway. Speaking of which, I feel the need to go rip Aussie-style burnouts down that driveway. G'Day!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w882KTfmOeo/WGP9nDlLe3I/AAAAAAAAJ5U/M3WmHj_iLQQqh2Sm1M7W64aAvHvHlVKJQCLcB/s1600/000-Mighty-Car-Mods-Roadkill-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w882KTfmOeo/WGP9nDlLe3I/AAAAAAAAJ5U/M3WmHj_iLQQqh2Sm1M7W64aAvHvHlVKJQCLcB/s320/000-Mighty-Car-Mods-Roadkill-.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But seriously, go watch this: <a href="https://youtu.be/y5ssRbr4bO0" target="_blank">#BecauseRoadkill</a></td></tr>
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<br />Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08625879578538987788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177088555140495230.post-72750137788305271292016-08-14T22:54:00.000-05:002016-08-14T22:54:00.748-05:00The Shakedown 2016: A Buffet for the SensesAbout this time last year, I went to an awesome car show. Big surprise, right? This one wasn't your normal show though. It was a hot rod and custom show that only allowed period correct modifications and pre-'65 models. They judge you at the door and decide whether of not your car passes as a custom or hot rod. I think they even had a minimum of two modifications. If you didn't pass, they had a lot outside the show near the swap meet where you could still show your car and your new "kicked out" sticker. The setting was a cool historic living history museum kind of town, so you got to see all kinds of cool stuff while wandering through the cool cars. They even had a spot where you could pull on your classic camper behind your classic custom and stay on-site. All in all, it was a pretty neat experience in the town of Symco, Wi, at the Symco Shakedown.<br />
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Then the people who run the show decided it was growing too big for the little town of Symco, so for 2016, they moved the Shakedown to the Pioneer Airstrip at EAA in Oshkosh. The town didn't like all that revenue being taken out, so they decided to keep holding the Symco Shakedown anyway... on the same weekend... This creates a problem; which do you go to? One of the swap meet vendors said to me, "it's like having divorced parents and choosing who to see on Christmas... It's not fair to us." I think a petition is in order to get one of them to change dates. Who doesn't want to go see two of those kinds of shows?!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5sz4ny1eHQA/V7C6lTen1VI/AAAAAAAAJx8/F9EPivgvfc0k60b3KqaT8c5yqb641nyswCEw/s1600/IMG_4497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5sz4ny1eHQA/V7C6lTen1VI/AAAAAAAAJx8/F9EPivgvfc0k60b3KqaT8c5yqb641nyswCEw/s320/IMG_4497.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one was sealed away in a basement for 50 years and put back on the road with all the original parts!</td></tr>
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Yesterday, I opted for the Shakedown at EAA because it's way closer. It was cool, and the cars we're cooler. A really neat aspect was the old time airport and the few old planes that they were giving rides in. Not only did you have sweet cars that sometimes moved and sounded cool, but you also had the planes taking off and landing and looking awesome and sounding cool. There were times when I felt like I was in an old movie or just back in time. Add a little fog and darkness and Cary Grant, and it's Casablanca all over again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I69p-wTN9pk/V7C6fR6ow5I/AAAAAAAAJx0/4G4T3F7KZoQgwT3onarGnooNIFkAxHZWwCEw/s1600/IMG_4475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I69p-wTN9pk/V7C6fR6ow5I/AAAAAAAAJx0/4G4T3F7KZoQgwT3onarGnooNIFkAxHZWwCEw/s320/IMG_4475.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For $75, you too could ride the big tri-motor plane.</td></tr>
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While the airstrip was cool, the rest of the show was basically a park. It was neat to see the cars, but it wasn't Symco cool. I'm glad I went to the show to see how it was, but I feel like next year I'll have to go back and see how Symco is doing under "new management."<br />
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I will say though, there were three cars that stood out to me as being really awesome and made a solid case for being on The List. There was a '58 Fairlane that was fully redone and beautiful, a '32 Ford Roadster that was sealed away in a basement for 50 years, and a '32 Coupe that I didn't get a shot of, but it was brown, had all the hood, no fenders, and had a stance like a salt flat hot rod. It would be very hard for me to not daily either of the '32s if I owned them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OwJttrYAOSA/V7C6rOqSOLI/AAAAAAAAJyI/I91FpLZcDSIlJEXHl9Fh6EZxt0pfazXrACEw/s1600/IMG_4509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OwJttrYAOSA/V7C6rOqSOLI/AAAAAAAAJyI/I91FpLZcDSIlJEXHl9Fh6EZxt0pfazXrACEw/s320/IMG_4509.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I was in high school, after I got my '64 Fairlane, I thought it would be cool to get all the generations of Fairlanes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X8UJxdKznes/V7C6eLFTGkI/AAAAAAAAJxw/PvTmdy21T7g5r_8bRYlXdtOqWEjymRG3QCEw/s1600/IMG_4490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X8UJxdKznes/V7C6eLFTGkI/AAAAAAAAJxw/PvTmdy21T7g5r_8bRYlXdtOqWEjymRG3QCEw/s320/IMG_4490.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I would drive the wheel off this thing.</td></tr>
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I've been thinking about this more and more recently, and shows like this don't help; I think I'm going to sell my precious Crown Vic and put the money from that towards something old to daily. I've got the Bronco for winter driving, so I could park whatever I get in the winter and have it be a more dedicated summer ride. Life is just better in old steel.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HHsu9b8Pff8/V7C-EZ30NwI/AAAAAAAAJyU/P_ddIAdMJlcJ-w9hZAAVMIyLZYiw6HnZACLcB/s1600/11872137_862561377161669_1497636898940064285_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HHsu9b8Pff8/V7C-EZ30NwI/AAAAAAAAJyU/P_ddIAdMJlcJ-w9hZAAVMIyLZYiw6HnZACLcB/s320/11872137_862561377161669_1497636898940064285_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm a sucker for a patina truck.</td></tr>
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See photos from the Symco Shakedown 2015 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.862560973828376.1073741832.138709356213545&type=1&l=89e1e1a898" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IJnMftC5jW4/V7C-EgrMZmI/AAAAAAAAJyY/I-am78dF3J0_7pdtTZLHHwN0OZvq6SjhACEw/s1600/11794156_862561317161675_615671827772597208_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IJnMftC5jW4/V7C-EgrMZmI/AAAAAAAAJyY/I-am78dF3J0_7pdtTZLHHwN0OZvq6SjhACEw/s320/11794156_862561317161675_615671827772597208_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think you can already tell the setting is cooler in Symco.</td></tr>
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See photos from the Shakedown 2016 at EAA <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1075978429153295.1073741851.138709356213545&type=1&l=303dcbdf9a" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qvSXZkQSFNY/V7C6WLNJCJI/AAAAAAAAJxs/kyUkJj4qUNQcPIJvzf689DOXwRnSfNsuACEw/s1600/IMG_4442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qvSXZkQSFNY/V7C6WLNJCJI/AAAAAAAAJxs/kyUkJj4qUNQcPIJvzf689DOXwRnSfNsuACEw/s320/IMG_4442.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All we're missing is trains!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JEAxxt1Xbho/V7C6mdewJJI/AAAAAAAAJyA/TOVN1oY63UM0y4jvvtFR1ENfddoYTgwDQCEw/s1600/IMG_4498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JEAxxt1Xbho/V7C6mdewJJI/AAAAAAAAJyA/TOVN1oY63UM0y4jvvtFR1ENfddoYTgwDQCEw/s320/IMG_4498.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fit right in this year</td></tr>
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<br />Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08625879578538987788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177088555140495230.post-13739377447790622832016-08-14T20:03:00.001-05:002016-08-14T20:03:47.815-05:00Project Glory Hole: Part 1I finally did it! I sealed the deal... on a sweet deal I found on Craigslist. I'm always seeing things on there that are awesome and good prices, but I always either have no money or can't get to it soon enough. (I almost got a '63 Galaxie wagon that way, but somebody got there first with money and a trailer.) At long last, I finally got to drag home some rusty, carbureted junk for near scrap prices.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zc9LPCQazjo/V7C_XK99xOI/AAAAAAAAJyw/DXtItOOKgesDgsnIA6RvHMY80u48i00zQCLcB/s1600/IMG_4315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zc9LPCQazjo/V7C_XK99xOI/AAAAAAAAJyw/DXtItOOKgesDgsnIA6RvHMY80u48i00zQCLcB/s320/IMG_4315.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But just look at what I got! Just look at it!!</td></tr>
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The vehicle in question wasn't even something I was looking for, but when you search for Fords under $1000 in cars and car parts, you never know what will come up. In this instance, what came up was a '79 Bronco with a 400 V8, 4-speed, no roof, and a "very, very, very rusty" body (but it's Wisconsin, so you can easily add two more very's just because of that). When I got to it, I could see the extent of that rust and how the rockers, floor pans, and quarters were eaten away, and the quarters were actually pulling away from each other. It was a wood hauler at his cabin up North, and I'm thinking they did some four wheeling with the tailgate down and wood pushing on the unsupported quarter panels which is probably why they don't touch the tailgate when it shuts now. That will take some work to rectify. Well, the whole thing will... Also, the floor was deemed so bad that they pulled the passenger side floor out for safety sake. I can lift the driver's seat on the left side even though it's bolted to the floor still. The floor comes with it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6_xmL_GcGUo/V7C_zAdY98I/AAAAAAAAJzo/nSdWHZks0fA0C7hV3b2qn11ApWYY5hdfACEw/s1600/IMG_4333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6_xmL_GcGUo/V7C_zAdY98I/AAAAAAAAJzo/nSdWHZks0fA0C7hV3b2qn11ApWYY5hdfACEw/s320/IMG_4333.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's see through.</td></tr>
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The guy listed it on Monday night, and I saw it Tuesday night. I realized it wasn't something I should sit on, so I texted him for pictures. It was late, so he said he'd send some the next day... and he did! I got everything lined up, and I met him at 8am on Saturday to buy it, because he was supposed to leave on a trip at 9am. Two hours later, my trailer shined around.<br />
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By that time, we had only started it in place, but he said he was driving it around the yard the previous day. The guy had yanked the center section out of the rear axle for another project, so it didn't drive normal. It was one of those rare, front wheel drive '79 Broncos. I put it in 4L and the granny gear, and after a couple chicken out attempts, I got it on the trailer.<br />
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I followed my new Bronco all 30 miles to my friend's house where it now sits waiting for me to come work on it next weekend, and that was interesting. I had to follow due to an issue with some failed brake lights, and since we were in the city, you can't really fake it and hope no one hits you. As I followed, I was bombarded by bits of rust and tree that were being blown out of the vehicle and onto my beautiful Crown Vic. We stopped for gas, bathroom, and drink along the way (because we were already an hour plus of driving for the day, and I'd been waiting for two for the trailer), and I found what I felt was the perfect drink for the day, a Dr. Pepper with a monster truck '87 Blazer on it.<br />
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Our trip was pretty smooth other than some darting into traffic to stay right behind the trailer. I was trying to lead from behind, and we missed a turn, so I hammered down to pass him and redirect the convoy. It was worth it, though, because we saw a really sweet lifted Comanche driving towards us. I also learned quite a bit about the Bronco on the trailer. When we hit bumps, the trailer would bounce, but the tires, suspension, and frame didn't because they were well secured to the trailer... but the body bounced. Something in the left rear quarter panel area isn't overly well connected and needs some attention. Eventually, we made it there with no major issues and no casualties. Marking it as a win.<br />
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Once we arrived, my brother, mechanic friend, and his kid (a couple years younger than me) all got to see just how great of a purchase the Bronco was. They all took turns looking it over and picking it apart with questions about my intentions or the integrity of the Bronco. I didn't care; it's awesome. We unloaded it and proceeded to take turns driving it around the yard and up and down the driveway. We all kind of agreed that this has great potential so long as it's realized correctly. We wrapped the seats and parked it next to our dad's '52 Ford F-3 that's being stored for us down there, just down the line from my '64 Fairlane that I keep trying to convince him to sell back to me. That yard is one Maverick and one FC short of the whole family. My brother and I then went off to find lunch and talk strategy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Jj9RvcJkhA/V7ES_Ko5gTI/AAAAAAAAJzw/BJnFbWmdKyc9yTt01SJ7AJgUnO3OxgKagCEw/s1600/13876191_10154526001807189_669407305842817872_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Jj9RvcJkhA/V7ES_Ko5gTI/AAAAAAAAJzw/BJnFbWmdKyc9yTt01SJ7AJgUnO3OxgKagCEw/s320/13876191_10154526001807189_669407305842817872_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Bronco...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2w7xOY95eI/V7ES_Kea48I/AAAAAAAAJz0/uOWM4eDHkPs7ktVDE_qg1njkYC09ls4kwCEw/s1600/13876410_10154526001902189_2107192421789383751_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2w7xOY95eI/V7ES_Kea48I/AAAAAAAAJz0/uOWM4eDHkPs7ktVDE_qg1njkYC09ls4kwCEw/s320/13876410_10154526001902189_2107192421789383751_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... next to my dad's '52 F-3...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rNRGpqdSric/V7ES_b4W3jI/AAAAAAAAJ0A/YIG-KEtmX4QegyQeqfx4LnNr7fiSgLapQCEw/s1600/13892314_10154526002047189_2231204883360008478_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rNRGpqdSric/V7ES_b4W3jI/AAAAAAAAJ0A/YIG-KEtmX4QegyQeqfx4LnNr7fiSgLapQCEw/s320/13892314_10154526002047189_2231204883360008478_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... near my Vic...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NzQ4bp3xPWU/V7ES_uppCcI/AAAAAAAAJ0M/OwphVWJISCQ7XT1-dqALmg2sNEmNW5UGQCEw/s1600/13920957_10154526002277189_5787307907015629104_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NzQ4bp3xPWU/V7ES_uppCcI/AAAAAAAAJ0M/OwphVWJISCQ7XT1-dqALmg2sNEmNW5UGQCEw/s320/13920957_10154526002277189_5787307907015629104_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... down the row from my '64 Fairlane.</td></tr>
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That leads me to the "build" portion of our show today. Everyone asks me, "what are you gonna do with it," or, "why would you want that rust pile of junk?" My answer is simple; it's cool, I've wanted one since I was a kid, and for what I got and the price I got it, you can't go wrong. My idea is this, patch the body together enough that I can bomb it around and take it to work or be a winter daily. I'd love to be able to take it off-roading a bit, and I'd like it to be able to pull my mom's 14' camper if going short trips, and I'd like to 5-speed swap it, but other than that, I'm keeping it pretty stock. Maybe someday down the road I'll find a clean body to swap onto the frame, but I think this one will work fine enough and be really fun too.<br />
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At this point, I don't really have any big plans mechanically for the Bronco. I'd like to swap a 5-speed for mileage, but I really like the original shifter and its quirkiness. The motor will stay mostly stock simply because there's no aftermarket support for a 400 that isn't insanely expensive. I'll probably do a few things, but it's a pretty torquey motor from the factory. If I get really crazy or find a sweet deal, maybe I'll swap in a 460, but those are expensive to build too. I'm planning to keep it stock height with stock height tires, partly because there's no place to off-road nearby, partly because I'd like my gauges to stay accurate, and mostly because I'm not really a truck guy, and I like to be able to get in and out of it easier. I'm more of a muscle car guy anyways. I only need trucks to drag my projects home.<br />
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The last issue we've been having is what to call it. It's a rusty old Bronco with holes in the floor, no roof, quarter panels falling off, and it's really held together with hope and a bungee cord, but someday, when it drives down the roads and the trails and especially when we get a new body for it, this thing is gonna be the glorious epitome of overlanding excellence. If we just had a name... I was thinking the "Rustco" or "Rusty Jones," once I saw the paperwork in the glove box for undercoating, but then there's the Gone in 60 Seconds idea of naming them all with girl names, which also fits my idea for a sign over my garage saying "Charlie's Angels." No girl names are popping into my head for this Bronco (other than maybe Brittany for the sake of alliteration), so I'm not sure on that idea. My brother laughed as he jokingly blurted out "Project Glory Hole," and so far, I think that's our best name choice so far, so until further notice, I'll keep you updated on Project Glory Hole. Stay tuned!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the light from the floor area.</td></tr>
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<br />Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08625879578538987788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177088555140495230.post-46980803782482517612016-07-24T23:30:00.000-05:002016-07-24T23:30:20.733-05:00Full Immersion: Car Craft Summer Nationals 2016For years when I was in high school and college, I read Car Craft magazine. I loved the tech articles, the event coverage, and the awesome car features. I still dream of one day having a car cool enough to be in a magazine. I even watched the backgrounds of pictures and videos from Power Tour and last year's Car Craft Summer Nationals to see if my car was hiding anywhere. One of the events I read about every year in the magazine was the Car Craft Summer Nationals, basically a three day weekend of car show and cruise with vendors, prizes, and usually an autocross course. This fun was usually held at the Minnesota state fairgrounds, and while I was in high school, the four hour drive and hotels and everything else was simply too much for me to afford, but I said someday I'd be there. Eventually, I moved to Wisconsin and even though I had more income, I still couldn't swing it and the now six hour drive. Then, last year, I heard the best news I could've imagined; not only was Power Tour starting in my backyard, Summer Nats was moving to the WI state fair park!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One from last year</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Badges of honor on the Vic</td></tr>
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I was ecstatic that I finally could go, even though I moved out of Milwaukee a couple of years ago. I stayed at my brother's house and shot so many pictures and raced autocross and met the Roadkill guys and met John McGann (chief editor of Car Craft and fellow Crown Vic lover), and I even got to see a picture of my car on the Car Craft website ON THE AUTOCROSS! It was a great weekend, and I was so happy. That had to happen again...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Straight from the Car Craft website last summer!</td></tr>
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Guess what happened last weekend. Car Craft Summer Nationals 2016! (You're good at this guessing thing.) I got out of work for both my jobs and came down to do it again. This year they had even added more cool stuff! Along with the show, the vendors, the autocross, the burnout contests, the dyno challenge, Real Street Eliminator competition, Miss Car Craft, Midnight Drags, car cruise, prizes, and everything else I can't even remember, they added a drifting exhibition that was a pretty cool addition from last year. As usual, Summer Nats was cool and eclectic with something that was bound to appeal to everyone.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patina wagon with rims and custom interior. Dreams...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dude cruisin' an old mini bike. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half-rat ramp truck on bags</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BLOWER</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving around a picnic table with a cooler mounted to it.</td></tr>
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Last year, I just tried to see all the cars and booths and eventually got distracted by my first ever attempt at autocross. That was cool, and I saw some sweet cars (which you can see <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.852225118195295.1073741830.138709356213545&type=1&l=fcb92450e5" target="_blank">here</a>), but this year I had a plan: autocross all day Friday, see cars with friends on Saturday, watch drag racing, more autocross and some cars on Sunday. This plan worked fairly well, but there were a few glitches that weren't especially in my favor... but then some that really were!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FC-Hot Rod</td></tr>
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Friday, I got going late. I wanted to be down there early, but I wound up sleeping in and getting there around noon. Not the greatest, but I figured this was my autocross day, so no real biggy. I got my wristband and car sticker and headed into the show. I did the cruise lap to see what was going on and where everything was this year, and then I went into the infield to race.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Gremlin was killer, and I'm pretty sure it had the top time.</td></tr>
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I saw some familiar cars from last year along with some new ones and some updates on some previous contenders. After a while, I saw the guys from Roadkill pull in with their Mazdarati and take a crack at the course. I asked Finnegan if they were going mini-truck vs mini-truck with the Ranger kid from last year. Just after their run, I turned around just in time to see the Ranger pulling in, complete with its freshly swapped 5.0L and T5. Last I heard, the Ranger won. Eric had just wrapped up the swap shortly before Summer Nats, and I had just swapped a posi into my car the night before they opened the autocross. Both of us had completely embraced the Roadkill way of life. We just need to buy a race car from a junkyard now.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a stock 2.5L I4 and wimpy 5-speed last year. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New favorite Ranger shot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Makin' it happen</td></tr>
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After a glorious day on the autocross, my friend came down in his '86 Camaro with a V6 and a 5-speed, and we met up for dinner and a cruise through town. We had a wonderful, and fairly inexpensive meal at one of my favorite bars on Hwy 100, Club Paragon. (I really wish I would've found out about this place while I still lived down in Milwaukee. It's a log cabin atmosphere with good drinks, fun stuff to do, amazing food, and several TVs. If you ever get a chance to go there, do it. Seriously.) After we ate, his girlfriend had to do a little shopping, which Brad and I made interesting. The West Allis Kohl's will never let us come back. Big loss.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watch for it in the Real Street Eliminator coverage in Car Craft magazine.</td></tr>
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Finally, we got to cruise Hwy 100, the only cruise area I've ever heard of in Milwaukee. Normally, it's a lot of Ricers, but with the show in town, it was a really solid mix of rice and muscle and even some fancy exotics. We were driving along, and of all people, Jodee pointed out the large concentration of muscle cars at Oscar's Frozen Custard (another great place to eat) while Brad was pointing out to me that we should get custard. We turned and went back to find the classic custard stand surrounded by about twenty classic cars. The best part was, as time went on, the cars rotated stock, and about every fifteen minutes a handful would leave, and another handful would pull in. It was pretty awesome, and well worth the late night seeing it all and taking pictures.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this one in the shadows </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were about to leave when this one pulled up. Lucky I noticed it.<br />Not great lighting over where he parked though.</td></tr>
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I need to get sidetracked here and tell you a story. Brad had never been to Summer Nationals, and I'm pretty sure he only knew about them because of me talking about going to them. He went online to sign up as a participant, and from what he told me, nowhere on the site did it say it was free to autocross. So what does he do with his grove-fresh, just finally running, stock 3.1-swapped '86 Firebird? He enters the Real Street Eliminator competition. Really, when you think about it, you could make the case that it's Real Street because it's his summer daily or why doesn't everyone sign up for it because it's a killer deal for autocross, speed stop, and a dyno test, plus you get to skip in line on the autocross. The best part of it all was that he didn't have off of work Friday, missed the mandatory drivers' meeting, didn't get official until Saturday around 10, couldn't stay all day, and maybe only ran the autocross about seven times that weekend. I shot a video of him and the built by high schoolers Camaro on the dyno Sunday morning. It was pretty fun to watch both cars back to back. I don't know how he did overall, but I do know I had to buy him lunch that day because his car beat all of our expectations in the horsepower department. Being the lowest guess in the bet, I had to pony up the cash. His car has 120hp to the wheels, and it did decent and looked like it handled pretty well on the autocross.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Until this weekend, his goal was to build a turbocharged 400 drag car out of this.<br />After the autocross, he's not so sure.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did I mention that he Long Hauled last year on Power Tour in his '91 Firebird convertible?</td></tr>
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Saturday was the day I wanted to see the cars. I was going, that day, with my brother, my mom, my mom's friend from grade school who is a mechanic, his two sons, and one of his son's sons. We walked the show for a bit, but inevitably, we ate, and I autocrossed. Time ran out too fast, and I had spent too much time racing, watching the racing, and watching the drift exhibition, and eventually, we had a dinner date with the group about a mile away at the one son's house for a cookout. I didn't get to see as many cars as I'd have liked, but I talked with some cool people, and that was well worth it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Didn't actually get to talk to them</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My car at the cookout.</td></tr>
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After the cookout, I headed to Union Grove, WI, to finally see the Car Craft Midnight Drags. We didn't go last year because we assumed it'd been cancelled due to the tornado that went through. We were wrong. This year, I watched about half the qualifying rounds (still running late), and then someone in one of the other races wet the track, so they had to do some extensive cleaning before they could keep racing. I took that opportunity to walk through the pits looking at all the cool cars and trailer setups and everything. That was tons of fun. Seeing everyone thrashing and running to get the cars on the line or fixed before they had to pre-stage again. You could honestly get hit and seriously injured walking through the pits, if it isn't drag cars driving fast back to their pits or being pushed quickly to their pits without lights, their crew on sometimes lit golf carts could just as easily run you down speeding around the pits. You really need to have your head on a swivel and keep checking your surroundings while shooting photos. A lot of pictures I took of passes down the track didn't turn out because they got a bit blurry, but I kept them in the album because it still gives you a bit of a feel for how fast they were moving. In the semifinals, I found a spot by the fence by the start line where I got some sweet shots along with near the time slip booth (or whatever they call it) on the return road. The final race of the Summer Nats, I got on video because I knew it'd be good. The '73 Javelin with a big block and a single turbo qualified with a 7.20 second 1/4 mile at 205 mph, and was lining up to run the final race. We got to the top of the grand stand to get the best vantage point. It didn't disappoint with a 7.12 at 207 winning the whole thing. We made our way back to Milwaukee with a group of classic muscle cars.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Announcer said, "I'd love to tell you folks what's going on, but I can't see! Round of applause for [Lane 2]."</td></tr>
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Sunday was not great for the car show, if I'm honest. A lot of guys (or should I say girls?) were scared away by early morning rain showers leaving a pretty small group of cars at the show. Once we got there, we dyno tested Brad's Camaro and headed in to the autocross. As we left the dyno, John McGann passed us on a golf cart. I had seen him around half a dozen times over the weekend, but I hadn't gotten to talk to him by that point. Last year, I caught him on Friday taking pictures, and I flagged him down, said hi, and told him about my car. He is a fellow Crown Vic enthusiast. We wound up following him all the way to the autocross. Brad and I got right in line. As I rolled closer and closer to the start line, I looked over and saw him sitting, watching the racing. I ran my camera over to him, and asked the favor of him snapping a few as I went around, and he agreed. That's right! I got pictures of me racing my car on the autocross from John freakin' McGann, the guy who runs Car Craft Magazine! I was pretty ecstatic. And they look really good. It also wound up being my best run of the weekend.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: John McGann</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: John McGann</td></tr>
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Sunday is the shortest day of the show, and once the autocross wound down and we found some lunch and listened to the announcements for the Real Street competition, we decided to head out and make our way home. In the end, I had a great time once again at Summer Nats, and I hope they stay in Milwaukee for a good, long time. It's pretty much what I look forward to all year... unless I find money for Power Tour again. I gave John McGann my business card for photography; maybe he'll read this and like it enough that I can get one of my dream jobs, working in their Detroit office, and then I'd get to go to more events like this. That'd be really cool... Until then, you can see all 720-something pictures I shot <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1056755371075601.1073741850.138709356213545&type=1&l=6988180264" target="_blank">here</a>. Enjoy!<br />
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Oddball Autocross!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was amazed watching this. So slow. 55 seconds </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My car did 32.0, for comparison.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks fast, 15 mph. 43 seconds</td></tr>
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Cait wait 'til next year...</div>
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<br />Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08625879578538987788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177088555140495230.post-83129041902681982222016-07-12T20:39:00.003-05:002016-07-12T20:39:20.984-05:00Breaker 1-9, You Gotchyer Ears On? The Iola Old Car Show '16There has only ever been one time in my adult life that I have said, "I think I've seen enough cars today," and I blame that on heat and dehydration. That was at the Iola Old Car Show in Iola, Wisconsin back in 2010. Since then, I've either planned better or grown a higher tolerance (which could be partly due to Hot Rod Power Tour). Regardless, I returned to the scene this past weekend to see the 2016 variant of the show, and it failed to leave me either unhappy or overwhelmed. I loved it!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this shot. I love these trucks. I need one.</td></tr>
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The show always has a good variety of vehicles from full restorations to survivors, mainstream to "it's a what? I've never seen one of those," and concourse to modified. This year they were featuring two types of cars, classic trucks and Chargers. I thought I had heard it was classic Ford trucks, but apparently I was wrong. Even still, there were some sweet old Fords and Dodges and some really cool vintage semis from a few different decades. Sometimes I wonder how cool it would be to drive around in a classic semi with the matching trailer, but I doubt the amount is get to drive it and its driving pleasure would be worth the expense.<br />
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There wasn't a whole lot to say about my day that the pictures won't say for me, other than I accidentally locked my keys and business cards in the car promptly after getting there too late. I did get to see most of the show, most of the cars that were in attendance, and the fastest AAA response I've ever had. I did debate trading my Vic for an old bumpside Ford or a '73 Torino GT on the way home, but the visions of Car Craft Summer Nationals the following weekend and the autocross course that lied ahead made me decide that wasn't a great plan after all.<br />
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Check out the photos <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1051046724979799.1073741849.138709356213545&type=1&l=c016184000" target="_blank">here</a>.Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08625879578538987788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177088555140495230.post-79930191155493500832016-07-12T20:33:00.002-05:002016-07-12T20:41:04.522-05:00Panthers on Parade: The First Annual Great Lakes Panther PartyIf you know me, or if you've been reading the blog in the last few months, you'll know that I'm smitten by an affinity toward a particular model of fine, full-figured Fords; the Panther platform. Running from '79-'12, the Panther platform replaced the larger LTDs and LTD II's with what would've been considered an intermediate in pre-gas crisis days. These cars were the Crown Victoria (and their LTD variation), Grand Marquis, Town Car, and for a brief moment in time, the Mercury Marauder. I've only had the pleasure of owning two Crown Vics, but more are on the way. In the mean time, I learned of a group holding a meet for people like me who have been afflicted by the same virus that likes big V8, rwd sedans.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I failed and forgot to take a group shot from the front too.</td></tr>
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The First Annual Great Lakes Panther Party was held in June in St. Joseph's, Michigan. Seeing that it would be cool, and only four hours from my house, I decided I had to go. I'd never been to a Crown Vic only meet/show before, and I'd feel bad seeing the pictures had I not gone. So we were off to meet new friends and see sweet cars... in Michigan.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The magical land where front plates aren't required.</td></tr>
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The biggest problem with the morning also turned out to be the biggest nuisance for the evening, Chicago. Honestly, traffic on he way down wasn't too terrible, but I took 294 instead of 94, so it took longer than it should have. I also spent nearly $10 in tolls which was dumb compared to our ride home. It was beautiful weather and a great drive through Indiana and Michigan to get there, and I was so excited to see the group of cars in the park when we arrived.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I followed a sweet LX most of the day.</td></tr>
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I pulled in, and immediately started taking pictures of the cars in attendance. I counted 25 cars total. A lot of ex-police cars, some LX's, a couple Grand Marquis, and even a Marauder were in attendance, but oddly no Town Cars were there. If I may comment on the people who buy these cars, I feel it's safe to say we are not sufficiently endowed monetarily to finance the purchase of a Town Car. That said, we had plenty of guy who had put money into the sound and looks of their sweet Vics.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a Marauder</td></tr>
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It was really cool to see all the people who are enthusiastic enough about these cars to come out to the show and cruise. There were two guys who matched my travel time, one from Beloit, Wisconsin (about two hours South of me), and one from Ontario, Canada (who drove six hours and needed to stay the night to not get heavily searched by customs upon return). Even the guys in state drove a decent distance to get there, plus a handful from Indiana. Being that guy who sets up a cruise that has next to no participants, I was really happy to see the turn out on the first attempt at this meet and cruise.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Roxy's</td></tr>
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We talked in the park for a bit, but eventually, we headed out to find lunch. A couple miles away was a cool, '50's vibe drive-in that had agreed to open that particular Sunday just for us to come in and eat and hang out for a little while. I highly recommend stopping by Roxy's Drive-In if you are ever in St. Joe's and find yourself a bit hungry... and it isn't Sunday.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes the view behind is just as good as the view ahead.</td></tr>
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After some eating and socializing, we drove through a few parks and stopped again at one right on the beach of Lake Michigan. We stopped to see the sea and have photo opps along with more socializing. After about an hour, they were getting ready to head for an ice cream stand, and we decided it was getting a bit late with the drive we still had to make home, so we planned on leaving. There was another fellow Vic owner who also was going to head out, but he was having cooling issues. We decided to ride together until he turned off in Indiana, and we only had to stop once for high temperatures in the construction zone!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But how fun is it to cruise with similar cars down the interstate?!</td></tr>
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On the way through Chicago, we met the traffic I had hoped to not find, but then again, we took 94 on the way back which has less tolls but goes through downtown and is more direct, hence more people. I didn't see anything nearly as strange or unsettling this time through as compared to other trips on that road, but the less motorcycle deaths and sexual acts driving by I see, I feel the better my life will be. I matched the Canadian's drive time on my return trip, but I still got home just in time to sleep for work the next morning. 490 miles and nearly 21 mpg with little cruise and windows down at 75-80 (until Chicago) also seemed like great fun. I almost felt like I drove far enough that weekend. All in all, I had a great time, and I hope to go again next year, hopefully with a different, more modified, Alaska-proven Vic!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture this, only much, much different.</td></tr>
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See more pictures <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1043039925780479.1073741846.138709356213545&type=1&l=0542801e71" target="_blank">here</a>.Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08625879578538987788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177088555140495230.post-76776718902229748752016-06-26T00:00:00.004-05:002016-06-26T00:00:35.521-05:00Hot Rod Power Tour 2015: The Sunny DaysMonday morning, we woke up to see the skies starting to clear and hot rods all over the parking lot. I felt a little bad for the guy with the Cobra kit car, but he said his cover held most of it out. We packed up and headed out for Madison, IL (just across the river from St. Louis). We stayed with the main group for a while, but it started getting thin, and we wound up taking a wrong turn and following a sweet '74 Dart with a slant 6 and homemade seat A/C. The route basically cut he corner, and we both stopped for gas at a Casey's where we also found a few cars from one of the booths laid up for some roadside checks and tweaks.<br />
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It was interesting to talk to the guy with the Dart because he was riding solo. He was also doing Power Tour the fun way. He had bought a $1200 wrong motor, wrong year Dart and messed with the paint a little, built cool suit-style seat A/C, threw on some rims and tires, and went on a road trip. After a few minutes of talking, his tank was full, and we went to check out the booth cars. We got back on the road, and he went straight while we hit the interstate to meet back up with the group and Brad, whom we hadn't met on Tour yet.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shot that evening at Gateway Motorsports Park</td></tr>
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Back on track, we found the group in full force. It was about another 45 minutes before we found Brad on the roadside waiting for us. He apparently had stopped to fix some wiring on the shoulder and just stayed there until we met up with him. We drove the rest of the day in tandem to Gateway Motorsports Park in not St. Louis. It was a fun cruise through the back roads and Americana of southern Illinois, but I was a little bummed when his car was on the website and mine wasn't the next day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I went to upload the shot, and found I didn't have it on the computer, so I went to look online. I didn't find it, but I found another one. Brad: 2 Me: 0. (Well, 1, if you count Summer Nats.)</td></tr>
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It was a much better show in not St. Louis than in Champagne. It was sunny and nice and there was a huge turn out. The drive to get there was shorter too which meant we got there earlier. They had drag racing going on, and afterward, they had a sweet burnout contest. We had an awesome view for that. As the sun began to set, we drove our cars onto the oval track and took some pictures at the start/finish line and in the winner's circle. Happy and hungry, we left the venue and began the hunt for dinner.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only time this will ever happen...</td></tr>
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We saw the arch as we drove across the river and through downtown. We also same some Power Tour vehicles including the Short Bus. Slowly but surely, we found a nice little pub to eat at, and after some good food and good socializing, we parted ways. Brad would go on to Memphis with the group and eventually Long Haul (do the whole trip), but being cheap, my brother and I had to head back to work the day after the next day, so we went home the next day.<br />
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We left the bar, about a mile south of downtown St. Louis, and went to our motel for the night. Our previous night's accommodations were quite nice both in amenities and price, but I learned after we had gotten back that my brother decided, since it was just him and me, that we didn't need anything special as far as hotels were concerned. His method for choosing our places to stay can be summed up in three clicks on an online search: town we were in, sort by price low to high, top listing. He is now banned from booking housing for future trips.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I almost didn't see it when we drove there.</td></tr>
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His method landed us in the De Lux Motel in Alorton, IL. I just looked it up on Google Maps to see what town it was in, and when it came up as an option on the map, it literally showed "Delux Motel $37." We drove through the night air as the city turned to industrial which gave way to abandoned which in turn faded into residential (whether or not the residential was abandoned is still unsure). I kept thinking about how I finally had my car together and working well, and now someone is gonna steal it or my fancy wheels while I sleep. We drove past a cable company who has a fence with barbed wire and key-code access for their fleet of work vans, and I really hoped our hotel would look the same. We got there, and I was happy to see a wall.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Office side</td></tr>
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I drove in and saw it was a drive-up motel. I didn't know our room number, so I turned around and parked in the no parking area in front of the office door. We went inside to check in, and as we came in the door, the worker was joking with us that he thought we were going to drive through the door (because, apparently, this must be a common occurrence in his neighborhood). We couldn't understand him at first because he was a bit muffled... by bulletproof glass. This seemed to lend credibility to the previous statement. We had some confusion with the payment of the room at first, but eventually, we got it squared away, and he slid our metal key under the window. A metal key. We started to walk toward the door when he called us back and put two bottles of orange juice in the pass-through next to the bulletproof glass. As we walked to our room outside, we realized that they were our continental breakfast.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our room side</td></tr>
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We opened the door to a hideously painted room that smelled like old, stuffy house and smoke. Our no smoking room had cigarette burns in the sheets and the bathroom smelled like pot. I asked how much he paid for this room, and he told me "$45, but $3 of that is tax, and $5 is a refundable key deposit" to which we laughed again at the metal key. I made a point of going to bed sooner rather than later because the less I knew I was there, the better my mind would be. Meanwhile, my brother looked at our intended route for the next day (follow the Mississippi as much as we could until we turned for home. He noticed just how close we were to Ferguson, MO, in my black, police-ish-looking Crown Vic only a short while from when they were having all the riots and protests about the cops killing somebody for some reason that I never really paid attention to. He just went ahead and told me about that realization the next week.<br />
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On a side note, my friend Brad had a similar experience the following night in Memphis. He told me a few weeks later that he got to his motel and realized he was the only white guy in probably five miles. He always carries concealed, so he wasn't concerned about his safety, but his pieced together ragtop Firebird was a different story. He was brighter than I was, though. Knowing his car could easily be entered with a simple knife, he unplugged the ignition coil and removed the fuse for the fuel pump. This and 15 9mm rounds on his nightstand gave him a good night's sleep while his car waited patiently six feet outside his door. I, on the other hand, kept picturing my car with no wheels and tires (my brand new tires at $150/ea and another $140/ea to replace my wheels) and hood open with no coil packs ($60/ea and held on by one screw).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love small towns.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great view from the windshield</td></tr>
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Morning came with no incident, thankfully, and we shoved off Milwaukee bound. We had a great drive along the river and through some back country with beautiful scenes and fun, twisty roads. I was enjoying the day so much, I didn't even pull out my camera, except for my phone for a couple cool cars for sale on the roadside. In the end, I dropped my brother off and got home happy as can be, hooked on Power Tour and wondering when I'd be able to do it again. Sadly, this year I was short on cash and I had conflicts on the nearby days, and if all goes as planned, next Summer I'll be in the Great White North, but I have a plan. My goal is for their 25th anniversary (in three years), I want to abscond with my '64 Fairlane wagon (currently owned by my mechanic) and take that on Tour, preferably with a fresh overdrive automatic, new floor, and some taller gears out back. There's some more maintenance things that will need to happen because it only ever sits, but I have faith that in two years of tinkering, we'll be able to get it done. Fingers crossed.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bought this when I was 17 for $500!<br />My mechanic got it in a crap deal when I wrecked my daily and had no money to pay for repairs.</td></tr>
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See more pictures <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1039820449435760.1073741845.138709356213545&type=1&l=be95838308" target="_blank">here</a>.Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08625879578538987788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177088555140495230.post-1681558616804856292016-06-22T21:57:00.000-05:002016-06-22T21:57:18.861-05:00Hot Rod Power Tour 2015: Everything You Hoped It Would Be... Plus Tornados!This week was Hot Rod Power Tour 2016. Billed as "the world's largest road trip," Hot Rod Magazine sponsors this giant week-long drive from town to town with big car shows at the destination for each day. This year was the 22nd running of the Power Tour, and the route went from last year's ending spot in Gulfport, MS, to Kansas City (where they'll start next year). It's an awesome experience to see all these hordes of classic cars on the road together, but I didn't have enough money to go this year. I did, however, go last year, and since I never told you about that, I'll reminisce this year on how much fun we had last year.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Madison, IL</td></tr>
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Power Tour was one of my two big highlights for the summer of 2015 (which I dubbed "Charlie's Automotive Summer"). I had planned it out so I could do the most car-related things and the coolest car related things over the course of the summer. There were several cool shows that I attended, but my favorites were Power Tour and Car Craft Summer Nationals.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A good grouping in Madison, WI</td></tr>
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I had been looking forward to Power Tour and Summer Nats for quite some time, and I did a lot to prepare for it. My brother tagged along for Power Tour, and within the first 50 miles, we were both hooked. Through the four days we drove, he kept asking me what my ultimate Power Tour car would be. The deal was, I paid for registration and gas, and he'd cover hotels. Food would be dutch. This wasn't the best call...<br />
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Day one was a day-long kickoff party in Madison, WI. There were tons of cars to see and vendors with products and project cars to wander through. There was also an autocross course which I really wanted to partake in, but they all told me I shouldn't do it on the first day. (We had met up with some friends who couldn't go on the driving portion.) We all went for a drive in my friend's '48 Plymouth and then found some amazing pizza. We parted ways and went home for the night. We had a great day seeing everything in the lot up close, but we really wanted to see them on the highway, and tomorrow, we drive!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madison was fun, and a taste of what Summer Nats would be.</td></tr>
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We got up really early the next morning. With our Power Tour and Roadkill stickers installed, we headed out into a rainy day of two-lane and suburb driving. We got close to the starting point about the time they were supposed to be setting off, so we decided to stay on the road and meet them in route. Already we had started seeing cool cars on the road. Once we got off the interstate and onto the true route, they were everywhere. I was blown away by the vast number and high variety of cars on Tour.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Displayed outside of Heidt's Performance.<br />You can see signs of the burnout from the day before all the way up to the body line!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a participant sitting outside of Heidt's</td></tr>
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We stopped at the morning's hospitality and lunch stop at Heidt's Performance. We actually were in the same shop tour group as Freiberger and Finnegan. That was pretty cool. That night we saw the Hot Rod Staff Suburban. Sadly, Heidt's is a bit too far into the greater Chicagoland area, so we wound up driving a good two hours through Chicago suburb traffic before we were released back into country two-lanes. The views were flat but beautiful.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saw this on the side of the road.</td></tr>
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The closer we got to the night's show I'm Champagne, IL, the more menacing the clouds looked. They had been chasing us all day, but as we got to the venue, it seemed like a repeat of the previous year's trip to Indiana. Threat of tornado, flash floods, major rain, and possible hail had the vendors packing up early. We did see Elana Scherr and Wes Allison from Hot Rod snapping pics for the magazine. We retreated soon afterward with everyone else and got some food. There was a nearby Texas Roadhouse, and it was the perfect choice for dinner then off to our hotel.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Things in boothes in Madison, WI </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Blasphemy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soon to be Autocrossed</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Draguar</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were a couple of sweet Vettes outside the Texas Roadhouse.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Might've only taken them with my phone, but they look good.</td></tr>
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My friend, Brad, had also gone on Power Tour with his '91 Firebird convertible, and he had been working for quite a while to make it Tour-worthy as well. One of the things he had done was new floor pans, but he didn't have time to finish all the welds before leaving. Like us, he found some pretty nasty puddles on the way to his hotel that night. Under one bridge inparticular, there was so much water that he was unsure if he should or would be able to cross it. He waded in looking for sink holes, but with the holes in the floor and his pcm on the floor temporarily, when he felt the car start to float half-way through, he gunned it to get out and still be drivable. For how wet it was that night, it was beautiful and sunny for the next two days we were on Tour. Those days will come next time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cars from Champagne</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nRD4G9Y4Do4/V2tHh8iiiqI/AAAAAAAAJcw/bUhvvPWn8YwnP9dwWsnJ4TaHDYsI88HDACKgB/s1600/92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nRD4G9Y4Do4/V2tHh8iiiqI/AAAAAAAAJcw/bUhvvPWn8YwnP9dwWsnJ4TaHDYsI88HDACKgB/s320/92.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this wagon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a guy who Ice Races locally about 8 miles from my house... and I saw him in Champagne, IL</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy built this thing himself, all custom!</td></tr>
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<br />Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08625879578538987788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177088555140495230.post-12797590446403696282016-06-16T22:29:00.004-05:002016-06-17T10:28:15.746-05:00Runnin' with the PackMovies are awesome. I love watching a good story with good action told in a compelling manner on screen. Some movies really find a way to capture your imagination and keep you involved long after the projector has turned off. People start to imagine life within the world of the film and find like-minded people to talk to and hang out with, and next thing you know, it's a cult classic, and people are doing cosplay and writing fan fictions and recreating things from the movie and having conventions. These movies live on through time and are handed down like oral tradition.<br />
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One of these movies is Mad Max. I love Mad Max, but I love the Road Warrior (Mad Max 2) even better. I doubt I'm alone on that one. Beyond Thunderdome is... the third one, but the Road Warrior is where it's at. It's the one that really makes you wonder how you'd survive in the world of the Wasteland. I doubt I'd do very well, but that's not the point. I hate to admit that I haven't seen the fourth one, but I do own it, and as soon as I can borrow a decent home theatre space, I'll watch the crap out of that. I'm thinking (based on what I've seen and heard) probably better than the first, but not better than the second. We'll see.<br />
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Last weekend, I took the opportunity to tag along on a Mad Max themed motorcycle ride. I was a bit hesitant when i arrived because I had no motorcycle or suitable attire, but I wanted to experience it and capture it in my photography. After hanging around the starting point and taking some cool shots, I asked the leader of the pack if it was cool that I tag along. I knew he was also gifted with the photogenic eye, so I figured he'd be cool. For as foreboding, ominous, and troublesome as they look, the people in this group couldn't have been nicer, and they were very generous and kind and totally ok with me not matching. I have ideas on how to fix that though.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j83uUYTxmwc/V2NMxGXcESI/AAAAAAAAJQg/dX5z4n7rt10gbBOethN6QwCBU0FsEQwkACKgB/s1600/IMG_2895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j83uUYTxmwc/V2NMxGXcESI/AAAAAAAAJQg/dX5z4n7rt10gbBOethN6QwCBU0FsEQwkACKgB/s320/IMG_2895.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bikes</td></tr>
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I thoroughly enjoyed the drivers' meeting before they left. He talked about how there was rain coming and they were going to change the route to accommodate the issues that could cause. He talked about some things they didn't want recurring from the last run. My favorite part, though, was when he gave the basic itinerary. He basically said that they were going to go to a bar to avoid the rain, go be hooligans in a certain area "until the authorities chase us out," go be hooligans in another place "until the authorities chase us out," and then go eat lunch. I couldn't help but smile when I heard that. This was gonna be a fun day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had tried to keep my composure as he gave our itinerary. That was funny.</td></tr>
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It was pretty impressive to see them all line up in the street before they took off for mayhem. We left and drove through downtown Milwaukee on our way through the rain to our hide from the rain destination. I was accompanied by three other non-motorcycles on the trip. I'm guessing on years, but I'd say there was a '65 F-100, a '57 Plymouth... whatever the old Coronets would be as a Plymouth, and the landmark: Big Daddy War Bus. I followed the bus figuring I wouldn't be able to lose him. Pretty sure he road his brakes the whole time which made it kinda hairy when he actually did slow down, but I was enjoying myself too much to care.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aqZ7XaOdemE/V2NM5ArZJSI/AAAAAAAAJQg/9TkxajcQ2k4KvjePkXi-CNuLqSeln7CcACKgB/s1600/IMG_2900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aqZ7XaOdemE/V2NM5ArZJSI/AAAAAAAAJQg/9TkxajcQ2k4KvjePkXi-CNuLqSeln7CcACKgB/s320/IMG_2900.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was glad I wasn't the only car at the bike ride.</td></tr>
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We departed Edge-O-Ghetto and proceeded through the East side near UWM and down to the lake front and through downtown. I was having a blast watching all the people on the sidewalks looking at what had just passed them by. The look of wonder, amazement, and "what the???" was hilarious to watch as we rode along. Some people thought it was cool, some wondered what was going on, and some just passed it off as just another day. I'm convinced they didn't know just how badass it really was.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dNefHwhwqaM/V2NM7p_6EbI/AAAAAAAAJQg/Y6q-mVB-SiQs8ji5KpTWEywG7md2YZHJACKgB/s1600/IMG_2910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dNefHwhwqaM/V2NM7p_6EbI/AAAAAAAAJQg/Y6q-mVB-SiQs8ji5KpTWEywG7md2YZHJACKgB/s320/IMG_2910.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traffic stops for these bamfs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vEdC-BkpqSE/V2NMwqWWmxI/AAAAAAAAJQg/BNCjtajjKIwzsYo2Z0fc0xUHHfqjOWAQACKgB/s1600/IMG_2883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vEdC-BkpqSE/V2NMwqWWmxI/AAAAAAAAJQg/BNCjtajjKIwzsYo2Z0fc0xUHHfqjOWAQACKgB/s320/IMG_2883.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearing the roadway of any unwanted animals, debris, or people in our way.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CmSNaqJY-Co/V2NMvBGeOII/AAAAAAAAJQg/eFppqJinWb0a97_j3oQI9kW88FYTTRmUwCKgB/s1600/IMG_2878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CmSNaqJY-Co/V2NMvBGeOII/AAAAAAAAJQg/eFppqJinWb0a97_j3oQI9kW88FYTTRmUwCKgB/s320/IMG_2878.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just too cool.</td></tr>
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We got to the rain destination (after driving through a short downpour), and the group split. Some people stayed outside while it was dry, and some went in. The outside group eventually retreated to the War Bus when it did rain. I took the opportunity to check out the Bus, but eventually went inside. Before looking at the Bus, there was a group of about eight of us standing outside listening to Chad (the daredevil with the sidecar) telling some stories. As he was talking, a group of about fifteen guys walked out of the bar ( they carried themselves like a bachelor party, I thought), and when they were near us, one guy called out to our group, "Hey, what's your favorite movie?" Chad turned, mid-sentence, without missing a beat and replied, "Death of a Salesman." I couldn't stop laughing. That was probably my favorite thing of the whole ride. I had to take this picture to accompany the story then.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EV-kXg2L6B4/V2NNKJL16GI/AAAAAAAAJQk/ytVN477BeYAzE0xJaXLwxAZz6OKcF6R4QCKgB/s1600/IMG_2940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EV-kXg2L6B4/V2NNKJL16GI/AAAAAAAAJQk/ytVN477BeYAzE0xJaXLwxAZz6OKcF6R4QCKgB/s320/IMG_2940.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothin' goin' on here. Go about your business.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-md3OLuEn7mE/V2NNPH8Az1I/AAAAAAAAJQk/PYlvKnqd71MeTMuL8S7af-1gkDItfkvmgCKgB/s1600/IMG_2959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-md3OLuEn7mE/V2NNPH8Az1I/AAAAAAAAJQk/PYlvKnqd71MeTMuL8S7af-1gkDItfkvmgCKgB/s320/IMG_2959.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The family the rides together...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x8-bv1NBfeM/V2NNA89JeyI/AAAAAAAAJQk/Rj634NcmhWojZNGUAy1JQFEtjoaOZlrvQCKgB/s1600/IMG_2912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x8-bv1NBfeM/V2NNA89JeyI/AAAAAAAAJQk/Rj634NcmhWojZNGUAy1JQFEtjoaOZlrvQCKgB/s320/IMG_2912.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chad: Mad Max fan, rider of 2/3 of his wheels, Death of a Salesman fan.</td></tr>
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The fun wasn't simple relegated to outside though. Inside with the rest of the group, we bumped into a wedding party too. I commented the odd juxtaposition of "our motley crew" on one side, and the tuxedoed gentlemen of the wedding. There was a photographer trying to take pictures of the bride and groom, and I tried to take a stealthy one of them, but failed. I did successfully mingle with the group, however. I met several people in the group throughout the few stops and got a chance to get to know them a bit and share our common interests. A lot of photographers in the group. I had lunch with two people who even did 35mm too. I thought that was pretty cool. (Sadly, the weather didn't hold for me to take some cool rainy night shots on 35mm that night, so I went home.) I kinda hope I get to run into some of these people again before the next run in Fall.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2v7BCfXWvvk/V2NNGNRdQMI/AAAAAAAAJQk/E4fjsNnuohw00P6RSze-6svBzvp2bdhbQCKgB/s1600/IMG_2928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2v7BCfXWvvk/V2NNGNRdQMI/AAAAAAAAJQk/E4fjsNnuohw00P6RSze-6svBzvp2bdhbQCKgB/s320/IMG_2928.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unless they won't have me...</td></tr>
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After the rain let up, we drove down around the Port of Milwaukee (one of my favorite places to chill), and we found a big gravelly place to park while some people hooned for a bit. Some of us got some cool pictures of the group down there, and had some short, impromptu photo shoots with individuals and their bikes, but soon the group was curious enough to investigate some other features of the area. This exploration led to us getting noticed, and that, in turn, led us to getting "chased out by the authorities..." even if it was just a forman saying we couldn't be in the spherical silo. In the end, our stay in the Port was short-lived, and with the weather not co-operating, our ride was similarly short-lived. We then went to our lunch stop which would turn into our final stop.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ib8e9CysbXE/V2NNC6inGWI/AAAAAAAAJQk/RlOBiQhTFWUqIUfdN1U2ktUBkHhToWVhwCKgB/s1600/IMG_2935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ib8e9CysbXE/V2NNC6inGWI/AAAAAAAAJQk/RlOBiQhTFWUqIUfdN1U2ktUBkHhToWVhwCKgB/s320/IMG_2935.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who's gonna chase out the bus?!</td></tr>
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By the end of the day, I found myself driving home (the long way) thinking about just how cool the experience was. I really enjoyed the spectacle of the costumes and modded bikes and vehicles, and I wished I had something to bring to the table in that respect. I really wondered how cool it would be to go to Wasteland Weekend and home much more of this that would be, but I also wondered since this was just a bonus ride, how much better the actual ride was a few weeks earlier. What I really need to do is make a costume to wear for next time, and buy another Crown Vic that I could build into a post-apocalyptic 4x4 with a short lift and pre-runner bar. Yes, I'm referring back to the Sno Leopard. I could build that by May 2017, right? Right?!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cpw62c0jvgw/V2NNREr4faI/AAAAAAAAJQk/mnRlrFKCiEAmi3NPAYgYTV3RKIOg1S4qwCKgB/s1600/IMG_2960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cpw62c0jvgw/V2NNREr4faI/AAAAAAAAJQk/mnRlrFKCiEAmi3NPAYgYTV3RKIOg1S4qwCKgB/s320/IMG_2960.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's probably thinking, "Keep dreamin'."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
See all the pictures from the ride <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1028902557194216.1073741841.138709356213545&type=1&l=edc3f0a5c9" target="_blank">here</a>, and like my photography page!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qx1SQkwSYAE/V2NNODWUdPI/AAAAAAAAJQk/Hj5N4KUhF2gl8yriRsdDs92m1U3sNSBdgCKgB/s1600/IMG_2944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qx1SQkwSYAE/V2NNODWUdPI/AAAAAAAAJQk/Hj5N4KUhF2gl8yriRsdDs92m1U3sNSBdgCKgB/s320/IMG_2944.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Practice</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ERNDb_asWk/V2NWAxRZq5I/AAAAAAAAJQw/aAAHtg2KtxUg-eIJa3QQBSKnMniyAtnZgCKgB/s1600/13103481_10154748372597137_8398252532993144552_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ERNDb_asWk/V2NWAxRZq5I/AAAAAAAAJQw/aAAHtg2KtxUg-eIJa3QQBSKnMniyAtnZgCKgB/s320/13103481_10154748372597137_8398252532993144552_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Makes perfect<br />
(Photo credit: Caitlin Fogle)<br />
(The rest are mine or movie footage)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08625879578538987788noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177088555140495230.post-10421824494393170622016-06-16T22:29:00.003-05:002016-06-16T22:29:20.472-05:00The Annual Traffic Jam in the Dells: Automotion 2016If you've ever driven through the Wisconsin Dells on the third weekend of May, you'll understand where I'm coming from. The struggle is real! The drive down the strip normally takes about 12-15 minutes from the freeway to the big, open intersection on the North end of town where you turn to go downtown (which is really up a hill), but during the weekend, you can expect anywhere up to and sometimes exceeding and hour and a half due to all the cars driving down that road during this event. It's kinda crazy, yet still cool to see all the cars cruising.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2VFk19ZcrI0/V2NYESavreI/AAAAAAAAJRQ/SXyMgsiknEsOEiPjdilCDLuX8cUuUIyeQCLcB/s1600/IMG_2765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2VFk19ZcrI0/V2NYESavreI/AAAAAAAAJRQ/SXyMgsiknEsOEiPjdilCDLuX8cUuUIyeQCLcB/s320/IMG_2765.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Favorite car of the weekend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Originally, Automotion was a classic car show and swap meet at Mount Olympus. This year, I think there were five different car shows plus two or three burnout contests, Hollywood on Broadway (where there are several movie and TV cars parked downtown), and even a drift track at a local paved oval. The main thing that is inescapable, though, is the cruise. Wherever you want to get, you need to cruise the strip for some portion of your travels. And that's really the big draw.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bXJ3Lvwkd_8/V2NXmXcKGRI/AAAAAAAAJRI/14Gyy03gg6k4V_hniZ1fOvVB6cvEFTaCgCLcB/s1600/IMG_2703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bXJ3Lvwkd_8/V2NXmXcKGRI/AAAAAAAAJRI/14Gyy03gg6k4V_hniZ1fOvVB6cvEFTaCgCLcB/s320/IMG_2703.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That traffic... for three days</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
People want to cruise and see who and what is cruising. You can see pretty much anything on the strip. From concourse restorations to rice burners, rat rods to garage-built works in progress, high dollar to high schoolers, muscle cars to 4x4s, and crotch rockets to trikes and choppers, pretty much every category is covered driving around there somewhere. You just need to keep your eyes peeled. There's no good way to explain the diversity at this weekend-long event other than showing you through photography. The pictures I took were less for the sake of beautiful pictures and more for the sake of documentation, but feel free to look at them to see what it is I'm on about. It's so fun to sit and watch the cruise or jump in and drive that in three years of attending, I've never even been to the actual show! Someday, I'll fix that... but I say that every year.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3kWVlSZ8pZ0/V2NYI9e1ucI/AAAAAAAAJRY/fDAWb8fRU40lUEIwdwuRUIdUd8vhQF-RQCKgB/s1600/IMG_2750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3kWVlSZ8pZ0/V2NYI9e1ucI/AAAAAAAAJRY/fDAWb8fRU40lUEIwdwuRUIdUd8vhQF-RQCKgB/s320/IMG_2750.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or I'll just fix my A/C and cruise my car all weekend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Check out all the pictures <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1022619754489163.1073741840.138709356213545&type=1&l=4151fded3d" target="_blank">here</a>. See other things I've shot <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Charlie-Hohenstein-PhotoVideo-138709356213545/photos/?tab=albums" target="_blank">here</a>.Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08625879578538987788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177088555140495230.post-16022621672770668242016-06-16T22:29:00.002-05:002016-06-16T22:29:07.995-05:00Rehab<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CbFucbeb66M/V2NpuRjNhII/AAAAAAAAJXQ/juf3kFcPk-EmgZB1fQe4R6J93kbKlIyTgCLcB/s1600/20788_10153343440802189_3300051626652229418_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CbFucbeb66M/V2NpuRjNhII/AAAAAAAAJXQ/juf3kFcPk-EmgZB1fQe4R6J93kbKlIyTgCLcB/s320/20788_10153343440802189_3300051626652229418_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at it; just sittin' there. Wantin' to drive.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With my Vic now home, I had to figure out a game plan for what yo do with it. The original thought was that I wanted an '03, but I found a deal on an '02, so I figured gut the interior for the next one and just drive this until you get sick of it. After seeing it in person and driving the six hours home, I realized that this car is really kinda good. Also, they changed the door panels in '03, so if I found a car with a black interior, the only things I really could steal from this car are the seats and console. Two years later, I've decided I'll build my own console not out of plastic, and I'll just find the seat covers. With this realization, I found myself looking down the slippery slope of project Bitchin' Daily... Then I tripped.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-52nyKf_zeiA/V2NpYDxXquI/AAAAAAAAJWI/9uF2gGEDbksrxQfHaUsnSoERymvhGwbigCKgB/s1600/1012937_10153376287967189_3492359201658605285_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-52nyKf_zeiA/V2NpYDxXquI/AAAAAAAAJWI/9uF2gGEDbksrxQfHaUsnSoERymvhGwbigCKgB/s320/1012937_10153376287967189_3492359201658605285_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's just too cool.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
First thing's first; the door hits the fender, and my headlight is held in with zip ties. We started pulling it apart, and we found the car needed a new fender, inner fender, core support, header panel, and marker light because I had already bought a new headlight. This project was long, tedious, and not something I'm really looking to do again anytime soon. Between paying for parts and paying back the money I had borrowed from my mom to buy it and only making $8.50/hr, it was a long road to getting this thing back on the road.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MkqIlj4Y_QM/V2NpYlgIRSI/AAAAAAAAJWk/-329XGJntQk35aj0cnIR9XmcD6CuD-B2QCKgB/s1600/10372546_10152592767252189_9118008176301048180_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MkqIlj4Y_QM/V2NpYlgIRSI/AAAAAAAAJWk/-329XGJntQk35aj0cnIR9XmcD6CuD-B2QCKgB/s320/10372546_10152592767252189_9118008176301048180_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She needed some work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-35k_TxIcllk/V2No3nksmHI/AAAAAAAAJXI/wFbeESTMBWwBr3sP9DtdzWtJPSEOyRYrwCKgB/s1600/10488141_10152702862607189_5694149506550095790_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-35k_TxIcllk/V2No3nksmHI/AAAAAAAAJXI/wFbeESTMBWwBr3sP9DtdzWtJPSEOyRYrwCKgB/s320/10488141_10152702862607189_5694149506550095790_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I filled the Impreza with parts. Not imprezive,</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kbgFFID_Ovg/V2No39ad1hI/AAAAAAAAJXI/0V_4wUJqaTsuuPOjecApfslm3fjdZT-fACKgB/s1600/10537146_10152734559902189_6700576525369217601_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kbgFFID_Ovg/V2No39ad1hI/AAAAAAAAJXI/0V_4wUJqaTsuuPOjecApfslm3fjdZT-fACKgB/s320/10537146_10152734559902189_6700576525369217601_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It also needed some overlooked maintenance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I had some help fixing it, and a deadline in my head to get it ready by; I wanted to take my car on band tour in August. We worked on this thing for quite a while before it was ready, but eventually, I had it on the road in time for the pre-tour rehearsal and drove it to Milwaukee with my drums tucked neatly in the trunk. (Fun side note: of all the cars I've had at my disposal, the Crown Vic is the best drum set hauler. I can fit the whole rig, tools, full-size spare tire, small jack and all my clothes in the trunk and still carry 4-5 people in the car. Full-size for the win!) I drove to Milwaukee, and that's when I actually noticed the torque converter shudder. Not knowing what it was, I played it safe and didn't drive the car back down to Indiana and up to Michigan that week. Total bummer.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T3005ud6XNo/V2No4qTILGI/AAAAAAAAJXI/5ro653NtFsMve8I0KhG7TUVf0PBIM9p1gCKgB/s1600/11109450_10153376619587189_8277707783640907046_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T3005ud6XNo/V2No4qTILGI/AAAAAAAAJXI/5ro653NtFsMve8I0KhG7TUVf0PBIM9p1gCKgB/s320/11109450_10153376619587189_8277707783640907046_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someday I might actually finish replacing the blend door motor.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sCF2GkrUP0g/V2No4F9eHHI/AAAAAAAAJXI/4guqbSF4wJAWjNVCQwWc9e8YNPQB_aKeQCKgB/s1600/10559712_10152729840982189_6419078467650200214_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sCF2GkrUP0g/V2No4F9eHHI/AAAAAAAAJXI/4guqbSF4wJAWjNVCQwWc9e8YNPQB_aKeQCKgB/s320/10559712_10152729840982189_6419078467650200214_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's gotta get worse before it can get better.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l6vA7wASULE/V2No3xGns3I/AAAAAAAAJXI/9CHxB2pO0MAcNz7X7akePrbiMLOWT1hlACKgB/s1600/10552624_10152736474132189_6958569975397461574_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l6vA7wASULE/V2No3xGns3I/AAAAAAAAJXI/9CHxB2pO0MAcNz7X7akePrbiMLOWT1hlACKgB/s320/10552624_10152736474132189_6958569975397461574_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crown Vic is still the master of drum set hauling.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TYg3cinRkCw/V2No3lLo0jI/AAAAAAAAJXI/Kv7ewoCKaScIh97CzAM8gWauj5HTH-ldACKgB/s1600/10441306_10152731698132189_7495444181307580783_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TYg3cinRkCw/V2No3lLo0jI/AAAAAAAAJXI/Kv7ewoCKaScIh97CzAM8gWauj5HTH-ldACKgB/s320/10441306_10152731698132189_7495444181307580783_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice, new, reproduction fender</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g3vNBggI_Q8/V2NpZNvTdiI/AAAAAAAAJXY/ZVl_WffXkdkID2bb5GAYPNIs7C7Um7GsQCKgB/s1600/10411040_10152730847782189_3093573224337092001_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g3vNBggI_Q8/V2NpZNvTdiI/AAAAAAAAJXY/ZVl_WffXkdkID2bb5GAYPNIs7C7Um7GsQCKgB/s320/10411040_10152730847782189_3093573224337092001_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Primed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3qfZCMUhyhI/V2No3muWXUI/AAAAAAAAJXI/-WUOg_JZJNQbYgDk769cbYk6dsOCwyYGgCKgB/s1600/10455114_10152730847917189_5482108066855539391_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3qfZCMUhyhI/V2No3muWXUI/AAAAAAAAJXI/-WUOg_JZJNQbYgDk769cbYk6dsOCwyYGgCKgB/s320/10455114_10152730847917189_5482108066855539391_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old and new</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tl7ArafKmsA/V2No4NyMhLI/AAAAAAAAJXI/spYoF8b4X-sgxXgAK0-1jgJc9VDlkUSpwCKgB/s1600/10577001_10152730847962189_2462667976425953888_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tl7ArafKmsA/V2No4NyMhLI/AAAAAAAAJXI/spYoF8b4X-sgxXgAK0-1jgJc9VDlkUSpwCKgB/s320/10577001_10152730847962189_2462667976425953888_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VHT Chassis Black</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EEsADJ2KjRM/V2NpYWp100I/AAAAAAAAJXY/UmeD-aqD4tYkdJXfMViGNAfuQyVlbzBJgCKgB/s1600/10325506_10152561879042189_264990648982754175_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EEsADJ2KjRM/V2NpYWp100I/AAAAAAAAJXY/UmeD-aqD4tYkdJXfMViGNAfuQyVlbzBJgCKgB/s320/10325506_10152561879042189_264990648982754175_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I couldn't have done this without help from a few key friends.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WJvfP0scMFY/V2NpYQQnnjI/AAAAAAAAJXY/dboOABn1BOgfGoi31m5pkzUEpAk5G1VNgCKgB/s1600/10341980_10152561878992189_8441321997302378621_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WJvfP0scMFY/V2NpYQQnnjI/AAAAAAAAJXY/dboOABn1BOgfGoi31m5pkzUEpAk5G1VNgCKgB/s320/10341980_10152561878992189_8441321997302378621_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No hood is a good look.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vTL3cI6pJbk/V2NpYMI1MiI/AAAAAAAAJXY/yl0yfndJwMAi04wHsB_P0qBl0fl28SaxwCKgB/s1600/10004066_10152582371822189_5280307331626135935_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vTL3cI6pJbk/V2NpYMI1MiI/AAAAAAAAJXY/yl0yfndJwMAi04wHsB_P0qBl0fl28SaxwCKgB/s320/10004066_10152582371822189_5280307331626135935_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite photo from the rehab period. I drove two miles like this, and I passed a local and county cop almost back to back; no issues.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oaHn58o6Wjc/V2NpX9gJmAI/AAAAAAAAJXY/crFbFp_e_zQYeDGwM_hMPuuPbCcHPhulgCKgB/s1600/10301496_10152706396017189_4862436146733981488_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oaHn58o6Wjc/V2NpX9gJmAI/AAAAAAAAJXY/crFbFp_e_zQYeDGwM_hMPuuPbCcHPhulgCKgB/s320/10301496_10152706396017189_4862436146733981488_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost down to the core support</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--rTh-lANSVg/V2NpYtiZ6wI/AAAAAAAAJXY/fPZas1sTyWUWK2gIWRegZ4BLxTc2VBKFwCKgB/s1600/10377248_10152706396082189_535692801950595778_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--rTh-lANSVg/V2NpYtiZ6wI/AAAAAAAAJXY/fPZas1sTyWUWK2gIWRegZ4BLxTc2VBKFwCKgB/s320/10377248_10152706396082189_535692801950595778_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There it is</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pZG63zCZiaA/V2NpYX0M7jI/AAAAAAAAJXY/9TtiQmBY2SALdFNcSBw_80JJaOjeqQn9wCKgB/s1600/10363937_10152731699907189_3333688436338174984_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pZG63zCZiaA/V2NpYX0M7jI/AAAAAAAAJXY/9TtiQmBY2SALdFNcSBw_80JJaOjeqQn9wCKgB/s320/10363937_10152731699907189_3333688436338174984_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then new fender</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mCu2ITKq78Y/V2NpYrZiNiI/AAAAAAAAJXY/c7xSHhRgW-AkaQ4G7lN4j_psTfOd1GuFgCKgB/s1600/10384097_10152731758172189_203084138046578829_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mCu2ITKq78Y/V2NpYrZiNiI/AAAAAAAAJXY/c7xSHhRgW-AkaQ4G7lN4j_psTfOd1GuFgCKgB/s320/10384097_10152731758172189_203084138046578829_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nailed it!</td></tr>
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Later that Fall, we fixed the leak caused by a missing exhaust gasket. That was fun to watch the guy with the grinder, but my car lost its sound after that. It wasn't until this Spring that we actually fixed the side where the tailpipe was disconnected in front of the axle causing exhaust to get pulled into the back window when it was open. How did we fix that, you say? By replacing the tailpipe... and replacing the mufflers with straight pipes. Now it sounds great, and it has some sweet backfires when you rev it up. It feels like a muscle sedan. I love it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AugxR2nGtF0/V2NpY6HY14I/AAAAAAAAJXY/nrP1IHsSmSso2brqRT3sO_Sf_y6JQv53wCKgB/s1600/10390205_10152561879137189_1174595190078809288_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AugxR2nGtF0/V2NpY6HY14I/AAAAAAAAJXY/nrP1IHsSmSso2brqRT3sO_Sf_y6JQv53wCKgB/s320/10390205_10152561879137189_1174595190078809288_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doesn't fit well in the garage</td></tr>
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Last April, I had pieced all the parts I needed together over the Winter, and it was time to do some major rehabilitation on the car's lack of good maintenance. We replaced inner and outer tie rods, adjusting sleeves, all four Moog ball joints, Moog idler arm, polyurethane control arm bushings, P71 front coil springs, KYB P71 shocks on all four corners, heavy duty limo spec air springs, sway bar links, all four pads and rotor with "Severe Duty" semi-metallic pads (designed for towing and pursuit), belt, hoses, coolant flush, plugs, one new ignition coil... I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but that was over a year ago, and it was a lot of parts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQr-TpSVuN4/V2No4D59XVI/AAAAAAAAJXI/ApRlzqxDw50VtJISkLMq4YTxXDX8oqVHwCKgB/s1600/10629742_10152926232662189_2582420160137379827_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQr-TpSVuN4/V2No4D59XVI/AAAAAAAAJXI/ApRlzqxDw50VtJISkLMq4YTxXDX8oqVHwCKgB/s320/10629742_10152926232662189_2582420160137379827_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Polyurethane bushings for the front end</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LLQpKLWFP80/V2No4ZHCj_I/AAAAAAAAJXI/qv96z9qY-esMfx6RBEvPy5vXSImyFk4-gCKgB/s1600/11045324_10153258423917189_7801816746824343515_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LLQpKLWFP80/V2No4ZHCj_I/AAAAAAAAJXI/qv96z9qY-esMfx6RBEvPy5vXSImyFk4-gCKgB/s320/11045324_10153258423917189_7801816746824343515_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Police spec KYB shocks all around</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cmIxKrVB250/V2No4S0dHdI/AAAAAAAAJXI/XQZ6sm1G70ItOPIaJGzdDGAk8euwOxljgCKgB/s1600/11006465_10153440287042189_367048700169558223_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cmIxKrVB250/V2No4S0dHdI/AAAAAAAAJXI/XQZ6sm1G70ItOPIaJGzdDGAk8euwOxljgCKgB/s320/11006465_10153440287042189_367048700169558223_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The suspension installer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iEawuXr3Q80/V2No4uytaEI/AAAAAAAAJXI/BNzzr15vW-Y4AqznYEdFpHDNeq-9x2RlQCKgB/s1600/11061245_10153440286962189_3876607224591676103_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iEawuXr3Q80/V2No4uytaEI/AAAAAAAAJXI/BNzzr15vW-Y4AqznYEdFpHDNeq-9x2RlQCKgB/s320/11061245_10153440286962189_3876607224591676103_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard at work.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EkgOyehkAes/V2No5I6HYfI/AAAAAAAAJXI/SYLUdVca6aYYMiUdh_X1NXpOVM5TDNe2wCKgB/s1600/11259328_10153440286977189_5310932609216131747_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EkgOyehkAes/V2No5I6HYfI/AAAAAAAAJXI/SYLUdVca6aYYMiUdh_X1NXpOVM5TDNe2wCKgB/s320/11259328_10153440286977189_5310932609216131747_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at all those empty boxes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k6YdOTX4CdE/V2No5UAvq3I/AAAAAAAAJXI/tao3IsET-6wn5ZAKxmiUqd6NjOk60KZNgCKgB/s1600/11265035_10153440287107189_500742289835476321_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k6YdOTX4CdE/V2No5UAvq3I/AAAAAAAAJXI/tao3IsET-6wn5ZAKxmiUqd6NjOk60KZNgCKgB/s320/11265035_10153440287107189_500742289835476321_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We might have a problem.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y77JMooh6QI/V2No5Ftw7rI/AAAAAAAAJXI/9YUyuJDbPEwiPhDj58-sbeVNv1wVW3ohACKgB/s1600/11258075_10153440287137189_3512448992692043937_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y77JMooh6QI/V2No5Ftw7rI/AAAAAAAAJXI/9YUyuJDbPEwiPhDj58-sbeVNv1wVW3ohACKgB/s320/11258075_10153440287137189_3512448992692043937_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think we raised it too high.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1LQ7uEHPSTE/V2No4wzG2lI/AAAAAAAAJXI/RqApKsPzQJ8fIfGpwyf7X-feKeqOUxSBwCKgB/s1600/11165321_10153444358257189_6767770666383498736_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1LQ7uEHPSTE/V2No4wzG2lI/AAAAAAAAJXI/RqApKsPzQJ8fIfGpwyf7X-feKeqOUxSBwCKgB/s320/11165321_10153444358257189_6767770666383498736_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, yeah. Definitely too high...</td></tr>
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We also decided to try a trans flush with some Seafoam Trans Tune to try to clean up the solenoids that were most likely causing the shudder. Seafoam is a highly refine oil that works great for cleaning things in your engine, and their Trans Tune is five times the concentration of the regular Seafoam. It worked great. We also figure, while it was open, we should install a $80 shift kit I bought from AmericanMuscle.com for a New Edge Mustang of the same year with the same motor and trans. That also worked great. They advertised tire chirping shifts, but so far the only thing I've chirped had been the belt. Although, I did also install some decent used Michelins on the rear and some amazing new Continental Extreme Contact DWS06 tires on the front and eventually on the back too (because the Michelins were mad at how I do burnouts, now the Contis won't let me). These tires are great and stick really well in corners with my 4,000 lb car. I even left the fronts on over the winter with no real issues! Not bad for a high performance Summer tire.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GA_X-e9sTak/V2No5ImDeeI/AAAAAAAAJXI/_n-TTyrOMqEJK0vqLJHT-FeO_aQ6jD01gCKgB/s1600/11231909_10153471090572189_4380514904099872197_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GA_X-e9sTak/V2No5ImDeeI/AAAAAAAAJXI/_n-TTyrOMqEJK0vqLJHT-FeO_aQ6jD01gCKgB/s320/11231909_10153471090572189_4380514904099872197_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love these tires.</td></tr>
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I wanted my car to be done for Automotion 2015, but it just missed it. I wound up getting it all ready to go in time for Hot Rod Power Tour 2015 a few weeks later instead. I'll tell you about that trip later, but we went 1,200 miles in four days with no issues to speak of. It's really needed next to nothing since then too. I changed the belt tensioner and idler pulley, and I finally bought a marker light, but mechanically... No. It does have an oil leak, and the bearing is going for the steering gear which has also ruined the seal. I also kind of want to flush the brake fluid, cut the coils in front, the driver's window regulator is on its way out, and I still haven't fixed the blend door. I'm talking about fixing the rest of the paint and body work possibly this Summer, and I've got a guy who will literally give me a LSD with 4.11 gears for this thing which raises the debate of powerslides vs highway mileage. Maybe I'll try to get a 3.73 ring and pinion to fit his carrier. We'll see.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VLxfSgRV21U/V2NpZMPUNEI/AAAAAAAAJXY/NUORFYH84T8BZo36hOuJ0jvKmFU_ssP-ACKgB/s1600/10401535_10152736421782189_3592168116814029787_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VLxfSgRV21U/V2NpZMPUNEI/AAAAAAAAJXY/NUORFYH84T8BZo36hOuJ0jvKmFU_ssP-ACKgB/s320/10401535_10152736421782189_3592168116814029787_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first day I drove it to work.</td></tr>
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So this is what has been done to my car in the two years I've owned it. I love my car. It's one of my favorite chassis so far that I've driven. This is my second Vic, and I've decided I need about six more for the projects in my head, but until then, I'll keep rockin' my bitchin' daily because she's a good girl when she has to be, but she's naughty when you want it. I love my car.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f3S7aDpA8M4/V2NpZFitCvI/AAAAAAAAJXY/XP_oRrM4kkY20yhl55xRTrxTBJK5N0ydACKgB/s1600/1526305_10152863708732189_8809692132936095894_n%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f3S7aDpA8M4/V2NpZFitCvI/AAAAAAAAJXY/XP_oRrM4kkY20yhl55xRTrxTBJK5N0ydACKgB/s320/1526305_10152863708732189_8809692132936095894_n%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My car and I on set, acting like a police chief.</td></tr>
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<br />Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08625879578538987788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177088555140495230.post-75743449879221926642016-06-16T21:40:00.003-05:002016-06-16T21:40:39.319-05:00ViciversarySometimes you need to celebrate the relationships you have in your life.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X2A-cRcgcoI/V2NbVUi59WI/AAAAAAAAJTY/QsYfqS1OkTc-aL89eg3XWnSHUD1Unk3pwCLcB/s1600/11899821_877312012353272_7493394797246147458_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X2A-cRcgcoI/V2NbVUi59WI/AAAAAAAAJTY/QsYfqS1OkTc-aL89eg3XWnSHUD1Unk3pwCLcB/s320/11899821_877312012353272_7493394797246147458_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feel the love.</td></tr>
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As of May 22nd, I have had my '02 Crown Vic for two years, and because I've never written it down, and my brother says my blogs are better when I talk about trips I did as opposed to car build ideas, I figured I'd tell you about the day I bought my car because I had a very Roadkill experience. I'm also going to do a post where I tell you all the things we've done to make it better, and Ben will just have to deal with it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eqo1-cLnGpA/V2NbrJxPapI/AAAAAAAAJTk/buZX_8XyUoUGw0kDsvOHv0imG2EPY3ALACLcB/s1600/2014-08-05%2B14.29.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eqo1-cLnGpA/V2NbrJxPapI/AAAAAAAAJTk/buZX_8XyUoUGw0kDsvOHv0imG2EPY3ALACLcB/s320/2014-08-05%2B14.29.21.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is almost as far apart as we've had it.</td></tr>
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Back in 2013, I was really wanting to get back into a Crown Vic, and I was very vocal about this fact. I would talk to my coworkers about it, I was always looking at them on Craigslist, I had a whole plan on what I would do with one, and I had even figured out a nickname for it (which I now don't agree with). The only thing I hadn't done was started to save for one. Going through the winter and spring of 2014, I had scraped together something like $600 or $800, and I was watching again, looking for the '03 that was just for me. Eventually, in March, I found a sweet deal on a car I didn't want. It was an '02 LX Sport for $1,150 down in Indianapolis that had some unintentional body modifications performed by another driver. It looked like someone backed into it in a parking lot. I thought about this car for a while only because it had the Marauder interior, and I could buy all the parts separately online for just about the same price as buying the car, but I'd get a car too. It was a deal too good to pass up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8FNqYWnGYno/V2NeVCgq0lI/AAAAAAAAJT8/Q2sUdv1B2qol4RakwEisiKsYoYEcnxEfwCLcB/s1600/10391413_10152550411497189_7178432222161669073_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8FNqYWnGYno/V2NeVCgq0lI/AAAAAAAAJT8/Q2sUdv1B2qol4RakwEisiKsYoYEcnxEfwCLcB/s320/10391413_10152550411497189_7178432222161669073_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why wouldn't you want to buy this?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dulnXHSQUqQ/V2NeU1XzXtI/AAAAAAAAJT0/g_QrkZ0qQuM5idOdbf9ip18vNj2msg4lACKgB/s1600/10378312_10152550411297189_7815485675972652726_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dulnXHSQUqQ/V2NeU1XzXtI/AAAAAAAAJT0/g_QrkZ0qQuM5idOdbf9ip18vNj2msg4lACKgB/s320/10378312_10152550411297189_7815485675972652726_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the console?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R_uiwIiDyCs/V2NeU_6sBqI/AAAAAAAAJT4/0MW1aelVCl8l0bnmSuW2wavAVeQM8smGACKgB/s1600/10175059_10152550411337189_6706892019624824880_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R_uiwIiDyCs/V2NeU_6sBqI/AAAAAAAAJT4/0MW1aelVCl8l0bnmSuW2wavAVeQM8smGACKgB/s320/10175059_10152550411337189_6706892019624824880_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And it has leather! And the kid doesn't come with it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After about two weeks of lusting over its pictures online, my mom basically said "either buy it or shut up." She could've just as easily said, "if you like it so much, why don't you marry it" because that's pretty much what happened. She spotted me the difference, and I setup a plan to go get it. As usual, I disregarded all her "don't have rose-colored glasses," "just because we drove this far doesn't mean you have to buy it" warnings and jump head-first into the shallow pool that is Crown Vic ownership and customization. We had it scheduled to go down and pick it up on my day off, a Wednesday. Not only that, a Wednesday whose Tuesday I closed at 9:15 and whose Thursday I opened at 6:45. I've since learned not to do that again... I think.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MS1DbkgT6eI/V2NbBua_6mI/AAAAAAAAJTg/YBnUkS3JRQ81NfRx1ZVojpIhynApwNlgACKgB/s1600/10402077_10152546681002189_2326257652593640841_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MS1DbkgT6eI/V2NbBua_6mI/AAAAAAAAJTg/YBnUkS3JRQ81NfRx1ZVojpIhynApwNlgACKgB/s320/10402077_10152546681002189_2326257652593640841_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's only a 6-ish hour trip... there...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I made a list so many times in my head of all the things we may or may not need for this trip. I bought a headlight to go in the open hole where the old one used to sit. I had tools, two spare tires, air compressor, two I-passes, tow strap, 3-tom floor jack, electric impact, and so much more I can't even remember. (It would help if I could find the picture I took of all the stuff I was bringing on our excursion.) I packed everything up in my Mom's Forester, and we hit the road at about 9:30. I had forgotten the time change, so we were basically two hours late by the time we left, but nothing could get me down today; I was buying a car!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SXbQvmp73FA/V2NbBBUA9HI/AAAAAAAAJTg/EPoPG0uRf_U8bE6RqtxYWHKFycXLPMiWQCKgB/s1600/10392366_10152546688247189_7143537921865377679_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SXbQvmp73FA/V2NbBBUA9HI/AAAAAAAAJTg/EPoPG0uRf_U8bE6RqtxYWHKFycXLPMiWQCKgB/s320/10392366_10152546688247189_7143537921865377679_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day-of passenger selfie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As we drove South through Illinois, I was becoming more and more giddy in anticipation of what was awaiting me in Indy. We got to Bloomington-Normal, and turned East. Somewhere around Champagne is when things started to turn. We were driving along seeing some nice puffy clouds when they started to get darker and thicker. It wasn't long before we were driving along an angry front that came bearing gifts for everyone in Southern Indiana that day. We dodged the rain most of the way into Indy, but once it was time to be outside, that's, of course, when it struck with most of its fury.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1GSo5Mb1qec/V2NbB0H3W9I/AAAAAAAAJTg/j_maKMKzsKQuaI3Z2oTxjJvgTckx8JSwgCKgB/s1600/10411958_10152546533762189_4538160472495351038_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1GSo5Mb1qec/V2NbB0H3W9I/AAAAAAAAJTg/j_maKMKzsKQuaI3Z2oTxjJvgTckx8JSwgCKgB/s320/10411958_10152546533762189_4538160472495351038_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We left Wisconsin in this... </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cuBVimDjyNE/V2NbB2CYGQI/AAAAAAAAJTg/pZkxv5WU7o0QMDAxZZYSjQRGrUd-dGp8gCKgB/s1600/10403412_10152546763942189_956120997115562773_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cuBVimDjyNE/V2NbB2CYGQI/AAAAAAAAJTg/pZkxv5WU7o0QMDAxZZYSjQRGrUd-dGp8gCKgB/s320/10403412_10152546763942189_956120997115562773_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...which changed to this...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qALlmw5AsoU/V2NbAlvPa9I/AAAAAAAAJTg/YaQq9gsrtR0yg4z07Ai6Oi7gshvPTLQVQCKgB/s1600/10299129_10152546910012189_4096110439663465412_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qALlmw5AsoU/V2NbAlvPa9I/AAAAAAAAJTg/YaQq9gsrtR0yg4z07Ai6Oi7gshvPTLQVQCKgB/s320/10299129_10152546910012189_4096110439663465412_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...which changed to this out my side...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qfM3_5_vYm4/V2NbBHP8osI/AAAAAAAAJTg/OsM1OMD_3N0N99CgdLnot8Dpu-xOygUUACKgB/s1600/10373677_10152546910102189_3799107374931288191_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qfM3_5_vYm4/V2NbBHP8osI/AAAAAAAAJTg/OsM1OMD_3N0N99CgdLnot8Dpu-xOygUUACKgB/s320/10373677_10152546910102189_3799107374931288191_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...this out the front...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-otNyrpcLjtU/V2NbAdVp5LI/AAAAAAAAJTg/YVsCxG1MXI8JVDRzTJioPvE489fJQK-0ACKgB/s1600/10292483_10152546907207189_3317506812941786504_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-otNyrpcLjtU/V2NbAdVp5LI/AAAAAAAAJTg/YVsCxG1MXI8JVDRzTJioPvE489fJQK-0ACKgB/s320/10292483_10152546907207189_3317506812941786504_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and this out the left.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDb3Z5VWcpQ/V2NbAZVxGOI/AAAAAAAAJTg/U_c9FvXUyJc1FDLGTE8c4DQOBDfYxZSZwCKgB/s1600/10276981_10152546842482189_3688181323805201296_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDb3Z5VWcpQ/V2NbAZVxGOI/AAAAAAAAJTg/U_c9FvXUyJc1FDLGTE8c4DQOBDfYxZSZwCKgB/s320/10276981_10152546842482189_3688181323805201296_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inevitably, this is how we entered Indy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We drove through a fairly run down and ghetto-ish area and pulled into the last driveway on a dead end street next to the freeway (I remembered today that it lived on Bacon St). There it was, in all its dents, scratches, falling off paint, and sagged out suspension. I walked up and knocked on the door. Due to our tardy entrance, the owner was currently away picking up her kid from school, but she soon returned, and we got down to business.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8PUlTy32ui0/V2NbAUdZ0OI/AAAAAAAAJTg/SVdSnvDXZpUuhZ9H0xe07LppGYxRj8IKQCKgB/s1600/10294310_10152546995277189_1801444736117497833_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8PUlTy32ui0/V2NbAUdZ0OI/AAAAAAAAJTg/SVdSnvDXZpUuhZ9H0xe07LppGYxRj8IKQCKgB/s320/10294310_10152546995277189_1801444736117497833_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We discussed the car inside it while it down poured, hailed, and dropped small bits of tree all over it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The vehicle was kind of rough, but it was good where I figured it mattered. We fired up the car revealing an angry tone due to several exhaust leaks. As the air ride got up to what I've taken to calling "Attack Mode," the rain chased us into the car... and then was followed by hail. Eventually, I took it for a quick spin. I couldn't stop smiling. It drove like a stuffed chair on a waterbed, the check engine light was on because of a bad coil and a failing dpfe, the torque converter shuddered, the steering was sloppy and worn out, and the blend door motor was shot rendering any temp control useless. That combine with bad wipers and one yellow headlight would strand me later that night out of sheer fear for my life. The car was a pile, but it was my pile. They don't call them "Charlie Cars" for nothing, and this would prove to be simultaneously the best and worst one to date.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Lmx_XGBHno/V2NbA5HJK1I/AAAAAAAAJTg/NS5JEADDfP4bLX1jNeyBFHdVtmRM0UhgACKgB/s1600/10306263_10152547236437189_8918667089108792398_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Lmx_XGBHno/V2NbA5HJK1I/AAAAAAAAJTg/NS5JEADDfP4bLX1jNeyBFHdVtmRM0UhgACKgB/s320/10306263_10152547236437189_8918667089108792398_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everything's better when wet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I got back, and we talked money. I was nothing but smiles and butterflies. I basically said, "take my money" and walked outside with a title. I backed as far as I could into their garage and got to work. The car came with two flat tires and a space saver donut that didn't fit the car unless you installed it backwards. I had brought two spares that were the wrong tier size, wrong backspacing and offset, took the wrong style lug nut, and were the wrong make. They were the right bolt pattern, and I was determined to make them work. It looked stupid, but I didn't care. We went to find it gas and then us some food.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iAkFzqXzZPQ/V2NhBeNKi2I/AAAAAAAAJUQ/5CSPKy2qiZAn7Gt1pz8DcFgiuudM8TKpACLcB/s1600/10344797_10152547236502189_157556952444694973_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iAkFzqXzZPQ/V2NhBeNKi2I/AAAAAAAAJUQ/5CSPKy2qiZAn7Gt1pz8DcFgiuudM8TKpACLcB/s320/10344797_10152547236502189_157556952444694973_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I could just fit the trunk into their garage enough to swap tires around to limp it home... 400 miles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At Speedway, not far from their house, I aired up the tires because my spares were kind of flat, and we topped off both cars. We opted to attempt to ride the storm out at a neighboring Steak n' Shake for a bit and celebrate what we'd just done. I couldn't stop looking at it out the window. We soon decided to press on and retraced our route from that morning as the light went away.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i0J4EujpMDY/V2NbAOXH8iI/AAAAAAAAJTg/784W9G3SpFsXPxFLCJ3C20EGoQEynD_eACKgB/s1600/10253768_10152547236657189_2050585921908309104_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i0J4EujpMDY/V2NbAOXH8iI/AAAAAAAAJTg/784W9G3SpFsXPxFLCJ3C20EGoQEynD_eACKgB/s320/10253768_10152547236657189_2050585921908309104_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuel stop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L6XKGp2rYSo/V2NbAGl550I/AAAAAAAAJTg/39M-0g3Ohl83lzpuob601WapXLYOQo6zACKgB/s1600/10268567_10152548218047189_2120585681118059275_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L6XKGp2rYSo/V2NbAGl550I/AAAAAAAAJTg/39M-0g3Ohl83lzpuob601WapXLYOQo6zACKgB/s320/10268567_10152548218047189_2120585681118059275_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These Buick wheels look like crap on here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vvHXfWrR-20/V2NbBW3s42I/AAAAAAAAJTg/zXJR15HS9WYIaaSQw---w6sI4rgnkH41gCKgB/s1600/10398707_10152547236822189_3692721413138688394_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vvHXfWrR-20/V2NbBW3s42I/AAAAAAAAJTg/zXJR15HS9WYIaaSQw---w6sI4rgnkH41gCKgB/s320/10398707_10152547236822189_3692721413138688394_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm obsessed...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T9dge4gavEc/V2NbC6uxutI/AAAAAAAAJTg/ECeykupAFns7DfcV1RRB7FjvDdnUldd0wCKgB/s1600/1907347_10152548218077189_4107148503722487134_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T9dge4gavEc/V2NbC6uxutI/AAAAAAAAJTg/ECeykupAFns7DfcV1RRB7FjvDdnUldd0wCKgB/s320/1907347_10152548218077189_4107148503722487134_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rockin' down the highway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Things were going well as I drove in bliss into the sunset in my new, bitchin' Marauder wannabe. I was listening to some tunes with the window down and having a blast waiting for my time to fall off and kill me. I was really unsure whether my lug nuts would stay tight because of how I massacred the Buick Regal wheels with my acorn lug nuts that effortlessly dug their way into the aluminum of the wheels to force their own countersink. I'm a bit of a gambler, so I just drove 70 and waited for death. Once we got back into Illinois, the rain came back and hard. Between one junk headlight, terribly worn out wiper blades, too much rain, no good defroster, and worthless tires wanting to hydroplane (which felt even stranger with one tire not matching the height or placement of the other three), I couldn't see the lines to stay in my lane or even follow the road, and after a couple semis passed me, I made the call. We pulled off in a tiny town at a tiny truck stop and waited out the heavier rain and talked strategy. My brother also called to see how things were going, and I took the opportunity under the canopy of the fuel pumps to install my second headlamp. It was perfectly zip tied in place right up until I tightened them down. The rest of the trip that light was used to illuminate the undersides of trees in the median as I drove, but I was legal!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s3NaR7p8Zhs/V2NbBjgYnsI/AAAAAAAAJTg/FgsxAZsFXQUwN6UA2uzvAhYW4F389M1qwCKgB/s1600/10402605_10152548218122189_2372146704449681615_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s3NaR7p8Zhs/V2NbBjgYnsI/AAAAAAAAJTg/FgsxAZsFXQUwN6UA2uzvAhYW4F389M1qwCKgB/s320/10402605_10152548218122189_2372146704449681615_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How it came, but I brought a headlight just for this reason.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bUINd1Fti9s/V2NbA-BosGI/AAAAAAAAJTg/5jmFDCXSyPQc01Qmtp2tmFZIMQ9bmZPsQCKgB/s1600/10308148_10152548218167189_7482598729181780522_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bUINd1Fti9s/V2NbA-BosGI/AAAAAAAAJTg/5jmFDCXSyPQc01Qmtp2tmFZIMQ9bmZPsQCKgB/s320/10308148_10152548218167189_7482598729181780522_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But the mounts were all broken...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b3IQXxCfsNw/V2NbA9UGKyI/AAAAAAAAJTg/9O6OC9BRWewdZGJXlVYdrUPM0trt6gkFACKgB/s1600/10334254_10152548218202189_507926648369167927_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b3IQXxCfsNw/V2NbA9UGKyI/AAAAAAAAJTg/9O6OC9BRWewdZGJXlVYdrUPM0trt6gkFACKgB/s320/10334254_10152548218202189_507926648369167927_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back on the road again. Next time, I'll bring wipers too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The rain had lightened up, and by the time we turned Northbound again, it dried up completely. I rolled my windows down and basked in the lap of luxury... poorly maintained luxury. We topped off the cars again just on the south side of the WI border in Loves Park, and I had gotten 23 mpg highway! This car was clearly too good for me, but yet it was perfect for me. We arrived home at 2 AM. We were exhausted, and I had to be to work by 6:45. It was a short night, but a good day. I walked out the door the next morning completely comatose, but I couldn't stop smiling when I saw my new Vic in the driveway. It was a long day of dragging my tail at work, but it was well worth it. It wouldn't be for another 10 weeks before I actually got to drive it to work, but was all in on this car.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5xPPCnnIx6M/V2NbB3fmWFI/AAAAAAAAJTg/K4kIk69tgao8iINoN1ZW1z-UUrTfuY96QCKgB/s1600/1378872_10152548416742189_636406748751290687_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5xPPCnnIx6M/V2NbB3fmWFI/AAAAAAAAJTg/K4kIk69tgao8iINoN1ZW1z-UUrTfuY96QCKgB/s320/1378872_10152548416742189_636406748751290687_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was 6:30 the next morning. So worth it.</td></tr>
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Next time, I'll tell you what all we did to the car. Then, I'll tell you about our big road trip on Hot Rod Power Tour 2015. See you then!Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08625879578538987788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177088555140495230.post-48242113486368087762016-05-08T23:20:00.003-05:002016-05-08T23:20:57.525-05:00Armadillo<div dir="ltr">
As you know, I'm a big fan of full-size cars and wagons... and full-size wagons. There has been one model of wagon that has intrigued me for quite a while now, but I've never owned it. That wagon is the '93-'95 Buick Roadmaster wagon. I was shopping around for one, but between the price, milage, and look, I opted for my first Crown Vic. (Brand loyalty may have also had a role in that decision, but those wagons hold their value like Subarus!) Something about those wagons pulls me in every time.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gLBEnnWfFHU/VzANi266LLI/AAAAAAAAJLU/ixUENtjrzB8NMykXqEy8D485otipWRQ9gCLcB/s1600/198871_4486067188_4500_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gLBEnnWfFHU/VzANi266LLI/AAAAAAAAJLU/ixUENtjrzB8NMykXqEy8D485otipWRQ9gCLcB/s320/198871_4486067188_4500_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You may not remember when this happened...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8LF7t-Okuk4/VzANjPXtyRI/AAAAAAAAJLY/TQUKtpd5LuAqPoaO_xi8rMcxRZL2-sPVwCLcB/s1600/199423_4485977188_2097_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8LF7t-Okuk4/VzANjPXtyRI/AAAAAAAAJLY/TQUKtpd5LuAqPoaO_xi8rMcxRZL2-sPVwCLcB/s320/199423_4485977188_2097_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...or this, but I do. I was 17</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XgI6I7AKQps/VzANjiC3OhI/AAAAAAAAJLs/cSbnnP4gC6wkg7mLfIBqAHRJmq2t73GTQCLcB/s1600/2015-04-25%2B20.46.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XgI6I7AKQps/VzANjiC3OhI/AAAAAAAAJLs/cSbnnP4gC6wkg7mLfIBqAHRJmq2t73GTQCLcB/s320/2015-04-25%2B20.46.23.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now for some wagons that further my point.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Wxab8JEQUs/VzANjQ43wzI/AAAAAAAAJLk/X4fwrRg9m04cj3JdSisCXXOjlLJ8jBcdgCLcB/s1600/2015-03-14%2B00.02.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Wxab8JEQUs/VzANjQ43wzI/AAAAAAAAJLk/X4fwrRg9m04cj3JdSisCXXOjlLJ8jBcdgCLcB/s320/2015-03-14%2B00.02.33.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They CAN be cool!</td></tr>
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You're probably wondering why I named this post Armadillo. Back when I was in high school, my uncle was talking about how one of the people he worked with thought those wagons look like great big armadillos driving around. We agreed, and the name kind of stuck. It's also pretty funny to see the reactions when you call them that. Come to think of it, it'd be pretty funny to paint one gunmetal grey and get personalized plates for it. "ARMDLO"</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j_kTcYd8VaU/VzANkMwh8YI/AAAAAAAAJMM/5qtObdPmsSMocAvDSOH4QgFxzFWLgEKaACKgB/s1600/Fullscreen-capture-982012-102924-PM.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j_kTcYd8VaU/VzANkMwh8YI/AAAAAAAAJMM/5qtObdPmsSMocAvDSOH4QgFxzFWLgEKaACKgB/s320/Fullscreen-capture-982012-102924-PM.bmp.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well, you get the idea...</td></tr>
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You're probably also asking yourself "why a Roadmaster, and not an Impala SS?" While the Impala makes more power and is desirable as a collector car, the Roadmaster is something that can be customized without ridicule for changing a limited production model. I also don't really like the Caprice sedan body, and I'm not a fan of paying collector car prices. If I found an SS for $1500, yeah, I'd probably buy it and fix it up, but I'd probably sell it for Roadmaster money. After all, the Roadmaster is a wagon!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pzzYJJ5hVto/VzANjYV4sOI/AAAAAAAAJMM/jsOLzRHRarYz-Gmqq9a-s5sRJqIiNC-NACKgB/s1600/1992_buick_roadmaster_4_dr_base_sedan-pic-754723291614677057.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pzzYJJ5hVto/VzANjYV4sOI/AAAAAAAAJMM/jsOLzRHRarYz-Gmqq9a-s5sRJqIiNC-NACKgB/s320/1992_buick_roadmaster_4_dr_base_sedan-pic-754723291614677057.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, they made a sedan, but that's beside the point. Why?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Syaacn0_q98/VzANjXUewcI/AAAAAAAAJMM/qNMrOj3qV9UntLymWIoYQGS8ceh_RdekQCKgB/s1600/1995_buick_roadmaster-pic-17057.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Syaacn0_q98/VzANjXUewcI/AAAAAAAAJMM/qNMrOj3qV9UntLymWIoYQGS8ceh_RdekQCKgB/s320/1995_buick_roadmaster-pic-17057.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because wagon!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NQhFiidhrYU/VzANjWUiulI/AAAAAAAAJMM/xKZJurCkWkAlMxXX26otsO5WGk9uwzHGACKgB/s1600/2015-04-11%2B14.32.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NQhFiidhrYU/VzANjWUiulI/AAAAAAAAJMM/xKZJurCkWkAlMxXX26otsO5WGk9uwzHGACKgB/s320/2015-04-11%2B14.32.57.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or I could always Caddy clone it</td></tr>
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I've looked for Roadmasters to buy in the past, and I'd had thoughts on how to build them. I always told myself I wanted one with a 350 because why would you buy one with its achilles already severed? Then there was the thought of doing a big block swap. I could build a Roadmaster 454 SS, although it's a Buick, so I supposed it'd have to be a GS. If you did a 454 swap though, you'd have a lot of weight (yes, you'll have this regardless), no room to work in the engine bay, and big blocks always seem to cost more to build (granted, I come from a Ford background and haven't really looked into costs of building a 454). It seems to me like keeping a lighter engine in the front will offer a more balance weight distribution. I know it's not a Miata, but I also know what I like to do with my cars. I want seven things out of my cars, in this order; handling, good ride, torque, loud pipes, reliability, haul my drum set, and moderate fuel economy. I've only had one car that didn't haul the drums (Fiero, but it wasn't my only car, and it was super fun), but most of my other cars have either checked all those boxed or steps were taken to make the boxes get checked. Why should a full-size wagon be any different? Heck, if I can make a Crown Vic Autocross, why can't I do the same with a Roadmaster?!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1yFtz2khu9k/VzANkAgLXdI/AAAAAAAAJMM/rs0JpBJ01MEfdgCst--dzQvQpF14vQaSQCKgB/s1600/2762557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1yFtz2khu9k/VzANkAgLXdI/AAAAAAAAJMM/rs0JpBJ01MEfdgCst--dzQvQpF14vQaSQCKgB/s320/2762557.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And to think, you thought I wouldn't find a picture of a Roadmaster on a race track. Ha!</td></tr>
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The other great reason to buy a Roadmaster is because road trips are still a thing. As often as I can, I love to hop in my car and just blast down some two-lane roads with the tunes playing. My Vic was great on Power Tour in 2015, but I kept seeing older wagons and about 15 Roadmasters on tour. Every time I thought "that's the way to do it." The beauty of driving a wagon is it fits all your friends, all your gear, and all your beer with ease and comfort. There's so much room in those big, old wagons, you could almost pick up hitchhikers on your way too! They've got space, style, and are still rockin' a V8 and rwd. They're pretty much the ultimate road trip vehicle.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N055idBWz_s/VzANj55pCkI/AAAAAAAAJMM/J0eYRkr5BZ8RQsGFIdag-6jc3gMwrWFRACKgB/s1600/2015-05-31%2B21.05.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N055idBWz_s/VzANj55pCkI/AAAAAAAAJMM/J0eYRkr5BZ8RQsGFIdag-6jc3gMwrWFRACKgB/s320/2015-05-31%2B21.05.40.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tell me how that doesn't scream open road</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_bf-GtI4T6k/VzANjnBxgZI/AAAAAAAAJMM/RKnNkBit7xw0XXrnUbELZWJ4INaIoGIBQCKgB/s1600/2015-05-10%2B13.44.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_bf-GtI4T6k/VzANjnBxgZI/AAAAAAAAJMM/RKnNkBit7xw0XXrnUbELZWJ4INaIoGIBQCKgB/s320/2015-05-10%2B13.44.49.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Especially when you throw on a camper</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h0mxZoCm_Ww/VzANj6b3q3I/AAAAAAAAJMM/8S7b1kvBcv0IKHOb0ZgyYJkhGHTs-GgFACKgB/s1600/2015-05-20%2B14.03.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h0mxZoCm_Ww/VzANj6b3q3I/AAAAAAAAJMM/8S7b1kvBcv0IKHOb0ZgyYJkhGHTs-GgFACKgB/s320/2015-05-20%2B14.03.23.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wagons are perfectly practical vehicles.</td></tr>
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Now to the meat and potatoes, here's my idea. Everybody's talking LS swap, LS swap, LS swap, and you know what? They're not wrong. You can get LS motors for cheap, and you can get parts to make them work in anything for not that much more than the motor costs. Some people do the 4.8, and most people do the 5.3, but in a big bodied wagon like this, I say go big with the 6.0. The newer gen IV motors claim 345 hp and 380 ft-lb stock! Just think what you could get with some mods! It seems like with some porting, a can, and some better air flow both in and out of the motor, I bet 500 hp wouldn't be that much more of a stretch, and just think what could happen with a turbo or a supercharger. It would be a disservice to keep an automatic behind that potent of a motor, and in the spirit of road trips, I'd opt for a 6-speed. I'd also get rid of the air ride rear suspension and get some nice moderately stiff springs all around that would also lower it an inch or so. All that's left is rims, tires, pipes, and paint, and you'd be hittin' the road! I always imagined mine as being that eggplant purple they came in with some woodgrain flames, but that's just my strange idea. Then again, isn't that what this page is all about?!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iiLjCv5UME8/VzANkD94GyI/AAAAAAAAJMM/cIzIkTnIldIVXOHfk80lT5yy_aTNvyjqwCKgB/s1600/FB_IMG_1459781439879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iiLjCv5UME8/VzANkD94GyI/AAAAAAAAJMM/cIzIkTnIldIVXOHfk80lT5yy_aTNvyjqwCKgB/s320/FB_IMG_1459781439879.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drawing courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JCautoart/" target="_blank">Julie Stitt</a></td></tr>
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Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08625879578538987788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177088555140495230.post-26715245662254839042016-05-04T22:13:00.002-05:002016-05-04T22:13:12.626-05:00Up in SmokeHere's a bonus post to take you from Big Block week into next week's post. Enjoy the tire smoke, but if you don't have time for the whole thing, jump to the 9:00 minute mark.<br />
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Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08625879578538987788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177088555140495230.post-13569367153927089282016-04-29T15:00:00.000-05:002016-04-29T15:00:05.906-05:004/29 - Happy Thunder Jet day!Wrapping up our 2016 rendition of Big Block week is Thunder Jet day. As time goes by, things get replaced with newer, fancier, shinier things. Such was life for the 428 Cobra Jet. In '68, Ford introduced the new 429 Thunder Jet in the '68 Thunderbird. This motor was based on the new 385 family of Ford V8s (along with the 460). This motor was newer and a bit more conducive to the high revving nature of racing and was meant to replace the 428 on the track until Ford decided to discontinue its factory racing efforts for the '70 season. Instead, the motor was found as a motor option for things like Galaxies, Torinos, Mustangs, and Rancheros that the owners decided needed more oomph on the street.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuYNNo3GAZE/VyGK-iCey_I/AAAAAAAAJJU/M49Hzo0KSsQeA3kxzxe_oSL2BIolRpXvwCLcB/s1600/1972_ford_thunderbird-pic-39664.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuYNNo3GAZE/VyGK-iCey_I/AAAAAAAAJJU/M49Hzo0KSsQeA3kxzxe_oSL2BIolRpXvwCLcB/s320/1972_ford_thunderbird-pic-39664.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also, not as cool looking with only one carb</td></tr>
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The only shimmers of racing hope for the 429 were found in the Mustang Boss 429 and the race version of the Torino Talladega, but the homologation Talladegas still got the 428 Cobra Jet. The Torino Talladega was another factory race car built with extra aerodynamic components like the Daytona and Superbird. The Talladega came first and dominated the '69 Nascar leaderboards. The Mopars came in '70, and by the end of the season, all the aero models were banned. Soon after, Nascar made a rule that the engines could be no larger than 305 cubic inches of displacement, so the big blocks were all but done. Add the fuel crisis of '73, and it's a pretty bleak picture for the 400+ V8s. By the late '70s, big blocks were only options on trucks or large, full-size sedans and wagon, but even they were strangled by emissions regulations. The glory days of hot rods and factory race teams seemed to have passed away. Only recently has it been rekindled by the new retro muscle cars and their mid-sized, high horsepower V8s. It will be interesting to see how far they go with it and what will cause them to tame it back down.<br />
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Now for the pictures:<br />
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Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08625879578538987788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177088555140495230.post-3825481625111150242016-04-28T22:22:00.002-05:002016-04-28T22:22:30.905-05:004/28 - Happy Cobra Jet day!Day three of four on Big Block week features the Ford 428 Cobra Jet V8. This motor was the direct successor to the 427 SOHC thrown. It didn't share much with the 427 even though they are both derived from the same family of Ford motors, the FE. The 427's engine block was decided to be too expensive to build and too easy to have issues casting them, but they took the things they learned on the 427 and incorporated them into an older FE variation with a larger bore and stroke and made the 428. The side oiling, hemispherical combustion chambers, and overhead cams were gone, and a classic pushrod V8 remained. This motor was then reworked with more 427 technology to make the higher performance 428 Cobra Jet and again to render the 428 Super Cobra Jet.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gotta love the shaker hood scoop</td></tr>
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The most remembered is the Cobra Jet motor mostly for its accompanying the Mustang Cobra Jet, a factory lightweight, body-in-white, race-only model you could special order direct from Ford. It even had a plaque inside stating it was not for street use. I'm not even sure if they had VINs. The Cobra Jet was the go-to car for trying to win on the drag strip. It gave the Hemis a run for their money. It was also once again legal to run in Nascar. Fords were winning races again, and life was good.<br />
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Show me more!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm adding the Talladega pics to today's post because the homologation cars had a 428 even though the race models had the 429. This leave room for more awesome Boss 429 pictures tomorrow.</td></tr>
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Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08625879578538987788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177088555140495230.post-86588295135514322922016-04-27T21:39:00.000-05:002016-04-27T22:08:01.347-05:004/27 - Happy Thunderbolt Day!Welcome back to Big Block Week. Today is my favorite day of the week because the 427 SOHC V8 came in one of my favorite cars in all of history, the Ford Galaxie (preferably '63-'64). The 427 also used hemispherical combustion chambers, but was unique in utilizing an overhead cam on each bank of cylinders to run the valvetrain. Overhead cams are usually used to provide better power through a higher rev range. Most newer economy cars offer a dual overhead cam setup for even better power and revs because they use four valves per piston instead of two. (The 4.6L V8 in my Vic had a SOHC setup and hemispherical combustion chambers too, but much lower displacement.) The 427 also used side oiling for better lubrication during high rpm instances.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So pretty...</td></tr>
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The Hemi may have had a a short, catchy name, but the 427 Thunderbolt has a far more commanding sound to it. Similarly, the wing cars with the Hemi were banned due to being so far superior, but back in '65, the 427 motor was banned for being to good first. The Thunderbolt did have a better life in NHRA drag racing though. As part of the muscle car wars, Ford put their 427 in lightweight Galaxies in '63-'64, and in '64 decided to shoe-horn it into a lightweight '64 Fairlane 2-door post, first adopting the Thunderbolt name badge.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because the post cars were cheaper</td></tr>
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In the mid-'60s, the 427 was also in the Ford GT40 and Shelby's AC Cobra where they won several road races including 24 hours of Le Mans where it took the first three places and beat Ferraris at their own game.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note: This is a '60s GT40, not a newer retro Ford GT</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you even imagine what it would be like to drive this?!</td></tr>
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This motor wasn't offered as long in production cars, so I'm going to cut to the chase. Check out these sweet picture!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wcWMutKAqeI/VyFySw6yVZI/AAAAAAAAJIY/ywX6Ak-9h9EfT2qCKeHodRbqlFjLXEUxQCKgB/s1600/Thunderbolt%2Bwagon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wcWMutKAqeI/VyFySw6yVZI/AAAAAAAAJIY/ywX6Ak-9h9EfT2qCKeHodRbqlFjLXEUxQCKgB/s320/Thunderbolt%2Bwagon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a Thunderbolt wagon "clone" because they didn't make a Thunderbolt wagon, but look at how cool that is!</td></tr>
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Videos!<br />
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Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08625879578538987788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177088555140495230.post-16662481208567401722016-04-26T22:53:00.001-05:002016-04-26T23:15:38.092-05:004/26 - Happy Hemi Day!Guess what I remembered at work today? It's Big Block Week! And with that, today is national Hemi Day (in my mind); a day were I and anyone who cares or pays attention celebrates the glorious awesomeness that was the 426 Hemi.<br />
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The 426 was the second generation of Hemi engines after the earlier 392 Hemi. The Hemi gets its name from the hemispherical combustion chambers in the cylinder heads. They made better power, and some manufacturers utilized this technology, but Dodge was the first to coin the term Hemi and copyright it for branding, marketing, and propaganda purposes. It seemed to do the trick. The Hemis were a 426 cubic inch V8 that boasted 425hp back in the mid-'60s. It remained the most powerful V8 Dodge put into a production car until the introduction of the third generation Hemis in the new Chargers, Magnums, 300Cs, and retro Challengers, but they've been far overshadowed by the new 6.4L 392s and their Hellcat siblings.<br />
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The classic Hemis were built in the midst of the muscle car wars of the '60s when the bir car companies were racing nearly stock versions of normal passenger cars on the track in racing leagues like Nascar (stock car racing) and NHRA (drag racing). They wanted the most power, so they could get the most wins because of their philosophy of "win on Sunday, sell on Monday." They figured that people wanted the biggest, meanest, most badass car they could buy, and if they were winning races, people would want to buy their cars. This is what fueled the muscle car wars, and this is why we now have Big Block Week.<br />
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The Hemis could be found in all kinds of big, B-body Mopars such as Chargers, Coronets, Roadrunners, etc, but they were also in the newer, smaller E-body Challengers and Cudas to compete in the newer "Pony car" class. For drag racing, they even offered a lightweight Dart or Barracuda in '68 that feature several weight-saving parts as well as a Hemi and a 4-speed. In '69, Mopar introduced the "wing cars," the Daytona and Superbird, with their nose cones and large spoilers to add aerodynamics to their Nascar race cars powered by Hemis. Nascar soon banned them because they were too much better than the other cars in their class.<br />
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Enough talking; look at these things!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'70 Roadrunner is my second favorite.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7scUpBKk97I/VyAx-QperNI/AAAAAAAAJHc/ToaH-qm7onsCOFflgPZZeAKI-9AWhauXACKgB/s1600/0686a86c23b7d3ff01bb2428e8721156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7scUpBKk97I/VyAx-QperNI/AAAAAAAAJHc/ToaH-qm7onsCOFflgPZZeAKI-9AWhauXACKgB/s320/0686a86c23b7d3ff01bb2428e8721156.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cudas are my favorite. Powerball, dude. Powerball.</td></tr>
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Now check out these vulgar displays of power from some Hemis;<br />
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Not necessarily Hemi cars, but still fun Mopar burnouts:<br />
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See you tomorrow!</div>
Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08625879578538987788noreply@blogger.com0