Horrible movie, nearly unwatchable even for a Nancy McKeon fan. BUT it did have an unexpected surprise. Bob Denver (you know, Gilligan) plays the father of an outcast. Denver buys a new sports car, a 1979 Gold TA. Michael J. Fox decides that he is going to race that car against Anthony Edwards' (the prototypical 80s preppie HS snob/bad guy) Porsche.
Unfortunately the race never happens as Edwards' groupies derail the plan and the TA ends up "totalled". *That* was painful to watch, but probably not as painful as the whole movie. Or then again, maybe it was.
During the holiday break Noah was sick, and so we spent a LOT of time inside. Not to mention it finally decided to rain in Georgia, which doubled our stir-craziness. SPEED TV was running the 2007 Barrett-Jackson auction for several days in a row, and I was totally glued. If only they didn't go to commercial break every time a Pontiac came up!
Sigh. I'll be in Arizona for the Super Bowl only 10 days after the 2008 auction in Scottsdale. Damn!
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Paint Job
Ok, so when I was driving the Sebring, I had a few minor scrapes that had me take the car into a local body repair/paint shop.
When I took the car in for an estimate, I mentioned that I had a classic car and might be interested in coming in for a paint job. They showed me around and they even had a few classics in the shop. The shop was clean, well-lit, and had lots going on.
These folks have been in business since the 1970s, BTW. I liked the folks I met with and felt comfortable with them.
Last week I took the TA in for an estimate. Basically, the TA could use some work on the driver's side door, both bumpers and the spoiler. They'd also have to replace one of the decals, the one on the front bumper. For that they quoted me just over a grand.
So I have been mulling that over while soliciting advice from the ACFA, who recommended shops in Covington (45 mins away) and Decatur (close by).
I think if I can get these little paint matters done she will be much more show-worthy, not that I'm complaining. She's still no show queen and I accept that!!!!
I forgot to mention that at the ACFA show in November, the TA was awarded a Participants Pick trophy! The first, and maybe not the last. That was weird. I hadn't gotten any kind of trophy since, oh, 1981, and no plaques since, oh, 1986. BUT I'm not going to be concerned about awards. The point is to drive the car and have fun driving it...right?!
When I took the car in for an estimate, I mentioned that I had a classic car and might be interested in coming in for a paint job. They showed me around and they even had a few classics in the shop. The shop was clean, well-lit, and had lots going on.
These folks have been in business since the 1970s, BTW. I liked the folks I met with and felt comfortable with them.
Last week I took the TA in for an estimate. Basically, the TA could use some work on the driver's side door, both bumpers and the spoiler. They'd also have to replace one of the decals, the one on the front bumper. For that they quoted me just over a grand.
So I have been mulling that over while soliciting advice from the ACFA, who recommended shops in Covington (45 mins away) and Decatur (close by).
I think if I can get these little paint matters done she will be much more show-worthy, not that I'm complaining. She's still no show queen and I accept that!!!!
I forgot to mention that at the ACFA show in November, the TA was awarded a Participants Pick trophy! The first, and maybe not the last. That was weird. I hadn't gotten any kind of trophy since, oh, 1981, and no plaques since, oh, 1986. BUT I'm not going to be concerned about awards. The point is to drive the car and have fun driving it...right?!
Too Long Dude
Okay, okay, fifty lashes with a wet noodle! I've been gone too long, I know. This blog thing actually requires time and energy, things that I have had little of since my auto 101 class started the first week of October.
The class, the class. We started out with about 25 and I think it got down to about 19 or so. Those folks couldn't purchase the books, decided they didn't want to do the work (not that that kept others from staying in the class) or found something else they'd rather do, like watch tv.
Four hours every Monday of videos, politically incorrect jokes from the instructor (who I liked, BTW), idiocy, and some time in the shop. Oh and I actually learned something, but I'll tell you that it took effort on my part. As in I *had* to study, you know, because I did not know an allen wrench from a combination wrench. Nor did I know about any other kind of wrench, or screwdriver, or nut or bolt.
We had a test every week, and I managed an A on every test. Because I studied like a madwoman.
We had a few "labs" in which we were to work in the shop and write down our results, and I did ok in those. When it came time to open the hoods up and work in the shop, I mostly left it to the guys, who were eager to show off their, ah, skills.
These were the same guys who eagerly scooped up job applications from the (Major Auto Parts Supply Store) auto store HR guy, and then didn't bother to return them. Or returned them half-filled out. The instructor joked that most would not be considered because of their criminal records. He wasn't all that far from the truth.
Only once did I decide I'd had enough and I walked out of class during shop time. That was the class the week before the final. I was so bored and cold that I figured I had banked enough "A"s on tests that I could risk not hearing any tips the instructor would give regarding the final exam. Before the shop time started, he said, "Read the book" and that ended up to be all of his tips. I got an A on the exam which took place the first week of December.
Since then I have ventured to a few of the local auto parts places and have picked up this and that. Two weeks ago it was nice enough that I was able to take the TA out for a much-needed spin AND check all the vitals (oil, tranny fluid, brake fluid, coolant) and it looks like my first project will be to flush and replace the coolant, which looks rusty. Question is, will I do it or will I chicken out and take it to a shop?
The class, the class. We started out with about 25 and I think it got down to about 19 or so. Those folks couldn't purchase the books, decided they didn't want to do the work (not that that kept others from staying in the class) or found something else they'd rather do, like watch tv.
Four hours every Monday of videos, politically incorrect jokes from the instructor (who I liked, BTW), idiocy, and some time in the shop. Oh and I actually learned something, but I'll tell you that it took effort on my part. As in I *had* to study, you know, because I did not know an allen wrench from a combination wrench. Nor did I know about any other kind of wrench, or screwdriver, or nut or bolt.
We had a test every week, and I managed an A on every test. Because I studied like a madwoman.
We had a few "labs" in which we were to work in the shop and write down our results, and I did ok in those. When it came time to open the hoods up and work in the shop, I mostly left it to the guys, who were eager to show off their, ah, skills.
These were the same guys who eagerly scooped up job applications from the (Major Auto Parts Supply Store) auto store HR guy, and then didn't bother to return them. Or returned them half-filled out. The instructor joked that most would not be considered because of their criminal records. He wasn't all that far from the truth.
Only once did I decide I'd had enough and I walked out of class during shop time. That was the class the week before the final. I was so bored and cold that I figured I had banked enough "A"s on tests that I could risk not hearing any tips the instructor would give regarding the final exam. Before the shop time started, he said, "Read the book" and that ended up to be all of his tips. I got an A on the exam which took place the first week of December.
Since then I have ventured to a few of the local auto parts places and have picked up this and that. Two weeks ago it was nice enough that I was able to take the TA out for a much-needed spin AND check all the vitals (oil, tranny fluid, brake fluid, coolant) and it looks like my first project will be to flush and replace the coolant, which looks rusty. Question is, will I do it or will I chicken out and take it to a shop?
Friday, September 14, 2007
To Show or Not To Show
What came up for me last weekend is this: how much do you baby your car to try to make it show-worthy, vs. just driving the thing and doing the basic stuff?
I hate to worry about every little paint nick and imperfection, but the point is to drive it, yes?
The guy with the beautiful '70 TA that I had the (mis)fortune of parking next to? It practically never leaves the garage. He walks away with a trophy and maybe some warm fuzzies. I'm not sure I can do that. I KNOW I can't afford it.
Can't I be happy with having a "10-footer"? Where's the balance?
I hate to worry about every little paint nick and imperfection, but the point is to drive it, yes?
The guy with the beautiful '70 TA that I had the (mis)fortune of parking next to? It practically never leaves the garage. He walks away with a trophy and maybe some warm fuzzies. I'm not sure I can do that. I KNOW I can't afford it.
Can't I be happy with having a "10-footer"? Where's the balance?
Busy weekend
Long delay in posting, sorry about that!
The TA missed a workout Labor Day weekend as Liza, Noah and I headed up to the Asheville, NC area for a church retreat.
I think we made up for it last weekend. Saturday was the 45 minute drive to McDonough for the monthly ACFA meeting. Additional folks were there, all very nice. It was gratifying to finally get the car in sight of folks who would actually really appreciate it! And they did. These folks know what they are talking about, and when THEY say your TA is in great shape, you can believe it!
There were two new members (actually one that was thinking about it) there so it was nice to not be quite the newbie any longer. After discussions about a club member who is ill, a TA Nationals recap and discussions about the upcoming club show, it was off to lunch with several in the group.
After I got home, I turned right back around and went to Tucker for the Tucker Cruise-in folks' show. Originally I thought I'd just park the TA nearby and walk into the show, but I guess I got into the spirit of things and actually put the car in the show.
Now don't get me wrong; I am well aware that my TA, while wonderful, ain't no show queen (or king). I definitely could have gone either way on putting it in or not. For better or worse (who am I kidding--totally for worse!) I had to park right behind a gorgeous '70 TA that ended up one of the runner-ups of the approximately 45-car show. I had no illusions of getting any type of official recognition, and my thoughts were right on. ;) Still, a lot of looks and nice complements.
Armed with the flyers from our show, I passed out a bunch of them. Some folks were enthusiastic straight away, and others said they'd need to find their passport in order to go to McDonough. Can't blame them for that!
Driving throughout Saturday, I didn't notice anything unusual. It had the usual slow start first thing, and then a smooth ride and starts after that. I had my first fillup as well--about $50!
Friday I changed the front driver's side headlight, which I'm very proud of. I had to go to no less than three--that's three--automotive stores to find the right one.
I also managed to stick the corner of the headliner back to the roof. It's not a perfect job but it's serviceable, as in I didn't drive around with that damn flap of headliner blowing in the wind!
The TA missed a workout Labor Day weekend as Liza, Noah and I headed up to the Asheville, NC area for a church retreat.
I think we made up for it last weekend. Saturday was the 45 minute drive to McDonough for the monthly ACFA meeting. Additional folks were there, all very nice. It was gratifying to finally get the car in sight of folks who would actually really appreciate it! And they did. These folks know what they are talking about, and when THEY say your TA is in great shape, you can believe it!
There were two new members (actually one that was thinking about it) there so it was nice to not be quite the newbie any longer. After discussions about a club member who is ill, a TA Nationals recap and discussions about the upcoming club show, it was off to lunch with several in the group.
After I got home, I turned right back around and went to Tucker for the Tucker Cruise-in folks' show. Originally I thought I'd just park the TA nearby and walk into the show, but I guess I got into the spirit of things and actually put the car in the show.
Now don't get me wrong; I am well aware that my TA, while wonderful, ain't no show queen (or king). I definitely could have gone either way on putting it in or not. For better or worse (who am I kidding--totally for worse!) I had to park right behind a gorgeous '70 TA that ended up one of the runner-ups of the approximately 45-car show. I had no illusions of getting any type of official recognition, and my thoughts were right on. ;) Still, a lot of looks and nice complements.
Armed with the flyers from our show, I passed out a bunch of them. Some folks were enthusiastic straight away, and others said they'd need to find their passport in order to go to McDonough. Can't blame them for that!
Driving throughout Saturday, I didn't notice anything unusual. It had the usual slow start first thing, and then a smooth ride and starts after that. I had my first fillup as well--about $50!
Friday I changed the front driver's side headlight, which I'm very proud of. I had to go to no less than three--that's three--automotive stores to find the right one.
I also managed to stick the corner of the headliner back to the roof. It's not a perfect job but it's serviceable, as in I didn't drive around with that damn flap of headliner blowing in the wind!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Weekend Cruising
Took the TA out Saturday and Sunday. The first start of the day, it takes some effort, then, it drives beautifully. I still can't get over how easy the handling is.
I went out on the highway and took it to a little over 70 MPH at one point, but didn't want to go any faster. Yet.
It was funny b/c you could tell a lot of drivers wanted to drive close and take a look--and they did. I've never been surrounded by so many cars with so little traffic.
I mulled going to one of the cruise-ins this weekend: Year One in Braselton, Locust Grove, or Canton, but ended up not going. I might see what's up next weekend. Liza's got Sunday School teacher training all day Saturday, so maybe I can convince her to come to a cruise-in after that. There's one in East Point and another in Griffin (which would be a haul).
I tried to fix the headliner with some rubber cement. Bad idea. I did some research and tried to find a particular type of adhesive. Well I went to AUP (an auto parts chain) and MC (a craft store chain) and AH (a hardware store chain) with no luck.
Finally I wised up and went to Firebird Nation for info and advice. Within a few hours, I had several suggestions, including where to get the adhesive I was looking for.
Off I went in the TA to a nearby Autozone. Sure enough, the adhesive was there. But I couldn't stop at that, and ended up with about $85 worth of "stuff" (somehow I managed to already have WD-40 and Armor All):
Armor All Ultra Shine Wash and Wax
Armor All Triple Action Wheel Cleaner
Armor All Extreme Tire Shine
Detail brush set
sponges; a bucket
shop rags (I don't have any "old" t-shirts other than my old concert tees, and those will go up on EBay at some point, a victim of my approaching 40 which could be age or nearly my waistline)
gloves
hand cleaner (the salesguy, a master of upselling or whatever you want to call it, said I could "have" it for .99. I bit)
Unfortunately when I got home, I couldn't find the rubbing alcohol I thought we had, so that's another trip. This was the gunky adhesive remedy I felt comfortable trying--as opposed to another suggestion, lighter fluid.
Since it's been, oh, 100 degrees or more for most of the week (make that month) I haven't been in a hurry to actually fix the headliner although I'm tired of it flapping around.
Two thumbs up while driving around: one from a guy who looked like he was a TA owner in high school, and the other from a guy who looked like he is in high school.
I went out on the highway and took it to a little over 70 MPH at one point, but didn't want to go any faster. Yet.
It was funny b/c you could tell a lot of drivers wanted to drive close and take a look--and they did. I've never been surrounded by so many cars with so little traffic.
I mulled going to one of the cruise-ins this weekend: Year One in Braselton, Locust Grove, or Canton, but ended up not going. I might see what's up next weekend. Liza's got Sunday School teacher training all day Saturday, so maybe I can convince her to come to a cruise-in after that. There's one in East Point and another in Griffin (which would be a haul).
I tried to fix the headliner with some rubber cement. Bad idea. I did some research and tried to find a particular type of adhesive. Well I went to AUP (an auto parts chain) and MC (a craft store chain) and AH (a hardware store chain) with no luck.
Finally I wised up and went to Firebird Nation for info and advice. Within a few hours, I had several suggestions, including where to get the adhesive I was looking for.
Off I went in the TA to a nearby Autozone. Sure enough, the adhesive was there. But I couldn't stop at that, and ended up with about $85 worth of "stuff" (somehow I managed to already have WD-40 and Armor All):
Armor All Ultra Shine Wash and Wax
Armor All Triple Action Wheel Cleaner
Armor All Extreme Tire Shine
Detail brush set
sponges; a bucket
shop rags (I don't have any "old" t-shirts other than my old concert tees, and those will go up on EBay at some point, a victim of my approaching 40 which could be age or nearly my waistline)
gloves
hand cleaner (the salesguy, a master of upselling or whatever you want to call it, said I could "have" it for .99. I bit)
Unfortunately when I got home, I couldn't find the rubbing alcohol I thought we had, so that's another trip. This was the gunky adhesive remedy I felt comfortable trying--as opposed to another suggestion, lighter fluid.
Since it's been, oh, 100 degrees or more for most of the week (make that month) I haven't been in a hurry to actually fix the headliner although I'm tired of it flapping around.
Two thumbs up while driving around: one from a guy who looked like he was a TA owner in high school, and the other from a guy who looked like he is in high school.
You Knew You Weren't Going To Hear From Me, Right?
Ok, so it took a few days (a few?!) to get back here after the TA arrived. What did you (I?) expect?
The TA got here Wednesday morning, earlier that the driver estimated. Actually he came in around midnight, but stayed at the big strip mall shopping center parking lot nearby. I knew this in part because Liza called me on her way to work, past the center, called and said,
"Your car's here!"
The driver called and we arranged for HIM to drive the TA the mile to my house. I waited...and waited...and waited...finally, he came around the bend with THE BEAST!
(ok, maybe beast is not so accurate. But it's more beastly than anything I've ever owned)
Jeff the Driver was about three or four times my size, I noticed, as he squeezed himself out of the driver's seat. Checking everything, it looked like it had survived the trip just fine...no bottom falling out, no new dings or scratches to my eyes. The only thing that looked like it didn't survive was a corner of the headliner, in the back seat passenger side. An unsightly mess of old adhesive was showing.
Jeff the Driver had taken a long time b/c the car wouldn't start the first few times. "You need a tune-up", he announced. Hmmm...that, and according to my Owner's Manual, Jeff, there's a way to start a cold engine on one of these, unlike the other newer vehicles I saw on the truck when I dropped him back off.
First stop: the city police station for a VIN check. The female officer who came out to check could not have cared less about the fact that a 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am in great condition was in her presence, but one of her fellow officers did. I must have spent 15 extra minutes at the station answering his questions and the city maintenance workers' questions about the car. So if you live in my town and got robbed around 9:45am or if your garbage was not picked up, now you know why.
Next, it was off to the dreaded nearby tax office to register. After doing all my internet homework, I thought I had all my ducks in a row. Yah, except now they no longer accept the actual insurance card, only the binder!
Luckily no one else knows this either, so they have a setup where you can call your insurance company and have them fax a binder to the tax office.
The clerk gave me a hard time about wanting a "Hobby/Antique" license plate. I would have given HER a hard time, except she was one of those people for whom figuring out their age is a challenge. So instead I told her the car was over 25 years old, and that qualifies it as an antique no matter how old SHE is.
It was a cheap trip: $18 for the title and $20 for the tag. No taxes, etc. I wasn't even required to title it, but I did it anyway.
Next, it was off to Nathan the Local Classic Car Restoration Guy. I pulled up amidst all the 1950s and 1960s cars. He came out and we had a nice conversation. He said he usually doesn't do any work on babies like mine, but since it was in such good shape, he'd be willing to do bits and pieces of restoration if I wanted it, or general maintenance.
He looked at the car closely and was under the impression that it had been painted AND that the Bird wasn't the original bird.
I pointed out the headliner and he said his guys up the street, who do all of his upholstry/interior work, could fix it. I went there and the guy said he couldn't. I decided to do a little research myself and then figure out what I wanted to do.
Finally, with the Georgia heat in full effect (the TAs welcome to Georgia? 102 degrees!) I took it to the house and into the garage that I had painstakingly un-cluttered on one side to be able to get the TA in there. Basically this is moving one mess from one side to create a bigger mess on the other.
I lifted the hood to cool the engine and went inside to (try to) work.
Welcome to Georgia, baby!
The TA got here Wednesday morning, earlier that the driver estimated. Actually he came in around midnight, but stayed at the big strip mall shopping center parking lot nearby. I knew this in part because Liza called me on her way to work, past the center, called and said,
"Your car's here!"
The driver called and we arranged for HIM to drive the TA the mile to my house. I waited...and waited...and waited...finally, he came around the bend with THE BEAST!
(ok, maybe beast is not so accurate. But it's more beastly than anything I've ever owned)
Jeff the Driver was about three or four times my size, I noticed, as he squeezed himself out of the driver's seat. Checking everything, it looked like it had survived the trip just fine...no bottom falling out, no new dings or scratches to my eyes. The only thing that looked like it didn't survive was a corner of the headliner, in the back seat passenger side. An unsightly mess of old adhesive was showing.
Jeff the Driver had taken a long time b/c the car wouldn't start the first few times. "You need a tune-up", he announced. Hmmm...that, and according to my Owner's Manual, Jeff, there's a way to start a cold engine on one of these, unlike the other newer vehicles I saw on the truck when I dropped him back off.
First stop: the city police station for a VIN check. The female officer who came out to check could not have cared less about the fact that a 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am in great condition was in her presence, but one of her fellow officers did. I must have spent 15 extra minutes at the station answering his questions and the city maintenance workers' questions about the car. So if you live in my town and got robbed around 9:45am or if your garbage was not picked up, now you know why.
Next, it was off to the dreaded nearby tax office to register. After doing all my internet homework, I thought I had all my ducks in a row. Yah, except now they no longer accept the actual insurance card, only the binder!
Luckily no one else knows this either, so they have a setup where you can call your insurance company and have them fax a binder to the tax office.
The clerk gave me a hard time about wanting a "Hobby/Antique" license plate. I would have given HER a hard time, except she was one of those people for whom figuring out their age is a challenge. So instead I told her the car was over 25 years old, and that qualifies it as an antique no matter how old SHE is.
It was a cheap trip: $18 for the title and $20 for the tag. No taxes, etc. I wasn't even required to title it, but I did it anyway.
Next, it was off to Nathan the Local Classic Car Restoration Guy. I pulled up amidst all the 1950s and 1960s cars. He came out and we had a nice conversation. He said he usually doesn't do any work on babies like mine, but since it was in such good shape, he'd be willing to do bits and pieces of restoration if I wanted it, or general maintenance.
He looked at the car closely and was under the impression that it had been painted AND that the Bird wasn't the original bird.
I pointed out the headliner and he said his guys up the street, who do all of his upholstry/interior work, could fix it. I went there and the guy said he couldn't. I decided to do a little research myself and then figure out what I wanted to do.
Finally, with the Georgia heat in full effect (the TAs welcome to Georgia? 102 degrees!) I took it to the house and into the garage that I had painstakingly un-cluttered on one side to be able to get the TA in there. Basically this is moving one mess from one side to create a bigger mess on the other.
I lifted the hood to cool the engine and went inside to (try to) work.
Welcome to Georgia, baby!
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