The Weekend Hobby Thread (Presented By TRex)

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Welcome hobbyists. Do not adjust your interweb. A spin of the Ace of Spades “wheel of hobbies” has come up with automobiles. If our four legged friends can have a home in the pet thread, then four wheeled friends can have a home in the hobby thread.
Looking forward to silliness and shenanigans until CDB releases a fresh music thread.
As usual, keep this thread limited to hobbies. Politics and current events can wait for other threads. Don’t make me turn this car around.

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Cars are fun. Drive them and design them. Restore and repair and modify them. Write about them, take photographs of them, draw them. Race them and watch them race. Enjoy nostalgia and history and wonder about the future. Collect them and the assorted parts and memorabilia. Cars have personalities. Cars star in movies and television shows and feature in music. Do you have a passion of the four-wheeled variety?

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Car Museum of the Week

The Simeone Museum near the Philadelphia airport has an amazing collection of remarkable automobiles. Dr. Fred Simeone was a neurosurgeon who collected what he liked over many decades. He bought many cars before they became unobtanium valuable. Porsche, Ferrari, Jaguar, Shelby Cobra, Ford, Alfa Romeo, BMW, Bugatti, Maserati, Mercedes and more. Do you have a favorite auto museum?
USA Today is currently running a vote for the top car attractions in the US. The Simeone Museum is a nominee.
Check out the others.

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Garage of the Week

If you’re saying to yourself, “I’d do more if I had a bigger garage or more room for my tools,” check out Jack Olson’s 12 gauge garage.

Very efficient use of space. Do you have a favorite space to tinker, bodge, fix, or build? It is neat, organized, and tidy or it is a whirlwind of partial projects waiting for completion?

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Tamiya Tours

Model makers know the name Tamiya. The Japanese company has made plastic models of cars, tanks, ships, jets and more for decades. Have you built Tamiya kits?
What does their flagship factory store in Tokyo look like?

How about a tour of the museum at Tamiya HQ?

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Pinewood Derby

Were pinewood derby cars a starting point for your tinkering? Did you build one as a child? Have you built one with a child? Such a simple idea for a kid to learn through making a simple racer and running against their friends. Weight, friction, aerodynamics, and the eternal friction of family dynamics. It is a shame how many youtube videos and write-ups are on the interweb. Pinewood derby cars are quite an interweb rabbit hole. I wonder how many kids these days get “the
answer” rather than learning through their own trial and error.

Confessions of a Pinewood Derby Dad. It's about doing a project together. But if you ain't first, you're last.

I pulled up Amazon, and bought a small tube of graphite lube. A few minutes later, I placed a second order, having located a tungsten putty that could be cut, molded and shaped exactly as needed. As soon as I placed that order, I was fed a recommendation for a special jig that would help me insert the nail-axles as straight as possible.
That’s a good idea, I thought. I should order that, too. It’s only five bucks.
There’s a tipping point, it would seem, in between one’s second and third orders for aftermarket Pinewood Derby car accessories—a point when the algorithm senses that you may be possessed of a sickness of the mind and opens the floodgates.

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Alfa Romeo can’t legally name a car after an Italian place that is made outside of Italy.

"A car called Milano cannot be produced in Poland. This is forbidden by Italian law," Adolfo Urso said in Turin, referring to 2003 legislation that targets "Italian sounding" products that falsely claim to be Italian.
"This law stipulates that you cannot give indications that mislead consumers. So a car called Milano must be produced in Italy. Otherwise, it gives a misleading indication which is not allowed under Italian law," Urso said.

Alfa Romeo: Milano Name is not OK? “Alfa Romeo Junior” then!

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Thieves steal $300,000 worth of high-value Lego sets from Target, Home Depot and Lowe's stores across California

Building Engines with Legos

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Pint Size Utility Vehicle of the Week

Texas is making changes to allow importation and registration of Japan’s keitora class of compact truck (known as kei trucks).
Lots of history, but seems like a fun option that fits neatly between small utility vehicles that are not licensed for the road and pick-up trucks that have gotten absurdly expensive.

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For morons that like to draw

***

Here endeth the Weekend Hobby Thread for another week. Thanks to MisHum for the open blogger training wheels.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at 05:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Welcome Hobbiests

Posted by: Skip at April 20, 2024 05:30 PM (fwDg9)

2 Watching a video on a black powder cartridge pouch
Getting a iching to finally make one

Posted by: Skip at April 20, 2024 05:32 PM (fwDg9)

3 Top 10?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 20, 2024 05:32 PM (omVj0)

4 Welcome hobbyists!

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 05:33 PM (zaXaL)

5 "Do you have a favorite space to tinker, bodge, fix, or build? It is neat, organized, and tidy or it is a whirlwind of partial projects waiting for completion?"

Are you kidding? My projects have projects. I try to keep organized, I really do.

The 917 is a most awesome automobile. I only got to see the Can Am versions, but they were beasts.

Posted by: fd at April 20, 2024 05:35 PM (vFG9F)

6 I have seen some of those small jap utility trucks here and there in my AO.

They look like they would fill a niche and would be easy to park and load/unload in tight spaces.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at April 20, 2024 05:35 PM (R/m4+)

7 The white coupe in the top pic looks like a 1960s Ferrari. I don't know their models. Something like 250 GT? I only know them from British classic car magazines.

My passion for about ten years was vintage Mercedes-Benzes. I drove three over that time; the last was only about seven when I bought it, so hardly vintage. All three were fun. An '84 280CE, the same chassis as the W123 diesels that are still to be seen running today, but a gas-engined coupe, dark blue over tan. The champ came next, the '86 420SEL, the big baby limo that we saw in movies in the Eighties and Nineties. Bruce Willis drives and destroys one much like mine in Die Hard III. I still miss that car.

The third was a '97bC-Class, not a bad car until its transmission began to stick in third gear at random times at only 85,000 miles.

All three needed maintenance, some of which I could do and other things that independent mechanics handled at less $$$ than a dealer. My Buicks have all been cheaper and less trouble, and almost as much fun to drive. But I loved my MBs.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 20, 2024 05:39 PM (omVj0)

8 Have body work repairs to do again on my truck, did it a few years ago and rust is coming through again.

Posted by: Skip at April 20, 2024 05:41 PM (fwDg9)

9 Ah, Tamiya. My Warhammer 40,000 Imperial Guard army uses kitbashed Tamiya kits.

About 20 years ago I sold off the GW figures and replaced them with WW II historicals. I only have a few characters and weapons crews that are of GW manufacture.

The trick is finding the right tank, developing a template for the modifications and then being able to replicate it so they look like standard production. Chaos and Orks you can make every vehicle unique, but the IG is all about conformity.

For those who care, the Leman Russ runs off of an M3 Stuart hull and I use Panzer IIs as Chimeras.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at April 20, 2024 05:42 PM (llXky)

10 My Porsche 914
Laguna Seca, CA
2005
Vintage SCCA

https://ibb.co/9NBKgwJ

Posted by: Martini Farmer at April 20, 2024 05:44 PM (Q4IgG)

11 As for Tamiya models: I made the company's acquaintance a long time ago. I built their WWII German King Tiger tank model, and then their W. German Leopard tank. The detailing, proportions, and fitting of the parts was in a much higher level than the Revell and especially the Aurora kits i'd grown up painting and assembling. I was really proud of my finished models. If I were ever to have time and a workshop to build a model again, it would be a Tamiya.

They do automobiles too. I can only imagine how much higher quality theirs would be over a Revell. Don't get me wrong, Revell kits were well-done, but the Japanese kits were just astonishing. And that was in 1975! I can only imagine how good they are now.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 20, 2024 05:45 PM (omVj0)

12 Nice job, TRex!!

Posted by: Weasel at April 20, 2024 05:46 PM (JwHpX)

13 Oh how I wish I could work on cars again. 40 or 50 years ago I could do basic repairs: replace lights, change the oil, tune the engine, etc. Might not have been professional mechanic level but kept things running. Today it's all about computer chips and even changing a headlight is difficult because of the BS cosmetics in the design. Even if I had the knowledge now I can't get under the car or lean over the engine compartment for long. Bummer.

But thanks for the video links. The interest is there just not the knowledge and agility.

Posted by: JTB at April 20, 2024 05:48 PM (zudum)

14 The big red Buick needs a few, a very few, nicks touched up with the proper paint. Which I have, and some tiny brushes and lacquer thinner to clean the brushes. I've just been putting it off. Now the hot weather is about here.

The garnet metallic on the LaCrosse has held up (eight years now) almost as well as did the paint on my Eighties Benzes. Which is saying something, as modern paints, I understand, are water-based, and that on German cars back then was not and was much more durable.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 20, 2024 05:50 PM (omVj0)

15
[ponders '78 Cutlass Calais project sitting dormant in the garage]

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at April 20, 2024 05:51 PM (XeU6L)

16 There's a guy not far from me with a bunch of interesting cars. I was over there the other day and he had acquired an Alfa Romeo Spider, The Graduate edition. Nice car. Black with tan leather.

He also has a 1928 Packard. That's a nice car too. It's got huge 20" steel wheels and a steering wheel to match. Powered by a Chevy inline 6.

His shop is like mine. Stuff everywhere but he knows where most everything is. Nobody else would though. Some might call it junk. Maybe, but it's good junk.

Posted by: fd at April 20, 2024 05:53 PM (vFG9F)

17 "A car called Milano cannot be produced in Poland. This is forbidden by Italian law," Adolfo Urso said in Turin, referring to 2003 legislation that targets "Italian sounding" products that falsely claim to be Italian.

---------

Who wouldn't buy an Alfa Romeo Bydgoszcz just because of the name?

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at April 20, 2024 05:54 PM (FjeQO)

18 I made probably a thousand of the Tamiya WWII soldier figures, pre-teen and into, and have an unmade kit in a bin upstairs. Painted them all too. Made a few tanks, still have a Panzer II painted up in Afrika Corps. Did a lot of wargaming as a teen.

Cars, I had a 1972 Jeep Kaiser Wagoneer. My hobby.
I've resolved now, after the Saab Turbo, to get an appliance, car-wise. The Kid needs something to drive that isn't some goofy thing.

For an auto museum, you kind of can't beat the abandoned parking garage in downtown Belgrade, Serbia, containing the sketchy collection of maybe-stolen supercars and oddities assembled by an equally sketchy dude during the Wild East 1990s. A few Ferraris, a bunch of race cars of various types, he mostly charges Euro magazines to do photo shoots for modeling spreads. It's very well kept and rather obscure. 50 cars, perhaps? And some real strange ones and some truly one-off motorcycles.

Posted by: LenNeal at April 20, 2024 05:54 PM (9yXr+)

19 but the Japanese kits were just astonishing. And that was in 1975! I can only imagine how good they are now.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere'

MRC Tamiya in the late 1970s, early 1980s were so far above anything else it wasn't a competition.

Posted by: LenNeal at April 20, 2024 05:55 PM (9yXr+)

20 Very good job, TRex, though if my arms were that short, it would be tough to work on cars.

Car wise today, only had a couple hours to work on the VW Bus, because I needed to put down weed 'n' feed on the lawn. (Rain is imminent).

Bled the brakes on the bus today, and sanded, polished, waxed, a lower section that looked chalky near the bottom. Looks much better now, and gives me joy.

Posted by: Air-cooled Guy at April 20, 2024 05:56 PM (V5BDR)

21 "Do you have a favorite space to tinker, bodge, fix, or build? It is neat, organized, and tidy or it is a whirlwind of partial projects waiting for completion?"

Are you kidding? My projects have projects. I try to keep organized, I really do.
--------

Same here.

[pulls box off of shelf] *hmm, wonder what this is?*
*oh yeah, it's for the whatsis project, started in 2003*

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at April 20, 2024 05:56 PM (XeU6L)

22 I had breakfast with members of the Christian Motorcyclist's Association. All they could talk about was motorcycles. I was at a loss.

Posted by: Northernlurker at April 20, 2024 05:56 PM (ewqMN)

23 I also did the Tamiya King Tiger, and did in fact assemble the 88 kit, that took WEEKS and was so much work I was less proud of completing it than relieved it was over.

All the model glue and paint I inhaled in my room may explain a lot of my subsequent behavior as an adult.

Posted by: LenNeal at April 20, 2024 05:57 PM (9yXr+)

24 "My Porsche 914
Laguna Seca, CA
2005
Vintage SCCA"

Cool Martini Farmer. That's a nice looking 914. Much nicer than the yellow one with the rust holes in the rockers that I had in the 80s. I bought that car for $1000 and sold it for $1000. It was fun while it lasted.

Posted by: fd at April 20, 2024 05:57 PM (vFG9F)

25 Last week Wolfus (I think) mentioned the 2024 Mac Baren Burley London Blend tobacco. It's a limited run and hasn't been offered for a few years. Managed to get a couple of tins and it is a superb blend. I've been enjoying burley lately and the quality of these components is excellent. I'll probably pick up some more if I get a chance and save it for special moments. It's slow burning and worked well in a churchwarden pipe (think Aragorn in the Prancing Pony scene). Great for comfortable reading.

Posted by: JTB at April 20, 2024 05:58 PM (zudum)

26 Carlisle and Hershey, PA are very good places to go to see classic cars. I'll have to get up there again sometime.

Posted by: Museum Piece Myself at April 20, 2024 05:58 PM (V5BDR)

27 The 420SEL was medium, almost dark, gray over light gray leather. It had a sunroof, of course, but also it had a motorized back seat that could recline to a degree. Usually that option only showed up on the top of the line 560SEL. It felt, driving on CO highways, as if I owned the state, with that classic MB star hood ornament out in front of me. The big car and I prowled eastern CO, from Fort Collins down to Pueblo and up into the mountains. I took Arizona the late tabby cat's ashes up to Winter Park in the MB. And then I drove it down here, and around these horrible streets for three years, until it was crashed into while parked and had to be totalled -- at just under 200K miles.

I met the original owner at an MB Club show. He came up to me and said, "You like that car? It used to be mine." He'd bought the successor model, and didn't like it half as much and wished he had the 420 back.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 20, 2024 05:58 PM (omVj0)

28
Carlisle and Hershey, PA are very good places to go to see classic cars. I'll have to get up there again sometime.
Posted by: Museum Piece Myself at April 20, 2024 05:58 PM (V5BDR)

_________

Auburn, IN. Duesenburg-Cord Museum.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at April 20, 2024 06:02 PM (MoZTd)

29 Last week Wolfus (I think) mentioned the 2024 Mac Baren Burley London Blend tobacco. It's a limited run and hasn't been offered for a few years. Managed to get a couple of tins and it is a superb blend. I've been enjoying burley lately and the quality of these components is excellent. I'll probably pick up some more if I get a chance and save it for special moments. It's slow burning and worked well in a churchwarden pipe (think Aragorn in the Prancing Pony scene). Great for comfortable reading.
Posted by: JTB at April 20, 2024

***
'Twas I, JTB. Glad you're enjoying it. I bought two tins and haven't opened them yet. I'm sort of waiting for a special occasion.

I've found that if you smoke a pipe nearly every day, each smoke loses something special -- it's no longer a treat or something unusual, but closer to ordinary. Maybe that's just me.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 20, 2024 06:02 PM (omVj0)

30 until it was crashed into while parked and had to be totalled -- at just under 200K miles.'

I think I lost my taste for classic cars after my first exes' car, 1962 Ford Falcon, named 'Sugar', got financially totaled by a carload of Mexican illegals driving a vehicle with no brakes.

Posted by: LenNeal at April 20, 2024 06:02 PM (9yXr+)

31 >>> Texas will publish its latest edition of the Texas Vehicle Title Manual, which should have no mention of Kei trucks being unable to be titled,...
=========

Is the HiLux next? Only Donald knows for sure.

Posted by: Braenyard at April 20, 2024 06:02 PM (XbAqE)

32 I have always been interested by car people because there are basically two kinds; those that like to restore old shit and those that like to pimp up new shit. A subset would be those who like to turn a street legal vehicle into a monster race machine.

My brother is a car crazy fool and should have TV show of his own, but he only restores jalopies on his own dime and schedule.

Posted by: Dr. Bone at April 20, 2024 06:02 PM (pDQ/8)

33 >>My Porsche 914
Laguna Seca, CA
2005
Vintage SCCA

Looks great. Mine was silver. Loved that car, it was like a really fast go kart.

Posted by: JackStraw at April 20, 2024 06:02 PM (LkLld)

34 Von Sydow as well: hit hard in a Dunkin Donuts parking lot in late morning on a Wednesday by a carjacker running from the police.

There is little point in owning a good car, unless you just park it and what's the point of that.

Guns, for me.

Posted by: LenNeal at April 20, 2024 06:04 PM (9yXr+)

35 Martini Farmer--

That's a nice 914. I always sigh when I see them. First husband and I owned a white one together (briefly) in the late 1970s. He got the car in the divorce but it was a boatload of fun while it lasted.

I still miss that car. (But not him, alas.)

Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey at April 20, 2024 06:04 PM (FEVMW)

36 A somewhat obscure museum of the racing variety...

Nice place. Some important racing specimens on display.

https://tinyurl.com/yfdrveud

Posted by: Martini Farmer at April 20, 2024 06:05 PM (Q4IgG)

37 I will totally drive a Kei truck.

Posted by: LenNeal at April 20, 2024 06:05 PM (9yXr+)

38 Big news on the HMS Aurora this season. My seemingly insurmountable problem with the engine mounting has been surmounted. It only took a $600 custom-fabricated plate of marine-grade aluminum alloy (grade 5052 for the cognoscenti), a $700 installation, and an $800 remote control box to do the trick. All but the RC box are mounted and ready to go. The box has a two-week ETA.

This means that after two year sitting tied in a slip, the good ship will be ready to attack the bounding main.

I'm now signing up excursioneers for an inaugural three-hour tour. Millionaires and movie stars will be given preference for the available spots, but Professors and Kansas farm girls will be considered.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at April 20, 2024 06:05 PM (FjeQO)

39 >>Auburn, IN. Duesenburg-Cord Museum.

Newport, RI. Cars & Coffee. Some great locations and awesome cars. Jay Leno attends some of them.

Auburn, IN. Duesenburg-Cord Museum.

Posted by: JackStraw at April 20, 2024 06:08 PM (LkLld)

40 7 The white coupe in the top pic looks like a 1960s Ferrari. I don't know their models. Something like 250 GT?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 20, 2024 05:39 PM
***
Gold star to you. It is a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Interim Beretta. It raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959 and finished sixth overall. Pretty car.

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 06:09 PM (IQ6Gq)

41 Copy and paste fail.

https://tinyurl.com/4427hvjm

Posted by: JackStraw at April 20, 2024 06:10 PM (LkLld)

42 The MB Club of CO did interesting things. One year we had a "track day," not a race but a chance to take your car out onto the course, the runways of the former air force base just east of downtown Denver, and drive it hard. Loads of fun.

Another time we visited Clive Cussler's giant warehouse of collector cars, an astonishing vista of different models and eras. And every year we held a club show in a pedestrian mall -- I think in the Cherry Creek area. You could choose to compete, or just to show. One member had a 300SL roadster, not the famous Gullwing with the upward-opening doors but its convertible successor, and I got to sit in it. It was about 35 years old at the time, and felt like new. Amazing.

In fact I saw not one but two of those roadsters in the same afternoon when I drove up Pacific Coast Highway out of LA in Sept. '14. One black, one red, and not standing but being *driven* the way those cars should be.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 20, 2024 06:10 PM (omVj0)

43 Hadrian--

I'd love to see that museum. My first car crush was a Cord I saw on an evening newscast in the 1960s.

A bit unusual since I'm a girl who didn't have any car enthusiasts in my family. I made up for it later by marrying two car guys and have since gone to many car museums and shows and watched innumerable car auctions.

But my all-time car crush is an 1971 Maserati Ghibli Spyder. Preferably a white or silver one, but I'm flexible.

Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey at April 20, 2024 06:10 PM (FEVMW)

44 "Texas is making changes to allow importation and registration of Japan’s keitora class of compact truck (known as kei trucks)."

Ooh me want! No. Me need.

Posted by: Hedley Lamarr at April 20, 2024 06:10 PM (UWRAE)

45 5 The 917 is a most awesome automobile. I only got to see the Can Am versions, but they were beasts.

Posted by: fd at April 20, 2024 05:35 PM
***
The sheer number of variations is amazing. It really is a microcosm of designers learning about power and aerodynamics by trial and error. We've had the privilege of seeing many at vintage events and they're all unique.

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 06:11 PM (IQ6Gq)

46 Since I can't contribute to the car part of the thread I'll mention some other hobby stuff.

It's been a week for learning and experimenting with different art materials. Pastel pencils, soft pastels, different textures of paper, charcoal, and so forth. I'm slowly learning to use a light touch with pastels which is more difficult than anticipated, keep a good supply of Q-Tips handy for blending, sharpening the pencils properly. I learned on thing: you can't use a fountain pen over pastels. The nib just clogs up. And I have to learn to draw with the pastel pencils since ink and graphite really show through.

The results so far are amusing but the process is fun.

Posted by: JTB at April 20, 2024 06:12 PM (zudum)

47 10 My Porsche 914
Laguna Seca, CA 2005
Vintage SCCA

Posted by: Martini Farmer at April 20, 2024 05:44 PM
***
Thanks for posting. Looks like a very pretty car. What a vibrant robin-egg blue.

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 06:13 PM (IQ6Gq)

48 Yeah, Martini Farmer, the 914 looks very nice. I worked with a fellow who daily drove one in the 80s and 90s. I wonder if he still has it.

Italians have been cashing in on place names for decades. If you put the word Tuscan or Tuscany in front of a bag of dog crap-expect to pay through the nose.

Posted by: Museum Piece Myself at April 20, 2024 06:13 PM (V5BDR)

49 I slagged that 914 all over Laguna Seca for several years before I gave it up. It was a go cart. With some effort I could just leave the loud peddle floored and shift around the track.

About 100HP. Seriously.

Also pretty scary as it sits below the bumpers of everything. And always, always smelled of gas.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at April 20, 2024 06:13 PM (Q4IgG)

50 Friend of mine has been saying for 30 years that when the electronics of 'modern' cars starts to go, that will be it for them. An old bat with an insurance agency here used to run a TV ad constantly, with screeching tires, a crunch, and her slogan "A sound we all hate to hear, but sooner or later it's bound to happen." I won't forget it because her SIL was a friend of mine. He hated her with a rare enthusiasm.

My 99 Aurora which has been good as gold started to show me "Low Oil Pressure" on the diagnostics board. This feature was prototype for the Aurora; they had that display two years before GM put it on everything. Mechanic and I agreed it must be the sending unit, but that didn't do it. You don't often hear of Olds oil pumps failing but I was good with that. No, after driving around with an analog gauge stuck to the outside mirror, he ascertained that it is the electronic end of the sensor hardware. The actual engine and pump are just fine.

We're replacing the ashtray/lighter drawer with a Summit Racing mini-three-gauge panel. Someday I'll need the other two. There are still things you can wire around.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at April 20, 2024 06:14 PM (zdLoL)

51 there are basically two kinds; those that like to restore old shit and those that like to pimp up new shit.
********
Oh trust me, there's a third group: those who simply want to get in and drive it as fast as possible. I'm in that group

Posted by: Grateful at April 20, 2024 06:14 PM (IQ6Gq)

52 I served as committee chair for my son's den of about 80 cub scouts. For those not familiar, that means running the calendar, the fund raising, all the stuff that has to get done.

One year, at a staff meeting, as pinewood derby loomed, I proposed that we have an event the night before: kids on one side of the gym, dads on the other. Kids build the car themselves, with only verbal coaching. I got voted down, but we did add an 'open' class so the nutcases could participate a little more legitimately.

Posted by: 2009Refugee at April 20, 2024 06:14 PM (8AONa)

53 12 Nice job, TRex!!

Posted by: Weasel at April 20, 2024 05:46 PM
***
Thank you, Weasel-san!

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 06:14 PM (IQ6Gq)

54 13 But thanks for the video links. The interest is there just not the knowledge and agility.

Posted by: JTB at April 20, 2024 05:48 PM
***
You're welcome. Those were for you.

For what its worth, I've done a lot of things where I have no knowledge or ability, so don't let that stop you. Just start sketching for giggles and see where it goes.

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 06:16 PM (IQ6Gq)

55 sra blaster and I have one of those kei dump trucks on a boat right now. Supposedly coming into Baltimore early May. We shall see.

Maybe we will drive it to the NoVaMoMe!

Posted by: blaster at April 20, 2024 06:16 PM (IFNME)

56 Robyn SB-510D project has kind of stalled out. Found that the resistor packs (14 pin DIP package) that I had pulled weren't the standard space between the two rows of pins. Which makes it difficult to get into a perf board without either a lot of drilling or hammering. I had to order some resistors to replace them which should show up this week sometime.

Then I had my desoldering gun clog. Which makes it useless. Tried clearing it with the vendor supplied drill bit, which broke inside the nozzle. Ordered new nozzle and new drill bit. Then found that the entire tube the molten solder goes through was also clogged. Ended up having to use a very long, very thin, flat bladed screwdriver to clear it out. Pain, but it works now.

I did manage to get the wires for the channel selector and display tinned, so that's something. Also removed the connector for the ribbon cable that's falling apart and was the reason for starting this project. So when I get back to it I can just re-use the holes for that connector to attach new wires and it won't be quite as ugly as it could have been.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Z28.310 at April 20, 2024 06:17 PM (dZVON)

57 Gold star to you. It is a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Interim Beretta. It raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959 and finished sixth overall. Pretty car.
Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 06:09 PM (IQ6Gq)

----------

That's the car that reputedly inspired Henry Ford II to greenlight the Thunderbird. The T-bird's eggcrate grill was basically stolen from the Ferrari.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at April 20, 2024 06:18 PM (FjeQO)

58 29 ... "I've found that if you smoke a pipe nearly every day, each smoke loses something special -- it's no longer a treat or something unusual, but closer to ordinary. Maybe that's just me."

I usually smoke a couple of bowls in the course of the day. More if I'm reading all day. But I switch tobaccos each time to avoid losing that special quality that each blend can offer. When in doubt, I just go to the tin of Granger, my favorite of the codger blends.

Posted by: JTB at April 20, 2024 06:19 PM (zudum)

59 "Also pretty scary as it sits below the bumpers of everything. And always, always smelled of gas.
Posted by: Martini Farmer"

They had terrible fuel injection. Popular upgrades were dual downdrafts or a single little 4 barrel.

Posted by: fd at April 20, 2024 06:20 PM (vFG9F)

60 I met the original owner at an MB Club show. He came up to me and said, "You like that car? It used to be mine." He'd bought the successor model, and didn't like it half as much and wished he had the 420 back.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 20, 2024

***
And it happened to me again! I'd bought the '03 Buick Park Avenue in August of '07, and had it parked outside the window of my barber's shop. An older customer peered out at it and said, "I used to have one just like that. Same color and chrome wheels." A light bulb went off over my pointed head and I asked, "Did you trade it at Crown Buick up the street?"

Yes, it had been his, and he'd traded it for the successor, the Lucerne. And like the guy with the MBs, he didn't like it as much and wished he had the Park Avenue back. (Later he bought a LaCrosse like the one I have, and told me that it rode much more like the PA.)

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 20, 2024 06:21 PM (omVj0)

61 I have a nephew that is into racing cars. He's tired of Bellingham's temps so I invited him to the desert; but, he needs some waste gates for the Borg Warner t66 Turbo's new divided exhaust manifold.
He's carrying the parts and SS welding supplies here in checked luggage.
The Tig function of the welder is going to see some action!
I probably have to exchange my 75/25 argon/CO2 tank for 100% Argon (he's going to pick up the tab on that). If the gas place can exchange my small CO2 tank (unused since I stopped brewing beer) I will not have to exchange my larger 75/25 tank which would save some money.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 20, 2024 06:21 PM (cY4QW)

62 "A car called Milano cannot be produced in Poland. This is forbidden by Italian law,"

-
It's just a sparkling gas guzzler.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Eaten By Cannibals (I Got Better) at April 20, 2024 06:22 PM (FVME7)

63 36 A somewhat obscure museum of the racing variety... Nice place. Some important racing specimens on display.

https://tinyurl.com/yfdrveud

Posted by: Martini Farmer at April 20, 2024 06:05 PM
***
Bruce Canepa has worked on, driven, or bought and sold so many interesting cars over the years. Pretty sure that the 935 he still vintage races was bought new from Porsche.

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 06:22 PM (IQ6Gq)

64 Spring storm. Power is out.

Have fun guys!

Posted by: nurse ratched at April 20, 2024 06:24 PM (ueXh5)

65 My new to me V8 Tundra is throwing codes for O2 sensor heating issues. I've been researching the codes and the probable culprits. I'll be wrenching under the truck on the exhaust system soon.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 20, 2024 06:24 PM (cY4QW)

66 My 99 Aurora which has been good as gold started to show me "Low Oil Pressure" on the diagnostics board. This feature was prototype for the Aurora; they had that display two years before GM put it on everything. . . .
Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at April 20, 2024

***
The '99 was the second and last generation, right? The more compact and sturdy-looking Aurora? I loved the way the first gen looked and even test-drove one once, but they were way out of my price range. I don't recall the last one I've seen here.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 20, 2024 06:25 PM (omVj0)

67 28 Carlisle and Hershey, PA are very good places to go to see classic cars. I'll have to get up there again sometime.
Posted by: Museum Piece Myself at April 20, 2024 05:58 PM
***
And parts! and memorabilia! and models! We haven't been there for years, but remember being blown away by the sheer scope and scale.

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 06:25 PM (IQ6Gq)

68 61 I have a nephew that is into racing cars... He's carrying the parts and SS welding supplies here in checked luggage.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 20, 2024 06:21 PM
***
Best wishes with the project. I have a soft spot for car stories that involve lugging parts on airplanes. Something about the dedicated effort involved.

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 06:27 PM (IQ6Gq)

69 there are basically two kinds; those that like to restore old shit and those that like to pimp up new shit.
********
Oh trust me, there's a third group: those who simply want to get in and drive it as fast as possible. I'm in that group
Posted by: Grateful at April 20, 2024

***
I'm closer to Group Three, but part of what I want out of the car-driving experience is just that: an experience. When the road is smooth and twisty, and you have to climb and descend, accelerate sharply and stop the same way -- and the whole time you feel as though the car is doing 20 mph *less* than it actually is -- that's what I love. The 420 SEL and Buick PA gave me that, and the LaCrosse does too.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 20, 2024 06:27 PM (omVj0)

70 And parts! and memorabilia! and models! We haven't been there for years, but remember being blown away by the sheer scope and scale.
**********
Yes, we still have boxes of memorabilia and models and sleeves of posters from those events. More than we'll ever use.....(said like a wife)

Posted by: Grateful at April 20, 2024 06:28 PM (IQ6Gq)

71 54 ... "You're welcome. Those were for you.

For what its worth, I've done a lot of things where I have no knowledge or ability, so don't let that stop you. Just start sketching for giggles and see where it goes."

TRex, Thanks for keeping me in mind. My last mechanical drawing class was circa 1965. But I inherited my grandfather's drafting set he used in the 1930s and 40s when he designed special tools for the Navy. (A skill I did not inherit.) I've never tried drawing anything mechanical so the results could have an 'interesting' aspect.

It helps when nobody has to see the attempts. And Mrs. JTB encourages the hobby and has a great sense of humor. :-)

Posted by: JTB at April 20, 2024 06:28 PM (zudum)

72 The model builder/collector thing? When I received a photo album of a Nazi labor camp, previously unknown and unique, we were trying to figure out who or what anything in the images was or were; it turned out to be the machinery: trucks, trains, locomotives, steam engines, mine excavators, it was ALL on hobbyist forums, blogs, and websites. I handed the photos to The Kid and she had answers for what it all was within a few hours, while the Holocaust Academics are STILL discussing abstract racial moralities.
The hobbyists know everything, down to the last nut and bolt. Not only did they know what it was, they knew who bought it and when, where it was used, and what for. They had photos of it rusting in fields where it all had been abandoned in 1945. Yeah, the hobbyists knew. The Academics are still talking.

Posted by: LenNeal at April 20, 2024 06:29 PM (9yXr+)

73 64 Spring storm. Power is out. Have fun guys!

Posted by: nurse ratched at April 20, 2024 06:24 PM
***
Nurse! Good to see you. Hope you get another good sunset tonight.

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 06:29 PM (IQ6Gq)

74 29 ... "I've found that if you smoke a pipe nearly every day, each smoke loses something special -- it's no longer a treat or something unusual, but closer to ordinary. Maybe that's just me."

I usually smoke a couple of bowls in the course of the day. More if I'm reading all day. But I switch tobaccos each time to avoid losing that special quality that each blend can offer. When in doubt, I just go to the tin of Granger, my favorite of the codger blends.
Posted by: JTB at April 20, 2024

***
If I do one, that is usually plenty. Maybe in cold rainy weather, a Sunday afternoon, I'll do a second bowl; but then I take off a few days a week. This morning I had some My Mixture 965, and then this afternoon I loaded and even lit a bowl of St. Bruno. But somehow I didn't want it and set the pipe aside with a pipe cleaner up the spout. With luck it will still be non-bitter tomorrow morning.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 20, 2024 06:30 PM (omVj0)

75 70 Yes, we still have boxes of memorabilia and models and sleeves of posters from those events. More than we'll ever use.....(said like a wife)

Posted by: Grateful at April 20, 2024 06:28 PM
***
I fail to see the problem.

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 06:31 PM (IQ6Gq)

76 No, '99 is the last of the original Aurora line. There was no 2000. '01 starts the smaller model.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at April 20, 2024 06:31 PM (zdLoL)

77 Ahhhh, 4 wheeled children. I bought a 1954 Chevy 3100 pickup back in 1977 or 1978 for $225 that i worked my arse off mowing grass to earn. It had 15K on the odomoterwhen i bought it, probably 115,000 though. I rebuilt that truck from the wheel bearings up to the sun visors, with two full drive train rebuilds over the years. Straight six, 231 ci with 3 on the tree. Had a starter pedal to the right of the throttle. Six volt electrical system. The only mods it got that wasn't factory original was a 2nd tail light, turn signal system, and a rear view mirror. I sold it in 2019 for $4,500.

Good truck, got about 13 miles to the gallon regardless of speed or load.

Posted by: BifBewalski at April 20, 2024 06:31 PM (MsrgL)

78 And JTB, I have a tub of Granger bought in '21 or '22 in my smoking closet. Still haven't opened it or the bag of Field & Stream Match. Love 'em both, but I've been trying other blends.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 20, 2024 06:33 PM (omVj0)

79 72 The hobbyists know everything, down to the last nut and bolt. Not only did they know what it was, they knew who bought it and when, where it was used, and what for. They had photos of it rusting in fields where it all had been abandoned in 1945. Yeah, the hobbyists knew. The Academics are still talking.

Posted by: LenNeal at April 20, 2024 06:29 PM
***
Truth. The anoraks get very, very deep into the details. I appreciate some of that for cars and racing history, but I'm an amateur compared to the true deep divers.

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 06:33 PM (IQ6Gq)

80 "Also pretty scary as it sits below the bumpers of everything. And always, always smelled of gas.
Posted by: Martini Farmer"

They had terrible fuel injection. Popular upgrades were dual downdrafts or a single little 4 barrel.
Posted by: fd
______

I had planned on dual webbers. But life got in the way and I sold it for about what I paid for it. But, seriously used up.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at April 20, 2024 06:33 PM (Q4IgG)

81 My favorite cars are American muscle machines built in the late '60s and early '70s. Nice body styles with go fast engines.

Posted by: Ronster at April 20, 2024 06:34 PM (zbEMg)

82 *there are basically two kinds; those that like to restore old shit and those that like to pimp up new shit.
********
Oh trust me, there's a third group: those who simply want to get in and drive it as fast as possible. I'm in that group"

I'm in the middle of that Venn. I'd rather have older cars though. They appreciate you more.

Posted by: fd at April 20, 2024 06:35 PM (vFG9F)

83 No, '99 is the last of the original Aurora line. There was no 2000. '01 starts the smaller model.
Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at April 20, 2024

***
Then the one I saw being driven at an MB Club show must have been in late '00 or early '01, as I left CO in Nov. '01.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 20, 2024 06:35 PM (omVj0)

84 Fwiw, Grateful and I spent the afternoon in Washington, DC. Museums? Nah. We watched Red Bull F1 demo runs up and down Pennsylvania Avenue. David Coulthard in an RB7, Scott Speed in a Subaru Rally car, and Dirk Muller in an IMSA-spec Ford GT3. The good photos and memories will outlast the discomfort of standing with hordes wielding camera phones.

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 06:37 PM (IQ6Gq)

85 They stopped holding the event a few years ago but one of the coolest car events I ever attended was the Hunnewell Hill Climb. Hunnewell was some ridiculously wealthy guy back in the 1800s who owned much of what is not Wellesley, MA, a very wealthy Boston suburb. He had a mansion near Wellesley College with a long, twisting, uphill driveway.

The hill climb part was a "race" up the driveway by some of the oldest and most exotic cars I've ever seen including a steam powered car. All the cars that raced and some others that were just cool assembled at the top of the driveway after the racing for inspection. That was a very cool event.

Some of the participants gathered after the race ended to do their own event. Look at some of these beauties.

https://tinyurl.com/4t3vv3d3

Posted by: JackStraw at April 20, 2024 06:38 PM (LkLld)

86 The first-gen Aurora was a good-looking vehicle. That was the era when GM was trying to shed its reputation for selling rebadged versions of each of its basic platforms in every one of it divisions.

See, e.g., the egregious Cadillac Cimmaron.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at April 20, 2024 06:38 PM (FjeQO)

87 71
What a great story, thanks for sharing. I cherish every little thing I have from my grandparents, as I'm sure you do

Posted by: Grateful at April 20, 2024 06:38 PM (IQ6Gq)

88
https://tinyurl.com/4427hvjm
Posted by: JackStraw

I'd enjoy those coffee & car shows.
I still get the urge now and then to get another 1962 MG TD and then I look at the prices people want for hulks and come to my senses.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 20, 2024 06:39 PM (cY4QW)

89 82 "there's a third group: those who simply want to get in and drive it as fast as possible. I'm in that group"

I'm in the middle of that Venn. I'd rather have older cars though. They appreciate you more.

Posted by: fd at April 20, 2024 06:35 PM
***
Agree. Analogue is more visceral and engaging than digital. I don't want to drive an iPhone.

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 06:39 PM (IQ6Gq)

90 Older cars were easy to work on, should never have got rid of my first car

Posted by: Skip at April 20, 2024 06:39 PM (fwDg9)

91 We still have the '68 Super Bee my wife bought new. We had it restored to original, but I'm too old to drive it. No power steering.

Posted by: Ronster at April 20, 2024 06:39 PM (zbEMg)

92 71 But I inherited my grandfather's drafting set he used in the 1930s and 40s when he designed special tools for the Navy.

Posted by: JTB at April 20, 2024 06:28 PM
***
I'd like to do a hobby thread solely on tools. History, design, bespoke, inherited, learning to use, etc.

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 06:42 PM (IQ6Gq)

93 There's a '67 Chevelle for sale here. Burgundy. Sorted out from appearances. With the right motor, and options I'd consider it.

Owner's about 75.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at April 20, 2024 06:42 PM (Q4IgG)

94 Speaking of odd cars: When I visited Estes Park, CO, in 2000, I stopped at the Stanley Hotel. This is the luxury hotel that, in '75 or so, inspired Stephen King to write The Shining. Well, the Stanley guy who built it was the same Stanley who developed the Stanley Steamer steam-powered car. And in the lobby the hotel had a 3/4 scale model of the Steamer (behind plexiglass so kids wouldn't climb on it). Not the car itself, but a gigantic scale model. Neat to see.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 20, 2024 06:43 PM (omVj0)

95 88 I still get the urge now and then to get another 1962 MG TD and then I look at the prices people want for hulks and come to my senses.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 20, 2024 06:39 PM
***
They are pretty, aren't they?

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 06:43 PM (IQ6Gq)

96 Best wishes with the project. I have a soft spot for car stories that involve lugging parts on airplanes. Something about the dedicated effort involved.
Posted by: TRex

Thanks.
If the welds look 'okay' I'll take some pictures and submit them with a couple of shots of the engine compartment as well.

TRex, I think you did a good job with this thread, thank you.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 20, 2024 06:44 PM (cY4QW)

97 1962 MG TD

Fumble fingers: 1952 MG TD and British Racing Green would be the finest color.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 20, 2024 06:45 PM (cY4QW)

98 Designed and had machined a waterpump adapter to adapt a Ford 300 six pump to my Hudson 308 block, working good. Now working on throttle linkage details for a new dual manifold setup coming out utilizing dual Weber 38's.

Posted by: tRusty Hudson at April 20, 2024 06:45 PM (+4z4L)

99 Finished up my internet access/coax network work in the crawlspace. The builder did the minimum down there so I tidied up the wiring and added some lighting and receptacles while I was at it. Encapsulation is a thing in this area and the previous owners had that accomplished. So, the area is clean, dry and air conditioned.

Laid out the long-term food shelving too. Now that I think about it, that space could be the tornado shelter or living space for when TSHTF times.

Posted by: Tonypete at April 20, 2024 06:48 PM (WXNFJ)

100 I've often wondered if I had gone in to computer programming in college in the '70s, then landed a solid job at one of the computer departments at a bank or other big company, how different my life would have been. Certainly I would have bought a car. Prob. gently used rather than new; I was careful with the dough even then.

In 1976, what could I have bought that was 3-5 years old? A Mercedes sedan would have been awkward, as there were not many mechanic shops here back then to work on them. Ditto for BMWs. I'd probably have gone for a Cadillac, Buick, or Olds, or a Mercury. Or maybe one of the "sportier" coupes like a Cutlass or Chevelle. Nearly all the marques had a two-door and even a convertible model in each line back then.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 20, 2024 06:49 PM (omVj0)

101 85 The hill climb part was a "race" up the driveway by some of the oldest and most exotic cars I've ever seen including a steam powered car. All the cars that raced and some others that were just cool assembled at the top of the driveway after the racing for inspection. That was a very cool event.

Posted by: JackStraw at April 20, 2024 06:38 PM
***
I LOVE hillclimbs. I was considering including in the thread but feared they might be too niche. Here's an on-board from a Porsche 908/3 at a hill climb in Switzerland last year.

https://youtu.be/cYfAskl_P_w?feature=shared

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 06:49 PM (IQ6Gq)

102 >>I'd enjoy those coffee & car shows.
I still get the urge now and then to get another 1962 MG TD and then I look at the prices people want for hulks and come to my senses.

These are really great. They are sponsored by the Audrain Museum which is basically a very wealthy guys car collection. He has so many cars he cycles them through the museum every couple months. Imagine being so wealthy you have your own car museum.

In the summer they take the show on the road and host the C & C events at Newport mansions, parks, beaches, etc.. Jay Leno hosts some of them. People come from all over New England and beyond with their classics.

I sold my, ahem, somewhat modified '77 TR6 a couple years ago. I will never forgive myself.

Yes, Lucas is the Prince of Darkness but I still loved that car.

Posted by: JackStraw at April 20, 2024 06:50 PM (LkLld)

103 The National Automobile Museum in downtown Reno.
Remnants of the collection built by William F Harrah.

Posted by: Reforger at April 20, 2024 06:51 PM (B705c)

104 Should have been prepared because this morning burned up a lot of sticks and could have made more charcoal. I have Rd a 5 gallon bucket filled but it's getting grilling season

Posted by: Skip at April 20, 2024 06:51 PM (fwDg9)

105 96 TRex, I think you did a good job with this thread, thank you.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 20, 2024 06:44 PM
***
Thank you! and thanks to all the 'rons and 'ettes here.

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 06:52 PM (IQ6Gq)

106 93 There's a '67 Chevelle for sale here. Burgundy. Sorted out from appearances. With the right motor, and options I'd consider it.

Owner's about 75.

----------

My first ride in high school was a '68 El Camino. Basically, the Chevelle from the B pillar forward, with a bed grafted onto the rear. 327 with dual quads. Custom intake and exhaust manifolds. Glass packs.

It was a gas guzzling piece of shit but I loved that car.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at April 20, 2024 06:54 PM (FjeQO)

107 The Pikes Peak hill used to be interesting in the late '50s. You went to a new car dealer and bought a car. I don't think you had to install a roll bar. It was mostly brand against brand.

Posted by: Ronster at April 20, 2024 06:55 PM (zbEMg)

108 94 Speaking of odd cars: When I visited Estes Park, CO, in 2000, I stopped at the Stanley Hotel. This is the luxury hotel that, in '75 or so, inspired Stephen King to write The Shining. Well, the Stanley guy who built it was the same Stanley who developed the Stanley Steamer steam-powered car. And in the lobby the hotel had a 3/4 scale model of the Steamer (behind plexiglass so kids wouldn't climb on it). Not the car itself, but a gigantic scale model. Neat to see.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 20, 2024 06:43 PM
***
I did not know that! Weird, wild stuff.

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 06:56 PM (IQ6Gq)

109 I LOVE hillclimbs. I was considering including in the thread but feared they might be too niche. Here's an on-board from a Porsche 908/3 at a hill climb in Switzerland last year.

Posted by: TRex

Great video.
That nephew melted his racing brake pads doing Pikes Peak in '16. He just replaced the stock 10.5 brakes with 13". He says that should fix the issue with brake fade at triple digits.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 20, 2024 06:56 PM (cY4QW)

110 It's not a car, but it's car related: Step dad and I restored power to his shop and lift last weekend, so as soon as we find someplace else for the lawnmower to live, we can start repairing cars in there again.

Our goal this summer (in between everything else) is to restore function to one each of the several Land Rovers and Monteros hanging around on the property.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at April 20, 2024 06:57 PM (SXCRk)

111 I remember my Dad’s old1953 Packard Clipper. We would drive from LA to Yosemite in that thing. Once we overheated on a road alongside the Merced River. We had an insulated jug full of lemonade. We dumped it out and filled it with river water. I walked down to the river, filled the jug with water, and poured it in to the radiator. That got us to Merced and a gas station with a mechanic. Dad and I saved the day! We had lunch while he mechanic flushed the coolant and installed a new radiator hose. Then on to Camp Curry.

Posted by: Skookumchuk at April 20, 2024 06:57 PM (Zpf+f)

112 I know that one of the things TRex really misses from Cali is the car culture. There was always something happening: runs, cars/coffees, museums, track days, rallys - or just a ride up PCH with the top down. Crazy place, glad to be out of there, but the car culture is fantastic. Feel free to ask TRex about his Christmas Eve phone call from Jay Leno.

Posted by: Grateful at April 20, 2024 06:59 PM (IQ6Gq)

113 What about Milano cookies?

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at April 20, 2024 07:00 PM (gSZYf)

114 t's not a car, but it's car related: Step dad and I restored power to his shop and lift last weekend
Posted by: FeatherBlade

BIL lives about a mile from us as the crow flies, when he saw the RV garage on this place his 1st thought was "I wonder if I can get him to put in a lift".
Now that I'm working under the Tundra I might be revisiting my reluctance at installing one. The power is already there and you can tell that someone in the past had one in the large bay. I'd have to move the pool table and welding/plasma cutter to another area... hmmm

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 20, 2024 07:01 PM (cY4QW)

115 109 Pikes Peak!
We were there in 2013. Except TRex was on crutches. So I had to drive to the peak. Yikes!!! Not my kind of drive, and informed him next time I'd take the train and meet him at the top!

Posted by: Grateful at April 20, 2024 07:03 PM (IQ6Gq)

116 >>Big news on the HMS Aurora this season. My seemingly insurmountable problem with the engine mounting has been surmounted. It only took a $600 custom-fabricated plate of marine-grade aluminum alloy (grade 5052 for the cognoscenti), a $700 installation, and an $800 remote control box to do the trick. All but the RC box are mounted and ready to go.

Did you ever call the guy I recommended? Tell me the truth, you won't hurt my feelings.

Posted by: JackStraw at April 20, 2024 07:03 PM (LkLld)

117 What about Milano cookies?
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at April 20, 2024 07:00 PM (gSZYf)

-----------

The Danish Butter Cookie people are colluding with the Walkers shortbread crew from Scotland to grind Pepperidge Farm and its faux Italian cracker trade into the dirt.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at April 20, 2024 07:03 PM (FjeQO)

118 78 ... "the bag of Field & Stream Match"

The Field and Stream Match is on my list to try this year. I have a very vague but pleasant memory of the original. The Match sounds like it would be good in a larger corncob like the Mark Twain version.

So many blends, so little time.

Posted by: JTB at April 20, 2024 07:04 PM (zudum)

119 And in the lobby the hotel had a 3/4 scale model of the Steamer (behind plexiglass so kids wouldn't climb on it). Not the car itself, but a gigantic scale model. Neat to see.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 20, 2024
***
I did not know that! Weird, wild stuff.
Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024

***
That was a long time ago. Dunno if they still have it, or if the hotel is still there or still called the Stanley.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 20, 2024 07:04 PM (omVj0)

120 Did you ever call the guy I recommended? Tell me the truth, you won't hurt my feelings

---------

That was the Bosuns Locker guy, right?

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at April 20, 2024 07:05 PM (FjeQO)

121 "The power is already there and you can tell that someone in the past had one in the large bay.
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron"

Lifts are so worth it if you work on cars frequently... or if you work on cars and are getting old and stiff enough that you don't want to squeeze yourself under one that's not on a lift.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at April 20, 2024 07:05 PM (SXCRk)

122 107 The Pikes Peak hill used to be interesting in the late '50s. You went to a new car dealer and bought a car. I don't think you had to install a roll bar. It was mostly brand against brand.

Posted by: Ronster at April 20, 2024 06:55 PM
***
And was dirt from start to finish. Large attachments required.

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 07:05 PM (IQ6Gq)

123 So I had to drive to the peak. Yikes!!! Not my kind of drive
Posted by: Grateful

LOL, I'm sitting here thinking "I wish I had done Pikes Peak on one of the Sport Touring motorcycles".
My grandmother inherited a much of money around 1900, her husband drove the US and did Pikes Peak way back when.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 20, 2024 07:06 PM (cY4QW)

124 The Field and Stream Match is on my list to try this year. I have a very vague but pleasant memory of the original. The Match sounds like it would be good in a larger corncob like the Mark Twain version.

So many blends, so little time.
Posted by: JTB at April 20, 2024

***
It's good, much like Granger to my uneducated palate. The story is that Pres. Gerald Ford preferred F & S.

Come to think of it, that's a topic. What tobaccos did famous pipe smokers prefer? We were told that Faulkner liked Dunhill's My Mixture 965, that Shelby Foote mixed Edward G. Robinson blend with Half & Half, and that Einstein liked Revelation.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 20, 2024 07:07 PM (omVj0)

125 Lifts are so worth it if you work on cars frequently... or if you work on cars and are getting old and stiff enough that you don't want to squeeze yourself under one that's not on a lift.

Posted by: FeatherBlade

The latter is why I'm reconsidering it!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 20, 2024 07:08 PM (cY4QW)

126 123 I'd rather do it on a motorcycle than a car. Narrow climb and no room for error.

Posted by: Grateful at April 20, 2024 07:08 PM (IQ6Gq)

127 110 It's not a car, but it's car related: Step dad and I restored power to his shop and lift last weekend, so as soon as we find someplace else for the lawnmower to live, we can start repairing cars in there again.

Our goal this summer (in between everything else) is to restore function to one each of the several Land Rovers and Monteros hanging around on the property.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at April 20, 2024 06:57 PM
***
Great story. Best wishes. Come back and tell us how it goes.

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 07:09 PM (IQ6Gq)

128 AZ deplorable moron, will you be going to Corsicana this year? I'd love to meet you and chat.

Posted by: Grateful at April 20, 2024 07:10 PM (IQ6Gq)

129 92 ... "I'd like to do a hobby thread solely on tools. History, design, bespoke, inherited, learning to use, etc."

TRex,

That would be a great topic. I have a number of hand tools picked up at swap meets and yard sales. Don't use them much these days but enjoyed getting them in working condition. Fortunately, we have a niece and nephew, and their spouses, who are interested in such things so they will have a good home eventually.

Posted by: JTB at April 20, 2024 07:10 PM (zudum)

130 Large attachments required.
Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 07:05 PM (IQ6Gq)

I'm confusled. What would those be?

Posted by: Ronster at April 20, 2024 07:10 PM (zbEMg)

131 I'd rather do it on a motorcycle than a car. Narrow climb and no room for error.
Posted by: Grateful

Well of course, it would be excellent fun on an MC.
We both had sport touring bikes and did the 4 California passes a number times, those are narrow roads too. When people ask what those passes are like I tell them 'in some places it feels like they paved a corkscrew." Great rides.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 20, 2024 07:11 PM (cY4QW)

132 Good truck, got about 13 miles to the gallon regardless of speed or load.

Posted by: BifBewalski at April 20, 2024
-------------------

You forgot to mention that 3100 Chevy road like a brick.

Posted by: Braenyard at April 20, 2024 07:11 PM (XbAqE)

133 130 I'm confused. What would those be?
********
Of the brass variety

Posted by: Grateful at April 20, 2024 07:11 PM (IQ6Gq)

134 AZ deplorable moron, will you be going to Corsicana this year? I'd love to meet you and chat.
Posted by: Grateful

Health stopped us last year. Betterhalf recently said "if you can't go I'm going alone". So she and I will be there.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 20, 2024 07:13 PM (cY4QW)

135 >>That was the Bosuns Locker guy, right?

Fine. Don't listen to me. It's not like I have feelings or anything.

This was kind of a cool project. My best friend's son was on the construction team that built the US challenger for the America's cup. The boat was finished last month and then the owners charted a ginormous Russian transport plane to fly it to Spain.

Should be interesting to see if it holds together.

https://tinyurl.com/23h8n6rr

Posted by: JackStraw at April 20, 2024 07:13 PM (LkLld)

136 The guy with the Alfa and Packard I was talking about earlier recently had a MG-TD for sale. I think he wanted $7500 for it. It had a Volvo engine and transmission in it. He said that at one time it was a popular swap.

Posted by: fd at April 20, 2024 07:14 PM (vFG9F)

137
Should be interesting to see if it holds together.

https://tinyurl.com/23h8n6rr
Posted by: JackStraw

It should be fun just to see it when it isn't wrapped in plastic!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 20, 2024 07:16 PM (cY4QW)

138 136 I would be interested in the MG-TD, especially with a Volvo engine and transmission. Has to be far more reliable, right?

Posted by: Grateful at April 20, 2024 07:17 PM (IQ6Gq)

139 Several years ago I went to this incredible garden on Cape Cod which had a car museum.
https://tinyurl.com/2p82pwun

Every one was absolutely pristine. Colors were amazing. Some were pretty famous as I recall.
That is the sum total of what I have to contribute. lol

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 20, 2024 07:17 PM (t/2Uw)

140 55 sra blaster and I have one of those kei dump trucks on a boat right now. Supposedly coming into Baltimore early May. We shall see.

Maybe we will drive it to the NoVaMoMe!

Posted by: blaster at April 20, 2024 06:16 PM
***
That would be outstanding. Maybe the horde can help name it. Will you be giving rides?

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 07:19 PM (IQ6Gq)

141 After the 53 Packard came a 57 Pontiac Super Chief.

Posted by: Skookumchuk at April 20, 2024 07:19 PM (Zpf+f)

142 All this car talk makes me remember, very fondly, my first car: a 1960 Mercury Comet. I miss the fins and the vent windows. For such a comparatively small car it weighed a ton. I used to wonder is the body was made from scuttled WW II battleship armor. Lord, I wish I still had it.

No power brakes or steering. Driving that thing probably built up some serious muscle.

Posted by: JTB at April 20, 2024 07:20 PM (zudum)

143 My favorite car museum is Galleria Ferrari in Modena.

I have been a Ferrari lover since Magnum PI.

Posted by: blaster at April 20, 2024 07:20 PM (IFNME)

144 135 >>That was the Bosuns Locker guy, right?

Fine. Don't listen to me. It's not like I have feelings or anything.

-------

Sorry. I had several avenues of input on my problem.

Rob from Bosun's Locker in Newport Beach put me onto a really good marine metal fabricator in Costa Mesa.

None of this would have done me any good except that I stumbled onto a guy in the marina (oops!) who had exactly the same issue and had come up with a solution. He was nice enough to send me the engineering drawings, which I copied and used shamelessly. The Costa Mesa guy used them to make the key piece.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at April 20, 2024 07:20 PM (FjeQO)

145 Hang a row of fringe at the top of the windshield.

Posted by: Braenyard at April 20, 2024 07:21 PM (XbAqE)

146 If you're ever forced to go to down town Los Angeles try and get to the Petersen museum.
https://www.petersen.org/the-vault
It is near the La Brea Tar Pits so it can double as a history and geology/ancient animal homeschool event!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 20, 2024 07:22 PM (cY4QW)

147 >>

I'd like to do a hobby thread solely on tools. History, design, bespoke, inherited, learning to use, etc.

Elizabeth Meyer is one of the heirs to the Johnson & Johnson fortune. Years ago she became enamored with the rotting hulk of the J Class yacht Endeavour and had it completely restored. Magnificent yacht.

That gave her the inspiration to start the International Yacht Restoration School. The teach classes in yacht restoration and yacht building. They've started offering more modern tools and techniques but the core is about using traditional tools and techniques.. They open the shop to the public for viewing periodically and then they sell the yachts they restore, ones that aren't privately owned. It's a very cool spot.

https://tinyurl.com/5emw79h6

Posted by: JackStraw at April 20, 2024 07:22 PM (LkLld)

148 I'm still waiting for the HiLux.

Posted by: Braenyard at April 20, 2024 07:23 PM (XbAqE)

149 139
How have I never heard of this place? TRex pulled up their site, and the hydrangea are just glorious. Thanks for the recommendation!

Posted by: Grateful at April 20, 2024 07:23 PM (IQ6Gq)

150 >>Sorry. I had several avenues of input on my problem.

I was kidding. I actually don't have feelings.

Glad you got your problem sorted.

Posted by: JackStraw at April 20, 2024 07:24 PM (LkLld)

151 124 ... ":Come to think of it, that's a topic. What tobaccos did famous pipe smokers prefer?"

That would be fun. What tobaccos did CS Lewis, Tolkien and the other Inklings prefer? How about Mark Twain? I believe there are some YT videos about famous pipe smokers. In a similar vein, there is a list of the typewriters used by famous authors out there which is pretty comprehensive.

Posted by: JTB at April 20, 2024 07:24 PM (zudum)

152 Has to be far more reliable, right?
Posted by: Grateful

Only if the Prince of Darkness's electrical system as been replaced as well.
Lucas electrical systems cost me a fortune.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 20, 2024 07:24 PM (cY4QW)

153 A tool thread? How great. I love tools.

Posted by: Ben Had at April 20, 2024 07:25 PM (Xw32h)

154 " I would be interested in the MG-TD, especially with a Volvo engine and transmission. Has to be far more reliable, right?
Posted by: Grateful"

He sold it at the end of last year. Mrs fd said she wanted it until we went over there to look at it and she got a closer look.

Right now he's got an old Renault 4 for sale. Only $3500!

Posted by: fd at April 20, 2024 07:25 PM (vFG9F)

155 152 A very valid point.

Posted by: Grateful at April 20, 2024 07:26 PM (IQ6Gq)

156 Of the brass variety
Posted by: Grateful at April 20, 2024 07:11 PM (IQ6Gq)

I still don't understand, but thanks anyway.

Posted by: Ronster at April 20, 2024 07:26 PM (zbEMg)

157 7 My passion for about ten years was vintage Mercedes-Benzes. I drove three over that time; the last was only about seven when I bought it, so hardly vintage. All three were fun.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at April 20, 2024 05:39 PM
***
Have you been to the Mercedes Museum in Stuttgart?
Have you read the book: Holy Halls: The Secret Car Collection of Mercedes-Benz?

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 07:26 PM (IQ6Gq)

158 Grateful, I think they were famous for the hydrangeas. There is a hydrangea festival on cape cod they are so ubiquitous.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 20, 2024 07:27 PM (t/2Uw)

159 A tool thread? How great. I love tools.
Posted by: Ben Had

Hi Ben Had!
We just discussed visiting you in Oct, can't wait.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 20, 2024 07:27 PM (cY4QW)

160 Return of the Chevy Luv?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at April 20, 2024 07:27 PM (63Dwl)

161 Let me tell you about the wonderful world of the Horde.

TRex and Grateful came to shoot the DMV MGC and we had dinner and I learned that TRex drove same color same brand different model convertible non-Ferrari sports car I do.

It was meant to be people.

Posted by: blaster at April 20, 2024 07:28 PM (IFNME)

162 Tamiya is pretty spiffy nowadays. But anyone who built their 1/48 Sea Harrier and nothing else would be surprised this company still exists. The only Harrier from that era that is more crude than Tamiya's offering has to be the Heller 1/48 GR3 Harrier which Airfix is still selling.

Hasegawa has Tamiya beat hands down though. They have on their premises a retired F-104J Starfighter on display. How cool is that?

Posted by: Anna Puma at April 20, 2024 07:29 PM (iq9nK)

163 153 A tool thread? How great. I love tools.

Posted by: Ben Had at April 20, 2024 07:25 PM
***
Good evening! Hope you're well. Seems like a tool thread might be popular 'round these parts.

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 07:29 PM (IQ6Gq)

164 Hope they make a profit redoing those boats. Making a profit from art is difficult. I'd be happy with a barge.

Posted by: Braenyard at April 20, 2024 07:29 PM (XbAqE)

165 AZdeploable, The MoMe is the highlight of my year. I so look forward to seeing you all.

Posted by: Ben Had at April 20, 2024 07:30 PM (Xw32h)

166 >>Have you been to the Mercedes Museum in Stuttgart?
Have you read the book: Holy Halls: The Secret Car Collection of Mercedes-Benz?

Porsche also has a museum in Stuttgart.

Posted by: JackStraw at April 20, 2024 07:32 PM (LkLld)

167 For classic car fans, there is a book about Clive Cussler's collection. The title is "Built for Adventure: The Classic Automobiles of Clive Cussler and Dirk Pitt". I have a copy and it's still in print. What little I know about classic cars came from the early Dirk Pitt novels. Cussler loved including them in his books.

Posted by: JTB at April 20, 2024 07:32 PM (zudum)

168 162 Hasegawa has Tamiya beat hands down though. They have on their premises a retired F-104J Starfighter on display. How cool is that?

Posted by: Anna Puma at April 20, 2024 07:29 PM
***
1:1 scale is tough to beat.

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 07:32 PM (IQ6Gq)

169 TRex, you definitely did a good job. I think this is the first time I've commented on a hobby thread.
Kudos.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 20, 2024 07:33 PM (t/2Uw)

170 ROCK AND ROLL NOOD

Posted by: Skip at April 20, 2024 07:34 PM (fwDg9)

171 169 TRex, you definitely did a good job. I think this is the first time I've commented on a hobby thread. Kudos.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 20, 2024 07:33 PM
***
Thank you! Glad you joined the fun!

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 07:34 PM (IQ6Gq)

172 Tools would be awesome thread

Posted by: Skip at April 20, 2024 07:35 PM (fwDg9)

173 TRex, Good evening to you and Grateful. Life is good here on the farm.

My dad built custom racing boats and engines as his hobby . I learned to use a sanding block at an early age.

Posted by: Ben Had at April 20, 2024 07:35 PM (Xw32h)

174 Thanks for joining the hobby thread. Been fun. Now y'all come back now, ya hear? Thanks to MisHum for the support.

To the music thread...

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 07:36 PM (IQ6Gq)

175 173 TRex, Good evening to you and Grateful. Life is good here on the farm.

My dad built custom racing boats and engines as his hobby . I learned to use a sanding block at an early age.

Posted by: Ben Had at April 20, 2024 07:35 PM
***
Glad to hear. I look forward to hearing more about boats, engines and sanding blocks! Take care.

Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 07:37 PM (IQ6Gq)

176 Before everyone leaves for the music thread, thanks TRex. You did a great job.

Posted by: JTB at April 20, 2024 07:38 PM (zudum)

177 >>Hope they make a profit redoing those boats. Making a profit from art is difficult. I'd be happy with a barge.

Bigly. The restoration is done by the students who are paying to learn and the yachts they take on are mostly classics. The people who buy them have plenty o' money. If you buy a wooden yacht you never stop buying it.

One of their biggest projects was the restoration of the last remaining schooners from the 1800's, Coronet. They built an entire new building just to house it. It was shipped down to Mystic, CT in 2022 for the final refitting.

I have a painting of the Coronet that was done by a local artists the CBD has featured. Beautiful yacht.

Posted by: JackStraw at April 20, 2024 07:39 PM (LkLld)

178 Have you been to the Mercedes Museum in Stuttgart?
Have you read the book: Holy Halls: The Secret Car Collection of Mercedes-Benz?
Posted by: TRex at April 20, 2024 07:26 PM (IQ6Gq)

----------

If you're ever of a mind to buy a new MB, consider using their European Delivery option.

Ot lets you custom order the car to your specs, them gives you 7% off MSRP. This is an awesome deal when compared to buying off the lot and you get you car configured EXACTLY how you want it.

But wait, there's more!

You take delivery in Stuttgart (Sindelfingen, actually) where you tour MB's home factory and the museum, and then you get a nice free lunch in the very Germanic restaurant at the Delivery Center where they load you down with German chocolates and Gewurtztraminer on the way out the door.

Then, MB gifts you two weeks of insurance and Euro registration while offering your choice of 13 European drop-off points.

MB also pays to put you up overnight in a cool hotel in Stuttgart.

Lady Cicero and I spent two weeks covering eight countries, dropping off in Amsterdam. It was an incredible holiday and it got me one of my all-time favorite cars.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at April 20, 2024 07:42 PM (FjeQO)

179 If you have an urge to go down serious World War II aviation rabbit holes, this site will eat up your life:

https://tinyurl.com/bf109rabbithole

Posted by: Anna Puma at April 20, 2024 07:45 PM (iq9nK)

180 For anyone looking for a fairly priced auto experience in the New England area, give Lime Rock Park a shot over Memorial Day weekend. My son and I spent a day there last year. First timers and had no idea what to expect. I’d been to the Long Beach Grand Prix eons ago, and was shocked at how little of the track you get access to. Lime Rock allows you to wander all over the track and infield, to enjoy views from every angle. And you also can meander freely through the pits as guys are getting ready for their time on track. Overall, just an awesome experience.

Posted by: red speck at April 20, 2024 08:46 PM (0Id0S)

181 The Hippie 917K makes Bob in Houston feel a little funny in the pants, its not my favorite of the 917 variants but I'm not gonna be picky, also fond of any of them in the old Gulf livery or the 917/30 Sunoco Can-Am car.

Posted by: Bob in Houston at April 20, 2024 09:19 PM (KDrrF)

182 I'm surprised the Nethercutt didn't make the car museum cut.

The Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar CA is actually two museums. The Nethercutt Museum is free to the public and includes cars of all eras (including an EV1). The Nethercutt Collection charges admission and tours are by reservation only, but the collection has some of the most beautiful cars in the world. If you come to LA for the Peterson Museum, add a day or two for the Nethercutt.

Posted by: Rick T at April 20, 2024 09:45 PM (xeXUW)

183 Built a few Tamiya tanks in the day. Loved the cabled remote controled tanks.
As fot pinewood derby cars, building the fastest car is difficult. My son's Pack ŵould have categories such as "fastest looking" or " most patriotic" or "funniest" . Thise were what my son and I worked towards.

Posted by: KungPow at April 20, 2024 11:43 PM (Rw2Dy)

184 >>>Don’t make me turn this car around.

heh

Posted by: m at April 21, 2024 02:08 AM (o3SCB)

185 Car-sketch guy is so cool!

Posted by: m at April 21, 2024 02:20 AM (o3SCB)

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