2016: The year that was.... So the harsh reality is, as I stare out the window on a cool rainy fall day, I realize it'll be time to pack away Rusty for the winter before I know it. I didn't get to drive it nearly as much as I had hoped this year, I think it might have seen maaaybe 1500 miles this year :ball: . But hey, beats no miles at all as was the case in the previous 8 years up until "completing" it! Even with entirely too few miles driven this year, it was still a fun time with the old pile. A few kills, a few kind gestures, some smiles during rides, and quite a few turned heads. And thankfully, aside from a few minor issues (an alternator crapping out and a coil wire breaking) the car really ran well this year. Yes, my oil pressure is on the low end of "OK" still, and that's not gonna change unfortunately, but I've gotten over it. When that problem finally erupts into bigger things, a new heart will be in order. It is what it is. I've nit-picked some things (especially on the body) that got me down at times, but they've made the list of winter issues to attend to and I don't think it'll be too grueling to be honest. I may even be looking forward to it to an extent. After taking last winter almost entirely off from working on the car in the barn, I kinda miss the time out there. Maybe this year I'll find that happy medium I've heard so much about but has somehow always eluded me. But the "State of the Rusty Hulk" is good, solid, sound. It's still everything it was advertised to be, nothing that it wasn't, and even gets fantastic fuel economy.....if you're judging that by SMILES per gallon and nothing else. It really is a "what you see is what you get" type of car. Perhaps it reflects its owner on that front who knows. I do know the last couple times out have been some of the most enjoyable drives I've taken in it in years (barring an issue with an idiot slamming my hood shut, but that's another thread). Finally relaxing and not worrying about the destination or even the subtle issues with the car itself, just taking in the ride to get there. As it turns out, rolling rural roads really do look more scenic while peering over a stage 2 scoop, and the day sounds better over the growl of a big huffing outdated v8. I finally notice it more. Less time staring at gauges and more time staring out the windows, that's the ticket. As one of you guys posted earlier in the thread, indeed "the juice was worth the squeeze" as it turns out. I think that sums it up pretty well actually. A totally gratuitous and pointless post, I know. But its my party and I'll cry if I want to!!! :grin:
2016: The year that was.... So the harsh reality is, as I stare out the window on a cool rainy fall day, I realize it'll be time to pack away Rusty for the winter before I know it. I didn't get to drive it nearly as much as I had hoped this year, I think it might have seen maaaybe 1500 miles this year :ball: . But hey, beats no miles at all as was the case in the previous 8 years up until "completing" it! Welcome to getting older! 1500 miles? I am happy with 150 miles and some quarter miles! Even with entirely too few miles driven this year, it was still a fun time with the old pile. A few kills, a few kind gestures, some smiles during rides, and quite a few turned heads. And thankfully, aside from a few minor issues (an alternator crapping out and a coil wire breaking) the car really ran well this year. Yes, my oil pressure is on the low end of "OK" still, and that's not gonna change unfortunately, but I've gotten over it. When that problem finally erupts into bigger things, a new heart will be in order. It is what it is. This is why you built it and can keep it and rubb on it for as many months / years as you choose!! I've nit-picked some things (especially on the body) that got me down at times, but they've made the list of winter issues to attend to and I don't think it'll be too grueling to be honest. I may even be looking forward to it to an extent. After taking last winter almost entirely off from working on the car in the barn, I kinda miss the time out there. Maybe this year I'll find that happy medium I've heard so much about but has somehow always eluded me. ..exactly! But the "State of the Rusty Hulk" is good, solid, sound. It's still everything it was advertised to be, nothing that it wasn't, and even gets fantastic fuel economy.....if you're judging that by SMILES per gallon and nothing else. It really is a "what you see is what you get" type of car. Perhaps it reflects its owner on that front who knows. I do know the last couple times out have been some of the most enjoyable drives I've taken in it in years (barring an issue with an idiot slamming my hood shut, but that's another thread). Finally relaxing and not worrying about the destination or even the subtle issues with the car itself, just taking in the ride to get there. As it turns out, rolling rural roads really do look more scenic while peering over a stage 2 scoop, and the day sounds better over the growl of a big huffing outdated v8. I finally notice it more. Less time staring at gauges and more time staring out the windows, that's the ticket. Football on the radio, garage time getting Rusty ready for next spring...don't sit on your arse as the months go by quickly and next thing you know, it is April and your "to do list" does not have as much scratched off it as it should while in Dry Dock. As one of you guys posted earlier in the thread, indeed "the juice was worth the squeeze" as it turns out. I think that sums it up pretty well actually. Cheers! A totally gratuitous and pointless post, I know. But its my party and I'll cry if I want to!!! :grin: BUICK Brothers are here for you man....
Us southern folk really have it made when it comes to our rides. No salt on the roads(but in the air if you live near the ocean). I just took a ride in my Buick in a mid 80 degree day. And it was awesome!
That you do! I'm hoping to squeeze in a few rides in the next few weeks and that'll be that for 2016. Me and Taulbee did have a nice 2.5 hour/160 mile buick cruise yesterday, but it wasn't in Rusty. New thread forthcoming....
Thanks Kev! Rusty has 235-60-15 fronts and 255-60-15 rears all on 15x7 wheel vintiques steelies. Although this threads been pretty quiet after the "blitzkrieg" of updates, I hope to make some changes to the car in 2017 that'll get the thread popping again! This may or may not include more cubes, more transmission, more advanced induction, more POWAAAAA!!!
Got the car out today for the first time in '17, and man was I antsy! Taulb and I spent all day yesterday in the barn wet sanding and cutting the clear to try to knock down some peel. It ain't perfect, but it did clean up some. Today I hit it with the 3m perfect-it polish, hooked up and burped the power steering components, gave it a wash down, and went for a quick shake down spin. Felt great to get the big pig out!!
Knocked another little gripe off the list last night. During the epic tear down of 2000 and whatever year that was, someone carelessly laid a pointy bracket on the front driver's side bench seat, putting a 1" tear into my very nice original upholstery. Needless to say I was crushed, but what ya gonna do... So at shows and cruises I strategically placed my seat belt over it. Then it got worse, so I strategically placed car show fliers over it. Then it got worse. So I threw a towel over it and pretended it was to keep the seat from getting hot. Finally at a small cruise in a few weeks back, somebody spotted the towel and called my bluff. Shoot....now I gotta fix it. So I ordered a PUI cover and last night went to work. I have to say, I'm pretty impressed with their product, and very happy with the results given the fact I've never so much as held a set of hog ring pliers till now. Anyway, ding dong the tear is gone!! Disassembly (you can see the big tear) The foam and burlap underpayment was still nice so I reused it Stretched out nice and reattached with quite a few hog rings. Much gooder!!! Reassembled complete and installed.in the car. Yes, I only did the bench cushion and not the backs (for now). They actually don't mismatch nearly as bad as I thought, are still in great shape, and I was on a bit of a time crunch. I'm sure I'll redo them someday, but I don't really think it was needed at this time. Regardless, big improvement, no more towels!! Haha
