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Post by vwkarl on Dec 28, 2014 17:33:44 GMT -8
Thanks again Russ for setting this up with your dad. Very impressive talented dad you have. Cant wait see the finished project!!
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Post by Brenticon on Dec 28, 2014 17:37:10 GMT -8
^^ ditto to the above ^^ Except, "can't wait to drive it when it's done"
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Post by tony on Dec 28, 2014 17:52:02 GMT -8
nice diversion from all the eating , thanks
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Post by CrazyBrit on Dec 28, 2014 21:51:49 GMT -8
Thanks to Russ' Dad for letting us ogle his fabulous cars. They are very impressive, especially when you factor in that he built and painted them himself. The ride home wasn't so great unfortunately. I ended up having a chat with the 911 operator after I was run off the road by some moron in a large truck. I was on Terminal Avenue just south of St Georges (where I would have joined the E&N cycle path!), when a large white diesel truck slowed down really close behind me. The next thing I knew, the guy was accelerating hard a few inches off my handlebars. He veered right, forced me into the curb and I bailed onto the sidewalk, still clipped into the bike. I rolled with the bike on top of me before coming to a stop, still clipped in. One truck stopped immediately to make sure I was okay, but the white truck took off up the highway, apparently at speed. Another truck gave chase and got the licence plate off the trailer he was towing. It turns out that he mounted the sidewalk shortly after pushing me off the road, so bailing was evidently the right thing to do. I got away with a grazed knee and some slight muscle discomfort to my right shoulder. A lucky escape it would seem. I am still waiting to hear from the RCMP, to see if they managed to find him. I suspect that he may have been intoxicated.
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Post by tony on Dec 28, 2014 22:08:06 GMT -8
>:(here's hoping they find the moron!!!
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Post by mitchy965 on Dec 28, 2014 22:12:41 GMT -8
glad your ok
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Post by PICTUP on Dec 28, 2014 23:01:47 GMT -8
Holy crap Mark!! Close call for sure. Better a sore shoulder than…well let's not go there. I echo Mitch's sentiments..glad you're okay!
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Post by 77eurobus on Dec 29, 2014 20:49:26 GMT -8
I missed the dinner and the garage tour! Damn. Love that black ute. Glad your okay Mark. Could have been a really bad outcome. I have a road bike and find riding around Parksville/Qualicum dicey at Times, let alone riding in Nanaimo.
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Post by Volktales on Feb 1, 2015 20:44:43 GMT -8
Another update... Dad has been busy as usual getting lots accomplished. His buddy Al, who has a nice 1950 Meteor Woody hot rod, helps him often too. The two of them have continued to problem solve as they move forward on this project.
He has been doing the wiring harness for awhile now. Part of it is the original Corvette harness with non-essential circuits removed. Another part is a generic hot rod harness from a company that went broke. The instructions were very lame to say the least. The rest is his own fabrication. Everything is now wired up and functioning except the power seats. The doors are now permanently installed and his highly modified power window system is operating. The engine would start and run only for a few seconds before shutting down by itself. I suspected the original Corvette security system was still activated and this turned out to be true. A former GM tech connected his laptop to it, and successfully removed the security function. The throttle is still being a pain at the moment due to the design. 1997 Corvettes used a "drive by wire" system which uses an electronically activated motor to operate the throttle. There are some module communication issues that still have to be overcome... But progress is happening quickly and Dad is having lots of fun doing this.
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Post by Volktales on Apr 3, 2015 18:38:10 GMT -8
Ok, Dad's Ute has been down in Victoria at an upholstery shop getting the interior finished. I can't remember the name of the shop, but Dad had to go to Victoria after his original interior guy offed himself! In the end this was a good move, as the Victoria guy did some great quality work...
The new headliner in place is very nicely done. He even located the holes for the sun visor screws, and started them in place so Dad wouldn't have to search for them later.
The back "seat" is a thing of beauty.
Also the Holden lettering was installed over the Chevrolet emblem. Holden is the company who built this car 78 years ago in Australia. The upholstery workmanship was excellent, but the cost was more than I have ever paid, for any car I have ever owned!!!
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Post by vwkarl on Apr 3, 2015 18:55:42 GMT -8
Wow nice job. Just wondering about the price you said. Do you own the FJ or your wife?
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Post by Volktales on Apr 3, 2015 19:00:20 GMT -8
FJ is most certainly all my wife's vehicle. The actual cost for this interior work was $3700. My Ghia cost $3500...
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Post by Brenticon on Apr 3, 2015 19:48:25 GMT -8
Very sharp !!!
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Post by CrazyBrit on Apr 14, 2015 19:52:44 GMT -8
Looks amazing! I like the detail in that rear seat - very nice.
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Post by Volktales on May 17, 2015 21:03:45 GMT -8
Look what showed up in my driveway today!!!
Yes the beast is alive! Dad's project finally is on the road! Car runs front airbags that have to be at this height for driving. When parked he dumps it down.
Looking very smooth. His vision on what he wanted worked out quite well in the end. He intends to raise the rear slightly to level it out when in "driving" mode.
Interior is finished off quite nicely. Comfy, too.
Those big mufflers and tailpipes made the car unexpectedly quiet. It sounds like any modern V8 car. Dad probably wishes for more rumble.
I thought his idea for a Lexan floor was weird, but looks alright I guess...
And there is that '97 LS1 that caused so many problems. Actually it was all in the computer programming being out to lunch. Once it was reprogrammed correctly, everything was fine. Dad says it runs perfectly.
My tenant's kid, Eric, is a car guy at 8 years old. He loved being taken for a ride in the car. Wants his dad to get something cool when he returns home to China. Eric says he sees high end exotic cars everyday in Shanghai, but never sees anything old and cool. His Dad is a car nut too, so who knows what might happen...
So far Dad is happy with his latest project and it is by far his most powerful vehicle he has ever owned. Hope he doesn't get himself into too much trouble!!!
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