Charlie, The 92-Year-Old Hot Rodder At 92, Charlie didn’t walk so much as swagger—albeit slowly—with a cane carved from the axle of his first 1940 Ford. Every Sunday, the suburb of Centennial would hear the unmistakable growl of his bluebird Pontiac, rebuilt from the ground up with a new LS3 engine and flames licking the … Read more
I am not sure whether my readers are bored to tears with me recounting my Bluebird restomod disasters or overjoyed they don’t have to deal with these problems! However, the Bluebird restomod will be the subject once again of my monthly dissertation on progress (or lack thereof) on this project. I was prepared to claim … Read more
It would seem that the name I gave my 1962 Pontiac restomod is not appropriate. I have called it the “Bluebird” based on the Jaguar blue color of the paint. In light of the experience I am having getting it finished the way that I want it to function, it would appear that I have … Read more
In my last article, I explored what could happen to our hoards of collector cars and parts if we become “estate sale originators.” Disposing of “worldly goods” might be stressful, but probably not life changing, as we advance in age. Something that is life changing is loss of mobility as we either voluntarily or involuntarily … Read more
Here it is April first today – time for another story. This story is a bit tragic as it turns out I think I am in need of a psychotherapist. (Item to Note – it is not for me as I am too far gone for that). It is for “Grandma.” Having just celebrated my … Read more
Let me explain about what I said “Yes” to. I am a long-time member of the Early Ford V8 club (EFV8). When I graduated from college in 1954 and got commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force, I finally had sufficient income to buy a car. I got a loan for $500, and … Read more
There are two kinds of fall. One where you take a header down the basement stairs, and another where you have weather that happens just before winter. Since the two are totally unrelated, I think it makes for a good discussion to assure there is no confusion between the two in the mind of my … Read more
Disturbing events over the past month have led me to believe that the behavior of my restoration cars is mimicking the darker side of human behavior. They have exhibited resentment, class struggle and sexual deviation. Let me explain as I am sure that most of my readers have not experienced this phenomenon, so they need … Read more
It is now time to start my third “very last project.” So there will be no misunderstanding, let me define how these projects came about and how they are numbered. The need for the numbering system is due to my age. At age ninety, long term planning can mean “next year” not “next decade,” so … Read more
Merriam-Webster defines unrequited as “not reciprocated or returned in kind.” Unrequited love is what I am getting from the Bluebird. The Bluebird is the restomod 1962 Pontiac Catalina that I have been working on lo these many years. (No, it is not a Bonneville. That badge in the grill just came with the better replacement … Read more