Some of you know that I make a big chunk of my income from real estate. And whenever I buy a property, I always try to negotiate some free stuf. Over the years I have gotten (free) a few lawn tractors and mowers, furnishings (once a whole house full), antiques, tools, and even a '65 Mustang. But I think this nearly takes the cake.
I recently purchased a 3 bedroom house in Hiram for $45,000 in a probate sale. The place had a 2-car garage and a separate 1-car garage. And guess what? In one garage was an '85 Olds 442, albeit in poor shape - the roof had been crushed. But the parts were pretty much all there and in good condition. I gave this car to Jim Peacock. But that's not the good part.
In the other garage was a 1980 Porsche (turbo), in good condition. Only 35,000 original miles.
Granted, it is not one of the high-end models (it's the 924 Turbo), but it is becoming rare. And it is a Porsche. And it goes like Hell. And it was FREE! Pix here
Hope to get it all redone and dressed up by spring. We'll see.Meanwhile, I am STILL waiting fgor my '85 GMC 2500 to have its restoration completed - the guy (Capone) may be good at what he does, but is not reliable and is incredibly slow - he has had the truck since LAST April, and he's not even close to finished. Needless to say, he won't be getting the Porsche to work on. I would not live long enough to see it done.
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Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Thursday, September 10, 2015
HotKarz is Returning
After a long absence for health reasons, I will be bringing HotKarz back in the early spring, prior to the shows and cruises. As usual, we will post a complete calendar of all the shows, all the cruise nights and other car events. And, as has been requested over and over, the HotKarz "Funnies" and Super Garages will be updated, to make you laugh and swoon. Speaking of Funnies, here's one for ya - y'all remember our PT Woody - well, it seems to be appealing to an entirely new crowd these days - this pic was taken at another house I bought and was rehabbing...
And by next season Robin & I hope to have two entirely new vehicles for the shows - one is a Porsche I just picked up, and I expect to have Jimmy Peacock to do the restoration work. The other, which some truck guys can appreciate, is a 1985 GMC High Sierra 2500 "Big Boy" edition (they only made a few of this particular model). I am trying to get it restored, but so far I am TRULY wishing I had given that project to Jimmy, also (see previous post for details).
I do not plan on blogging about the shortcomings of any shows (though some may well deserve being panned), nor will I continue to take on the "Ol' Boys" network, since you are already well aware of who they are and the damage they do to honest show people and to the show circuit, itself. It is now up to you, the folks, to decide what kind of shows you want. If you want good, honest shows where the best vehicles in their class actually win, then it is up to each of you to make it that way. Otherwise, as my Daddy used to say, "If you do what you always did, you'll get what you always got." A lot like what Thomas Jefferson said when he wrote, "People will always get the government they deserve." It's up to us, the folks, to make good things happen.
That said, I will post a few blogs now and again until spring, with an eye toward bringing information, and yes, perhaps some levity to help us get through the long winter months. Until then, God Bless!
Bill & Robin
And by next season Robin & I hope to have two entirely new vehicles for the shows - one is a Porsche I just picked up, and I expect to have Jimmy Peacock to do the restoration work. The other, which some truck guys can appreciate, is a 1985 GMC High Sierra 2500 "Big Boy" edition (they only made a few of this particular model). I am trying to get it restored, but so far I am TRULY wishing I had given that project to Jimmy, also (see previous post for details).
I do not plan on blogging about the shortcomings of any shows (though some may well deserve being panned), nor will I continue to take on the "Ol' Boys" network, since you are already well aware of who they are and the damage they do to honest show people and to the show circuit, itself. It is now up to you, the folks, to decide what kind of shows you want. If you want good, honest shows where the best vehicles in their class actually win, then it is up to each of you to make it that way. Otherwise, as my Daddy used to say, "If you do what you always did, you'll get what you always got." A lot like what Thomas Jefferson said when he wrote, "People will always get the government they deserve." It's up to us, the folks, to make good things happen.
That said, I will post a few blogs now and again until spring, with an eye toward bringing information, and yes, perhaps some levity to help us get through the long winter months. Until then, God Bless!
Bill & Robin
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Robin Hospitalized
Since I have no other way to let all (my loving wife) Robin's "car folk friends" know what is going on, I write this post to let you all know that she was admitted to the Critical Care Unit at Mercy Hospital (Portland) on Sunday. She is still in the CCU, but we expect they will move her to a "regular" hospital room on Wednesday (6/5). In other words, she's gonna go from the penthouse to the low rent district.
It seems she is suffering from nearly the same thing that put me in the same CCU in January. I am still recuperating, but am running at about 85%.
Hope to see you folks once or twice this season.
Bill
It seems she is suffering from nearly the same thing that put me in the same CCU in January. I am still recuperating, but am running at about 85%.
Hope to see you folks once or twice this season.
Bill
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Update - HotKarz for 2013
As you may have noticed, I have not been posting or updating HotKarz since September. For those of you who may not already know, I have been in and out of the hospital several times since November with a relatively serious gastro problem. One of those times the doc said my condition was "'not survivable." He was obviously wrong. And another time they stuck me in ICU, and told me immediate surgey was necessary. But again they were wrong.
My doc says I am "stoic", but I told him that I'm still here only because God ain't through with me yet.
In any case, he expects me to be in recovery for several months (assuming there are no more relapses). I lost over 40 pounds in as many days, which has weakened me quite a bit.
What this means is that I will not be getting out and around, and my time must be devoted to doing those things I need to do in order to recoup my strength, so I will not be doing anything with HotKarz this year. First things first.
I hope y'all will undestand.
And a very special "Thank You" to Robert & Donna Sanborn (you know why).
/
My doc says I am "stoic", but I told him that I'm still here only because God ain't through with me yet.
In any case, he expects me to be in recovery for several months (assuming there are no more relapses). I lost over 40 pounds in as many days, which has weakened me quite a bit.
What this means is that I will not be getting out and around, and my time must be devoted to doing those things I need to do in order to recoup my strength, so I will not be doing anything with HotKarz this year. First things first.
I hope y'all will undestand.
And a very special "Thank You" to Robert & Donna Sanborn (you know why).
/
Friday, September 21, 2012
News About Chevy Volt
.
A new report states the government (i.e. taxpayers) lost $49,000 on every Chevy Volt.
That makes the Chevy Volt the perfect car for liberals - a "green" car that runs its own deficit.
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A new report states the government (i.e. taxpayers) lost $49,000 on every Chevy Volt.
That makes the Chevy Volt the perfect car for liberals - a "green" car that runs its own deficit.
/
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
Serious Issues With VIP, Windham
Just a heads-up for those who may consider getting work done at VIP in North Windham...
Three weeks ago I brought the wife's PT in to have two tires mounted and balanced prior to a road trip to Ohio. The following day I took it to J.D.s for an oil change and he told me to look at the wheel weight on the inner side of one of the tires. It was not pounded onto the rim - it was just hanging there, barely held on by pressure from the tire.
I had Robin bring it back to VIP and have them rebalance the tire. They told her there was nothing wrong with it!
She then headed to Ohio.
Somewhere before getting to Connecticut, that wheel weight flew off. For the next several hundred miles the car shimmied and shook, damaging the brand new tires.
When she got to Ohio she had Midas check it out - they told her that BOTH tires were out of balance - one was missing a weight, and the other had the weight in the wrong place!!! They told Robin that she should not let amateurs balance her tires.
When she got back, I brought the receipt in to VIP and demanded they reimburse us for the amount Midas charged us to do the job we had already paid VIP to do. The manager tried giving me an ultimatum, but I gave him one - either I walk out with what they owed, or they would receive a summons before the week was out.
I got the money.
But the point is, VIP obviously is incapable of even balancing tires. We had brought it in TWICE. And the second time we even pointed out what was wrong. And they STILL couldn't get it right.
Needless to say, no one in my family will be doing business with them again.
Just sayin'...
/
Three weeks ago I brought the wife's PT in to have two tires mounted and balanced prior to a road trip to Ohio. The following day I took it to J.D.s for an oil change and he told me to look at the wheel weight on the inner side of one of the tires. It was not pounded onto the rim - it was just hanging there, barely held on by pressure from the tire.
I had Robin bring it back to VIP and have them rebalance the tire. They told her there was nothing wrong with it!
She then headed to Ohio.
Somewhere before getting to Connecticut, that wheel weight flew off. For the next several hundred miles the car shimmied and shook, damaging the brand new tires.
When she got to Ohio she had Midas check it out - they told her that BOTH tires were out of balance - one was missing a weight, and the other had the weight in the wrong place!!! They told Robin that she should not let amateurs balance her tires.
When she got back, I brought the receipt in to VIP and demanded they reimburse us for the amount Midas charged us to do the job we had already paid VIP to do. The manager tried giving me an ultimatum, but I gave him one - either I walk out with what they owed, or they would receive a summons before the week was out.
I got the money.
But the point is, VIP obviously is incapable of even balancing tires. We had brought it in TWICE. And the second time we even pointed out what was wrong. And they STILL couldn't get it right.
Needless to say, no one in my family will be doing business with them again.
Just sayin'...
/
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