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Nov 22, 2015 23:20:49 GMT
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I have to say, while I've never really been a fan of Gas Monkey Garage (probably more that I'm not really a fan of Richard Rawlings) I really, really love this! If I had it back here in the UK, I don't care how much it would cost to run, I'd definitely daily the hell out of that! As always, some great updates and you're really living the dream! I really enjoy tuning into this to see how many differences, and at the same time, parallels, there are between your trip and mine. As you so rightly put it, we are privileged. I look forward to more.
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I too wasn't a RR fan really but I love the show. My Wife bought me RR's biography and it has totally changed my perception of the guy. Ok, so he's set out to make himself Uber Rich & Uber Famous BUT, he's done it with hard work & determination. For that alone, I feel unqualified to judge him.
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96 E320 W210 Wafter - on 18" split Mono's - Sold :-( 10 Kia Ceed Sportwagon - Our new daily 03 Import Forester STi - Sold 98 W140 CL500 AMG - Brutal weekend bruiser! Sold :-( 99 E240 S210 Barge - Now sold 02 Accord 2.0SE - wife's old daily - gone in PX 88 P100 2.9efi Custom - Sold
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skinnylew
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 5,546
Club RR Member Number: 11
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Nov 23, 2015 11:27:38 GMT
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Wow! This is keeping me thoroughly entertained, in awe and impressed. So much so that I logged in for the first time in 2+ years to comment!(granted that's mainly as I'm in bed sick so have some free time lol) Such an epic road trip and so many lovely people. Looking forward to more updates
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retrolegends
Club Retro Rides Member
Winging it.....Since 1971.
Posts: 3,714
Club RR Member Number: 94
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Nov 23, 2015 13:02:52 GMT
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Not managed to get on here for a few days due to work so glad of a bit of an escape to Texas, top work Grizz and great photos of GMG.
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1974 Hillman Avenger 1500DL1992 Volvo 240SE1975 Datsun Cherry 100a flying custard1965 Hillman SuperMinx Rock N Roller1974 Austin Allegrat Mk1 1.3SDL1980 Austin Allegro Mk3 1.3L1982 Austin Allegro Mk3 on banded steels2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible 220bhp TurboNutter1966 Morris Minor 1000 (Doris) 2019 Abarth 595C Turismo (not retro but awesome fun) www.facebook.com/DatsunCherry100a
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Nov 23, 2015 23:06:20 GMT
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I have to say, while I've never really been a fan of Gas Monkey Garage (probably more that I'm not really a fan of Richard Rawlings) I really, really love this! If I had it back here in the UK, I don't care how much it would cost to run, I'd definitely daily the hell out of that! As always, some great updates and you're really living the dream! I really enjoy tuning into this to see how many differences, and at the same time, parallels, there are between your trip and mine. As you so rightly put it, we are privileged. I look forward to more. Almost headed home Bruce. But will update last couple of days as soon as possible. Thank you for your comments too. I too wasn't a RR fan really but I love the show. My Wife bought me RR's biography and it has totally changed my perception of the guy. Ok, so he's set out to make himself Uber Rich & Uber Famous BUT, he's done it with hard work & determination. For that alone, I feel unqualified to judge him. I think people often forget that hard work is part of these guys' DNA, so even if you dislike them, they still had to work the odds to get what they have. Other than that, just enjoy the programmes. Wow! This is keeping me thoroughly entertained, in awe and impressed. So much so that I logged in for the first time in 2+ years to comment!(granted that's mainly as I'm in bed sick so have some free time lol) Such an epic road trip and so many lovely people. Looking forward to more updates Thanks mate, good to see you. I wanted to make contact with you recently but noticed you had been MIA for years. Glad you are enjoying the report. Not managed to get on here for a few days due to work so glad of a bit of an escape to Texas, top work Grizz and great photos of GMG. Once again, all I can say is thank you for taking the time to reply.
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Last Edit: Nov 23, 2015 23:07:28 GMT by grizz
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Nov 23, 2015 23:07:46 GMT
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Martin said I needed to post the reply as I am the one with the photos and story telling. :mm: I was also the one who asked about the tattoo and photographed it, because I am just like that So in the simplest form of reducing a 15 minute, highly amusing story from Aaron......... Here goes. Pitch fork Arrow..... It was no15 on a list of things the world needs. Aaron had received a 4 page letter with attached diagrams of 15 things the world needed, he ran through a few of them for us there in the shop. He is a brilliant, and funny story teller. So for instance number two on the list with engineers drawing attached was a Crystal pool ball, and a Lazer pointed pool stick. Thus you could see where your ball would hit the ball to be pocketed, making the game much more accurate. The list went on and still he did no tell us exactly what the arrow meant. At number 15 was this drawing of the Pitch Fork Arrow and it just got him right in the funny bone, so no real explanation, but if I recall correctly, it also featured on his Pikes Peak car. He had the tattoo done at some point and I am sure that for guys like me, it will always be another highlight of a good day spent with some amazingly nice and talented people. I guess the final chapter of the story was when Aaron told us that the list and letter had actually been sent to to him by a registered, trained mental health nurse in the U.S. The story was crazy but massively amusing. Hope that helps for those who were interested.
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Nov 24, 2015 20:26:51 GMT
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I trust there are still a few of you around to watch the culmination of this trip. We made it to our hotel late evening on the Monday, tired, really not in the mood for checking in with hassles and had to pay $100.00 deposit on our room at the Best Western outside Austin. This was the first and only time we had to pay a deposit on a room. Guess being foreigners was being held against us by the check in lady who was "American" with a heavy accent and no sense of humour. Unpacked the car, crashed and had a good night compared to some of the nights to date. Next morning it was breakfast and then we were off to Leander, outside of Austin to meet up with Bret Johnston another Chevy truck and multiple multi skilled guy. He had made Nicola the most awesome turned wood rocket for Christmas last year. Despite being a long way out of our way, Bret and wife Jennifer along with their kids were on our list of "Must do's" due to multiple shared hobbies and just because they are amazingly nice people. We had a load of Lego stuff to deliver as well....... Before we left the hotel, I photographed a transporter with amongst other a Datsun 240Z and an early Trans Am. I also saw this train and had to get a photo, to me it is quintessentially Texan. We drove off through late morning traffic and both commented on how nice it would be to live around here. If only we had a job and prospects. When we got to Bret's dads place where the family were living until their new home is completed, the first thing was swapping out prezzies, T-Shirts and Lego for Bret and his family, truck models and some super cool Hotwheels toys for Martin and I. Then we had a cuppa English Tetleys tea, something we missed most days, seems we got Bret hooked on it as well. His dad is an amazing engineer and artisan, so we looked at and were amazed at some of his engineering, the way his workshop was put together , clearly where Bret learned his skills from. Then the first highlight of the day......... His dad's old truck that his sister had used to university till she got tired of it, now it had Bret's name on it. Spotless, original...... Just gorgeous. At this point my $100.00 indicator switchgear came out too, remember the part I ordered after buying the steering column from Clem? And this reminded us that we needed to use some of Bret's dads tools, including the band saw to trim the packaging of the bed strips and side mouldings down to as close as possible to 2.0 meters. As that was the size of oversized baggage that was permitted on the plane. So we proceeded to dismantle and cut down to size all the packaging and bracing. Amazing how a Sawzall will make quick work of stuff. once all that was done, we locked up and left for his mum in law Gladys' place some distance away. There was more to do and see, seems this day was turning into yet another highlight. So we drove out to where she lives. Love the entrances to American housing estates, where space is just not a problem. This was parked on the same estate as his mum in law, Gladys lives. Patina look on the outside, but all modern brutal business on the underside. Seems the owner has some other toys too. That's a hood ornament. Notice also the flying pig hanging from the rear view mirror. We drove past many estates like this one with impressive entrances and open blue skies. Anyway, we eventually made it to Bret's mum I laws home where Bret owns some of the garages. The main house had two massive garages, and then there was this bank of garages to the side that housed a load of cars, tools and some storage space. Did I mention I would love to live in the USA successfully? More in a while.
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Last Edit: Nov 24, 2015 20:33:08 GMT by grizz
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retrolegends
Club Retro Rides Member
Winging it.....Since 1971.
Posts: 3,714
Club RR Member Number: 94
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Nov 25, 2015 15:23:35 GMT
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Love the patina on that truck, just perfect!
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1974 Hillman Avenger 1500DL1992 Volvo 240SE1975 Datsun Cherry 100a flying custard1965 Hillman SuperMinx Rock N Roller1974 Austin Allegrat Mk1 1.3SDL1980 Austin Allegro Mk3 1.3L1982 Austin Allegro Mk3 on banded steels2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible 220bhp TurboNutter1966 Morris Minor 1000 (Doris) 2019 Abarth 595C Turismo (not retro but awesome fun) www.facebook.com/DatsunCherry100a
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Nov 25, 2015 17:05:53 GMT
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Love the patina on that truck, just perfect! No fake nothing to it. Just years of hot Texas sun and wear and tear. I made Martin stop and let me take the photos.
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retrolegends
Club Retro Rides Member
Winging it.....Since 1971.
Posts: 3,714
Club RR Member Number: 94
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Nov 25, 2015 17:24:09 GMT
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You Mr Grizz are a bad man! I have suddenly found myself looking on Skyscanner at return flights to Dallas and car hire for a couple of weeks,
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1974 Hillman Avenger 1500DL1992 Volvo 240SE1975 Datsun Cherry 100a flying custard1965 Hillman SuperMinx Rock N Roller1974 Austin Allegrat Mk1 1.3SDL1980 Austin Allegro Mk3 1.3L1982 Austin Allegro Mk3 on banded steels2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible 220bhp TurboNutter1966 Morris Minor 1000 (Doris) 2019 Abarth 595C Turismo (not retro but awesome fun) www.facebook.com/DatsunCherry100a
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Nov 25, 2015 17:38:17 GMT
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You Mr Grizz are a bad man! I have suddenly found myself looking on Skyscanner at return flights to Dallas and car hire for a couple of weeks, This ^^^^ I certainly am. But think just how immensely cool it would be, and another thing...... You will never regret it.
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Paul Y
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,948
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Nov 25, 2015 18:44:50 GMT
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Love the AD Grizz! Sort of what I have in mind for Woody. Feeling a bit sad that this epic tale might be drawing to a close.... P.
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Nov 25, 2015 19:47:10 GMT
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Last night I did not have any photos of another part of our day. Bret had taken his day off and swapped it out to be able to spend the day with us. Nice guy ehhh? Anyway, from his dad's place we went via their new home that is being built right now. It will have a nice sized family garage, and space for his woodwork machines and Jennifer's truck. So Martin and I were walking about in the house, just amazed at how much value for money homes offer in the U.S. versus the U.K. 2015-10-10 11.31.04 by bjohnson388, on Flickr 2015-10-10 11.29.10 by bjohnson388, on Flickr After a drive through the new neighbourhood to look at all the lovely different designs available, we took off for Bret's mum in laws place via Smokey Mo's Bar-B-Q where Bret treated us to some seriously mind expanding sandwiches and those massive gallon cups of drink. I opted for a brisket wrap, actually the smallest one I could get and it was just a perfect for me. I have never eaten brisket that good. It seems Mo has built up his chain of restaurants one shop at a time. And what a great job he has done. Interestingly, a Ford Connect van as their delivery van. I do not have a photo of the whole front of Bret's section of the garages, but suffice it to say, it is three times the size of a typical British terrace house. Inside. There are signs of loyalties. The sort of thing I should maybe try make some time. Awkward to get the size of these spaces into perspective. The more we looked, the more we saw. This road trip has been allowing us so much incredibly good quality time to spend with and getting to know good friends, establishing friendships that should stand the test of time. While we were out in the garages, Gladys came home in her "Little car" a VW Tiguan. After a while we went indoors to chat to her, and I found her in the kitchen with a dismantled electric chainsaw........ What a girl !! She needed it fixed and rather than cry about it, she just got on with it. Her dogs were all over us as well, so again it made my day. Jay Bird, a work in progress. This was after all a Chevy C10 road trip, so good to see another and all the work Bret has done on his full resto of this truck for Jennifer. Last photo for now......... This car belongs to Gladys and she wanted me to drive it when we went out later in the afternoon for a significantly long drive around the greater Austin area. Bret spoiled me by taking me to a real Mom n Pop's shop. Something I really appreciated. The car had been a gift from Galdys' late husband and she rarely uses it these days, but Bret looks after it. So the question is......... What is it??
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Last Edit: Nov 25, 2015 19:57:00 GMT by grizz
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Nov 25, 2015 19:59:30 GMT
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Love the AD Grizz! Sort of what I have in mind for Woody. Feeling a bit sad that this epic tale might be drawing to a close.... P. Must be stupid, what is the AD ? And yes, I am also feeling that feeling Paul, but hey-ho...... Someone will post up another travel thread and we will all be happy again.
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recarouk
Yorkshire and The Humber
Posts: 435
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Nov 25, 2015 20:00:33 GMT
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is it a 1970 dodge charger???
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Nov 25, 2015 21:21:16 GMT
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is it a 1970 dodge charger??? Eeerrrrmmm... Sorry..... Nope.
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scimjim
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 1,503
Club RR Member Number: 8
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Nov 25, 2015 21:49:44 GMT
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it's not a 442 is it? great thread btw
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Paul Y
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,948
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Nov 25, 2015 22:44:45 GMT
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Love the AD Grizz! Sort of what I have in mind for Woody. Feeling a bit sad that this epic tale might be drawing to a close.... P. Must be stupid, what is the AD ? And yes, I am also feeling that feeling Paul, but hey-ho...... Someone will post up another travel thread and we will all be happy again. AD = Advance Design. Chevy truck from 47-54. Sorry, we live in a world of TLA's... P.
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luckyseven
Posted a lot
Owning sneering dismissive pedantry since 1970
Posts: 3,839
Club RR Member Number: 45
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Nov 25, 2015 22:58:43 GMT
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Definitely got an Olds logo on the centre cap... 442 would be my guess.
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it's not a 442 is it? great thread btw Close, but no cigar. Get yourself a Pepsi Max. Must be stupid, what is the AD ? And yes, I am also feeling that feeling Paul, but hey-ho...... Someone will post up another travel thread and we will all be happy again. AD = Advance Design. Chevy truck from 47-54. Sorry, we live in a world of TLA's... P. So that's the White, shiney Chevy then Paul? Definitely got an Olds logo on the centre cap... 442 would be my guess. You can most certainly get yourself a Pepsi Max too. ... Sorry, we live in a world of TLA's... P. May appear funny right now, no intention, sorry, I`m no NES. But what are TLAs? A is surely for abbreviation, but T & L? Having worked in big pharma for nearly 25 years, and still not liking TLA's they always get me caught out.
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