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Sept 27, 2023 19:44:29 GMT
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I’ve used the “well, I/we don’t drink, don’t smoke etc” approach to justify more than one old car related expense . I think it does add to the thread, certainly for anyone who may be thinking about doing something similar. We’ve spoken about doing various trips and, for unfortunate reasons it is now a possibility once finances are in some sort of order, so it’s certainly food for thought Thanks James. I suspect many of us work that way. I’ve used the “well, I/we don’t drink, don’t smoke etc” approach to justify more than one old car related expense . I expect all of us reading this thread have done the same. Once again, very much enjoyed reading this thread grizz , a taste of the real USA, very much the opposite to my trip to NYC last year where I experienced how vulgar and arrogant some 'Americans' can be. I hope one day to do a similar trip, away from the tourist traps, but other plans and life commitments must take priority for now. Thanks as always for sharing, look forward to the next one, wherever and whenever it may be! The real America is a great place, with amazing people. Glad to share and show. Same here, few years ago there used to be a direct flight between Manchester and Charlotte... Long gone nowadays. other option I keep looking at is Humberside to Schipol as its cheaper and more convenient for me than the train to Heathrow. Great trip Grizz, away from the cities the US is fascinating as always. Those direct flights may die out because they cannot generate a critical mass for survival.
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Sept 27, 2023 12:48:32 GMT
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No cellulose thinners in the garage, just regular, that failed to move anything.
So plan B, after Plan B which was to remove and take the glove box and ashtray to a paint shop for matching some paint, failed, we are now on Plan C.
Take the ashtray which has a bit of the grey paint left, and have that colour matched, then come back, mask just about everything after scotchbrite surface prep and panel wiping the lot….. then paint just that lower section of the whole area, including ashtray. It is a zero contact/low traffic area, so could work.
Certainly would be an improvement.
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Sept 27, 2023 12:08:39 GMT
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I've been stripping paiint off a mx5 dash with celly thinners, came off easily. Not sure I have cellulose thinners in the garage, but if it attacks the clear lacquered surface without destroying the rest, it will be great, and a result. I will go take a look in the garage, I know there is a tin of thinners, not sure the type. Thanks.
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Sept 27, 2023 10:10:28 GMT
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Too many Pacers have fallen intro Waynes World "Mirth Mobiles" to the point that some people who are into them get kinda tweaky about it. I guess its same if you like any form of Reliant 3 wheeler and get sick of Del Boy comments. I like AMC. They were at one the red headed step child of the US auto industry but at the same time they were the group which seemed to contain all the most interesting and innovative brands. In the US these guys were first to the party with things like superchargers, unitary construction, hatchbacks, ugh, google it - there will be a list. Theres an almost unfathomable range of brands who were all independant makers who went into the AMC mix (unlike say Ford who invented all* of their brands out of the Ford main brand) I had an AMC / Rambler American (It was badged as both, possibly due to being an export model) - it ended up in Germany for some reason - it was RHD so that was some kinky German who wanted that. Great cars, I would have another, probably a "great daily driver" as they tend to be a little smaller than most Yank Tanks (they never developed the giant platforms of the late 60s and early 70s) and with excellent* parts availability One of my first proper yank car experiences was back in the late 1980s or maybe 1990 I met a guy who was waxing his AMC Gremlin Pro Street machine at the seafront in Southsea - obviously for the pose. We chatted, and it had a 401 out of an Ambassador, tunnel ram, loads of goodies and we got a ride in it. What a fantastic machine. I'd seen cars like it in magazines and at shows but this was my first ride in one.... fantastic Thank you. I wanted to call the thread, AMC - The company that should have been much more. You,have absolutely summed it up.
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Sept 27, 2023 9:00:11 GMT
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Washed both the Astro and the S10 yesterday afternoon late. They get dirty just standing around and if I looked at buying the S10, parked out on the sidewalk, a clean car would sell easier than one covered in a weeks worth of dust and spiders webs. I also spoke to Dennis and he suggested going in gentle with trying to shift the paint on the glovebox lid. Starting with brake cleaner and a coarse rag. The ashtray can be removed and actually is made of black plastic. I am not sure if that is the way they were originally made, and if they then were painted in the factory process to the colour of the “dog box” and other dash pieces, as the one the radio surround came from in Arkansas had brown down there. The glove box can also be removed with three small screws on the hinge, making a possible repaint easier, and not necessitating a huge mask up of the interior. This will also affect my decision making later today, as to what avenue to follow. So I went at the whole thing for some time, using both elbow grease and a fair amount of brake cleaner. The only place where the brake cleaner actually worked was the ashtray. I never felt any change in the consistency of the clear lacquer over the 90’s graffiti at all. Eventually giving up on that. I will take the glovebox lid off some time today and take it to a local (7 miles) paint store and see if they can colour match the plastic on the inside of the lid and then just paint it directly over the clear, as more paint will lose the texture of the plastic, and I do not want to melt down the existing plastic by any aggressive use of strippers etc. Final result was not encouraging. But the ashtray is less grey. Fingers crossed for later.
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Last Edit: Sept 27, 2023 9:01:26 GMT by grizz
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Sept 27, 2023 8:08:28 GMT
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Nice, there was a point of no return reached there wasn't there ! One quick thought on the new wheel, you could consider getting it wrapped with leather like broady did on his 944. Probably got much more important things to think about at the moment but when the time is right (which I'm sure it will be at some point) this would be a really nice finishing touch. James Morning James, Absolutely, and the point of no return meant a dead van on the drive down a tight alley etc, so I am pleased I did not end up at a point of using vice grips to steer it. I wrapped a wheel in leather years ago, using the right stitches and it came out amazingly, people struggled to believe that I had done it myself. On this one, I do not want to add cost or more detail to it. Making it look original with a leather wrap will be more effort than I care for at this point. I wonder if the trucks of the era came with a factory leather steering wheel option.
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Sept 26, 2023 19:39:33 GMT
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Sept 26, 2023 16:57:02 GMT
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I have the second set saved, but at almost £16.00 each, I will always ask around, in case someone does pairs for less. Saying that, I am not sure if it was per one, but Statesplates came p at £28.00 when I started to make up a front one. I want a 6x12 American style, rather than the Import size. Also realised, when the S10 sells, I will have the set off it to move to the van, so maybe I need to just be patient. Or maybe not……. These I like, without the extra stuff top and bottom. Aalistairk not sure if you have other suggestions.
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Sept 26, 2023 15:29:07 GMT
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Sept 26, 2023 13:56:56 GMT
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Sept 26, 2023 13:50:59 GMT
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Sept 26, 2023 13:43:00 GMT
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Sept 26, 2023 13:39:18 GMT
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One of those American brads that seems to stand in the shadow of many bigger brands. But I have always liked quirky, and a bit different. The outsider, the weirdo. Photodump Wikipedia American Motors Corporation (AMC; commonly referred to as American Motors) was an American automobile manufacturing company formed by the merger of Nash-Kelvinator Corporation and Hudson Motor Car Company on May 1, 1954. At the time, it was the largest corporate merger in U.S. history.[3] American Motors' most similar competitors were those automakers that held similar annual sales levels such as Studebaker, Packard, Kaiser Motors, and Willys-Overland. Their largest competitors were the Big Three—Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler. American Motors' production line included small cars—the Rambler American, which began as the Nash Rambler in 1950, Hornet, Gremlin, and Pacer; intermediate and full-sized cars, including the Ambassador, Rambler Classic, Rebel, and Matador; muscle cars, including the Marlin, AMX, and Javelin; and early four-wheel drive variants of the Eagle and the Jeep Wagoneer, the first true crossovers in the U.S. market. Regarded as "a small company deft enough to exploit special market segments left untended by the giants",[4] American Motors was widely known for the design work of chief stylist Dick Teague, who "had to make do with a much tighter budget than his counterparts at Detroit's Big Three", but "had a knack for making the most of his employer's investment".[5] After periods of intermittent independent success, Renault acquired a major interest in American Motors in 1979, and the company was ultimately acquired by Chrysler in 1987.
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Sept 26, 2023 11:41:11 GMT
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Who did you get your USA style 12x6 plates from.
I saw £20.00 per plate at the show this weekend, and thats more than my tight fist will relinquish.
I cannot remember who supplied the ones for the truck, and feel the van needs USA style too.
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Sept 26, 2023 11:35:33 GMT
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I am sure that we can have a few more entries and discussions here. After all, threads are more than just pictures, they should be a resource and a place to discuss things. I never know if a basic break down of costs is of any value to anyone else. And more importantly, if it will be the thing that makes someone realise their travel dream, or pee the same person off because they either do not have the resource, drive, ability or will power, or is that wont power to put a trip together. I am very fortunate that my own lifestyle, life philosophy, circles of friends and living what I preach has made these trips possible, along with incredible humans like Dennis, and every other person mentioned, and not mentioned in these blogs and vlogs. So some of my travel is cheaper than you may be able to experience, but most readers will recall, I have had total strangers (the Australian couple touring UK/Europe) stay in my house, McMurphy and Patricia using it as a base, and countless others coming and going through my life. Karma has a way of lining all of these things up and making it into one continuous story. MAYBE I SHOULD MENTION ALSO THAT I TRY TO PICK UP AS MANY TABS AS I CAN, PAYING MY OWN WAY, AND THROUGH MUTUAL RESPECT AND GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER OVER THE YEARS, THIS HAS BECOME EASIER, WHERE CLEM, DENNIS AND OTHERS ARE CONCERNED, SO I AM NOT AT ALL ON A SPONSORED HOLIDAY. PLACES LIKE FLORIDA FUN PARKS, DISNEY, ATTRACTIONS AND TOURIST CITIES ETC ADD TO COSTS VERY QUICKLY. I prefer to travel off the beaten track and to get to know the real Americans and their world. So a very basic break down of this trip costs, rounded up or down to the nearest £10.00 will be…… Ticket £660.00 Insurance, International driver license £140.00 Mickey Taxi, drop off, ULEZ, Parking £140.00 Heathrow breakfast £10.00 Boston sandwich £20.00 USA Fuel, Food, Alcohol, Gifts etc £1000.00 So I would say that 22 days including everything I can remember tops out at £2000.00 which means £90.00 per day. Of course that is not really the way to do a calculation but when I do “man maths” and look at the price of a packet of cigarettes at a low average of £10.00 for 20 per day, and a few beers, or a pair of cocktails at a cheap £20.00 per visit, and a kebab and Coke rounded up to £10.00 before you have driven to town, paid up to £10.00 for parking and fuel you get to about: Cigarettes £70.00/week Beers £40.00/two nights Kebab or food £30.00/week Transport £20.00/week EQUALS = £160.00 MONTHLY POTENTIAL = £640.00A few other points to ponder, I drive a 1.5 diesel Ford Focus wagon as company car, I downgraded 6-7 years ago, UK Benefit in Kind TAX reduction on a smaller car than the BMW/Mercedes Benz that I qualify for is £980/year. I am known for my love of Bootfairs, thrift stores and when I pay £50.00 for a like new, “used” lawnmower, the £350.00 original price puts £300.00 back into my imaginary pocket. There are tons of ways to save in unconventional ways, turn off the lights in the rooms not used etc I will immediately say that there are many people, who for various reasons do not spend or have the money to spend in this way, and respect to every person who fight the daily fight to make ends meet. But for those who need a motivation, maybe this shows how easy it is to spend more than you realise. When I went to St Louis to meet Dennis and ultimately the rest of America in 2016 for the first time, I did not want to spend the money as I always tried to thing of tomorrow and the next day. It took a loving woman like Nicola to point out the basics to me, pointing out that Mickey next door smokes and has a few beers every day of his life, as long as he has cash in his pocket. She also reminded me that the richest guy in the grave yard was not a particularly clever title to have, and that corpse shrouds do not come with pockets. I really hope this entry is of value to anyone reading and considering a trip, whether it be to anywhere in America, like my road trips, or a trip to Wales in winter, when prices could be a bit lower, and a nice log fire as inviting as Route 66. Choice is yours. Pounds Sterling. US dollars.
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Last Edit: Sept 27, 2023 9:33:49 GMT by grizz
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Sept 26, 2023 10:40:57 GMT
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I've not found a flight go right that was in or out of a UK airport since the pandemic lifted. its like they just haven't got their act together yet, which is frustrating. Looks like you had a good time, the flying bit is just the unfortunate bit that bookends it. Agreed on having their act together. And book ending is part of the deal, so I always make peace with that. I need to investigate the direct flight from Gatwick iirc to St Louis, a bit cheaper, as advertised, maybe in reality the same price, but hopefully not a 25 hour door to bed deal.
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Sept 26, 2023 10:12:14 GMT
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Thursday morning, awake early, as expected. Dennis could not take me to the airport as he had been called for jury duty, and despite trying all the tricks, was threatened with prosecution if he did not attend. “Contempt of court” It seems the last time he tried the trick of greeting the accused with a “Hi Mike, didn’t know you were here today” and got sent home, would not work again. So he asked Warren to take me, as Debbie was working as well. Remember him? Warren sitting behind Dennis. Case was already packed and stairs in the garage last night. So close to 23kg. Turned out, at the airport, their scales found it over 23kg. So I swapped out one Astro Manual and replaced it with some license plates from Tom in Kansas, as well as those collected elsewhere. I was a bit amused, the swap left the scales exactly the same as before, but the lady behind the counter (Her husband drag races, and she recognised me as one of their people due to some stickers on the outside of my case, I kid you not) was happy that she had done her job. You saw this before….. So Warren picked me up at 009.30 and we headed to St Louis to get me headed out. 30 minutes into the trip by 10.00, Dennis called Warrens phone…….. GUESS WHAT ?? Yup……. Case cancelled, court adjourned, another day wasted, see you next time. So we carried on, Thanks for the ride Warren. Got booked in, went through the most amazing customs and security set up in all my American travels. It was clear the team had been a team for a long time, and had a tight control over their station, but smiles, chat and a bit of banter between themselves and passing through travellers made for a great atmosphere. After repacking my stuff and getting my flip flops back on, I told the last security person who was reloading the X=-Ray trays into an automated system my observations on the team, which clearly pleased her, and her reply was that their team had been a unit, coming up for three years, and they were all much more than colleagues, friends too. To me, having been in a team like that for 5 of the last 6 years, it was good to hear. Taking off from St Louis, I always have a feeling of loss and dread, heading back to reality and this year, redundancy, we hit a time zone change when we got to Boston, Massachusetts where the lay over is about 4 hours iirc. I had skipped breakfast at Dennis’ place, opting for a coffee and two slices of the weird over refined bread with jam early morning. Label says “Enriched” not sure what with. Still leaves you feeling empty inside, unlike the Warburtons seeded batch bread I eat back in the UK. So once I had got my bearings in Boston, I found a shop selling food, well, sandwiches and coffee. Everything in there is super inflated, as they know you have two choices, well, three really…… eat your own, don’t eat, or pay the prices. In this case, I chose to pay the price for a chicken, Brie and tomato Panini as we know them here, and a paper cup of “Drip coffee”. This we know as straight filter coffee from a large jug on standby. It was so bad, I binned half the coffee, despite trying real hard to like it. The chicken panini of the other hand……. Despite the $22.00 price tag, was exceptionally good. And I chose to pay the price. Eventually our flight was called and spent the night in an aisle seat, unable to sleep. I watched a movie, no clue even now, what it was called. Selection this time did not appeal to me, but no problem Got to Heathrow early, but had to sit and wait about 30 minutes for a hate to become available for disembarking as the one assigned became unusable. Then waiting for the badge was equally torturous as three large international flights had landed at the same time. Eventually got my bag, called neighbour Mickey who was sat near the airport in a lay-by having a bacon sandwich and tea, he came in, parked, met me, we paid £6.00 for the parking and of course the ULEZ Tax that now covers the airport access, as the thieves in government want to steal every penny they can from every person they can. We were home by 10.10 and George was here, shouting at me for having left him home alone. He would not leave my side for the next week. At Sallys place, Bonnie had clearly missed me as well. Forgot to mention, Tom in Nebraska, and my keen eyes in junk piles netted me a few plates for my collection. I have one more entry to do, just a conclusion. Soon.
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Last Edit: Sept 26, 2023 10:38:05 GMT by grizz
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Sept 26, 2023 9:23:07 GMT
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Final post ,uuhhmm pity, a really well documented trip through ‘real’ America … facinating as always … Almost……. 😂
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Sept 26, 2023 9:19:03 GMT
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Been following elsewhere, and you I know how I feel about it.
Well done, as always, and thanks for sharing here. ‘ I prefer the older iirc front grille to this clean lined one, but thats just a preference.
As you say: BOOOOM !!!
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Sept 26, 2023 9:08:09 GMT
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