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[knightfan26917]

...long lost vehicles & Route 66....

3 articles for you to read/enjoy, the first 2 written by me.

#1 ... " Finding Long Lost Friends "

READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE HERE:

http://www.motorgnomes.com/2012/02/finding-long-lost-friends/

"""

Walking home from 5th grade the Friday of Labor Day weekend 1984 I was on a bit of a high. We were, after all, about to embark on a special trip north to see relatives in Minnesota. However, as I rounded the corner of the old Gromer's Supermarket store [the building of which is now gone, in favor of a new fire station; I suppose SOME progress is good], my mood dropped considerably, as I didn't see "my" 1976 Monte Carlo ... anywhere. Oh, I knew it was in its last days with us; Mom and Dad were in the process of evaluating replacement vehicles, including a 1978 Caprice Classic sedan, but I didn't expect it to just be ... gone. Imagine my relief when my parents told me that it was in the garage. This possibility hadn't crossed my young mind because, since they had purchased a 1981 MC SC (mine since December 1999), they routinely left the 1976 MC out when we went away, in an effort to make it look like people were home.

The reason "my" 1976 MC was in the garage (where it had been from the time Dad and Mom bought it in 1976 until they bought the 1981 MC in 1982) didn't make me any happier. They had found a replacement vehicle that would become ours the next Tuesday evening. I was devastated. I wanted NO part of another car. The 1976 MC was MINE, for goodness sakes. While Dad and Mom finished preparations for the trip up to Minnesota that evening, I trudged myself out to the garage and just stared at "my" 1976 MC.

To say I enjoyed that Labor Day weekend with relatives in Minnesota doesn't tell the entire story. I was, after all, one unhappy kid. I know my relatives in Minnesota didn't understand why I was so unhappy, and I suspect that, even now, some 28 years later, they still don't. The weekend, of course, flew by, and we were on the road home Monday morning with the intent of making it home so we could wash "my" 1976 MC one last time that evening. During that trip home, the expressway became a parking lot. We never found out the cause, though, as Dad did something that you aren't supposed to do. He steered our 1981 MC SC through the grassy median and chose another route home.

I remember that next night, the Tuesday after Labor Day weekend 1984, almost as if it was yesterday. The front of "my" 1976 MC smiled at me when I got home from school, but as we drove away from the dealership later that evening in our "new" car (a used 1982 Chevette...hey, at least it was RWD!), I caught a glimpse of the tail end of "my" 1976 MC ... and those taillights literally were frowning at me. I had always seen that "frown" in the rear end, but suddenly that night the frown was suddenly very huge and very real to this at-the-time 11-year-old kid.

I was reminded of all this recently when I found the results of a "title search" I did for that very 1976 MC, the car that started my automotive love affair. I re-discovered the results because, since my energy has increased, I've started the painstaking, long-overdue, and slow task of going through my many papers, files, belongings, etc. In that process, I've also come across a number of old magazines, clippings, and even some letters from people long since gone, whether by death, lost touch, or simply only vaguely remembering the signed name.

"""

#2 ... More of my ROUTE 66 STORY

Chapter#s 26-28, "A Couple in a LTD", "A Rude Awakening" & "Tale of Two Conversations"...:

http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2012/02/25/_thats-the-highway_-17/

#3 ... " Where have all the 1980s cars gone? "

This Tribune article ranks the 1980s MCs (and their Oldsmobile and Pontiac cousins) as "Survivors" with a collectibility grade of C ... do you agree?

There's a missing generation in American car collecting, people who came of age between 1974-1990. Collectors of cars from that period are conspicuously absent. Hot-rod shows are divided between V-8-powered gray panthers in 1930-1960s muscle and 20-somethings with Asian pocket rockets from 1990 to the present.

...

Extinct cars were wretched when new, with fragile motors, bad electrics, questionable handling and reliability issues. They are 99 percent gone.

Endangered species cars may still be found in small towns, parked outside seniors' homes, or at estate sales. You may find a little old lady car that you can bond with (as a contrarian), and find parts in wrecking yards.

Survivors had special merit — the 1984-89 Corvette C4 is still a marvelous car, and the turbocharged Buick Grand National was collectible from day one. Some plush-o-matic cruisers were bought by folks with white belts and plaid pants. Think Cadillac Eldorado, Buick Riviera and Oldsmobile Toronado. Other survivors were so numerous and inexpensive — like Chrysler's K cars — that they haven't all been used up yet.

READ MORE HERE:

http://www.ctnow.com/ontheroad/sc-cons-0112-autocover-80s-cars-20120114,0,281692,full.story

Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic

* roadsNwheels + CapriceClassicForum = http://rdwhl-capriceclassic.proboards.com/ *

* rNwJumpStartCruzNite | 5:30-10:30p; SAT, 05/12/12 | BeefVilla, 1225 W Spring St, S Elgin IL *

"Those dreams move on if you wait too long" __ Billy Ray Cyrus __ 'Could've Been Me'

[knightfan26917]

*

Along with the article published today...here if you haven't seen it yet:

http://www.cheersandgears.com/page/index.html/_/articles/editorials/stop-re-naming-my-car-r487

...I've added a bit more to my Route 66 story. The editorial was fun to write, partly because I love history & timelines of cars, roads, etc.

MY RT 66 STORY

Chapter 29 (Pictures Delivered) is published....

http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2012/03/15/_thats-the-highway_-18/

[To read all, click "Route66" link, top left corner.]

Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic

CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

* rNw-CC+event: http://rdwhl-capriceclassic.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=whatsgoingon *

"These memories are playing like a film without sound" __ Vitamin C __ 'Graduation'

[GMTruckGuy74]

You don't have to preach to the choir about '80s cars to me... I'll see some at a local smal show, usually a Buick Grand National or a Ford Mustang or a Corvette. But it's only at the larger shows - Carlisle, PA events, Raceway events (Atco, Old Bridge), AACA events - that I'll see more than a dozen. However, cars from the '40s to 'mid-'70s and riced out cars from the '90s to present are always on display no matter the size or host of the show. As many know, the '81-'87 Pontiac Grand Prix G-body is near and dear to me, so I tend to look for them at car shows (which is not always likely). Usually a Pontiac-centric show will have at least one, and the All-GM Nationals in Carlisle will have maybe two. But outside of that it's a rarity for me to see my desired '80s G-body.

[G. David Felt]

Very Cool Reading, My Favorite 80's Car is the Monte Carlo Aero. I just loved that car.

[GMTruckGuy74]

I grew up with a ton of Monte Carlos, Cutlass Supremes, Regals and Grand Prix's in the '80s. It seemed as if the General had one of those four cars in just about everyone's driveways in the '80s.

My cousin had a '81 Buick Regal (3.8L V6) as her first car ('89-'92), that I borrowed for my driver's license test in December '91 (due to the bench seat), my mon had the '83 Grand Prix LJ in triple dark red (marron exterior, maroon interior, dark red half vinyl top), my one aunt had a '86 Monte Carlo in two-tone blue (light & dark), and neighbors had a dark gray '85 or '86 Cutlass Supreme and another had a black Monte Carlo SS ('86 or '87). One of the first cars I looked to buy when I was car shopping in late '91 was a '84 C/S in black with a red interior and those beautiful Olds Rallye rims (in body color).

For those of you that remember my attempt (before my first lay-off in '09) at buying that white & gray '87 GP LE, I still keep an eye on it as the former Pontiac-Cadillac dealer has that, and another white '81-'87 GP, under car covers in his former shop garage

Edited March 21, 2012 by GMTruckGuy74

[knightfan26917]

For those of you that remember my attempt (before my first lay-off in '09) at buying that white & gray '87 GP LE, I still keep an eye on it as the former Pontiac-Cadillac dealer has that, and another white '81-'87 GP, under car covers in his former shop garage

I'd be lying if I wrote that I hadn't thought of you and that GP recently...! Saw a white/maroon Pontiac GP for sale a few weeks ago, and immediately thought of you ... and wondered what ever happened to that GP you were wanting to buy. Glad to know it is still a possibility for you!

Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic

CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

* rNw-CC+event: http://rdwhl-capriceclassic.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=whatsgoingon *

"It's always the same old story, you never know what you've got til its gone" __ Mike & the Mechanics __ 'All I Need Is A Miracle'

[GMTruckGuy74]

Well, my finances have never recovered to the levels they were pre-2009 layoff, and the 2010 layoff hurt even more (no time for recovery). I check on the '87 GP at least every three months, just for peace of mind I do hope that when the day comes when the owner wants to part with it he'll be happy with what I have in my little nest egg (assuming it neither grows or disappears) based on the fact that the car will remain as he has kept it the past 25 years going forward with me as its new owner.

However I don't see that happening any time soon

[knightfan26917]

Your comment about the layoffs setting you back really hits home. For me, particularly because of all of the medical bills. People tease and criticize me for still living with "mommy and daddy", but had I bought my own place, I'd be in FAR worse shape right now than I already am. And that sucks big time, not to mention how frustrating it all is. Every single time I've STARTED to get ahead, I've either lost my job or had some medical issue that has drained that money. Sometimes, it'd be nice to just give up.

*shrugs*

Hopefully, someday, you can get that GP.

Had an "incident" with a dealership a few weeks ago. Was searching AutoTrader for 1989 Caprice Classics ... and found one 4 miles away. The ad listed it as "red", but the pics the dealer sent me was of a 2-tone blue. Anyway, offered them $2500 for it ... they refused (they'd been asking $2995). Then, a week later, they told me they wholesaled the damn car for a LOSS ... even less than what I had offered for it. Dealer claimed they had no choice since nobody came to look at it...............

ANYWAY ... added more to my ROUTE 66 STORY....

All chapters, including NEW addition, #30....

1-4, Potential Sale; Arriving; Goodbye; Preparation:

http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/03/29/_thats-the-highway_/

5-8, The Letter; An Idea; A Return; Research & A Test:

http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/03/31/_thats-the-highway_-2/

9, The Drive & A Revelation:

http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/04/03/_thats-the-highway_-3/

10, Stall Tactic:

http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/04/06/_thats-the-highway_-4/

11-12, To Make Connections; Plans Verbalized:

http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/04/19/_thats-the-highway_-5/

13, Road Trip Rush:

http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/05/12/_thats-the-highway_-7/

14, Late Night & A Whistle:

http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/05/12/_thats-the-highway_-8/

15, Awakening:

http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/05/25/_thats-the-highway_-9/

16, Train & Memories:

http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/05/25/_thats-the-highway_-10/

17, Shopkeeper:

http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/06/21/_thats-the-highway_-6/

18-19, An Answer; Return Visit:

http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/08/11/_thats-the-highway_-12/

20, The Picture:

http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/10/17/_thats-the-highway_-11/

21, Shaping History:

http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/10/31/_thats-the-highway_-13/

22-23, Rebuilding Idea; Planning Stage:

http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/12/09/_thats-the-highway_-14/

24, Surprise Meeting:

http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/12/16/_thats-the-highway_-15/

25, A Long Meeting & A Visitor:

http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2012/01/24/_thats-the-highway_-16/

26-28, A Couple in a LTD; A Rude Awakening; Tale of Two Conversations:

http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2012/02/25/_thats-the-highway_-17/

29, Pictures Delivered:

http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2012/03/15/_thats-the-highway_-18/

30, Awkward Moments:

http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2012/03/26/_thats-the-highway_-19/

Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic

CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

* rNw-CC+event: http://rdwhl-capriceclassic.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=whatsgoingon *

"What can you do?" __ Mickey Gilley __ 'Full Grown Fool'

[knightfan26917]

And ... a follow-up for this article:

I have some possible follow-up ideas; this is just the tip of the iceberg. NO, this is not a "domestic bashing" article; that wasn't the intent. The article idea was mentioned almost a year ago. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to write it ... partly because of my own disappointment in a certain unnamed division of GM that opted to turn the Celebrity into a monte carlo AND an impala, by way of the Lumina. Recently unemployed, I had time to dig into it; the more I dug, the more intrigued I was.

For the record, I've never owned a Toyota/Honda. My vehicles include 5 MCs (1972/1976/1979/1981/1987) & a 1979 Caprice Classic (w/NO connection to front-wheel drive).

For a "Reader's Digest" summary of my "car family", see this article I wrote for Motor Gnomes:

http://www.motorgnomes.com/2012/01/pictures-a-family-of-cars/

Pictures may be worth a thousand words, but they don’t share the complete tale. And, the complete tale might be a bit wordy, so a brief “Reader’s Digest” version….

1973. The newly-redesigned Monte Carlo was named Motor Trend Car Of The Year … and I was born. Coincidence? Fate? Ironic twist?

Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic

*** 3rd GEN MC (1978,1979,1980) FORUM > http://thirdgenmontes.proboards.com/ ***

** 6th GEN (2000-07) GROUP > http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/y2kmontecarloclub/ **

"I can't remember who I was back then" __ Tim McGraw __ 'Red Ragtop'