dei

Works for me Elpad.

The tires are past their expiry date Ben. Going to talk to my tire guy when I get the chance and see if I can buy a similar whitewall set over the winter. Meantime going to get a temporary spare and keep it local for the rest of the season. You are right about being lucky there was no damage to the fender or worse! A little laundry and a cold one took care of anything else. Meantime, Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to work I go....

As stated, after changing the spare tire and so close went on to the Car Show who took pity on me and said go park her and enjoy. Even though it was well attended there was lots of room and I ended up parking close to this beautiful Wildcat. Upon chatting with the owner Ben and his wife I learned he is a BCA Member and a member of the McLaughlin Buick Club having just come back from one of their tours which Buicknutty has posted about. Ben told me they are coming down this way in September and will have to look it up and see if I can meet up with them? This car is unmistakable with it's wood grain sides and I had not seen it for some time. I bought my '52 Ford F-1 from her son. This sharp '57 Olds convert was a show stopper for me. There are always Rat Rods at these casual Car Shows always making it interesting. In case one wasn't sure exactly what a Rat Rod was, this one came with a Rat hood ornament just to clarify. Fun is the name of the game and guess he is having it! Knowing I wanted to take my time going home I left early but went on down to the lake for a cruise first (no pun intended). My grandparents and then my parents owned these three, what were then just summer cottages, when I was a kid. Had to stop for a shot as the Special spent some time here back then... I then went further down the road about a mile to the entrance of Point Pelee National Park. There is a sign in the Park that states you are standing at the Southern most point in Canada which is just south of the northern Border of California. Sadly we still get wicked winter weather coming off the Lake, "not" like the California climate.... One last shot before heading home taking all the back roads I know of keeping her at a leisurely pace below 40 MPH (just in case...). I learned how to swim here. Who needed a pool with all that water? The weather was spectacular and even with blowing out a tire, the day ended well.

It is 11 pm and have just finished putting the Special back in her garage and loaded up the truck in preparation for tomorrows busy (long) day. Took a picture of the blown out tire. I'm no tire expert but it appears to me the tread had a bulge (belt separation?) near the tear but man was the blowout an experience!

North Shore of Lake Erie.

Thanks Mud! Nice job! Seems like just yesterday....

I understand Keith! I wasn't liking it myself thank you. The tire blew out doing about 45 mph on a very gentle curve and fortunately traffic was exceptionally light. It never shredded so no damage was done to the car fender but I just might have to send that front seat blanket I have in to be cleaned! Looks like I will be asking Santa for a new set of tires for Xmas.

In keeping with the "fix 'em, drive 'em fix 'em" theme..... I decided she was performing quite well and decided to take in a Car Show in my old stomping grounds some 40 miles away. After driving the main highway at 55 mph (which was four lanes) turned off to continue on the Old Road which is now only 40 MPH and quite enjoyable at that speed. It does open up after awhile up to 50 mph and came through a gentle "S" curve when..... BANG! I have NEVER had a blow out and with the top down thought a bomb had gone off! Fortunately the power steering did it's job and I did not panic hitting the brakes so coasted to a stop safely. Had three different people stop to ask if I was all right or needed help one of which was a very nice young guy who stayed until I pulled out the spare and jack. Needless to say I was a little late getting to the show but with only 5 miles to go figured no sense in heading for home....

OH S@#T!

OK, showing my age here but how COOL is this? While driving home after the Waterfront Car Show, we stop at a light and a new Cadillac Escalade stops beside us and the driver has her window down. She says to us, "That is a NICE car!" The back window is open too and there are young girls there also. All seem to be in their twenties but saying they like the Special too. I say, "Thanks, and that I dated this girl in this car" and the driver says, "God Bless you, that is wonderful!" Kinda caped the evening for us!

Post script to the Friday event: After work today I looked at the power steering pump and discovered the compression nut on the pulley wasn't doing it's job! It had loosened off enough to allow the pulley to rattle on the shaft of the pump but because there is a key on the shaft, once I turned the steering wheel putting pressure on the belt, it would quiet down. However, idling or in neutral it would rattle! I bought a lock washer and decided to paint things up before reassembly.

It is Saturday night (late) and posting the pictures of the Windsor Down Town Business Cruise-In held on Friday. Sometimes technology is a good thing! My friends called to say they were able to save me a spot to park with them. This is my one of my friends cars. It is a 1960 Monarch (Canadian car) that his dad bought new. Joe had the body redone and painted and has it's original interior. Randy drove his 1966 Cadillac DeVille in from 35 miles away (Kingsville, Ontario). Jackie "let" her husband Dan bring "her car" (as she calls it). One nice '66 Mustang with a 6 cylinder and automatic but with the Pony interior. Not many of these around... vs the V8 editions... The Show was structured like this, it started a 2pm, open to park and enjoy the car show, DJ music, the views and food wagons. At 6pm local TV Anchor Jim Chreiton announced the Cruise through Windsor would begin. Jim is a car guy too owning (and driving this night) his 1966 Chrysler convertible and most of the close to 600 cars started their engines and lined up to go cruising! Unfortunately the Special had developed a ticking sound I suspected was the bearing in the power steering pump and decided not to put her in the cruise knowing it would be long and slow simply by the volume of cars. I asked if I could ride in the back seat of my friends Cadillac thinking my wife was coming too. Guess what she did? OK! Traffic being what it was they managed to get way ahead of us and didn't think much of the distance as we all had to obey the traffic lights. Meantime, the route brought us past Hiram Walkers (Home of Canadian Club). This is the Executive Offices built in 1858 in what was then known as Walkerville, Ontario. Sadly this building recently announced it will be closing to the general public as of December 31, 2017 and since it is designated as a Heritage Building, not sure of it's future..... During the advertised planed route and coming upon water splashed on the roads at various points with kids holding signs saying, Light'em Up! Randy said, Ya right! With my 5 thousand pound Caddy? Upon returning and enjoying the live band on stage I wondered where my wife (and friend) were? Seemes he decided to stop at his home (as it was on his way) and get one of his other cars.... Ya, the one I really like! (no offence to the Monarch at all ) While the sky looked threatening all evening, it was the perfect temperature and did not rain. We sat and enjoyed the music and fellowship watching the cars coming and going throughout the night. All too soon it seemed like it was too short a night and was time to head home. Even with the ticking noise of the suspect power steering pump on the way home, WHAT A GREAT NIGHT!

Looks like you have a nice space to work in and she is quite solid. As always just be careful man.

As to distance, maybe 10 miles round trip but.... she did me proud getting there down the Main Street to the Waterfront for a local show and back home later that night. Great show and lots of cars I have never seen before. Guys, I'm sure you all know by now, when the wife is happy, Life is good! Good weather, good music, good friends = GOOD TIMES!

Taking a moment before starting my day to post pictures of that GM Dealership get together in prep for the Woodward Dream Cruise. Naturally have another pic of the Special. Had to take a shot of this 1958 Cadillac! Found out it is a local car (I had never seen it before) that has been in the family since 1967. Cadillac used the same window vents as the Buick's. Ralph came out with his 1936 Chrysler having just finished the interior. It has been about a 10 year project while driving it getting her in this shape. Nice pair of 1960 Chev sedans. (I'd love to have my Limited and Roadmaster sitting at a show like this with the Special one day... ) This one was new to me also. I love that some have something different and just out to have FUN! It was a nice 3 hours spent and broke up a long day as I went back to work till 11pm that night but.. work is work. Windsor is having a an event today starting at the Waterfront from 2 till 11, again trying to capture the excitement of the Woodward Dream Cruise on this side of the River and planning to meet up with friends later this afternoon (escaping from work again..). With brake lights working again can go safely. As they say, Film at 11.

I remember thinking something like that about the 80's boxy styling with those BIG energy absorbing bumpers. This from a guy driving around in a car with tailfins and lots of chrome.....

I know from experience to grab what you can when you can as it only gets harder to find later (and more expensive). Wish I was closer to that yard, I could probably spend a week there!

No KongaMan it is exactly like it was plus a few more garage marks.... Meantime, picked up a new brake light switch and swapped that out as the rain cancelled my outside work this afternoon. VOILA! lights are working again! Next?????

Stole a couple of hours this evening after an already long day to attend an event calling itself The Dream Cruise Tuneup at a local GM Dealership. Some guys were there as early as 2pm and heard a few guys ask, "Doesn't anyone work anymore?" Posting mine for now as I have to go back in now for about three hours and then up early (6am) tomorrow.

Drove less than 5 miles round trip to a GM Dealership calling the event The Dream Cruise Tune Up. Lots of cars and had to back out at the back but not alone.

My only experience with rear spring replacement was about 25 years ago on my Special. While in the shop to have NOS spiral shocks put on the mechanic mentioned my springs seemed to have less height than should be so suggested new springs. What he found and recommended was Cargo Coils. Being a true motor head owning Javelins and AMXs and a licensed mechanic I trusted his work and wasn't disappointed. She sits right and rides nice with four adults and a full tank of fuel.

Thanks Jim! Since we lost Dad last March Mom is feeling the loss and knowing it is the same with us on varying degrees, getting together when we can helps. This December she will be 90 and while still managing at home, holding everyday day dear we can. She still cooks a good meal! If you can tell with me posting at this hour, work demands have geared up suddenly and short nights seem to be the order of the day again. Timing sucks for the Cruise as I have not found the problem with the brake lights yet! Time!? Might get my mechanic to look at it this week as I have read in the paper the Police Forces along Woodward are literally going out in force this year "to keep things safe" as they are putting it. I get it with regard to burnouts, stunt driving and such but heard they are restricting anyone towing trailers? or vehicles over 10,000lbs? HUH! Supposedly to ensure public safety standing along the roadsides. Would not want to take a chance without brake lights and get ticketed or worse towed, off the road..... Feast or famine seems to be life for me these last 5 years or so. So, I will have to look but think I still have your cell number and if I get over might take a chance and call to see if we might catch up with each other. A couple of pictures of mine with "Bessie" together would be great! We have been over once with the Cougar and brought Dad's '66 Covair another time and know it is crazy (but fun) on Saturday but will have to see how things develop. Meantime, safe travels Jim.

Think I might have posted this before but do like it (from 1984). This one is 33 years later..... Not sure I like the guy behind the wheel!

Roberta, To answer your question regard other Cubs, I belong to a local Car Club here in Ontario that was founded in 1954. For it's early start a designated member made a news letter that was produced (on a Gestetner machine) and sent out about every two months with a budget from the treasury mostly for expenses and not being paid to do it. With the Club's objective to own and operate a Transportation Museum, eventually things evolved that we needed a Board of Directors (unpaid), a Curator (paid) and during summer months, paid help through a Provincial assistance program. The news letter soon became the responsibility of the Curator helping to keep members current on the many School Programs, Car activities, Special Events and on going developments of what is now over 100 acres of property with over 20 locally significant historic buildings moved to our property over the years, creating a Heritage Village besides our 25,000 square foot Museum. That person (Curator - non member) is paid for her all encompassing duties (including Editor) and does a great job. Our website is paid to a Company to maintain which has seen many challenges and changes but necessary in today's world to help sustain the Organization. The Membership Treasurer (elected) is unpaid being only responsible for dues which currently stands at about 100. Our Membership Secretary is an elected unpaid position. Being a Registered Tax Receipt Organisation, it takes this very basic structure to keep up with the ever changing Government rules and regulations plus the always present costs required to run the electricity, vehicle maintenance, building repairs, etc. and food costs when holding public events. This might not be your typical Car Club but has it's roots as such. The membership is what helps by volunteering at these events and naturally are unpaid. We also have a great Volunteer recruitment list from the General Public that are always desperately needed as members do get worn out. Hope this helps with the discussion. Doug