Robert G. Smits

Rusty I like your idea of putting put out a collection box for visitors. We will add this next year. Because of fund raising events our club is able to donate $5-10K each year split between Hospice and a local home for "at risk" children. When I moved to College Station nine years ago I was attracted to this club because they "do something" other than drive to a local hamburger joint once a month. Like many of you I do not enjoy sitting in a lawn chair behind my car for 5-6 hours but would be happy to donate $20 at a free show. Xander, I love you cars, will you be on the Glidden this year?

Our local club puts on a show each spring. Forty dollar entry fee and we had 160 cars two weeks ago. Site rental is $1500, Insurance $400, Disk Jockey $250, door prizes $500 plus the grand prize this year was a plasma cutter at $400, First and second place trophies for each class were $400. Add another $250 for miscellaneous expenses. I realize that not all shows are as classy as ours but we have been drawing 150-200 entries for the past 15 years. Car owners come back because they have a great time and get something for their entry fee. When they sign in each entrant receives a "Goody Bag" that may contain oil, filters, cleaning supplies or car wax. We always feel happy when we break even and do it for fun. Without the entry fee there would be no show. Just my TCW. Bob Smits

Most of us couldn't agree more. I have heard that investors are wrecking the hobby since I purchased my first car in 1976. I now have 26 and the hobby still appears healthy to me. None of them including my V-16's were investments. I am not sure that the increase in valve isn't mainly devaluation of the Dollar. Bob Smits

Your statement "of course my surgeon wants to replace my knees" bothers me. YOU should be the only one who decides when to have elective surgery. If you feel you are able to tour this summer your knees are certainly not an emergency. Your surgeon may be making his decision based on his priorities, not yours. Remember that today medicine operates more like a business than a profession. If your condition meets the governments minimum requirements surgery will be recommended. How many of you have had your Eye Doctor tell you that "you are now eligible to have your cataracts removed". Four years ago I was told I needed knee replacement and I am still able to do 20 minutes on the elliptical five days a week pain free. Bob Smits, retired surgeon.

Thanks for starting this post Wayne. Bringing up the Old Timers names makes me smile. I never got involved in AACA politics but Al Edmond was my best friend in Des Moines and introduced me to AACA. I knew Howard for over 30 years and he was instrumental in helping me acquire Ron Van Geldrens 38 V16 with automatic transmission. When the Glidden was held in Texas a few years ago I emailed Howard inviting him to ride with me. His response was that he wanted to drive his 41 on one more tour before he died. Little did I know that he wasn't kidding. I am 78 and still work on cars six days a week but realize this won't last forever. Like most of you I am thankful for the many friendships AACA has brought into my life.

I was told by a IT consultant years ago to never trust a CD or DVD for long term storage. My photos are stored in the Cloud (which I don't really trust long term) and on a back up solid state drive kept in my safe deposit box and backed up periodically.

If you are only talking about 20 to 30 slides I would check with your Walmart, Costco or Walgrens as Many of them provide photo/slide conversion services. Many all in one printers or scanners have slide adapters. A couple years ago my kids gave me a stand alone slide converter made by Wolverine that does a decent job and doesn't require a computer.

Thank you to all who replied. I was actually thinking about installing an electric vent fan in the end wall. Carl, I will call you in the next couple of days. Bob Smits

Thinking about buying a 40 ft container to store a couple of parts cars. Does anyone have experience using these for storage and do you need insulated them? Thanks, Bob Smits

Your dogs also may have been a factor. Several years ago we were put through a 45 minute search of our luggage and van crossing into Canada. Later one of the agents told us that out German Shephard triggered the search.

WHY would you add a continental kit to that?????

Marty, thanks for the tip several years ago about the tire changing ramp. On a trip from Texas to Florida a few weeks ago my TPM indicated a drivers side trailer tire losing air. I was able to pull off the interstate into a gas station instead of changing it on the interstate. Using the ramp I was back on the road in 14 minutes and it was raining. The TPM saved me $200 as I wouldn't have known there was a problem until the tire blew. Ed, thanks for the tire tip. I am currently using E rated 14 plies but not with the load ratings you show. You can solve your gas station problems with a auxiliary fuel tank. With my 90 gal tank I can tow to Florida without stopping for gas which saves me 45-60 minutes on the trip.

A lot of good advice here. Specify tire pressure monitors on your trailer. This allows you to spot a problem before the BLOWOUT. It is nice to have options on where to change a tire that is losing air pressure. If I were going to haul heavy classics I would go with the 17.5 tires/rims rather than 16 inch..I have towed over a quarter million miles and if I never have to change a tire along the interstate at night again it will be too soon. Just my TCW. Bob Smits

540K, I just spoke to a independent lift installer in Fort Worth. When I told him what lift i was purchasing he stated that this is the best 4 post on the market today. Before he retired he worked for Rotary.

Great effort Marty but I think it is too late. I have several in my car building that arrived a week ago. See my post under "Hurricane"

Right now I do not think there is any access into or out of Houston as all roads are blocked and both airports are shut down. We have had 29-30 inches of rain in College Station since Friday night and parts of Houston could get another 20 inches. If you wish to do something I would suggest donating money to the RED CROSS which is doing heroic work from all over Texas. They expect to house over 30000 individuals in shelters before this is over.

540K, thank you for starting this thread and doing all the research for me.. I have had a 12K two post for over 10 years love it for restoration work but need a movable lift for the small jobs, especially when the other lift is in use. Getting the arms correct for a 30 minute oil change is a pain. When the dually is on the lift it always worries me because of the movement and I also use hoist jack stand now.. Thanks again. Bob Smits

Marty did you have to mention the Oysters and make me homesick. Matt, you avoid those "looks" by just going to hot rod shows. Bob Smits

Rich Marsh has been released from the hospital following a near fatal auto accident 9 days ago and is recovering at home. We pray for a speedy recovery without complications. If you would like to send him a card his address is: 575 Paulownia Dr, China Grove, NC 28023

Reminds me it the old saying:. It is hard to soar like a eagle when one is surrounded by turkeys. Just my TCW

Before you buy a Duramax I suggest you spend some time googling Duramax problems. A good thread is 10 most frequent problems with the LBZ on DieselPlace.com. As you travel to shows you will notice that 49 out of 50 flatbed haulers drive a Ram or Power Stroke. There is a reason. I purchased my 07 new. At 93K I have spent over $10K on non covered repairs and now need a new turbo at a cost of $4500. You haven't lived until you experience "Limp home mode" at midnight on a two lane in MO on a rainy night and have to travel at 25 to 30 mph for the next hour. Google code P2563. BTW I thought it was the best truck I had ever owned at 75 K miles. Just my TCW. Bob Smits

I would contact Les Kasten @ 651 280 9681. He is the Eight Lug Tech Advisor for the Pontiac Club. The late Ron Panzer did a series of articles on this subject which I think are available through the Pontiac Oakland Club.

TerryB I for one would like to at least allow you to get your investment back. Have you contacted the library yet, if not I would be happy too. They are inline to receive my extensive library when I canno longer use it. I know the kids will just send it to the landfill. Bob Smits

Put a price for the lot and let's see if we can get it donated to the AACA. I would be willing to contribute. Bob Smits

Thanks to all who replied. I went with US Canada Auto Transport on the recomendation of the seller who had used them for several years going both ways. Although they are a broker they put me in touch with First Class Transport out of Mount Vernon, WA. They were also $1400 cheaper than Passports recommendation. They picked the car (64 Bonneville) up on the 17th and delivered it on the 23rd. Very careful and professional. I have no complaints. There is a bundle of paperwork which the handled by email and it went off without a hitch. First Class Transport only runs from the west coast to Texas and back. I think their primary business is hauling new foreign cars from the Houston port to Canada. As someone mentioned previously if I were to purchase another car from Canada it would be with the stipulation that the seller deliver it to a US location for pick up. Just my TCW. Bob Smits