Well, I don't know if I ever did post a complete picture of the way things 'used-to-look'. For those that recall why I couldn't make it to CJ08 (see '' The Ultimate Ontario Route" (http://"http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?p=228759"), *when I said family reasons*)... here is part of my story:
Here's the way things used to look:
(http://www.cougarxls.com/pf/twfs.jpg)
This picture was taken from the roof. The last thing anybody will do up there until it is replaced/fixed.... I am not a roofer, I have no idea what is involved...:confused: but none the less, the next time someone will be up there is to fix it.
But, before work can commence, there are some cars... some *dead* cars as my mother would so eloquently put it... will have to be moved. So, that mechanic... okay, just me & myself will have to deal with, find a way, to move these cars to get them off of the driveway for space. The space will be filled with a great big garbage bin; as we are starting renovations there's plenty of old rubble from tear outs.
So, I try to fullfill this noble quest. There are three questions at this point weighing hevely on my mind...:
1) How do I move these cars? (Ihave a 'not-running' '86 F-150)
2) Will it be safe for these cars? (Based on how to move these cars... a tow truck, a tractor?)
3) Where do I move these cars? (This whole property of 3.4 acres is wet and sunken)
The first spot I chose (and actually in agreement with the rest of my family), was harder to atain. Alot of brush to clear away, and that wasn't my first concern... it was the down hill slope. Any vehicle pulling one of my Cougars (and my Sis's TBirds) could be very easily damaged by the very car it is towing! It's downhill and (except Cougar A), nobody else has brakes!!!! So, I figured, that if that was to be the new home for A,B & Pepper (as X & Salt are our DD's)... the safeist way to move the cars was on the back of a flatbed tow-truck (you know, the kind that any of us who drive 20 yr old cars as Daily Drivers (and lack of restoration) has come home upon once or twice anyways...). This was the most expensive aspect... but the safest.
But the 'all-mighty-dollar' comes into play now doesn't it.!?!?. Mom is the one calling the shots, she's funding the restoration of the house.... so as I *good son* I try to follow. She's looking to save some $molla$, and it just so happens, we're friends with a neighbour that has a tractor... you see where I am going yet?
I know my cars, I love my cars... even those two T-Birds that aren't mine (I am still thee mechanic in my family :hick: )... I want to protect them. Here's where the story gets interesting...
The location of where we are going to relocate Cougar A, B & Pepper changes... to just behind our pool. It seems easier, there is already an access point through our neighbours feild (yes, the one with the tractor). Anyways, Mom recruits him.
Ouch.
Myself and my Father are at home when our neighbour comes over with his tractor... we start with the car that is furthest out on our driveway... Cougar A. (duh, we should HAVE started with that ed eye-sore of a truck).
Here comes the story.... Out and around... exiting out our driveway into the adjacent access point our neighbour had, and towards the spot. The spot where Cougar A and an F150 would soon never forget. I was behind the wheel of Cougar A, guiding the steering wheel, and operating the brakes... our neighbour drove the tractor. We turned out onto Harnett Road (via Tow-Chain), and then immediatly turned into our Neighbours adjacent access point. No problems... yet.
We were too fast around the curve on Harnett road... too fast enetering the second access... so far okay... but then the tractor stops! :mad: :evilgrin: :mad: right after we go down the slope of the ditch en route to our new locale. The tractor stops!! I try breaking, but without vacuum assit, the brakes weren't exactly operating at peak performance... and... oooof, ooooh..... BOOOM:
(http://www.cougarxls.com/pf/thedamage.jpg)
:punchballs: :punchballs:
(http://www.cougarxls.com/pf/ouch.jpg)
Okay. I can be calm (lol, not like that day a Cavalier rear-ended Cougar X (http://"http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=20004"), but I mean come on, I was alone, and there was FOUR guys bigger than me!) Anywho, I was much more calmer that day, even though I felt much more off peeved than before. I guess, and it feels true, I was the one driving (okay, being towed, but I was still behind the wheel!)
Anyways, this is the damage that followed. If it it had stopped at the downslope, t'would have been fine. But it did not. :punchballs:
So the tractor resumes the tow... it's tough to describe but we came full circle, and didn't quite make it... instead my poor cat gets dragged into the fence! I felt like a rag doll in a dog's mouth, the way the tractor was pulling me around.
(http://www.cougarxls.com/pf/dd.jpg)
If I didn't need a new fender, I do now. Of all the cars in the lot... this one is the car I wanted to restore. No mods, no changes, just all original.
Anyway, at this point I am trying to come up with a good reason to stop. I reached a compromise with Dad. We'd move the truck and call it a day. The tractor drags the truck, I'm behind the wheel, and wow. No problems, a smooth, perfect ride. Grr.
Cougar B doesn't even have a rack & pinion installed so no way to steer her... I wasn't going to let anybody drag this one.
So, in a surprisingly uncharacteristic guesture, I smile and yell thanks to the neighbour as he is motioning to setup the tow chain onto B, "we're done!" He was surprised, but accepted it was over. We offer him some gas money, to stay for a beer, he declined. I think he felt pretty bad. He did not know the value these cars are to me.
It was just inexpierence all the way around. And for what? An empty hole:
(http://www.cougarxls.com/pf/aeh.jpg)
So, I still have two cars to move. Still need to make room. So, Pepper will be moved to our front lawn (I hope that big birch tree isn't too piggy with dropping branches!).... and Cougar B, will be pushed into the garage so I can install a rack & pinion. And there she will stay until the reno's are done. But at least I'll be able to move her if the need arises.
I also made it a point to rip out the section of fence around A. I'll neeed that truck... nobody but me will be moving these cars, this way if something happens, it's on me... which could only be better for the other guy.
Now, all I have to do... is fix that truck. And hope it costs zero dollars.... :hick: heh, yeah right.
This is a loooong summer. And it's only just begun :yuck:
So, thanks for letting me rant; again. :)
Sorry to hear of your pain..... but if you were my kid, you'd come home one day to find a cheque for the amount I received when I traded your cars in for s metal.
I understand having parts cars, but until you have your own place to put them, be happy your Mom was so gracious as to let you keep three rusted out immobile cars in her driveway for so long.
X2.It's just the way it is.I wouldn't let my son do that either.
I suppose.
-i guess i'll go X3, but i will do so kindly, as i to have found myself with too many parts cars/vehicles in the yard, much to my wifes dismay.....so now for the 2nd time, i am in the process of getting rid of "extra" s metal.....
why dont you get the car pointed downhill, get some tie down straps and strap an old tire to the back and then push it with the tractor? You could always get some old 2 by 4's and stick them under your tires when you park them.
Ive had too many cars acouple of times too. I got rid of all but one now, and it doesn't bother me at all. Sometimes its just easier to go to the junk yard...
It's funny you say that. I've been given the task of cleaning up the Truck, getting it to the side of the road, and putting a For Sale sign in the front window, this weekend. :hick: Let's just say it wasn't exactly my idea.
That trunk and fender where pretty rotted anyways and needed replacement so no loss there.
True, dominator, about the fender...
However, contrary to popular belief, this is not a parts car. Cougar A is the car that started it all. A 'generational' car... my Grandfater bought it new in the spring of 87, drove it for ten years. Upon his passing, Dad drove it for awhile too. Then, I get my license and Cougar A becomes my first car.
Cougar B is my parts car.
Pepper belongs to my sister.
Mom bought and owns the truck. lol, go figure that one.
oldraven & vinnie: I am most definitly glad I am not your son :)
Everybody in our family enjoys these cars, and if it weren't for the renovations... they'd still be there. Waiting in line for the garage.
Call me nuts, but hey.... you gotta start some where.
Pepper will be the first 'project car' after the renos are done.
Don't take this the wrong way, but me too. ;)
Dude, the rusted car Isn't your parts car? That's so much worse then mine. And mines pretty bad.
Pretty sure the trunk is done too man, judging by that lip rot,it starts from the inside out as daminc found out lol.
Upon looking at it again,yea that trunk is more than finished it's BBQ'D!
The county I live in here in Georgia, we can't even have an inoperable vehicle on the property, or anything unregistered or uninsured. This is why the Sport got cut-up after the tree. A written warning from a Deputy made me panic.
Since, I have found a tiny loophole. "Racecars" are unregulated.
Next one will get numbers stuck on the side until it is finished.
There can't be any floor left on that car. I don't see any part of that car that doesn't have rust on it, or is missing.
Although anything can be fixed. It just depends on how much time and money you want to spend on something. I'm doing mine because it's only costing me a few hundred to do it.(and lots, and lots of time) the rest of the extras would have gone into another car anyway.
I'm not saying you can't do it, but you may be overwelmed by the amount of work that it needs. the pics in my thread don't show even half of what goes into what you see in the pics.
I don't want to sound negative about fixing it, but I also have 20 years of sheet metal experience which may make my project look easy. But you have to learn it somewhere also. So if you like a good challenge, that may be the one for you.
Dude! that sucks! I won't be moving to your county in Georgia!
No negativity perceived :) You're the expert, I'm the novice.
I have next to no sheet metal expeirience, but I do love a good challenge and I like to learn.... "Anything built by man can be fixed". It'll probably take me the next 20 years, but hey, this car means alot to me. The quest will be worth the work and money IMHO.
Never say die!
....lol, just for the record, I didn't want to turn this discussion thread into reasons to s my A.... lol, I just needed to vent. :hick:
Then welcome to the rebuilding world.
Anything you need to know, just ask. I'm sure we'll all be happy to help you however we can.
That is true. I bought a 64 Galaxie for $50 that I drove home. I replaced the 1/4 panels with NOS pieces and when I went to get rid of the old ones, they were so rusty, I literally folded them in half. After that one was done, I said, "Never again will I fix a car that rusty." Jerry may be saying the same thing too when he gets done with Project Bedrock. But, maybe you will enjoy it more than I did. Either way, good luck!!
This is actually my third Mike.
Here's the second one. I'm still looking for the finished pics.
my first was a Vista Cruiser. (no pics)
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/daminc/my%20old%20cars/img002.jpg)
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/daminc/my%20old%20cars/img004.jpg)
here's the good side.
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/daminc/my%20old%20cars/img001.jpg)
Jerry, just because you CAN do something doesn't mean you should. LOL.
Just wait till you see the rust bucket I fix next. LOL
I need something old this time.
old and rusty huh:hick:
This
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c146/Fordguy545/2.jpg)
turned into
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c146/Fordguy545/Picture001.jpg)
This is the reason I searched for a tbird as clean as the one I got. I WILL NOT PUT THAT MUCH WORK INTO SOMETHING AGAIN. Took me 3 years to get it straight enough for paint
nice job,
awww... but you're so good at it...! :)