General => User Rides => Topic started by: ivygreen on March 19, 2011, 12:08:06 PM
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: ivygreen on March 19, 2011, 12:08:06 PM
took two years. Throw a divorce and a car held hostage into the mix and your project can become seriously derailed. Finally, here it is. Four wheel coilovers, mm camber plates, five lug conversion and Cobra brakes.
Now that I see it in pictures, it needs tweeking. The ride height needs to be adjusted and I'm not thrilled with the 17" bullitts (especially the rears). I'm thinking 18s would look better. At minimum, a 17x9 inch rear wheel would help. The rims on it now are factory 17x8s, and even though there's a a 275 40 tire on the rear, they don't fill the wheelwell. A 17x9 with an inch more lip would probably help, even with the same tire.
After two years, I drove it for 20 minutes, straight to my buddy's shop where we're going to tear the motor out and put a new '95 GT motor in. To do that, we need to mate up the '95 harness with the '83, do a new fuel tank, fuel pump and lines, an electric fan, relocate the battery and come up with a new catch can solution. While it's apart, we're bending an all new exhaust and welding up some frame connectors.
While I was doing the front coilovers, I noticed that the driver's side alignment is very different from the passenger side and I can't get the top of the tire in enough. I remember when I was a kid, my Dad got hit in the front wheel by a woman coming out of a driveway. I can't see it, but something is definitely bent. With nearly everything replaced, it must be the k frame, mounting points or the control arm. So, up on the frame rack it goes. If it's something we can straighten, fine. If not, it may be getting a tubular k frame and/or control arms. Wish me luck that it doesn't take another two years...
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: thunderjet302 on March 19, 2011, 12:53:15 PM
I think it looks awesome :).
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: 86T-bird on March 19, 2011, 03:44:23 PM
From what I see, it looks great!
Good luck on the engine upgrade and getting the front end where it needs to be.
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: cougarman on March 19, 2011, 04:17:42 PM
Very nice!!:bowdown:
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: gumby on March 19, 2011, 05:42:48 PM
Good upgrades underneath, but I agree that the bullits look rather lack luster. Your old wheels were far more unique and had much more character.
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: 1Bad88tbird on March 19, 2011, 05:45:45 PM
Geat work. I think it looks great.
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: vinnietbird on March 19, 2011, 06:31:10 PM
The car looks great. For the wheels, leave the fronts alone, and buy a pair of rear wheels that are an inch wider (all over Ebay). That'll fill up the fenders just fine. Nice work.
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: 50tbrd88 on March 19, 2011, 06:41:35 PM
Quote from: vinnietbird;355873
The car looks great. For the wheels, leave the fronts alone, and buy a pair of rear wheels that are an inch wider (all over Ebay). That'll fill up the fenders just fine. Nice work.
x2...I think it just needs the rears spaced out about 1" and call it good.
Your car looks perfect with those wheels.
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: jrad235 on March 19, 2011, 06:54:02 PM
Wow man, that's awesome. How the heck did it take two years to get your car back?
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: ivygreen on March 19, 2011, 07:35:08 PM
Thanks for the comments, everybody.
Gumby, I agree with you. I bought the Bullitts just to get me by until I can afford something great. With the divorce, three house payments and my other car projects, it might be a while.
For now, I think I'm just going to do what Vinnie said and get a set of 17x9s for the rear and call it good until things level out.
How did it take two years to get my car back? It's actually three cars - a '67 Porsche, a '94 GT convertible and my T-Bird. They were in the garage when she got drunk and was arrested for assaulting me. I left that night. In the original settlement, she was supposed to keep our new Explorer. Then she fought to keep my Boxster too. Well, I had to give up the Boxster in order to keep some of my other collector cars, which are more important to me. Then she parked the Boxster in front of the garage with the window down and let it sit there for two years. My lawyer told me to steer clear so she couldn't claim that I went there and did anything to her. Finally, the court ordered that we sell the house. I was finally able to get in there and get some of my stuff. I got the T Bird out of there first.
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: gumby on March 19, 2011, 07:55:48 PM
Quote from: ivygreen;355882
Gumby, I agree with you. I bought the Bullitts just to get me by until I can afford something great. With the divorce, three house payments and my other car projects, it might be a while.
I can understand that; Mustangs make cheap donors. I've got a pair of mustang wheels on mine also right now to get me by.
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: jrad235 on March 19, 2011, 09:10:32 PM
Quote from: ivygreen;355882
How did it take two years to get my car back? It's actually three cars - a '67 Porsche, a '94 GT convertible and my T-Bird. They were in the garage when she got drunk and was arrested for assaulting me. I left that night. In the original settlement, she was supposed to keep our new Explorer. Then she fought to keep my Boxster too. Well, I had to give up the Boxster in order to keep some of my other collector cars, which are more important to me. Then she parked the Boxster in front of the garage with the window down and let it sit there for two years. My lawyer told me to steer clear so she couldn't claim that I went there and did anything to her. Finally, the court ordered that we sell the house. I was finally able to get in there and get some of my stuff. I got the T Bird out of there first.
TWO YEARS! She left a car sitting with the window down for TWO years! Talk about a bitch! I can't believe the courts never made sure you could actually get your stuff! So you did manage to recover the '67 and the '94 along with the T-Bird?
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: 1Bad88tbird on March 19, 2011, 10:01:47 PM
I've been through 2 divorces and women can defenately be vindictive!
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: ivygreen on March 19, 2011, 10:17:35 PM
Vindictive doesn't begin to describe this one. I had to push the Boxster out of the way last week to get the T-Bird out. The window has been down all winter. The car stinks, it's filthy inside and out and the battery is dead. The hardtop for it is hanging on the wall in the garage where I left it and the convertible top is all torn up where some cat has been using it as a bed. She took it from me just because she could. She has no interest in it at all.
I haven't gotten the '67 or the '94 out yet. Probably this week. I also have to take my rollaway boxes and my lift. The '94 is in perfect shape and can be driven. The little Porsche is disassembled. I'll need to take a truck and my trailer to get everything.
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: t3skidoo on March 19, 2011, 10:50:59 PM
It sounds like you got out of that mess pretty cheap. I've got stories that will make your paint curl.
As for your car, I'm with Gumby even though I'm a real 5-spoke fan. Where you're going with yours style-wise, you probably will be happy with something else. The new GT500 split 5-spokes, the BMW split 5-spokes, or something aftermarket European with thin or split spokes.
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: jrad235 on March 20, 2011, 12:36:32 AM
Quote from: ivygreen;355894
I haven't gotten the '67 or the '94 out yet. Probably this week. I also have to take my roll-away boxes and my lift. The '94 is in perfect shape and can be driven. The little Porsche is disassembled. I'll need to take a truck and my trailer to get everything.
Man if I was closer I'd help you in a heartbeat! That should be a good bit of work to get all that done.
BTW, The rims in your Sig pic, what are they and where did they go? I like them!
Glad to hear the nightmare is almost over for you!
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: ivygreen on March 20, 2011, 12:36:46 AM
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: ivygreen on March 20, 2011, 12:41:01 AM
Quote from: jrad235;355904
BTW, The rims in your Sig pic, what are they and where did they go? I like them!
The rims in my signature are by Weld. They're 16x7s and 16x8s. I'm polishing them now. I'm going to put them up here for sale at a good price before I list them on fleabay
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: t3skidoo on March 20, 2011, 12:59:58 AM
Yes, something like the 1st one (very nice), the 3rd one, or something in the neighborhood of this, perhaps with satin or complimentary-colored spokes: (http://www.discounttire.com/product/wheels/viclem.c.ang.jpg)
IMO, the second one you listed will have the same feel as the ones you have now - a look more appropriate to a Mustang.
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: jrad235 on March 20, 2011, 01:04:24 AM
Quote from: ivygreen;355907
The rims in my signature are by Weld. They're 16x7s and 16x8s. I'm polishing them now. I'm going to put them up here for sale at a good price before I list them on fleabay
It's a shame shipping sucks so bad. Also that buying those would mean I would need new tires, and at that point my bank account would start to cry foul!
16's would definitely be more comfortable than the 18's I currently have, but they still have great rubber on them. They are 5-Lug, right?
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: 1Bad88tbird on March 20, 2011, 09:18:38 AM
It might be a good idea to get a constable to go with you when you get the rest of your stuff. That way you have a witness as to wether or not anything happens.
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: ivygreen on March 20, 2011, 06:15:30 PM
As luck would have it, I am a Constable and there will be many of us there on the day I finally move.
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: Bruce M on March 20, 2011, 07:58:30 PM
OH MY GOD. That would have been hell for me. Im not into imports, but a 67 porsche left outside with the window down, I dont know what I'd do.
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: jrad235 on March 20, 2011, 08:05:24 PM
Quote from: Bruce M;355946
OH MY GOD. That would have been hell for me. Im not into imports, but a 67 porsche left outside with the window down, I dont know what I'd do.
No no, it was the new Porsche Boxster that got left outside. The 67 is in pieces inside somewhere.
As to you Ivy, it seems surprising that a Constable had to wait 2 Years for all this. But I'm glad you'll have lots of "support" while moving.
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: Bruce M on March 20, 2011, 08:17:25 PM
Im speechless! I've got goosebumps.
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: 1Bad88tbird on March 20, 2011, 09:29:33 PM
That awsome, I'm glad you got that covered. That does suck they made you wait 2 years being you're a constable. They should've wanted to move things faster for you.
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: ivygreen on March 20, 2011, 11:47:23 PM
Well here's part of the story...in my state, a Police Officer accused of domestic assault loses his gun and badge until trial. If found guilty, he loses his job...period. My ex and her boyfriend (a retired cop - nice, right?) had this plan to bait me into kicking her ass so I would be arrested and lose my job and she would be in a better bargaining position during divorce negotiations. What they didn't know is that the boyfriend's wife had found hundreds of emails between the two of them, where they planned every detail of being awarded my pension and running off together. The boyfriend's wife shared all of the emails with me. So one night, I'm ironing clothes for work. She comes home drunk (again) and tries her best to start a fight with me. She tries and tries but she can't get a rise out of me, because I already know the deal. She becomes so infuriated that she can't get me to fight, that she grabs the iron and opens up my head with it. Then she tears up the house, trashes my closets, smashes my cell phone, rips the flatscreens off the walls, you name it. She can't get an angry reaction out of me. I pick up the phone and call the County. She claims I was beating her and she was defending herself. They bring two female Officers to strip search her for injuries...nothing. When she's allowed to get dressed, she puts on silk PJs and a silk robe like she's going to bed. Suprise! Off she goes to jail, in her pajamas...held on $35,000 bond, thank you very much.
So, in the settlement, I had to allow her to stay in the house for a while and she got the car and the truck, but she didn't get any alimony; she didn't get my pensions; she didn't get my 457 or my IRA...she didn't even get the money in our checking account. I was advised by counsel to steer clear of her just so there wouldn't be any more drama until the house can be sold.
In the meantime, the boyfriend was diagnosed with Cancer and died. BWAAAH-HHAAAAA-HHHHHAAAAA!!!!!
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: jridenour31 on March 21, 2011, 12:08:01 AM
Quote from: ivygreen;355975
In the meantime, the boyfriend was diagnosed with Cancer and died. BWAAAH-HHAAAAA-HHHHHAAAAA!!!!!
Holy Hell lol, guess Karma is real.
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: jrad235 on March 21, 2011, 12:23:13 AM
Quote from: jridenour31;355977
Holy Hell lol, guess Karma is real.
x2!!
Wow man, what a story! Good for you to be able to stay on the up and up. What a w. I can't believe she hit you with an iron! That would hurt!
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: 1Bad88tbird on March 21, 2011, 08:58:28 AM
Wow! She really put you through it! That great you were able to keep your cool, that would've been tough especially after getting hit with an iron. Even knowing her plan it would've been very hard. I'm glad you came out on top you deserve it! And yeah I'd say carma is real, that's proof.
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: tbirdsps on March 21, 2011, 09:32:18 AM
I really like the clean look of the car. No big black stripe around it. Subtle, and it's cool.
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: doodaa on March 21, 2011, 05:26:16 PM
Dang Ivy... you've got a lot on your plate. I think you just need to let me come cart that ugly ol' '83 off so you can concentrate on your other projects. I'll make sure it retires in a nice spot. ;)
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: ivygreen on March 21, 2011, 07:45:45 PM
Quote from: doodaa;356032
Dang Ivy... you've got a lot on your plate. I think you just need to let me come cart that ugly ol' '83 off so you can concentrate on your other projects. I'll make sure it retires in a nice spot. ;)
Yeah...that's not gonna happen. It's been in the family since the '83 T Birds were first introduced. My Dad fell in love with them and ran out and bought this one. When I was a kid, we weren't allowed to drive it except for very special occasions. I took it on a date once and my Brother got to drive it to his Senior Prom. Driving the T Bird was a big deal.
One day in '94 he called and said "if you want the T-Bird, you can have it". It has 73,000 original miles. Dad was a big hot rodder in his day. He liked the changes I made, although he liked his cars a little flashier than I do. I lost him in 2006.
Now, if you want two '67 Porsche 912 projects or two '74 Honda 360 projects, we should talk...
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: doodaa on March 22, 2011, 11:35:52 AM
Quote from: ivygreen;356049
....One day in '94 he called and said "if you want the T-Bird, you can have it". It has 73,000 original miles. Dad was a big hot rodder in his day. He liked the changes I made, although he liked his cars a little flashier than I do. I lost him in 2006.
Now, if you want two '67 Porsche 912 projects or two '74 Honda 360 projects, we should talk...
Sorry, I've learned two things about myself as I age... I don't like working on anything that's maunfacturer or model name ends in a vowel, and I never finish projects. ;) I still have the '49 Ford I inherited from my dad in '91 to do...
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: Chuck W on March 22, 2011, 12:19:41 PM
Quote from: ivygreen;356049
Now, if you want two '67 Porsche 912 projects...
A little 912 project would be nice. Good thing I have NO MORE ROOM for any other cars, or we might actually have to talk.
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: ivygreen on March 22, 2011, 12:36:37 PM
Quote from: Chuck W;356079
A little 912 project would be nice. Good thing I have NO MORE ROOM for any other cars, or we might actually have to talk.
It's actually beaking my heart to talk about selling them, but my life has changed so much that I just don't know when I might get to it. I have one running, driving car that is rusty as hell and one bare shell that is about as clean as I've ever seen. It needs a front pan repair (they all do), but that's about it. The plan was to prep and paint the good shell and then switch everything over from the other car.
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: RunninWild on March 22, 2011, 02:00:39 PM
Quote from: ivygreen;355975
Well here's part of the story...in my state, a Police Officer accused of domestic assault loses his gun and badge until trial. If found guilty, he loses his job...period. My ex and her boyfriend (a retired cop - nice, right?) had this plan to bait me into kicking her ass so I would be arrested and lose my job and she would be in a better bargaining position during divorce negotiations. What they didn't know is that the boyfriend's wife had found hundreds of emails between the two of them, where they planned every detail of being awarded my pension and running off together. The boyfriend's wife shared all of the emails with me. So one night, I'm ironing clothes for work. She comes home drunk (again) and tries her best to start a fight with me. She tries and tries but she can't get a rise out of me, because I already know the deal. She becomes so infuriated that she can't get me to fight, that she grabs the iron and opens up my head with it. Then she tears up the house, trashes my closets, smashes my cell phone, rips the flatscreens off the walls, you name it. She can't get an angry reaction out of me. I pick up the phone and call the County. She claims I was beating her and she was defending herself. They bring two female Officers to strip search her for injuries...nothing. When she's allowed to get dressed, she puts on silk PJs and a silk robe like she's going to bed. Suprise! Off she goes to jail, in her pajamas...held on $35,000 bond, thank you very much.
So, in the settlement, I had to allow her to stay in the house for a while and she got the car and the truck, but she didn't get any alimony; she didn't get my pensions; she didn't get my 457 or my IRA...she didn't even get the money in our checking account. I was advised by counsel to steer clear of her just so there wouldn't be any more drama until the house can be sold.
In the meantime, the boyfriend was diagnosed with Cancer and died. BWAAAH-HHAAAAA-HHHHHAAAAA!!!!!
HOLY shiznit!!!!
This story is one of the most epic ones I've ever heard. However, I'm only 21, so I'm sure there will be more on my lifetime, but holy hell...so epic...
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: ivygreen on March 22, 2011, 02:21:53 PM
Quote from: RunninWild;356082
HOLY shiznit!!!!
This story is one of the most epic ones I've ever heard. However, I'm only 21, so I'm sure there will be more on my lifetime, but holy hell...so epic...
I know, right? When I told my friends and family everything that was going on, they all thought I was making it up. I had to produce the emails, Police report and court documents for anyone to believe me.
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: sarjxxx on March 23, 2011, 10:24:42 PM
ohhhhhhhh women SUCK
as for the car, Bullits are nice, but I do like your other wheels better:dunno:
It looks great without the beltline moldings too.
Title: What should have taken a week...
Post by: ivygreen on March 23, 2011, 10:33:15 PM
When I painted the car, I couldn't buy the beltline mouldings for it, so that's why they're not there. I wanted them for the protection, but I would've painted them silver like the front and rear.
Down the road I need to do something better for wheels. I just have a lot of going on right now.