Toyota

What I Did Today

well, Wednesday anyway.

thejeepjunkie has sold the Kid's CJ5 and has been driving TheGoodAttorney's classic, restored, 69 Ford Bronco until the Kid's next ride is found.

That ole4x4 is a sweet ride but with the 302 under the hood, it has too much power for this olelongrooffan to drive. I did drive it once and, much like that Mustang 5.0convertible I rented back in the early 90's, once was enough for me.

Well, while restored, that ole4x4 still has a couple outstanding issues. One of them is the replacement of the rod in the upper clamshell tailgate connecting the handle to the plunger holding the latch locked.

The other is the need for a spare tire wagon wheel to match that slightly used tire thejeepjunkie had located.

The upside, at least for TheGoodAttorney, is that while this ole4x4 is in thejeepjunkie's possession, those issues are going to get resolved.

Well, on that morning, this olelongrooffan gets a call from thejeepjunkie at the crack of dawn thirty to get over to B&B Fastners to see if they have that highly desired rod for that clamshell.

You Counters out there know what I did.

Actually, the first thing this olelongrooffan did was drop the top on my oleragtop as the temperature down here in the Birthplace of Speed was in the mid 60's, no breeze and bright Florida Sunshine.

Then this olelongrooffan headed over to the mainland to get to that rod selling shop.

On the way, I spotted this ole safety bumper on the rear of that Ram. It even had the Dodge dealer's name stamped into it. I am confident many of you Counters out there see this type of thing on a near daily basis but it was the first time this olelongrooffan had seen one since I don't know when. But know it has been a long, long time.

As this olelongrooffan was leaving the rod selling place, this beast was arriving.

My first thought was of this other hoon ride based on the 50's era Chevrolets.

But instead of using Corvette as the basis for this ride,

a late model F body Camaro was the donor for this exercise in stupidity.

So, anyway, this olelongrooffan gets down the thejeepjunkie's shop and delivers that newly purchased rod so thejeepjunkie can custom fabricate it into what is needed to repair that clam shell.

As this olelongrooffan is watching said fabrication, thejeepjunkie looks up and, quickly, makes a phone call.

He then asks me if I would mind going over to The Toy Box and picking up a used wagon wheel for TheGoodAttorney's rear mounted spare tire carrier.

"Heck no jeepjunkie."

"I told the owner that it was for the Kid's Jeep so don't bring up this Bronco or he will get 'all retail' on me."

So, this olelongrooffan showed up at The Toy Box and acted dumb.

Yeah, it was a stretch.

But as a result, that ole wagon wheel got picked up and thrown in the backseat of my oleragtop and back to thejeepjunkie.

Gratis.

So, in addition to the black and tan, blue light equipped, State of Florida owned cars and those belonging to Daytona Beach's finest, thejeepjunkie has also been successful in recruiting the drivers of those similarly situated vehicles from just down the beach from the Taj Mahal.

This olelongrooffan had to get a shot of this lighthouse displaying vehicle just for the Complaint Department Manager.

So, while thejeepjunkie and this olelongrooffan were examining the swing away spare tire carrier on that ole4x4, we realize a rubber bumper, called an isolator by the way, was needed to keep that tire from rubbing against that carrier. Plus a 6" carriage bolt and corresponding washer and nut.

So, this olelongrooffan was promptly dispatched to find the required items.

A 6" carriage bolt. Easy.

The required isolator?

Nearly impossible.

B&B Fastners? Go to Graingers. Across town!

Graingers? Go to that, you know that auto fabric supply place on Ridgewood. Yep, just a block from thejeepjunkie's shop.

That auto fabric supply place? Well that youngster told me to head to AutoZone. Three blocks from B&B Fastners.

AutoZone? Forget about it. This olelongrooffan should have known better. If it is not in their computer, those dudes have no idea!

Then, this olelongrooffan remembers Fastenal, the place that holds onto an old school telephone book sized catalog for AUVECO, Automobile Vehicle Company. It contains the most obscure auto parts known to man.

I mean they had the plastic piece needed to fix the driver's side window on my olestationbus!

So, that is where this oleragtop driving hoon headed.

And, yes, across town.

Entered that spot, mentioned what was needed and Shelley pulled out that catalog.

I looked on, expectantly, knowing this needed isolator would be found.

Well Counters, she looked and she looked and that isolator was still elusive.

While she was looking at that catalog, I spotted an old school hood bumper, you know the kind that screws up and down to align the hood of an automobile.

An idea germinates in the mind of this oleman and I inquired as to the availability of that item.

She looks at the clock and says, "I can get it here tomorrow."

I mentioned this olelongrooffan would keep that in mind but I was going over to the company that sponsors Mikey Waltrip and see if they might have one, but I would let her know.

So, this olelongrooffan heads over to that #55 sponsor and Eileen asks what it was I needed.

I mention it to her and she pulls out her phone book sized catalog and starts leafing through it.

We were unsuccessful until we got to the "Hard To Find" section of that parts catalog and Eureka!, that isolator was found.

Now for availability?

"Yes, there are 10 of them in our warehouse in Detroit."

"What is thejeepjunkie's price for one of them?"

She looks at me again and says, "You must be Ed's brother."

And as often happens around these here parts, I could only respond, "Yes Maam, I am."

"Well, they are packaged as a unit of ten and priced at $1.49 for all of them, plus shipping."

I have got to tell you Counters Out There, since only one of these rare parts was needed, this olelongrooffan knew that if we purchased ten of them, the Kid's great grandchildren would inherit the remaining nine of these rare isolators.

This olelongrooffan mentioned to the Pretty Lady Behind The Counter, no not that Counter, my idea of the hood bumper and she thought that was a good one.

"Got any?"

"No, I'm sorry those are a special order item."

Well, Eileen, I am going to head out to the U-Pull-It just beyond that north-south Eisenhour derived highway and see what can be found.

And this olelongrooffan did just that.

Paid the two dollar admission charge and headed into that automobile scrap containing wonderland and found exactly what this olelongrooffan was looking for on the third machine I came to.

Now what?

Just head on back to thejeepjunkie's shop or look around in candyland.

Guess what this olelongrooffan did?

Yeah, I stayed there about an hour!

The last time out there, I spotted a bunch of Cash for Clunkers and I thought I would check out some of those.

By now, the Cash for Clunkers were out of isolation and into the mainstream of this u-pull-it.

The first one seen was this early 90's Cadillac Seville. At one time in my life, h*ll I still do, desired one of these mid-sized luxo barges.

But, alas, thejeepjunkie won't approve this purchase.

But, this olelongrooffan did, in fact, once own the sedan version of this ole Caddy. Yeap, a 1988 Cadillac Fleetwood d'Elegance.

Sans the canvas roof.

And this one is a super size Suburban.

And a mid sized Chevy Astro of a similar vintage to the one the Bus used to own.

And know there were a whole bunch of big vans.

Even the cars the local yokels drive were represented.

This one is an example of thesungoddess's daily driver.

See jeepjunkie, this olelongrooffan told ya to get a Flex.

The most troublesome one I saw was this classic second gen Acura Legend.

Even an Isuzu Trooper made its presence known.

As did a Montero

and several Durangos were present.

And a whole swaggle of Chrysler mini vans.

And in the background of this image is a pile of ready to be scrapped C4C's.

But know this Counters, even though this olelongrooffan saw the depressing sight of all those formerly affordable automobiles effectively destroyed at a cost of over $20,000 each, just being able to figure out how to keep the spare tire from rubbing on the spare tire frame of TheGoodAttorney's ole4x4, at a cost of one afternoon of hoon time, $2 admission to the U-Pull-It and a buck on the way out allows this olelongrooffan to

Celebrate Life.

What I Saw Today

thejeepjunkie had me out and about in the tri city area looking for obscure 69 Bronco parts.

Well, while this olelongrooffan was cruising around town in my oleragtop, I thought I would stop in at the place with the golden arches and grab one of Ronny's $1 cheeseburgers.

As this olelongrooffan pulled into the parking lot, I spotted this '59 Mercury and knew I had seen my first What I Saw Today in a long time.
It was mildly customized, not bad in my humble opinion. Think long, low and lean.
There was a plaque on the dash that said it was built for a couple by some dude. Nicely done.
It had dual spotlights, one on each front fender. And check out the rake of that antenna!
And old school curb feelers on each corner.
And another antenna out the driver's side "C" pillar.
And a ton of stickers on that wrap around windshield.
This olelongrooffan was unable to get a full frontal shot as it was snuggled in the bushes. But it was clean and had excellent lines. Unlike this olelongrooffan, who is the same age, all of my lines are hard earned and not so excellent!!!
It doesn't appear to have factory air but that old time under dash air conditioner just works.
Check out the curves on the tail light lens.
And yes, Counters,
Elvis Presley is alive and well and having lunch at MickeyD's in Ormond Beach, Florida.

Seeing this old beauty and sharing her with you keeps me able to

Celebrate Life.

I Nominate This For Best Of Craigslist

1997 Jeep Wrangler - Hellcat - $5500 (Wilmington)


I should start by saying that if you are looking for a “Pajama party Barbie Jeep” you my friend, should keep looking. If you are looking for a short description of to the beast before you, I can offer you two words “MEAT & POTATOES”. This is the All American chariot of the free world.

I won rights to find this Jeep from Indiana Jones, Chuck Norris, and Bear Grylls in a poker game in Monte Carlo. I went all in with my life as collateral and won a map to the prized treasure on a bluff. The map lead me across all 7 continents until I found it’s hiding place, a giant mine shaft 5 miles north of Hell itself. Armed with a pick ax and six pack of beer I dug this jeep out of the darkness, it was buried under 70 tons of granite. When Satan tried to stop me, I dropped the hammer in my new beast, ran his red ass over, stole his girl, and floored it all the way back up. He was up he was no match for the furry under this hood.

I quickly realized at this point I wasn’t dealing with any ordinary Jeep. This thing was forged from a single block of all American Tungsten Steel. Real sturdy! From that day forward my life has never been the same.

So if you are looking for a rice burning hatch back, a solar powered liberal mobile, or even a Hyundai crossover keep on looking my friend this thing is a piece of red white and blue Americana Machinery.

This baby’s pulse is pumping 4 liters of uncensored raw fuel through her straight six nuclear power plant. And rest assured this is no metro feminine automatic…you command her to obey, with your calloused hand planted firmly on the t bar Hurst shifter. And she will obey, the first time, every time. If you can’t handle your stick shifter, or reach the clutch pedal, you better not fairy skip over here wanting to test drive her. If you stall her out, you can count on getting hit in the face with a piece of re-bar and sent back to Chapel Hill where you came from.

If you’re a man who needs such worldly things as air conditioning, Move on, you do not possess the Jedi Force. Read no further. If you want to blow the sweat off your brow, you do the old fashioned way: doors off, top down. “What if it rains?”…You winey bitch! I told you to stop reading… Any man who drives this beast doesn’t give a shit about rain. Not even skin melting acid rain, Cause he’s already dripping wet in blood, sweat, dip spit, and fish guts.

If you are looking for the kind of jeep that has to be pansy parked in the garage, so the “carpet doesn’t get wet and soggy” Then you should plant your Obama sticker on some Japanese piece of shit. Cause this thing has drain holes in the floor to let the blood drain out from buffalo you just killed, with your bare hands. Because you are William Wallace from Braveheart and when you get home you can leave your “sissy sponge glove car wash kit” in the pink bucket it came in. Go ahead and spark up your 6000 psi heated pressure washer on the dually trailer in your man cave, cause you are Tim Gillespie and you can pressure wash your truck on the inside. She’s got vinyl saddles with a full roll cage in case that buffalo comes back to life while you’re doing 80 over some mountain pass or flooded river.

If you’re thinking about Mexican chrome bumpers for her, think again. The bumper bashers come hand forged in a blacksmith shop in Franklin County over a wood burnin fire, out of 4 inch well casing, and railroad tracks and then I welded em to the damn chassis. That way if you get deployed you can piggy back this war wagon on a deuce and a half and chain her down tight from the four corners, so you don’t lose her when your convoy gets hit by a talibani roadside suicide bomber.

And forget about putting one of those “It’s a Jeep Thing…You wouldn’t understand” stickers on this machine cause when you’re spotted in this American Classic there will be no questions, no further explanation required, people will understand and get out of your way…..real quick.

If you think you’re ready to park this panty hauler on your tract of land. If you buy this jeep you better go get your old lady ready for some damn changes around your lair, cause this shit will be happening. Happening.

1. More chest hair.
2. You’re growing a beard.
3. Meat Only Diet.
4. T-Rex for a pet.
5. You’re taking a job at the lumber mill.
6. Your car carries five kegs.
7. Penis enlargement.
8. Catch more fish.
9. Wire bristled toothbrush.
10. Sex in the yard.
11. Sex in the garage.
12. All male offspring.
13. Chiseled jaw line.
14. Not giving a damn.
15. Flesh turning to steel.
16. Higher salary
17. Promotions.
18. Better looking wives.
19. Better looking mistresses.
20. More golfing
21. More killing stuff.
22. More dead animals in the KITCHEN freezer.
23. More tools in your garage.
24. Bigger TV
25. Wife takes out the trash
26. Four Wheel Drive
27. Wife brings trash can in from road.
28. Wife stops bitching about clothes on floor.
29. Wife stocks fridge with beer.
30. Chuck Norris.
31. John McCain
32. Steaks for dinner.
33. Winning the Lottery.
34. Bitches on the side.
35. Wrestling with bears.
36. Building shit out of stone.
37. Riding Lawn Mower.
38. Bon Fires in cul-de-sac.
39. Bar Fights.
40. Wife picks you up from Thee Gentlemen’s Club.
41. Craftsman Tools.
42. Jay Bisset.
43. Welding stuff.
44. Digging holes.
45. Huge Piece of meat.

Put your GPS back in your purse cause this thing has compass bolted to the dash.

Sounds good doesn’t it?

This jeep has carried me through 117,000 miles of battlefield twice as gruesome as the second half of the movie “300”….And just like a trusty steed this juggernaut has never left me stranded. If you think you’ve worn her out you drag this bitch back to me in any condition. And Ill handle the rest.

But if you think you’re going to get to whip this mule you better pony up Fifty Five Hundred Dollars…American Cash. I’m not selling you this car unless you are clearly a pure blooded American Species, so don’t even think about it.

Americans Only.
No Checks.
No Euros
No Northerners.
No Red Hair.
No Low-Ballers.
No one from Chapel Hill.

So, This olelongrooffan Has Decided To Hit The Road

in my new camper.



And I will

Celebrate Life.

I Gotta Agree

And remember to

Celebrate Life.

The Pothole, The Back Story, The Follow Up

Earlier this week, this olelongrooffan did a blog about The Pothole that popped up during the 2010 Daytona 500.

I mentioned at the end of that blog that the paint dude was told to expect a visit from some NASCAR and International Speedway Corporation big shots.

Well, Counters, that visit occurred and this olelongrooffan, while not there in person, got the inside scoop as to what happened during that meeting.

That event occurred on Thursday afternoon and thejeepjunkie spoke to the paint dude on Friday, got the scoop and related it to TheGoodAttorney and this olelongrooffan Friday afternoon during Happy Hour.

thejeepjunkie started talking and this olelongrooffan started taking notes.

A "bunch" of NASCAR dudes showed up at the paint dude's shop late in the afternoon bearing gifts of appreciation.

I asked thejeepjunkie how many there were. He related the paint dude just said "a bunch."

And what were those gifts I am certain you are asking?

This olelongrooffan is certain some research was done on the tastes of the paint dude, given the gifts they were bearing.

Does four cases of the best bondo that can be bought surprise you?

And thejeepjunkie said, "It is the good stuff, not that cheap cr*p AutoZone sells."

Apparently, the paint dude has the same taste in cold beverages as thejeepjunkie and TheGood Attorney and several cold cases of it accompanied those NASCAR dudes.

In addition, a vintage wooden Budweiser box was included. Probably gotten from the Bud Clydesdale Wagon this olelongrooffan saw at the track awhile back.

Also in their possession were several 750 ml bottles of that leather bag encased Pampered Ron Ariyo Aniversario rum. Retail $33.00 per bottle.

Incidentally, my BigBrotherBob drinks this stuff and keeps all of the empty bottles and bags. He throws them into his pool to keep it from freezing when it gets chilly down here in The Sunshine State.

In addition, NASCAR also included a section of the track removed this week during the permanent repair of that pothole. NASCAR removed a "dump truck sized" portion of the track and replaced it with black concrete.

And this olelongrooffan is certain you Counters out there are wondering why those cheap NASCAR dudes did not the original bondo section the paint dude had installed?

Well, Counters, get this.

Members of the #1, Jamie MacMurray, Bass Pro Shop, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Team removed it after the race and that bit of famous bondo left the Daytona International Speedway in Jamie's motorcoach the night of the race!

And it is knowing inside sh*t like this that lets this olelongrooffan

Celebrate Life.

Winterjam 2010

So on Saturday this olelongrooffan was down at

and started seeing a ton of vehicles of the Volkswagon persuasion.

I figured it had to be Winterjam 2010 weekend. Sure enough, it is. This olelongrooffan remembered last year attending Winterjam 2009 and got a few blogs out of that weekend.

So, not surprisingly, this olelongrooffan decided to head over the the Ocean Center down in Daytona Beach. And, yes, the olestationbus was driven on the beach to get there.

Upon arrival, I spotted this beast and had to get over to see what it was.

It is a Nissan Patrol. Obviously grey market as the

steering wheel is on the right hand side.

It is rare enough for this olelongrooffan to have in my livery.

Most of the transporters I had seen here last year so I didn't include a lot of images of them but did find some pretty cool stuff.

This is the interior roof of an old single cab. Thought of the Bus when I saw this.

This is the outside roof of it.

And an overall view of that ole truck.

I thought this cool old single cab was cool. Bone *ss stock, just the way this olelongrooffan likes them.

Transporters to the left

and to the right.

This stickers are on the rear of a 1976 Westfalia.

I should get one of these for the olestationbus.

I thought this was pretty funny, but that bus was real nice.

This old Microbus was for sale. Asking price? $12,500.00. No trades.

I thought this ole Westy was real sweet also. Last year, Classic Camber had a pair of 60's era buses.

This sticker is meant for the rear of a municipal passenger bus.

And no surfing today, although there is one optimistic hoon out there anyway.

This black Vanagon was perfect, inside and out.

And this microbus was pristine and had a full sunroof.

The blue one in the below image has the rare driver's side barn doors. This was the only one at the show.

And the view from the balcony.

Parked across A1A in front of the Peabody Auditorium I spotted this old early Karman Ghia.



It was super nice.


This squareback was well turned out.

And the cool old transporter that is the theme vehicle for the event.



And yes Counters, seeing all these cool old Volkswagons really allows me to

Celebrate Life.

Oh Yeah, this olelongrooffan forgot this one.