What I Saw Today: The Silent Edition: Mugs Root Beer VW

That's Zyncro Young Man

So, after spending a couple post Turkey Run days out of town for a small project, this olelongrooffan returned to my home in the Birthplace of Speed around mid-afternoon. I had eaten a sturdy breakfast prior to leaving but had spent the lunch hour, on a rare trip on a portion of the Eisenhower Highway System here in central Florida, without bothering to stop at any of the multiple corporate roadside eateries along the way. Upon the culmination of that road trip and knowing I had almost no food left in the frig at my condo, also realizing how much I can spend shopping an my local Publix when I am hungry, (hummus anyone?) I did something relatively unheard of in my world; I hit up the Golden Arches for a quick, cheap and tasteless sammich and fries prior to doing the whole grocery thing.

Well, I have say this about that, the experience around the acquisition of that McChicken sammich was unlike any other.



As I desolately awaited, in that ubiquitous drive thru lane, for my sustainable, abate cheap, mundane sammich and fries (this olelongrooffan seldom does not have a couple Diet Cokes just a reach away) to be prepared, I innocently looked over to the parking area just a driving lane away.

While there may be a couple vehicles in the next image that may be of some interest to those Counting Along With Me, the above infrequently seen decal was, well, seen on the front of a parked motor vehicle, and it immediately drew my attention. Yeah Counters, it was a Volkswagen Syncro. Rarely seen however there is one round these here parts but it is a bone stock version and, trust me based on experience, "Not For Sale."



Anyway, I saw this treasure and the couple sitting in the front were demonstrating their ability to Celebrate Life as was evidenced by her reading the text as seen on her laptop and his giggling all time.

Well, this olelongrooffan knew at that moment the then hot, quasi chicken sammich was going to get cold while I checked these folks out. And it did.

I circled around those clueless Seabreeze High School kids hanging at Mickey D's after school let out and I parked adacent to that palm tree possessing parking median next to my Holy Grail, that Syncro.

As I approached this laughing, obviously enjoying life couple, Rainier lowered the driver's side window to accept my presence.

I introduced myself and them to By The Numbers and commented I am a contributor to all things Hoon, and he introduced himself and, cordially, allowed his partner, Bridgitte, to introduce herself. She graciously spelled it out for me. She then mentioned she was on a local to the Sunshine State blog looking for a great place to stay the night. As she, the 60 something retired secretary for an "American firm" in "the middle of Germany," had decided on a location to retire for this evening, she was prepared to let her partner, a 71 year old retired owner of a German AutoDriving Instruction company, get them safely to their destination down near Cape Canaveral.



Of course, this olelongrooffan had a couple million questions for them and they were gracious enough to let us all know what they were up to.

"Longroof, we're retired. Can you think of anything better to do than tour the world?"

"After touring the rest of the US and western Canada, we are headed to the West Coast of your States then through South America to either Australia or the south of Africa, It really depends on the next ship leaving the port."



It turns out that Rainier, at a young and enthusiatic 71 years of age, has done a previous "Around The World" trip with his, now 30 something and offspring expecting, son joining in for various segments of that trip.

"It was three years ago," he commented, with some translation from Bridgitte, "that we finished that year long trip. That one was also in an older Syncro through Africa and the Middle East, but not as much fun. I didn't know then what I know now," he shared with me, along with a wink of the eye as he, and his longtime traveling partner, Bridgitte squabbled over the something trivial that is still beyond this language impaired olelongrooffan.

But they are still laughing and she mentioned they had often been approached for photographs but noone had ever asked about their adventures.

"Of course, touring the world in a 1989, somewhat relatively obscure, (c'mon, a Syncro?) machine has to be problematic? Is it not?," I asked.

"This time the only problems," Rainier related, "on this 20,000 km trip thus far, we have had have been with the fuel filler tube leaking and the 'gearbox B-needle' problems. However we have met a couple guys, one here in Maryland and another in Canada who have been instrumental in getting those problems resolved." Rainier did comment on how polite everyone has been thus far about their adventures and the limited number of obstacles encountered. Note here that Bridgette offered a whole damned bunch of translation for this conversation to have taken place.



As we all may imagine, the conversation evolved toward the "when, where, and why" questions my journalist father, TheGentlemanFarmer, always want to know.

Bridgitte and Rainier left "the middle of Germany" five months ago and caught a ship to Nova Scotia. On to Newfoundland, Quebec, Ontario, (or vice versa)then down "into the States" via Minnesota. They spend no set period of time in each locale, it all depends on the weather, the local yokels (yeah that is this olelongrooffan's term) and Bridgitte and Rainier's own state of mind.

One of the many endearing aspects we spoke of during this conversation in the parking lot of that corporate American icon, thus far ignored by our visiting brethren Hoons (other than the free wifi), was the fact they are choosing to stay off the Eisenhower Highway System so as to see the real life sights that our country has to offer.

As a fellow follower of the whole "stay off the beaten path" philosophy, I asked about the overnite experiences they have had.

Although this olelongrooffan does not immediately recognize the most comfortable language Bridgitte and Rainier possess, I identified with Bridgitte when she put her hands in the air at the command,

"Hands up"

when they encountered a constable up in Canada. But it was immediately noted that "they were very polite."

Bridgitte added she thought those officers may have been surprised to see a "couple of such advanced age" enjoying a free overnight spot in their mode of transportation.



Rainier immediately popped in with the comment that the power to that laptop, as well as the frig and lighting, is supplied by the solar panel he installed in the fixed top a buddy of his and he had constructed just above the contoured map of the world on the driver's side of their Syncro. Their heater is powered via propane.

He took me around some more of the modifications including "raising the body" (a lift kit), an "open sleep tent" (that diamond plated folding tent at the rear of that fixed top, and a bypass for the carldan shaft. Rainer even looked that term up in his quick reference book of translations. This conversation occurred when I asked about gas mileage and "do you ever take it off road?" I tried several times to comprehend what the name was but I finally got that it was the forward driveshaft on that highly desirable Vanagon. Yeah, this guy and a buddy engineered a way to disengage the front driveshaft to increase the fuel mileage of this old four wheel drive Bus! And yes, Rainier pulled the old rubber encased VW knob on the dash and mentioned how it is engaged for off road use.

Our conversation then evolved into the inevitable "Why in the hell a Syncro?"

Of course, the bulk of this conversation was with Rainier as the primary spokesman, so it was not a "Syncro" but a "Zyncro". It took me a moment to catch on but then this olelongrooffan figured it out.

His response?

"My first car was a Volkswagen Type II with 15" tires."

"My second one was a Volkswagon Type II with 16" tires."

"Why wouldn't I want my best traveling experience to be around the world with a wonderful partner in a Zyncro?"



After we discussed the means of powering this beast, an intercooled, ssupercharged, fuel injected 2.0 liter motor sourced from a Golf, and the idiosyncratic rules concerned the length of time one can stay here in the States on a government issued visa, we took our leave from each other.

As I was returning to my Comanche, I felt truly happy for this couple and wanted to offer them something for their journey to remind them of our visit. I passed by the rear end of my old truck and noticed the "DB" magnet that has adorned every automobile I have owned since I moved here. I pulled that magnet off, returned to Rainier and Bridgitte and offered my small token of appreciation for their time. Rainier immediately jumped out of that Zyncro and shook my hand. "Thank you very much young man," were his final words to me.



I again returned to my "beater" truck and moved on down the road to my next adventure all the while wish Rainier and Bridgitte all the best on theirs.

On The Road Denver Edition: The Mobile Taj Mahal

So, over the course of the past couple evenings, this olelongrooffan has had a few conversations with some east coast time (yeah, I miss it) friends of mine who have absolutely no idea what a Westfalia Vanagon is.



Well for those unknowing Counters, (of which there can only be the ones I spoke to recently) this is a 1980 Volkswagen Westfalia in all its glory.



It is a factory approved camper conversion of a basic Vanagon with a gas stove, refrigerator, slide out table with a seat that converts to a bed and a pop top that is also another sleeping area.



But, more important than that, Filmore, as it is affectionately named by its owners, is also the chosen home of this olelongrooffan for the duration of my stay here in the Mile High City. And this vehicle signifies the desired lifestyle of its owners. The above image captures it all on the day after my host's 30th birthday party.

Newly acquired, but unseen, first home behind the image taker of this picture: Check

Newly acquired blown up pool, inflated by the 45 dollar air compressor purchased to apply yet to be applied nails to the walls of this 1901 constructed home: Check

Large trash pile of food wastes accumulated while the urban trash collection schedule was decifered: Check

Even more recycle ready items: Check

Construction waste dumpster nearly filled to capacity (but thankfully without foodstuffs): Check

The Denver based minature Taj Mahal with the pop top in the background: Check

Legal here in Colorado cannibas in the foreground: Check

I am fairly confident that might explain to you the situation here in the Mile High City.

But know this Counters, my dad, TheGentleManFarmer, used to call this olelongrooffan JD, short for John David.



And if any of you are cruising I-70 near the Pecos Street exit in the Mile High City, stop in and enjoy a cool one with this olelongrooffan as Filmore and I continue to

Celebrate Life.

On The Road Denver Edition: 5,280

Dateline Denver: July 7, 2011

Well Counters, awhile back on one of my rare Facebook postings, this olelongrooffan mentioned I would be heading to The Mile High City to spend a few weeks working with Manuel Labor remodeling a good buddy and his girl's new to them home.

Yesterday I made the trip out here to Denver arriving around 9:30 Mountain time, that would be 11:30 Eastern time so it was almost a full 12 hours of planes, trains and automobiles.  Thanks to TheGoodAttorney for the airport shuttle ride, the smart 12 year old kid from Daytona Beach that made the journey from Hotlanta to Denver so enjoyable and to Big J for the stopping off to pick up some hurricane supplies on the way back to Ellie's condo.

They aren't scheduled to close on their new place til next week thanks to the swift action taken by HUD on relieving our government of yet another foreclosed home.  I swear the Federal governments actions are really starting to piss me off.  Wait, wrong blog.  I am not knuckdragging.

Anyway, since my flight was booked already and it would have cost a small forture to change it, here this olelongrooffan is adjusting to Mountain time, the relative coolness in the weather and living with a small active dog, Tripod. 

Having said that, since I have a few days of Hoon time, I am going to make the most of it.  While Big J has a BMW X5 as his daily driver and Ellie has a Volvo wagon, that leaves this olelongrooffan with this to Hoon around in. 





It should be fun Hooning around The Mile High City in this old bus and really being able to

Celebrate Life.

A Cool Old Truck

Bringing a whole new meaning to "single cab".

Thanks to Jesse for finding this and helping this olelongrooffan

Celebrate Life.

Just Living And Having Fun As I Celebrate Life

This olelongrooffan can only suggest if you Counters Out There decide to stick around, you should refresh that cold beverage and find a comfortable seat as I ramble on about another day in the life of this olelongrooffan.

Several months ago this olelongrooffan needed to change the broken carrier bearing mount for the drive shaft in my oleragtop. thejeepjunkie was kind enough to allow this olelongrooffan to utilize one of those hydraulic lifts down at the shop where he wheels and deals sells tires and service. While it was in the air, after the heat shields were removed between the muffler system and the drive shaft, his boss, Mr. Happy, comes over to take a gander at what was up and mentions the "rag gasket", shown on the rear of the bottom two images here, attached to the rear of the transmission is shot and it needed to be replaced as well. I mentioned to him that the chances of anyone in town having this part for the 22 year old oleragtop in stock was minimal. He told me to get on the horn with Beachside Auto Parts and get one ordered and they could have it here first thing in the am. I asked if I would be able to utilize that lift another day. "Of course longroof, you are part of the family." I love it when he takes his meds.

So I got that "rag gasket" from my parts friends and installed it and the oleragtop runs like a champ. However, (you knew there was one coming) when I removed those heat shields and bolts I placed them in the cluttered trunk of that oleragtop. The next day while I was doing the reinstallation, two bolts came up missing. Mr. Happy checked in and, upon realizing my situation, directed me to several plastic coffee cans full of errant bolts and nuts on that heavy duty, winch bearing work bench nearby. I was able to find two similar, but not exact, replacement bolts and fastened that heat shield to the unibody of my oleragtop, dropped it to the ground and washed up with that killer grease removing gel thejeepjunkie keeps around just for that reason.

And all was well.

For about a month.

All of the sudden every time I would drive my oleragtop at low, sustained speeds an enormous racket emanating from beneath the *ss of this olelongrooffan while driving my oleragtop would fill the otherwise tranquil air that was the experience of piloting my oleragtop. I figured those two bastardized bolts were the culprit but I hesitated doing anything about it as it would mean imposing on thejeepjunkie to, once again, use that lift or to perform a repair in the parking lot at the Taj Mahal (not a choice alternative given the condo commandos' overbearing presence round these parts).

In the meantime, this olelongrooffan emptied out the trunk of that black beauty and found those no longer missing bolts and preserved them for future application.

So there is that.

In the interum, this olelongrooffan has been ebaying some diecast in my collection, nothing from the traveling collection Bus, and using that paypal debit card to meet some monthly financial obligations. I have a pretty good realization of the running balance on that plastic means of survival so I was surprised when I stopped at a mainland based petrol station and swipped my card to get some fuel for my oleragtop. The LED screen at that station which, for 2010 at least, sponsors the car driven by the husband of the lady I spent some time with on The World's Most Famous Beach a few weeks ago, told me this olelongrooffan needed to see the cashier inside.

And I did.

She told me it was an issue with my service provider and that station did not recognize it. Okaaay.

I then returned to the drop top and head out....without replacing the untethered gas cap on my oleragtop. I realized this upon returning to the Taj Mahal to double check my paypal balance and did a serious falm palm when I realized a trip to my local U-Pull-It would be required to replace that wayward gas cap.

It seems at that particular station, when using a debit card, they request $75 committment from my financial services company and, as my balance over there was around $45, and that precipitated the declined use of that card that day.

Another mystery solved.

So earlier this week at Happy Hour this olelongrooffan mentioned to thejeepjunkie that the installation of the period correct factory installed bolts was required so the next owner of my oleragtop would not have to do so. I mentioned this olelongrooffan was heading up to TomP's home to perform the weekly, and paid, ritual of mowing and weed eating his, prior to joining TheGentlemanFarmer and Mom, home. I mentioned I would take my floor jack and put the oleragtop in the air with it and perform that installation.

Well Counters, Sometimes Ya Just Gotta Be Flexible. Late last week, this olelongrooffan received compensation from out Californey way and it was deposited into this special account for hiding cash thejeepjunkie has. As it turns out, that check cleared on Tuesday and as my cell phone provider and my internet connection provider were looking for compensation of their own, this olelongrooffan decided to head down to thejeepjunkie's shop to get his plastic card and get the hard earned Benjamin's I had earned and make good with those wireless firms.

Upon arrival at thejeepjunkie's shop, I immediately headed to his roaming tool box and got the keys to his ride to get that card and headed next door to get those Benjamins.

When I returned he inquired if all was well and my response was in the affirmative.

thejeepjunkie asked this olelongrooffan what my next step was?

"I would love to pull my oleragtop into one of those rare empty bays you have, put it in the air and replace those not stock bolts standing up rather than on my back under a floor jack, unattended, up at TomP's place."

"Have at it," was his response.

And I did.

A mere twenty minutes later that oleragtop was on the ground and that loud racket was silenced thanks to thejeepjunkie, a couple ratcheting box end wrenches and a little sweat perfusing from this olelongrooffan.

"Done already?" was thejeepjunkie's response when I was spotted after another application of the aforementioned gel.

"Yeah, jeepjunkie, I told you it would only be twenty minutes and, by the way, thanks a ton, it was a breeze."

"Now whatcha doing?"

"I'm gonna head out and satisfy those liens proffered by the wireless companies I utilize to stay in touch with my family, friends" and You Counters.

"See ya at Happy Hour," was his response.

So this olelongrooffan jumped in my oleragtop leaving, for possibly the last time in it, thejeepjunkie's shop and headed out to my voice and, yes now, text provider's local establishment to cover my obilgations and then to compensate the corporate giant that provides my ability to contact You Counters and also allows them to sponsor the racing series that allows NASCAR to meet payroll each month.

Once this olelongrooffan had fulfilled those obligations, it was realized that my local U-Pull-It was less than a mile away, just beyond that Eisenhower Highway System interchange and this would be a good time to snag one of those untethered gas caps for the next owner of my oleragtop.

And I did.

So, this olelongrooffan, after checking the skies for potential rain clouds and pulling up the top on that black beauty, strolled past the squadron of wheelbarrows waiting for their time in action and stepped up to the entry counter. I plopped down two Washingtons, signed my life away and entered that bastion of male testosterone, also known as a junkyard.

Well as it seems with many aspects of the life this olelongrooffan has, at the first BMW I came to, I flipped open the gas filler door and, EUREKA, there was a genetically identical twin to the gas cap missing from my oleragtop. I calmly put it in the pocket located on my thigh in those bush jean type shorts this olelongrooffan acquired from a local clearance outlet for the measly sum of $5.00 per pair.

Now What?

This olelongrooffan had just spent two of my, very few these days, dollars to get inside the electrically charged perimeter and having been there for less than fifteen minutes, most of which was spent walking back to the "import" section, I was bound and determined to get my two bucks worth.

So Counters, guess what this olelongrooffan did?

If you guessed that I whipped out my trusty, elcheapo twenty-eight dollar ebay provided digital camera and commenced to getting some images of some old imports in that junkyard, please accept a hardy cyber provided congratulations from this olelongrooffan.

There was an old XJ6 I spotted but this olelongrooffan had forgotten where it was so settling for this Vanden Plus, much like the one this olelongrooffan swiped the medallion off around Christmas, was the best that could be done.

From the front, it looked in relatively good shape and most of its body parts had yet to be cannibalized.

I took a gander at the interior and it looked, as most Florida junkyard cars do, in tatters. Once an owner quits armouralling the cr*p out of a leather interior down here in The Sunshine State, it quickly begins to look as this one does.
Then I headed around the rear to see what terminal damage, other than Lucas Electrics, caused the demise of this species of a once great and luxurious means of Royal Transportation.
Sure enough, that damage to the driver's side rear quarter panel would have provided the justification necessary to offer a quick death to this once proud Jaguar. But how the h*ll did it happen with no apparent damage to the trunk lid? That, Counters, is a mystery this olelongrooffan will never solve.

And while we are in Britian, let's check out this rubber bumpered MGB offered by British Leyland. Much like our own General Motors is now, British Leyland was, at that time, owned by its government. At the time, BL was struggling with the superior quality of the upstart offerings of The Land of The Rising Sun and, ultimately, did not survive that onslaught.
This one was pretty picked over and will soon head to China to be transformed into, literally, a boatload of Harbor Freight Tools.
But this olelongrooffan has this to say about that: I am glad I was not looking for a gas cap for an MGB as that gapping hole just to the right side of the driver's side taillight will attest. FAIL.

Just a few rows down, I spotted another rare British Leyland. This pint sized offering of the MG family is a MG Midget.
This version of the Morris Garages output appeared to have lived a significant portion of its short life in either the snowy, salt loving northeast or in parts of the coastal southeast given the abundance of body rot showing along both sides of this short lived wonder of the British Leyland empire.
This Easter egg blue ragtop appeared to not have been completely pilfered of its goodies as had its older brethren and will probably not be seeing that slow boat to China anytime soon. Any Counters Out There needing a pair of taillight lenses for a rubber bumper era MG Midget, just drop this olelongrooffan an email.

As this olelongrooffan checked out the skies just out the passenger side window of this late
60's Mustang, I realized that it probably be a good, dry idea to head on back to the oleragtop and continue on with the adventures to be enjoyed this day.

But, of course, I had to stop and get a couple images of this German icon of the sixties in its final resting place.
Similar to its short in stature British brethren, there were a few goodies to be resurrected for another life remaining on this Type II and, also like that blue shorty, cancer appeared to have shortened this ole hippy mobile's active lifetime also.
And Cheech and Chong need to be called upon to ascertain the exact purposes and locations of the wiring that was formerly beneath the dashboard of this generation of the original forward control civilian people transporting machine.

This olelongrooffan will bet a princely sum there are still traces of cannabis in that ole bus.

While I was heading down that long stretch of open air pavement toward the exit of my local U-Pull-It, this olelongrooffan spotted the center section formerly covering the lug nuts on a wheel of an AutoUnion desendent lying there neglected and trod upon by the masses looking for replacement parts for an early 90's Neon seen in the background of the blue, vertically challenged offering by the Queen's own car producing company.

Of course, the only thing this olelongrooffan saw was GarageArt and it was promptly rescued from a definite demise in an open air 20 yard dumpster and relegated to a prominate location in the Taj Mahal.

Upon arrival at the only electrically safe entry and exit points of this facility, this olelongrooffan walked up to the check out desk and the future Hoon behind that window looked at my AutoUnion possession and said, "We're good."

Thanks man. And I beat it out of there.

Now, as I am heading east toward the coastal area of the region this olelongrooffan lives in, I decided to drop the top and lower the windows in my oleragtop for what just could be the final ride driven in it from that local junkyard.

So, the oleragtop takes me back under that Eisenhour Highway System's bridge at US 92and I-95 and I realize the Daytona International Speedway is rapidly approaching my traveling environment.

Well Counters, this olelongrooffan determined that an update on the repaving process at the Daytona International Speedway was in order.

I started by heading south on Williamson, past the private entrance where this olelongrooffan had gained an illgotten entrance and circled around to see the temporary asphalt batch plant that has been erected behind the backstretch grandstands.
The significant amount of gravel necessary for the repaving of that two and half mile speedway can be seen in the following image, just to the east of that batch plant.
I then returned to International Speedway Boulevard and proceeded to the parking lot of the home of the Rolex 24 at Daytona and parked under the rare shade tree. This olelongrooffen hoofed it across that parking lot to the entrance of the Daytona 500 Experience.

Yes Counters, I walked across an entire parking lot to get to that entrance because in Florida, especially in a black ragtop, a parking space is determined by the amount of shade provided, not by the proximity to the entrance of an establishment.

Unlike my last experience, the Oldfield Grandstands were open and this olelongrooffan headed up into that rarely attended grandstand to check out the action down on the track.

It turns out the paving crew was working on the backstretch, out of the prying eyes of this olelongrooffan and all that could be seen that day was the result of the efforts of the demolition crews.

They did leave some equipment lying dormant for we few spectators to observe and get images of.
The paving crew had totally removed all of the asphalt from turn 4 exposing the limestone subgrade put in place some fifty years ago. You can see it exposed in the following image.
Also in that image you can see the temporary road constructed outside the barrier wall that will be utilized by the equipment needed to stabilize the paving equipment while repaving the 33 degree banked turn. Also note the lack of catch fencing around that turn.

Looking through the still remaining catch fence, beyond the palm tree adorned infield, it can be seen that the pavement on turn 3 has, thus far, escaped the wrath of those pavement destroying machines.
Although it is a bit difficult to make out in the following image due to the reinforcing cables running horizontally within the catch fence, that horizontal line just below those bright orange pylons is the remaining surface of that 6" thick pavement installed in 1978.
And smack dab in the middle of the exit of turn 4 is this huge pile of future subgrade material for that soon to be installed surface. Notice the portolet in the background? This olelongrooffan has by personal knowledge there are three fully functioning bathrooms within 100 yards of this location!
So, by now this olelongrooffan has been out in the wonderfully refreshing mid August Florida sunshine for just about long enough so I reversed my entry process through the Daytona 500 Experience, hesitating long enough to get an image of the temporarily delayed Richard Petty Driving Experience promotional race car, and get back to my oleragtop.
Incidentally, the Richard Petty Driving Experience, which normally operates at the Daytona International Speedway year round, has temporarily relocated its operations to the speedway down in MickeyMouseLand at Disney World.

As I was headed up Nova Road to clandestingly swing by thejeepjunkie's garage and gather up his handy dandy weedeater, I spotted this cool old pick up truck and had to get a shot of it for the Bus.
I then returned Beachside and entered the Taj Mahal through its massive entry door
and remembered that, by now, it is
so I fixed one up for this olelongrooffan and commenced to sharing my day with all of you Counting Along With Me.

And in doing so, this olelongrooffan is able to

Celebrate Life.

Happy 4th of July

This olelongrooffan sure hopes all you Counters Out There are having a safe, fun July 4th weekend. Be sure to hoist a cold one for all those out protecting our freedom to do so!

Sometimes I find the coolest stuff (and sometimes I don't) while surfing around these tubes. I spotted this from Murilee Martin over at Jalopnik.

What does the image below conjure up in your thoughts?
Maybe an old hippie bus? 420? Long hair and full beard? Pabst Blue Ribbon?

Well Counters, based on what is on the rear of it, I would think PBR is the only possible thing on that list.
Yeah, I thought this was pretty cool and had to share it with you.

Have a Great Weekend and remember to

Celebrate Life.

Yeah, It Was A Fun Drive Back To The Taj Mahal

So, this past Sunday while this olelongrooffan was driving back to the Taj Mahal from administering that construction continuing education class, I spotted this and it was my first
What I Saw Today post in some time. If you missed it, you can find it here.

So, anyway, after spotting that cool old woody, this olelongrooffan just cruised up US 1 for a few scenic miles along the intercoastal waterway.
It was an absolute Chamber of Commerce day out and see that speed limit sign to the left in the above image? That is why I choose to stay off the Eisenhower Interstate System whenever I can. All those Hoons out on I-95 missed sighting that ole woody and this calming view of the water.

They also missed seeing this vintage GMC motorhome in beautiful downtown Sebastian, Florida. It had a faded for sale sign in the front window and I called the phone number but, sadly, got no answer so this olelongrooffan is unable to provide the year or the price. While it has a current registration tag on the rear, the tires were extremely dry rotted and the interior was full of boxes. Oh, and the Toronado 455 cubic inch engine's air cleaner was on the kitchen table. But this olelongrooffan would sure love to have one of these rare RV's. More info on these works of art can be found here.

And those travelers on that Interstate system also missed this. I spotted this when I doubled back to get that image of the coastline. It was parked in a marina about 1/2 mile from the bridge I was crossing. Although buses aren't my strongest suit, I think this one is a Crown Coach but all I've seen via google image show just two headlamps as opposed to the four on this one. And the ominous sign declaring this to be Private Property detered this olelongrooffan from getting any closer than this to get a zoomed in image.

So, as I was passing through Cocoa Beach, heading north on A1A, this olelongrooffan spotted a 30's era street rod heading south. Since they had the top up on that oleragtop, I knew they weren't just out cruising around. I immediately remembered this happened so this olelongrooffan kept an eye peeled for any sign of a car show.

Well Counters, this olelongrooffan and my oleragtop had traveled less than two city blocks and a car show was spotted in the parking lot and along the promenade of a pretty upscale beachfront hotel.
One of the first vehicles I really appreciated was this 1960 VW double cab parked in a highly desired spot along the promenade. It had a "Hawaii" theme, ie stickers, license etc. so this olelongrooffan walked up to that dude in the above image and struck up a conversation with he and his wife, the owners of the sweet double cab.
It turns out they retired to north central florida after living most of their lives in Hawaii and two of their three sons still live there. We got to talking about car shows and old cars in general. I asked them did they attend the VDub fest in Daytona Beach? "Definitely," was their response. "The last two years, we won Best In Class with this truck." Yeah Counters it is just that nice.
Further discussion took place and it was revealed that this couple had owned a '60 double cab when they lived in Hawaii, as well as some later generation single cabs. He mentioned he was a carpenter and would carry all of his tools in the "treasure chest" underneath the bed and rear seat and noone was the wiser. He commented, with a twinkle in his eye, "The bed was reserved for surf boards."

When I took leave of that genuinely amusing couple as this olelongrooffan was walking away, he says, "Hey John." I turn and he says "Hope to see you at the VDubfest next year." Know this Counters, I'm going to be keeping my eye out for that cool ole doublecab and its wonderful owners.
Just down a piece from them was this sweet Pontiac Parisienne convertible. If memory serves me correctly, I think Pontiac marketed the Parisienne only in Canada.
The automatic transmission shift lever was located in the console providing for a bit of a sporty feel.
And it was about a mile long. Both my Uncle Frank and TheGentlemanFarmer would lust after this sweet oleragtop. I know I do.
There were a ton of other cars, coupes from the 30's
and from the 50's. This show is put on by Mike Wolf, who runs the weekly shows over near MickeyMouseLand in Old Town. This show, like a Concours d'Elegance, was by invitation only and limited to 200 vehicles.
There were a bunch of "run of the mill" muscle cars
restomods
and street rods to be found all around the show.
In addition, included in this show were the kissing cousins of the MOPAR variety, the Cuda above and the Challenger below.
I thought this license plate was pretty humorous. I like to think this olelongrooffan lives on "One Happy Island" of my own. This Offy, tri carb motor was included on this rare
race car. It was blue oval derived and an extremely nice piece.
This Bowtie Camaro restomod was pretty and its bright yellow and gloss black paint job really showed well in our Florida sun.
This is an extremely rare Mercury Cyclone and was set up in excellent stock condition. One of the rare Detroit derived coupes his olelongrooffan would love to have in his livery.
I also spotted a couple of big Fords of the coupe and convertible variety. The following image is what I remember to be a 1969 or 70 Galaxie 500. It was equipped with a rare 429 cubic inch motor. I am confident it was, and still is, a real sleeper in its day.
I also spotted another Galaxie 500 from the 1963 model year. This one was of the convertible variety and sported a 390 under the hood.
As you can see in the following image, there was a large variety of vehicles in this show.
This souped up z28 from the 1969 model year bore
huge shoes on the rear axle.
This olelongrooffan finds it funny. I hadn't seen a Dodge Dart Sw*nger in many years of car show hooning but I have seen a different one at each of the last three shows I attended.
This street rod pickup was put together nicely but I thought the color combination was a bit odd.
I spotted this 1957 Buick Special hanging out at the local watering hole at the end of the promenade.
And like the Buick Super this olelongrooffan spotted here, the fuel door was located in the rear bumper.
I left the promenade area and headed out to the parking lot which had drawn this olelongrooffan off of A1A in the first place.

One of the cooler things I spotted was this cool Triumph TR3. I don't remember the exact year but this body style came out of Canley, England during the late 50's and early 60's.
Under the bonnet is either the 1,931 cc or the 2,138 cc Standard/Triumph Vanguard power plant capable of propelling this sweet little sports car up to a top speed of 109 miles per hour! H*ll Counters, my 1963 Ford Falcon Station Bus is scary as sh*t at 50, I can just imagine this oleragtop at twice that speed!
It is a typical little two seater and it would be fun to hoon around during the warm summer months.
And look where the spare tire is kept! Pretty cool car and the first one I have seen in recent memory.

Over on the tennis courts were several street rods of indeterminable make to this olelongrooffan. And, of course, there were the usual variety of tri 5 Bowties and Shoebox Mustangs.
Out in the parking lot, across from that TR3, I spotted this original year of production, 1964, Pontiac GTO. There is an interesting history to the Pontiac Gran Turismo Omologato.
In the early 60's, all US manufacturers decided to get out of racing. Pontiac management was a bit upset about this as performance on the track was a big part of their reputation and publicity. Apparently an ad exec named Jim Wangers came up with the idea of putting a 389 cubic inch motor under the hood of Pontiac's version of the GM's "A" body, their Tempest. At the time GM had a policy of limiting the "A" body to a maximum of 330 cubic inches. John Delorean, yes that John Delorean, Pontiac's chief engineer at the time, decided to offer the 389, and some suspension upgrades to the Pontiac Tempest as an option and was able to get that by Pete Estes, then President of the Pontiac Motor Division of General Motors. However, by the time the GTO went into producdtion, it was included as an option on the slightly more upscale LeMans as opposed to the somewhat lowly Tempest.
The one this olelongrooffan spotted at that unexpected show was equipped with "tri-power", that is three two barrel carborators attached to that 389 motor.
This GTO also included the 4 speed manual transmission common to most of them back in the day.
Only 6,644 convertibles were produced that year out of a total GTO production of 32,450 cars.

This olelongrooffan remembers that a high school buddy, Mark Wissbaum, had a 64 post GTO and it would lift the left front tire off the ground from a standing start! Yeah, Wizz was the first real gearhead I had ever met.

One of the last vehicles this olelongrooffan spotted was this 1957 Ford F1. It appeared to be in original condition and was a highly desirable piece of Blue Oval history.

It possessed a Fordomatic two speed transmission
and this cool *ss hood ornament. The tailfin on this is light blue acrylic and is just awesome.
And like my fellow blogger, Tamerlane, observes, sometimes the parking lot of a car show has some pretty cool vehicles also.
As I was heading back to my oleragtop to head get On The Road Again, this olelongrooffan spotted this Lamborghini Diablo resting comfortably in the non show parking lot of that beachside hotel.
While not really my tastes in members of the vehicular persuasion they are pretty cool and relatively rare.
And, yeah, it was white.
And although it is a bit difficult to make out in the $50 Polaroid provided image, the targa top is stored on the rear deck lid when removed. Pretty cool for a supercar.

So, as I mentioned, this olelongrooffan jumped in my oleragtop....see what I mean about parking lots?....that is a current gen Challenger parked next to my oleragtop....and headed on up A1A to see what was to be seen.
As I was driving along, this olelongrooffan got to thinking about thejeepjunkie and his declaration of "No More Jeeps" and I spotted this ole "pontoon Mercedes" and circled around to get an image of it as I thought thejeepjunkie might want to change his name.
Well, as I have mentioned in a previous post, this olelongrooffan met up with Manuel Labor earlier in the week and I stopped by on that Sunday afternoon to see thejeepjunkie at that jobsite. He was there and related that he and TheGoodAttorney had retrieved, yet, another Willy's product from oblivion and it was parked behind his shop.

Well, you Counters know this olelongrooffan had to go take a look.
This CJ3B was every bit as nasty and worn out as thejeepjunkie described it and, after some serious parts removal
by this olelongrooffan, it is, unfortunately, destined for that metal recycling yard on LPGA Boulevard.

So, after spotting that rusted relic over on the Mainland, this olelongrooffan took the Main Street drawbridge causeway back to the Beachside island upon which I live.

As I was passing by Our Lady of the Lourdes Catholic Church, this olelongrooffan spotted a bunch of trucks and trailers in their parking lot and school yard.

Oh sh*t I remembered, it is JeepJamboreeWeekend. So, of course this olelongrooffan whips a Ueee in that oleragtop to go see what's still around at the end of this weekend.
I sure am glad I did as this ole CJ2A, much like thejeepjunkie's and the Bus's was parked up on his "toy hauler" getting ready for its ride back to Duval County, home of the largest geographically anyway, city in Florida, Jacksonville.
It was a nice piece having received a frame off restoration not to many miles ago.
It also sported the same black head light bezzles as thejeepjunkie's 2A but I really like the chain hooks welded to the front bumper.
Yeah just a really nice example of an early flatfender Willy's product, demonstrated by the split windshield.
And hey there jeepjunkie, this one has wipers!!
So, all in all, an eventful day in the life of this olelongrooffan, as most of them are. Well, the ones that make this blog anyway.

But know this Counters, on that fun Sunday in mid May, 2010, this olelongrooffan really was able to

Celebrate Life.