Mid-Florida AROC Car Show

I posted a video of the trip to the car show.  It can be found on YouTube.  Let me know what you think.

Here is the link.

AROC 2010 Car Show

A new direction..

Today I took a look at my first post to this space and have had a change of heart concerning the direction of the Spider restoration. I had mentioned in the original post that I wanted to "bring the Spider into more of a modern condition..." After thinking about this direction over the past few years I think it would be a horrible mistake to alter the car in such a way. So, with that in mind, I will proceed in a direction to make the best (2010) 1969 model car I can afford. I will be keeping the original fuel injection system, the braking system, and keep the finishes as close to original as possible with the means I have available.

The goal to meet is to be able to bring the refurbished car to the 2011 Mid-Florida AROC car show.

I have a renewed spirit about completing this project and now have a hard deadline goal to reach.

Wish me luck and keep an eye here to see updates.

Take a look at some detail shots of the areas with some of the worse rust damage.

Inside rocker panel looking toward where the passenger side jack point USED to be located.

A closer look at the work of the Italian Rust Worm.

Viva Alfa Romeo

Just got back from Celebration, Florida where I got an opportunity to meet some great people and see some beautiful Italian cars.

Thanks Mid-Florida AROC for hosting the Viva Alfa Romeo Car Show 2010. I have gained some much needed inspiration to get my Spider project finished so that I can participate in show next year.

Stay tuned here to see some pictures and a short video presentation of the event.

Time goes by...

Another year has passed and still very little progress on the Alfa restoration. I have sourced some needed parts and have started "cleaning" the area around the car in the garage. If only our house had a two car garage and/or a workshop in the backyard to house some of the yard tools and other hardware collected over the years.

One of my neighbors is selling an older Mercedes four door. It's a 240D. One of the slowest cars on the road. Obtaining this car would put me more in line with the ideals I would like to pursue - reducing my dependance on commercial fuels. I would run the car on recycled fry oil.

It is about time that I put my environmental beliefs into action. I joined the Veggie Van organization today.

http://www.veggievan.org/

Missed deadline

The date is quickly approaching when I promised myself that my Italian car would be back on the road. Once again, I have disappointed myself with poor performance.

Msgr. William A Kerr

I attended Msgr. Kerr's funeral last week. The church was packed, standing room only. I imagine a few people were there because Roger Staubach gave the eulogy. What I saw on news that day only consisted of a fifteen second VO and a 15 sound bite from a football Hall of Fame member. What the local news didn't show was the wonderful story Roger told of a man who had a gift of making the person or people Monsignor was speaking to feel that they are the most important person at that moment. They didn't show Roger choking up over the thought of never having a post Thanksgiving meal discussion ever again. Hearing Mr. Staubach's eulogy made me realize why Msgr. Kerr kindly declined my family's invitation to Thanksgiving year after year. He was spending that time with his dear friends.

Msgr. Kerr practiced what he preached. He was an instrument of change. He was/is and example for the rest of us that an individual can and should try to make a difference. He was working to make our world a more peaceful place. I hope and pray that the progress for world wide peace he began will take root and flourish.

I will miss him greatly.

Memorial Day

Another Memorial Day has come and gone.

About twelve years ago Sherry and I took a day trip to St. George Island. The order of the day was to bring the Hobie Cat, sail to the bay side of the State Park, have a picnic, mess around on the boat a little, then back to town after a fun day in the sun. This would have been our third date and first "out of town" date. At least this was the plan.

The trip to the island was of no event. Normal drive towing the boat. I should have known that the day was not going to end well when I lost my sun glasses shortly after we launched the boat. We did circle back to find the Ray Bans. It was very bright on the water and I needed those glasses.

After finding the glasses we set sail and headed east toward the State Park. The air was slightly west of north and we had a good run to the park. On the way we saw a couple of dolphins, a sea turtle and some jumping mullet.

We beached the boat and broke out the lunch snacks. Sandwiches, some fruit and cheese and one of my favorites, Cheez-Its. Lunch was tasty. After eating we crossed over to the Gulf side to play around in the waves and do some body surfing. The waves were small and we ended up just swimming for a bit.

...continued in a bit...