wow, i think that was exactly the answer i was looking for. from my
experience as a honda (and one time chevy) owner the thing is apart because
it's broken, not because it's being improved. i do love my honda, but am
honest enough with myself to know that not much can be done to it. it's
just a honda. you have completely eleviated my fears that they are always
sick, and in constant need of something. not that i don't realize they need
constant attention, but the fear that only a few of them are actually out
there on the road is gone. thanks!!!
-----Original Message-----
From Brad Fornal [mailto:toyman at digitex.net]
Sent: Saturday, July 01, 2000 6:13 AM
To: Patricia Sauthoff
Cc: 'Larry Macy'; 'spridgets@autox.team.net'
Subject: Re: another question
Patricia Sauthoff wrote:
> On the other subject I'm wondering why all the Midgets are in pieces, and
> all the B's are put together and running?
>
Patricia, many of us have this dream of restoring our own car, most of us on
this list are not what are referred to as "checkbook mechanics". We value
the
time with these little guys, away from work, the S.O., (insert you personal
stress creating item here). There is nothing more relaxing than a greasy
hand on
a wrench, while the other holds a cold brew of your choice. BUT,
.............
it is important to remember, these cars are not daily drivers as soon as you
buy
them. You must spend loads of time tracking down the stupid mistakes that
the
DPO (damn previous owner) made with these cars. As a CDO (current damn
owner) I
have had to go back to fix crap that should have been done right to start
with.
Our car took us on a 700 mile trip one weekend for Spridgetstock 2000, so
they
can be used as distance runners, though I would recommend a back up vehicle
anyway (thanks Robert, I am not as brave as Frank) I think you will notice
in
many of the signature lines (that I don't know how to program, can someone
help
me off list to learn how) that most of us have a car that we use as a
work/school car and the Spridget (toy) is used on the weekends/evenings. The
reason many of these cars are apart is because the owners are lovingly
pouring
their children's inheritance...................... oops, no, wait a
minute................. they are keeping their favorite vendor, i.e.: Moss
Vicky
Brit, Mini Mania, going strong ........... no, wait, that's not it either.
Really, these cars are something that is a bit of you when finished. These
are
not cars, they are family. Chuck Christ loves racing, his Bugeye is a full
blown
vintage Racer. Frank Clarici has worked on these cars for years and parted
out
many of these cars to fix others, thus the remnants were joined from cars
ranging in year from '58 - '73 to form a car affectionately as "the atrocity
called Pieces" <BG> A very gorgeous car in my opinion. The point is, you
can
make this car what you want it to be to suit what YOU are wanting in a car.
Be
it racer, street sleeper, wild, mild, stock, left hand drive, right hand
drive,
948, 1098, 1275, rotary, the options are as endless as the combinations for
phone #'s. I am not certain as to what after market items are available for
the
'B', but there is plenty out there for our cars. I am certain there is a bit
of
Tim Allen that comes out in all of us listers when the latest catalog comes
in
with the newest go fast goodie that we haven't seen yet. .............. "Ya
know
hon, my birthday is coming up, ........ wha, yeah, I know it was last month
but
before you know it another year has gone by and I want to help you be
ready".
This causes many listers to have their car apart, not because it is broken,
but
that we are constantly "improving" these cars, making them a true compliment
to
our personality. Does this answer your question, I hope so cuz I feel carpal
tunnel setting in again, later................. Brad
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