[Shotimes] Update on Lowrider

[George Fourchy]

After reading this a bunch of times and editing it, I think you'd just have to KNOW
me to understand what I am saying......but I'll try to explain.....

On Tue, 15 Apr 2003 00:44:50 -0400, Ian Fisher wrote:

>I understand sentimental value, but is it worth it to spend this much on
>a car that may not be 100% as it was before it was totaled? Gen1's are
>so cheap now..

True....very true.  But this is not just any Gen 1.  I can't explain in simple terms
to you why this car needs to be fixed and back on the road (with a clear title), but
I'll try to keep it logical.  It's because the car has been so good to me for such a
long time.  It just kept running and running and running, and I feel I owe it this
favor in return.  I flew 3 different airplanes in the AF for 18 years (actually 5,
but the other two didn't count, the time in them was so short), and after I became
qualified in each one and flew the same airplanes many times over the years, each
one sort of developed a personality that was distinctive to itself.....one group of
tail numbers I could expect to operate perfectly, or nearly so, for the entire trip,
while with others I knew we would be lucky to get out of the departure station, or
we could plan on breaking down at the far end so bad that we'd have to come home
commercial.  There was always at least ONE in the squadron that was perfect....one
particular C-130 (tail #621789), two C-5s (#700462 and 680223) and one F-4
(#630704).  These four NEVER had any problems other than burned out bulbs or worn
tires or things like that.  The ancient inertial navigation system in 223 was able
to find Travis AFB within 1/4 of a mile after coming home from Tokyo (about 3700
miles, across the central Pacific) 3 times in a row, over three weeks...it was/is a
walk in, sit down, push the start buttons, and press on type airplane. 
Now....680213......that sucker stranded us in England for 10 extra days, trying over
4 attempts to just get it to retract ALL its wheels at the same time.  It was a
hangar queen!!  Machines have been that way with me since about the time I learned
to walk.  Plastic toys I'd destroy in a few minutes, but metal ones.....I still have
several of my Tonka Toy trucks.  (I quit playing with them when the wrenches I got
became too big.)   So, when this car showed me it was going to be as tough as a
Tonka Toy, or my favorite C-5, I stayed with it, well past the time when I might
have gotten something different, like I did with the T-bird.....I was as
enthusiastic about that car as I am this one, but this is more fun to drive, and
more economical, and faster.

If Lowrider had been totally crushed, or had been hit hard in the front or side, or
the roof had been collapsed, things might be different.  But it's repairable, for a
RELATIVELY reasonable price, and the shop does definitely say it is an easy
fix....it'll be as good as new, and also it's been running around with a (factory
new) replacement rear clip since it  was one year old, and that repair has been
transparent.

I see your logic, but this just has to be done.  I'd feel guilty for a LONG time if
I didn't fix it.   

George, the sentimental (old!) fool!!  ;-)