Today I... "Redux Edition"

[5th T/A]

Charlie, sounds like a mix of bad and good. I am glad you suffered only a minor injury. This is just a reminder to all of us to be careful. Regardless, it’s great to hear from you!

[roadking77]

Glad you did not have a severe accident. I am a 4th generation carpenter, one tool my father refused to have in the shop was a radial arm saw. He always said they were too dangerous! I did have one for awhile but rarely used it. Just about everything that it can do can be done safer with a table saw. I put mine away in the barn after it was only a shelf and taking up space.
Just get a new pair of crocs, you will be surprised at how comfortable they are after wearing a worn out pair, LOL.

[5th T/A]

Last night I attended a cruise night just across the state line from me. There were a lot of extreme Resto mods with LS, blown LS and a few 572 big block Chevy engines. Thinking about Ryeguy's 56 Nomad I saw this. The owner was not around so I could not ask any questions. I am not sure if this is a 210 Wagon, 2door wagon or what is referred to as a handyman. It was a nice-looking car and had an LS engine. After looking at it I realized that Ryan's Nomad has much nicer body lines with the pillar's downward slope behind the driver's window.

IMG_2092 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

IMG_2093 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

I also saw this, a lot different from everything else. A beautiful restoration, the owner said he drove one in the Army.

 IMG_2094 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

IMG_2095 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

Today I visited the Illionois Railway museum and got a kick out of this photo of an auto carrier car with I believe is 15 brand new 1976 Firebirds and Camaros. Can you imagine what the value of a train car with these brand new vehicles might be worth today?

IMG_2102 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

[roadking77]

Great pic of the railroad car. Looks like a couple of TA's and a formula there. Camaros outnumber the 'birds.
Nomads hands down have the lock in on styling as far as those old wagons go. I think Pontiac had a wagon that had the same slanted body lines, may have been a Safari?
I like that old army truck. The more I drive and the more people I meet on the road the more I want a big gun mounted to my car, LOL.

[FormTA]

Yesterday I bought a new snowmobile. Skidoo Backcountry 850 154" track with 2" paddles. Here's hoping for snow!

I pick it up next Wednesday.  That makes 9 sleds in yhe barn now. I think I may have a problem..... Going to have to sell something, maybe....

[nas t eh]

I think they call 9 of anything in a barn a heard. Why is that a problem?

[ryeguy2006a]

Great pictures Lawrence! That is not a Chevy wagon, but I was thinking maybe it's a Ford or another make all together. The Nomad body lines are what sold me on them many years ago. I'm very lucky to have found one. 

Luke, you definitely don't have a problem. Why don't you send that Camaro down here to live with me for a while and you'll easily have room for another 5 or 6 sleds haha

[5th T/A]

Well now I feel like an idiot for assuming.  If the car is there next time I will try to find out what it really is.

[roadking77]

I think its a 55 Pontiac wagon.

[ryeguy2006a]

Lawrence, I hope that my comment didn't come off as offensive. I appreciate that you thought of me when you were at the show. There are so many different variations of wagons from all the different makes and models that it's hard to tell them apart. I've just been researching and studying the Chevy variants, so I knew that it wasn't a Chevy. I researched a little more and Kerry is right, it's a 55-56 Pontiac Chieftain. Pontiac also made a Safari wagon from 55-57 that is the sister car to the Nomad.

[5th T/A]

Lawrence, I hope that my comment didn't come off as offensive. I appreciate that you thought of me when you were at the show. There are so many different variations of wagons from all the different makes and models that it's hard to tell them apart. I've just been researching and studying the Chevy variants, so I knew that it wasn't a Chevy. I researched a little more and Kerry is right, it's a 55-56 Pontiac Chieftain. Pontiac also made a Safari wagon from 55-57 that is the sister car to the Nomad.

Ryan, unfortunately not the first time I have been wrong, or the last! I appreciate you keeping me honest. Even before Kerry mentioned it was a Pontiac, I looked back at the engine photo and noticed the little eyebrow over the headlights and thought it might be a Pontiac. In my defense I had limited time to look at all the cars and kind of rushed through all of them. If I would have taken a peek at the instrument panel, I would have figured out it wasn't a Chevy.

I like many other forum members are getting a lot of enjoyment out watching your Nomad come together.

[Johnny ace]

Where the Nomad came from?There was a Nomad styled Corvette show car that was well received,so Chevy wanted to do it as a production car.GM said no,not enough volume.Pontiac offered to share the tooling,and the Nomad and Safari were born.

[72projectbird]

Bought a 78 Y82 W72, 1 of 489 made in 78. Should be a nice car when done.

[FormTA]

You are one ambitious person! Every time I turn around you are building and car. And, you finish them! I am seriously impressed!

[5th T/A]

This last Saturday and Sunday was the annual Cruisin Tigers GTO Pontiac show. It's held in the NW Chicago suburbs, this year a good 300 cars showed up.

There were lots of GTO's, Firebirds, Fiero's and GP's. I chose to show some of the less common Pontiac's.

This 67 GTO was purchased new by the father of the man standing in front of it. He is one of the founders of Cruisin Tigers. Also of interest it was purchased from Peter Epsteen Pontic, the worlds largest Pontiac dealer in the 60's. This dealer was located about two blocks away from the house I grew up in.
IMG_2163 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr
IMG_2185 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

This 1978 Martinique Blue TA is a rare color. This is a one owner car, his first new car. Unrestored about a 150K miles. He said his son can't wait to put him in the ground so he can inherit it! I should add it was purchased from the same physical Pontiac dealer, but new owner with a different name.

IMG_2162 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

This car was purchased new by the owner's grandparents. It was a daily driver for a long time. He has plans to remove the 455 and re-install the original engine.
IMG_2176 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

The owner of this Canadian Pariscenne went to purchase a different car and saw this. He took this home instead, his first Pontiac.
IMG_2183 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

This is when Pontiac's were a force to be reckoned with.
IMG_2192 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

I saw this Safari and couldn't help but think how it's the cousin to Ryeguy's/Madguy Nomad
IMG_2189 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

Look at the hood ornament, there is a definate fighter jet influence.
IMG_2191 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

For those of you who have been working on a project, don't feel bad. This car was purchased in 1985 and just finished this spring. It was a frame off restoration, starting with a straight 8, then a small block Chevy and eventually a Pontiac V8.
IMG_2198 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

IMG_2197 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

This is for those thinking about putting an electric motor in their old Pontiac. I couldn't find the owner. Looks like an incredible amount of work on a Fiero. I have no idea what the electrics came out of.
IMG_2187 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

IMG_2186 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

When I was a young teen I saw Arnie "the Farmer" Beswick at all the local drag strips, a real drag racing legend. I bought his book and spent some time talking with him. I told him I have old color slides of his car back in the day. Later that day he gave a good hour long talk. At 92 years of age he was very entertaining and still sharp.
IMG_2199 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

IMG_2168 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

Saturday night they had a nine piece band that sounded great. There were several good seminars from restoration experts. I definitely enjoyed talking too and hearing the stories of the owners. All in all a great weekend!

[72projectbird]

You are one ambitious person! Every time I turn around you are building and car. And, you finish them! I am seriously impressed!

I'm a glutton for punishment lol

[roadking77]

Larry, that looks like a great show! That gold 67 is spectacular! I have a good buddy that has a 66 GTO (real deal) and he wants a 79 trans am in the worse way. I joked that I would trade him my TATA for his Goat. I really think I could twist his arm into doing so but after all the time I have into the T/A I doubt I could let it go.

Its pretty cool to be able to listen to the 'old timers', they wont be around forever. I was at an event last summer that Chuck Cantrell was speaking. I later talked to him on a personal level as he was very approachable, then I met him again at Hershey and spent a few minutes listening to his stories. Def an interesting guy. Chuck was an engineer on the Shelby Mustang project.

[5th T/A]

Bought a 78 Y82 W72, 1 of 489 made in 78. Should be a nice car when done.

I can’t wait to see and hear more about your new acquisition. From a Pontiac purist point of view, this was almost the end of the line for real Pontiac powered cars. It almost looks like it has new rubber on it?

[72projectbird]

Bought a 78 Y82 W72, 1 of 489 made in 78. Should be a nice car when done.

I can’t wait to see and hear more about your new acquisition. From a Pontiac purist point of view, this was almost the end of the line for real Pontiac powered cars. It almost looks like it has new rubber on it?

It does have new tires! Idk why, but it does lol

I'll start a build thread on here when I start tearing into it.

[FormTA]

My new sled. 165 HP 125" long

[ryeguy2006a]

I saw this Safari and couldn't help but think how it's the cousin to Ryeguy's/Madguy Nomad
IMG_2189 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

Very cool! Those are even more rare than Nomad's!

[roadking77]

Nice looking Ski Doo. Looks like it should move along just fine!

[scarebird]

Is that a misprint? 165hp?

[5th T/A]

My new sled. 165 HP 125" long

How much does that sled weigh? 165 HP seems like a lot, can the track put that much power to the ground?

It's been a lot of years since I have been snowmobiling, so I am ignorant on the subject. Many years ago a co-worker owned what he said was the first sled to top 100MPH, it was a pretty wild ride.

[FormTA]

480 lbs. And with those lugs yes. It can ride wheelies for ever too.

[roadking77]

I was gonna say we hardly get enough snow for those cleats to even be effective!

[ryeguy2006a]

That's a pretty sick sled Luke. I do miss snowmobiling, it's the most fun thing to do in the wintertime in my opinion. That sled has to just rip. I drove my best friend's dad's 800 triple ski doo or Yamaha back when I was in high school. When I hit the throttle it felt like it was going to leave without me it launched so hard. That was probably half the HP of yours!

[FormTA]

We have to trailer them to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan about an 8hrs plus depending on weather.  In February we can run up to Grayling if there is enough snow. We usually can't ride here in northern Ohio.  I believe it is the most fun motor sport and we do  lot of different ones, boating, jet skis, atvs, dirtbikes water skiing and wakeboarding. I am always thinking about snowmobiling.... I don't know why, I even enough my non high powered ones. It is so beautiful in the UP when it has just snowed and the trees are all covered.

[72projectbird]

That's a pretty sick sled Luke. I do miss snowmobiling, it's the most fun thing to do in the wintertime in my opinion. That sled has to just rip. I drove my best friend's dad's 800 triple ski doo or Yamaha back when I was in high school. When I hit the throttle it felt like it was going to leave without me it launched so hard. That was probably half the HP of yours!

I loved winter as a kid, but hate it now. The only good things about it are Hockey and Snowmobiling. Unfortunately I don't get to do either one much anymore. Hell, I have a fullsize rink right in town, but I can't remember the last time I was there. 

[roadking77]

About the only thing I like about winter is that spring follows

[ryeguy2006a]

About the only thing I like about winter is that spring follows

I'm with you there Kerry.

[Nexus]

We have to trailer them to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan about an 8hrs plus depending on weather.  In February we can run up to Grayling if there is enough snow. We usually can't ride here in northern Ohio.  I believe it is the most fun motor sport and we do  lot of different ones, boating, jet skis, atvs, dirtbikes water skiing and wakeboarding. I am always thinking about snowmobiling.... I don't know why, I even enough my non high powered ones. It is so beautiful in the UP when it has just snowed and the trees are all covered.

You're always welcome to come visit me!!!

We have no shortage of snow during the winter months and trails that go from one end of the country to the other!!

[FormTA]

I picked up my new to me rebuilt ST10 trans and all the necessary swap parts aside from the 301 flywheel I need. It did come with a billet RAM clutch 400 flywheel and RAM gripper clutch. New in the box so I'll be selling those off to help pay for the 301 flywheel and clutch I need.

I am having a tough time finding a flywheel for the 301. NAPA has this one but I have my doubts it really fits or if it fits is correctly balanced for the 301 engine.

[roadking77]

My experiences with NAPA lately, be careful. Fortunately they do have a good return policy though I went through a couple of power steering pumps and pulleys before I ended up ordering the correct stuff from Ames. I think the deal with NAPA is that they cross reference and will list an item that fits many GM cars across the board, but not necessarily correctly! I had good luck with them when I was getting mechanical bits for my 77, not sure what changed. Either shortage of parts or the  person ordering stuff.

[72projectbird]

Went to lowes. Took the 77

[FormTA]

Nice!

[roadking77]

x2

[roadking77]

2023-08-23_03-47-50 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr
2023-08-23_03-47-41 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr
On the way to work this morning, truck coming at us, over the centre line, about the time I yelled to my son (driving) he tried to swerve but BAM, mirrors hit Narrow country road, could not get turned around quick enough. Tried to chase the idiot down but I guess he floored it. We went fast enough for a few miles and did not see hide nor hair! My ins. deduct is too high so its money coming out of the TATA budget (seems to be a theme lately). Fortunately the main body just folded in but it broke the colour panel off as well as the mirror glass. Turn signal and power still working. Found replacement parts for a reasonable price. Now If I can figure out how to get the video off of my dash camera?

Same thing happened to me 4 or 5 years ago with my old truck. Within a 1/4 of this incident on the same road. First time around I could clearly see the girl on her phone and she nearly hit me head on.

[5th T/A]

Went to lowes. Took the 77

I like how you just about parked in the farthest spot possible!

[5th T/A]

On the way to work this morning, truck coming at us, over the centre line, about the time I yelled to my son (driving) he tried to swerve but BAM, mirrors hit Narrow country road, could not get turned around quick enough. Tried to chase the idiot down but I guess he floored it. We went fast enough for a few miles and did not see hide nor hair! My ins. deduct is too high so its money coming out of the TATA budget (seems to be a theme lately). Fortunately the main body just folded in but it broke the colour panel off as well as the mirror glass. Turn signal and power still working. Found replacement parts for a reasonable price. Now If I can figure out how to get the video off of my dash camera?

Same thing happened to me 4 or 5 years ago with my old truck. Within a 1/4 of this incident on the same road. First time around I could clearly see the girl on her phone and she nearly hit me head on.

Glad you escaped relatively unscathed. The damage is bad but could have been so much worse.

Too many drivers today are focused on everything but driving. I predict in the not-too-distant future all cars will have camera's tied into the body computer recording 360 degree views. The videos will be used to go after the distracted drivers when their careless driving has caused bodily injuries or worse.