July 11, 2012: the big first step

Tuesday, July 11 was finally here...and my stomach was full of butterflies!

My anxiety was at a pretty high level, not really sure how this tow would go.  This poor car had been sitting, waiting for several years...I was at work all day, wondering how I would handle the laughter from the tow truck driver, later that day.

I got out of work at noon, and promptly called my sister, who informed me that her friend would meet us at Dad's between 1 and 1:30.  I raced through traffic to get to Mashpee (10 miles, I'd say...40 minutes!!  At least, that is how I remember it).  Once at Steph's, I impatiently waited for her to gather her things, reminding her to bring the money for the driver.  And then, we were on our way over to the car.  Steph's new house is even closer to Dad's, and we got there in no time...just about 5 minutes to 1.  As I got out of the car, she looks at her keys and says, '[shoot]' (we'll say, 'shoot', since I think my mom is reading this now) 'I forgot the keys!'

No, you don't really need keys to move a car that doesn't run, but she had, for whatever reason, locked the doors the last time we were there.  We were also equipped with the old title, the Voluntary Administrator papers, and a copy of Dad's will and Death Certificate.  The car is no longer registered and she was nervous about that...but, of course, when you have people you know doing stuff for you...it never really matters, we didn't need any of that...we just needed the da..darn keys!

So, I raced back to Steph's as she called her man to see if he knew where the keys were (since they just moved and everything they own is still in boxes all over their new house.

We managed to get back to the house before the driver, even though, at this point I wanted to throw up from the stress of thinking he'd show up, find us not there, and just leave.

But that didn't happen...we made it back...he showed up...and the big move was underway.

(I forgot to get pics/video of the car going onto the flatbed...of course!)

Steph said I look like I was in severe pain, watching.  In my mind I saw the whole rear axle come out from under the car once the winch started pulling.  It was quite a site to see her break free of the dirt and pine needle bed she was slowing sinking into.  I almost wanted to cry.

Just a side note, the driver was pretty impressed by the state of the car.  That made me feel better about our chances of getting her back on the road.  I also found out, that day, that the only time my family ever drove this car was when Steph backed it down the driveway and then back up the hill!  It was towed to dad's and that is where it has stayed all these years!!  So that kind of cancelled out the optimism I got from the driver's comments.  (add to shopping list: more antacids!)

But, without further ado, and pointless yammering...



 He got her up on the flatbed, and we followed her to Steph's.

I loved watching her ride away, knowing this was truly the beginning, and we were gonna do this thing!

It was a bumpy ride, and I thought she was going to bounce right off the truck! 

Steph and I were giddy little girls at this point!  For some reason, when I saw the car bouncing around, I said, 'no, Jo! don't fall off!'  So, she is officially called 'Jo'.  Steph thought I meant 'Jo' from Little Women, which is appropriate.  But, I was actually thinking Jo Polniaczek from The Facts of Life. (There are nine years between my sister and me.) 

The release.

Home at last!

Steph's new driveway has a slant, but it is also double-wide.  Jo is placed off to the side, and on the most level part.  I would love to hose her down, but all the seals need replacing, so we are holding off for now.  The car cover Steph picked up had clearly been returned once before, and probably put in the wrong box...it was far too short.

My first glance at the engine...

 ...which, right now, means nothing to me.

I know my crazy brother wanted a bigger engine in this car, but we are planning on putting it back together with stock parts...the way she was meant to be.  So, somehow, we will be removing this to put the original, smaller engine back in.  Okay, here come the butterflies again...actually, think MOTHRA!  If we can pull this off, it will be the wildest story since...well, the last story of two girls doing something they know nothing about. 



The date is set;and, why it's good to work in a customer service field

Oh, boy! Oh, boy!!
Steph bought a house!!!!!!!!!  And, it's not far from Dad's house!  I think all my nagging has paid off, as well.  She originally said that it would be a few weeks after they moved in, before we could move the car there.  They were planning on sealing the driveway first.  But, for whatever reason they are not doing that.  I have been told that she is having the car moved on July 10!  The Tuesday after they close on the house. 
So, here we are, approaching the big bill.  In my mind, since my towing experience is limited to the one time my car was actually towed and a few weeks ago when I thought it would have to be towed, I was bracing myself for a bill in the couple hundred dollar range.  (Having AAA, I'm not really sure what towing costs!)  Of course, originally, we were going to have a longer haul, but I still wasn't expecting to get under $150.  But, Steph works in a bank.  She sees people in all kinds of professions.  Including tow truck drivers.  In particular, one from the place we were probably going to call for the 'Cuda.  He says he'll do it for $65!! 

In title news:  we were happy to find out that we do not have to get insurance or register the car in order to transfer the title.  That means, for a mere $75 we can officially be owners of the car!

Things are actualy moving...finally.

Even more exciting news:  there is a building across the street from where I work.  It was built to be a Circuit City several years ago, but has sat there vacant since the day it was finished.  I heard a rumor a couple weeks ago, and have now seen the banner on the building to confirm the rumor to be an actual truth:  Coming soon- Harbor Freight Tools!!  You mean to tell me, at the precise time we are finally getting to work on the car AND I have a little bit of extra cash, we are getting a major tool store across from where I have to be 5 days a week!!??  Oh my stars!!

And, in TV news:  I am hooked on the Discovery Channel's Fast & Loud.   It's just kind of silly.  I mean, I'm not getting any real car restoration knowledge out of it, since most of what they say means nothing to me, right now; but, it gets me in the mood! 
They throw in bits of history about the cars they buy and restore...chat about what they are doing...but, mostly it's just fun to watch.

As promised (well, not promised, but I did mention it in my last post from way-back-when)...
pictures from the ramp demo...





To the left of the car, just outside the side slider, the ramp covered the steps, and sloped down to a small landing...

 

...and then it turned to slope down the side of the driveway.



 Basically, the Barracuda was parked at the most level part of the driveway (the house is on a hill, the rest of the driveway is at a severe slope); and, then the neighbor boys built the ramp, trapping the car.

But, now she's free!!!

(No, those tires don't fit this car.)



Time to read my bible!

I bought this on Amazon.com today. 

We have been trying to wrap things up with Dad's 'estate'.  He didn't leave much behind, really.  And the problem we're having is changing over the ownership of this car.  The car was originally bought for Steph, but it was registered in Dad's name. 

But that's not the half of it!  We have no place to store the car, once we walk away from the house.  My driveway is lacking any real level ground.  There's a spot here or there, but it's not ideal.

Steph is living in a condo, where she is already using a 'visitor' parking space for her own car.  She has been trying to buy a house for several months, but we can't really rely on her getting a new place in time.

That means...I'll take the car.  And then when she moves, we'll move the car again.

Currently, we're looking at a car with 3 low tires and a flat.  And, just for fun, I found out that both front and rear brakes are seized due to the, at least, 2 years it has been sitting there, trapped behind Dad's wheelchair ramp.

(Unfortunately, I was not thinking and didn't get pictures of it's prison...but i will get some shots of the demolished carcass of the ramp to post later.)

Now, in my mind, I'm seeing a long tow from Dad's to my place; and then later, from my place to Steph's. 

But that's not the way to think!  The car can sit at Dad's for at least a couple more months before the bank starts getting upset about non-payment on the mortgage, right?  So we have some time to work on it while it's still there.

And, if it turns out that that is not the case, and we have to leave the property as soon as the final paperwork is filed for the will, then once it's towed here...we can begin work on it here, and perhaps be able to simply drive it to Steph's, if we want to switch it up!

Whatever happens, I am excited to get my new book!

And I am happy to report that Big Bro (aka BabyDan...he's Dad's junior...I wonder why we never called him 'D.J.'??) is back in our lives and will be assisting.  He's a welder, by trade, and has done body work on other cars.  He is also the only other family member we have around here who knows anything about cars. 

I believe, armed with our manual and a few knowledgeable people, we may actually be able to get this thing running!

Fingers crossed!

A death and a birth

Sadly, this post was prompted by the death of our father.
After a series of major illnesses and surgeries, he passed away in his sleep a few days ago.
My siblings and I have been cleaning out his house over the past few days. It was not a secret that my father loved cars...and everything about them.
Out of high school, he joined the army and learned vehicle repair. From the Army, he came home and continued to surround himself with cars by drag racing; and, eventually, working as an engineer in the auto industry.
In sifting through his belongings, it was clear that cars were his 'one true love'.
He had albums. Sure, albums of car-inspired songs from the '60's seems normal; but, albums of actual car races!? I remember him listening to those albums...just the sound of engines and commentators.
There are boxes of car photos. I believe, living in Detroit, he probably attended the auto show every year...judging by the pictures I've found so far, he was there at least every year he attended high school.

Here are a few from 1968 or 1969.

I also found an awesome old Plymouth key chain that we can use for our 'Cuda keys! I suspect it was from his own Barracuda that he drove when I was very young.

We have uncovered stacks and stacks of Mopar and Nascar magazines, Jeggs and other parts catalogs. I've yet to find his old Chilton manuals, but we have found other auto manuals.

He did leave the car to Steph and me. I am overwhelmed at the thought of having to do this project, even after his death. What started as a gift from a father to his daughter, turned into a way for two daughters to bond with him. That, in the true fashion of our family, turned into a sore subject, to be pushed aside and forgotten altogether. It is my belief that it was too hard, emotionally, for him to try to help from the sidelines.

It took a tragedy to re-visit it, and now, it will simply be a way for a couple of sisters to honor their father.

I hope we can do it. I hope, in the end, it doesn't just end up being a junky piece of metal that we are stuck with. We want to fix this car and take it out and tell the story of our father, and his love of the automobile.

Can't stop thinking about it!

I felt the need to post an entry here. Not because I am going to be working on the car, after all, but because it is that time of year when it's all in my face. There are classic car shows everywhere, and even if you don't go, you see them on the roads. (This is not me complaining about the cars...it's me being sad.)

The 'project' got as far as us getting the car covered and then, once the ice melted, getting all the pine needles and sticks that had frozen to the car's windshield and roof. Then, as soon as things were falling into place -great work schedule for afternoon grease fests, warm weather approaching, everyone getting along- things took a terrible turn. It's all in my last entry, it's just so upsetting!

So you'd think I'd just delete the car blog and facebook page and get on with my life. Well, I did get on with my life, sort of. I've been making dresses. In actual fact, I've been TRYING to make dresses to feel like I am doing something productive with my days. The dresses are poorly constructed out of old sheets, but they definitely have kept my mind off the car.
That is, of course, until I am driving home and pass some beautiful old Charger or Mustang and want to go shake my father and ask why he insists on pissing everyone off all the time!
I couldn't resist the urge to give a big 'thumbs up' to a guy in his classic muscle car as I drove by him in my 2000 Cavalier. He waved, but likely thought, 'hey, crazy. Nice car'.
I know absolute jack about cars. I am so terrible at driving a standard that I used to need a half hour to work out the adrenaline overload from the stress of driving my dad's car years ago. But, my dad's love of cars, his history of drag racing, and this one glimmering hope of actually being able to learn something gave me a feeling of belonging to this unique group of people who don't merely appreciate cars, but know WHY they appreciate them. Sure, you can love something based on looks alone, but it's a much deeper connection when you know what's going on inside...when you connect with it's 'soul'.

So I was about to delete all my barracuda stuff when I thought, maybe there's still a chance? I reached out to dad to try to bridge the gap between him and my sister. They spoke, but they are not 'speaking'. I kept the lines open with the hope that we could get this going again. I even toyed with the idea of just doing it myself. I mean, not by MYSELF, but probably with out Steph. I considered trying to convince my dad to let me have the car towed to my house, but knew he'd never go for it. I just didn't know it's future, with my dad talking about selling the house and moving 'in 2 years'.
But then I got more bad news when I called to check in on dad...my brother had moved back in. I guess it's good for dad to have someone there, but two guys who can not take care of themselves really shouldn't be relying on each other. But that's just my opinion. I have not seen my brother in several years, and it doesn't bother me. I don't really want to run into him again, simply based on the fact that his life is filled with drama that I just don't need to be involved in.
Okay...wait...I'm getting off subject here...
The point is: I will not be going to my dad's house for any reason, any time soon.
So that's it. I believe any hope of getting this project back in motion has been shot to hell. I know that if I wanted to go ahead, I would be dealing with my brother and it was already going to be hard enough dealing with my dad. I would not get to do anything and it would not be fun.
Maybe brother will finish what he started when he put the new engine in?
Maybe uncle will come out for a visit to help with the car and then take it back?
Maybe dad will be able to find someone who wants to deal with the hassle of getting the car out of the yard (since it is trapped by the wheelchair ramp that was built right behind it) and get rid of it?
Maybe, probably, he'll try to sell it for an outrageous amount of money, no one will buy it, and it will sit in the yard and rot away as I have seen happen many times throughout my childhood?

It just wasn't meant to be, I guess

Sadly, our project has ended before it began. What was to be a bonding experience for a couple of sisters and their ailing and emotionally distant father, turned into a typical (for us) family explosion.

Things were working out great. Steph was even gaining more 'family' time with Dad by easing off the 'caretaker' role. Now, it may sound cruel for a man's daughters to not want to take care of him, but trust me, it's not. Anyone who has known a father that has never been much more than a man who likes to argue for the sake of arguing, knows that he's not an easy person to get along with. The stress of taking care of Dad was too much, and it's understandable since she also has her own life and full-time job. There are resources aplenty for a person needing to get around out here. Steph was even going to make arrangements for home delivery of groceries. Surprisingly, Dad was cool with Steph's decision. Until about 3 days later when suddenly he felt jilted (and, not to air dirty family laundry, but this wasn't really a surprise that his mind changed so suddenly). When she told him we'd be coming over to start working on the car he said, 'don't bother. As you have changed your mind about taking care of me, I have changed my mind about the car and am going to sell it.'

With that short conversation, he killed any hope of a normal father-daughter relationship with any of us. And, sadly, he crushed our hopes of learning something fun and interesting from our father.

He will not sell the car. He just doesn't want us to touch it. I thought, with his mortality so 'in his face' that he was truly trying to change and be a better person. But this tiger can not change his stripes. He will be a mean and spiteful person until his last day.

I am sorry to say, unless there is some miracle of miracles, these 'Barracuda Sisters' are merely 'Plain 'ol sisters' and this diary has ended.

(I feel that, since this is a 'diary' I will be forgiven for the highly personal tone of this entry.)

Just an update

Unfortunately I don't have any photos to accompany this post. Yes, a car blog with no photos is a bit dull, but this is just an informational post.
Since it has been quite some time since my last post, I thought I'd check in.
Steph and I hit a snag with some family issues that needed tending. I wasn't sure we'd come out of it all with permission to go on with the Barracuda project. I wasn't even sure the car would still be available. But, after a couple 'meetings' with Dad, and getting all the 'rightful owners of property' figured out, the car still resides at Dad's house which he is planning on staying in for at least a couple more years.
That said...it has turned cold again, here on the East Coast. We had GORGEOUS 70+ degree weather for about a week, then more frost and 30 degree temps came back.
The good news, Dad also still wants to work on the car with us and wants to get a portable car port. I had wanted one, don't have the money to spend on one, and had decided to rig up some tarps. This will be better, though, sometimes Dad just likes to spend money until it's gone.
We are eager to get a move on, and with my schedule these days, I am excited the actually have the time to do it.
Until next time...when we will hopefully be doing some actual work!!...