Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Kadett Chronicles: WTF?
So, by now, I'm sure you've figured out that we did not meet our deadline for finishing the car. Nor did we make it to the car show in September. Honestly, there is no excuse other than life simply got in our way. Lots of changes going on around here, especially as of late. But rest assured that this little baby blue project won't sit around collecting dust for too long. The Gearhead and I have spent way too may hours talking about our big plans for it to let it slide forever. We will return. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of 2010. Time flies fast.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Kadett Chronicles: Somewhere in time
Besides being my favorite movie from the 80's (Superman never looked so good and the score is delicious), I found myself online today going "oh yeah, I have a blog" and deciding that some post is better than no post. So here it is!
:: now back to your regularly scheduled programming ::
:: now back to your regularly scheduled programming ::
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Kadett Chronicles 20: Progress report (6/16-6/30)
So the month of June pretty well got away from us. My computer needed some big-time help, so hence the lack of pictures for my last post. Beyond that, The Gearhead is just now today going to get the extra paint we need to finish the engine bay. But, that will be done this morning so that it has a good several days to harden before he has the first half of next week off from the job. Still working though – it’s time to get this old girl running! So hopefully, there will be tons to report next week...and I have my computer back so photos will abound.
And on a non-car related note: thanks to those who fought and fell for our freedom; we will be thinking about you this weekend especially. Happy Independence Day!
And on a non-car related note: thanks to those who fought and fell for our freedom; we will be thinking about you this weekend especially. Happy Independence Day!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Kadett Chronicles 20: Progress report (5/28-6/16)
Wow…it’s been a while! The proverbial life got in the way I guess. I have no excuse except to offer that The Gearhead has been working nights as of late and that just messes up all kinds of plans due to sleep deprivation. There used to be a time when I could run on 4 hours or so, but those days are long gone.
So, in between naps, here’s what we’ve accomplish in these last two weeks…we painted the front suspension and put it back together again. We have the first coat of paint in the engine bay too. Oh and our ordered parts all came in. Now they simply lie in wait until The Gearhead is ready to handle them.
That’s it!
Actually, there were lots of steps involved with painting the front suspension and the engine bay. This is high heat resistant paint so once you crack the can, you have to use it until it’s gone. There’s not putting the cap back on and finishing it up later. This stuff dries fast and hard. The front suspension got a couple coats of shiny black paint. The engine bay got one coat of bright white and then we ran out of paint. Next up is getting some more so we can finish that job and put the engine back in it. Then the front suspension goes on and we’re this close to starting her up!
I’ll get some pictures of the painting process posted here soon. And I promise to post more often henceforth!!
So, in between naps, here’s what we’ve accomplish in these last two weeks…we painted the front suspension and put it back together again. We have the first coat of paint in the engine bay too. Oh and our ordered parts all came in. Now they simply lie in wait until The Gearhead is ready to handle them.
That’s it!
Actually, there were lots of steps involved with painting the front suspension and the engine bay. This is high heat resistant paint so once you crack the can, you have to use it until it’s gone. There’s not putting the cap back on and finishing it up later. This stuff dries fast and hard. The front suspension got a couple coats of shiny black paint. The engine bay got one coat of bright white and then we ran out of paint. Next up is getting some more so we can finish that job and put the engine back in it. Then the front suspension goes on and we’re this close to starting her up!
I’ll get some pictures of the painting process posted here soon. And I promise to post more often henceforth!!
Friday, May 28, 2010
Kadett Chronicles 19: Progress report (5/25-5/27)
We’ve actually done a few things post-show…nothing mind-blowing, but a renewed vigor to get things done goes a long way!
While we were at the show, we saw some neat ideas too, so the drive back was a series of discussions around what we wanted to change in our plan. We’ve done a bit of level-setting. We’ve regrouped. We’ve created revised lists. Now that we have four months till the next show, we’re slowing down a bit and taking stock of what we really want to get done prior to that.
The plan is to drive the car to the show, so the engine, front suspension and brakes are high on the priority list. Those need to get done first so that we can drive the car around some in order to be comfortable taking it on a trip.
Toward that end, we’ve dismantled the front suspension. The Gearhead has been pulling off parts to determine if that are still usable. If they are, I’m taking a grinder to them to clean them up a bit. Also, grinders are fun! If you don’t own one, please remedy that at your earliest convenience. The parts that I have done are nice and shiny, no more grime or caked-on dirt and grease.
The plan is to paint the inside of the engine bay white and the front suspension will get a coat of that as well just to jazz it up some (hence the other reason for the cleaning).
We have already gotten the spare tire mounted and balanced so that’s ready to get strapped into the trunk as well.
And we have all our parts ordered (motor mounts, anyone?) and on their way so once we have those, things will start to happen fairly quickly. Looking forward to its maiden drive around the block!
While we were at the show, we saw some neat ideas too, so the drive back was a series of discussions around what we wanted to change in our plan. We’ve done a bit of level-setting. We’ve regrouped. We’ve created revised lists. Now that we have four months till the next show, we’re slowing down a bit and taking stock of what we really want to get done prior to that.
The plan is to drive the car to the show, so the engine, front suspension and brakes are high on the priority list. Those need to get done first so that we can drive the car around some in order to be comfortable taking it on a trip.
Toward that end, we’ve dismantled the front suspension. The Gearhead has been pulling off parts to determine if that are still usable. If they are, I’m taking a grinder to them to clean them up a bit. Also, grinders are fun! If you don’t own one, please remedy that at your earliest convenience. The parts that I have done are nice and shiny, no more grime or caked-on dirt and grease.
The plan is to paint the inside of the engine bay white and the front suspension will get a coat of that as well just to jazz it up some (hence the other reason for the cleaning).
We have already gotten the spare tire mounted and balanced so that’s ready to get strapped into the trunk as well.
And we have all our parts ordered (motor mounts, anyone?) and on their way so once we have those, things will start to happen fairly quickly. Looking forward to its maiden drive around the block!
Kadett Chronicles 18: Roadtrip Rundown
So we’re back from the car show and let me just say that I had a fabulous time at my first-ever related experience. Here’s the 411 on how the trip went:
The drive out east was fairly uneventful (if you don’t count the rush at the prospect of getting out of dodge for a while). And we had beautiful weather for the long drive. I don’t know what it is about roadtrips with The Gearhead, but I always have a great time just watching the road and talking about whatever. Doesn’t even matter where we are going really; getting there is more than half the fun!
We spent the night in the comfort of a fellow Opeler’s house…along with about 6 other Opelers headed out to the show. The next morning was an early rise, but we were all up and at ‘em, ready to hit the road in a caravan. We picked up more Opelers along the six hour drive to show. I think we must have had about 15 cars in the caravan at one point.
Made it to the show without any mechanical issues whatsoever. Checked into the hotel (and were told that we were given a room with a “good” shower by the hotel staff, whatever that means) and took a quick nap before dinner and drinks with the Opeler group.
The next day we headed out to the show and spent a grand weekend in what I can only compare to a state fair. There were lots of import cars to run around and ogle as well various fair food and vendors (much like a swap meet) to peruse. I discovered a love of peanut butter ripple ice cream at the fairgrounds and I will never be the same. There was even a variety of bands that played.
Basically, we parked the car with the other Opels and then took out the lawn chairs and sat around chatting with people the whole time. A few breaks in there to tour other cars, get some grub, of course, but for the most part it was a lawn party with some really nice people.
Most of the car clubs had big party tents set up on one end of their designated spot on the fairgrounds too, for registration, in case it rained, and/or to provide some shade (it was hot and lots of sunscreen ensued). The Opel club also did an auction of car parts and other Opel collectibles in order to raise money to host the web site that everyone uses to communicate.
Since most of the Opelers were staying at the same hotel, we reserved a conference room for everyone to get together for a few drinks and shoot the breeze some more. People brought microbrews from their local breweries to share too and it was nice to get to know them on a non-car level. This is one great group of folks.
Beyond that, I took tons of pictures (of course) while at the show…over 1200 actually. I’ve been whittling that down and cleaning up the images this past week. Check them out!
We are definitely going to the show in September; this one is a little closer to home so we’re hoping to drive our finished Kadett there. Here’s hoping!!
The drive out east was fairly uneventful (if you don’t count the rush at the prospect of getting out of dodge for a while). And we had beautiful weather for the long drive. I don’t know what it is about roadtrips with The Gearhead, but I always have a great time just watching the road and talking about whatever. Doesn’t even matter where we are going really; getting there is more than half the fun!
We spent the night in the comfort of a fellow Opeler’s house…along with about 6 other Opelers headed out to the show. The next morning was an early rise, but we were all up and at ‘em, ready to hit the road in a caravan. We picked up more Opelers along the six hour drive to show. I think we must have had about 15 cars in the caravan at one point.
Made it to the show without any mechanical issues whatsoever. Checked into the hotel (and were told that we were given a room with a “good” shower by the hotel staff, whatever that means) and took a quick nap before dinner and drinks with the Opeler group.
The next day we headed out to the show and spent a grand weekend in what I can only compare to a state fair. There were lots of import cars to run around and ogle as well various fair food and vendors (much like a swap meet) to peruse. I discovered a love of peanut butter ripple ice cream at the fairgrounds and I will never be the same. There was even a variety of bands that played.
Basically, we parked the car with the other Opels and then took out the lawn chairs and sat around chatting with people the whole time. A few breaks in there to tour other cars, get some grub, of course, but for the most part it was a lawn party with some really nice people.
Most of the car clubs had big party tents set up on one end of their designated spot on the fairgrounds too, for registration, in case it rained, and/or to provide some shade (it was hot and lots of sunscreen ensued). The Opel club also did an auction of car parts and other Opel collectibles in order to raise money to host the web site that everyone uses to communicate.
Since most of the Opelers were staying at the same hotel, we reserved a conference room for everyone to get together for a few drinks and shoot the breeze some more. People brought microbrews from their local breweries to share too and it was nice to get to know them on a non-car level. This is one great group of folks.
Beyond that, I took tons of pictures (of course) while at the show…over 1200 actually. I’ve been whittling that down and cleaning up the images this past week. Check them out!
We are definitely going to the show in September; this one is a little closer to home so we’re hoping to drive our finished Kadett there. Here’s hoping!!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Kadett Chronicles 17: Roadtrip!
Just a quick note to say bon voyage. We're off to the car show tonight! Woot! It might be sans Kadett, but as the true Opelers tell us, these things are more about the people than the cars. I'm looking forward to meeting The Gearhead's Opel gang. More to come post-show!
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