Springfield Flyer.

[fordboy628]

PJ just was having a conversation with Sumner yesterday---about how I didn't have any idea what aging was going to be like other than maybe getting just weaker and stiffer  jeeze I think I am get more education in the last part of my life than I did in the front end!!  LOL

Well, that's the rub, isn't it?

Keep learning or die . . . . . . . .

Yeah, I'm older, stiffer, more sore, and crankier.    But it beats suckin' dirt . . . . . . .

 
Fordboy

P.S.  The 'boy' suffix is just my personal delusion that I am still "young" . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Sparky said:  "maybe getting just weaker and stiffer ".

Stiffer?  Gee, whiz, Sparky -  how do you do that?  I'm now on the "frequent buyer" list at the local Sildenafil outlet.

[wobblywalrus]

Mike, when I mount tanks I use rubber mounting, preferably.  If solidly mounted, I use slotted holes on the tabs and nylock nuts with fender washers on the studs.  The nuts are tightened down just enough so the fender washer does not rattle, but it can be rotated with my fingers.  What I am doing is allowing the tank to grow and shrink due to temperature changes without stressing the mounting tabs.  It might be a good idea to discuss this with the expert who is helping you.

[tauruck]

Guys, I know my statement that my build is mostly down to all the help, motivation advice and encouragement I get from you all is getting "old" by now but I mean it in all honesty.

The mags I read when I was 12 described 4130, how to build a Altered and all the other great projects.
We had no TV, my dad died on July 17, 1968 ad the space programme was in full swing. All I had was the oval near my house, my magazines and dreams.

I beat the bullies and all the other crap a short ass like me would encounter. I toughened up and playing hockey saved my life. I thought that hockey would be my career and yes I was scouted even being in South Africa. Things never panned out and I still ask why. Long story but the answers kinda show up daily.

This morning I had a S$!t, shave and shampoo. Nerves jangling like the first time I got on the ice in the bigs.
Ian collected me in his Bowtie powered Lumina SS Pickup. It's the latest truck with a Corvette mill.
We were off to Bosch for me to present my proposal for sponsorship to the board of directors.

Bear in mind that my PC packed up yesterday and all I had was the Memory stick.
The last time I did a sales pitch to 8 people was in 86 and they bought a few cars for their fleet.


We were well received and headed for the board room. The table is "U" shaped and I had to stand up front and deliver my sales pitch.
Ian handled the keyboard and I did my best. Honest and straight forward. Nothing but the truth.
I never omitted one detail.

Some AHOLE (excuse the language) at Guido's classic car club said Bosch wouldn't give me the time of day. He claimed he knew the board and I was delusional for even entertaining the idea of asking for support.

See attached photo. A box of 2200cc High Impedance injectors with the racing "Red" fuel pumps to come along with the correct alternator, toothed belts, Lamda sensors, EGT sensors, spark plugs and every other related product to follow. I have 100% backing from Bosch with ECU etc. Backup from the tech guys and in general anything I need out of the catalog.

The nay sayers got their due. I've had some really great days in my life but today was the best.
I'm still in shock but that box full of product is proof I'm not dreaming.

Gary Player said "The harder I work, the luckier I get". He's the MAN.

I'm humbled by the generosity even though this is an uphill battle. I won't back down, not now or ever.

Thank you all for standing by me and never once putting me down. The flag Buddy Walker sent will be under my ass on the seat when I do the run and I'll plant it right where it belongs when the record is destroyed.
I pledge my allegiance.

[Buickguy3]

    Congratulations, Mike, Your abilities keep shining through all of the adversities that are thrown at you. You make me proud to call you friend. You'll get 'er done.
       Doug 

[manta22]

Mike;

Naysayers are all around us-- those people who never accomplish anything because they never try. Their excuse is "There's no use to try- it wouldn't work anyway." A man who tried & failed is due more respect than a man who was too afraid to try. Sometimes you just have to defy "conventional wisdom."

Back in the late 1870s, a patrol of US cavalry encountered a lone prospector in Cochise County Arizona- an area ravaged by Apaches. The captain asked what he was doing out there all by himself. Ed Schifflin replied "I'm looking for silver." The captain said "The only thing you'll ever find out here is your own tombstone!"

When he made a discovery and opened one of the richest silver mines ever found, Schifflin, with tongue in cheek, named his mine "The Tombstone". And that, Boys & Girls is how the town of Tombstone, Arizona got its name. Tombstone is more famous for the gunfight at the OK Coral.

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ

[Glen]

That's cool.

[Captthundarr]

Didn't I tell you you got the gift. I couldn't beg a dime if I paid a dollar for it.

[Speed Limit 1000]

Great Mike! Good to know they treated you with respect.

[tauruck]

Thanks all. Frank you said it. Doug, your emails keep me going. You're a naughty guy.
It was a big day and a milestone on this build.
I'm still on a high.

This deal is more about the journey than the destination.
You have to win this thing an inch at a time.

You've all helped me and so many times I've wanted to throw in the towel
but I stuck with it but it's all about destiny.

Time is the only real enemy and we'll get there.
I woke up this morning thinking I'd had a dream but the box is still here full of the right stuff.
I'm truly Blessed.

Today we're going to celebrate.
My "sons" Ian and Peter, kids I met way back had a part in yesterday's success.

Back to building the battery box.

[SPARKY]

Mike---Wobbly is spot on--

-these long wheelbase cars even with all the diagonals and bracing are not birdcage Masaratis  they flex a lot--my tanks are captured more than they are mounted ---they more or less float---being mounted behind the rear axel will help

[SPARKY]

Congratulations,  on the goodies and on being a kid with a dream--that's what they rewarded

"the kid with the dream" they want to tag along and get to live vicariously through you 

To you and your journey,    cherish it ---LOTS of us over here want to tag along too!!!!!!!!!!!!

One of the sayings that I grew up with is "The LORD helps them that help themselves",  it is about, believing being a 2 way street!!

[Finallygotit]

Congratulations Mike!!  That is an awesome sponsorship you just received.

Now get back out there and finish that long car!  

 

[SaltPeter]

How good is that Mike .... If you don't try you will never know ....

Congratulations

Pete 

[tauruck]

Thanks all.
Hey, I thought I'd have a few Tequilas too many last night!!!!.
2 was all I had.

 All I could think about was getting back home so I
could get a good night's rest and get to work in the AM.

Yesterday I started building the battery box.
Exide is the sponsor and they gave me one of those dummy
show items. Way easier to handle than the real article and I've had
a few giggles with it.
I threw it at Clive one day shouting "Catch". The guy ran like hell.

I had the leftover stainless plate from the baffles I never used on the gas tank.
I figured 3mm thick is good enough so I got to work.

So far it looks fine and the material is a pleasure to weld.
Some of the stages on construction. I welded inside and out using short beads etc.