Lettin’ the cat out of the bag… my new GTX... UPDATE

[bulletpruf]

Sometime in the next few weeks I’ll be heading down to Texas to pick up my next toy.

I’m sure some of you are familiar with this car. It has been on and off the market a couple of times in the last year or so.

It’s not exactly what I was looking for (4 spd w/air grabber), but it will suffice quite nicely, and it fit the budget. I’ve got a long-term vision for this car.

Short term, the first order of business will be to install power steering and power disc brakes. From experience with the GY3 car, I know these are just necessities for day to day survival. With the auto, driving this car won’t be quite as much as a workout as the yellow one but around town the lack of PS just sucks (I think the GY3 car has a fast ratio box making matters worse). This thing has a Tuff Wheel to boot, which won’t help. The disc brakes are simply a matter of protecting my investment. I’ve already got some of the parts required, and may have it all before I even get the car home.

A little further down the road, I’m probably going to install A/C. Might have to upgrade the cooling before that though since this is a 22” radiator car.

And beyond that, it’s going to get an Air Grabber. This sucker will look absolutely sinister without the V7W stripes, and that Air Grabber hood. I’m going to take my time scrounging the parts for that project. We may not see that for a few years. In the interim I am considering just removing the stripes.

Depending on how things come together, I may take the car on the Hot Rod Power Tour this year. I’d really like to have A/C in place (and my wife demands it) for that trip.

Look for me if you're going on Power Tour - black/black 71, Air Grabber, 4 sp, U code, track pack, etc. Mine will likely be in black primer; might go with the old school look and keep the N50s on the back.

Scott

[471Magnum]

The wife has decided that we are going to Disney World this fall. So now the Power Tour is not on the agenda due to my limited vacation days.

There is still the possibility that I may go, but it seems unlikely.

[1971SSP]

That is pretty cool...when black looks nice, it looks real nice! And the blue interior is pretty cool too...sharp car, good for you.

[471Magnum]

This was going to be the weekend to get the car, but we called off the trip due to bad weather along the route.

So.... we're reloading with a plan to get it next weekend.

[RS23-71]

Yeah I don't know what the weather is like along the route but down here it has gotten a bit colder and is raining like nuts. I talked to someone I know around dallas and they got like 6 inches of snow earlier and you sure as hell don't want to drive around the south when they got snow cause no one down here has the slightest clue how to drive in it.

Temps down here around night time are playing around the freezing point and if the rain doesn't move on it could easily mean freezing rain or sleet. That means either everyone is off the roads or it turns into a giant game of bumper cars.

[RS23-71]

Well we didnt get any freezing weather or snow it all stayed to the north but if you are going to stay over night somewhere down here best to check with hotels ahead of time. We got SXSW going on for about week with all the big concerts this coming weekend. Last I heard alot of the hotels are sold out here for next weekend.

A list of the bands playing in austin.

[471Magnum]

Thanks for the tip. We had already been warned.

As we've got it scheduled, we won't be staying over in Austin. After grabbing the car, we'll start heading back. Not sure how far we'll make it.

If anyone needs a car hauled south anywhere along the route, shoot me a PM. We're going to have an empty trailer and would welcome a payload to help finance the trip. We've got an open trailer equipped with a winch.

[471Magnum]

The good news:

The weather shouldn't be a factor this time. It might be a little soggy on the way down, but it should be 92 degrees in Austin when we get there. Trip back looks like it will be dry.

The bad news:

Diesel fuel is up to $3.99/gallon. OUCH!

Some more good new:

The "Parts Fairy" paid a visit twice this week. Once bringing my disc brake kit. Once bringing a new set of wheels. Sweet.

[RS23-71]

The good news:

The weather shouldn't be a factor this time. It might be a little soggy on the way down, but it should be 92 degrees in Austin when we get there. Trip back looks like it will be dry.

The bad news:

Diesel fuel is up to $3.99/gallon. OUCH!

Some more good new:

The "Parts Fairy" paid a visit twice this week. Once bringing my disc brake kit. Once bringing a new set of wheels. Sweet.

The local weather report I saw said 88 deg... so bring a coat.

[471Magnum]

Made it home yesterday around 5:30. Trip was largely uneventful, but driving through Friday evening rush hour in Austin sucked. Put us a couple of hours behind schedule.

As expected, the car turned out to be a little less than advertised in terms of overall condition, but not bad. Certainly not bad enough to justify turning around and driving 960 miles home with an empty trailer. Pretty much what I've come to expect when buying a car online.

[rr6pak]

471 Magnum...What do you mean? Did you get the issues settled with the seller about the car?

[471Magnum]

I don't want to get into detail, but essentially paint and body was described as being an "8 on a ten scale". I'd rate it as more of a seven, and being a black car doesn't help. Couple of detail items as well didn't jibe with description. In addition, there is a patch panel on the LH quarter that the seller neglected to mention, and conveniently didn't include in the trunk photos I requested. It appears to have been installed well enough, but...

The car has good strong potential though. I bought it as a driver, not a show pony. It will serve just fine.

[billzilla]

I just discovered my rear quarter pass side was skinned/patched. Mine was just a cheap fixer-upper compared to your GTX, but still, it's a drag when people don't provide full disclosure. If I ever sell this car, I would definitely mention that.

Anyway, the car looks really cool - I like the blue interior with the black!

[RS23-71]

but driving through Friday evening rush hour in Austin sucked. Put us a couple of hours behind schedule.

Actually we got spring break going on down here so traffic congestion has been a lot lighter then it normally is on regular weeks unless you ran into traffic trying to get to all the music events going on. I have lived in alot of big towns and the traffic down here is tons worse then I have experienced other places. I thought about warning you about that but no one believes me until they experience it for themselves.

I don't want to get into detail, but essentially paint and body was described as being an "8 on a ten scale". I'd rate it as more of a seven, and being a black car doesn't help. Couple of detail items as well didn't jibe with description. In addition, there is a patch panel on the LH quarter that the seller neglected to mention, and conveniently didn't include in the trunk photos I requested. It appears to have been installed well enough, but...

Well that sucks I would have been more then happy to go down and scout out the car and take pics before you came down.



I hope you enjoy your new toy.....