The Cruiser Chronicles

NEW TIRES!!!! I finally bit the bullet and went and got some new white walls. Hankook Optimos in the stock 225/75/15. It rides much better and quieter.

I also got anxious and hooked up the CB radio that I got from my parents. Its an early 80's Realistic unit. I got creative with the antenna, the magnetic base wasn't strong enough so I found a piece of metal that worked well.

Whats weird is I'm not hearing any broadcasts, not sure if I have to mess with the antenna some or what. Enough of the rambling and here are a few pictures.

 

you couldnt hear anything on the CB....cuz your the only one

..just jokin pal...

did ya get it figured out?

 

I don't KNOW this, Vista, but, I THINK the antenna needs to be as high above the car as you can get it. IIRC, that was one of the reasons that some people didn't go the CB route. Didn't want to damage their car with an antenna installation on it.

 

I think I might be!! I rarely hear anyone on it! Not even truckers and I live a few minuets from the interstate.

I just had to play with the squelch some and I started to pick things up.

 

A little of this..a little of that. Been driving it quite often now that I have the new tires.

But! Now it has a radio! It's not perfect by any means, I plan on tweaking it some and eventually get a nice unit installed. Cheap am/fm with an AUX jack with some old Pioneer speaker "boxes" and about an hour time and it was all wired up. I only have a few things left to do on it and it will be pretty much where I want it to be.

 

every wagon should have under seat speakers !!

I luv it 77...thats Old School !!

I have a set in almost every one of mine

 

Few things to update.

I FINALLY got a window motor. It didn't come with out it's share of hassle though. The motor came out of a 77 Coupe Deville, but, the mounting was slightly different than the one in my Vista. I ended up switching out the top parts of the housing and it worked perfect! The inside of the bad motor was nasty and fully of carbon. Makes me wonder about my other motors..

I also figured out why I kept smelling gas. Turns out the little plastic washer/gasket that goes in the fuel filter housing got misaligned and then threaded in the housing. A few dollars in the Help! section and it's all better.

More to come in the near future!

 

In such little ways does progress happen! Sounds like you are winning at least! Keep up the good work.

 

Been nearly a month since I updated here. I finally installed the sport mirrors, they look OK but I plan on redoing the paint on them in the future. But I did wash, clay bar and wax it.

 

Classy!

 

Wow, I'm some kind of impressed! And to think your Grandpa was going to scrap it. And those yahoos at the show, what do they know? I wonder why I see some cars in shows here but I'm not going to ask why they're in it. Being a show, and you have something unusual, as long as it meets the age requirements, who should care? I've seen the Main Street shows in Fort Pierce with newish cars, and a show at the Knights of Columbus with the latest Mustangs, etc. Somebody's babies, they deserve the exposure.

I like your dog dish caps too, I'm on the lookout for a set here for the '90 Custom Cruiser, last full sized car Olds had was in '85, and my car blends in from 1977 to '90 with that wagon body style. Whitewalls for me too, the right rear has a slow leak, three are Bridgestone, the left front is a worn Cornell. The white letter route is an option, I'll be scouting for a set of the aluminum wheels. They were delivered on my car new, but they're not on there now! Got the wire covers.

I like your radio idea, under seat speakers. I need a radio/cassette and speakers, but for now I'm going to stick a portable something in it when I start making trips out in it.

Well, enjoy the heck out of that and your Zephyr too! And your Focus is a sweet looking ride too. Happy motoring!

 

How much difference did you notice between just a wash and wax, and the claybar, wash, and wax? I know the paint on my Torino is completely shot but I thought maybe a once over with a good wash, claybar treatment, wash, and wax, might help a bit.

 

Thanks! I really like them as well and from what I have come to understand they were an uncommon option back then and that makes them pretty rare today. The couple sets I've seen on eBay are well over 100 dollars. I've been looking for another set "just in case". As far the whitewalls go, I have the Hankook Optimos in 225/75/15. It's pretty much the only white wall out there in that size. I've had them a few months and I really like how they ride and handle.

There was a slight, slight difference. It took up some dirt and smoothed it some. But I wasn't expecting miracles on 36 year old paint. The best is to use rubbing compound then either clay bar or right to a good wax. I use the Turtle brand compound and wax. Just be ready to use about two containers of the rubbing compound!

 

I saw a show winning 1962 Buick Invicta convertible tonight, sitting on four brand new Hankook Optimos. Cooper supposedly still has a whitewall too. I saw a van the other day with B.F. Goodrich Revelation whitewalls that looked brand new as well. Now, just to find the dealers here.

I found two sets of poverty caps last night, one was $90 and the other was in an auction. I'd even consider getting an older set, as long as they're Oldsmobile.

 

Well the Cruiser is about as done as it's going to be for now. It's at the point were I can just jump in, turn the key and go. Even though there is still of list of things I'd like to do. But! I will now by focusing on my Zephyr.

I've had this car since I was a Junior in high school. So since about 2005, and I have been wanting to "fix it up". Since thats what you do with old cars, right? Well after many starts and stops and finally loosing all encouragement I let it sit. With me doing so, the condition of it has deteriorated some. The 2.3/C3 combo is at the end of it life and so now I think is the best time to build this car the way I want to and be able to finally enjoy it. It has enjoyed 32 years baking in the Az and now it deserves a new engine, interior and fresh coat of paint. Let the fun begin!!