The terror and apprehension of the dreaded "Star" smog check.

photo source: smoghut.com
The Smog Hut, San Jose Ca. The friendly Star Smog station.

As my cars age they are still required to pass the bi annual California smog check. However, they must undergo this test at the "test only" Star smog station. These stations do not perform any repairs, they only do testing. They are a bit pricier than the average test.

Trading places. Part Two.

A story told in pictures.

Take one F150, a tow hitch, a tow strap and a dead Mark VII
what could go wrong?

The truck really is about three feet longer than the Mark.

Who ever said that the Mark VII was too big?

Just picked this up at my local O' Reilly's.

The yellow umbilcal cord.

Take it easy.

I think that Ill listen to my Son this time.

Portrait of a blogger as a not so young man.

Sometimes it does take a village.

Over the hump. I hope those brakes hold.

Oops! I guess it would easier with the brake off.

Almost there. I don't want to hit the gate.

Did I ever have any doubts?

No, but I kept strap connected.

Mission Accomplished!

Quit looking at me that way.
This isn't the end of the story.

Sleep tight, Sweet Prince.

Trading Places. Part One.

Two cars with the same mission. Separated by 45 years.

As I rapidly approach my mid 60's birthday the realization that I only have a limited time left, has made another distinct impression. To quote Peter Egan, "There are only so many Summers left!" It's also provided me with a jump start. Time to move my plans forward, again.

Shame, there's always enough to go around.

Oops!

My Bad?

This is the kind of thing that only a ham handed kid is supposed to do. It all started out so innocently. I thought that I had a really clever idea... 

Another visit to the Petersen Museum. Experience "The Porsche effect."

                                                           Video from museum's website.
                                                            Photos from the museum's website.

What has happened to me? Have I abandoned my blue collar roots to embrace this upper crust icon?

What next? Can you expect a posting about Magnus Walker? Maybe.

It's pronounced "Pour Schaah"

Another chapter in my life on the Riviera.

Sludge. What did I expect?

Not my motor. Mine was worse!

It wasn't just a bad lifter, it was a burnt valve. I decided to tear down the engine and do a valve job. I pulled the rocker arm covers and saw what was going to be a problem. The motor was full of thick, black, gritty, sludge. I filled an entire coffee can with the sludge that I scraped off the inside of that motor!