As a "mature" car guy, what should I be driving, and why? 

Am I beating a dead horse with a long stick? 

(Revised 1/30/25. This post was found while I was recently scouring my archives. It was nearly complete, so I dusted it off, smoothed it out, and am presenting it now. I'm still wrestling with these same issues! This is interesting as it was written over five years ago. I did actually take some of those actions I was contemplating.)

I haven't posted in quite a while. 

I have been busy driving my Mustang since before Thanksgiving last year. (this unpublished post was found in the archive while updating the site, it was written over five years ago.)

Since my car was already primed it would seem that it was almost ready for the paint booth.

Not really. I could see that there were some dents and rough patches under the primer layer. (This unpublished post was found in the archives while I was updating the site. It was written over five years ago.)

I know that I had to sell my ‘70 Mustang  to free up some money to move the XJS  forward by fixing the transmission.

Photo taken at the West Coast Kustoms Naionals  in Santa Maria.

This is a well known and respected transmission model. It was used in GM’s big block motor combinations, Cadillac, Buick, Chevy trucks, even in the Rolls Royce. (This unpublished post was found in the archives while I was updating the site. It was written over five years ago.)

 Changing the water pump on my Riviera. Part Three.

In many ways the Series Two engine is a thing of beauty.

It turns out that RockAuto sent me the wrong water pump. Unfortunately I didn't catch that until I compared the old pump to the new one prior to installation.

 Changing the water pump Part Two. Now for some crying!

 We have seen this little guy before.

C'mon buddy, get a grip!

I should be ashamed to admit that I've BEEN this guy before!

I might be feeling like him again.

Why isn't anything easy?

A better question is why I don't make things easier on myself.

 Changing the water pump on the Riviera. Part One.

First step, get it up in the air.

I've been dragging my feet, but it's time to replace that water pump. I ordered it back in November and it arrived from Rock Auto in a couple of weeks. That was before Thanksgiving, but the Holidays are a busy time so I've been waiting to get started.

As I mentioned, my  garage door is broken and I need to fix the car so that it will be ready to drive out as soon as I figure out how to safely raise the door. 

 Well, I finally did it! 

Still looking good, 14 years later.

I finally listed my '96 Mustang for sale on CraigsList. It wasn't an easy decision, but I tried to make the smart decision... for once!

It was primarily an economic decision. I would "lose" less money by selling the '96, as opposed to keeping it, and selling the '06. I keep hearing about how it is becoming a "collectible" car soon, and will be going up in value. That might be true, but I can't hold onto it for another 15 years!