As some of you know, I had a bit of a weekend. For those who don't know, here's the back story. My dad was bought a 1977 Toyota Celica GT when he graduated high school, brand spanking new. He drove it all through college at the University of Miami. As he moved on, it was passed to both of his sisters, who also pretty much solely drove it to UM and back. After that, the car was drove very, very, very occasionally. It was tuned up right before it was parked in the garage and used as a SHELF for the next 8 or 9 years. The car has about 45,000 miles on it, and only a couple rust spots. I got a call about 3 weeks ago that it was now taking up space in the garage that was needed for another newer car, and the time had come to let it go. Well, long story short, there wasn't a damn way in hell I was going to let 'er go to who knows who that would probably neglect it even worse than it's been neglected. I was able to borrow a van (towing package) and trailer for the weekend (a couple of you will recognize this as Goliath, Dave Hardy's van).
I drove down to Daytona on Friday after work and stayed the night in my brother's dorm room. Got about 3 hours of sleep then we drove down to Miami to start wrenching. Did basic maintenance on her (plugs, wires, oil, new battery, etc). The engine spun freely, but it wouldn't ever crank. I tested for spark, and everything checked out, so it was probably fuel. Sprayed some starter fluid in the carb and it would catch for a second before dieing again. Pulled the fuel line off of the carb, and it was bone dry. Well... either a clogged line or (more likely) dead fuel pump. It looks like I MAY be able to get at it from the trunk if I'm lucky. We used a come-a-long to pull the car onto the trailer (that was fun...) and strapped her down. Got about 5 hours of sleep on Saturday night LOL. We woke up bright (dark...) and early at 5 and were out of the house by 6. 750 miles and 15 hours later (averaging a hair under 10 mpg for the trip... stupid hills) we were back in GA.
Long story short: thinking that doing 1500 miles over 2.5 days in a van with 180,000 miles on the clock towing a trailer with a dead car on the back would be a good idea was not my brightest moment, but I'm very happy with the car now that we've gotten it in the garage, and knowing that it shouldn't be a huge problem to fix (barring carb issues once we get fuel delivery straightened out).
Anyway, as this post would be worthless without pics:
Driving in Florida is EXCITING!!!
peekaboo!
My brother at the helm, more exciting roads:
We found a bikyak
and now, why not a few of the car
Somewhere in Florida (I think on I-10)
My dad, while he was checking tire pressures on the trailer
At the TA Truck stop in Jackson, GA on I-75
Hotness:
With a nice polish job, it's gonna look stunning. Maybe I can find some panasport knock-offs as wheels. It needs new struts / shocks, so it may get lowered a tick while I'm at it
I drove down to Daytona on Friday after work and stayed the night in my brother's dorm room. Got about 3 hours of sleep then we drove down to Miami to start wrenching. Did basic maintenance on her (plugs, wires, oil, new battery, etc). The engine spun freely, but it wouldn't ever crank. I tested for spark, and everything checked out, so it was probably fuel. Sprayed some starter fluid in the carb and it would catch for a second before dieing again. Pulled the fuel line off of the carb, and it was bone dry. Well... either a clogged line or (more likely) dead fuel pump. It looks like I MAY be able to get at it from the trunk if I'm lucky. We used a come-a-long to pull the car onto the trailer (that was fun...) and strapped her down. Got about 5 hours of sleep on Saturday night LOL. We woke up bright (dark...) and early at 5 and were out of the house by 6. 750 miles and 15 hours later (averaging a hair under 10 mpg for the trip... stupid hills) we were back in GA.
Long story short: thinking that doing 1500 miles over 2.5 days in a van with 180,000 miles on the clock towing a trailer with a dead car on the back would be a good idea was not my brightest moment, but I'm very happy with the car now that we've gotten it in the garage, and knowing that it shouldn't be a huge problem to fix (barring carb issues once we get fuel delivery straightened out).
Anyway, as this post would be worthless without pics:
Driving in Florida is EXCITING!!!
peekaboo!
My brother at the helm, more exciting roads:
We found a bikyak
and now, why not a few of the car
Somewhere in Florida (I think on I-10)
My dad, while he was checking tire pressures on the trailer
At the TA Truck stop in Jackson, GA on I-75
Hotness:
With a nice polish job, it's gonna look stunning. Maybe I can find some panasport knock-offs as wheels. It needs new struts / shocks, so it may get lowered a tick while I'm at it
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