http://onemanandhismustang.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/wordpressfam1.jpg

What a great surprise to receive another award!  I have my blogging buddy from the UK, Mart to thank for the humbling consideration.  This, my third award is entitled the “WordPress Family Award”, and it is very fitting that we bloggers, though most of us have never met, feel a connection.  It is my turn to nominate a few of the blogs that I follow.

http://thebestcarblogever.wordpress.com/  Sid is a great guy from India who goes to school and loves cars at the same time.

http://rubbermalletconsulting.wordpress.com/  This is a unique blog run by a fellow motorhead, Doug.

http://missouri66.wordpress.com/  This blog keeps me in touch will all things about the Mother Road.

http://ladyinredagain.wordpress.com/  A uniquely written blog.

http://caryoutthere.com/  This is a must-follow blog about a wonderful young man traveling the Americas on a unicycle hoping to raise money and break records.

http://mustangmaniac.org/  If it weren’t so far away this would be my dream place to hang out, shop and simply be in awe at the magic they work with Mustangs.

One last Thank You to Mart at http://onemanandhismustang.com/  He is celebrating his one year “blogging birthday”.  Check out his great site about the Mustang he is transforming one wrench turn at a time.

Posted on October 28, 2013 by Debbie | 4 Comments

For years drag racers relied on the man with the green flag to send  them fairly down the strip.    Buster Couch was one such fellow.    I’m sure he saw many changes in the NHRA.  One in particular was saying farewell to that green flag.  In 1963 the Christmas Tree was invented by Oliver Riley.   As with most changes it took some getting used to, but remains today as the official way a drag racer sets off to win a race that is over in a matter of seconds.  A more romantic version of the Christmas Tree is happening somewhere down a two lane road as a young woman is lowering her neck scarf or hair ribbon. Ahh who isn’t thinking about James Dean right now?  And some hot rodders  enjoy the public asphalt version of a Christmas Tree…shhh don’t tell.  In the end (or the beginning) green always means Goooo!  PS Anyone up for a late night visit to an abandoned air field?……..Enjoy the link and video.

A timeline of the NHRA can be viewed here http://nhra.cjonline.com/content/look-back-history-nhra

Posted on October 12, 2013 by Debbie | 8 Comments

It is important that if you love cars..you should live for them and not die because of them..

This is a quote by fellow blogger Sid.  He has a great blog about cars and one of his latest posts focuses on drinking and driving.  Drinking along with texting while driving are very important topics. I’m on the road twice a day everyday, and even more on the weekend and I see more adults than teens texting while driving.  I tell my kids at school that accidents are moments that happen that we didn’t mean.  An 8 year old can say “oops” when his bottle of lemonade spills all over the inside of his book bag, but a 30 year old can’t say “my bad” when he smashes the heck out someone elses car or has to appear in court because of man slaughter charges…  At the end of the day the words “I’m sorry” can only go so far.  No one’s going to say LOL, but they might have to say TTL when their family walks away from them on visiting day.  No text or second round is worth it.

Check out Sid’s blog here.

Dangers of Drunk Driving [Infographic]

Final note:  I got more than I wanted to see when I googled for these pictures.  Horrible images of senseless, life changing events.

Posted on October 6, 2013 by Debbie | 9 Comments
Nice Car
Varoom

With the news that Michael’s ’72 Cutlass wouldn’t start compounded with the fact that he had to drive “the Honda” back to college we needed a bright spot in the day.  We found many of them at a car show held at the National Museum of Transportation.  Sunshine and 74 degree weather welcomed us at the Archway Olds 2013 Fun Show.  The Archway Olds Club is an official chapter of the Oldsmobile Club of America.

We met very nice people like Barb and Larry who were informative and encouraging.  Brad may even join the club!  This was my first car show where every vehicle was part of the same larger family, Oldsmobile.  As you can see by the photos there was no shortage of Cutlasses.

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My favorite car there belongs to a great fellow named Dave.  I’m interested to know which of the trophies he might have won.

Dave’s Car:

The Trophies:

A few last bits and pieces:

Posted on September 29, 2013 by Debbie | 16 Comments
Loves those reflection pics!

Loves those reflection pics!

Lookie lookie!

Less than 25 dollars, not bad!
For me!
For Michael!

According to urbandictionary.com a SWAP MEET is a place where people come to buy, sell and/or trade various goods.  If I had known how unique, rewarding, and “totally out there”  a swap meet could be I would have gone to one a long time ago.  The Horseless Carriage Club of Missouri held it’s annual car show and swap meet at Queeny Park a few weekends ago.  Brad and I took in a refreshing look at collectors, traders, and enthusiasts as we made our way slowly up and down each concrete aisle.  I saw stuffed deer heads, old gas pumps, and trailers full of just about everything.  The folks that we met were genuine good ol’ boys as we searched spread out blankets, , tailgates, piled high tables, and motor oil stained card board boxes.  We were lucky enough to meet Dan Buckley, a good natured fellow who offered high quality parts worth taking a look at.  Cutlass mud flaps secured!  Then there was Buster who said, “Everything’s negotiable!”  He let me walk away with prizes for a song. Lovin’ my Pinto medallion!  No thank you to the gold plated boots! LOL.

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After rounding up our swap meet treasures we enjoyed the modest car show offerings.  Sometimes less is better, as we encountered a hillside sprinkling of a few spectacular Mustangs,  one customized Corvette, a truck with a motorcycle gas tank confined within the frame of its engine compartment, and a man who fell asleep next to his wheels.

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The sampling was just enough to whet the automotive appetites of  a couple of car geeks spending the morning together.    Just wondering…when and where is the next SWAP MEET?!

Posted on September 21, 2013 by Debbie | 10 Comments
First Car Show

First Car Show

It’s hard to believe that 10 years ago Brad and I were at Dave Sinclair Ford agreeing that “yes, white is the best color”. (Most people don’t know that I really wanted a certain shade of blue, but there wasn’t one on the lot.) I remember driving my new 2003 4.6 Mustang GT off the lot, while Brad finished up the paperwork.  He’s always been that way.  Letting me have the frills while he handles the ground work.  With 12 tiny miles on the speedometer, I drove the car to a meeting and it took no less than 5 tries to locate the best parking spot…who might park next to me, am I too close to the road…and the saga began.  My family and close friends can tell you story after story about my strains over something as simple as parking my Mustang.  If you haven’t been exposed first hand to my frenzy over cars please view my 30 Crazy Car Rules post.  For the past 10 years I’ve enjoyed making my Mustang a part of who I am.  It isn’t so much an extension it’s more that I’ve become different owning it.  Being the owner of a muscle car has reopened the chapters of my family’s past.  Memories have resurfaced and I’ve established a consistent appreciation for cars in my life.   Hot rod talk about my passion for cars spurred on the creation of this blog…of this I am so grateful.  My blog has helped the roads of my two passions collide…cars and writing.

As my car celebrates it’s 10th birthday I present you with a bullet point list of facts:

  • purchase date September 19th 2003
  • build date October 24, 2002
  • the 348,444th car to roll off the assembly line in Dearborn, MI
  • color-Oxford White
  • VIN # 1FAFP42X03F348444
  • 12 miles on the speedometer when I picked it up
  • my car does not have a name, but I do refer to it as a tank
  • price tag $26,XXX
  • 15 oil changes
  • 5 state inspections
  • improvement/wear and tear items include: an Alternator Voltage Regulator, a new Intake Manifold, an Idle Air Control Valve,  brakes, two new rear bumpers (neither my fault), 3 new sets of tires (all  my fault), a battery, two repaired tires from nails, wiper blades, and the infamous noise that took 3 years to trouble shoot
  • car remains totally stock except for the blue neon glow with a toggle switch that is concealed under the dash – Thanks Mom!
  • cost for repairs and maintenance $7130.67 – This tally does not include gas, car washes, cleaning products, or the ground effects
  • total miles on my car 79,547…less than 8,000 miles per year
  • repair and maintenance cost to drive my car =  9 cents per mile
  • gas mileage-never considered it, not once
  • present wish list – new wheels, new headlights, hood repainted, spider crack in bumper fixed, headliner glued back up
Hoodscoop
Blue Oval
RAY-BAN
Yes, it’s plastic.

Some nay sayers might try to point out that less money could have been spent around the corner at “I know a guy who does that”.  But I know that over these past 10 years the best garage for me has been Dave Sinclair.  They’ve endured my little quirks and honored my requests that have equaled royalty lodging.  I’ve gotten in and out quickly every time.  There were times I’d drive my car away cleaner than I left it. Dave Sinclair Ford has proven time and time again that they know and appreciate the car that you drive.  In the spirit of Dave Sinclair’s motto…”If it’s not right, we’ll make it right”, I can honestly say that it did get to that point, and this gal got a rental no questions asked, and my car was detailed when I picked it up.  A big shout out to Dave Sinclair Ford on South Lindbergh, and a huge thank you to everyone in the service department, but mostly to my service guy Matt Hackney and the mechanics behind the scenes for taking care of me and my car so well these past ten years.

Posted on September 19, 2013 by Debbie | 14 Comments
This won’t be the last time a Nuessle waits patiently for their car.
Great service located at 3722 Lemay Ferry Road
Where old mufflers go to die?

Michael and Brad have had the pleasure and the unfortunate displeasure of getting  new exhaust put on the ’72 Cutlass.  One would think going from single to dual would be a piece of cake, especially when you place your pride and joy into the hands of a national chain that claims to turn everything into gold when they touch it.  Their first experience turned out to be an unhappy ending to a trusted fable.  They now know that it’s not such a good idea to “Trust the M**** Touch”.  Honestly, the experience was “exhausting“.

These are the BEFORE pictures…

Up and over, in between…
They didn’t even choose the right pipe.
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood? I guess they though no one would notice.
If you tilt your head just right….
Held up by a chain after a weld broke for the second time…
How low can you go?

Chapter two of this story takes them just a few hundred feet down the same road where Mike and Chris write a surprisingly refreshing sequel to this saga.  Brad and Michael were greeted with gaping mouths as this band of merry men from Mieneke saw the damage done by the so called king up the road.  Chris worked his magic while Mike played utility man with his expert customer service skills seeing this story to its happy ending.  Wrenches turned into wands and pipes began to play beautiful music.    Their excellent service prompted me (yes, me) to have my car inspected there the next day.

These are the AFTER pictures…

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I would certainly recommend the Meineke Car Care Center located at 3722 Lemay Ferry Road for many of your automotive needs.   To all of my followers not living locally I insist that you visit one in your own town.  If you aren’t satisfied, then please tell them about Chris and Mike who made the Tale of Two Muffler Shops a story with a happy ending…challenge them or any other customer service team you come across-that good service is not fictional.  There are many things more precious than gold and great customer service should be added to the list.

Posted on September 15, 2013 by Debbie | 30 Comments
Remember New York

Remember New York

So much and not enough has been said about 9/11.  This day in history gives us the gift of appreciating what we have and what others have lost…the devastation of lives sacrificed and our own ability to live greater lives…the darkness of a day in history and the history of our great country that is yet to be made.  I feel blessed to live in the United States of America.  Taking a moment now for reflection upon a day that has tattooed the hearts of each and every American with a permanent picture… the color of blood shed, the image of hope, and the essence of freedom.

Click here for the official site of the New York Fire Department.

A silent “thank you” to a neighbor I may never meet, but have seen his plate here and there.  Kudos to members of the St. Louis Fire Department for remembering their brothers.

Posted on September 10, 2013 by Debbie | 10 Comments

What’s the difference in a door ding and a lawn job? Why is it you think I’m silly, strange or overboard because I want to park my car away from everyone else?  If I get a crease in my door because some kook doesn’t give a darn when he opens his door that means time off work, and a costly insurance deductible.  If something happens to your flower bed, you buy more seeds, sod, fertilizer.

I detail, you weed.  I wash, you water.  I go to car shows, you go to lawn and garden shows. I can appreciate how much you love your hobby and would just like the same consideration.  I would never give you a lawn job…the dirt would stick to the ArmorAll on my tires.

This post is not intended to make fun of gardeners.  Its sole purpose is to show that we all have our hobbies and should appreciate them even if we don’t understand them.  PS  Quit making fun of me for loving my car and cars in general.

Posted on September 5, 2013 by Debbie | 10 Comments
6 Hours of Detailing

6 Hours of Detailing

My first car show appearance.

As my car nears it’s 10th birthday, it additionally shows some wear and tear.  At the same time there are improvements I would like to make.

1. The headlights show much wear from the sun and the heat of my engine.  They don’t shine like they should.  I’ve applied many reliable products, but the gloomy dull appearance returns.

2. My hood has suffered nicks (around 8) to the white paint.   I could touch them up I suppose.

3. Most recently my headliner has pulled away from the seal at the top of the windshield.  My service fellow at Ford told me to take it to a local place called the Top Shop.  I’m thinking hubby Brad could use his mad skills.

4. My bumper shows a slight outward crack from a bolt underneath.  It has worsened over the last months and will require body work.

5.  I’ve wanted stripes of some sort ever since I can remember.

6. More power.  I must be sensible here.  More power means more wear and tear, nicks, vibrations, etc.   And lets not forget the subject of tires.

What do you think?

Posted on September 3, 2013 by Debbie | 10 Comments