6/17/2011

I noticed something in yesterday’s rant that looked like it was being redundant over and over again... but it actually wasn't. I said, “At home, I discussed the plans for the shop at the house with mom...” meaning we discussed the plans for the Shop-at-the-House, not “while we were located in the house, we discussed the plans.” See how that is different? OK, so there’s that. I think I've decided on another vehicle I want to add to the stable. I'm really kicking myself for letting Mr. Wiggly go. Not Lil' Wiggly, Mr. Wiggly, The 1976 Dodge B-100 van with a slant six and three on the tree transmission. I was an idiot for letting that van go. I want to find another. OK, maybe not necessarily a Dodge, but I want another straight six, three on the tree van. I could, I suppose, for the right price, be “sold” on a Chevy van, a Ford would be easy to get me into, and I'd definitely buy another B-100 Dodge. What I don't need is a project. I need an acceptable looking runner that I can hop in and drive away giggling. I know it is unlikely that one like, in my price range, that is going to come my way any time soon though. Damn, I'm such an idiot! Hmm, I suppose if a suitable V8 van, capable of replacing Fifi as my tow vehicle, came along... Thing is, most of those are going to have automatic transmissions. I do not want a slush box. Wait, that wasn't strong enough. I DO NO WANT A SLUSH BOX! Yeah, that’s better. OK, here’s what I'd love to find: a pre-1970 Dodge A-100/200/300 with a 318 and three-speed. Oh yeah, that would be tits! Even better, find someone with a suitable van (Dodge, Ford... whatever. Even Chevy I suppose.) who is looking for a pickup and is willing to trade! Fifi, I love ya, but I'm a van guy at heart, sorry. I'll bet someone who is good with them intergooglewebs could make that happen. Alas, I am not that person. Oh well, what are you going to do? I guess I'll keep kicking myself for letting Mr. Wiggly go and keep Fifi as my backup daily driver and tow vehicle. For the record, in case there is an intergooglewebs person reading this, Fifi is a 2002/3 Ford F-150 regular cab, short bed, 2WD, five speed, with the 4.2 liter V6... if you know anyone with a van. And I guess if it will be replacing Fifi, I'll need to go for a newer model with air and have to settle for the slush box. If that’s the case, my preference would run to the Ford E-series vans. I suppose, if I were to be really stupid, I could shove a Mustang V8 and five-speed under a Ford van. Ooh, John! Do you think there’s enough room under a Ford for that seven-speed gearbox that you won't let me consider for anything? Oh! Ford had a V10 for a while in the E-series vans! Ooh, I want one of them again! Did I ever tell y'all about the four E-350 V10 church vans on the used car lot of Texas Motors Ford? If so, bear with me ‘cuz I'm tellin’ it again. I was in TMF looking at vans one day and the sales dude took me over to the used car lot. Apparently some church ordered these four vans and then had to default on the loan, or something. Anyhoo, there were these four vans sitting there with less than 250 miles on them that Ford couldn't sell as new since they had been titled. They were, if I remember correctly, about $10,000.00 off the new price selling for something like $14,000.00! I was debt-free, car loan wise, and didn't want to finance at that time. And I had Mr. Wiggly too. I wish I had bought one now. Oh well. A deal like that won't come along again soon I'll bet. So, yeah, I want a van. Well, I'm bored with this for the time being. I probably won't come back to talk to y'all any more today so... smell ya later.