knightfan26917

I FINALLY have a bona fide winter warrior! Introducing my 1979 Caprice Classic sedan: http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/1979caprice/Welcome.html Some of you may've already noticed the page on the website that Ray B created for me ... Ray included a link to the "Winter Beater Caprice" in the left column of the home page: www.chevyasylum.com/cort This dark blue and silver Caprice is my first true "2-tone" car; I've wanted a 2-tone for a LONG time. I've been looking for a winter beater for a while, but with my 1987 Monte Carlo LS/CL starting to show a bit more rust on it this year than it had since I bought it in mid-2003, this was THE year to ensure it hibernated for the winter. Over the last few years, I've toyed with the idea of different "winter" cars... ...the 2009 Dodge Charger SXT (maroon) that I rented for my Route 66 road trip (September 2009) AND my trip to TN/AL (November 2009) ...a 1993 Cadillac Eldorado (owned by Alex of the First Gen MC Club) ...a 1996 Ford Thunderbird (owned by a lady at my dentist's office that I've known for years) ...a few different 1987/1988 MC LSs ...a 1977 Caprice Classic sedan ...a 1978 Caprice Classic coupe ...a 1978 Buick Riviera ...a 1996 Buick Riviera ...a 1996 Cadillac Eldorado ...a few different 2006 Lumina/monte carlo LTZ coupes (maroon/tan; silver/black; white/tan) ...and a few others. My "ideal" car would've been a RWD coupe (namely the late 1980s Monte Carlos, the 1996 Ford Thunderbird or the 1978 Buick Riviera). I decided that I'd be OK with a RWD sedan (the Charger or Caprice) or a FWD coupe (the 1996 Buick Riviera, Cadillac Eldorados, etc.). Similar to finding my '87 MC LS/CL, this 1979 Caprice Classic had been advertised for sale for over a year. I passed on it a year ago because I wanted a coupe. But, this year, the seller lowered the price to $500 ... and I grabbed it. My friend Randy W (from several MC groups/boards) picked it up for me in Missouri, Wednesday, November 11, 2009. Despite the price, this '79 Caprice Classic is a solid car, and the miles on the odometer may be actual ... not over 100,000. Many thanks to Randy for doing some extensive work to make sure it is "winter ready". Among other things, Randy replaced... ...spark plugs (AC Delco) ...valve cover gaskets ...rear shocks (Monroe Sensa-Tracs) ...engine oil/filter (Pennzoil 10w30 and AC Delco PF454 oil filter) ...transmission fluid/filter ...alternator ...AC compressor ...power steering belts ...wiper blades ...starter ...radio (new CD player) ...battery ...front shocks ...idler arm ...mirrors on both sides ...front driver's side fender and front fascia and hood (damage from a previous accident) Sunday, December 13, 2009, Derek and Janie (friends from central IL) met Randy in Springfield IL to pick up the car. I should have it from them sometime this week...! Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker CDshowcase | Sat.Dec 19, 5p-10p.central | Thu.Dec 24, noon.central = www.WRMN1410.com "Uh, what model is it?" ... Johnny Cash ... 'One Piece At A Time'

For the first time since I've had all 4 older Monte Carlos (1972, 1976, 1979 and 1981), I drove EACH of them at least 1,000 miles in 2009. I came close to that milestone in 2008, but fell just shy. Now, all 5 of my Monte Carlos are "sleeping" for the 2009-2010 winter ... awaiting their 2010 debut. 1972 MC STATS: 11/28/08 mileage ... 144,986 11/22/09 mileage ... 146,054 miles driven 11/28/08 to 11/22/09 = 1,068 In 2009, "Browny"'s odometer surpassed the 145,000 and 146,000 mileage markers. miles driven 12/11/04 to 11/19/05 = 563 miles driven 11/19/05 to 11/24/06 = 497 miles driven 11/24/06 to 11/18/07 = 489 miles driven 11/18/07 to 11/28/08 = 957 miles driven since I bought the car (2002) = 10,062 1976 MC STATS: 11/28/08 mileage ... 60,140 11/22/09 mileage ... 61,215 miles driven 11/28/08 to 11/22/09 = 1,075 In 2009, "Elvira"'s odometer surpassed the 61,000 mileage marker. miles driven 12/11/04 to 11/19/05 = 624 miles driven 11/19/05 to 11/24/06 = 527 miles driven 11/24/06 to 11/18/07 = 506 miles driven 11/18/07 to 11/28/08 = 930 miles driven since I bought the car (1998) = 18,713 1979 MC STATS: 11/28/08 mileage ... 143,261 11/22/09 mileage ... 144,333 miles driven 11/28/08 to 11/22/09 = 1,072 In 2009, "Sweet Pea"'s odometer surpassed the 144,000 mileage marker. miles driven 12/11/04 to 11/19/05 = 586 miles driven 11/19/05 to 11/24/06 = 500 miles driven 11/24/06 to 11/18/07 = 483 miles driven 11/18/07 to 11/28/08 = 959 miles driven since I bought the car (1992) = 38,271 (29,015 on the engine installed September 1996) 1981 MC STATS: 11/28/08 mileage ... 191,486 11/22/09 mileage ... 192,574 miles driven 11/28/08 to 11/22/09 = 1,088 In 2009, "Sweet Tea"'s odometer surpassed the 192,000 and 192,500 mileage markers. miles driven 12/11/04 to 11/19/05 = 645 miles driven 11/19/05 to 11/24/06 = 476 miles driven 11/24/06 to 11/18/07 = 482 miles driven 11/18/07 to 11/28/08 = 944 miles driven since I bought the car (1999) = 9,761 1987 MC STATS: 11/28/08 mileage ... 163,980 11/22/09 mileage ... 172,900 miles driven 11/28/08 to 11/22/09 = 8,920 In 2009, "Baby Blue"'s odometer surpassed (among others) the 165,000, 170,000 and 172,500 mileage markers. miles driven 12/11/04 to 11/19/05 = 8,739 miles driven 11/19/05 to 11/24/06 = 8,831 miles driven 11/24/06 to 11/18/07 = 9,510 miles driven 11/18/07 to 11/28/08 = 9,780 miles driven since I bought the car (2003) = 67,180 What milestones did your car(s) mark in 2009? Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker CDshowcase | Sat.Dec 19, 5p-10p.central | Thu.Dec 24, noon.central = www.WRMN1410.com "Another year comes to a close" ... Sylvia ... 'Reflections'

I sure hope your search is over. I know you've waited a while for one.... GOOD LUCK!!!! Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker CDshowcase | Sat.Dec 19, 5p-10p.central | Thu.Dec 24, noon.central = www.WRMN1410.com "Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree" ... Elvis Presley ... 'Blue Christmas'

hold Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker CDshowcase | Sat.Dec 19, 5p-10p.central | Thu.Dec 24, noon.central = www.WRMN1410.com "Remember that fat boy, bring that kid, if you want to see New Year's Eve" ... Mona Abboud, native/resident of Sleepy Hollow IL ... 'The Pretty Little Dolly'

Yep. And, sadly, if the folks at the Enterprise I rent from here in IL are correct, they are slowly fazing out the Chargers.... Thus, the one I have now may be the last one I get to rent, in which case, not sure what I'd rent then.... von ... have a great time in AZ! Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker CDshowcase | Sat.Dec 19, 5p-10p.central | Thu.Dec 24, noon.central = www.WRMN1410.com "It's snowing in the pines" ... Alabama ... 'Christmas In Dixie'

Simply ... AWESOME! I've been wondering if your Mom bought one ... very glad she did! That is sssooo cool. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!! Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker CDshowcase | Sat.Dec 19, 5p-10p.central | Thu.Dec 24, noon.central = www.WRMN1410.com "It's the right time to rock the night away" ... Bobby Helms ... 'Jingle Bell Rock'

bikini Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...radio show, Dec 09 WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "Somebody snitched on me" ... Barry Gordon ... 'Nuttin' For Christmas'

* UPDATE * I WILL host a Holiday edition radio show, Christmas Eve, December 24, 2009, starting at: 1p ... eastern noon ... CENTRAL 11a ... mountain 10a ... pacific For all 3 shows, tune in... 1410 AM, Elgin IL (or) online http://www.wrmn1410.com/ Email me before/during/after each show: wrmnshowcase @ aol.com Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "Have a happy holiday" ... Brenda Lee ... 'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree'

...and a bit more to the story.... CDshowcase | SATURDAYS | December 12 & 19 | 5p-10p.CENTRAL = www.WRMN1410.com WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "My world is changing" ... Faith Hill ... 'Where Are You Christmas?'

True. So, why not go ahead and order a Camaro ... and then keep seeing if any become available that meets most (if not all) of her criteria? Either way ... sure has been interesting to watch this unfold. Looking forward to the "Camaro ordered" or "Camaro purchased" report . Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...radio show, Dec 09 WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "Maybe I'll drive so far they'll all lose track" ... Dolly Parton ... 'Hard Candy Christmas'

chicken Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...radio show, Dec 09 WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "It's a pudding made of figs ... and bacon" ... Gonzo to Miss Piggy/John Denver and Muppets ... 'We Wish You A Merry Christmas'

Oh my ... yes. Let's see...for me: a co-worker, short and petite, but all the right curves a couple nurses at my cardiologists office; too bad my checkups are only every 6 months.... a mother of one of the CHD kids I know ... oh my Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...radio show, Dec 09 WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "Will I be merry or will I be blue?" ... Deborah Allen ... 'Rockin' Little Christmas'

If you want to meet up this weekend (November 27-29) while I'm in southern IL, Big Sandy/Jackson TN, Birmingham AL, or Nashville TN (plans and approximate times noted below), please call me. My cell ph# is: 847- 337- 9897 I will be driving the SAME maroon 2009 Dodge Charger SXT that I rented for my Route 66 journey ~2 months ago!!! Friday, 11/27/09 ~4a to 4p ... travel IL to Big Sandy TN via IL RT 47 S, SR 24 E, I-57 S, I-24 E ... with possible detour to places along Route 66 ~4p-6p ... dinner, Big Sandy TN, with friends who used to live in Elgin ~6p-8p ... travel Big Sandy TN to Jackson TN via SR 641 S, I-40 W ~8p ... overnight in Jackson TN, with Richard and Dotie Saturday, 11/28/09 ~8a-1p ... travel Jackson TN to Birmingham AL via I-40 E, I-65 S ~1p-3p ... lunch, Birmingham AL, with Brandon and Samantha (also a visit to see their newborn!) ~3p-6p ... travel Birmingham AL to Nashville TN via I-65 N ~6p-8:30p ... dinner, with friends in the area ~8:30p ... overnight in Nashville TN, with Kevin, Lori and family Sunday, 11/29/09 ~7a-5p ... travel Nashville TN to home via I-24 W, I-57 N, IL RT 47 N ... with possible detour to places along Route 66 CDshowcase | SATURDAYS | December 12 & 19 | 5p-10p.CENTRAL = www.WRMN1410.com WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "I'm about to put the hammer down" ... CW McCall ... 'Convoy'

Yikes, Drew ... very sorry for your loss. Thoughts/prayers en route. As for what I'm thankful for... ...my nephew. ...my family. ...my friends. ...the ability to travel. etc.... "A special kind of sunshine in a smile" ... Oak Ridge Boys ... 'Thank God For Kids' HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!! Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort CDshowcase.Holiday | Xmas Eve.Thu.Dec 24 | starting, NOON.central = www.WRMN1410.com

WOW!!!!!! Awesome car ... and sweet color, too. Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...drive south, Nov 09 WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "Nothing could be finer" ... Girls Next Door ... 'Slow Boat To China'

style Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...drive south, Nov 09 WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "Just an everyday distraction" ... Ronnie Milsap ... 'Button Off My Shirt'

These are some of my upcoming road trips, in case anyone is interested in meeting up while I'm "on the road again". If so, please let me know! ** DRIVE SOUTH, NOVEMBER 2009 ** After enjoying Thanksgiving with family here, I will head south, Friday-Sunday, November 27-29. FRI, 11/27/09 ...travel IL to Big Sandy TN via IL RT 47 S, SR 24 E, I-57 S, I-24 E ... with possible detour to places along Route 66 ...dinner, Big Sandy TN, with friends who used to live in Elgin ...travel Big Sandy TN to Jackson TN via SR 641 S, I-40 W ...overnight in Jackson TN, with Richard and Dotie SAT, 11/28/09 ...travel Jackson TN to Birmingham AL via I-40 E, I-65 S ...lunch, Birmingham AL, with Brandon and Samantha (also a visit to see their newborn!) ...travel Birmingham AL to Nashville TN via I-65 N ...overnight in Nashville TN, with Kevin, Lori and family SUN, 11/29/09 ...travel Nashville TN to home via I-24 W, I-57 N, IL RT 47 N ... with possible detour to places along Route 66 ** 2010 ROAD TRIP ** I will head to the northeastern US, notably New York, Boston, etc. TENTATIVE plans are for the drive to be in August.... Details will follow early next year.... Wednesday, August 4 ... travel through Indiana and up to the Detroit MI area Thursday, August 5 ... travel through Michigan to the Akron area of Ohio Friday, August 6 ... travel through PA to Binghamton NY Saturday, August 7 ... remain in Binghamton NY Sunday, August 8 ... travel through NY to Boston Monday, August 9 ... travel north of Boston Tuesday, August 10 ... travel back south to NJ Wednesday, August 11 ... travel through MD to northern VA Thursday, August 12 ... travel to western VA Friday, August 13 ... western VA Saturday, August 14 ... travel to Pittsburgh/Johnstown PA area for family reunion Sunday, August 15 ... drive home ** 2011 ROAD TRIP ** With going northeast in 2010, that leaves the northwest section of the continental US states to which I have yet to travel. So ... sometime in 2011 ... I will drive through Minnesota, the Dakotas and out west, maybe even Idaho, Washington and Oregon. Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...radio show, Dec 09 WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "Some are leaving town" ... David Nail ... 'Red Light'

I can hardly believe it has been TWO MONTHS since I traveled along Route 66 in September. It was an AWESOME trip filled with lots of cool people, places and surprises along the way. I started Route 66 in Pontiac IL and ended in Rialto CA (last night on Route 66 I stayed at the WigWam motel) ... and stopped at MANY places along the way in Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. On the way home, I drove through Colorado, Nebraska and Iowa. I started and ended the trip with Lincoln Highway places (Franklin Grove IL and Kearney NE). Route 66 (as well as the Lincoln Highway) is most-certainly alive and well! While I still would rather be on the road, I'd miss my year-old nephew ... and it has been a treat to watch him grow. Anyway ... I have FINALLY started reviewing/preparing the pictures I took during my Route 66 trip ... some 1,200 pics, that is. Once I have them ready and my "write up/wrap up" is done, I will post them for all of you to enjoy. In the meantime, I thought I'd share what has occupied some of my time recently. I "wrote" the first part of this story while walking around during my breaks at work. Other parts of it, I thought of while I was driving my older 4 MCs. I'm not sure if this is done ... or just where it will go, but thought I'd share my writings with you all. Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "Now you know the truth is in the way you feel inside" ... Johnny Lee and Lane Brody ... 'Yellow Rose Of Texas'

Music is the soundtrack of life ... and the song remembers when. That in mind, I will host "CD Showcase" 2 Saturdays in 2009 on WRMN/online: December 12 December 19 Times both dates: 6p-11p eastern 5p-10p CENTRAL 4p-9p mountain 3p-8p pacific To hear the show online, click "listen live", top right-hand corner: http://www.wrmn1410.com/ EMAIL me before/during/after each show: wrmnshowcase @ aol.com Playlists and comments from previous shows.... April 2006: http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/APRIL2006RADIOSHOW.html'>http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/APRIL2006RADIOSHOW.html April 2007: http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/APRIL2007RADIOSHOW.html'>http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/APRIL2007RADIOSHOW.html January 2008: http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/JANUARY2008RADIOSHOW.html'>http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/JANUARY2008RADIOSHOW.html THE DECEMBER 2009 SHOWS WILL INCLUDE... ...trivia about the song "Convoy"; ...shout outs and businesses/organizational notes. If you have a business, organization, and/or would like a shout out, send me a note via the Email above. I'll work it into the broadcast...! For example... "Afton Station in Afton Oklahoma is where you can see part of historic Route 66 and some Packards. This is CD Showcase on WRMN AM 1410 Elgin" AND ... I may host a Christmas edition show on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2009, starting at NOON, CENTRAL time.... Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...drive south, Nov 09 WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "We all have a song that somehow touched our lives" ... Kenney Chesney ... 'I Go Back'

The last Sunday of August (August 30, 2009), I had to buy a new battery for my 1981 Monte Carlo SC. I've owned this car since December 1999 (when I bought it from my parents) and have not previously replaced the battery during my time as owner. The old battery was a GM/AC Delco battery. So ... I asked Dad to look through his records to find out when that battery was installed. He looked and found that it was bought and installed February 4, 1997. The '81 MC SC had 167,000 miles at that time. When I replaced that battery, the car had 192,000 miles. Thus ... that GM/AC Delco battery lasted over 12.5 years ... and 25,000 miles. What is the longest a battery has lasted in your car(s)? Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...radio show, Dec 09 WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "Nothing lasts forever" ... Guns N Roses ... 'November Rain'

My "order" for the 1970s to 1980s.... 1 ... Chevy 2 ... Oldsmobile 3 ... Buick 4 ... Cadillac 5 ... Pontiac 6 ... GMC (never really understood why this was a separate brand....) 7 ... Saturn And today: 1 ... Cadillac 2 ... Buick 3 ... GMC Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...drive south, Nov 09 WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "The tables finally turned" ... Randy Travis / Carrie Underwood ... 'I Told You So'

Wow ... what a cool surprise! I really like this new look ... awesome job. Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...drive south, Nov 09 WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "Did the trail of yellow brick come to an end?" ... Debby Boone ... 'Are You On The Road To Lovin' Me Again?'

Nice set of photos, BV. Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...drive south, Nov 09 WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "Is it stormy where you are?" ... Billie Myers ... 'Kiss The Rain'

No. IMHO, the theme song helped give each show its "character" ... if that makes any sense. Now, as mentioned, most shows only have a title page ... and maybe a "flash" of music ... but nothing to call a true "theme", at least, not that I would call a theme anyway.... *shrugs* Holy cow, though ... lots of good themes noted in this thread ... brings back a LOT of memories ... coolness. Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...radio show, Dec 09 WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "Life is like a circle slowly turning on itself" ... Clay Davidson ... 'Unconditional'

*nods* Yes, indeed. Galena is gorgeous. Heck, even the drive on US Rt 20 out there is gorgeous in some areas. I would add several small towns along Route 66.... Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...drive south, Nov 09 WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "Feelings are intense" ... Depeche Mode ... 'Enjoy The Silence'