caddycruiser

Here was the restored '70 Coronet 440 with a 318, back in the early 90's. This one was my favorite. Such a cool ride, inside & out...sounded great, interior was big and comfortable, and the color rocked. ^^Including me...not sure how old I was. Feel bad he sold this to move to DE, and it was a teenager from Pittsburgh who bought it, in the middle of winter...we never knew what happened to it after.

Dad has had this for a while now, but I don't think I ever posted pictures. In the past, he owned a '68 Coronet, followed by a '69, and then finally a '70 he restored when I was younger...we loved that thing. Sold before moving to DE. Found this latest project on Craigslist in western PA the summer of '09. Apparently a more valuable combo of sorts, a '68 Coronet 440 with the big block 383. Was a good deal to him. Been a back yard project ever since. Lots of rust. Runs well. Replacing panel by panel, including things like the full trunk floor, etc. He and my brother hit Carlisle this past weekend and came back with new fenders, etc. from western states. Interior is also stripped...can sit on a bucket and drive. Has front fenders from the wrong year, etc. Going to be a while... These were snapped last summer...still blue, but another year of body work since, it's changing. I haven't seen it in a while. Then by Craigslist someone locally at the beach in Delaware had a 1970 Coronet sedan for sale a while back. Listed, listed, never sold. Dad looked at it. Guy called him back recently and said he wanted it gone and to see it go to a good home...$500 later...it also appeared in the back yard. Spare parts of some sort. Mom loves the landscape, at least it keeps him back there all the time now. We shall see how Coronet #4 turns out...he's determined to get it rolling, 383 and all. Color choice...well, that'll be a few more years.

Originally brought home December 13th, 2010...crossed 7 months and 10k miles this July 4th in the zoomy CX-9. This far in, love everything about it. Even now working with Acura everyday, I respect vehicles like the MDX a lot, but still have never come across such a comfortable crossover with such in tune sport driving dynamics. Doesn't have the tech of some others, and a little more road roar from the meh factory Bridgestones, but a hoot to drive. Not a single issue to report. Having moved to Philly and now pounding over bad roads & streets daily, the 20" wheels and suspension are perfect and not a tick, rattle, or squeak anywhere to be seen. Best build quality of any vehicle I've owned so far, period. The Ford sourced & Mazda tuned 3.7L is a beast, and the Aisin 6-spd extremely quick & smooth, not overly efficient but fun to push. Only 7 months, and blowing through miles rather quickly. Fun ride, with space. I wish I didn't owe as much on it as I do, but other than that it's A grade. Zooom. If anything else, I'd go sport sedan next...but every time I think of them, as much as I like several, I'd still not have as enjoyable of a drive as in the CX-9...and not space. Toss up.

An early '00s white Ford E-series cargo van on the side of the road, front fully engulfed in flames. Then later, no more fire, but charred black up front.

Headed over the bridge Sunday to check out some south Jersey and poke around a few car lots...since I haven't done so in such a long time. First stop, Barlow Buick GMC in Woodbury, NJ. Other than the auto show, still haven't had much Regal checking out time. REALLY like the T06/T07 model with the Turbo, 19" wheels, etc and in this White with Cashmere combo too. I'd drive it...the 2.0T intrigues me, as does the German assembly (although now a lot have switched to Oshawa). Feels and looks tank like for solidity. I wanna test this car with the 2.0T SOON...have still not owned a 4-cyl, but the turbo mill here seems flexible. Then a little bit further down the road, Pellegrino Chrysler Jeep. I've seen these before but not up close. 70th Anniversary Edition of the '11 JGC Laredo, with special paint, seats, etc. Loud but I really like the copper/orange shade and the multi-texture/color seats. These Jeeps look great. Then almost got carjacked in Camden, taking my Mazda Nav's "short distance" route vs. the highway. Fun Sunday afternoon.

I even like the 3...3...3...price tag. Favorite number;-) Wheels plus the color are great. Love the look. Probably wouldn't function for me too well, but then again maybe so. Shorter like a car, but higher as a truck. Get a solid/easy cover for that back bed, and we could be in business.

All I have to say friend is this: I know...was moving slowly, but as I watched, the one time I forgot about having a camera...shame. Awesome Ram R/T sighting! Love that color, the wheels, the short bed, reg cab, etc...

Dirty gray Chevy Volt with PA tags merging onto the highway Friday night beside me. These things are awesome.

Looking out my window yesterday at the Chevy building next door...a new silver Caprice police spec sedan in black steel wheel glory, window stickers and all, heading out of the lot on a smaller rollback. Delivery or something. Big 'ole car.

Everyday, especially here in Philly, I see more and more 80's, early 90's, etc. relics I stopped seeing for a while re-appearing with new tags & temp reg in the window...it is interesting. They're multiplying and re-appearing, everywhere, with a lot of people.

Awesome and rare configuration with the factory chromes, Astroroof AND cloth, plus in a different color. The molding pieces are easy, including the quickly repainted vinyl roof molding--I used touch-up paint on my '95s. The clunking/knock when the steering is turned to lock, there actually was a TSB issues by Cadillac back in the day. Steering stop related. Both our '93 with factory wheels/tires did it and my '95 with both stock and aftermarket rolling stock would intermittently. I forget what part it really is, but they did issue a TSB for it. Oil leak...common. Most common, all the crimped oil cooler lines at the front get weepy around the crimps. If minor, not a big concern, and easy to cover/clamp or replace fully if desired. Also things like the oil filter adapter/seal, etc. Only other common oddball items with the LT1 in these cars would be the exhaust manifold bolt heads breaking off over time. Never had the issue on mine, but many report it, have to get the bolts drilled out & replaced, etc. Window rollers...I ordered a bag of them from GM parts, and kept them in the shed. Fixed both our '93 and '95 at random times, as well as one of Roger's windows in his ex black/black '96 Fleetwood back in the fall of '09. Easy getting used to popping the door panels off, and if feeling up for it, can do all doors at once...or leave working ones go until the factory plastic sliders break. Nice car. For a '94 and the packages/options, hard to find one much better, depending on what the price is...of course.

Parked on the street last night, an all white '93/94 Roadmaster wagon with blacked windows and the rare WB4 wood delete option.

Following a customer to her house in Philly tonight, this classic Buick:

Price, price, performance, mileage, size, etc. A great utility, but a big utility. The lowered versions with 5.3L, etc are classically tough but even more capable. But versus a sedan, just too much for daily. Lots of them around Philly, but a $35k+ truck vs. a sedan will never work in volume.

Freshly arrived '11 Dodge Grand Caravan R/T at the store a few spots down from work. They really did not do a good job here. Blacked out the grille, looks cheap. Removed the roof rack, okay. But then the wheels are no different, or at lease the same size, as every other model and look blah. Basically looks like a mid-level model missing chrome. At least give it a sporter, 1" larger wheel design, if not any other design add-on. Van or not, still.

A bright light blue new SRX, in traffic getting back into Philly. Blue Frost. First one I've seen in this shade.

Dark tonight, saw an LED lined tail lamp ahead. Almost thought it was a new Charger for a second, but different light line shape. Pulled alongside, and was the first new 2011 Saab 9-5 I've seen in person. Stunning shape. Just a wow car & stature, and cool lighting at night.

New black Jaguar XJ on a random side street in Philly. Looks great when dark/black, to hide the otherwise odd black c-pillar panel.

Stopped at the Chevy & Ford dealers in Jenkintown, a nice change from Philly's gated & locked lots. Ford...Focus aplenty, every combo. Interesting little car. More so, Ford's new "Lime Squeeze" electric crazy lime green metallic shade on a new 2011 Escape...whoa. Over at Chevy, a ton of new Camaro 'verts, all alongside (weird) 3 used '09-11 Challengers...almost looked like a Chevy/Dodge lot for a second, until you realized the Challengers were used. Over hidden in a corner too was a White Diamond/Tan Volt...love these things. Want one.

Name: GMC Terrain (2011) Date Added: 19 June 2011 - 08:49 PM Owner: caddycruiser Short Description: 2011 GMC Terrain SLT-1 AWD with 3.0L V6 the only option. Quicksilver & Jet Black. Stylish big little ute that replaced (yes, really) a beloved 2010 Camaro 2LT RS after a year. So far, pleasing mpg's, space and is an all weather capable luxurious crawler. View Vehicle

Name: Mazda CX-9 (2011) Date Added: 19 June 2011 - 08:45 PM Owner: caddycruiser Short Description: 2011 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring FWD. Liquid Silver & Black. Fully loaded with every option & every accessory except the trailer hitch. Replaced big living room 2009 Avalanche Z71 2wd, sold to a friend. Space, standout seating comfort & features in every row, and FUN to drive. Really. Zoom is real, and from power to steering and braking feel to ride and quality, just a standout sport sedan feeling ute with a lot of space. View Vehicle

Awesome car. Love the Subie. Great work!

This kind of project is the best. Fun. And now you have a pair...the result should be good.