by Guest Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:20 pmHello All;
I'm the father of a great kid who turns 16 on the 31st. Unfortunately, he got his fathers afinity for quirky vehicles. I'm an old Land Rover buff. Well, a few weeks ago, he finds this old van on Ebay and says the bids only a hundred bucks and best of all, its in our hometown! With a typical fathers skepticism on such matters, we went to look at the thing. I tried every trick in the book to tell him how this was exactly the wrong type of "first car" for a kid and he should be thinking along the lines of something more modern and reliable etc. I tried to hide the fact that I thought this old bomber was really fricken cool! I completely regressed back to his exact age and how badly I wanted that first car myself back then.
So, to be a good dad I bid 400 bucks on the thing thinking that it would probably sell in the 800-1200 range. When the bid went over that, I told him "sorry, we tried man" and we'll find something when your ready. He was pretty bummed and disappointed and I let it go for a day or so but kept an eye on the thing. When it didnt seem to get any higher, I let my itchy bid finger get the best of me and I bid up to $550.00 thinking that after it sold for much higher, I could gain a few "cool points" for trying again. Well low and behold we won the thing! Aw #$%&! Now I gotta tell the wife.
Well, he doesnt know it yet and if he reads this, the cats outta the bag but my buddy down the street and I went to get it and we stashed it in a friends garage. This is the 64 G100 that was "sambowie's" van. Its basically sound but is in need of some tune up work, brakes (right rear brake cylinder is done) shift linkage rebuild. and a few other odds and ends. On the good side, there is much less bondo in it than I figured, only rust is at the bottom of the left rear door. We added some brake fluid, and fired the beast up. the second and third cylinders arent firing so a cap, rotor, plugs and wires are coming. I drove it probably five miles and about killed myself with carbon monoxide but the tune up should take care of it. What a hoot to drive!
Anyway, after getting it running and taking care of some safety items, Ryan can decide how he wants to customize it. I'm kinda in favor of the rat rod look myself. On that note, let me say that you guys have an incredible site here! I mean that seriously, its really well put together and you guys have some awesome vans. We'll definitely look forward to picking some brains and using this site as a resource. I'm stoked about fixing this old beast up with my son and we'll post pictures as we go. Talk to ya all soon! Todd
I'm the father of a great kid who turns 16 on the 31st. Unfortunately, he got his fathers afinity for quirky vehicles. I'm an old Land Rover buff. Well, a few weeks ago, he finds this old van on Ebay and says the bids only a hundred bucks and best of all, its in our hometown! With a typical fathers skepticism on such matters, we went to look at the thing. I tried every trick in the book to tell him how this was exactly the wrong type of "first car" for a kid and he should be thinking along the lines of something more modern and reliable etc. I tried to hide the fact that I thought this old bomber was really fricken cool! I completely regressed back to his exact age and how badly I wanted that first car myself back then.
So, to be a good dad I bid 400 bucks on the thing thinking that it would probably sell in the 800-1200 range. When the bid went over that, I told him "sorry, we tried man" and we'll find something when your ready. He was pretty bummed and disappointed and I let it go for a day or so but kept an eye on the thing. When it didnt seem to get any higher, I let my itchy bid finger get the best of me and I bid up to $550.00 thinking that after it sold for much higher, I could gain a few "cool points" for trying again. Well low and behold we won the thing! Aw #$%&! Now I gotta tell the wife.
Well, he doesnt know it yet and if he reads this, the cats outta the bag but my buddy down the street and I went to get it and we stashed it in a friends garage. This is the 64 G100 that was "sambowie's" van. Its basically sound but is in need of some tune up work, brakes (right rear brake cylinder is done) shift linkage rebuild. and a few other odds and ends. On the good side, there is much less bondo in it than I figured, only rust is at the bottom of the left rear door. We added some brake fluid, and fired the beast up. the second and third cylinders arent firing so a cap, rotor, plugs and wires are coming. I drove it probably five miles and about killed myself with carbon monoxide but the tune up should take care of it. What a hoot to drive!
Anyway, after getting it running and taking care of some safety items, Ryan can decide how he wants to customize it. I'm kinda in favor of the rat rod look myself. On that note, let me say that you guys have an incredible site here! I mean that seriously, its really well put together and you guys have some awesome vans. We'll definitely look forward to picking some brains and using this site as a resource. I'm stoked about fixing this old beast up with my son and we'll post pictures as we go. Talk to ya all soon! Todd
Happy 16th Birthday Ryan, your one very lucky guy!!! 
