November 23rd, 2004.
I have been kinda busy with Zak ever since I finished my exams last thursday. On saturday I went out with the guys from Indian Automotive on a cruise from Penrith to the drive at Blacktown. Accordingly, a good part of the day was pent washing and waxing Zak, as well as putting his back seat back in after it was taken out for the Motorkhana a few weeks back. Well the results of the wash and wax were great. I bought some Meguiah's polish, a new sort they have out and the result was excellent, just as well considering how expensive it was. Anyway, the cruise ended up at the drive in coz we gate crashed the drive in night of the Old Time Hot Rod Club. There were only 5 VWs there but our prescence was felt. Zak got quite a few looks too, one group of guys showed a lot of interest until they realised he was powered by a Subaru engine. This discovery was enough to make them run off, not sure why, maybe they were scared off by all those overhead cams. :o/
Everything went well, despite a little rain on the way there. Then about half an hour into the first movie it started to rain more properly. Between this and my lights having blown their fuse, I decided it was time to go. I wasn't the only one, as many dedicated roofless cars made a run for it. Luckily it isn't far home from there to my place.
Here are some pics of the event. My favorite car there was the white ford victoria kustom in the third row of pics.
After letting Zak dry and doing some back yard chores for a few days, I went to work on him again last night. It was time for some back speakers. I was intending to put them on saturday for the drive-ins, but it just didn't happen on the day. After multiple discussions with Liz, we decided that the boxes for the speakers would go where they are pictures. They are sealed MDF boxes I bought ages ago for the 6x9" speakers I had. The speakers themselves are a plastic cone with direction tweeter set up and are a matched pair for the front 4" speakers. They weren't expensive or even a known brand so that idiots wouldn't be tempted to steal them coz they are not worth much second hand, and lets just say that they are attached such that it's a real pain of a job to get them out quickly. Anyway, once installed and hook up to my head unit (4x40watts RMS), there was ample volume. In fact, while driving Zak today 'Probot' (my album of choice) was mostly louder than the engine. Cool...
BTW, the khanacross I was intending to go on next weeked has been cancelled.
Oh well, plenty of time next year... :o(
December 7th, 2004.
Just a quick update today. Zak is going fine at the mo. I am still doing little things. For instance, I am still sorting the fuel vapour line and yesterday the gearstick was finally reshaped into a more passenger friendly shape. Now using 2nd, 4th and reverse doesn't involve reaching new levels of intimacy with the co-pilot. I mean it's ok if it's Liz, but let's not even think about the implications for some of my big hairy mates....errrrrrrrh.
Makes me want to shower just considering it. :o/
Zak continues to get heaps of looks too. On a trip to the shops today, I couldn't count the number of school kids who waved or pointed and smiled. One young guy yelled out how much he liked it across a round about. :o)
However, the highest compliment came from the driver of a Ferrari 355 Berlinetta. This car was far from standard and wore 19" rims and non-factory charcoal paint. We both checked eachothers cars out at the lights. However, it was mine that drew all the interest. He was quite impressed and especially so when I told him about the subie in the back. This coming from a man who had spent well over (US)$150k on an Italian masterpiece.
Well it's that time of the year again isn't it.
Not Christmas, that's a bit later.
I mean Tax return, and lets just say that Liz hit pay-dirt (no pun intended). All our big expenses are covered and so Liz gave me the green light. That means that Zak is off to Snowy's on monday to get a soft-top. That's right, from now on he will be far more weather-proof. I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to this. I am sick of looking at the sky every time I lift the garage door. However, some things will need to move. The air cleaner is coming off it's temporary position on the back roll-bar and going down onto the guard. I hate to drill holes in the guard but there you go. Also, I have to shape some rubber to go round the corners so the top will sit properly against the bar work. No pics yet, but expect some as soon as I get him back.
December 18th, 2004.
Zak came back from Uncle Snowy's today. He now has a complete soft top. Snowy (marine and auto trim, Blacktown) initially said some rather colourful words when I dropped Zak off. The absence of a lip all the way round the top of the body with which to mount press studs was something of a concern. However, after a bit of thinking and a some more colour poetry Snowy came up trumps. Liz is stoked with the result and I have to say, it makes Zak more pleasant to drive as the temperature gets cooler at night. Also, as I get more folecully challenged (ok, bald alright!) the top makes avoiding sunburn that much easier.
The front of the top and front sidescreens is held in place by sail anchor aluminum extrusion. Snowy was packing it as he drilled my windscreen frame, but it was all good. But the top has some other great features. If you look closely you will notice that all the side screens unclip and come off independantly. I can drive Zak with any one or all of the sidescreens removed and the front ones have zip-outs windows too. This makes the car very baby friendly now and Eleanor loves the new set-up.
I can't recommend Snowy highly enough. The back seat he redid for the buggy was good, but the top is excellent. He is a perfectionist, but doesn't mind a challenge. He did his best to make the car as usable as possible, and then there was the price. I was expecting a bill of over $1000 when I went to get a quote, and I can tell you, despite the amazing work, it was nowhere near that figure. All you buggy guys, if you want a top that is custom made and well thought out at a great price, then Snowy is your man. Liz, Brian, Brian's wife Sandy, and everyone else who has seen the top have been blown away at how good it looks close up.
And then there is Eleanor. She went off completely (in a good way that is). Between excellent side vision and her new high seating position in her baby seat (out of her capsule at last!), she can see everything. We went for a drive tonight and she flapped, squealed, laughed and waved the whole way. Unfortunately, due to an earthing issue with Zak's lights we had to come home early, but she was ready for bed by then anyway. But thats ok, there is plenty more summer nights to go cruising and plenty more summer days to tune up Zak's issues.
On a festive note, to all you guys out there, have a great Christmas. When all the comerciallism get the better of you, just remember there is something far more important. That is, God gift to us all, Jesus.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
And a happy new year!
February 5th, 2005.
I hope you all had a good christmas and new year, our was good. Not heaps has been happening for Zak aside of the occasional drive and a few little things. Firstly, I have done a few adjustments on Zak's front brakes to try and help lessen instant lock-up. Brian seems to think he stops very well now but I am still not convinced, oh well, I do trust Brian's judgment so I will leave well enough alone for now. Secondly, the bump stop I broke off during the Khanacross last year is now re-attached. Bout time really. Thirdly, I now have a system of easily removable lock pins holding down the back seat intead of the old (and impossible) nuts and bolts. Now I just pull out the pins and I can flip the seat forward to get to the ECU and other electrics. If only getting behind the dash was as easy..... :o(
This year I am planning a few improvements for Zak. The two most important ones will involve shortening his sump and hooking up my heater (and maybe air-con). The sump looks as if I can take it off in situ (a real relief) and there seems to be plenty of room to make it go further forward while being shorter. More on that later. I am also thinking Zak might be up for a timing belt change as well. Not something I am looking forward to, but I am sure I will work it out one way or the other. There are also some engine managemnet issues still to sort, however I did a diagnostic the other day and thanx to Brad (From Custom Off Road) on the Aussie Vee Dubber forum, things are much clearer.
On australia day (Jan 26) we went for a drive up to Colo River, Just out of Windsor. It was a lovely day and I saw this great rock, so being the hooligan I am I could resist driving up it, Zak's driver side front wheel is just off the ground, yeah offroad. :o)
Speak to you all soon....