Author Topic: Thank you and Farewell Hoopty! (Read 4331 times)

Jeff · « **on:** January 20, 2019, 10:59:03 AM »

Almost 6 years ago we acquired Hoopty, a 1965 Thunderbird. it was quite a story on how we came to get the car.
Jeff's great find. in General Board

Since then we have taken care of it, improved it and and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to own it. This year we came to the point where our daily drivers were becoming pretty old and worn out. We take care of our vehicles, but inevitably age and the michigan climate dictates they reach an end of life. They ain't there yet, but close enough we are always concerned to venture very far from home, or outside of our safety net.

Not being in the position where we can just go out and buy a quality new vehicle, and with Tammy so close to retirement we do not want to assume any debt, we decided to put our land and Hoopty up for sale in hopes to be able to buy a new truck. It was a very hard decision to make. Owning land in the U.P. was my lifelong dream. Having an old car for us, is good for our souls. (Tammy grew up in a large junkyard and knows as much about cars as I do. She made money growing up removing and tagging parts from salvage vehicles, as well as other junk yard duties ) We had old cars up until our first child was born, at that time, we had a 65 ford f150 and a 64 olds with a rocket engine. We had to sell those in order to take care of our new family. Our kids were grown before we were able to have an old car again, with one exception. A 66 corvair followed me home for $100 when Jeremy was 3. I fixed it up and one Saturday, my buddy Sonny and I painted it. After painting is a metallic maroon, we hooked onto the boat and went fishing. When we got back. Tammy and Sonny's wife met us at the door and Tammy is saying "DONT KILL HIM!"

Turns out She let Jeremy go out out side the what was then just out our front door to play ball. Jeremy decided to go into the attached garage, find a way to stack milk crates to get on top of my workbench, then reach up and get a can of black spray paint, found a way to get the cap off, then proceed to help his dad paint the newly painted car and everything else in the garage. Mower, waders, bikes, everything. In desperation Tammy tried to clean the car up with thinner. I never got mad. I was just two impressed at what my 3 year old son had been able to achieve.

Okay. I got side tracked.

A few weeks ago we listed the land and I started listing Hoopty on facebook market place. I put to high a price on both of them, knowing that it needed to be too high or I would back out on anything but to good of an offer.

This week, I got a facebook message from a fellow down by Grand Rapids michigan wanting to know if Hoopty was still available. I had had dozens of those contacts, so I figured it was just another dreamer or worse, a scammer. Turns out Tim was neither. He was a collector. Same age as I am. He and his twin brother have many cars and several thunderbirds. He was wondering about some sort of swap as he had been informed by his girlfriend, that something had to go before something came in. He told me what he had, and we continued the conversation. Eventually, we made a deal that I am very happy with. He got Hoopty and $3000 and we got his 1971 Mustang, (mach 1 tribute 351 ram air) as well as one of his daily drivers. 1 2000 Silverado. 2000? Aint that old? Yea, 19 years old. However...

I've always said, because our original 1999 Siiverado known as the Forestry Forum Truck was such a great truck, I'd much rather buy another new one of those then what ever the new trucks were at the time. I knoew that could not happen, because they are pretty much all rotted away now. The 2 wheel drive one I have now is really really bad. Turns out though, there was one left! This Silverado is Pristine. It was garage kept and driven only 7000 miles a year. meticulously maintained. (I have the little notebook the owner kept detailing every oil change!) The truck is simply in unbelievable condition. Inside, outside and mechanically. Its like getting a new truck. The mustang, well, it aint a tbird but... It has a built 351 and lots of bells and whistles. My getting it in at my current weight is like putting a marshmallow in a piggy bank! However once in, I can sit comfortably. its not perfect, but it will give me plenty to tinker with. So, we got a new to use truck, an old car that Tammy really likes, and we get to keep our land!

You know you are dealing with a car guy when he sends you home with replica's of your new cars!

He also sweetened the post with this, although I'm not sure what I will do with it!

We have the Truck home, and next weekend Tammy's brother who has a car hauler will come pick up Hoopty and take her to her new home and bring back the mustang.

This is the 4th red truck in a row I have had. None of them did I go looking for. They keep finding me! I think I am going to name this one. 4red.

Jim_Rogers · « **Reply #1 on:** January 20, 2019, 11:07:44 AM »

Nice truck and deal...

thecfarm · « **Reply #2 on:** January 20, 2019, 11:25:46 AM »

There,now I know why the land was taken off the market!!!!
That is good news!!!

lxskllr · « **Reply #3 on:** January 20, 2019, 11:30:57 AM »

Quote

like putting a marshmallow in a piggy bank!

RoFL!

Looks like you did pretty well, and I'm very happy you get to keep your land. "Stuff" is easier to replace than land :^)

Jeff · « **Reply #4 on:** January 20, 2019, 11:40:24 AM »

I was scared to say anything prematurely Ray as I didn't want to jinx the deal. Woulda been just my luck.

So I have a 4wdrive again, but I don't plan on driving it much during the winter as long as the other truck hangs on. I gotta figure out a way to keep the body great like it is.

The truck is also an LS. so it has options like electric seats and deluxe mirror with compass and temperature. Driving it home was like Driving home an old friend. Its so much like the Forestry Forum truck that had that premature death at the hands of a local scammer.

hacknchop · « **Reply #5 on:** January 20, 2019, 11:52:42 AM »

Good things happen to good people I'm happy everything worked out the way it did.

Jack S · « **Reply #6 on:** January 20, 2019, 12:01:12 PM »

Very nice Jeff, It sure is nice to see great things happen

LAZERDAN · « **Reply #7 on:** January 20, 2019, 01:02:58 PM »

Red is the color of confidence and power. Red is "Company Colors" They to also find Me, I find it a dream to drive someones eles old "junk" when i'm done with it's junk, you know they love you when they start every day. I'd say you got the large side of the wish bone. You Gotta find another FF bumper sticker for the New FF Truck Lazerdan

Resonator · « **Reply #8 on:** January 20, 2019, 01:20:19 PM »

Nice looking rides!

Quote

He also sweetened the post with this, although I'm not sure what I will do with it!

Has the stoplight been rewired for household 120 volt? If so, it would be a great decoration for a gear head garage. (Or put it in the living room like Fred Rogers.)

barbender · « **Reply #9 on:** January 20, 2019, 01:40:47 PM »

Cool story, and it's great to come out with a deal like that. You weren't left wanting for anything after it looked like you were going to have to give up your classic and your land. I'm happy for you guys!

ljohnsaw · « **Reply #10 on:** January 20, 2019, 01:43:54 PM »

Quote from: Jeff on January 20, 2019, 10:59:03 AM

He also sweetened the post with this, although I'm not sure what I will do with it!

Don't you live on a busy street? Put it at the end of your driveway to stop traffic so you can pull out!

Sure looks like you got a good deal and Hoopty got a good home.

thecfarm · « **Reply #11 on:** January 20, 2019, 05:36:50 PM »

Jeff I understand completely. My luck is the same way.
On the rust,I have a garage guy that came in and bought 5 gallons of boiled linseed oil for rust, He tried it and came back and bought 10 gallons. I guess he liked it. I have to special order it,because we only have it in gallons.

Jeff · « **Reply #12 on:** January 20, 2019, 06:08:16 PM »

1.5 hours from home and -2 now!

Bruno of NH · « **Reply #13 on:** January 20, 2019, 06:25:11 PM »

Jeff
Does anyone do Krown under coating?
It works great.
I'm happy for you

Kwill · « **Reply #14 on:** January 20, 2019, 06:45:47 PM »

Same truck as mine jeff except for mirrors and wheels. Mines a 2000 with 146k on it

moosehunter · « **Reply #15 on:** January 20, 2019, 08:36:24 PM »

I'd be mighty happy to have that pony. Congrats Jeff, glad you are keeping your property.
mh

WV Sawmiller · « **Reply #16 on:** January 20, 2019, 08:51:07 PM »

Congratulations. Sounds like a great deal all around. Glad you got to keep the land and have a happy truck to take you up there to hunt and tinker around.

Jeff · « **Reply #17 on:** January 20, 2019, 09:03:59 PM »

Mustang is at its new home. About froze getting unloaded as we had to do a lot of blocking due to clearances issues. Coldest night of the year so far. Glad to be back home.

samandothers · « **Reply #18 on:** January 21, 2019, 01:00:55 AM »

This is good to hear! Glad you got to keep the land and have the neat vehicles!

ellmoe · « **Reply #19 on:** January 21, 2019, 07:13:24 AM »

Good for you.

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Author Topic: Thank you and Farewell Hoopty! (Read 4331 times)

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