In order to pay off some credit cards (some of which helped finance the paint on the 66), I just sold the 96 GT. Kinda sad really, as it was a fun driver. Not my dream car though, and $7K can really do some damage to the 'ol debt. We'll be getting the wife an SUV of some sort in the fairly near future, so I'll get her 96 V6 for a daily before winter sets in. Not that it's that bad here in Tx, but it's still nice to know I won't have to slide to work on icy roads in my precious fastback.

Saturday my friend and I are going to throw ourselves at the fastback and get it ready for daily duty. Any advice?

For now, I have the to-do list of:
Check brake pads/shoes and replace any worn parts
Oil change
Check plugs and wires (they are fairly new)
Check all fluids
Clean/replace air and fuel filters
Maybe get a new spare tire since my old one is dry rotted?
Get a new fire extinguisher
Did I miss anything?

Anyone have any ideas on how to plug a shelby scoop for driving in the rain?

 

i've never plugged the scoop on my car for rain driving, i don't really fell like it is necessary.

1. check the pcv valve and replace as necessary

2. adjust choke, fast and curb idle and mixture adjustments

3. for daily driving i like to air the tires up a bit more than the normal 32 psi, in the jeep i run 40 psi cold

4. yes a new or good used spare tire is advisable

5. some sort of tool kit for the trunk, just the basics, screwdrivers, common sockets and open end wrenches, knife or some other cutting tool, couple of different pliers and/or vise grips, jumper cables and maybe a can of fix-a-flat if you feel it is necessary. i would also think about carrying an extra set of belts and hoses or at least an alternator belt and some 5/8" heater hose

6. grease all zerks on the front suspension, steering and driveshaft and anywhere else that may have zerks

7. this is not absolutely necessary but i would change the brake fluid by pumping all the old fluid out and flushing the brake system with clean fluid until the fluid coming out of the bleeders is clean and new

8. while you have the brakes off repack/replace the wheel bearings and seals

9. fix any leaks even the ones that are small and basically just annoying, they'll most likely get worse under daily driving conditions

10. check the condition of the cooling system: hoses, thermosat, radiator and radiator cap and the water pump and all belts too.

11. depending on what style gas cap you have now, you might think about a locking one

12. consider swapping to an electronic ignition of some sort if you haven't already, i seem to remember you already have a pertronix or something though

13. lastly rotate and balance the tires if it has been less than 5,000 miles or has been sitting for a long time

good luck man

 

I'm still in too much shock to reply.

 

Why?

 

Well, I never once heard "I'm thinking about" or "Maybe it's time" before you made this announcment.
You're a very proud and self promoting member of the classic and late model club.
Yeah, you'll have the wife's still later on, but c'mon, you won't be happy in the six after having the GT daily.
New paint does not a new car make and you've had your reservations about this before.
You will likely cry (but not in public) upon the first big paint chip or parking lot ding.
I still know and think of you more as 66 Blake 96, not just Blake.
I honestly always imagined you having that car until it peaked on the meter again years from now and they both had flame jobs and looked super sharp side by side. (Don't know why, I just did)

How's that for starters?

 

Hahah, that's pretty darn good for starters. :P

You have a good memory pak, so maybe you'll also remember the numerous occasions where I've said that the 96 is fun and all, but it's just a car. That has never changed. If things go the right way, hopefully you'll be able to think of me as 66 Blake 06 That car I probably would hang on to, and maybe even get a matching flame job for. I guess you could say that I'm taking one for the team right now, so that I can improve the functionality and practicality of our car choices in the present. I think it'll pay off in the long run, because now I'm fighting our debt by giving up my driver. That will be a good point to highlight when her old V6 gets tired (not that far away now), and they are handing out rebates on the 2006 Mustang GT.

In the mean time, it's reeeealy easy to overlook the beater that I'll be sitting in traffic in when I have my dream car in the garage.

As far as paint chips, I've already managed to gouge the paint twice with a screw driver while trying to reinstall that !@#$% windshield trim. It really doesn't matter though. The car is made to drive, the paint is made to chip, and as long as I still smile when I press the go pedal, all will be right with the world.

 

Hey that's cool, we all do what we gotta do ya know, especially for the greater good. I was just surprised at first is all. I had no lost love for my 99' as it was simply an A to B car from the start, so I know exactly what you mean and I do remember what you had said in the past. From the outside though, when I see your scenario of his and hers 96's, I always thought to myself "I know exactly what happened there, he obviously drueled when the 94's came out, started to squirl away some bucks, decided that the 96' model year would compliment his 66' for better and then convinced the wife that buying two at the same time would net a far better deal then just one and thus you bought a set." Not to pre-judge the situation or anything, just the logical deduction I guess I always had in the back of my head which led to my sudden surprise. Like me you tend to mull things over and then solicit public feedback and then mull it over some more and then decide and this seemed sudden. It makes sense now though, and an 06 would compliment the stable rather nicely indeed one day. Good luck man, hope it all works out as planned for ya!!!