SO I've posted pics of my former Caprice, my now former Camaro, and recently my new <yawn> minivan... I've eluded to having a wrecked '97 Malibu that was bought out of desperation already wrecked (we needed a car RIGHT THEN and that was all we could afford) but I don't believe I've ever posted a picture of it, mainly because, well, its a wreck... Anyway, we drove the wreck until we got the Camaro and then the 'bu sat collecting rust/dust until recently. Turns out that since the Astro has the tow/haul package with 3.73 gears its gets rather poor mileage (even worse then a regular Astro...) So now I need something cheaper to commute in. Plus, Anya should be getting her license (fingers crossed) soon so she'll need the van for her and the kids...

Anyway, all that to say - since I need a commuter, and I also really miss my Camaro, but also miss having a older car that I'm not afraid to beat on (the Camaro was too nice, y'know?) I've decided to not just wash the dust off of the 'bu and call it square but rather to have a little fun with it. This car will do double duty as my commuter and a winter beater (FWD FTW!).

With that said, I bring you Beater 'Bu -Stage 1:

Learned a good Cammo technique with the Motorbike, so I applied it to a full-size vehicle. Still needs one more pass with olive drab, but I ran out. Tomorrow, I guess



The wreck took out the front bumper and all front panels. I bought it with just the shell of the bumper remaining, all twisted up, bumper mounts hopelessly bent, etc. Rather then spend the time/money reshaping the front, I went road warrior with it:


Stage 2 will remove the deployed air bags and install a Grant wheel and Dash pad to cover the holes. Stage 2 will also see some tint on those windows.

Stage 3 will be a new set of tires (Current trying to figure out what the meanest set of off-road tires I can stuff in those small wheel wells is) and a set of Early 00's Cop Impala center caps.


Okay, I know its Redneck (hence the "Redneck sticker on the back window) so let the insult fly if you think it deserves it.

------------------
"The flag should be displayed with the union down, as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property."

Read my Earthship thread in Totally O/T
si vis pacem, para bellum

"The said constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms." - Samuel Adams

What part of "SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED" is so hard to understand?!

[This message has been edited by OKflyboy (edited 08-07-2010).]

Haha, I'm sure I'll end up with a similar vehicle, eventually. It's almost fun to have a car that's such a POS that it can be beaten mercilessly without guilt.

quote Originally posted by 1986 Fiero GT: It's almost fun to have a car that's such a POS that it can be beaten mercilessly without guilt.

Exactly. It was wrecked when we bought it, it can only go up from here, even with the silly stuff I'm doing to it...

I had a buddy of mine who had an old beat up civic hatch that he went and painted with chackboard finish..... this thing was awsome we used sidewalk chalk on it all the time and it would all wash right off with water.

I was just saying that I wished I could have a winter beater, but i do have one. Unfortunately it's the the same car that I use for my summer beater.

Brad

quote Originally posted by 1986 Fiero GT: Haha, I'm sure I'll end up with a similar vehicle, eventually. It's almost fun to have a car that's such a POS that it can be beaten mercilessly without guilt.

86 and twofatguys, EXACTLY. thats what my Fiero is heheh... im not too hard on it, but i can tell its on its last legs so i might as well have fun with it.

also, my moms "boyfriend" said him and his brothers use to buy trashed Fieros years ago and mess around with them offroad and whatnot, just beating the living death outta them. he is so used to POS Fieros, he thinks mine is in excellent shape...lmao

I love it! Haha!

I've had my share of hoopty's and actually prefer them over nice vehicles. You can park them anywhere, don't need to wash and wax, minimum insurance, and you can load your stuff in them without worrying about messing up the interior.

First new vehicle I bought in over 20 years got a nice parking lot door ding about a month after I owned it. New cars would be alot more pleasant to own if it weren't for inconsiderate people who park their hoopty's next to your new ride.

[This message has been edited by FrugalFiero (edited 07-30-2010).]

That has always been a favourite gripe of mine too, Tim..although I have never actually OWNED a brand new car, and never WILL (I am obviously even more frugal than YOUHahaha!!). ....parking lot dings!! And the problem lies at the door (no pun of the manufacturers of cars etc. The spring-loaded detent is set at too far an opening, and people always push the door hard enough for it to open that far, instead of holding onto the handle until the door locks on the detent. If they made the detent position to be at about 30% open, that would give MOST people enough space to get a foot on the ground, and then open the door in a controlled fashion from there, avoiding bashing the car next to them. Not worth them considering, I suppose, but a simple adjustment to the door hinge spring would solve a great number of unintentional, but very frustrating damage being done to others' vehicles...GRRRRR:
Nick

quote Originally posted by fierofetish: okflyboy ...meant to post this comment before the other 2 ..think 'Police magnet'??? Nick

Nah, not worried about that... you should see some of the cars that I see everyday (I work in an Auto Parts store). While Redneck looking, my car will remain 100% legal*...

( * Disclaimer: Even though the airbags are already deployed, I have not checked the legality of removing them entirely. We'll see about that one...)

[This message has been edited by OKflyboy (edited 07-30-2010).]

That is a cool car!!!

------------------
Chuck
88 Formula W/fastback
2000 Grand Prix GTP
09 Dodge Caliber SXT

Thanks for the comments everyone. I'm having a blast with it so far.

Running total so far $20:

*Driving lights: Free (they were given to me because they were assumed to be bad, but in reality were just wired wrong)

*Materials for "bumper": Free (they were abandoned in my garage when I bought the house, just recently found this use for them)

*Paint: About $15.00

"Redneck" sticker: $5.00 (Had to be done...)

I've now cleaned the overspray from the unmasked portion of the windows. I'll be removing the last little bit of inner fender skirting from the front driver's side wheel well, then I'll snap some more pics.

[This message has been edited by OKflyboy (edited 07-31-2010).]

Mount a few machine guns on the tops of the fenders, weld a drop box too the rear that will drop tire spikes, and your ready for few rounds of Twisted Metal!

Stage 2 is just about complete:

My first successful attempt at tinting a window. Only got 1 window out of that roll as the tint kept sticking to itself when I'd peel the backing off. It looks okay, a few bubble but I'm satisfied with it since this is a beater anyway (Will do the rest of the windows with my next paycheck):



Scored this old school Grant-ish "The 500" wheel with adapter kit for $10 from Craigslist:


Went boneyard hunting yesterday. Picked up a new wheel since one of mine was seriously bent, and some new headlight mounts. Mounted up the headlights properly, no more bungee cords:


Hehe... Yes, it is...

[This message has been edited by OKflyboy (edited 08-07-2010).]

Fantastic. I had a 74 GMC truck (2wd) a few years ago that was a similar beater.

I love it, I absolutely love it. Now that's a real "Detroit" car there, it's excellent! I bet that the shopping carts roll away from it, hehehe. You can have a riot in a car like that, have some fun for me too.