April 23

You can guess from my post last week that we probably didn't have to drive too far. We woke up the next morning and talked about the lonely little car all the way to the eldest minion's Junior Day at the college he wants to attend.

We came up with a new price that was only marginally higher than my top price, but still way under the Cowboy's. I did tell him though that it would be better if he did the talking this time since my hard assed, no budging, uncompromising negotiation had probably annoyed Dave. That and sometimes, seriously, it just takes a dude to talk to another dude.

Through a fortuitous stroke of luck, we arrived at the perfect time, after lunch when everyone is mellow and no one is hangry.

Mike was happy to see us since he'd thought we'd never come back and we would be the only people who would want the car. We thought they'd never call us or want to sell it. I guess it's one of those things where The Big Dude just works things out in your favor, especially when it's part of the plan He has for you. Or maybe He just likes it when Cowboy and I figure this stuff out together and make cool and interesting things. Either way, He worked this one in a way that was good for everyone involved, me, Cowboy, Dave, Rusty, Mike, even the little car.

You should go see them if you're looking for a used car. They were really great to deal with. I will say though, Dave loves the thrill of the negotiation so keep that one in mind.

We went home, got the Captain and the trailer, loaded up the car, drove the 20 miles home and arrived an hour later.

 

HA!!! An hour later. As if. You all know by now that there is NO way that we got home in an hour.

What do you think went wrong?
What's wrong with the picture above?
Is the Captain almost dragging that hitch on the ground?
Wow, that car is way forward on that trailer.
Hmmm, if elder minion is riding with Cowboy, where is Jen?
Does she have her ringer on?

Let's see, that weight isn't centered on that trailer very well is it? No.
Does that car actually fit on there? It seems like it's an awfully small car. It is and it yes, while the Apache barely fit on that same trailer because it was too BIG, that one barely fit because it was too small and we almost drove off of it when we were loading it on.
Why yes, the Captain is just about two inches off the ground.
Wow, that car really is too far forward.
Well, Jen is leaving to go to the other side of town to find a Chilton manual for the car.
No. No she does not.

Thank goodness I did have the thought to pull out my phone and see that Cowboy had called four minutes ago and left a message about "a problem" and to call him when "I looked at my phone" because my ringer wasn't on.

Well, apparently they were moving the car farther back on the trailer because it was either making the muffler drag or making the transmission grind. Cowboy is starting to move it back when I get there. By the lack of photos, you know that I was helping move this around. Which is tricky because those wheels are rubbing right up against those inside edges of the trailer.

 

After we get it moved, I am in pursuit of larger ratchet straps. Cowboy did have some amazing ones we got at Sam's but people tend to forget to return things so he just had his small set. And his large ones are sitting on the upholstery machine waiting to be sewn. Which I realized he could have used today. He also was kind enough to point this one out. I should add he wasn't mean about it at all, nor was he snotty. After strap procurement, and two more calls where he stated he needed wheel chocks and some water to drink, we get it strapped down. Yes, I was helping him strap them down. This is the final tightening up before we left. Double check things people, always double check.

 

 

 

I follow them home and have a heart stopping moment as it the car and trailer bounce over a rough patch on the bridge. Three hours later, we arrive safely home, cars and all, ready for another few months of restoration.

 

The only difference, I'm the minion for this one so I can't just do the interior.