John S's Journal
Home Page: John S
Eugene, OR, USA
| Total Posts: 182 | Latest Post: 2026-03-25 |
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Yesterday was an interesting day. After traveling up I-5 on Saturday to look at a 1971 and then making a deal, I decided to reserve a 6x12 trailer from U-Haul. I’d seen lost of forum posts about it being a good way to go.
Well, I hooked up after plunking down $35 and off we went on Sunday morning through some hellacious fog and smoke. Took the old highway as I didn’t really want to contend with the freeway idiots. All went well until I lowered the back ramp and noticed the large gussets at the rear corners.
An MGB will fit in a 6x12 trailer just fine if you can lift it up and over the back of the trailer but it wasn’t rolling in there. Measure, measure, measure. I tried making a swap at another U-Haul but was informed that I’d have to bring it back 70 miles from my destination. So 70 miles back to the U-Haul place hauling some $35 air. Reserved a car transport trailer for Tuesday until I got a call right as I plunked down in my easy chair. A transport had just come in, did I want it? Well crap. Did I want it? Decided to go grab it since my day was already screwed up.
I gave my SIL a break by not asking him to go with me and convinced my wife to go this trip. Got the trailer, jumped on the freeway with better visibility and drove 70 back to get the car. Pushing a non-running car with marginal tires up 2 ramps designed for wider cars is a PITA. Pushed it part way, used the ratchet strap part ways, and then latched on with the sellers truck and managed to ease it up and on. Strapped down, headed out and took the old highway home. Made the wise decision to leave it on the trailer last night in the church lot across the street and deal with it today. Which brings me to today.
Fresh attitude and clear thinking. Used one of the trailer tie down chains to loop through both A arms and hooked the tow rope up to my SIL’s FJ and towed it about a half block up the street and my steep driveway. Pushed it the last 20 feet with the help of my neighbor and it is now under my carport, safe and sound.
Cleaned it inside and out. Took the old faux sheepskin covers off and was just floored by how good the interior Is in this 49 year old car. Life inside the garage was good to this one.
So, an interesting 2 weeks actually since it was exactly 2 weeks ago that my ‘70 was wrecked. There’s optimism again.
Well, I hooked up after plunking down $35 and off we went on Sunday morning through some hellacious fog and smoke. Took the old highway as I didn’t really want to contend with the freeway idiots. All went well until I lowered the back ramp and noticed the large gussets at the rear corners.
An MGB will fit in a 6x12 trailer just fine if you can lift it up and over the back of the trailer but it wasn’t rolling in there. Measure, measure, measure. I tried making a swap at another U-Haul but was informed that I’d have to bring it back 70 miles from my destination. So 70 miles back to the U-Haul place hauling some $35 air. Reserved a car transport trailer for Tuesday until I got a call right as I plunked down in my easy chair. A transport had just come in, did I want it? Well crap. Did I want it? Decided to go grab it since my day was already screwed up.
I gave my SIL a break by not asking him to go with me and convinced my wife to go this trip. Got the trailer, jumped on the freeway with better visibility and drove 70 back to get the car. Pushing a non-running car with marginal tires up 2 ramps designed for wider cars is a PITA. Pushed it part way, used the ratchet strap part ways, and then latched on with the sellers truck and managed to ease it up and on. Strapped down, headed out and took the old highway home. Made the wise decision to leave it on the trailer last night in the church lot across the street and deal with it today. Which brings me to today.
Fresh attitude and clear thinking. Used one of the trailer tie down chains to loop through both A arms and hooked the tow rope up to my SIL’s FJ and towed it about a half block up the street and my steep driveway. Pushed it the last 20 feet with the help of my neighbor and it is now under my carport, safe and sound.
Cleaned it inside and out. Took the old faux sheepskin covers off and was just floored by how good the interior Is in this 49 year old car. Life inside the garage was good to this one.
So, an interesting 2 weeks actually since it was exactly 2 weeks ago that my ‘70 was wrecked. There’s optimism again.
Before cleaning side view
Before cleaning front view
Before cleaning rear view
Before cleaning door panel
After cleaning
After cleaning
After cleaning
After cleaning
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