Speed Holes

Back from deepest Uxbridge this morning with my trusty rat rod looking Lincoln Mark IV thanks to a ride up north in Genni's trusty Jeep.  After a jump start and removal of a few billion pine needles she was ready to rumble.

I had the hood louvered in a 1930s style by Oddball Kustoms. The louvers follow the hoods power bulge and get wider as they progress towards the windshield. the hood was too big to fit in any louver press so a new piece of metal was let into the hood. See it all here:

Why? Well the custom built 460 gets mighty hot in the summer and of course it looks super cool. I was also tired of people asking when I was going to paint my car. The Lincoln is a custom work in process (also I can't afford to paint her yet) and the louvers help establish the impression that she is an under construction hot rod with most on lookers.

On my first trip to pick up my eldest daughter from school a class mate of hers approached asking me all about my custom Lincoln and saying what a cool car it is. Mission accomplished.

The origin of speed holes:

The drive back was uneventful apart from the large amount of fuel consumed by the Agostino Racing built 460. It was nice to have a powerful stereo system again with a ipod connector. Next project, custom grill then leopard skin upholstery accents.

Speaking of rat rods, I just penned an article for World of Wheels on the phenomenon.

Hugs,

April

PS. Almost forgot crazy neighbour has a theory my old cars are the cause of three peoples cancer in the neighbourhood. How medieval, I must be a witch. Think I will install some bright green neon lights in the trunk:

OMG OMG OMG

The election!!! I am on pins and needles, I will not be able to help myself today and will be obsessively checking my favourite news sites for each excruciating update.

In the past I used my two obsessions (cars and US politics) to help keep my mind off thoughts of transitioning. Such behaviours are hard to shake especially as I have a genuine love of both.

I have been a "Americanophile" since well forever, at boarding school in England my Canadian accent (we have one?) marked me as an American and I was often called upon to defend US foreign policy decisions. Being well informed and a good debater sometimes even saved me from a beating.

To me America is always the shining city on the hill, the arsenal of democracy and the greatest force for good in a wicked world, even though its own citizens forget this fact sometimes.

I do know American history, it was my first degree. I have travelled in the USA extensively. And once long ago I even tried to join the American military. 

After the 2008 election I had bigger things on my mind and I let my interest in politics cool. 

So to my dear American cousins, GO VOTE, exercise the right so many have died for and continue to be an inspiration to the world.

Love,

April

PS. notice I didn't tell who to vote for

Neighbourhood Watch

I have lived a charmed life so far, all things considered. I am passing and I have the support of friends and family. I have my share of problems but I have not lost everything like some transsexual women.

Last night I spent an enjoyable three hours in wide ranging conversation with two friends, one male one trans at a local coffee shop. We talked about everything from the royal family to recipes and the upcoming US election.

So I do feel a little churlish complaining about a recent incident, however it shows how easily going about ones own business can put “us” in harms way. In light of this event I can see how girls can end up assaulted or even dead.

This morning up early to move the Jaguar, so J could get the Town & Country out. I parked on the street careful not to disturb the piles of leaves awaiting municipal collection. On returning ten minutes later to put the car back in the driveway, a neighbour came out with his morning coffee yelling at me for not parking close enough to the curb.

I explained I did not want to disturb the leaves carefully raked up into neat piles. I also explained that hot catalytic converters could ignite them.

He began pointedly misgendering me and using my old name. I approached and asked him to use my soon to be legal new name. This set him off on a homophobic diatribe, including a limp-wristed pantomime that would under any other circumstance been a humorously dated example of sad bigotry.

I calmly explained that I was not gay and did not appreciate such bigotry. No really I remained cool as a cucumber. He continued his invective laden rant until he was literally shaking with rage, the accusations included that I had brought down the value of the neighbourhood, that I enjoyed anal sex, that I was a bad parent, that everyone in the block hated me, that I checked the oil in my cars too much (no really folks, how can that annoy anyone....what does he do watch me constantly), that I was neither male or female.

I might add that I have been walking on egg shells with this individual doing nothing to cause any perceived annoyance, including refraining from tuning cars or working on them in the evening.

The man’s anger was scary, however I was not afraid as I still think I could have defended myself physically and I could see he knew it too. Soon his adult son dragged him back into his house.

I was very upset but sharing with you dear constant readers has dulled the flame of my anger. Unfortunately such people are out there, perhaps in a different place and under difference circumstances such a situation would have lead to violence.

Be careful out there.   

Hugs,

April

we haven't had some Elvis in a while so....

Zombie Photo Shoot: No One Told Me There Would be Brains

I try not to make habit of being fashionably late but one plays to one's strengths. Here is my belated halloweenie post.

Here is my Last night I took my daughters plus two of their friends trick or treating. It was a miserable night with an English level of bone damp and intermittent rain (not complaining….my heart goes out to you all in the path of Sandy).

No full costume like last year but I was dressed all in black and decided a do a little zombie makeup to better get me in the mood. 

we are not amused....send more paramedics

channelling zombie Elvis

The little ghouls and I pulled in quite a haul as more timid souls decided to avoid the unpleasant weather and stay in. The lack of trick or treaters prompted one homeowner to empty to candy bowl between the four girls, one princess, one witch, one vampire and one Katy Perry.

I was dead tired and cold afterwards so went right to bed. 

One of the two pumpkins I carved

Article deadlines to meet today so I have been fueled by a combination of Starbucks house blend (like tar & rocket fuel) and a handful of mini chocolate bars. 

Hugs,

April

The Hollywood Flames with Frankenstein's Den :

You wont come out like you went in....no kidding

Fitzpatrick Who?

Finally my UK car magazine debut with an article in Classic American, what you were expecting Top Gear. As they say On News Stands Now! 

The article is on a very obscure custom car built in the late forties, early fifties called the Fitzpatrick. I was lucky enough to meet the builder when as part of the TV show I produced, we reunited him with his long lost creation, which I might add until the cameras rolled he never saw finished. 

It is a great story of a car and a man. The owner, builder was Phil Lacey, a fighter pilot who started flying Mustangs in WWII, Korea, cold war nuclear armed B-57's (USAF version of the British Canberra)and finally part of the famous Doom Pussy (no I didn't make that up) squadron in Vietnam.

Mr. Lacey as  a Cadet with Stearman

The car has appeared in print a few times but has been clouded in mystery. This is the first article to get the true story. I was also given access to his original drawings and photographs. 

Only down side is that I wrote the article almost two years ago and it is published under my old name. 

Well what are you waiting for go buy a copy!

APLSPUSY

I am sure I will be sent to Coventry for the title of this post, but Lucas Prince of Darkness made me do it.

My 1972 Lincoln Mark IV is gone and in her place a green sand (hideous colour but it grows on one) 1977 Jaguar XJ-S.  My new kitty is a very early model XJ-S with the non HE heads, no wood veneer interior and no chrome bumpers. I actually prefer the look of the prehistoric (pre H.E.) cars, especially with the Kent alloys which will go on the car next spring. The prior owner switched to the eighties style starfish rims.

Long term readers will remember I had an 89 Corvette powered XJS. I guess once they get into your blood…. I swore I would not buy another but this car is the most original unmolested Jaguar I gave ever seen. My father has a couple of XJ 12s and XK8s and my grandfather had an Austin 1300 in this exact colour, so it is only natural I guess.

In praise of the XJ-S. The V12 powered coupe appeared in 19751/2 and was produced through to 1996, a twenty year production run! The XJ-S is comparable to a Ferrari Daytona, a V-12 four seater capable of 140-150 mph top speeds. A girl could get in trouble with this car, heck I am counting on it. 

Pictures are taken at the old Canadian head quarters of British Leyland at 4455 Fairview Street in Burlington. So far the town council has ignored my demands for a historic plaque.

In Ontario we are allowed our choice of eight letters on extra cost vanity plates, I wonder if I could get away with APLSPUSY? 

carpet is moss green and leather dark cinnamon 

Blaupunkt radio with electronic tuning and recording ability, in order to dictate complaints to BL?

fuel injected V12

ohhhh bad kitty

Bird is the Word

On Sunday I bolted up the set of 20 inch KMC SS rims I used to have on my Lincoln Mark IV. Think they look pretty good but I have to revert to a regular all season 235/75R 15s once the snow begins to fly. As they were already mounted and balanced it cost me nothing but an hours labor.

I have an old set of Zenith knock off wire wheels that I would like to use as a daily driver set instead of the standard steel rims and hubcaps. See photo. Problem is they need inner tubes, it seems radial inner tube are hard to come by and the few tire "experts" I have spoken to seem to know less than me.

Sorry stole the title of the blog from this way cool site:

http://www.wheelsareeverything.com/
Like the photos? not retouched, love the contrast between the metallic brown T-Bird and the lemon lime leaves...psychedelic man!

The T-Bird came with a lot of spares including a new under hood pad, which I installed yesterday. Still a few problems to identify and solve but has been running well. I find the car's front end anthropomorphic, a friendly smile. 

Stopped by my local coffee shop last night to meet a girlfriend. Staff were taking a break outside as I cruised  up in my latest ride, "wow you really love your old cars, when are you bring the white convertible out again" (59 Cadillac). I guess that makes me a regular.