November 2016 Newsletter

24 Oct

10/21/2016

Welcome to the ETCG November 2016 Newsletter!

If you’re reading the email version of this newsletter, it’s not the full version, there’s so much more!

The email version has been slimmed down to just the main topics to tantalize your interest. Click on an image, or ‘read more’ link, and you will be taken directly to the topic of choice at EricTheCarGuy.com where the full newsletter is displayed. If you’re reading this on the website, you’re getting the full monty already so read on.

The rest of you, feel free to poke this email as much as you like, but you might as well read the full newsletter. For that, Click here.

Past newsletters and the ETCG Blog can be found here. (those are also outstanding pieces of digital literature)

Thanks for reading!

EricTheCarGuy Gets a Truck!

My dad retired earlier this year. Since then, he’s been ‘downsizing’. For many years we kept a boat on a lake in western NY. Given that a boat is often referred to as a hole in the water you throw money into, dad decided to give the boat to my older brother. The truck he used to haul the boat with he gave to me. My brother already has a truck BTW.

Personally, I’m very happy with the truck. As you’ve probably figured out, I’m not a fan of boats.

Let’s not ignore the 1990 C1500 in the room though, this truck is gorgeous. I’d argue it’s the best looking vehicle I’ve ever owned. It’s certainly the nicest looking vehicle I have in my ever expanding fleet right now.

I know dad was sad to let it go. I drove it back to Cincinnati a couple of weeks ago. When I got it home, I texted him to let him know the truck made the trip OK. His response, “That’s good, now I know it can make the drive back to NY.”

Do I have plans for this truck? Heck yes! For now, I’m just going to drive it. I LOVE driving this truck. Not just because it’s an awesome, beautiful truck, but because it was my dad’s. That part makes it extra special.

Don’t even think about asking to buy it from me. My response will be, “you’ll have to pry it from my cold dead hands”.

I’ll be making an ‘introductory’ video of it that I’ll post on ETCG1 soon to give you a better look at it. I won’t be discussing my plans for the truck until after I complete the #FairmontProject. Between now and then, I’m going to drive the wheels off of it.

Thanks dad!

ETCG Gets a 1998 Acura RL

Technically, I got this car late last month. If you’ve seen the video, you’ll know that I’m not overly excited about this purchase, even if it was only $200. Mainly because it smells like the inside of an old dogs butt. Not to mention it’s covered in that same old dog’s hair. I want to take a steaming hot shower just thinking about it.

It’s not the dog’s fault, and to be honest, the owner is older and possibly having some mental issues associated with that. His daughter did most of the talking when we made the deal.

I really only bought the car for one reason, the steering wheel adjustment motors. They’re the same ones my friend needs for his car, the 2002 RL that passed through the shop about a month back.

As for the rest of the car, I haven’t decided yet. Some have suggested I put kitty litter or old coffee grounds in it to help soak up the smell. Some have suggested fixing it up and either driving it, or making it an FIF loaner. Some have suggested bombing it from orbit. I personally like this option the best.

For now, I’m happy leaving it where it sits. I have plenty of other work to keep me busy as you’ll read about in the next section.

The #FairmontProject

I’ll be honest, I haven’t felt very motivated to work on the Fairmont lately. I guess you could say I got a little burned out by it. That, and I’ve been doing a lot of traveling lately. The combination of those 2 things has brought the build to a crawl. I’m not giving up, so much as taking a step back. I need to ‘miss’ it for a while so I can rekindle that fire in my belly that makes me want to work the long hours I’ll need to finish it.

Those long hours will consist of completing the finish work on the inside of the engine bay. Then, I can remove the engine and transmission to replace the K member and front suspension. Then, I’ll gut the interior and redo the dash and HVAC while simultaneously rewiring the car. Yea, that’s a lot of work, and experience has taught me there’s always more work lurking under the surface.

I was able to accomplish some work on the car last month. I finished fitting the front accessories, the radiator, and the cooling fans. One thing that accelerated this process was the decision to drop the AC for now. That’s going to save me a TON of time so I can complete the build sooner. AC is something I can always install at a later date so I’m not too put out by it. I’d rather get the thing on the road so I can start driving it!

Best Road Trip Ever!

By the time you read this I’ll be driving from Los Angles to Las Vegas (that is if you read it on the day it comes out, October 31, 2016). I’ve been given an amazing opportunity by my friends at GarageMonkey. That’s the YouTube network I belong to in case you were wondering.

They’re bringing me, ChrisFix, EngineeringExplained, HumbleMechanic, SubaruWRXFan, BriansMobile1, and possibly a couple of other automotive YouTubers to LA to do a few ‘Meet Up’s’ the weekend before SEMA.

On October 30, 2016 we’re going to start the day with a meet up at the Petersen Museum in LA. In addition to the meet up, they’re giving us a tour of some areas that aren’t open to the public at the museum. I’m super stoked about that.

Later that same day, we’ll be having another Cars & Coffee, or more appropriately named, “Sliders & Beer”, at Service & Supply which is also in LA.

2 meet up’s in one day!

On Monday October 31, Halloween, we’ll all be driving through the desert to Las Vegas from LA. To be honest, I’m not sure what vehicles they’ve chosen for us yet, but they’ve said these rides will be ‘cool’. I’m looking forward to their interpretation of ‘cool’. By the time you read this, I’ll be behind the wheel and I’ll know for sure. Keep an eye on my social media, linked below, for additional details.

No matter what, it’s going to be a blast because I’m good friends with all of those YouTubers I mentioned. That in and of itself should make for an epic road trip.

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SEMA!

SEMA, or Specialty Equipment Marketing Association, starts on Tuesday November 1 and runs through Friday November 4. As mentioned in last months newsletter, I’ll be spending most of my time at the WD-40 booth #62129.

WD-40 has sponsored a build of a 67 Camaro and a motorcycle. They’re doing this in celebration of SEMA’s 50th anniversary. These vehicles will be auctioned off for charity in 2017.

I get a front row seat for the action on both builds, but I don’t plan to leave you guys out. On this trip to SEMA, my plan is to do several short ‘cell phone’ videos that I’ll be posting to Facebook Live and Instagram. This way you’ll get to see what’s happening, as it happens, instead of me putting out a wrap up video a couple of weeks after the show. I still plan to do a video of that type, but this way you’ll be able to see much of what happens at the show, while it’s happening.

I haven’t done much of this type of video in the past, but if all goes well, I’m hoping to do more of it in the future. Keep an eye on my social networks the first week of November, and the last couple of days in October to join in on the fun.

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Fixing it Forward

Earlier this month I had my attorney file all the paperwork to make Fixing it Forward into a non profit. Now, it’s a waiting game. Estimates are that it should go through and be set up by early next year.

After I get back from SEMA I plan to start laying the foundation so that I’m set to launch when it’s ready. My plan is to hit the ground running and make this one of the most successful automotive charities ever. I should have more to report on that in next months newsletter.

New Give Aways Page

As some of you may have noticed, there’s a new page on the website for Give Aways. I plan to do a couple of these a month so be sure to stop by and check this page for the latest give aways.

Premium Member News

Last month launched the new pricing for Premium Memberships at EricTheCarGuy.com. Since then, I’ve been loading the cue with new exclusive content. Here’s the 4 exclusive videos Premium Members got last month.

“2001 Integra GSR License Plate Repair & Headlight Recondition (Exclusive Video)”, “How To Balance an Engines Rotating Assembly #DarkMatterPikachu #FairmontProject (Extended Version)(Exclusive Video)”, “A Visit to Joey Logano’s Garage (Exclusive Video)”, and “Behind the Scenes Before an ETCG Shoot (Exclusive Video)”.

I’m planning on shooting some exclusive content during my upcoming trips to LA and Las Vegas. So if you’d like to see those, and the over 200 existing exclusive videos, sign up now.

Premium Members get up to 4 exclusive videos per month. They also get additional perks on the website, and they help support the site with all of it’s useful, free, repair content.

Details on the new Premium Memberships here.

EricTheCarGuy Behind the Camera

As some of you may know, before I started EricTheCarGuy, I owned and operated a video production company. Well, I got the opportunity earlier this year to shoot some videos with Pull-A-Part featuring my good friend Charles aka, HumbleMechanic. This time I got to be the guy behind the camera. To be honest, I’m more comfortable there than in front of the camera.

Those videos are rolling out now so be sure to stop by his channel and check them out. Just to give you an idea of how much fun we had making these videos, here’s the outtakes video.

Welcome Jay Javelona

In last months newsletter, I put out a ‘Help Wanted’ ad. Thanks to everyone that applied.

Jay was one of the many who responded and he’s now the newest member of the EricTheCarGuy team. Jay will be helping to make my videos, social media, and website a better experience for everyone.

Welcome to the team Jay!

In Closing

You might have noticed this newsletter isn’t as long as some of my previous ones. That’s mainly because I’ve been involved with ‘other’ things lately. Mostly with travel and the ‘business’ of EricTheCarGuy which isn’t always so exciting.

For me, it’s a nice change of pace. It’s been a phenomenal year for me so it’s nice to take a step back for a moment to collect myself.

The year’s not over yet. I still have plenty to do in the coming months before the end of the year. Not to mention that awesome trip to LA and SEMA that’s planned. I’m sure I’ll have plenty to write about in next months newsletter as a result.

Till then.

Be safe
Have fun
Stay Dirty

ETCG