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Weekend Update: Jason & Jandi’s Visits, Working from Home, Automotive Stuff

Posted in Arizona, Brochures, Integra, Legend, Model Cars, RL, SLX on March 21, 2020 by tysonhugie

Odometer (RL): 211,776

How is everyone doing? I saw a meme the other day: “What a year this week has been.” Yeah, sounds about right. I’m going to spare you from having one more place to read about the current state of the world around us, because I know your TV and your social media feeds are absolutely saturated with it. Over here in Arizona, my travels have dialed back to just the occasional trip to the grocery store or drive-thru – in fact, those are the only 2 trips I took all week. And as much as I love being on the go, I have actually kind of enjoyed being homebound. Shocker.

For one thing, I spent about 2 hours in the yard this morning with a complete cosmetic revamp. Mow, trim, weed killer, and sweep. It was satisfying and refreshing, especially in this gorgeous spring weather. I have projects underway with the house, with the cars, and with work, not to mention writing / YouTubing / organizing / planning / journaling. I spent an hour this afternoon on the phone with grandparents catching up.

Sometimes having a chance to slow the pace of life down a little isn’t necessarily a bad thing. And even though my travel calendar has been wiped clean for at least the next couple of months, I’m confident I’ll stay busy and productive.

I had a couple of visitors in town earlier this month including my friend Jason and my cousin Jandi. Jason drove in from Las Cruces in his Contour so we could go meet with Kevin Marti of Marti Auto Works, who has a specialty Ford facility on the western outskirts of Phoenix.

Kevin is a licensee to Ford’s complete production database – in other words, he can authenticate and give detailed background on just about any FoMoCo vehicle. His “Marti Reports” are the renowned source of truth when it comes to production numbers rarity. I last visited his place in 2014.

My cousin from Idaho also visited and we had a nice time enjoying the weather and company. I’ll let the photos and video below tell the rest of the story because it’s a wide variety of automotive updates I can share with you all.

I was originally scheduled to volunteer as a driver during the Mecum collector car auction a week ago. I had my credential and everything. But then I pulled out given current state of the public situation. But I’m on the list for next year and I will get to drive some cool stuff like this (while I awkwardly sit in the driver’s seat and let people bid on “me.”). Coverage from my visit to Mecum last year is here.

My home office is set up and I moved my desk in my bedroom so that it looks out the front window. Now, I just need a better monitor setup. Stat!

I juiced a couple dozen oranges that I got from a friend’s tree. Citrus trees are in season right now here!

I had the Legend coupe out last week to visit friends in Gilbert with a huge new home. The ceilings inside it are 16 feet tall.

My neighbor Chuck got a couple cool cars from a relative in Texas. One of them is this 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner.

The other is this 1930 Model A. Both were temporarily stored in my backyard for a time.

The Legend sedan saw some daylight last week.

And the RL.

And the NSX was my ride of choice for a last minute grocery store run. For Diet Coke – only the essentials.

I received a recall in the mail today for the 2000 RL’s airbag. I was sort of surprised Acura is having to recall 20-year-old cars. But the letter basically stated that parts for the repair aren’t even yet available.

One of my YouTube subscribers asked me to give an update on the rooftop model cars, so I did that in the video too.

An ‘Instagram friend’ sent me some stickers – check out this one in the shape of a G2 Integra.

I took the opportunity last weekend to check in with some good friends who have helped me a lot over the years with automotive projects and other things. Hy and Linda, thank you!

After that, I met up briefly with my friend Ken who has a 2006 ‘Suzuka Blue’ Honda S2000.

One of the projects I’m keeping myself busy with now is a categorization of about 50 pieces of literature related to the Acura Legend. Over the last 20 years I’ve collected (what I believe to be) every piece of print media that had the Legend in it. I’m in the process now of sorting them all out so I can copy & PDF to share with others.

This dealership even offered a “beeper service” to page you when your car was ready. Whoa.

Here’s a glimpse of what we’re talking about.

The last bit of news is about the SLX, which hasn’t moved for about 10 days and is leaking a puddle of various fluids on my nice garage floor right now, haha.

A friend (again from Instagram) connected me with a resource that was able to decode the VIN plate in the engine bay. I now know exactly what each of those ‘options’ listed at the bottom are. The summary is below in Excel.

My former SLX, the one that Acura rebuilt as a “resto-mod” with RDX drivetrain, is sitting on display right now at the Honda headquarters in Torrance, California. Acura Public Relations representative Andrew sent me this picture.

I also found a couple article on the SLX, which I’m adding to my archive.

That’s it for now! Everyone stay safe out there, and I’ll talk to you soon.

12 Comments »

Mike’s Integra, Memory Lane Pics, Steve’s Visit, & a Driveway Upgrade

Posted in Arizona, House, Model Cars, Road Trip, SLX on May 23, 2019 by tysonhugie

Odometer (SLX): 178,689

We’ll call this post “automotive potpourri,” like the recent feature on my friend Tim’s blog.

Let’s kick things off with a for-sale listing, just because I’m all about helping a nice old car find a good home. My friend Mike in Connecticut is selling his 1991 Integra RS Automatic with only 108,000 miles on it.

It needs some cosmetic work as there is rust on the right rear quarter panel and in a few other places. But mechanically, the car is well sorted out. In the past year, Mike has addressed the following: Oil change, transmission service, springs, rear shocks (fronts were done a couple years ago), power steering pump & rack, timing belt/water pump, and the exhaust between the manifold and muffler. All of the above were done at an Acura dealership. Mike’s not looking to get a ton of money for this so he’s open to offers.

The RS is a bare-bones model with manual-crank windows – probably my favorite thing about it.

There is also no moonroof.

Cloth seats are showing some wear.

Get in touch with Mike at mike.russo.66@gmail.com if this is something you’re interested in. I wish I had room for it!

On Sunday afternoon, I met up with my friend Mirel who recently had some paint work completed on his 133,000-mile 1994 Legend LS coupe.

Mirel might be taking this one to NALM in Florida in October.

I also happened to be going through some old photos and came across a couple of gems. This one shows me on my 18th birthday in my bedroom, which had been toilet-papered by friends. A couple of things stood out to me: The “Justification for Higher Education” poster, as well as the BMW 3-series convertible die-cast model car that I still have 19, years later.

This was from around 1999 in my 1989 Prelude Si, with my brother in the passenger seat. It was taken in Logan Canyon in northern Utah, crossing a bridge. I do miss that car a lot!

I finally got around to purchasing the 2015 CD album “Ludaversal” by Ludacris, which features his Cashmere Silver Metallic Legend on the album artwork.

It’s in my showcase now.

I received some “Precision” magazines which are Acura’s new publication that’s only distributed to dealers. And me. I have a special hookup!

I was going through odometer pics to prepare for my 567,890 which is coming up soon.

I had company from my friend Steve from Missouri who I’ve known for about 13 years now. We initially met at NALM 2006 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We took the SLX out to one of my favorite dinner spots called Hula’s Modern Tiki.

We also cruised around a bit in the NSX.

I took the Legend GS to work this week.

And drove the GS-R to a friend’s birthday party.

My friend Jason of Pawela’s Garage put together a window sticker replica for the SLX, complete with $35k pricetag.

Thanks Jason!

And finally, I had some work done at the house by having a contractor add some pavers to the front driveway to even it out, for ease of entry. Check out the video and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

Before & After:

Whew, I think that’s it for this week. Have a nice holiday weekend, everyone!

7 Comments »

Green Acura Photoshoot & July 2016 Diecast Model Car Update

Posted in Integra, Model Cars, Vigor on July 2, 2016 by tysonhugie

Odometer (Legend Coupe): 543,567

Odometer (Legend Sedan): 150,392

Odometer (Vigor): 105,648

Odometer (Integra): 236,457

If you’re color blind, I apologize, but we have to make a miniscule distinction here:

Arcadia Green Pearl: BG-30P
Aztec Green Pearl: BG-29P

They’re only off by one number! And, when you get those two side by side, it’s easy to see why!

Teal green was such a 90’s thing, wasn’t it? I remember that even the home my parents built back in 1994 had teal green carpet in it. This is a picture of my youngest brother Payton, sometime in the mid-90’s. Not so sure about the look on his face, but who who ever thought it was a good idea to wash down scrambled eggs with Diet Coke? Bleh.

Anyway, I sort of miss seeing green on the roadways. Maybe it’ll make a comeback? I decided to pull my two green machines out for a few photographs in the afternoon heat just for the sake of comparing the two shades. But first, a photo with Jack’s 2006 RSX which happened to be at my house at the time. Separated by 14 years!

Integra is scheduled for new window tint on Tuesday. I’ll go with 20% like the Vigor has.

I worked up a sweat running around to get these pics.

Some wear & tear on on the front end here (consistent with 236k miles) and I’m trying to track down the “plugs” that cover up the holes where the license plate used to bolt in.

The neighbors don’t care about me blocking the road. I’ve done it dozens of times before.

Blinded by the light.

I was asked a week or so ago by a loyal blog follower if I could provide an update on my “other” cars: The ones that reside on my rooftop. So, here are current pictures of the fleet of diecast 1:18 scale models that have been living on my chimney since around 2009. The purpose of this exercise, at least initially, was to regularly monitor the wear & tear that each vehicle experienced due to being exposed to the weather. I was good about taking photos every 6 months for a couple of years, but lately I forget the cars are even up there unless someone reminds me.

As it turns out, Mother Nature hasn’t been too friendly to them. Take, for example, the current condition of my BMW 3-series convertible.

2009:

2014:

2016:

The car that’s weathered the (literal) storms the best has definitely been my black 1957 Ford Thunderbird. Aside from a little bit of chipping on the nose, the paint is all intact (though oxidized). And since this car is parked on the west-facing side of the chimney, it receives more daily Arizona sunlight than most of the others.

The plastics have discolored but I bet the paint would buff out with a wax job. Should I try some on the trunk?

I think this is a 312-cubic-inch V8 motor. It might take some TLC to get it running again.

The Maserati 3200GT was red at one time. Then it faded to pink, and now there is very little paint at all clinging to dear life.

Sorry, but Italian build quality is not impressing me right now!

The Mercedes-Benz 500SL is looking pretty rough as well. The plastic grille slats have completely disintegrated. Here in Arizona we receive about 300 days of sunshine per year. So if this car’s been up there for 7 years, that’s 2,100 days of being beat on.

The Nomad is looking like a real restoration candidate. It was well kept in the beginning.

2009:

2016:

Someone needs to do a full restoration on this thing now.

Hope everyone is having a great holiday weekend!

9 Comments »

My Toy Car Experiment

Posted in Arizona, Model Cars on February 5, 2014 by tysonhugie

Odometer (Legend): 528,602

Odometer (ILX): 66,006

Bear with me here as I show you perhaps the nerdiest science experiment you’ll ever see. For the last few years, I’ve had some die cast 1:18 scale model cars on my rooftop. Neighbors have commented on them. Visitors spot them from the driveway frequently. But there is a reason for all this. It’s a durability test.

I introduce to you: The Test Fleet

2000 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage
1993 BMW 325i Convertible
1957 Chevrolet Nomad
1957 Ford Thunderbird
1998 Maserati 3200 GT
1989 Mercedes-Benz 500SL Convertible

Scope of Experiment

Many years ago, a Saturday closet-cleaning activity left with me a box full of 1:18 scale die cast model cars that I needed to get rid of. I’d had some of them for many years. Here are photos from 1994 with the cars neatly displayed (with flowers from mom’s planter!).

The thought crossed my mind that I could put these model cars to a test much like I’ve time-tested cars of the life-size variety. Would the harsh Arizona climate take its toll on a model car in the same way it does to regular cars? There was only one way to find out. I climbed up a ladder and put the cars on my rooftop, surrounding the chimney on a platform that would shield them from the wind.

The launch date for my durability evaluation program was just over 4 years ago, in December 2009, with just the BMW 3-series and the Ford Thunderbird. About 6 months later, I added 4 more vehicles to the fleet and all 6 cars have been under periodic analysis ever since. Every few months, I scale my ladder and take photos of the current status of each of the cars.

In August 2012, I sprayed all the cars with a heavily concentrated saltwater solution to hasten the corrosion process. The results were readily evident when I checked on the cars a month later. Otherwise, the process has been completely natural with weather conditions in Phoenix, ranging from freezing temperatures all the way up to temperatures in the low 120’s Fahrenheit. I have made no effort to clean the vehicles after our desert rain and dust storms. I did paint the driveway surface black to simulate blacktop.

Indeed, the sun’s wrath hath no mercy even on a play toy. Here’s how they’ve fared over the years:

DB7: Definitely the best paint here, the Blue Sapphire finish still looks presentable. However, this car has also had the most access to shade. Aside from some discoloration of the windows & plastic trim, it has weathered the storms very well.

May 2011

February 2014

325i: Sometime in 2011, the BMW lost a headlight in a late summer monsoon thunderstorm. The interior has deteriorated so badly it’s difficult to tell what color the seats used to be; they’re currently a brownish hue and appear almost as if they’ve been burned. Seat control mechanisms failed in 2012 so the front seats are fully reclined. One windshield sun visor has been lost. Taillights have faded considerably. Dust/wind storms frequently blow the driver’s door open.

December 2009

February 2014

Nomad: Despite having the advantage of afternoon shade, the Nomad’s paint has perhaps fared the worst. Horizontal surfaces developed cracks within the first year. Plastic trim yellowed and the chrome lost its luster shortly thereafter. However, the Nomad has been steadfast in its body rigidity. High wind gusts have never opened its doors, unlike with the imports, BMW and Mercedes.

May 2011

February 2014

Front End

Thunderbird: The interior of the Thunderbird has collected a great deal of debris. It’s full of needles and dust. The engine bay has done a poor job of insulating its 4.8 liter V8 from the elements of nature. It would take a great deal of restoration work to clean things up and make it road-worthy once more.

October 2010

February 2014

Engine Bay

3200GT: This Italian is ready for the junkyard. The paint transitioned from red to pink and then started chipping off in large sections. Within a couple of months of project onset, the headlight seals had failed and allowed dirt inside. By Fall 2013, a headlight lens had broken open entirely.

May 2011

February 2014

Ghastly Results

500SL: The Benz’s light colored interior was a wise choice by the design team, since it shows remarkably little wear. Exterior trim has developed many issues, including broken grille slats, a warped wiper blade, and lower body cladding that is separating from the body itself.

May 2011

February 2014

Since my friend Tyler asked for a model car update, this post is directed to him specifically.

So there you go. Tyler, further updates will follow as requested :).

Just go make today’s post educational, everyone’s homework is to watch this 12-minute YouTube video describing how to shift a 13-speed manual transmission. I find it fascinating. Gotta drive one!