The birth of Orange Krate...

[Orange Krate]

OK, I admit it. The walls were coming in around me and it was literally like a spring day in Los Angeles. It is the calm before another rain storm due to hit tomorrow night. I had to take a chance and drive Orange Krate to work and it paid off. I worked through lunch and then took the afternoon off (I never do this!) and headed to Zuma Beach. The outside temperature was 69 degrees and calm wind. Catalina Island was very clearly visible for miles. Orange Krate felt like modeling even although he had only been detailed with clay and wax on the the hood, roof and trunk lid thus far. We left Zuma and headed north on PCH only to discover it was shut down between the LA County line and Mugu Rock due to a rockslide. I to turned around and headed back south on PCH, diverted and took the 14 mile infamous and winding Decker Canyon Road. For those of you who have heard of Mulholland Drive, this road puts Mulholland to shame in many ways. Orange Krate handled like the champ he is and he didn't even break a sweat on the switchbacks and hairpins. I love this car more and more every time I drive it.

And now for the jewels from the beach (posted below).

[73camarolt]

Car looks beautiful! Amazing pictures up against the beach. BTW i love the hurst badge on the trunk, very well done.

[Orange Krate]

Originally Posted by 73camarolt

Car looks beautiful! Amazing pictures up against the beach. BTW i love the hurst badge on the trunk, very well done.

I never play hooky and today was one of those days where the sun, moon, and stars lined up, I threw caution to the wind and took some of my comp time and hit the road. It was a PERFECT afternoon. It is going to be a wetter week here so I took full advantage of this Indian Summer day. Thanks for stopping in to Orange Krate's home.

[DerbyChamp06]

Car looks great! Do you still have an Orange Krate bike, or plan on getting one again? Would be great to see some pix of the bike next to that car!

Here's one I photoshopped awhile back. Took fenders off bike to see how it would look. Gotta love those old Krates! Coolest bike ever made....I have a repro Apple Krate currently, and hope to get a real one someday.

Orange Krate is lookin' Good

[Orange Krate]

Originally Posted by DerbyChamp06

Car looks great! Do you still have an Orange Krate bike, or plan on getting one again? Would be great to see some pix of the bike next to that car!

Here's one I photoshopped awhile back. Took fenders off bike to see how it would look. Gotta love those old Krates! Coolest bike ever made....I have a repro Apple Krate currently, and hope to get a real one someday.

Orange Krate is lookin' Good

WOW! That is hot. Thanks for sharing. I don't have a Krate but if I could buy an Orange Krate bike I would consider it. However, the only ones I have seen were selling between $800-$1000!!!

[DerbyChamp06]

Originally Posted by Orange Krate

WOW! That is hot. Thanks for sharing. I don't have a Krate but if I could buy an Orange Krate bike I would consider it. However, the only ones I have seen were selling between $800-$1000!!!

Thanks! Happy to oblige.

You're right on....Krates are krazy-expensive these days...And the 72-73' models with rear disc brake can fetch 2000.00 plus, in mint shape.

Its clear you're having a blast with your new Camaro, which is great to see! The wooden Krate for trunk storage is great idea. (I thought at one time, if I acquired a vintage Krate bike, I'd like to build a long wooden crate with see through plexiglass on top part, and have fake oranges within, and light shining up on bike sitting on top of it)

Ebay has some mini Orange Krate bike keychains/small replicas at reasonable prices that might be cool accents too. Also, attached are some matching Ray Ban Wayfarers, and Vans Era shoes (Vans has cool shoe customizer on their site)...

I hope to get my own Camaro in year or two, so have been also looking at some of these items.

Are you going to have an official christening ceremony when putting on the official plates? Crazy as it may sound to some, I plan on doing that with mine...Plan on naming mine after a famous race horse, and placing horseshoes under each tire during the ceremony...lol. (and taking pic of horseshoe/tire tread imprint in dirt)

Have been enjoying reading your updates on Orange Krate for some time now. Keep up the good work

[Orange Krate]

Originally Posted by DerbyChamp06

Thanks! Happy to oblige.

You're right on....Krates are krazy-expensive these days...And the 72-73' models with rear disc brake can fetch 2000.00 plus, in mint shape.

Its clear you're having a blast with your new Camaro, which is great to see! The wooden Krate for trunk storage is great idea. (I thought at one time, if I acquired a vintage Krate bike, I'd like to build a long wooden crate with see through plexiglass on top part, and have fake oranges within, and light shining up on bike sitting on top of it)

Ebay has some mini Orange Krate bike keychains/small replicas at reasonable prices that might be cool accents too. Also, attached are some matching Ray Ban Wayfarers, and Vans Era shoes (Vans has cool shoe customizer on their site)...

I hope to get my own Camaro in year or two, so have been also looking at some of these items.

Are you going to have an official christening ceremony when putting on the official plates? Crazy as it may sound to some, I plan on doing that with mine...Plan on naming mine after a famous race horse, and placing horseshoes under each tire during the ceremony...lol. (and taking pic of horseshoe/tire tread imprint in dirt)

Have been enjoying reading your updates on Orange Krate for some time now. Keep up the good work

That is so funny you mention the plexiglass and fake oranges! Someone told me I should fill the box up with plastic oranges! I love the glasses and shoes. Hmmm I might just have to start procuring these orange things. Ironically I literally just got my eyeglass prescription updated last week! Now I have to find the Wayfarers... As for christening...I am handing out bubblegum cigars on the day the plates come and are applied. It is all good fun. My wife and daughters are cracking up and they just know I have lost it! Beats alcohol and other issues right? Please keep in touch.

[GTAHVIT]

What a great thread!

[Orange Krate]

Originally Posted by GTAHVIT

What a great thread!

Thank you GTAHVIT.

Jim

[DerbyChamp06]

Originally Posted by Orange Krate

It is all good fun.

You nailed it! Its all about having fun! Incorporating some plastic oranges in would be very cool! (I have so many ideas for my own future Camaro its kinda frustrating having to wait for a while..lol)

With your Orange trunk crate, here's another idea....Go to ebay, and type in "Orange Crate Label" and you'll see actual vintage crate labels that could be put on the crate! Some are reasonably priced, and some spendy-Here's link to one for 7.95-http://cgi.ebay.com/Good-Year-Vintag...#ht_1556wt_907

Regarding attached pics-Included pic of that label, and photo used in Schwinn ad that captures the care-free spirit of being a kid back in the 60's/70's and having a Krate. (from spending time on the Schwinn Forums, I learned lots about these bikes, but had a standard Sting-Ray. The rear color-line tires were standard in 69', but front was an option....very rare, and some have sold for 2000.00 plus on ebay) Also pic of my coaster-Krate, and if you really want to make a statement a orange metalflake helmet. I have a green one with the blue tint bubble shield....Love the old 70's relics!

Lookin' forward to more pix of Orange Krate!

[Orange Krate]

Originally Posted by DerbyChamp06

You nailed it! Its all about having fun! Incorporating some plastic oranges in would be very cool! (I have so many ideas for my own future Camaro its kinda frustrating having to wait for a while..lol)

With your Orange trunk crate, here's another idea....Go to ebay, and type in "Orange Crate Label" and you'll see actual vintage crate labels that could be put on the crate! Some are reasonably priced, and some spendy-Here's link to one for 7.95.

Regarding attached pics-Included pic of that label, and photo used in Schwinn ad that captures the care-free spirit of being a kid back in the 60's/70's and having a Krate. (from spending time on the Schwinn Forums, I learned lots about these bikes, but had a standard Sting-Ray. The rear color-line tires were standard in 69', but front was an option....very rare, and some have sold for 2000.00 plus on ebay) Also pic of my coaster-Krate, and if you really want to make a statement a orange metalflake helmet. I have a green one with the blue tint bubble shield....Love the old 70's relics!

Lookin' forward to more pix of Orange Krate!

Thanks Derby! I would give my eye teeth for one of these Orange Krate bikes in pristine condition, but it is a low priority at this point. I have real Orange Krate issues to finish!

I will have to add a label! Good idea. I can remember breaking up old wooden crates like that when I was a kid. My grandfather was a foreman on one of the largest citrus farms here in Ventura County back in the 20s thru 50s. When I was in my single digit years we would go to the packing houses and watch walnuts, apricots, beans, citrus and other stuff being prepared for shipping.

I have to locate an old elementary school photo of me. It is vintage mid-1960 and I am wearing an EXACT duplicate of the shirt the kid is wearing in the Orange Krate dragstrip photo. My shirt even had the leather pull string for the neck/chest. We got it at Sears. Funny what things you remember when you see photos and articles. I guess I was a typical kid with no cares. Rough growing up!

[LED Crazy]

Sir you are really making me want Ground Effects. It looks so damn good on your lady!!!

[Orange Krate]

OK this is one of those nights when I could kick myself. I left my camera at home!!!

I went to Bob's Big Boy Restaurant in the San Fernando Valley with my wife, one of my daughters and her boyfriend. We took Orange Krate and ended up parking in a truly PREMIUM parking spot at the front door (literally) of the restaurant. Everybody and their brother was checking out Orange Krate as he sat there smiling and peering in the window at us as we sat 20 feet away eating our Big Boy Combos! YUMMY HOT FUDGE CAKE!

Several people stopped and asked questions about the car. Many said they had heard about the Camaro but had never seen one up close. One guy shook my hand and said it was his dream car and laughingly said the car brought tears to his eyes! LOL Somewhere in the conversation the word and history of "PERMAGRIN" leaked out. One particular security guard stopped and we chatted and he was very interested in the car and was a genuine nice chap. I told him I would give a shout out on this website to him.

Tomorrow night there is suppose to be a mini car show there so I guess I might just have to go back and take photos!!! In the meantime, we had a very tasty meal and enjoyed an expeditious Orange Krate ride home on a wide open LA Freeway!

Cheers to Bob's Big Boy, his Combo and You!

Follow up - New Years Eve...

I went back to Bob's this evening and there were a few old street rods and trucks there but I think the 40 degree temperature scared people off and perhaps it is because it is New Years Eve. But being that I have a nice muscle car with heated seats and a new heater that works I ventured forth in Orange Krate. On my way to Bob's Big Boy, an idiot lost a ladder on the freeway in front of me. THANK GOODNESS FOR SAFE FOLLOWING DISTANCE! I was able to steer around and over the various pieces that went everywhere. I am SO THANKFUL that Orange Krate has the handling characteristics and that I wasn't on ice, snow or wet pavement. I heard a little noise but saw no damage, leaks, on a quick visual but I will put Orange Krate up on a rack and check for any undercarriage issues ASAP. Why these asses don't tie their ladders down is beyond me. I see them all the time on the freeways here in Los Angeles.

[Orange Krate]

Originally Posted by 2Unique4U

Sir you are really making me want Ground Effects. It looks so damn good on your lady!!!

Thanks Unique! I like the GFX because they are match painted and don't take away from the Orange flavor. BTW...Orange Krate seems to be a boy because he has rather large ones as demonstrated when I step on the gas pedal!!! ROFLMAO