The birth of Orange Krate...

[walt353]

Thanks Jim. Hope I get a chance to call what with my little brother dragging me around 2 or 3 states. Ha He forgets how old im getting. What I really want to do is sit by the pool with a cocktial, but im sure there will be plenty of that too. lol Again thanks

[Orange Krate]

Originally Posted by Mud

Just read the entire thread. This is exactly what I've been feeling the last couple months. Although instead of having a '69 Camaro like Jim had, I had a '68 Chevelle. Has a '67 Belair in college. Spent more time under them than in them.

Many years later, having a bit more money than I did when I was 17, I'm riding across town in my 2010 Camaro, blasting Foghat's "Drivin Wheel" and rowing through the gears.

It's a shame I caught this thread so late because I attended Camarofest2 and would have liked to see the Orange Krate and meet you, Jim. Drinks are on me next time you're in AZ.

I can certainly relate to the Schwinn story as I also rode a Spyder style Schwinn bike although it was second hand ($25), one speed and coaster brake. Broke a few handlebars, sissy bars, and went through a lot of tires but that bike is so much of what I remember of my youth.

I built ramps and launched that thing many times through the air. Most of the time I landed on the wheels. I WAS Evel Knievel. Or so I thought, anyway.

There was one kid down the street who had a Lemon Peeler. I envied him so much. That gear shift looked so cool!

Been like a kid again with this car...it'll do that to you, ya know. The designers and engineers really nailed it with this iteration of Camaro. My friend had a black '69 Z-28 back in the day and the sound of that car was superb. I remember him changing gears with that T-handled Hurst shifter.

It has become full circle for me three decades later. My enthusiasm for muscle cars, Chevys, and that sweet sound that can only come from a V-8 engine.

Here's to many more miles in your "Orange Krate."

Mud...THANK YOU! What can I say that you haven't already said! These new Camaros are the hot ticket. Everytime I see one of these little numbers running down the road I want to race home and drive mine out for a power run. They look fast even when they are parked! I am so stoked and I can't wait to finish doing some of my own mods to the car. It only takes cubic cash and unfortunately I am putting two kids through college now so it is tight. But I am squirreling away a few bucks for painted stripes, exhaust, chromed OEM wheels, floor mats, tinting, rear LED tail lights, and perhaps a hood and changed out spoiler. I am also looking at suspension components too. It will be time and money well vested. In the meantime...it is driving Orange Krate whenever I get a spare moment and hopefully it is with my best friend in the seat next to me!

I look forward to meeting you in person along with a few other really neat folks that have been communicating with me through the Camaro5 FRIENDS NETWORK!!!!

[Orange Krate]

I generally keep this blog focused on my fun time away from work but today I am going to make an exception and post a shout out to someone I met last week during a work related activity. His name is Steve F. and he is, of all things, in the business of providing safe water solutions to humanity.

I met Steve through a mutual contact. In talking for a brief time with Steve we discovered we had and have similar interests dating back to the late 60's and 70's. We are both the same age. He grew up in Chicago and I grew up just north of Los Angeles. We both loved hot cars, cruising and more. We are two kindred spirits that had an instant connection.

Steve is someone who gives back and does stuff for people from the heart. I am sure his values are similar if not the same as mine. I am posting this up to mark my meeting of Steve and to thank him for his kind words to me off line and to say thanks for checking out the blog and I hope he continues to enjoy the saga of Orange Krate.

When he comes to So Cali again I hope to take him out and let him try Orange Krate on for size. THANKS STEVE!!!!!!!

[Orange Krate]

As we all continue to look at the photos, stories and reflect on the friendships coming out of CamFest II think about how much the world has changed since the original concepts of the Gen 5 were first drafted up, the countless man (and woman) hours that the design team spent on this beauty and even the changes since CamFest I. We look ahead to CamFest III... for the announcement of where it will be held, the planning and mods that folks will undertake on their cars and how much things will have changed and the fun we anticipate.

One of the priorities I set coming away from CamFest II was to get my coveted design team signatures sealed and protected as soon as possible. Today that priority was realized as I picked up Orange Krate from my friend Pete at First Collision here in Simi Valley.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/First-...20179744686534

Pete's crew were the ones that painted my GFX to match the car too. Pete was concerned with what/how best to seal the "Sharpie" pen signatures without sanding, solvents, even the clear impacting them. They did a test piece of an old fender first and marking on it with the same style Sharpie! Good thinking! Everything was masked off (whole car!) and the signatures sealed in at least 4 mils of clear. I have to admit there is more clear on the shock towers than the rest of the car! The shock towers and signatures look wet, they look deep, and they look AWESOME!

THANKS PETE for a fine job and thanks for your wonderful customer service and smile.

You can see the before photos in the previous posts. Here are photos taken today. Sorry for lighting. I will try and replace these with better lighted photos but I wanted to get them posted.

[SSE 4 2SS]

Awesome, you gotta love it when you have a shop, and a friend willing to go the extra mile to take care of you, the customer and friend...

My builder, Corey, and I have that same relationship... We talk about most anything, and harass the heck out of each other... I ask questions and he gives me honest answers...

They didn't have to add all the extra heat shielding to my tubing and wiring under the car when they installed the twins, but they did... He didn't have to add the section of braided hose for bleeding the clutch and running it up to the master cylinder so there is no need to get under the car, but he did...

I'm glad you have a Friend and a shop that you obviously like and trust... and I hope that continues...

I guess I hang out at Corey's shop alot... even though my car was pretty much done... He told me it was different around there when I am here in Brazil...

We e-mail just to bs all the time...

[Orange Krate]

My family and I are on a camping trip up the coast in Buellton. We make regular trips up to this area and hang out at the Flying Flags RV Resort. It is within walking distance of the locally popular Andersen's Split Pea Soup Restaurant located right off Highway 101 north of Santa Barbara on the way to Santa Maria. We drive in to Solvang a popular Danish town full of fun sites and good cuisine. It is an excellent place for a Camaro roadtrip which I will be making real soon with my wife for a weekend getaway. Would love to have a group of Gen 5's roll into Solvang... it would be awesome and a great trip for all. There is the Chumash Casino which is a fun diversion.

On another note... wishing everyone a Happy Memorial Day. Thanking, thinking and pondering the sacrifices of so many that make it possible for us to drive in freedom and go wherever we want to go.

[thespymaster]

I love that Becky D signature, that makes your ride priceless, when combined with the other signatures..................

[OrangeVert]

Originally Posted by thespymaster

I love that Becky D signature, that makes your ride priceless, when combined with the other signatures..................

+1 Spymaster!! I hope to have the honor of getting Becky's signature on OrangeVert someday, as well as that of the other great people Jim has on his priceless ride! Would be great to see you guys there!!

Jim, thank you for posting those beautiful and inspiring pictures for Memorial Day. What meaningful images, those who serve and allow us to have the things we have, and live how we live, are our true heroes. Also our heroes are those in law enforcement who protect us internally, and fire & rescue who risk their lives when bad things happen - heroes such as you! My best friend, through whom I met my wife, is a former EMT/Rescue firefighter from N. Providence, RI. From the stories he tells me, it's amazing the extent to which you will risk your lives to help save ours.

I think Memorial Day is a day that we should also be thankful for your service in addition to that of our military. Thank you, Jim!!

[Orange Krate]

Originally Posted by thespymaster

I love that Becky D signature, that makes your ride priceless, when combined with the other signatures..................

There is some history lurking behind that Becky signature. I shall remain zip lipped. Call me Sgt. Shultz!

Even though Becky did not sell me the car she was instrumental in a number of things with Orange Krate. I hold her friendship in the highest regards. She is a special gal and my wife and I really enjoyed meeting her in person at Camfest II. I was honored to let her sign and I smile each and everytime I open the hood and see Becky D staring back at me!

-Jimbo-

[Orange Krate]

Originally Posted by OrangeVert

+1 Spymaster!! I hope to have the honor of getting Becky's signature on OrangeVert someday, as well as that of the other great people Jim has on his priceless ride! Would be great to see you guys there!!

Jim, thank you for posting those beautiful and inspiring pictures for Memorial Day. What meaningful images, those who serve and allow us to have the things we have, and live how we live, are our true heroes. Also our heroes are those in law enforcement who protect us internally, and fire & rescue who risk their lives when bad things happen - heroes such as you! My best friend, through whom I met my wife, is a former EMT/Rescue firefighter from N. Providence, RI. From the stories he tells me, it's amazing the extent to which you will risk your lives to help save ours.

I think Memorial Day is a day that we should also be thankful for your service in addition to that of our military. Thank you, Jim!!

Thank you Paul. Although I do not run emergency calls anymore, my life is definately full of years of sirens, smoke, trauma, heartbreak and joy and will continue to do so with my current job duties. I have intentionally not focused too much on that with this journal because this is my escape from the daily grind into that world in Los Angeles. It has been well over 30 years since I started that journey in EMS and it is just as exciting today as it was when I started. It's all about the people and giving back whatever you can.

I have met so many many good friends along the way. All caring individuals who have given something to society in exchange for a modest life and a little pride in what we do. But my accomplishments dim in comparison to those who have given it all in the name of freedom.

Each time I see a serviceman or servicewoman in uniform I try and reach out and thank them. If it were possible I would take each and every one of them for a ride in Orange Krate and let them escape if for just a minute, in that little orange biopod that looks so good and hauls butt!

CHEERS and THANK YOU PAUL!

Jim

[Orange Krate]

OK... Last night I couldn't help myself. I know I should wait but I saw the extended build time so I went ahead and ordered the Technostalgia LED taillight assemblies. I really like the style and the various modes of operation these lights offer. Erica and I saw a set at CamFest II and I knew then I wanted a set.

My research showed that they are fixed at the $399.00 price tag at virtually every vendor so I did something wild... I ordered from J.C. Whitney because they were offering a $30.00 discount or free shipping ($30.00 to my location).

Thinking ahead... a Heritage Grill, Pearl Gold Ghost Stripes, Window Tint, Custom Floor Mats, Exhaust, Custom Wheels all on the radar. I guess I am going to have to get a THIRD job to pay for Camaro mods!!!



http://www.cool-leds.com/2010camaro.htm

[ChvyBoss]

Hey are you going to the Bakersfield BBQ tomorrow. ?

[Orange Krate]

Originally Posted by ChvyBoss

Hey are you going to the Bakersfield BBQ tomorrow. ?

I wish I was! I have to work!!! It is one of those rare Saturdays where I need to work a little extra on my second job! I feel the need for speed and a power run to Bakersfield would be good but I can't swing it this week. Thanks for asking and please let me know if anything else is shaking. I have been out of the loop as of late because of serious work. I thought we might be headed to Joplin but that hasn't happened. Hurricane season is upon us so things could change quickly.

[Orange Krate]

In a previous post I mentioned that Orange Krate was getting ready to flip the 5000 mile mark. He did so and he did it in style. I will just leave it at that.

Today Erica and I made a trip up the coast to visit a former work colleague that I haven't seen in person in many years. She is a wonderful, sweet, firebrand of a woman. Her name is Jeanne Scott and she is proud to tell you she is 83 and going strong.

Jeanne is a retired public health educator and program manager. Long before that secular job Jeanne was a NUN! She left the order after 17 years. She has recently written and published a book about her experiences as a nun. I picked up a copy from Amazon and read it. It was a captivating read. I am not Catholic but I did find it enlightening and entertaining. Jeanne tells her story in a way that you feel like you are going through the trials and tribulations with her. All of your emotions will be touched reading this book.

Today while visiting with Jeanne and catching up we sat and listened as she filled us in on some of the tidbits that made up the story. Jeanne and I have been exchanging emails for years and I told her I wanted her to see Orange Krate and post a piece on my journal about her and her book "Out of Order".

You can see more of her at http://thegreennun.org. (The site is being re-constructed at this time)

The pictures below:

• Out of Order book cover
  
• Jeanne presenting me an autographed copy of her book
  
• Jeanne making her pitch at selling Orange Krate to her brother
  
• Jeanne's silver cruising vessel

Thank you Jeanne for being such a good friend and human being to many many many students and lost souls over the decades! You are a national treasure!