Today I got a call from a car collector based in Melbourne that`s interested in buying my car. Mid next week, he`ll fly up to Brisbane for a day trip to look at the car and make me an offer.

Last Sunday, I received a firm offer of $12,500 from a collector in Brisbane, so that`s the worst I`ll do.

If I could afford to wait, it might reach as high as the low $20,000s, but I`m flying back to Canada in a week and a half, so it looks like these two offers are it.

I haven`t even started the engine since pulling the car out of storage a week and a half ago, but both buyers are happy with that and would both prefer the engine wasn`t started.

I`ve spent most of the past few days returning the engine bay to as close to as possible to the configuration it was in when it was delivered 34 years ago. Still got a few flexible couplers to fit to the air intake plumbing, but it`s just about done.

That seems like a really good payoff. I didn't know there was a market.

Old Toranas are a cultural icon down under.

Took my son to the arcade. I hit the change machine for $2 and one of the quarters was a 1963 silver quarter. Melt value right now is about $4.50. After I finished my pinball game, I noticed a penny face up by my feet.

I haven't checked the lottery ticket I bought this week yet;).

Especially rare ones ... and while mine isn't an official factory model, the myth and speculation that's been going on since 1978 about the handful that were built, makes it collectible. Even the exact build number is unknown. All that I know is that mine was one of the first batch of 5 of the second generation models (they were built 5 at a time on a mini-production line), and the total production is somewhere in the lower to middle 2 figure range.

rain, finally getting a bit of rain after two weeks of some pretty unrelenting sunshine. all the little baby plants that went in are going to be happy... and our grapes might just survive after all :)

Just heard from my son, Liam who lives in Alaska with his lovely bride of only 6 months and they have a baby on the way! Should arrive in early January. I am happy for them as a family was part of their intentions and he will make a very good dad.

That will make grandchild #14 for us! :cool:

Congrats Chris and Liam!

Congratulations, Chris. I'd say the dynasty is secure. ;)

Just scoffed one of the cheese scones I made mostly for Dads, or company.
Damn. Good.

Can't really take any credit, but I did use mature (sharp) cheddar and 1/2 teaspoon English mustard. But the texture and mouth-feel came from the recipe.

Pretty much going to bed now. I've heard Bonnie Tyler giving her best in the Eurovision.
I don't have the emotional stability to see us destroyed again.
NB - will Scotland enter as a separate country if they seceed?

Anyway, going to bed in a stable mood.
I hope to cuddle Diz-trouble. I admit he's more likely to wake up completely and tread all over my head, snagging my short hair on every circuit.

But you never know. It's the happy thread. Maybe he'll settle down and we'll fall asleep snuggling. And he'll wake me up by being sick all over me and my bedsheets.

I still adore the little furry bugger.
And he adores me.
Makes me happy.

RichLevy.
He cheers me up and makes me laugh.

Two sleeps til hospital.

"And this lamp"
 

HA!

Funny is fun. ;)

I finally got my wife's car back together and up and running after changing the timing belt, pulley and tensioner, other belts, spark plugs and wires and replacing the valve cover gaskets. I never could get the water pump swapped out with a new one as I could not remove the front cam shaft sprocket which is necessary in order to pull the upper rear cover out enough to access the water pump bolts.

There is always that fear before starting that I may have screwed up somehow and maybe gotten the timing off or the spark plug wires on the wrong plugs or some hose or wire not connected right. But it started right up and sounded great. Took it around the block just to make sure and it ran fine. I will need to get a mechanic to torque down the crank bolt on the crank pulley as I don't have an impact wrench. That shouldn't cost much. And if the noise I had heard prior to all these repairs comes back I will just take it in for inspection. I'm done with greasy engines for awhile. ;)

chris, do you have large breaker bar and socket 1/2 drive use that, and you won't have to take it to a mechanic.