38 replies to this topic

[Rune31]

Thanks to the people on this sight, their resources and my girlfriend, I have found my second Bluesmobile. My first, a 1990 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1, was tragically killed in 2008 by a drunk driving teenager in the middle of the night after ony seven days of ownership. But life bitterly went on for two more years until a ray of light from the Lord beamed upon me delivering a second chance.

I now have a 1986 Ford LTD Crown Victoria P72. Unlike the Caprice, which was already suited with the two-tone B&W paint job, push bars and spotlight, the Crown Victoria lacks the paint job and bars. But what's owning a Blumo without putting some lovin' in it?

Bought for a mere $1,000, its only requirements aside from the aesthetic treatments were a master brake cylinder and A/C serpentine belt. The previous owner was generous enough to make those fixes before shipping it to me. Once it arrives on or about the 27th of May, all I'll need to do is have some headers and carburetor parts installed, also supplied by the previous owner (thanks Billy!).

After a lovely trip to the immigration office... er uh, excuse me, "DMV" and the DEQ it'll be heading to the paint shop for the B&W makeover and a set of push bars will complete my Blumo to perfection. At least the spot light on this one works, the Caprice's didn't and on my first drive home with it, an exposed wire touched the metal handle and it shorted out the fuse that controlled the radio. Almost three hours of driving with no music!:mad: Another bonus difference is this one has a separator window between the driver and where the convicts sit. If I'm ever driving with belligerent friends I can shut 'em up easily now!

My other car is an 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 but that's a whole other franchise. Speaking of which, being a Ghostbusters fan (or Ghosthead) I sold my proton pack that I bought back in 2006 when I was in the Navy to get the money to ship this Blumo from Laramie, WY to me in Portland, OR. I sacrificed one Aykroyd creation/prop for another; at least the Blumo won't spend 99% of its year stored in a closet waiting for Hallowe'en.

Imagine the timing on another venture in the works. A local tribute band called Gimme Some Lovin' is very close to having me as their new Elwood and how fitting that for the last two months I've been taking harp lessons, cut my hair for the role, and have bought the car. I suppose I got everything I need... almost!

Behold some pictures below of the car before its oncoming transformation. More to come as things develop. My christening of the car will be when I drive to my first gig with the band, I'll have someone throw an extra cigarette lighter I've been saving out the window. Tim, the pleasure can be all yours!

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[sigmfsk]

> Another bonus difference is this one has a separator window between the driver and where the convicts sit.
That's wild!

> at least the Blumo won't spend 99% of its year stored in a closet waiting for Hallowe'en.
That's good thinking. The entire car looks in great shape; congrats!

your friend in the new bluesmobile feeling,
arthur

[2FAB]

Congrats, man! It looks a lot like my '89 P72.

(an excuse to post this photo again!)

Rune31 said:

A local tribute band called Gimme Some Lovin' is very close to having me as their new Elwood and how fitting that for the last two months I've been taking harp lessons, cut my hair for the role, and have bought the car.

You're living my dream!!!

[Mr Mercer]

That car has MIB all over it .

[Steam McQueen]

Rune31 said:

Bought for a mere $1,000,

Great deal.! Did you mention the motor? It looks like it's got a cop motor, a three hundred and fifty-one cubic inch plant. Ford made a great looking box police car back then. (I was struck and killed by an '85 once lol.)

Good luck with everything and your gig and stuff.

http://www.bluesbrotherscentral.com/forum2/public/style_emoticons/default/icon_cool.gif

[Rune31]

Steam McQueen said:

Great deal.! Did you mention the motor? It looks like it's got a cop motor, a three hundred and fifty-one cubic inch plant. Ford made a great looking box police car back then. (I was struck and killed by an '85 once lol.)

Good luck with everything and your gig and stuff.

http://www.bluesbrotherscentral.com/forum2/public/style_emoticons/default/icon_cool.gif

Yes it is a 351 Windsor engine with the cop tires, cop suspension, shocks, brakes, it may even be a model made without a catalytic converter. Very goo deal, talked him down from $1,600 minus a bunch of fancy sound/stereo stuff to $1,000. The Blumo doesn't need all that stuff, just the basics (and a working cigarette lighter).

[Rune31]

This Blumo, right after its exterior makeover, will be plunged into fame by becoming the official Bluesmobile for the Portland tribute band Gimme Some Lovin'. Tonight I've received word from the band that I am to be their new Elwood. In mid June, the band and I will be driving to my first gig in our new Blumo!

[cheoperative]

Nice looking ride! Have fun with it!

[Rune31]

The car arrived today this evening! Picked a lot of trash out of it, needs to be vacuumed, and has a true musty cop car smell, but its perfect. Needs the exhaust headers, and probably some other minor stuff installed because its runs really loud and gave out once during the drive home, probably due to running without that stuff. I was told the spot light worked but no shine, didn't see any broken wires and the switch is solid but no go :?, I'll get it fixed eventually. Anyone who rides in the back is gonna be a little boxed in due to the convict divider. Great big trunk for instruments and bodies! http://www.bluesbrotherscentral.com/forum2/public/style_emoticons/default/icon_cool.gif Taking it to a mechanic tomorrow first thing to get everything squared away then its off to the paint shop. Be driving over the bridges soon enough! You guys (the band) are gonna love this thing!

[Rune31]

An update for yous guys. The Blumo received a day of TLC from the mechanic and is running smooth. Details include: new spark plugs, new wires and distributor cap, new fuel filter, new oil filter, spotlight wired, oil/temp/amp gauge board installed, some suction tube plugged back where it belongs (forgot what it does exactly ).

Now its at a muffler shop getting some catalytic converters installed so it can pass emissions testing; since its a dual exhaust it'll need two. The previous owner installed a performance carburetor and a pair of Cherry Bomb mufflers. The catcons are being welded in and the exhaust pipes are being extended as the tips are currently too close to the differential and would eventually cause heat damage. He also supplied me with some new headers but I declined installing those as the car is loud enough and really doesn't need them and neither does my wallet!

After that, a little vacuuming, some floor mats, an air freshener, registration and of course painting the roof and two front doors white, Gimme Some Lovin' and yours truly will have their Bluesmobile. Pictures coming very soon. This thing is on schedule and will be ready for the band's weekend gig June 18th and 19th!

[TI4438]

Sounds like you are taking care of business.

[mrentertainment]

Rune is taking care of business! You bet! Doing a great job as Elwood too! The band is psyched!

[Rune31]

Picked up the Blumo from the muffler shop today, they did an excellent job. Tomorrow its off to the DEQ, DMV and finally the paint shop. If my estimations are correct, by the end of next week this car will be completely done! Be taking some before pictures as soon as it stops RAINING! :mad:

[Rune31]

Well today didn't go as planned but turned out for the better. Early in the morning, the car revealed to me that it needed more work. Took it back to the muffler shop and turned out it was the fuel pump and a hose routing to it that was causing it to die when I try to accelerate; now it goes steady with a little recoil. On top of that, these guys were so into the car and its becoming a Blumo that the spotlight was readjusted, the A/C belt was put on, a turn signal bulb was replaced, front license plate was moved to the side, and the CD player was reconnected. The icing on the toast was the shop owner, Roberto, offered to paint the roof and doors white on and off shop hours for half what other shops would charge. This thing may be ready by the time I have my next practice, you guys are gonna leave your bodies when you see it. I plan on getting a nice signed band picture taken with the Blumo for Roberto's shop since he and another mechanic have resurrected this car from the ground up. Old wounds are soon to be healed!

Lord please protect this car from the delinquents of the road!

[TK826]

Awesomeness!

Almost a good thing that the fuel pump caused some trouble.
Sounds like the benefits are, and will be, a decent exchange for the pump going out.

Really looking forward to seeing the results.

[mrentertainment]

"The Lord works in mysterious ways"

[Rune31]

He sure does and its killing me to understand!

[Rune31]

So yesterday I spent the entire day at the muffler shop helping with the paint job. Also took the time to completely vacuum/clean the trunk and cabin spaces. Took a long time to mask with newspaper and tape but the job was worth it when I came by and checked it out this afternoon. Some excess white paint clouds settled on the hood and we thought we were going to have to touch that up but I noticed it was gone. Turns out the mechanic had a degrease spray that could wipe that off without hurting the already faded black paint. :D

It'll have all of today for the white to solidify and when I pick it up tomorrow it'll be crisp and clean. Since it'll be done in the afternoon I'll be able to do the DEQ/DMV trip it and it'll be done! The band will see it on Tuesday's practice; they're gonna love it!

[TI4438]

Pics man!We want pics!

[Rune31]

Pictures tomorrow, promise!