"Your boy, BJR" (jerseyshoreben)
03/11/2014 at 16:01 • Filed to: None
3
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"Your boy, BJR" (jerseyshoreben)
03/11/2014 at 16:01 • Filed to: None | 3
| 14 |
As with many people on here, my dream, and what I intend on seriously following through with, is automotive writing/journalism. Well I've been thinking, and I thought It would be good to do a breakout project, so I can sort of get my name out there and recognized in one fell swoop. My idea is to write a book. I have a very specific book idea, and I'm looking for feedback/thoughts/comments on it. Here goes: As I have made it clear on here, my paternal grandfather has probably influenced my interest in cars more than anyone else, and his favorite car he ever owned was a late '50s Triumph TR3, just like the one pictured. He daily drove it for years, braving the snow, the highways, carting around 4 kids, and even taking it up dirt trails to his hunting lodge, loaded down with guns, food, camping equipment, and an Irish Setter. He even found the time to hill climb race it. So, my plan for a book is to try to find out what he saw in the car, even when it was grossly impractical. I also want to re-connect with my family roots, and sort of explore the origins of my interest in cars. I want to buy a restored Triumph TR3, and daily drive that exclusively for 2 years. The book will be a sort of memoir of our ups and downs, and the relationship between man and machine. I'll also interview my grandfather, and intercut the books with stories of his cars and driving history, as well as talk to my dad about his utter devotion to his Saabs, and why he is completely obsessed. I will also talk to my uncle, who owned a legendary '70 Dodge Charger that was somewhat of a local legend back in the early '80s in the area. I want to make the book humorous, informative, and sincere, and ode to the american gear head, All told through my experiences with a small old british roadster. I'm still trying to figure out how to fund it, see if I should go to kickstarter or something similar to get the money needed for the car and nescissary equipment, such as snow tires, spare parts, and a hardtop with side curtains. I want your guys' thoughts and opinions, as well as feedback and if you would buy and read this book.
HammerheadFistpunch
> Your boy, BJR
03/11/2014 at 16:06 |
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If nothing else, use this as a guise to interview your grandfather. One of my biggest regrets is that I started to really pry into my dads history too late to be a very comprehensive archive.
philipilihp
> Your boy, BJR
03/11/2014 at 16:07 |
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I would definitely read it. It reads kind of funny though, that it will be an ode to the American gearhead through an experience with a British roadster. Not that that changes the premise or validity of the ode at all, but it just sounded funny.
I am very interested though, especially if the stories are good. If you need editing help, or just someone to read stuff, please let me know.
Slave2anMG
> HammerheadFistpunch
03/11/2014 at 16:09 |
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This.
When my dad was still healthy and mentally clear enough to talk, I didn't care.
When I started to care, Alzheimers had taken his mind and he couldn't tell me.
Don't fuck up like I did.
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HammerheadFistpunch
> Slave2anMG
03/11/2014 at 16:12 |
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yup, for me it was ALS, so his mind was there, just not his voice. Cagey sucker too, hard to get anything out of him. I learned more at his funeral from random people that I thought I knew about him all together.
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Slave2anMG
> Your boy, BJR
03/11/2014 at 16:13 |
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Brave man. Certainly doable to DD one but the maintenance is 10x what you're used to doing on a modern car. Grease the front end. Grease the driveshaft. Grease the steering rack. Keep the timing (points) adjusted. Oil in the two carbs (yes, SU carbs take oil). Keep the knock-off wheel splines greased so the wheels don't seize. You'll have side curtains. No door locks. You'll be nearly invisible to modern traffic as they're not used to looking for tiny old British cars. When the weather's decent I'll DD my Midget and it's a hoot and it's a challenge at the same time.
Go for it.
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Your boy, BJR
> philipilihp
03/11/2014 at 16:24 |
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Yeah, I realized that that sounded weird, so I'll clarify. In PA in the late '50s, early '60s, brit roadsters were THE TITS, and every geared had at least 1, and raced them on the weekends. That's where my gear head history began. That's why I've chose a triumph. I will go through the evolution, including my uncle's charger (drag racing/big v8s and muscle cars) and my dad's saabs (modern, techno-laden turbocharged FWD hot hatches), but to really get to the fundamentals, the joys of driving, and just the pure experience of man and machine, you have to start simple. Ala the old roadsters, the origin point for focusing on the joy of driving, other than just a mode of transport. They made spirited driving available to the common man, paved the way for the miatas and toyobarus of modern times. That's where I start.
505Turbeaux
> HammerheadFistpunch
03/11/2014 at 16:24 |
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I got my grandparents stories just before they went downhill. Some of them I really didnt need to know (g-ma getting screwed in the back seat of an Essex sedan etc.) but it is important to do
Dat back seat
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Your boy, BJR
> Slave2anMG
03/11/2014 at 16:29 |
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I'm fortunate enough to not only have both sets of grandparents, but a complete set of great grandparents as well, who are alert, independent, and still sharp as a tack. Not a day goes by that I take that for granted.
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Your boy, BJR
> 505Turbeaux
03/11/2014 at 16:41 |
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505Turbeaux
> Your boy, BJR
03/11/2014 at 16:42 |
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hahaha
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Slave2anMG
> Your boy, BJR
03/11/2014 at 16:48 |
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You won't realize how fortunate you are until later in your life.
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philipilihp
> Your boy, BJR
03/11/2014 at 16:53 |
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Nice! Can't wait for more.
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> Your boy, BJR
03/11/2014 at 18:09 |
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Honest OPPO-inion:
I'd keep it to the Triumph. Your grandpa's stories with his, and your saga with yours. Hopefully your dad can chime in with his memories about the old car, but once you bring the Saabs and Charger into it, I think you'll lose too much focus on the core of the book (maybe save it for volume II?). Fund it yourself, if it all possible - will make for a better book. All the best.
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Your boy, BJR
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/11/2014 at 18:32 |
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Thanks man, I'm still in the "trying to figure out exactly what the fuck I want to do" phase, so honest input is the best input.