Oppointroductions: Illegitimus Prime edition*

"Illegitimus Prime" (illprime)
04/02/2016 at 05:36 • Filed to: Introductions

Hello everyone, you may have seen me posting around these parts more and more lately. I figured I would write up a short post (eventually) just to shed a bit more light on who I am. I’m 25, American and originally from Wisconsin, I moved around quite a bit so I’ve lived in WI, TN, IA and KS, also traveled around to MN, WA, AL, NC, SC and probably other places, I think. I’ve always loved cars(and gaming, but that’s another story), first only lightweight cars but I grew to enjoy and respect other varieties over time.

After I finished high school somehow I had trouble finding a job in the lovely economy that was available. Eventually after getting tired of living with one of my parents, I decided the best way to get me on my feet and get some real world experience was the US Army. In the process of basic training, my mother decided to sell my car behind my back, fun times!

Anyways, after basic and AIT (15P) I was able to reacquire my car.... with some problems. I had never really wrenched before but the Army had fantastic resources and I was able to make good friends. So, after my mother had sold my 95 Cavalier (5 speed!) behind my back to a man that somehow blew the engine in his NA Mk3 Supra... he proceeded to wreck my clutch, hard. Luckily I was not alone in fixing this. Let me tell you, the Cavalier is obviously not packaged for a manual transmission.

This was a turning point for me, not only for my life with cars but my life as a whole. The Army taught me a lot, gave me a place to live, a steady paycheck and good friends/people to rely on. I also met my wife while in the Army, through mutual online friends. She was there for me through thick and thin. Month long training exercises and the few months (luckily only that) I spent in Afghanistan. I think I’m a much better person with her. The long distance relationship was the easiest hardest thing I’ve done.

Once my four year contract was up, I used the money I had saved and the money I got during discharge to book a ticket to Amsterdam. I took a road trip from Kansas up to Minnesota to see my best friend and fly out from MSP. Of course, on the way my transmission dipstick/plug decided to eject itself and my transmission ended up bone dry. This being the US, the only thing I could find at the truck stop was automatic trans fluid and engine oil. I had to Macgyver a tube up, dump high weight engine oil into my trans and avoid shifting as much as possible, it felt like shifting through honey.

Anyhow, somehow I made it, made my flight and ended up finally living with my wife in The Netherlands. I really like it here, most of all I love finally being able to live with my partner in life. Anyways, that’s a bit about me

Current ride: 1995 Polo Fox 1.3

*TL;DR I am a transformer.

DISCUSSION (29)

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Illegitimus Prime
04/02/2016 at 06:03

Hello and welcome!

Illegitimus Prime > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
04/02/2016 at 06:13

Thank you! I’ve been meaning to write this. I’ve been lurking Oppo for a while and I really like the community.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Illegitimus Prime
04/02/2016 at 06:17

I’ve been lurking here for 2 years before I actually decided to create an account.

Leon711 > Illegitimus Prime
04/02/2016 at 06:31

We’ve spoken at length before about Polos! I forgot to add this link http://www.clubpolo.co.uk/forum/index.ph…

Steve in Manhattan > Illegitimus Prime
04/02/2016 at 06:44

Welcome.

Illegitimus Prime > Steve in Manhattan
04/02/2016 at 06:58

Thank you!

Illegitimus Prime > Leon711
04/02/2016 at 07:02

We have, thanks for the link there. I’ll probably have to lurk around there for ideas. Still tempted by JOM coilovers. http://www.jom.de/products/gb/Sp…

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Illegitimus Prime
04/02/2016 at 07:07

Welkom, sort of fellow Cheesehead!

Illegitimus Prime > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
04/02/2016 at 07:16

Dank je wel, de kaas is heerlijk! I’m still learning, I can identify things but I’m not quite to the point where I can form sentences.

LongbowMkII > Illegitimus Prime
04/02/2016 at 07:17

Nice polo. And nice macguyvering.

Illegitimus Prime > LongbowMkII
04/02/2016 at 07:20

Thank you. It was very stressful, yet at the same time very rewarding. I always keep a tool kit in my car now.

Leon711 > Illegitimus Prime
04/02/2016 at 07:21

It’s a good price. I used to active on ClubPolo more than I am on Oppo currently it was insane. I posted over 4000 times in 3 years. I can’t vouch for what it’s like now but I’m not a fan of the VW “Scene” so tend to not go on specific forums anymore. Too many know it alls.

Illegitimus Prime > Leon711
04/02/2016 at 07:27

I can’t speak for car communities myself, but just based on observation things seem to devolve into elitism when you narrow it down to one brand or model. I like seeing builds and getting advice, but I don’t think I could really be a part of the “scene” for many things, if any. I want a car that *I* like and that could be anything from my current Polo to a twincharged 1st gen MR2 to a Baja/Trophy style truck.

Wheelerguy > Illegitimus Prime
04/02/2016 at 07:49

I’m surprised you haven’t got Oppo Titanium membership. Because you seem to be worthy of it.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Illegitimus Prime
04/02/2016 at 08:06

That “TL;DR” though...

Welcome! Don’t forget we have our weekly Oppo meeting this sunday.

Funktheduck > Illegitimus Prime
04/02/2016 at 08:09

Nice work. Welcome

Illegitimus Prime > Wheelerguy
04/02/2016 at 08:37

Thanks! I’d gladly accept that.

Illegitimus Prime > Funktheduck
04/02/2016 at 08:45

Long live the straight six!

Illegitimus Prime > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
04/02/2016 at 08:45

Do I need to wear a tie?

crowmolly > Illegitimus Prime
04/02/2016 at 08:47

Welcome aboard!

Thanks for your service.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Illegitimus Prime
04/02/2016 at 08:50

I’ve always gone in short shorts and sun glasses, but it seems like they want to make it a less casual thing

Illegitimus Prime > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
04/02/2016 at 08:55

Oh.... guess I’ll have to leave the speedo behind then.

Illegitimus Prime > crowmolly
04/02/2016 at 08:56

Thank you!

shop-teacher > Illegitimus Prime
04/02/2016 at 08:59

Welcome! That’s quite a story!

Svend > Illegitimus Prime
04/02/2016 at 09:04

Welcome to OPPO fella. What part of The Nederlands are you in?

Illegitimus Prime > Svend
04/02/2016 at 09:07

Thanks! I live in Flevoland, Lelystad specifically.

Illegitimus Prime > shop-teacher
04/02/2016 at 09:08

Thank you. It still seems really crazy looking back on it.

shop-teacher > Illegitimus Prime
04/02/2016 at 09:23

I bet it does. You’re a better man for it though. Instead of sitting on your butt feeling sorry for yourself about how aweful the economy was, you went and did something about it. Good for you!

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Illegitimus Prime
04/02/2016 at 09:36

Man. What a story