GentleMan GefI can’t stop taking pictures of the #MercuryMeteor every time I drive it.
Several people came up to me today to comment and ask questions.
Went out to the cove park and chilled by the water for a while
Ronan@SecularJeffrey i would definitely photograph that if I passed it
Phil Davis@SecularJeffrey I'm feeling nosey. Does your Mercury have a gender or name? How did you two meet? Does it have the original drivetrain? 170 inline 6, 221 V8, or 260 V8? Did you have to do any work before you could drive it? Any plans beyond driving and enjoying?
I've never named my cars, but I do talk to them on occasion.
My brother found this for me this spring in Portland OR. It came with black California plates.
It is the 170 CI 6 with a three speed. The shifter has been moved from the column to the floor.
It was a runner when I got it and a few minor repairs and some tune up type maintenance so far, but nothing major.
I like the survivor patina, so no changes needed there. Seat covers and carpet are trashed and will first on the list
I also got a more modern car this summer too for long distance trips, but I am planning on using this for my local driver year round.
My brother is a car wheeler dealer and found this and a 2008 Honda Pilot and we got both for under $10K
@SecularJeffrey Yes, I'm living vicariously through you. 😁 Family in the business is definitely the way to go. Friend's son is a mechanic & gets all sorts of opportunities, but working for a high end shop means mostly Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini, etc.
Brother also helped me find a cheap pickup camper for our late father's truck that I have.
He also dropped a Harley in my lap last year. He owed me some money and showed up with it on a trailer and asked if I wanted it or should he sell it and give me cash
I kept it!
Hadn't owned a bike since the 90s and never anything that big
It's been fun learning how to ride again
@SecularJeffrey So glad to hear joy from the Harley. Another friend had a 1990 Sportster 1200 dropped on him and decided to start riding. Found he was spending more time fixing the bike than actually riding. Swapped it out for a 2013 Yamaha VStar 1300 and has been in motorcycle bliss for thousands & thousands of miles.
I don't think I'd get another one, but it is fun and runs well after a recent service including new tires
I'd probably go with a Japanese bike and maybe something a little smaller than a full dress tour bike if I ever replaced it
@SecularJeffrey Thank you! My cars have habe genders but not names. And, yes, a lot of talking. I guess it's how I manage the triumphs and difficulties, mostly the difficulties. I'm also a fan of the patina. I appreciate the better-than-factory concourse or custom, but it's not my style & I don't want to pay for it. My '72 Chevy Blazer lost her blue&gold CA plates with my move to WA. Moved back and wish I could get them back, even if she's not drivable right now.
Willard Goosey@SecularJeffrey
Sweet ride!
Sweet ride!
Fun to drive the old 3 speed 6 cylinder around town
@SecularJeffrey
We had a couple of three-on-the-tree cars when I was kid but I never got to drive either.☹️
And I love a straight 6! They run so smooth! 170 sounds a little small though?
Later there was one around 225 CI, but this was a pretty standard economy motor for Ford/Mercury for a long time
Humm our old Ford pickup had the 225 I think? Torque from hell, but don't try to go more than 55...
That's all gearing. This drives nice on the freeway at 65-70, I think top speed when new was around 80 or so
It's weird to see 3rd gear be able to go from 25 mph to theoretical top speed
@SecularJeffrey
Nice!
That's my current problem, my old truck is ok for in-town stuff but isn't really highway capable anymore.
Im still undecided about what to do about this.😭
It would entail changing rear end and transmission gearing either by replacement units or maybe a builder could regear them
Oh no, my current old truck has an entirely different set of problems.
Dad sold the Ford and (predictably) the dude took it out on the freeway and blew out the engine.😭
Frank@SecularJeffrey I would too and be on the hunt for good locations for it. Gorgeous!
Maybe not as much of a crowd gatherer as Harry, but it has been fun having people come over to look at it and chat for a bit
@SecularJeffrey Oh absolutely, I'd be making a beeline for you to chat about your car if I came across it! And take 100 photos of every angle!