So officially Mr.Frosty got a good once over. Sure, lots to be done, lots of structural, but thankfully I have met a lot of fans, of oldies and of wagons in particular.

First time actually bringing it to a shop and paying someone to go over it. So of course on the hunt to reduce the costs as much, but to make it safe and bring it to a modern level, both for practical reasons, brakes, seat belts and a front end would do this, and of course all the functional engine and electrical.

Been building my other passion up a lot over the last few years and so very thankful i have a partner who not only "lets" me indulge in these passions but endorse them fully with personal interests and investment of our future.

So, here it goes, the next big challenge:) Wish Mr.Frosty luck...

http://goo.gl/KKYMJA

It's been awhile since I have posted here and a lot has happened since my last post. 

I guess the main reason is the very basic for most, money and time a loose second. When I first bought Mr.Frosty off of my friend Brian, I had as much free time as one could handle. I had a great job paying almost double as what I make now, and I rode my bikes 5 days a week as I was new to Vancouver and explored as much as I could on account of not knowing anyone.

Now, some 11 years later, I have had several jobs, almost as many places to live in, and a few passive or aggressive relationships that were not very supportive on a mutual level, of the interests that led me to this city in the first place.

Now, over the last 2 years, I have made some considerable changes with my life and so, met an amazing Woman who has been a huge influence on my goals being rekindled my passions, both for bikes and Mr.Frosty and of course my soul food, art and the creative energy to reach out more using my skills and unique people I have met since being here.

Since the last post, Mr.Frosty has been hit a few times, rained on, parts stolen and sadly, due to a previously bad paint job, that looked perfectly fine when purchased, after proper winters left outside in the "wet coast", has a few rust spots. the metal work I will have to source out (suggestions gladly accepted;) and a fair amount of sanding will have to be done to reduce costs of prep. Thankfully it is now in it's own underground parking in my building and a small car lives next to it, hopefully it stays that way..

I have a new wiring harness purchased in 2010 from Lordco and once the floor panels are done and a few other body projects it will be installed. I am told this is a very tricky process and to take my time and there are sites to help out, and of course a stereo complete with subs and a basic amp. Beyond that, brakes, front end, paint job, new upholstery, seat belts (originally not stock pre 64') and fixing or upgrading bits here and there are going to follow and lastly, new wheels if needed once a new front end is installed due to stability.

April impact while parked with Neighbour after a Canucks game...HE said he had no clue he hit me... 

So naturally I let him know after taken proper pictures for insurance. Thankfully ICBC loved Mr.Frosty:)

The dash has been a tricky process to sand, when it was outside. So simple, yet time consuming.

Then the lights were pulled out to see what's needed. A lot it seems. Over 40's years of use and rusty and odd short cuts taken. Good thing the Nova has after market parts that will be pretty much perfect matches for most of the Wagon, save the rear panels or cosmetics.

the Dash and gauges are all stock, for now. A modern system might be a good move when funds are available. If I can find a way to clean this up to a nice condition I might keep it, otherwise, Ebay...

So there you have it, a lot has happened, and as of 2013, more to come with a stronger approach. I wondered why there were no entries since 2011, but reading over my shoulder my Lovely lady informed me it was due to starting to date her, which I guess she is right. Does she plan to make me sell, of course not, she plainly stated " Wagons are practical, and if we have kids, they get to drive a cool car". It also gives me a chance to have smaller hands around to get in those tight places;)

Frosty Parking

I guess this is just so i remember i have much work to do over the winter, and much to save for ...

The Pie of the Show!

The Annual Whip Restaurant and Gallery's Show n Shine was the largest to date, with over 500 viewers or music, metal and polish. My first show was a great way to be introduced into the car culture and the local fun to be had in the East Vancouver district of Mount Pleasant. With over 30 vehicles, Motor Bikes and even Bicycles, The Whip has really taking a fast lane to what can be cleanly stated as the best local, if not the only dynamic show n shine in the Vancouver region. Not without it's dents and scratches of it's own as the previous years were shrouded in rain and poor weather with a few die hard fans and participants making the brave cut to stage and pavement. If there was ever a good reason to spend so much of ones time and money into a passion so grand as restoration or vintage culture, the Whip makes sure to remind us, every year, rain or shine:)

First Car Show!

So This Sunday, the last weekend of May 2011, Mr.Frosty will be in his very first Show n Shine. True, he has a long way to go before the lights of camera flashes will glorify his bold lines, the polished chrome and the trophies piling up at my door step, but, you gotta start somewhere;)

Having a parking lot, not a hell of a lot of money and time, makes for a very slow process to restore a vintage car, not even considering the fact the parts are almost completely not available this side of Manitoba, as any old steel is easy to work on closer to Detroit.

so, for any of you who are needing to see a slower change of pace this weekend, and be it motorcycles with sidecars, choppers with forks so long you could trip over them or four wheels of pure joy lines, then make your way to the Whip Gallery and Pub, the food is amazing, the beers and drinks are always great and the people, are the true reasons i have been going for well over four years now!

Time:	Sunday, May 29 · 11:00am - 5:30pm
Location	The Whip Gallery Restaurant 209 East 6th Ave. Vancouver, BC

Show n Shine showcasing local vintage, chopped n restored vehicles Boasting BBQ, BANDS, BABES, BOOZE (inside The Whip :P ) Bands **BATTLE SNAKES **DEAD VOICES ** THE VALUABLES Viewers choice awards complete with custom trophies by TURBO.inc ATTN vehicle owners - min donation to park/ compete >>>>>>$5 two wheels / $10 four wheels - $$$'s donated to REd Cross - EAST VAN 4 JAPAN <<<<<<< Please email Rose@TheWhipRestaurant.com for more information

Frosty Wagon on the first day of 2011!

First day of the new year, and after a visit home with Family and seeing my nephews Model Car collection and my Uncles Building of my Aunts 41 Hudson, well, i am freshly inspired to work on my Wagon once again as our fairly light yet damn and crispy winters come forth. Currently have my seats and the back bench seat in my apartment, along with the Grill to get access to the headlight assembly. Seems previous owner of one generation thought welding the housing would be a good idea? Fun fun fun.

DLK2 Door locks in 3-ish easy steps.

For the first time in since i bought my wagon i took the time and money and put it aside, to start my restoration.

Back in 2003, an old friend Keith basically broke into my car through the back window by forcing the roller and then pushing the window down as the rest of my group wandered over from an animation Seagraphs awards special at the new Vancouver Film School's studio. Well he boldly claimed "it's an old car, like it matters?" Well needless to say it has still yet to be fixed, and the existing door locks were pretty much worn down anyway, but, to this day, i still have yet to get the back roller to engage the window until to actually roll:( since then the wagon has had many dings and dents, and even a door being wedged out by random passers byes and even people i have offered rides to when stranded. It will be a constant restoration as i see it, due to the humans ability to have no consideration or fess up to responsibility, but one of a very interesting journey of boyhood dreams, and realizations (yes, Women really do dig nice and interesting Cars;) and yes, they do take a lot of time to do right.

With that, i began to work at Lordco, in order to gain knowledge of my wagon and to get parts at a great discount. Well, as it turns out, the job pays barely minimum wage, and at the time of my first 5 months, i needed even that on account of my Mac being down and design was no longer working. Well one great month, a fantastic offering came my way. A Mac Powerbook G4 was given to me by a photographer and since then things are picking up and back up the road. So with a new roommate on the future road, and the old ones mess smell at my doors edge, i can now begin a new brighter future of restoration, design and art work, all such great energies, and with it, my door locks are the first to be installed.

Door Lock Cylinder model: BWD DLK2

So, basic tools you will need (assuming door panels have already been removed):

Rubber mallet (always use when needing to tap and not dent).

Long Flathead screwdriver

Two needle nose; Long nose, and Beaked.

Hobby file set.

Now, to begin, always think of where things came from, so keep on side together never do anything doubled up unless you know exactly where things go, this i learned years ago while being involved with RC cars;) Lay out the parts as you open the box and set them basically on display to reach for one by one as needed.

Now, begin disassembly of door one in three easy steps.

1. Reach in with a long screwdriver and simply slide the retainer back out and catch it as it falls.

2. Disconnect door lock engaging unit and slide locking cylinder out on outside of door.

3. remove engaging unit by removing the locking c clip, but YOU MUST NOT damage it, unless you have extras already knowing how delicate this are. Parts as you know, are not easy to find. this is where you the beak nose needle nose came really handy, use em.

All done! Now, i take the time to clean everything before assembling the new cylinders with a basic woolen polish like NeverDull™.

New Lock cylinder Installation:

1. Reverse the removal basically at this point, but when you get to the c-clip, this is where the double needle nose pliers are needed. If you noticed, the clips came out with an angle to them, they need this to be functional. the intercept the cylinder and then hold on so it doe snot slide around, but, due to this are a bugger to install. I honestly found this the trickiest part of the whole job;) I used the files here to clean up any burrs or rough edges. The c clip need some work on both sides to slide back into place.

2. insert seals that came with the new cylinders if needed (mine would not fit, most likely due yo paint build up on exterior, so i kept them for future use.)

3. Install unit back in and so it engages lever.

4. Replace backing clip if useable, or use new one that came with the cylinder. i used my old one as the new ones were rather soft.

There you go, step back and look at how easy that was! Repeat steps for door two and you're done.

Now all my work is being done without a garage of my own, so I am more of a renegade mechanic when it comes to working on my car. I installed a horn while sitting at Kits beach once while it was pretty chilly outside- not recommended unless you like the attention and scenery;) Now if if i had a shop, and a basic vise stand, drill press, table double grinder- a lot of this restoration i am sure will be a much easier and faster process.

Next on the line up, Rebuilding my Dashboard and Gage console before installing my Painless Wiring 12 circuit system (the big cheese of the whole car next to engine, body and paint! ).