So much

The ever lasting longing for new parts. With metal scratched, bent and 5o + years of previous ownership. This wagon needs some love.

Long hours of restoring parts and sanding old, rusty bits to help the shine, of a wedding engaging event; our sharing images of the love we share. And the time taken to find the parts before the big day!

http://www.ss396.com/category/nova-sheetmetal.html?utm_campaign=490524_Sheet%20metal%20all%20lines%208-19-16&utm_medium=email&utm_source=CarPopoverCheckout&e=pegdesign%40gmail.com&dm_i=32LI,AIHO,25GCW1,10AY8,1

The creation of a timeless moment

So it's been awhile since I took the time for this blog. Times are tight as I am back in school, working less and simply cannot work on the Mr.frosty anymore, or at least while in school and working and trying to do freelance design and art related projects.

Some years ago I met a really nice artist through a friend. He now organizes one of Vancouver's most interesting art nights filled with rich and not so rich talent; this is what makes it so great. The concept is to take on a few select artist every wednesday and asks them to produce art, be it paintings or other media selection, within a 2-four hour period. This is live and with the option of interacting with the artist and watch them paint. The event is called Snag and is held weekly at the Cobalt in Vancouver's Main street district, a title I use loosely as it's in the centre of a few key areas going in any direction once you leave the Cobalt. The placement of this location, which was once renowned for it's punk like dirty demeanour, is now an up and coming area as the renovation of the area has been a slow but steady increase since the Olympic year of 2010.

The artist know as Andrew Young, once asked for the use of someones vintage vehicle for one of his paintings. This required a photo shoot which in Mr.Frosty's current state meant a bit of work would be needed, or would it? You see Vancouver being unlike other provinces in that it requires the owner to confirm it fits the air care program in order to keep the vehicle insured for being on the road. The concept is a mute point as you can have any amount of vehicles on the road as long as it passes this air car program. This does not reduce the actual amount of air pollution but simply implies that you are always buying a newer vehicle to keep the economy at a current level of increase. So, that being addressed, I have wires everywhere, no lights, literally nothing working brake lights and ignition, but it passed air care so the boys in blue let me drive. Did I mention there are no seat belts designed into this model?

So Andrew calls we meet at Ambleside park in West Vancouver, one of the richest neighbourhoods in the West Coast of North America. I arrive and then install new bezels while I wait. The amount of people that come up to an old wagon is un measurable. The conversations that always come up of how they grew up and had an uncle, or a friend or even lost their virginity in a wagon ' just like this" often make me laugh out loud. Andrew arrives late, with two others. They are his models for this shoot. We move on to a cul-de-sac over looking the famous Lions Gate Bridge. The bridge connects the West and North Vancouver inhabitants to the mainland Vancouver via Stanley park, an ocean set green space approximately 300 square acres more the New Yorks Central park.

The weather is cloudy in the beginning. Andrew sets up the camera, which is new to him. Like any new toy, he takes some time to get to know it, see's the lighting and focus' on the idea over the environment but only for a moment; enough for the Sun to come out and bless the shoot with a golden light like no other. These are the moments artist dream of, the crisp realism of the colours enriching a scene with such ambiance that a photo will never translate. Then, almost as being directed by the Gods of all cultures, an oil tanker begins to pass under the bridge, and into the horizon line of the English Bay. This painting is the result of 3 hours in the cold, spilled coffee, insurance and West Vancouver Police conversations combine with a lot of Dog walkers. In the last 20 minutes of golden light with no headlights to guide me home if taken even ten minutes longer, Andrew and his models wrapped up for what many weeks later presented an amazing painting of my wagon.

As a graphic artist i explore and utilize the digital frontier for my day to day income. To take the time to  analyze light and air to moisture balances and establish the proper amount of water and or oil needed to mix in to stabilize your paint for creating such art is a fraction of the skills required for this kind of completed work, So it is with great pleasure I present to you, Andrew Young, Vancouver artist and creative at large.

Landlords who slash renters..

The Sad days of owning a vintage (damn cool) wagon, dealing with bad calls and vandalization.

A recent situation where someone power washed our garage in our apartment and then washed my wagon as a result of my complaining about it being left dirty and possible damage due to it not being removed from the over spray. After said complain, two days later all four of my tires were slashed.

Not being able to prove anything other then the tires being slashed after the altercation, and in the eyes of a court, there is that un easy feeling of distrust and thus, we move out and start anew. Insurance agents have been nothing but kind and thankfully the wagon is like a puppy to a sorority house, everyone loves it and wants the best save the evil powers of the world.

So, for the benefit of Mr.Frosty, we are moving to a better place. 5 Years in one place, the longest ever for this Winnipegger. So long Cora, may you and your weird family continue your evil crimes and get karma caught!

Hopefully this stimulates a new wave for the restoration, funds aside...

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:)