Holliwood Arrives

May 27th, 2008.

Holliwood arrived this morning around 8:30am. Yes, that's her name. I already had her christened before she arrived. I figured it would suit her when she was a complete project, so why not make her feel good about herself from the start.

My husband and kids think I'm crazy. What kind of woman my age takes something like this on. Perhaps a brave woman, an ambitious woman, or one who is just plain NUTS!. I've always liked a challenge and never really been afraid to try working with my hands or learning something new. So here I go.

Like many others before me, I've wanted this car since I was a teenager. I remember someone else who lived in the neighborhood had one and I used to ride my bike down the street just to see it. Again, what girl my age is that crazy about a car?! Unfortunately, back then I didn't have a drivers license and certainly couldn't afford one. I couldn't afford the final product this time either, so I decided to take the project on myself. I started shopping in January 2008. Along the way I have made some pretty awesome internet friends and found that S&H Torino lovers seem to be a very friendly group who are always eager to have one more "member", and that there are some super nice people out there that but for the internet we might never be able to know of.

Steve in the Northwest has been creating clones for many years and has been a big help to me with recommendations and hints. Jimmy is an S&H Torino owner who has taken measurements of his own car to help me with options for mine. Wayne sold me a Chilton manual and gave me tons of free mechanical knowledge to add to my noggin. (wayne.vanover.ctr@disa.mill) He's got a lot more manuals for sale on different cars and they are very affordable. And much thanks to T. Q. who decided that working with an out of state buyer might be an option after all. It took a little while but we made the deal work. Thanks T. Also, thanks to Dan from NADA transport (havasuhermit@yahoo.com) who took good care of her and dropped her off in one piece. He's a really nice guy who was sure to warn me how bad the brakes were.

So the adventure begins. Please forgive her rugged beastly appearance and try to see the beauty she will become. Hope you enjoy checking in every once in a while to see how we are doing.

Happy & safe driving.

Treesje

P.S. All e-mail addresses and links are included with permission from those mentioned.