70 Truck in the NW

[SkateFink]

I recently purchased a nice running truck in Portland OR. After many weeks of wacky weather I've finally brought it home. If I can dial in a few loose ends I'm hoping to drive it this summer and then tear it apart for restoration this fall. Looking forward to gathering parts and info from this great resource. Andy

[2stroketurbo]

Hey Andy,

Whoa. Wow. Welcome! Small world.

Wacky weather is right!

I live in Portland. I was just in Bainbridge Island 2 days ago for the first time in my life, we took the ferry from BI to Seattle. Just got back about an hour ago. The Subaru dealer there (off hwy 16, Penninsula Subaru?) still has the 360 van mascot that remember reading about in the BOR years ago, I also heard a rumor the microcar musuem bought that van, sent it to Georgia, and RETURNED it due to misreprensentation.

If it's possible, you should bring your new truck to the NW show I host every summer.

http://WWW.MPHSPECIALTIES.COM

Welcome to the club!

Mark

[SkateFink]

Hi Mark, that is weird that you were just here. I'd have loved to have you look over my truck. I've got plenty of questions. We actually stopped at Bayside Subaru on the way back. I think the building emptied when we pulled up. I had fun leading them on a bit by asking if they would consider a trade in on the truck. While the sales zombies were drooling over it, I sat in, and took pictures of the van. It's defenitely not a runner. One of the kids even said they did a "crappy" restoration on it. I had tried to buy their sedan around 18 years ago but the owner wouldn't sell. I am planning on coming down for the show but am not sure I'll be able to bring the truck or not. Thanks for the hello! Andy

[2stroketurbo]

Hi Andy,

Bainbridge Island is so beautiful, you're lucky to live in paradise. All that's missing is more microcars running around. You are now in charge of microcar-converting the Olympic region! Actually, we saw 3 Smart cars while driving thru, so you new job is getting easier! We also went to a birthday party in Silverdale. How many 360's can we get on one of those mothballed aircraft carriers? Holy Cats!, Those are big!.

I'm glad you know about the show. We'd love for you to bring your truck, but if not , maybe I can get you behind the wheel of one of our 360's ?

Be sure to register online to get in for free. We've got 40+ cars coming. At least 5 from the Seattle area.

Mark

[SkateFink]

Hey Mark, Thanks, the island is a pretty great place to live. We do have a lot of alternative people / cars here. Quite a few Smart cars, some Zenns, a few Zap cars and some funny three wheelers. I have numerous friends in Bremerton with a variety of Citroen's, Isetta's, Renaults, and Mini's. I would guess at least one hundred Prius's here too, not that they're micro. I'd sign up to drive one of your rides. I'll be sure to sign up for the show in advance and will be in contact before then. Take care, Andy

[stevec]

Yes, there are a lot of Smart Cars up here - a company in Kirkland was importing and federalizing them starting about 4 years ago, and selling them for about $27K. They were upset when Smart decided to import them directly, and sell them for half that! They did sell a few, and now we have an official Smart dealer locally, so they're showing up more and more. People like to park them sideways next to the road, instead of parallel parking them like the other cars!

[SkateFink]

I recently saw a Smart car nosed into a spot with a Zenn behind it and the two together only stuck out about 1 1/2" more than the gas sucking SUV parked next to them. I thought that was pretty cool.