Keep This Taxi Rolling...Rawhide...

Yes!  Ol' 8D69 really is still rolling.  On the back of a flat bed.  But wait!  This is a good thing, honestly.  My old buddy has been waiting ever so patiently in the barn for this day. Quite some time ago, the car started to develop quite a shudder and skip when driving. Hit 45 mph and it felt like we were re-entering the atmosphere from space.  Since I've been driving Crown Victoria's since forever, I know this particular style suffers from frequent intake manifold cracks.  I pulled a spark plug out of the left side of the engine, and yes indeed - the whole thing was filled with antifreeze.  Aw, Snap.  


Now, maybe you're asking....what is an intake manifold?  For those less inclined to want specifics, I'll tell you....it sits on top of the engine, but in order to get to this 'top', you need to take 50,000 things apart.  Here's my new one:

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Just what I wanted to spend almost 300 bucks on!  A piece of plastic!  Anyhow, I've done intake manifolds before, on old cars, but not these things.  Trust me, just checking the oil on this car you need two bars of Lava soap.  I wasn't about to deal with this, so.....my car's Doctor, Dr. Barry at B&B Auto, squeezed me in for it's expected three hour surgery.


So, with yellow strobe lights flashing, 8D69 was whisked away for the necessary treatments.  So grave was this emergency, even a fire truck on it's way to it's own emergency pulled to the right to make way.  That's respect.  




























Dr. Barry was prepped and ready to go upon arrival.  After the surgery, he called - and I'll just fast forward here and say at present, it runs SUPER.  Better than ever.  Initially, it didn't - antifreeze had crystallized on top of the pistons and it ran as smooth as Oscar Pistorus in jail.  But after idling literally ALL DAY, it worked itself out - kind of like it had to break a fever:

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So.....after a few other kinks were worked out, it was back on the road, and it's next stop, TIRES:

Funny thing, it took all of three minutes for a snide remark to be made.  This other customer guy came out and looks at the car and says "New York City Taxi eh?" with a distorted face of disapproval.  I could tell he had more to say, but I simply answered in the affirmative.  And then....like the first page of my website says - he replies with his full ignorance - "WHY?".  Ughhhh.  I answered and said I liked it, it was a good car and saved it from the clutches of the crusher and it was a piece of New York City history (or...will be - maybe, one day).  He's looking at the decals and up and down and all around it, smoking, and states "I'm all for saving cars but not a taxi".  I didn't feel like defending it, and simply answered...'huh".  Sometimes more is less I guess; I just really didn't feel like arguing about it.  Anyways - I have found I encounter such a mix of reactions with this thing.  It's nice if you like to examine human behavior I suppose.  Bottom line though, is this: I bought this car because I like it.  If no one else does, that's fine - I couldn't possibly care less, but dang, what is with people's desire to always TELL me?!  LOL.   It's an insult.  I mean really, who walks up to someone and insults their car?  I've written about this before, in my rant section:     

http://www.travelsinacab.com/ruses-rants/got-couth

Okay, enough of that, I got what I needed by my trusty trusted tire professionals (whom I really like) - and then it was go time - a nice long cruise....feeling that whip of the wind roll over it's body and the freedom of the open road.  Plus, gas was $2.99.  Perfect.

Well, that's its.  I just wanted to let all the bots and other various spams that hit this site nearly 300 times a day, that my amazing and lovely former taxi is alive, and doing well - as it always will.  I will never, give up on this car. New trips, coming up!  Thanks for reading my drivel!