“Original” Chex Mix… What Were They Thinking?

As a tradition, I always make Chex Party Mix during the holidays.  I’ve always grabbed the boxes, and started cooking.  However, this year… the boxes have the label “Original Chex Party Mix” but the directions are for the microwave?  :???:  What… no oven baked recipe this year?

For those other lost souls.. here it is:

6 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
3 cups Corn Chex cereal
3 cups Rice Chex cereal
3 cups Wheat Chex cereal
1 cup mixed nuts
1 cut bite-size pretzels
1 cup bagel chips

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. In an ungreased large roasting pan, melt butter in the oven. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir in chex cereals, mixed nuts, pretzels, and bagel chips until coated. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on paper towels until cooled. Store in an airtight container.

Too Freakin’ Cold

Outside air temp is -1 degrees fahrenheit with wind chills approaching -30 degrees.  The garage is in the 30’s but my toes and fingers get uncomfortably cold in a matter of minutes, I end up coming back inside before I even get a project started.  Time is flying by, and I’m making no progress on the car at all right now.  My family suffers, because I’m a grouchy SOB.

English Cars and Lucas Electrical Systems

I won’t take credit for writing this, but I found it on the net, and thought it was funny.  All credits go to the author listed below.

For as long as the English have been making cars (some would say poorly, but with excellent style, poise and panache), Lucas has been providing the electrical wiring and switch gear.

For as long as Lucas have been making the electrics, British cars have suffered. Now, I’m not saying that the company today is like the old company, today Lucas are modern company, with a quality and reliability second to none, but for most of the company’s history their quality and reliability has been hit and miss.

So for any one who still suffers from the memory of having ever owned, driven, or pushed a British sports car, here are some of of my favorite sayings about old Lucas Electrics. 
(Please note, I have had these things said to me they are a part of the lexicon of humour, I’m just repeating them here).

Lucas has never had a patent on darkness, just sudden unexpected darkness. 
Lucas also hold the patent on the Short Circuit.

During the 1970 and 80’s Lucas electrics branched out into domestic appliances and sold vacuum cleaners in England, it was the only product they ever made that didn’t suck.

There is absolutely no truth that the company’s motto was Lucas, get home before dark”.

While other talked about it Lucas invented the the original anti theft device.

Lucas were also the inventors of the first intermittent wiper, although they thought it was normal.

Lucas are also the inventor of the self-dimming headlights.

All of their headlights had a three position switch - Dim, Flicker and Off.

Lucas is an acronym for Loose Unsoldered Connections and Splices

If Lucas was a manufacturer of firearms then wars would not start.

There is no truth to the rumour that the English drink warm beer because Lucas makes their Fridges.

There is no truth to the rumour that Lucas, tried to get British Parliament to repeal Ohmms Law, but that they gave up after too much resistance.

All of these things aside, you can tell you own a British Sports Car, if after you replace the electrical system and the fuel pumps, you still need to go driving with at least one friend to help you push it while you steer.

British cars designed to look good standing still, going fast, or loaded on the back of a tow truck.

Finally, there is no truth to the rumour that mobile phones were invented to help British Sports Car Owners call the Auto Club, its just that what most British Car owners use them for.

Dash, Part 2

 

Been a while since I updated the Blog here, due to 60 hour work weeks.  The project is almost over, so back to my car I hope to return.

Today, I punched holes for my gauges and some other misc. switches.  Ran out of time, however, and had to take my younger son to be measured for his baseball uniform for next season.

Here are the pics: (the two gauges on the right, stay, the others are just for test fitting)

 

Closer shot of the gauges.

Closer shot of the gauges.

 

 

Dash with Gauges Inserted

Dash with Gauges Inserted

More Painting

You know, painting your own car is very rewarding.  I am really feeling good about my effort and results.

I sprayed another quart of paint on my car again this weekend.  I gave it two more coats.  I was burning through when I was wet sanding and I had some orange peel remaining.  So, I decided that since it was a 70 degree day, in OCTOBER!! I would take advantage of it and paint.  Unfortunately, it was also windy.

None the less, I painted and increased the amount of paint leaving the tip, trying to make a ‘wetter’ coat.  I did, but got a few runs, which I did not have with my previous attempt.  No worries however, because I watched a YouTube video from a guy that I hold in respect, on how to fix this with a straight razor.  The tip, or procedure worked flawlessly.  Afterwards, I started with 1500 sand paper, and then again with 2000.  Then I pulled out the buffer and compound that the paint store sold me, and I have a pretty good finish at this point.  I will go back and do some spot fixes, but I should have a damn nice paint job when I’m done, and I did it in my garage!  :wink:

So, it CAN be done, and I’m happy with my results.  No pictures for this post, but when I get the chassis on wheels and the tub transferred over, I will be able to roll it out on the driveway and snap a few pics.  

I have a huge sense of accomplishment.  Painting my own car, myself.  Life is good.

Wet Sand, and Buffing

No pictures tonight, but last weekend and all last week, ending with this weekend, I’ve been wet sanding the car, and finally finished with the 3M buffing/cutting compound on a white pad.  It’s starting to look fantastic.  I have a few spots that will need individual attention, but for a garage paint job, I couldn’t be any more happier or proud.  It’s coming together nicely.  :lol:

It’s Finally Painted

Here are some pics of my painted car.

View from the rear.

 

View from the front.

 

View from the side.

View from the side.

Test Spray

 

I needed to test spray the sealer and primer, practice with the gun settings and see how it applied to the car.  The white color is sealer, and he yellow is MY WAY.
Inside Boot with sealer.
Inside Boot with sealer.
Inside boot lid with paint.  View 1.
Inside boot lid with paint. View 1.
Inside boot lid.  View 2

Inside boot lid. View 2

Swede - Svenska Assistance Needed

I know.. adding a category with a Swedish Theme to a British Car Blog is very unusual.  But, I have Swedish Roots and I would like to exchange conversations, language, culture, information with a resident of Sweden.  Anyone interested?  :?:

Front Suspension on Frame

 

Dusty from years of sitting around, waiting.

Dusty from years of sitting around, waiting.

Well, it’s not much to look at yet, but the frame is on jackstands for the first time, and one side of the suspension is hung, somewhat.  More to come. :wink:

 

 

Bolted on, but not completely.

Bolted on, but not completely.