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Post by Jeff Troy on May 3, 2019 11:22:23 GMT -5
Hi, Buds,
I began my 6th (or maybe 7th) rebuild of my GT in 2014, when after 645,000 miles, the valve seats on the heads were so worn that I couldn't keep the engine running.
I pulled and flipped the body to clean up the few trouble spots that had popped up since the previous restoration in 2000, and also built a new bottom end for a 1776 street engine. I did, however, retain all the top end parts that were still in great shape.
 
I was less than a week away from driving the car again when I slipped on the ice behind my house and ended up with a shattered hip and subsequent replacement. I'm sure you know that crawling around inside a GT with an injury is completely impossible, so my car has sat unfinished since March of 2015.
Since then, the hip has healed nicely, but I've been busy with RC airplane commitments and running around on tour again with Chubby Checker for a couple of years. Right now, I'm playing bass with a local 12-piece swing band, which is kind of a stretch for a rock & roller, but still lots of fun and a good bunch of people with far less attitude issues.
With good weather returning to the Northeast, I started preparing to get back to work on the car, which is still only a week or so away from road-ready. I've attached a pic of the 1776 engine, already installed with all the accessories hooked up. All the car needs is a reinstall of the T-top and seats, along a new set of windshield/gull/rear window gaskets and a good cleanup after four years in the garage.
Good to be back, old buds, and I'll try to keep you posted as time allows.
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Post by leonardabell on May 3, 2019 20:59:04 GMT -5
We've missed you. Glad you are back.
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Post by horen2tas on May 4, 2019 20:49:38 GMT -5
So you're goin' from "Twistin" to "Swingin" with a new hip & RC in between! Best wishes to you Bud!
Nice to see you up & Kickin' !
All the best, Mike Horen
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Post by Jeff Troy on May 7, 2019 13:06:11 GMT -5
Thamks, Leonard and Mike,
Always nice to hear from you.
Warmest...
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Post by centralvalleygter on May 23, 2019 13:43:55 GMT -5
Hi Jeff, It is nice to see a current post from you and see you are still enthused about the Bradley GT. Mine was off the road for a few years too, but, has been back on the road for a couple of years now. Still my favorite ride. In RC planes, I am now flying IMAC, my current plane is an AJ Laser 230 with a DA 70 twin. I am leading the SW region in points in the BASIC class just by simply flying at nearly every contest. I spent a year calling for a friend in a higher class and he convinced me to enter this year by giving me the slightly damaged Laser (they tend to just drop straight down when they stall, not tip stall and have a poor landing gear system). My brother bought the engine and components needed. It is adequate for the class I am in now, but, I will have to fly a larger plane to be competitive in the higher classes (you loose points for any stray movement and heading changes, even if caused by the wind - larger planes handle that better) if I decide to continue. I have not played bass since my wife passed away in 2014, but did recently play the acoustical guitar again publicly with the help of super glue on my less than completely calloused left finger tips.
Best Regards, Steven
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Post by Jeff Troy on May 23, 2019 21:27:40 GMT -5
Hi, Steven,
I'm trying to remember... did I ever know that you were an RC guy or a bass player? I'd like to think that the memory thing hasn't hit me yet, but I really do feel like I lose a few bits every now and then. What's the old joke... "They said I have Alzheimer;s but I really can't remember!"
I was never much for aerobatics. When I was competitive I flew sailplane and scale. Did Scale Masters and Top Gun in 1989 with a 1/3 two-place 1913 Bleriot XI-2, complete with castoring landing gear and functional wing warping (not exactly the thing for IMAC). Lockhart spent some time trying to get me into aerobatics, but I knew I'd never be good enough to enjoy it. Building has always been my strong point, and enough to get me into the Model Aviation HOF.
I hope to have the Bradley back on the road in a few weeks. Not that much to do, but always busy with a million other things. Also trying to finish the Fiberfab '52 MGTD.
When you have a few minutes, go to www.bandmix.com/jefftroy The track has my voice and my killer 1969 Dan Armstrong bass. Bought it new the day Dan introduced it. You can also see my thee walls of restored Sunn gear from the late 60s.
Anyway, sounds like you're doing great. Keep it up.
Warmest...
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Post by centralvalleygter on May 27, 2019 16:52:20 GMT -5
Hey Jeff, yes we discussed the R/C Planes at length. I think there are still some of our posts in the off topic section. You recognized some of the planes that I posted pictures of from the late 70' and early 80's. My playing bass was spoken of in passing & I think I sent a link to you of some of the our songs. I am not a natural musician, have to work at keeping in time (crazy that I attempt to play a largely percussion instrument with that weakness, huh!). Yeah, I do not think I will ever really be competitive enough in IMAC to place very often, but we have a great group here on the west coast, which prioritize sharing and social aspect over the winning, so it makes for nice weekend getaways. I am also more of a builder. One of the guys who I fly with is a notable pilot in his own right, but, is an amazing builder. He builds the 30% to 40% IMAC planes for others, does about one a year (though usually only takes 6-7 months to actually build them) and charges between $6000 - $9,000 per plane for his labor to build them. He has a waiting list for the next few years. At the last contest there was a 50% YAK with a 275cc twin engine. Elegant in the sky. With the prop he uses, it actually flies pretty close to scale speed, just definitely has better than scale vertical performance.
Checked out your link. Nice to match a voice (and Bass playing) to the words & pics. Sounds like a fun bass part to play (with half step reverse scales & all). Saw the picture of the Chubby Checker album cover... you really got to get over your shyness and come out of your shell (haha...lol). Must have been a great experience to play with a legend again.
We seem to share a lot of experiences (Bradley, R/C planes, music, Go Kart racing). If we did not live on opposites sides of the county, we would have probably been great friends. Speaking of karts, have driven you vintage kart(s) lately?
Best Regards...
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Post by centralvalleygter on May 27, 2019 17:21:16 GMT -5
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