This isn't my first post on the org, but it is my first thread and I figured that I would try to make my first thread a good one. I hope everyone is able to take the time to read this thread since this is a story that I would like to share with everyone.
I've known Brad (DoubleZ) and James (Raven) for sometime now, I've known Brad a bit longer since he's been running a successful mechanics shop up the road from where I live. I've been one of the regulars at Brad's shop for sometime now, but oddly enough never had any work done there, lol.
As the years had progressed I grew to know the people who work at Brad's shop, and the other regulars quite well, especially this one guy who planned to install a turbo on his 2.4L cavalier, which I thought was pretty neat. In the long run, the 2.4 gernaded a piston and it was much more practical to install a 3800SC much rather than source another 2.4 and turbo it, lol.
It was early January one evening while sitting out at Tim Horton's for a coffee with a friend of mine and a chick I know that can give one mean head rub, lol, that Brad had came through the drive through and I had popped outside to say hey (and hopefully bum a smoke). Well, after ten minutes of conversation the deal was made, for a pack of smokes I was going down to Brad's house to help him setup the air ride in this car he was building.
What was supposed to be a couple nights of working on his air ride turned into a week, and then it was onto making sub boxes, and wiring up stereo, and HIDs and helping with interior, gas tank, rear seats, amp racks, carpet, sanding, molding, shaping, and the list goes on and on. I was hooked, and just being recently dumped by my ex-girlfriend, I had nothing better to do with my time then pour all my energy into this car that Brad and his friends were building. 10, 20, 30 maybe 40 hours a week not that I kept track or care, I spent working on Brad's car in the evenings.
Around late January, James had asked me if I would be interested in going on a trip with him and a couple other guys to Toronto for a cavalier show. I was game, the trip half across the country was more than exciting enough for me and I could not wait to go. The time I put into Brad's car continued, and sometime in early March, Brad hit me with a proposition that I knew I could not refuse. . . if I was to get my license back before we left to go to Toronto for the JBody bash, I would be able to drive his 2003 4 door up (and I'm sure many of you know the car). I was over joyed. My fines at the DMV got paid off, re-examinations were booked, and for the first time in almost 3 years, I had a driver’s license.
Everything was looking great, Brad's car was coming along great, James car had a few couple mods done to it and putting down good numbers and the 2003 just received a new pair of side skirts. Things were going great and I was so excited to see Brad's car complete, and for Brad, James and I to make our trip to Toronto.
We ran into a couple issues with Brad's car that were quickly sorted out, and the trip to Toronto was not far off. Then all hell broke lose. Brad's car was taking longer at the body shop to get finished. The clear was just laid on the car a Friday evening and James and I were making our way to meet up with Brad to head to the body shop to sneak a peak of the car in clear. We had started to notice a noise coming from under James hood. Our hearts sank. After inspecting the noise and guessing it was tranny, we decided that the car was all right to drive. We headed to see Brad's car and were amazed with how it turned out, the months of hard work had paid off to see the car finally in one colour (or should I say its final group of colours? Lol) and shining like a mirror.
The next day, James and I headed to the shop to find his noise. After hauling the pan off of the car, we found out that the number 5 rod bearing was toast. There's one car off the list for the Toronto cruise. Brad had assured us that we could get it done, so we started to rip the car down and get it ready so the crank and connecting rod could be sent out to the machine shop. We then drove to the body shop to accompany Brad's convertible back to the shop. Once back at the shop, we were right back to James car. 5 days til we’re supposed to leave for Toronto and Brad's car still needs to be put back together and James’ car is in pieces minus a motor.
It was a hectic week of trying to get both cars done, and the armored truck that backed over Brad's 03 the day before we were supposed to leave had crushed my hopes of being able to cruise up with the boys in my own car to Toronto. By Wednesday night (the night before we were supposed to leave) it looks like we had made our goal, til we tried to fire up James car and his harness had started to smoke. It was at that point that Brad made the call that we would NOT be heading to Toronto. It seems that everything I had waited the last six months for was done. I was grossed.
By Friday, we had James’ car running fine, and Brad's car was now working like a top as well. Things were finally starting to change face. Until James ran into an issue where his supercharger decided that it would no longer like to have a pulley on the end of its snout. Brad figured that to make the best of a situation, he might as well enter his car into a local show (it was far from being done, but presentable enough to unleash on the public). That was a good call, cause he walked away from the show with First Place Best Overall and a nice big Trophy to show for it.
All said and done, it was an awesome experience for me, and I had grown awesome friendships with both Brad and James, and there is not one instance of the entire build of Brad's car that I ever regret, except for their occasional crack about how I should get a cavalier. . . . and give up on my Hondas, couldn't see it happening.
Tuesday after the show, I had gotten sick. . . and stayed home the whole day. When I had finally emerged from my bed around supper time, I had a message left by mother to call Brad back, along with a dozen or so text messages to get a hold of Brad, and a few voice mails. I feared the worse and thought something had happened to his car, or James. I called Brad, only to find out that he decided to show his appreciation for my help and effort with his car by buying me my own car. . . and it was at the shop for me to go see.
I had quickly got dressed and called a friend of mine to give me a lift up to the shop. There I found my car, a 1996 2 door, 2.2L 5-speed cavalier, purple in colour (which Brad had dubbed the "Purple Nurple"). I was so excited, and totally not expecting such a token of appreciation. Both Brad and James as well seem happy to see me with a Cavalier, and despite the few dings here and there, the car is an awesome platform for me to start with. EXTREMELY solid underneath, and has a clean interior. I couldn't of asked for anything else. . . then Brad finds me a drift kit for an insane price!!! I couldn't have been any happier. Since my first car I bought myself when I was 14, I always swore to a Honda. . . . but since getting to know both Brad (DoubleZ) and James (Raven) and getting a lot of hands on experience with both of their cars, I can now proudly say that I am looking forward to my experience as a JBody owner.
To both Brad and James, I want to extend a personal thank you, you guys have both been awesome to me, and there have been many great times and I'm looking forward to many more. Thanks a lot guys. For the other people on here, those two are two of the best friends that anyone could ask for
And since this is a photos and media section, here are a couple pics of the car and the kit!
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