Quiet On The Set!

American Graffiti was not a documentary. Consequently, all the principals in the film were actors. Including the cars. Just as each of the actors portrayed a character in the film, sometimes the lead cars were pretending to be something they were not as well. Steve's '58 didn't really have six Strombergs. The '55 was hiding a big block 454 power plant that wouldn't have been around in 1962. Even our beloved Coupe played a character a little more decked out, and a little bit faster than it really was.

As I have mentioned before, it is our intent to build this tribute as it was in the film. Not necessarily as it existed when the movie was made. Put simply, I want the Coupe John Milner was cruisin' around in, not the hot rod Paul LeMat was driving. What's the difference? Not a whole bunch, but enough to break ranks with the bolt4bolt clan.

In the film, the Coupe has a radio. You never see it, but you hear it and it actually plays an important role in one of the scenes between John and Carol.

The character of Milner's Coupe had a radio even if the Coupe did (and does) not.

In another scene as Milner is leaving the garage on his way to Paradise Road, it's indicated that he has uncorked his headers. This would not have been an easy task with the actual Coupe. The exhaust pipe is solid from the collector flange to the muffler. There are no dumps or balancing tubes built into the headers.

It is also our intent to make some noise from time to time. And who knows, some early morning we may just need all the horses we can muster down on Paradise Road. Six bolts a side and we're going commando.

We've sealed the key hole, electrified the ignition, upgraded the battery, and added the missing windshield slider bolts. All different from Figari's car. Hell, we even installed the stock dome light. Not even close to a clone. But pretty much exactly as I see the Coupe when I'm watching American Graffiti for the umpteenth time and it's me in that car wishing I could dump the little girl wearing the T-shirt and go find the blond wearing the T-bird.

Kurt wouldn't stand a chance.

'da Hui no ka oi


Don't Worry Baby - Los Lobos

Elvis Drove A Coupe

'da Hui remembers EP on his birthday.




Money Honey - Elvis Presley

Hau’oli Makahiki Hou!

Here's to 2009.

Politically, it won't have to try very hard to kick the shit out of '08. The present band of thieves is leaving DC with their pockets full and blood on their hands. Good riddance Jr., don't let the screen door hit ya. It's go time B.O. (Oh man, are those his initials? Let's try B.H.O.). Good luck. Now get us out of the stink pile.

Business wise? Since this is a blog supposedly about our coupe project, we won't dwell on the economy. Construction's been fine, development is hanging in there, and our new venture is making steady progress. We'll continue to do our best.

Personally, we lost our good friend and brother Luc, and a couple of our elders could be in better health. But on the whole, we've been blessed and have enjoyed a good year that has seen our circle of loved ones expand to include some great new people.

We spent the Christmas holiday in SoCal. For the benefit of those of you in the snow, I won't mention the clear skies, warm breezes, and long walks on the beach with dolphins accompanying us. It's the least I can do. We stayed in the 'Jimmy Buffett' suite in Carlsbad and couldn't have been more comfortable. We bar-b-cued dorado my Dad caught in Cabo while watching the Chargers school the Broncos. The play-offs start this Saturday. Go Bolts! We spent a few evenings at the homes of friends and family and left a considerable wake of empties as proof. Although I must admit that our friends from England left no doubt as to who could consume more wine. My hat's off and I'll tell them all about it when they recover. Well done mates!

Just got back to the NW last night and found the photo shown below in my e-mail. JH surprised me by picking up my finished headers at The Finishing Touch in Chicago. His recent weight gain prevents him from bending over and removing the wrapping. Should I be concerned? He also said something about using Aladdin shipping. Huh?

Well, we hope all is well and may you and yours share the same good fortune as our family and have a safe, healthy, and prosperous 2009.

'da Hui no ka oi

Shouldn't Have Took More Than You Gave - Dave Mason

Dear Santa,

The Christmas '08 Coupe Wish List:

1. Pair of new M&H 8.00/8.50-14 Cheater Slicks



2. Extra pair of new M&H 8.00/8.50-14 Cheater Slicks ( Hey, I said it was a wish list!)



3. A NOS pair of Gates E78-14 (Can't really talk about Coupe tires without dusting that old chestnut off)



4. To find a good chrome shop. You know, the kind that doesn't start every phone conversation with a 20 minute testimonial as to why they are the best chromer in the world, and then finish with another 20 minute dissertation explaining how shit happens and they can't be held responsible for any imperfections in their work.



5. To find a good painter. Yo! It's half a car! Not the Sistine Chapel!



6. A good upholsterer. (see numbers 4. & 5.)



7. A large caliber, yet silent weapon to be used against anyone who looks at my car and says " You know... that's not how it is on the real Milner Coupe"



8. A UFC style cage fight consisting of all the clone builders. The winner of this melee would be crowned 'King of the Doofuses', no wait, I mean 'King of the Coupe Builders'. And all would bow before him and not question my, no wait, I mean his version of the 'bitchinest car in the valley. (see number 7.)



9. A peek in the trunk. Come on Figari , enough's enough. Give it up. You can't stay seventeen forever. Who do you think you are, 'King of the Doofuses', no wait, I mean 'King of the Coupe'?



10. A 32" waist (did you see how close Ford put the back of the seat to the steering wheel?)
    

I never got that pony as a kid. And Heather Locklear never showed up at my door. But there's always next year. And to tell you the truth, I haven't been all that good and may actually enjoy being on the naughty list. So... Auwe Santa! I'll get it myself.

'da Hui no ka oi

I'm A Man - Bo Diddley

Greetings Race Fans!

'da Hui member Jeff Hamrick has been gathering American Graffiti related literature for years and has been sharing that collection for almost a year now through E-mails each Sunday morning.

For those of us who really look forward to those 'All Graffiti, All The Time' postings each weekend, this blog is a welcome upgrade to that new tradition. Now we can enjoy those high resolution scans instantly without storing them in our hard drive. More room for Coupe photos!

So without further ado...

'da Hui Presents!


Pipeline Sequence - Honk

Good Advice

If you're like me and have quit listening to classic radio because they have a playlist as short as the Padres pitching staff, then check out Rich Bro Radio http://www.richbroradio.com/main.html . The dude knows his history and plays tunes from several decades and genres. I was turned on to this music/radio website via Ken Levine's blog. It comes in super strong and clear and never seems to re-buffer.

It's out-a-sight baby. Now go give it a try or the Wolfman's gonna get ya!