Ben\’s 1967 Pontiac Firebird 400 Rod & Restoration

I’d kill to be in 50s with a house paid off, a huge pension and enough money to finish everything all at once.  Unfortunately, I’m young, still working my way into a sweet cushy job, and I’ve got more energy than cash.  Plus, I’m stupid and spend money on crap, like my new iPhone.  Of course, my company will pick up the tab eventually, but I’m still an idiot.

What does that mean for the car build?  Well, actually it’s not hurting too bad, since I’ll finally get my cash from the camera I sold on eBay.  In March.  For $1300.  To a scam artist.  Actually, it’s PayPal’s fault, and they’ve owned up to it, so I should be getting the Benjamins before too long.

I’m also getting my vacation time from the job I just quit in one lump sum that adds up to about $1300 after taxes, so I’ll hopefully have about $2500 in no time.  I’m putting $1000 back into savings, so that means I’ll be able to buy the steering and brake parts that I need.  Unless the wife keeps spending money on stupid shit.

On top of that, I’ve sorta gotten myself indebted to get my BSA engine fixed up, which might cost me a small fortune.  So, all in all, I can’t afford shit at the moment.  In fact, I might be putting all my efforts into the BSA over the next few months, so that I can turn it around and sell it for a huge chunk of change, then have enough money to do the heating & cooling system, fuel tank, gauges, fans, and a lot more stuff.

In the meantime, I’ve got laundry to do.

Well, not so much trouble, but averaging it out this month doesn’t allow me to splurge on parts.  Plus, the parts I need are a little pricey at the moment.  I had to pay a big insurance premium and buy my bi-annual shirts and pants.

On a better note, I’m taking a new job which pays considerably better, and my saved up vacation time will basically give me a $2000 bonus for quitting my existing job.  (Of course, my current company has pulled some real dickhead maneuvers before, so while I’m expecting the cash, I’m not going to spend it just yet.)  There’s also the matter of not being super sure about when to expect my first check from the new gig (could be up to 3 weeks), so I’m having to tighten the reigns for the moment, which means no new steering wheel, brake booster, brake lines, etc. for the time being.

I had to order a few more parts, and I hope they work. Instead of a rag joint, I’m using a U-joint and I had to buy a hanger for the steering column, as well as a column cover and a billion other little things I forgot about. So far it’s an extra $115. (T.C. – $10885)

(edit) Oh, and in case I didn’t mention it, I broke the brittle brake line while removing the steering gear box – I tried to disconnect it, and it snapped right off – so, I’m going to have to look at the brake system too.

Parts I still need to finish the steering:

Steering Wheel ($125 – Classic Industries)
Firewall Gasket ($8 – Rick’s First Generation Camaro)
Steering Column to Floor Boot ($15 – Rick’s First Generation Camaro)
Ignition Switch Lock Cylinder ($16 – Classic Industries)
Ignition Switch ($13 – Classic Industries)
Front Brake Lines (which I broke while fixing the steering) ($59 – Classic Industries)
Rear Axle Brake Lines – ($25 – Classic Industries)
Brake Booster (which I might as well install with the new brake lines) ($143 – eBay)

Once I get all that this week, I can finish all the bolting in of the column, and hook up the wiring. Yay. The test fitting well surprisingly easy, so I’m very happy.