New Owner
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Joined: 03-14-2015
Posts: 39
From: SoCal
New Owner
Joined HHR.net about 6 years ago because I was so enamored with this car. The stars aligned for me recently and I purchased (paid way too much) for an HHR with 125K miles on it. You see I'm a former street rodder and I can't get it out of my blood. "Old Street Rodders Never Die, They just Get Re-tired." The car I purchased is described in my sig line below. I have never enjoyed a street rod more (including some that were award winners)
I call the car RedRydr (Red Ryder) after the comic book cowboy hero of my youth. Red was even more popular than Roy Rogers or Gene Autry in his time! Red had a little Indian boy companion who was called Little Beaver - I doubt the censors would allow that scenario today. But Red wasn't a Catholic priest either. When I introduce myself to people curious about the HHR, I say, "Hi, I'm the owner of Red Rider and this is my wife and co-pilot, Little Beaver!"
What?! What did he just say? My wife, of many, many years, gives me the frown and raised eyebrow look. She will walk over, elbow in the ribs and whisper. "You're going to be sleeping in Red Rider tonight, KIMOSABE!" OUCH! The Lone Ranger had an Indian companion called Tonto ( which means "stupid" in Spanish) and Tonto called the Lone Ranger, Kimosabe (which means "You don't know $hit" in Spanish). So the jokes on me.
Cosmetically the car is in great condition subject to a few minor dings appropriate for an 11 y.o. car. Paint is glossy and bright (the car was obviously garaged). The Ebony Leather interior is in almost new condition. I have been doing all the easy modifications - de-badging, new hood struts, new grille (something a bit different than what has been seen here), new home made cargo mats, and who else knows what's next. But most importantly I have a reserved time for a complete power train, running gear, and safety check at the local GMC dealership (thank you for the tips @Oldblue and @don and HHR members) You see, at this point in my life I have more disposable income than I have physical stamina (I have developed a disability in my hands that makes even a screwdriver difficult to use). I will be driving the car from SoCal to its permanent home at our place in Los Cabos at the tip of Baja California in a month, a 1000+ mile trek over some 'challenging' roads. I don't want any mechanical trouble out in the desert in the middle of no where (incl. timing chain and struts). Once in Cabo I have a Chevy dealer nearby and Costco gas not too far away. I have lived in Los Cabos off and on for over 15 years. I have NEVER seen an HHR anywhere in Baja. The car will certainly be a sensation there and will be good for me as an airport limo (lil' red bus) to pick up our guests. They always bring too many suitcases!!! All you need in Cabo is a tee shirt, pair of shorts, flip flops, a couple changes of underwear and a love for fresh fish tacos and you're good to go.
I will be including pictures soon as the projects progress and I am certain I will have questions but only after RTFM (I purchased a new one on Ebay). In the meantime, carry on.
I call the car RedRydr (Red Ryder) after the comic book cowboy hero of my youth. Red was even more popular than Roy Rogers or Gene Autry in his time! Red had a little Indian boy companion who was called Little Beaver - I doubt the censors would allow that scenario today. But Red wasn't a Catholic priest either. When I introduce myself to people curious about the HHR, I say, "Hi, I'm the owner of Red Rider and this is my wife and co-pilot, Little Beaver!"
What?! What did he just say? My wife, of many, many years, gives me the frown and raised eyebrow look. She will walk over, elbow in the ribs and whisper. "You're going to be sleeping in Red Rider tonight, KIMOSABE!" OUCH! The Lone Ranger had an Indian companion called Tonto ( which means "stupid" in Spanish) and Tonto called the Lone Ranger, Kimosabe (which means "You don't know $hit" in Spanish). So the jokes on me.Cosmetically the car is in great condition subject to a few minor dings appropriate for an 11 y.o. car. Paint is glossy and bright (the car was obviously garaged). The Ebony Leather interior is in almost new condition. I have been doing all the easy modifications - de-badging, new hood struts, new grille (something a bit different than what has been seen here), new home made cargo mats, and who else knows what's next. But most importantly I have a reserved time for a complete power train, running gear, and safety check at the local GMC dealership (thank you for the tips @Oldblue and @don and HHR members) You see, at this point in my life I have more disposable income than I have physical stamina (I have developed a disability in my hands that makes even a screwdriver difficult to use). I will be driving the car from SoCal to its permanent home at our place in Los Cabos at the tip of Baja California in a month, a 1000+ mile trek over some 'challenging' roads. I don't want any mechanical trouble out in the desert in the middle of no where (incl. timing chain and struts). Once in Cabo I have a Chevy dealer nearby and Costco gas not too far away. I have lived in Los Cabos off and on for over 15 years. I have NEVER seen an HHR anywhere in Baja. The car will certainly be a sensation there and will be good for me as an airport limo (lil' red bus) to pick up our guests. They always bring too many suitcases!!! All you need in Cabo is a tee shirt, pair of shorts, flip flops, a couple changes of underwear and a love for fresh fish tacos and you're good to go.
I will be including pictures soon as the projects progress and I am certain I will have questions but only after RTFM (I purchased a new one on Ebay). In the meantime, carry on.
Last edited by RedRydr; Oct 3, 2021 at 10:32 AM.
to the forums!!
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