WHat's Freiburger up to?

[squirrel]

they almost deserve it for towing the thing home, instead of getting it running and driving it.

[andy30thz]

I might be totally wrong..... But it looks to me because of Freiburger's schedule (don't forget, I'm pretty sure he has a wife and kid as well) the ONLY way he gets time to do these projects is when there is a crushing deadline. Because he has no spare time, you can make spare time by putting huge pressure on a project.
Hell, I've played that game too...."sorry Honey, I can't do ANYTHING this week...I HAVE to get the car ready for PowerTour by Monday"

Another interesting thing is the direction of the Magazine.... The current staff are a bunch of Do'ers.
They've done four major road trip stories this year. (one a quarter?) I know David is a big proponent of getting out there and doing stuff. Its pretty cool to see him lead that initiative by example with a group of guys willing to put in the hours to get it done.

It will be interesting to see if the readership wants build thrashs/road trip stories, or just look at feature cars.
Its also cool to see him try to integrate the Car Junkie style video stories in Hotrod. I am disappointed to see low views on youtube v.s. amount of Hotrod readers. I think these video stories add a great amount of depth to the written page.

I hope this car build/road trip continues in any form for as long as they can keep it up! I'd think eventually you'd get burned out!!

I can say because of these guys I now have a long distance project purchase and get it home on my bucket list!

[Brian Lohnes]

Andy, I can't say a lot so I don't get myself in trouble, but expect a lot more of this road trip stuff.

[Bamfster]

And I'm a huge fan of the impromptu stuff. "hey guys, we're taking off to go do whatever next tuesday, who's in?" That's the stuff that I'm diggin' lately, and it seems that that is the direction thing are heading ..... count me in.

[Barry Donovan]

I totally agree with you 100%. I would love to see them make the trip and was disappointed when they abandoned the trip. I also like Dave's stuff and have a lot of respect for it. My point (a little tongue-in-cheek I might add) was that they seem to thrive on the drama of a pushing-the-limits, last minute thrash to complete a seemingly impossible road trip. It just seems like its the same situation every time. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, as it draws the audience in even more. Heck, I've actually considered signing up for a Facebook account so that I can follow their progress more (and you have no idea how much I hate Facebook). They also inspire me to get my junk out and drive it too. I need to fix the busted trans in my truck so I can take off on some lunatic road trip too...

I am a fan of this, as quiet as I might stay..and also avoid facebook like a plague.
diving into the north needs a steel guru..the bearing is only the beginning.

I am actually on adventures similar involuntary living where I am..its like a north carolina to alaska just parking outside in a few day intervals. the south breeze reversing to single digits is happening now.

in a way that is the only thing insulting to me about their trip..it is almost ignorance to pretend everything is just going to go like a rock.

it is a realm missing from hot rodders who have machines that stay good in their environment anyway.

[SuperBuickGuy]

Andy, I can't say a lot so I don't get myself in trouble, but expect a lot more of this road trip stuff.

HRM is going the way of reality of TV? oh good Lord - BBR, I may have to join you in the trip to Cali for a b*tch slap.

[squirrel]

Drama sells a lot of soap.

[BBR]

Andy, I can't say a lot so I don't get myself in trouble, but expect a lot more of this road trip stuff.

They already said they were doing a tv show on their live feed the other day.

[dieselgeek]

And I'm a huge fan of the impromptu stuff. "hey guys, we're taking off to go do whatever next tuesday, who's in?" That's the stuff that I'm diggin' lately, and it seems that that is the direction thing are heading ..... count me in.

Impromptu is fine, but they shouldn't claim the accomplishment before it's done. "We're gonna race in Alaska!" Really? chances are slim that you can get a reliable car together in time to do that, and since we all know that, why make a commitment that we knew is 99% unlikely to happen?

It's kinda like saying "THERE WILL BE A SIX SECOND PASS AT EVERY DRAG WEEK TRACK IN 2012" - doesn't matter how nice of a guy you are, that's just a dipshit retarded thing to say, period. Because now, if you DON'T make it happen you look like a fool with excuses - and if it DOES happen, no big deal...

[Bamfster]

Impromptu is fine, but they shouldn't claim the accomplishment before it's done. "We're gonna race in Alaska!" Really? chances are slim that you can get a reliable car together in time to do that, and since we all know that, why make a commitment that we knew is 99% unlikely to happen?

It's kinda like saying "THERE WILL BE A SIX SECOND PASS AT EVERY DRAG WEEK TRACK IN 2012" - doesn't matter how nice of a guy you are, that's just a dipshit retarded thing to say, period. Because now, if you DON'T make it happen you look like a fool with excuses - and if it DOES happen, no big deal...

Agree totally .... and it would've been a million times better if they said "this is what we are gonna try and do", and that's the kinda stuff I was trying to speak to. You still have to tip your hat to them for doing what they did with so many unknowns along the way.

We should never claim victory until the winner's check has been cashed and spent for three months ....

[TheSilverBuick]

Impromptu is fine, but they shouldn't claim the accomplishment before it's done. "We're gonna race in Alaska!" Really? chances are slim that you can get a reliable car together in time to do that, and since we all know that, why make a commitment that we knew is 99% unlikely to happen?

It's kinda like saying "THERE WILL BE A SIX SECOND PASS AT EVERY DRAG WEEK TRACK IN 2012" - doesn't matter how nice of a guy you are, that's just a dipshit retarded thing to say, period. Because now, if you DON'T make it happen you look like a fool with excuses - and if it DOES happen, no big deal...

As much as I agree, I have to say that it's important to have a goal though. If they left just saying they were heading to Alaska, and not planning to mention the race until they get there, then they'd look like quiters rather than game plan changers because the impression of a deadline wouldn't be there. It's a fine line between setting a goal and over hyping reality.

I mean if I said I was going to hop in a car sight unseen and start driving it that night across country, then fail due to any number of reasons. Transmission failure, overheating, anything. There would be no shortage of people saying "What the F were you thinking." I walked the line by saying it was the "plan", and this case it worked out, but it could just as easily not. Similarly to having only 40 miles on my Buick before heading out to Drag Week. The trip to Topeka was quite uneventful, nothing worth writing about. Awesome accomplishment, but a very short write up. Had I busted a window, spit out a freeze plug and still made it. Awesome story and accomplishment. It's just a fine line, and I like a good "Plan B"

[TheSilverBuick]

An epic fail trip of my own. When I was putting too big a cam in the Buick and it ate the second one a day before Bonneville. I got it all together and had the old 118 cam in it one tooth off. $%^&!!! Then pull the back up jeep out, plan B, and it blows the power steering line in the driveway $%^&!!! On to Plan C, fix the Skylark. Got it running with all sorts of short cuts taken and who knows what'll pop up (I didn't even install the four front oil pan bolts cause they were giving me trouble....). I ended up getting there a day late. That sucked, but makes a good story

[dieselgeek]

As much as I agree, I have to say that it's important to have a goal though. If they left just saying they were heading to Alaska, and not planning to mention the race until they get there, then they'd look like quiters rather than game plan changers because the impression of a deadline wouldn't be there. It's a fine line between setting a goal and over hyping reality.

I mean if I said I was going to hop in a car sight unseen and start driving it that night across country, then fail due to any number of reasons. Transmission failure, overheating, anything. There would be no shortage of people saying "What the F were you thinking." I walked the line by saying it was the "plan", and this case it worked out, but it could just as easily not. Similarly to having only 40 miles on my Buick before heading out to Drag Week. The trip to Topeka was quite uneventful, nothing worth writing about. Awesome accomplishment, but a very short write up. Had I busted a window, spit out a freeze plug and still made it. Awesome story and accomplishment. It's just a fine line, and I like a good "Plan B"

I agree, but then it becomes OK to say something as lame as "I'm going to build a car in a week, then put wings on it and fly it to the North Pole!!! Let's do this!!" and then a few days later copping out with "Aw man, we just couldn't get the wings fitted in time. Damn the bad luck! Oh well, it's not our fault"

Perhaps it's just my perspective, I live in a world of setting goals that are achievable. If I put out similar performance at my day job - like so many others here, I am sure - I'd get shitcanned.

[TheSilverBuick]

I agree, but then it becomes OK to say something as lame as "I'm going to build a car in a week, then put wings on it and fly it to the North Pole!!! Let's do this!!" and then a few days later copping out with "Aw man, we just couldn't get the wings fitted in time. Damn the bad luck! Oh well, it's not our fault"

Perhaps it's just my perspective, I live in a world of setting goals that are achievable. If I put out similar performance at my day job - like so many others here, I am sure - I'd get shitcanned.

I see it as getting wings on it and crash landing in Alberta. IMO, still an accomplishment, sure 75% of the goal, but also 75% more than the average person is willing to attempt. Which in my opinion is worth something. The difference between their job and our jobs is that theirs apparently allows for bigger gambles. THAT makes it interesting, the bigger gamble, and making things interesting is what they are in buisness for. We're following and talking about it, I say it's success. (as for black and white buisness, that is their #1 goal).

[dieselgeek]

I see it as getting wings on it and crash landing in Alberta. IMO, still an accomplishment, sure 75% of the goal, but also 75% more than the average person is willing to attempt. Which in my opinion is worth something. The difference between their job and our jobs is that theirs apparently allows for bigger gambles. THAT makes it interesting, the bigger gamble, and making things interesting is what they are in buisness for. We're following and talking about it, I say it's success. (as for black and white buisness, that is their #1 goal).

75% ? to me, that would have been "made it to alaska, didnt' make the race" - they made it about what, 10% of the journey and pooped out after a few hours of cold weather.