Another new Excited XLR owner

[KWhale]

Hi everyone!
I just wanted to post up and say I finally found an XLR after 10 years of watching and waiting. They are a little more rare here in western Canada and because I really wanted a black one (you know, for the extra speed lol) that really limited my choices. The one I got is an '05 with only 13k Miles (about 23k kilometers). I've had the car for a couple of weeks now, top up and top down driving is fantastic! So far no issues, but I'm aware these cars aren't really meant to be a daily driver and can be finicky at times. This is my third car (2 drivers in the house) and as I did with my previous convertibles (Solstice GXP, Boxster S, Caprice Classic), she'll be parked all winter.
Now, back to reading this wonderful forum to learn as much as I can!

 

[Rob]

Congrats and welcome to the XLR Net!

 

[CNC]

Welcome! Great Cars, Great Fun : )

While I have been so absent from this site for soooooooo long, it's embarrassing. Ugh. I do welcome you to The Family, assuming I'm still welcome as a 'member'?

Good job on finding it. Please post some pictures when you can.

Charles

 

[Rob]

...assuming I'm still welcome as a 'member'?

Charles

Of course you are!

 

[AL_Jazz]

Welcome to the XLR family!

 

[CNC]

Thanks Rob. : )

Of course you are!

Hi Rob,

Just been a crazy summer and now it's on the way to 'winter', ugh! What has my spring and summer consisted of? (a) working to earn income, and (b) working on The 79' Eldorado (Hess and Eisenhart Conversion) Convertible that I bought in California in February. This, 'non stop'. The Eldorado as you are aware, just sat and was almost not used having only 45K Original Miles on it. Had been purchased new by a member of The Getty Oil Family in California in 1979 from Restor Cadillac in Burlingame CA (Restor Cadillac is now a Toyota Dealership there). Body, interior, paint and cosmetic appearance is excellent. When I got it the car was in Palm Springs. When they 'sit' all the seals dry out and they start to leak, everywhere. I have 'temporarily' nicknamed it the Exxon Valdez.

So far have done the front timing cover gasket set and installed a Cloyes True (double) Roller timing chain set. New plugs and wires and dizzy cap and rotor, reset the timing. New oil pan gasket set. New rear main bearing seal, new transmission seals, new radiator (aluminum 4 row), new water pump, thermostat and housing, all new hoses, radiator and heater. New fan belts. New alternator. Oil change and filter. Flushed the fuel system and cleaned everything and repainted all mechanicals as required, as well as redoing others prior work in many instances that had not been done correctly. Go figure. Ex., someone (?) had at one point removed the flywheel shield and did not reinstall it. Just left it 'open'. Very dangerous! Found a NOS one in California. Now installed.

Doing the oil pan was loads of fun as they bolt the motor mounts through the front timing cover and the engine and trans must be unbolted and lifted, plus the passenger side CV Axle removed in order to pull the pan. Ugh. Now done

Next, I will disassemble the front suspension and install all new A-Arm Bushings, new sway bar bushings, check all ball joints, and take care of a few glitchy electrical issues. Already have replaced the power antenna motor, installed a new ignition switch, dimmer switch (disassemble the dash and drop the steering column). More fun.

Anyhow, you get the picture. Just amazing how stuff deteriorates just 'sitting' and drying out. Plastic switches, hoses and gaskets. Kaput.

Have kept 'Goldie' serviced and running and just a few minor things like replaced the gas hood supports as they got weak. Took her on a few local cruises here in Colorado. Start her weekly let her run and hold the brake while in gear to circulate trans fluid, etc. In two weeks we will do some top down 'canyon carving' through The Rockies on a trip to Paonia Colorado on The Western Slope (in the XLR). Will stay there for a few days for their 'Festival'.

I have told my wife that one cannot be a car collector with only two cars. This typically generates severe frowning and dirty looks. Have been thinking about a later model Jag XKR Convert, or a Porsche 928 ???? Then again, deep down, the hot rod bug for scary tire shredding power beckons.

I need to reconnect with several friends on the site as I have obviously been 'out of touch' and am feeling a certain amount of associated guilt.

Best, Charles

 

[KWhale]

Thanks

Thanks for the warm welcome! I'm sure I'll have a few newbie questions in the near future...thanks in advance for your patience

 

[05 GRAND DADDY]

While I have been so absent from this site for soooooooo long, it's embarrassing. Ugh. I do welcome you to The Family, assuming I'm still welcome as a 'member'?

Good job on finding it. Please post some pictures when you can.

Charles

Welcome back Charles you know you are always welcome here!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Dan & Wendy
"05 GRAND DADDY"

 

[05 GRAND DADDY]

KWhale welcome to this awesome friendly well educated XLR Family! You can always search the history of the forum for problems or just questions you may encounter! Since March of 2011 we have own our "Roxy" 2005 light platinum silver. (Yes some of us have named our beautiful rides) Roxy was purchased with 53k and just the other day rolled over 91k! Best fun car ever and we have made so many great awesome friends here at the get together caravan to event, Cruz'in and trips! Hope you all enjoy us here and make a point attend some events! Also if you got some questions about your new awesome ride you got plenty of experienced brains here to help! Well enjoy your baby just a few more weeks before tucking here away for the winter nap!!! Cruz'on

BTW- Sorry for the misunderstanding and that you got mislead!
But you really should of bought a {Silver Bullet} if you wanted the fastest XLR...........LOL


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Dan & Wendy
"05 GRAND DADDY"

 

[graytoad]

Hi Rob,

Just been a crazy summer and now it's on the way to 'winter', ugh! What has my spring and summer consisted of? (a) working to earn income, and (b) working on The 79' Eldorado (Hess and Eisenhart Conversion) Convertible that I bought in California in February. This, 'non stop'. The Eldorado as you are aware, just sat and was almost not used having only 45K Original Miles on it. Had been purchased new by a member of The Getty Oil Family in California in 1979 from Restor Cadillac in Burlingame CA (Restor Cadillac is now a Toyota Dealership there). Body, interior, paint and cosmetic appearance is excellent. When I got it the car was in Palm Springs. When they 'sit' all the seals dry out and they start to leak, everywhere. I have 'temporarily' nicknamed it the Exxon Valdez.

So far have done the front timing cover gasket set and installed a Cloyes True (double) Roller timing chain set. New plugs and wires and dizzy cap and rotor, reset the timing. New oil pan gasket set. New rear main bearing seal, new transmission seals, new radiator (aluminum 4 row), new water pump, thermostat and housing, all new hoses, radiator and heater. New fan belts. New alternator. Oil change and filter. Flushed the fuel system and cleaned everything and repainted all mechanicals as required, as well as redoing others prior work in many instances that had not been done correctly. Go figure. Ex., someone (?) had at one point removed the flywheel shield and did not reinstall it. Just left it 'open'. Very dangerous! Found a NOS one in California. Now installed.

Doing the oil pan was loads of fun as they bolt the motor mounts through the front timing cover and the engine and trans must be unbolted and lifted, plus the passenger side CV Axle removed in order to pull the pan. Ugh. Now done

Next, I will disassemble the front suspension and install all new A-Arm Bushings, new sway bar bushings, check all ball joints, and take care of a few glitchy electrical issues. Already have replaced the power antenna motor, installed a new ignition switch, dimmer switch (disassemble the dash and drop the steering column). More fun.

Anyhow, you get the picture. Just amazing how stuff deteriorates just 'sitting' and drying out. Plastic switches, hoses and gaskets. Kaput.

Have kept 'Goldie' serviced and running and just a few minor things like replaced the gas hood supports as they got weak. Took her on a few local cruises here in Colorado. Start her weekly let her run and hold the brake while in gear to circulate trans fluid, etc. In two weeks we will do some top down 'canyon carving' through The Rockies on a trip to Paonia Colorado on The Western Slope (in the XLR). Will stay there for a few days for their 'Festival'.

I have told my wife that one cannot be a car collector with only two cars. This typically generates severe frowning and dirty looks. Have been thinking about a later model Jag XKR Convert, or a Porsche 928 ???? Then again, deep down, the hot rod bug for scary tire shredding power beckons.

I need to reconnect with several friends on the site as I have obviously been 'out of touch' and am feeling a certain amount of associated guilt.

Best, Charles

Just been snooping in your photos on your profile; quite a big beastie compared to the XLR! Is it on the road yet? I bet it just 'floats' down the road! My dad had an early 70's Caddy, what a ride: don't like to call I relaxing, but Floating was a closer definition. Hubby is kind of partial to 63/64's: same ride but I have to imagine the 79 would have better cornering characteristics.