I've noticed a trend in the last several months: when I don't like something about my 91 berlina beauty, I simply disconnect it. Let me explain.
It all started with that gynormous antenna. I put it down, unplugged it's juice, connected the receptive bit to an aftermarket antenna, and placed that under my trunk mat. Now that freakishly long silver bastard doesn't blare, "hey look at me, I was built during the FIRST Bush White House!" because it doesn't EVER go up. And I can still listen to NPR from all over the valley.
Number 2: those corvette-esque yellow side markers. If I were a rich man devoid of consciousness and incapable of guilt, I'd drop the $400 it costs to pick up those clearcorner side markers. I ain't, so I won't, and that's that. Sure, I conformed to the prerequisite exhaustive Internet search for cheapo replacements, and, like all of you, I gave up. There aren't any, and that's why clearcorners charges what they do. Then one day I was driving at dusk and some lady says to me "nice vette" and that was the end of that. I unplugged the lights. They still silently mock me...but at least I can't see them in the dark.
Lastly, the interior thermostat fan. Freakin thing made noise. I sprayed it with compressed air. Noise went away, and then came back. Sprayed it again. No dice. Took it apart, wiped it down, lubed it up, put it back...still made noise. Well, if it's good enough for the antenna and the side marker lights...wink...you know where this is going...wait for it...I unplugged it. I never use the automatic temperature setting anyhow. Now I can drive along, music off, windows up, AC just barely on, and really enjoy the hell out of the sound of the engine. Nice.
So that's my list thus far. Has anyone else experienced similar evolutions? Part of it's just being cheap. Sure. But part of it too is that I don't want to screw with things as they are, it's a classic sports car and doesn't deserve me mucking with it...so disconnecting the offensive bit is a compromise of sorts, and one that doesn't burn any bridges.
Uecker
It all started with that gynormous antenna. I put it down, unplugged it's juice, connected the receptive bit to an aftermarket antenna, and placed that under my trunk mat. Now that freakishly long silver bastard doesn't blare, "hey look at me, I was built during the FIRST Bush White House!" because it doesn't EVER go up. And I can still listen to NPR from all over the valley.
Number 2: those corvette-esque yellow side markers. If I were a rich man devoid of consciousness and incapable of guilt, I'd drop the $400 it costs to pick up those clearcorner side markers. I ain't, so I won't, and that's that. Sure, I conformed to the prerequisite exhaustive Internet search for cheapo replacements, and, like all of you, I gave up. There aren't any, and that's why clearcorners charges what they do. Then one day I was driving at dusk and some lady says to me "nice vette" and that was the end of that. I unplugged the lights. They still silently mock me...but at least I can't see them in the dark.
Lastly, the interior thermostat fan. Freakin thing made noise. I sprayed it with compressed air. Noise went away, and then came back. Sprayed it again. No dice. Took it apart, wiped it down, lubed it up, put it back...still made noise. Well, if it's good enough for the antenna and the side marker lights...wink...you know where this is going...wait for it...I unplugged it. I never use the automatic temperature setting anyhow. Now I can drive along, music off, windows up, AC just barely on, and really enjoy the hell out of the sound of the engine. Nice.
So that's my list thus far. Has anyone else experienced similar evolutions? Part of it's just being cheap. Sure. But part of it too is that I don't want to screw with things as they are, it's a classic sports car and doesn't deserve me mucking with it...so disconnecting the offensive bit is a compromise of sorts, and one that doesn't burn any bridges.
Uecker
