Thirteenth Report of Work Done - San Antonio, Texas Stop

Well, folks, what a long strange trip it's been! Sorry that this update is so late, but I've been busy with trips to Kenosha and San Diego, a sick wife, and starting a new job in the last two weeks.  Anyhow, this will be my final update as a Charity AMX coordinator, and as you [may] have already heard, Mr. David De Labio of Racine, Wisconsin will be taking over as regional coordinator! I had a lot of apprehension about the project when no one had come forward before the Kenosha show, but thankfully David (and others) have teamed up to make things happen and the project will continue to move forward!

I would like to thank everyone who contributed parts, advice, encouragement, and support during my tenure with the car. As anyone who has been following the saga already knows, it has not been easy. In retrospect, however, one could point to a sort of 'divine intervention' concerning my involvement with the project. The time period that Alamo AMC had possession of the car (August 2001 - July 2002) coincidentally corresponded with a period of unemployment for me, as I was laid off from my job last summer. I am happy to report that I have now taken a new, better job and can look back at the past year as a unique opportunity for me to do dedicate a lot of time to something that might someday help some kids and even save a few lives in the process. Working with the Charity Project (and other developments in my life) helped me take a look at my own life and reevaluate my personal priorities.

I had a few minutes alone with the Charity AMX as I drove it from Rich Bohaczek's house on North Sheridan road to Frank Swygert's display booth at the Kenosha Swap Meet on Friday, July 26th. We had come a long way together, and here we were roaring down the street with a new confidence and determination that the future would be brighter for both of us. A few hours later I tried to describe those feeling in an emotional speech at the Boat House gathering. David De Labio's enthusiasm and the generosity of the List members gathered there, combined with the permanent image of that 100-year-old Rambler completing the entire parade route the night before really reinforced the fact that I was in the right hobby! I remain very optimistic about the future of this hobby, regardless of the few 'sour grapes' that inevitably come with it.

The Charity AMX received a bunch of 'last minute' work before making the trek to Kenosha, and the following is a record of the final preparations.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• The Charity AMX (and my Rambler) was delivered to Kenosha by Brett Schneider of Alamo AMC. Brett was reimbursed for his fuel by donations from AMC of Houston, funds from the Charity AMX Project Treasury, and myself. Mr. Rich Bohaczek of Kenosha allowed us to store the car on his land until it was delivered to Frank Swygert on Saturday. Additional funds were raised in Kenosha by Frank Swygert (as he announced in an earlier posting.)
• On Thursday, July 18th, Brian Schneider and I undertook the task of installing the refurbished grille which had just arrived back from Walt Garson. Walt did a real good job in reassembling the broken grille into something that looks quite presentable, as anyone who saw the car in Kenosha can attest. Walt also redid the headlight doors and grille brackets. The only trouble we had was with the fit of the grille...we had to tweak the hood latch, valence panel, and core support somewhat to get everything to fit right. Fortunately, we had Brian Schneider's BBB '70 AMX present to take measurements from and to ensure we got everything in the right place. [Here's a picture of the restored grille - Ed.]
• Also on the 18th, Brian and I installed the refurbished bumpers and bumper brackets as provided by Kevin Dalley (AMXAMC@aol.com) of AMC of Houston. The rechroming work was of exceptionally high quality, and we had very little trouble installing the front and rear bumpers and brackets. (Kevin still has the rear quarter window chromes and the Ram-Air hood scoop surrounds and it attempting to find a company to plate them.) Upon completion of the grille/bumper installation, I took a series of 'final pictures' of the car. [Here's a picture showing the front bumper and another showing the rear bumper - Ed.]
• On Saturday, the 20th, I took a final inventory of the all the 'spare and/or additional parts' that would accompany the car to Kenosha (including the replacement rear quarter panel) and we loaded the car on the trailer for the big trip.

NEW PARTS RECEIVED:

• 'Lost' bumper brackets from Kevin Dalley (we forgot to get them out of his trailer at the SW Regional!)
• Refurbished grille from Walt Garson (Bigwaltsshop@aol.com).
• Clear parking light lenses from Dave Meger (amxtasy@aol.com). These were actually delivered to the car on the Kenosha show field.

PENDING PARTS:
None.

PARTS STILL NEEDED (newest first):

• Rear axle hardware. (U-bolts, shock plates, etc. to be used when replacing the rear leaf springs.)
• Windshield Wiper hardware. We need the little chrome collars that attach the windshield wiper mechanism to the cowl panel. Ours are very pitted and nasty.
• One '70 AMX 'simulated exhaust' rocker panel molding.
• Air Cleaner canister parts. At this point, I think we're going to settle for a '70 canister and top, and leave the 'heat riser' situation up to somebody else. If you have ANY '70 V8, we need a air cleaner canister! Tom Benvie has a complete '68-69 'Ram Air' canister that he has offered to trade with someone who could provide the '70 style setup. Help!!
  (4.015-1) 3191898 - DUCT, Carburetor Air ('68-70 V8 w/4-bbl)
  (4.015-3) 3192223 - DUCT, Exhaust Manifold Hot Air ('68-70 exc. 390)
  (4.088) 3198376 - CLEANER, Carburetor Air ('70 360 V8 w/'cold air induction')
  (12.001-16) 3198374 - DOOR, Hood Air Scoop Rear Duct ('70 w/'cold air induction')
  (12.001-17) 3198375 - RETAINER, Hood Air Scoop Rear Duct Door ('70 w/'cold air induction')
  (12.001-18) 3198370 - CONTROL, Hood Air Scoop Damper ('70 w/'cold air induction')
• Tires. Tom Benvie is currently collecting contributions in order to purchase a full set of ‘reproduction’ performance tires. The existing tires (two pairs of radials) are already mounted on the car and look quite good...they will suffice until someone is ready to address the wheel situation.
• Windshield wiper switch and wiring harness.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
The Charity AMX has it’s own Internet website hosted by Matt Haas:
http://www.mattsoldcars.com/charityamx/

The National Project Coordinator is Frank Swygert (farna@att.net).

The Wisconsin contact for the car is David De Labio (gremlin1@acronet.net)

Alfred Koos
Alamo AMC
San Antonio, TX
akoos@juno.com