The Coke Machine is BACK!

It is a happy day in Cary's Garage.  The Coke machine is back in working order!

In 2003 Nan gave me a surprise birthday present - a vintage-look Coke machine, with modern electronics inside (you could think of it as a "Resto-Mod" of vending machines)!

It has a switch so that you can get a beverage out of it without inserting coins -- "Free" mode.

The handle on the front can be pushed to the left -- which dispenses a chilled "Mexican" (real sugar) Coke in a glass bottle, or you can push it to the right -- which dispenses a Corona beer in a glass bottle.  Sorry, Dexter, no Budweiser.

A few years ago the refrigeration unit stopped working.  I tried in vain to find anyone that would fix it and struck out constantly.  Then this month I was rescued by Richard Mason of  California Comport Control who removed the refrigeration unit, took it to his shop, overhauled it, and reinstalled it in the machine.  If you need air conditioning service, Richard is the best.

I waited until my good friend, Wayne Cowie, stopped by to enjoy the first wonderfully chilled Coke.  We "social distanced" on Corvette bar stools in the garage enjoying the first Cokes in many years.

Who wants to come by for a Coke or a beer?

GM Discovered Spying on Corvette Owner

OK, this is spooky.  I know the technology in new cars is amazing, but this feels like going too far.  Here is the story . . . . .

Everyone knows how much I love my Z06 Corvette!

Nan and I drove it to watch the Daytona Corvette race on Saturday July 4th at Don and Shirley's house.  That evening we drove it back home.  Everything was fine, especially since the #3 Corvette finished first!

The next day, John Elder stopped by to show me the finished product on his tricked-out 1961 Corvette. 

While walking around the garage on Sunday with John, we saw something that was not good!

A 5/16" lock nut, attached to a bolt shaft was sticking out of the rear, driver's side tire of the Z06.  Damn!

Did it penetrate the nearly-new (and expensive) Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ tire?  Only one way to find out!

So Monday afternoon I pulled the bolt out to discover . . . . . sadly, it did!  After the air rushed out I used a floor jack to raise the car just enough to take pressure off the tire.  Even though they are run-flats, no sense in stressing the tire, right?

So now it is Monday night.  The tire was full of air all day Sunday and through mid-day Monday. The car has not been started since Saturday night.  It is sitting in my garage, shielded from satellites (as far as I know).

Imagine my surprise when, on Monday night I receive the email below from General Motors.

Is that weird? 

The next issue was to decide if the tire could be repaired.  I unbolted the tire from the car.  I went back to San Diego Motoring Accessories, here in Oceanside, which is the first-class place that sold me the tires for the Z06.  Don Petty, owner, took care of everything and by Thursday I had the repaired tire back at home.

Is that sucker big, or what?

Here is a shot of the brake cooling vent on the Z06, which is easily seen with the tires removed.

Using my click-torque-wrench (a gift from Wayne Cowie -- thank you Wayne!) I torqued the bolts to 100 foot pounds, and we are back in business!

If GM knows that the tire lost all its air, do you think they know that Herod Howard and I hit 130 MPH going up the Torrey Pines Grade a few months back?  I guess they know, right?