I recall reading HRP's thread about the HAMB and how Danny had reflected back on his journey. Looking back I've learned a lot and made a few contributions along the way since I joined in 2006. The last few years for me has been hard after a shoulder reconstruction and another recent workplace injury; these have really slowed me down and caused a hiccup with the completion of my Olds project. When going back through some old e-mails and other material I came across this and remember the milestones fondly as I worked my way up the tree with slow steps and a few likes along the way. I've only been here a short time compared to others who have a lot more experience, knowledge, skillls and posts. I can remember testing the waters as a FNG all those years ago. Sadly us Ozzies and others in other distant parts of the world don't have the parts and cars readily available like you have and everything here costs sooooooo much more than over there. We make the best of a bad situation plus our roads are shit compared to the ones I drove on over there and we drive on the wrong side of the road, and yes the water does go the other way when it goes down the toilet. Anyway, the biggest surprise to me is how my tastes, likes and dislikes have changed during this time. I think I've got a few car(s) left in me before and after retirement. 1-49 = FNG 50-99 = Newbie 100-399 = Grenade inspector 400-999 = Member 1000-2499 = Senior member 2500+ = Old school Hamber
gee I'm on my way to senior member how did I do that? the HAMB has probably focused my Rod taste, I dont think its changed me or my love of my country, I'm happy with my lot here in the middle of no where funny enough I can get parts out of the US quicker than I can get parts supplied from within Oz, THAT is annoying.
You guys "down under" constantly amaze me in that you continue to build and enjoy some very special hot rods even with all of the issues you face obtaining cars and parts. Keep up the good effort, guys, you're an inspiration to us all.
I don't like running my own country down, and having driven all over the U.S., I can say with experience that there are plenty of shit roads there too.
Don't you just love the "lower 48 only" or "will not ship outside the US" classified ads? I live 8 miles from the US border and I've had guys that won't sell me stuff because I'm Canadian. That's frustrating. I can only imagine what you Aussies, Kiwis & the Europeans go through. I drove the coast road from Adelaide to Sydney in 1995, it was gorgeous (so was the Scottish lass I met in Melbourne, but that's another story ). Many very good memories of Australia and New Zealand, I'll get back one of these days.
That's why I have a US shipping address, consolidate multiple or single items into a single parcel to send here. Keep it under $AUD1K and there is no duty or taxes to pay, at this stage at least, only that damn international freight! It costs more now that surface (Snail) mail doesn't exist anymore.
I've got a US post box and I've still had companies that won't sell to me (McMaster Carr is a pain because they carry oddball stuff no one else does). I declare everything at the border and pay 13% sales tax on top of the 35% exchange rate. I get stuff within a week usually, it must get frustrating waiting for a slow boat to arrive.
I forgot to mention that wonderful international exchange rate alluded to Big A above (Canada) where we add that additional cost to original purchase price on to be par with you guys. e.g $1AUD only buys $0.72 USD. It soon adds up so we just have to suck it up and deal with it or move on.
The Jalopy Journal
