Review: 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The recent history of Detroit is a fascinating one.

The city is known for its strong tie with the US automobile industry, and for good reason. It all began in 1899, when Henry Ford’s first factory appeared in then-greater Detroit. By the 1920's, the US automotive industry dominated the whole city.

And so, Detroit became labor-hungry – an influx of middle-class workers, largely European immigrants, multiplied the population by six by the time said factory was 30 years old.

The drawing board, again

(The only way to sort out the mess.)

When the universe forces you to wait – be it for a car part or for the expiry of a penal sentence – you have time to think. For the simple reason that you can't possibly do anything to make the end goal arrive any faster, you have the (ironic) luxury of thinking about alternatives, and working the possibilities that they bring into your current dilemma. Perhaps there's something else out there – an undiscovered alternative solution – that can bring results when the current strategy seems to be doing anything but.

In the interim of waiting to find a six-fuse-box, I contemplated the option of converting my Fića to an eight-fuse-box instead. Which could be complicated – or not...

Daunting doors

(Spot what's missing!)

After consulting the knowledgeable regarding the replacement of the window mechanisms, I found out some more info as to the presence of that plastic on the left door.

It turns out that car factories did fit them to cars (Fićas and otherwise), just not in the way that the restorer did.

Status update

(Not seeing double!)

Small news, but good news nonetheless!

That missing window regulator was missing out of error: the seller sent it over a few days after I mentioned it, and indeed, here it is. I can now say that I have a reliable source of (certain) new parts.

Also, given the dry weather of the day – and a little unexpected free time – I took advantage.

Review: 2011 Ford Crown Victoria LX

I’d be willing to bet ten thousand dollars at the roulette table (on zéro, naturally) that you know of a man called James Bond. I may even put down a few chips more when contemplating whether you – during childhood, of course – have ever presented your own name in reverse order.

And because I’ve just won ten thousand extra dollars, I’d further go out on a limb and affirm that you’ve seen a film called Diamonds are Forever – the last time that producers confused Commander Bond for a “Mr. Connery...”

Even the mail is a tease

(Anything missing?)

That big parts order I mentioned has arrived! Understandably, I didn't wait long to open the box once I got hold of it.

At the time, little did I know that I was in for yet another surprise. However, this surprise is unique in the fact that it should have been completely expected as well.

The box contents are in the above photo; notice anything missing?