Deployed Newbie

[USAFcontroller]

Hello all,
I stumbled onto this forum in search of ideas for my first and new project. I just acquired a '66 Malibu convertible with small back 350. Not sure on the full details of it since family has been handling the purchase for me while I am deployed to the middle east. It is red with bench seats, black interior and black top with plastic window. Drum brakes all around and factory air. I know right off the bat I will be replacing with the top since it looks a little loose and faded and would prefer white with glass window. I will also change out the brake all around from drums to large discs. If time allows I also plan on changing from a column automatic to floor shifter. Not sure if I will go bench with floor shifter or switch to buckets with a console. Exterior color is in the air but will definetly wait until winter since within a couple months of returning back to the US I will be getting stationed to the Europe.

I am in the Air Force and have been for 12 years as an air traffic controller. Will post some pics when my family gets around to sending them to me in the next couple of weeks. I am open to any suggestions for improvements along the way.

Michael

[Defender67]

Right on man, that's a great present to come home to! Are you going to take it with you to USAFE after you redeploy? Personally, I'd recommend you leave it in the states. They were not too careful when shipping my cars when I was stationed in Germany. Plus the emissions laws are a little more nutty in the EU, and you have to play by their rules when you drive there. Much easier to buy a local car and sell it when you leave... but a 66 Malibu would certainly turn some heads. Fortunately, the gas is US market rate, not EU rate if you buy it on base =). Stay safe.

[The Stickman]

Welcome to the forum,and thanx for serving.

[USAFcontroller]

Yes I will probably ship it to Germany, though I will be shipping it myself through a better class of shipping company since I am using my military entitlement to ship my Raptor through AAFES. Quite familiar with driving there though since I was stationed at Ramstein from 2005-2008. The Malibu will be a weekend car and hobby project so I am not to worried. I am pretty sure with being a military and it being more than 25 years old I can get relaxed or waived emission standards. Thanks for looking out though.

[CruizinKev]

welcome aboard! cool another PT member soon to be in Germany