Our adventure to OUSCI.

[howehot]

Headed out tomorrow for Las Vegas and thought I would start a post about how the little guy, new to the scene, is headed to OUSCI.

For those that don't know me, I have a 1984 Monte Carlo SS with a Schwartz Performance Chassis. The first produced for a G-body. The car has been done since June and has attracted more attention than I ever imagined. You can follow the build in the projects section.

My son, Josh, and I received the Spirit of the Event award at the Sandhills Open Road Challenge in Arnold, NE. I had no clue this was coming as we had 6 days to prepare after our invite. We finished 8 out of 12 cars. A faulty Dakota Digital VHX gauge cluster didn't help. We had a ball all weekend



I want to add that anyone out there building a car, you can get this same opportunity. This car was built in a converted barn that was built by my great Grandpa in 1921. No hoist or high dollar equipment. I have never attempted a build like this although I have turned a wrench or two. Yes, the chassis does add to this build, but that is just one aspect. This was my sons first complete paint job, done at school. I've never touched a fuel injection system or LS motor, mess with AN fittings, or fab mini tubs.

This invite says to me that anyone out there can get an invite to OUSCI. Build your car, attend an event and enjoy your time there. This could be you. I wil add to this post throughout the week.

Other than the chassis and paint, all the work was done in this shop.




Loading the Monte. Leaving Friday for Vegas, we'll arrive on Sunday.




My wife had these shirts made for the trip. Yup, she is that awesome.

[analyte]

Awesome idea. I can't wait to follow this thread. Subscribed!!

[TEXAS PAUL]

The car looks great see ya in Vegas!!

Spirit of Event-Arlington
Paul Welch

[howehot]

The car looks great see ya in Vegas!!

Spirit of Event-Arlington
Paul Welch

Thanks and looking forward meeting you and all the other participants.

Dan

[tflyboy77]

I'm very jealous. I'm looking forward to following this thread and maybe I'll get my invite next year.

[howehot]

Not much to post as we left around 4:30pm and drove until 12:15 arriving in Grand Island, NE. The Goat (ram) got an extra scoop of oats last night.

[bret]

Dan, looking forward to reading about your impressions of SEMA and the optima event...and to meeting you in Vegas!
I'll be in Sunday as well and will be hanging around the 33 Ford or the ridetech booth. See you there!

[SkinsandJrfan]

How does the Ram do pulling that trailer? I will be in the market next year for a new truck and trailer combo. Really wanting a dually but not sure I can afford one or not.

[SicMonte]

looking forward to seeing how you like SEMA. It can be overwhelming. I went for work in 2006 and was blown away!

I will be out at the OUSCI as a spectator this year for the first time. I'm really looking forward to seeing your car and how it performs out there...

Good luck on the trip and drive safe!

[howehot]

How does the Ram do pulling that trailer? I will be in the market next year for a new truck and trailer combo. Really wanting a dually but not sure I can afford one or not.

I've had it for 3 weeks. My 2001 Duramax has 210,000 miles on it and it was time for new. It handled the trailer with ease. Plenty of power and very comfy ride. Went with Dodge since they don't require DEF until the 2013 model come out at the first of the year and superior seats. Mileage? 9 average, got 10 with the duramax going to LS Fest. Should improve as it breaks in.

Still have the Duramax. It will still be my main work truck.



, it will still be my main work truck.

[howehot]

Beautiful drive through Colorado today. You need to do this drive on i70, engineering wonder.



This is the view we had as we changed a tire that decided it was to tired and wanted to remove its cap.
Put on the spare and bought a new tire in Grand Junction. Later when fueling discovered another was ready to go. Will get it replaced in the a.m. Sure am glad I got a spare!



Stop at a rest area, the Wife likes to stop and visit them ALL. Really got confused and thought we took a wrong exit and ended up i Hawaii.

[Mike Holleman]

Neat stuff Dan. You guys have a great trip. And drive careful.
Mike

[howehot]

Made Vegas this afternoon, but not without our 3rd tire replacement. That's 3 new tires with broken belts. You can bet that the 4th will be replaced before I leave. All were "made in China." last one we changed in 4 minutes.

The drive was just as amazing today as yesterday. Sure wish my 11 year old daughter could have experienced it with us. We didn't think that Vegas would be a great enviormental so she is with Grandpa.

We are on the 58th floor of our hotel, wife is a little skittish. But she won $3.00 at the slots so that should ease her nerves. lol

Dan

[howehot]

The Monte Carlo is now set in its home until Friday afternoon. Met some fellow OUSCI competitors today, what a great group and a very diverse group of cars. Very honored to be a part of this.

We received our Topps cards today. This card should be of great value in the future, limited edition plus it's a rookie card. If you are here, look me up. I have 175 to give away. When there gone they are gone. Might need to take one to Pawn Stars and get it appraised. lol

Josh and I walk around for a few hours this afternoon while all the displays were being setup. Usually when I think about walking that much I lay down until the feeling goes away. There will be many miles traveled inthe next 4 days. This is HUGE. I'm not sure one can see it all. WOW. We met some of the crew from Overhaulin including Chip Foose and Chris Jacobs. Thanked them for the inspiration. I learned a lot watching this and other shows the tips and techniques to complete my project.

[silvermonte]

That topps card is AWSOME, thats just one more goal added to the millions of car stuff I would want to accomplish one day. If by some odd reason you end up with a few extras you should auction them or something, and are you going back out to Arnold,NE again this year? I would love to see your car in person one day.

[howehot]

I sure hope to return to Arnold. It was a ball the entire weekend. Super community that treats you like family.

[66larkgs]

Dan,
Congrats on the whole exsperiance!! its nice to see the everyday guy out thier racing with the bigwigs.. I will be in vegas tonight so i will def try to track you down, should have been thier monday morning but the hurricane grounded all flights. I can't wait to watch the racing on sat, good luck and drive the bag out of it!!!

[sr73bu]

Awesome story! thanks for the updates... Good Luck at OUSCI!

-Sean

[Cobra 498]

Beautiful drive through Colorado today. You need to do this drive on i70, engineering wonder.



This is the view we had as we changed a tire that decided it was to tired and wanted to remove its cap.
Put on the spare and bought a new tire in Grand Junction. Later when fueling discovered another was ready to go. Will get it replaced in the a.m. Sure am glad I got a spare!



Stop at a rest area, the Wife likes to stop and visit them ALL. Really got confused and thought we took a wrong exit and ended up i Hawaii.

I used to blow trailer tires all the time. went through 6 on a trip from California to Firebird in Arizona. I was telling a guy who sold trailer hitches about it and he asked if I was using an equalizer trailer hitch. I said yes and he told me to get rid of it especially since I was towing with an F-250 and did not need it. After I took it off had I had zero tire failures because I was not over heating them by dumping too much load on the trailer tires. Hope this helps, have fun at OUSCI !

[howehot]

I am running an equalizer hitch. May be the issue, I don't know. Several have said to stick to a name brand tire. I now have 4 new tires on the trailer. The one tire that didn't blow had separated and was ready to. Just wasn't showing on the outside yet.