I love it! this is why I love the people that own and work on Fieros. when one needs it we all come together to help. my hat is off to all involved, the car came together great for a great cause. Overhaulin done Fiero style D.
First a big thank you to all those who participated. This is still the greatest, most compassionate country in the world despite all our flaws.
Secondly a Huge congratulations to Tyler ! Wow what an awesome ride. i would probably just sit and stare at it for hours on end. Enjoy that sucker till the wheels fall off !
Finally i recongnize a few faces like Kev, and pontiac kid, but i would love to sse some pennocks names put to the faces in the pictures.
Again overall great job,...and Tyler you sir have just been overhauled,...Pennocks style !
Did Tyler pick out the color? If so, he has great taste
------------------
Self Installed Intercooled SC3800 II/III w/getrag. 19's with 13" Brakes on all 4 corners. 4 years in Avionics & 14 years in Car Electronics Experience.
I want to thank all on who helped make this possible. This act goes beyond words and quite frankly, in my opinion, make this MORE than just a car "club" or Forum. We are past that now. How did Lance Armstrong put it.... "It's not about the bike".... well in our case, "it's not about the car".
My hope is that Tyler gets to enjoy his car as long as possible.
Too many people to thank... but they all deserve it.
I am very PROUD to consider myself apart of this Fiero Comunnity.
Yesterday and last night was like watching a once in a lifetime superbowl. I still can't get over it. That build could NOT have been easy. This was around midnight--a little after maybe. You can see the fatigue and stress beginning to show a little. Weight of the world maybe? \/ \/
For a lot of us, this build portion only started when they got the streaming video and chat running Friday, but ya gotta keep in mind, the guys closely involved, (including Hulki in Iraq) have been spending a LOT of long hrs in the 2 weeks leading up to this weekend, so they were already pretty tired when they arrived in Frazee. I've physically been in these type situations myself, working weeks on end with no days off-18 hr days, so I knew how it would go. (I once did 62 days straight 18 hrs/day + with no days off--I don't even want to describe my Vietnam days here) You can get thru the 1st 18 hrs or so on adrenalin, and coffee, but it starts taking a toll after that. What we all have to remember, is that we at PFF, took this on as a group, but the guys there on site, are the ones that had the pressure on them, and there was really a bit of risk here. Half the world it seemed was watching and listening and Chris and that team had their job cut out, even if everything went perfectly--and it didn't go perfectly of course. Obviously, there was the clock and rollout deadline they were fighting. It was cold. Walking around on concrete wears you out. A late Fri night took away a little chance they had for rest between travel and the start of the build Sat morning. Unfamilar surroundings, parts stores 40 miles away in the middle of the night, without most of thier own personal tools all added up to a really big challenge--physically, mentally, and of course emotionally. (There's another aspect as well, I want to throw at PFF in another thread or post, but it's one not to be ignored.)
PFF's small representative group on site made me extremely proud, but so did all you guys and girls that hung in there all day & nite cheering them on. I saw usernames I knew from everyday, but also some I haven't seen in a very long time. It was really great to see and be a part of. I really want to thank Daneyl, Fiero Rumor, and Cliff Pennock and any other IT types that dropped in and contributed--for their efforts in keeping things going during the wee hours of Sun morning, when the chat/video started having problems we should have never ever seen happen under these circumstances.
I could not hear the audio at all (just indestinguishable sounds), nor really view any video (dialup-with no hope of getting hi-speed anytime soon), but I could keep pretty much abreast of things just from the comments in chat. For you guys that kept me clued in--THANKS!!
And DIY_Stu--can't thank you enough!!--you know what for.
Hulki--well--what can any of us say about you? You--over there-in Iraq--WOW!
I agree with RRunner. This has to be the most compassionate car community on the web, and if it had been any other car, I don't think this might have been possible. Everyone involved in this really needs to give themselves a hand. It's much deserved.
Not yet, still looking at them as they come in. Just haven't seen them all but we heard about the sigs--a very nice touch. (did PK spell his name right?)
[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 11-23-2009).]
wow, what an amazing story! I just learned about this an hour ago from mike gonzalez, man I wish I would've been checking up on PFF more! You guys did something amazing this weekend, and I wish I could've been there, but it looks like you did alright without me. Great job everyone, I used to think this forum was all about cars, now I know it's more than that!
RUNDLC, I am glad you saw this. Its a great story.
So now I must ask, who's idea was it to paint the spoiler black, was that Tylers idea? Who ever thought it up I think it looks great!! What a great looking car.
For those interested. I posted pictures of the plaque that was presented to Tyler yesterday during the build. I started a thread where members can post their thanks to Sam Shepard. I am going to forward a link to Sam who did the actual fabrication for me.
After seeing the pics, live stream and reading Tyler's story, I was wondering if he would have the strength to drive it (no power steering and all) I'm sure the adrenaline (We Drive Excitement after all) was the kicker. As said over and over, an Awesome gift. I'm sorry all I could do was kick in a few pennies.
From the left: Black 85 GT is KEV's (Kevin - Currnet Pres of MFF) Red/Primer SE is Synthesis (Chris - you all know him) Blue GT is Pete Grosz's (former Pres & founder of MFF) Not sure on the 2 silver notchies Red GT I believe is Carbon's (Nick Laffen of Jordan, MN) White Formula is GT Geff (Jeff Wendt - former Pres of MFF & Owner of the Stinger)
The two silver notchies belong to Gravatic Anomaly and 2.5
For a lot of us, this build portion only started when they got the streaming video and chat running Friday, but ya gotta keep in mind, the guys closely involved, (including Hulki in Iraq) have been spending a LOT of long hrs in the 2 weeks leading up to this weekend, so they were already pretty tired when they arrived in Frazee. I've physically been in these type situations myself, working weeks on end with no days off-18 hr days, so I knew how it would go. (I once did 62 days straight 18 hrs/day + with no days off--I don't even want to describe my Vietnam days here) You can get thru the 1st 18 hrs or so on adrenalin, and coffee, but it starts taking a toll after that. What we all have to remember, is that we at PFF, took this on as a group, but the guys there on site, are the ones that had the pressure on them, and there was really a bit of risk here. Half the world it seemed was watching and listening and Chris and that team had their job cut out, even if everything went perfectly--and it didn't go perfectly of course. Obviously, there was the clock and rollout deadline they were fighting. It was cold. Walking around on concrete wears you out. A late Fri night took away a little chance they had for rest between travel and the start of the build Sat morning. Unfamilar surroundings, parts stores 40 miles away in the middle of the night, without most of thier own personal tools all added up to a really big challenge--physically, mentally, and of course emotionally. (There's another aspect as well, I want to throw at PFF in another thread or post, but it's one not to be ignored.)
I have to admit that there was point at about 4AM when we couldn't get the engine started and it was showing no signs of life, at all. After trying to get the engine going for over 3 hours after it was thought to be all back together... that every one kind of got quiet and sat down and just stared at the car... that was not a good feeling. But then someone said "try it again" and still just nothing but the starter spinning the engine. Then someone mentioned "is the tach even moving?" Huh... "no..." KEV and Antuzzi scoot over to the car and lo and behold one of the connectors for the ignition control module was hanging down, not plugged in. "Hit it again!!!" VROOOOM!!!!! Sputter, cough cough. "!@$%&!!!" "Hey the other one's loose, there... again!" And the thing ran like a top. I cannot describe to you the tension release at that moment. And also the realization that a lot of time was used to find that simple problem, becuase we were getting fried, and then the race was back on to get the car on the ground and buttoned up.
I still cannot thank you guys enough for having the chance to be a part of something like this. I know I got a little pissy while I was trying to recalibrate all the gauges and couldn't find what I needed and was freaking out that the gauges were not going to work right, I am sorry about that, but also thanks to those who interrupted what they were doing to help me out. And then the temp gauge need fell off during the reveal.... sigh. Fixed that afterwards. Nothing like being tired and having to do rework, a lot of what drove us the night before had worn off without sleep, but the car is back together and fully functional after the gauge SNAFU, the loose coolant hose clamp letting the car bleed out and the headlight motors giving Fred one last fight... Not bad for a 24 hour marathon build, we still win
[This message has been edited by carbon (edited 11-23-2009).]
Hats off to everyone who made Tyler's wish come true! I couldn't be more proud of each and every one of you who put forth your time, money, equipment, support and love. Seeing Tyler's face on those pictures makes everything worth it. Until the bitterness comes, I will focus on the sweet. Thank you everyone!
I just don't have the words to say. 
