San Fernando Valley, CA fix-it meets Options

[lumbercis]

Im trying to start up a little valley club to meet up once a week during the summer and wrench on our cars. Small, easy jobs at first, then bigger stuff as we get more established. The club was originally based around mr2's and celica alltracs (so mostly cars sharing the 3sgte engine) but I decided to open it up to any cool toyotas that want to show up and contribute to the group.

If you don't know much about cars, it's an opportunity to learn and get some free help with your car. If you are already a car wizard, it's an opportunity to share your knowledge and get other people to do the work while you "supervise." Did I mention the free beer? j/k

Right now we are looking for a more central place to meet than Chatsworth, where I live. I think somewhere in the east valley around burbank or glendale would be optimal. It's close enough for valley people, feasable for as far out as ontario, and a pretty straight shot for hollywood and LA people. But if we can't find anything around there, the intial meets will be at my place.


But for right now: fix-it meets every Sunday at my place, Lets say around 11:00?

Location:
22332 Lassen St.
Chatsworth, CA 91311
818-274-7673
Park on the street and call me and I'll let you into the driveway.

This is real short notice, so I don't expect anyone to really make it this weekend, but if you want to come out and see the work area (not optimal, but it will do) and chat about what you need done and what resources we have to do it, then you are welcome. Bring tools and parts if you have something that needs fixing. Basically, we will play this by ear for now. I will be working on my car on Sundays regardless if anyone else makes it out. If we just have one or two people show up, then organization will stay informal. If a bunch of people show up, then we will get a list going and pre-plan what jobs we will be doing.

Oh yeah, if you are pretty sure you will make it, it's a good idea to PM me or call so I know to expect you. If I don't hear that you are coming, then don't be surprised if Im not there. But if I do know you are coming I will rearrange my schedule to be there.

BTW, i've invited alltrac.net (thats what I drive), mr2oc, supraforums, and you guys. Anyone else with cool toyotas is welcome as well.

Comments, questions, concerns?

LMK

J.

[lumbercis]

Just thought I'd post up a quick after-action report on Sunday's fix-it meet.

I actually had forgotten that last Sunday was father's day, so I was suprised that anybody at all made it out. It ended up just being me and krazyracer (from mr2oc) and his buddy, but I still consider the first meet a big success! It started before he even showed up. I had to go to my local Kragen around the corner and while I was there a dude pulls up in a 6th gen celica. Turns out he works at the Kragen and he started telling me about how he had just got the car and how he really wanted to start a celica club in the valley. I grinned and told him he was a week late. Anyway, I referred him to this thread, so hopefully he sees it (whassup man!). I got some interest from another 6gc member, so that makes 2 more likely celicas. Plus, this guy may be able to give us a local hookup for maintenance parts.

A little later krazyracer shows up with his buddy in his cool-as-hell supercharged AW-11. He and his bud installed his new stereo while I asked dumb questions. But it inspired me to go online and get a new antenna for my ST185. KR's friend has some pretty solid electrical skills. And me and KR both seem to be leaning toward getting some paint and body work done this summer. He says he has sprayed single stage paint before on a MKIII supra and gotten a good result, and wants to do his AW11 as well. (Now we just have to convince him not to get rid of that awesome Orange pearl mica for flat black ) Anyway, this is where we could use some extra labor people! Paint and body is alot of work and can use plenty of extra hands (unlike installing a stereo ) Since I may like to respray at least some parts of my car also, we may be able to share the costs of equipment and materials. Starting to see the benefits of working together now?!

Also, myself and KR are both pretty close to having our cars ready for some autocross fun, so we may also get a "track crew" out of this.

So all-in-all, even though it was just a few guys, I think things are already looking good for this. With just four guys, we are already building some resources:
1. Hookup at Toyota for OEM parts (me)
2. possible hookup at the local Kragen
3. Wiring/electrical guy (with tools!)
4. Paint/body guy (who will trade for engine work!)

It's still early days, but you will get out of this what you put in, so bring some water, some tools, and some work ethic and we'll make it happen!
J.