Tampa Bay Area Mini Meets!!

[DJones]

The Tampa auto show is a week away. I'm planning on going, especially to test drive the new Colorado. Anybody else going?

 

[hockeyman]

The Tampa auto show is a week away. I'm planning on going, especially to test drive the new Colorado. Anybody else going?

I saw it on the news this morning and I'm thinking about going. I'd like to get my new brakes/rotors, oil change, new tires installed and a thorough Throttle Body cleaning done before taking the trip. We'll see how things go this weekend...

 

[hockeyman]

I'm probably going to miss this trip to the car show in Tampa. My tires are apparently a special-order and I'm still shopping around to find the best price. No one around my area carries a new set of 255-70-17's...

 

[Blckshdw]

I've got some tentative plans for the weekend, and may end up having to work depending on how things go with a new project. I'll keep you guys posted though.

@hockeyman if you aren't married to the 31" diameter, 265-65-17s (30.5") are much easier to find, and you won't need spacers. (can't remember if you're running those already or not)

 

[hockeyman]

@hockeyman if you aren't married to the 31" diameter, 265-65-17s (30.5") are much easier to find, and you won't need spacers. (can't remember if you're running those already or not)

I currently have the stock 245-65-17" tires installed. Tread is getting low on them, but I should be okay for a bit longer.

I'm actually going to look at a set of 265-70-17's tomorrow. I have a set of 1.5" spacers already sitting in my garage, but I'd really prefer not to use them, but I know I'll probably need some sort of spacer with the slightly higher profile that I'll get with the 70's.

Maybe a 1/4" spacers? ...Is that even safe with the short OEM studs??

 

[Blckshdw]

There are a couple of threads on spacers already, I believe the ones without studs are frowned upon. If you want to avoid using the spacers, you'll have to go with the 265-65s, that's what I've been running the last few years. The other sizes you're looking at will require spacers to clear the UBJ.

 

[Blckshdw]

The Tampa auto show is a week away. I'm planning on going, especially to test drive the new Colorado. Anybody else going?

I'm actually going to look at a set of 265-70-17's tomorrow.

@hockeyman, did you scoop up those tires yet?

I can probably swing Saturday morning/afternoon? What do you guys think? I've texted a few forum members who are less active to see if they'd wanna come. No responses yet.

 

[hockeyman]

@hockeyman, did you scoop up those tires yet?

Yep. I'll send you a message.

 

[Blckshdw]

Made my way over to St Pete to visit with DJones for a bit while he swapped out his outer tie rods.

After that, spent some time checking out each other's LED mods. I need to step my game up

Tomorrow, gonna try to hit that auto show, and check out some goodies.

 

[hockeyman]

Nice. I'm personally not into that much bling, but they do look good.

Let us know how the car show went. Pics would be nice also, or we might not believe that you were actually there! ...

 

[mrrsm]

Hello to Members local to the Tampa Bay Area... If anyone wants to add a business to their list of Best Places to Find Stuff... I'd like to recommend AK-Tires over on Ulmerton Road adjacent the Clearwater International Airport. I doubt that you will find any place anywhere that will give you better deals on tires and wheels. So... if you don't mind not having luxury, comfort and a latte while waiting for your new tires to be installed... this is the place to call. The gentleman (Kris) who answers the calls and helps out his customers speaks with a broken Polish/English accent... but he will bend over backwards to understand what you want and then make every effort to obtain what you need... at the best possible prices. I have been buying tires from AK-Tires for over a decade and I will NOT do business with anyone else. Very soon... around December of 2015... their expanding business will be moving over to the area off of 118th Avenue North on 66th Street North... Close to Pinellas Park, Florida.

 

[Blckshdw]

Hit up the annual auto show in downtown Tampa today with Djones and JimmyJam. Pretty good time, lotsa cool cars.

Caddy CTS V

Hybrid version

and its LED headlights

Couple of Escalades and Navigators, lots of fun buttons for auto folding seats and lift gates

I need to find a way to mod captains chairs into my 2nd row of seats

Sweet taillights

Couple of Stingray Vettes

Camaro SS

 

[Blckshdw]

Chevy SS: nice car, but seems over priced for what you get

Chrysler 300S

like the rims

Durango action

comes with Beats audio

Hellcat

Silvy Dually

Silvy headlights

Colorado Duramax diesel

 

[Blckshdw]

Racing modified Miata

Didn't look at the placard to see what this race car was built from

Range Rover Kahn edition

 

[Blckshdw]

Sierra Denali

Yukon Denali

Yukon XL

Blue passive demon eye

Buick Cascada (I thought it was a Chrysler Sebring at first glance )

Buick with a blue halo, so you know I liked that

Another one had a blue halo

No... Just, no...

Porsche

 

[Blckshdw]

Couple of Audis

BMW i3

Suicide doors open

BMW i8

Mercedes

 

[Blckshdw]

More Mercs, some with adaptive LED headlights

Some on display from a collection

 

[Blckshdw]

Ferrari anyone?

I forget what these are called. 3 wheeled deals, rear wheel steering.

I liked the headlights on this Hyundai

That's a wrap for this year. Wish more members coulda come out with us though

 

[hockeyman]

Out of everything, this (Shelby Cobra) has been my favorite car of all time. I've always wanted one.

Great pics though!!

 

[Matt]

Ferrari anyone?

Ahh, Lambo mate...

 

[Blckshdw]

Overlooked a couple pics of the Maybach that was there

 

[fletch09]

nice pics.
believe the 3 wheel is called a Slingshot. made by Polaris
not sure about the rear wheel steering, but they have a steering wheel, 5 speed w/ a 2.4 L engine. same size as the daughter's Cobalt. in the Chicago area, base price is around 20K.

 

[Blckshdw]

A few of us are gonna be getting together for lunch on Sunday @ the Quaker Steak and Lube in Clearwater around noon. Anyone remotely interested is welcome to come, hang out, talk about any and everything. There may be some light modding, as my hood struts should arrive today.

So far, the expected attendees are:

1. Blckshdw
2. JimmyJam
3. Triz
4. DJones

I know we've got a number of new faces on the forum from this area, hope some of you can make it out.

 

[mrrsm]

@Blckshdw When you see the Big Old Dood with the cane hobble in... that'll be me.

 

[Blckshdw]

We usually park on the north side of the place, by the outdoor area, and hang out in the parking lot until everyone gets there.

 

[mrrsm]

@Blckshdw I know that you'll want to take a swing at my chin for suggesting this...but if we have any active members here who also visit over at the OS... perhaps we can poach a few of them by providing an invite over there too...and maybe not specify who is hosting?

 

[Blckshdw]

@Blckshdw I know that you'll want to take a swing at my chin for suggesting this...but if we have any active members here who also visit over at the OS... perhaps we can poach a few of them by providing an invite over there too...and maybe not specify who is hosting?

I don't have a problem with anyone recruiting for meets or to join GMTN. My account is set to Global Ignore over there, and I think all of the members here that I know, don't venture to the OS unless someone stumbles on a situation over there and posts a link to the thread here.

 

[mrrsm]

Well... I showed up here "Around Noon"...
Quaker Steak & Lube
10400 49th St N, Clearwater FL 33762

Nobody else showed...
******Crickets*****

Anyway...ever The Optimist... I drove around all four parking lots until 12:30 PM and then I tried to walk around for another thirty looking over the fancy Mustangs and one Beeyootiful White Trailblazer. As I looked for everybody... every time I saw anybody near a GMC Vehicle...I asked them if they were there for the GMT Nation Meet...and all said no...and so I tried to invite them to stop by on-line for a visit. The only thing that comes to mind is a line from the Old Elmore James Song done by The Allman Brothers Band (Live at The Fillmore East Album) called...

"I MUST HAVE DID SOMEBODY WRONG..."

 

[Blckshdw]

Well... I showed up here "Around Noon"...

Nobody else showed...
******Crickets*****

That's on me, my bad. The guy with the white SS and white rims parked near all the Mustangs was Scott, he's not on this forum, but TBSSOwners. Jimmy parked his white SS in front by the door. By the time I got there, I ended up parking on the south side of the place. Took me a minute to realize I was missing a few important pieces of info, like your phone number, name, and what you look like, as there were a number of older guys walking around the lot today with a limp. I was hoping my GMTN t-shirt would be enough to make up for that.

 

[mrrsm]

Its all good... I'll get over it. If you saw an Old Man around 6'1" 265#s and very muscular wearing an Under Armour Jamie Foxx "Electro" Compression Shirt from "The Amazing Spiderman" using a dark blue metal flake colored cane that almost matches the Blues and Grays of the Under Armour Shirt and wearing a Black and Gold embroidered "Superman" logo Ball Cap... wandering aimlessly around inside and/or on the parking lot... that was yours truly.

It's too bad, really. Since you were hosting, I had a gift for you that, as a fan of UFC you would have appreciated. Oh well... These things do happen... from time to time. Perhaps we'll try it again... on another occasion.

 

[Blckshdw]

Thinking about trying this again. Anybody down for lunch at the QSL on Sunday @ noon? Looking at their calendar, there are some car club meets on Saturday, but Sunday is free, and football is over, so it should be less chaotic. Easier to find everyone, and more importantly get a table together.

@MRRSM @triz @DJones @HeavyChevy4200 @Brendon

Edit: Just remembered that's Hallmark day... Maybe next weekend?

 

[Capote]

I'd come down if I wasn't moving man. It's very unlikely i'll even head towards FL now that i'll be near ATL. Unless I bring my kids to Disney World of something one day when they're a little older. Sorry I was never able to come meet you and the rest of the FL boys Carlton

 

[triz]

I'll be heading back down from West VA, Saturday hoping to be back by Sunday but not sure what time.

 

[mrrsm]

@Blckshdw ...I haven't had a lot of luck making any actual "Meets" yet... But if you can list a Day/Date/Time and confirm that the QS&L is the locale... I'll try it again. My only beef about that place is that without of having an Erasable Table Label Board that would allow their IN-COMING STRAGGLER customers to know exactly where their Party is Parked inside the joint... it would prevent having to wander around inside looking for "The Right Spot" instead of going through the experience of "A Night in the Museum" crap and then realizing that nobody will be waving you down...since nobody at the table has ever SEEN you before... you might have a better chance of locating the folks!

 

[fletch09]

as long as you know for sure the place and time, arrive a little late, then just walk to the middle of the room, and yell GMT NATION. Carlton will get up and do the "Carlton Dance"

 

[mrrsm]

Maybe I should bring along some of my friends, too... at least by way of being able to imitate them well enough to make those who forgot to wear their "Man-Pampers" regret it when they "P" themselves while laughing and when listening to the following diverse and bizarre ensemble of characters:

Voices:

Christopher Walken
Michael Caine
Dr. M. Emmet Brown ( ...from Back to the Future)
Jason Stathan
Joe Pesci
Marlon Brando
Tony Bennett
President William Jefferson Clinton
Hon. Senator Bernie Sanders
Hon. Congressman Charlie Rangle
Yoda

....and a few other familiar ones besides...

 

[Decembersend]

@Blckshdw whens the next Meet?

 

[Blckshdw]

@Blckshdw whens the next Meet?

I'm thinking either May 15th, or May 22nd, so we're not crossing paths with Mother's day or the holiday weekend. Anybody have any problems/conflicts with those dates? Location TBD...

@Decembersend @saze @MRRSM @hockeyman @kurupt @LouisTB @jimmyjam @DJones @HeavyChevy4200 @24v 4.2 @markmc @triz @Fen65 @Mike w @BoldAdventure @eutechnyx @DirtyBacon04

Sucks you can't advanced search for members with this new software, but these were the only names I could remember/find in the thread. I know we've got a lot of FL members, especially here in the bay area, so if you're lurking, you're invited!

 

[Decembersend]

I can do either of those dates but the 22nd would work best. Payday weekend lol

 

[LouisTB]

I can do either dates just gotta put in for a day off at least 2 weeks in advance so I know I get off. I'm totally down to go to a meet and meet some of you guys .