New Memeber/New Festiva

[GenevaDirt]

welcome Dennis....hope you stick around. The Auto handle just unscrews like the stick shift knob. Took one off recently at a JY.

^ dont forget the lock nut.

ummmm....I forgot the locknut....don't be a dolt like me....REMEMBER THE LOCK NUT....:p

[V8Festiva]

Welcome to the site.

My name is Dean from North Carolina.

I have 61-67 Econoline trucks and vans. Was into them long before I got my first Festiva. The Festiva addicts remind me of the Econoline addicts of many years ago.

They are always looking for more of them, finding them cheap or free, changing the engines
out for more power, doing custom paint jobs and going to or holding meets.
Owners are young to very old with income levels from none to six figures, trying to locate any other custom wheels, parts etc. that or making a custom item.
The numbers of these Econolines on the road were few just as the Festivas are now, if you saw another while traveling, effort was made to meet them and share the interest.

I think the one thing I like about a Festiva is that they just don't look like what everyone else drives. Now, I'm as addicted to Festivas as I was to the Econolines for many years.


Dean
Raleigh, NC

[Biglay5150]

LOL Econoaddict (FF.com member) = Dean (Dennis's son)

[Uglytruck]

Thanks Everyone

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome and quick answer to my question, looks like some fun to be had here. Biglay, I'm sure we'll meet up eventually being so close to each other, Dean told me about your ride now you gotta take me for one, lol. There seems to be quite a few members around the area so it should be fun. Dean in Raliegh, just goes to show a man of class knows his Fords. I build the disc brake conversions for the Econolines as well as the new master cylinder conversions for them utilizing a late model Ranger MC. I also make many other custom pieces for the ugly duckling.
I got the entire interior refurbished over the last week, redyed plastic front to back, redyed the seats and carpets, have started on some custom door panels and sun visors, installed a stereo, cleaned up some wiring but still have a couple of issues. None that really affect drivablility, I just know they aren't right so They will get fixed as time goes along. Dean and I hit a JY yesterday and picked up some minor pieces needed and even a chrome radio antennea. Still want to find a passenger mirror, don't need power, just a mirror. Going to get the front and rear bumpers repainted today. Even thinking about freaking out the big boys and installing my B&M Star Shifter on my automatic.
Next stop is Rock Auto for all new bushings front and rear, all new brakes, new struts and once that's all tightened up then get stiffeners built for front and rear towers and lower control arms. That stuff is all a piece of cake to manufacture. Used to build that kind of thing including roll cages when I was circle track racing in the 80's and 90"s. Putting subframe stiffeners in these cars would make a super sweet handling ride if done right, can you say Pikes Peak?
Thanks again for the welcome folks.

Dennis In Oregon
89 Festiva L - FI/auto/AC
2 - 1961 Ford Econoline 5 window pickups

https://www.dddiscbrakes.com

[Biglay5150]

Dennis,
Anytime you want a ride in the race car Ill take you. Ill keep my eye open for that mirror too.

[Uglytruck]

A Ride

Heck yeah man, I'd love it. Dean tells me you've got your ride caged, I'd like to see how you did it. Hmmmmm, gets me thinkin'.........Pro Street Festiva? Wonder what one of the old Mazda Rotary's would do to one of these things?
I may take a run down to Deans today to see what he found on his oil leak and take a look at the coil over setup he just got. I'm also gonna get a hold of the guys at Portland Wheel this week and pick their brains to find out what they'd charge to build some wider steel wheels for these cars. They used to do a good job in years past.

Dennis in Oregon
89 Festiva L - FI/auto/AC