introduction Socal Newbie W/1972 2002

[mikethevilla]

Hey folks! I'm Mike, professional photographer, Orange County resident, donut enthusiast.

 

Last week I picked up my first-ever vintage car: A 1972 2002 with a 5-speed swap. It has a bit of rust in the spare tire well, sketchy rear brakes, a totally shot center tie rod, and could probably use some new brushings, but the body looks straight (as far as I can tell) and everything seems to work pretty well. It made the 90-mile trek from San Diego to Orange County in 95º heat and rush hour traffic with no problems, so that seems to be a good start.

 

Anyway, being my first vintage car, I have no wrenching experience, but I'd like to get it up to daily-driver snuff and then some. I have no problem paying folks to help out, but I figure I should start learning so I can get a handle on the easier stuff. With that said, if anyone in my area needs a hand with their cars, or would like to walk me through mine, I'd appreciate it! Also, I know there's Independent down in La Jolla, but are there any other solid '02 shops in the SoCal area?

 

I'm sure you can expect plenty of dumb questions from me in the future, so just a heads up on that!

 

Thanks folks!

 

-Mike

[ray_]

Hi Mike, welcome!

 

There's a bunch of good shops in SoCal, and OC in particular. Do a search and then make your decisions.

 

Mesa Performance is a good local parts resource as well:  http://www.mesaperformance.com/

 

I and others like to buy parts from Blunttech (look under "links" above).

 

Cheers,

[vinntagejoe]

+1 for Mesa; good old school vibe. Where abouts in the OC? South OC?

Edited May 27, 2014 by vinntagejoe

[mikethevilla]

Thanks guys! I'm Santa Ana/Costa Mesa area.

[ndog]

nice car

[vinntagejoe]

Cool, join us on a SoCal vintage ride.

BTW - I work in Santa Ana, near men's central jail

[OriginalOwner]

Welcome !!!  

 

Cheers,

 

Carl

[jessiejake02]

Welcome.  By any chance that car was at La Jolla independent last weekend?

I thought I migth have seen it there.

[mikethevilla]

Umm not last weekend, but the previous owner said he took it there relatively recently.

[Nesset127]

Roundies are beautiful!! I love photography! I'm a somewhat wannabe photographer lol. I take a photography class currently in highschool. It's great. There's a 2002 Beauty shot thread here make sure to post your pictures welcome to the madness!

[AceAndrew]

Welcome. Orange County is awash with great suppliers and repair shops. Great place to own a 2002. If
You need help let me know!

What kind of photography do you do?

Edited May 28, 2014 by AceAndrew

[76ohtwo]

Looks great! Welcome to the addiction. My car is a 76, but it's white with a black front splitter too

[mikethevilla]

Thanks guys! I do mostly wedding and editorial photography. I'm actually currently on a gig in Hong Kong, but I'll be sure to hit you folks up when I come back after this weekend!

[mikethevilla]

I'll post a few of these in the beauty shots thread, but here are a couple quick shots I took over the weekend. The previous owner had some... Interesting taste. The tweed/black vinyl combo I can seriously dig, the third brake light, mismatched wheel (though it is Momo), and hole-punched center counsel not as much. But of course, that will all take a back seat to improving the mechanicals for the time being.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 24, 2014 by mikethevilla

[RayC911]

Congrats! I'm diggin the tweed interior too. I'm thinking those are rear parking sensors and not bond style oil slick sprayer