Hahahahaha!!! Just kidding, the real cat here is me! And I'm the proud owner of another Bonneville, this one in fact:



I had to sort out a few details to make this possible, in the end I decided to drive out there with my dad and use his GM 1500 W/T to trailer it back. So I left work Friday at 5pm, met up with my dad, and we make the 1300 mile drive to Texas by 6:30pm on Saturday (after a few exciting setbacks). I got to meet 1oldman, and was glad I could save this one! Another 1300 miles later and I've only been home for an hour as of posting this. I'm a little exhausted, but maybe by tomorrow there will be some more photos to share, and of course this means I have a show worthy car that needs to be show ready soon!

_________________
Boost addict


The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax

Current project:
Something cool, trust me.

Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre

Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap

RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67

So how many miles are on that truck now? I know it was up there last year when we picked up that other car.

_________________

-Ryan
2004 GTO....LS1, LSA supercharged 525whp, 6MT
96 SSEi...September 2010 COTM........GONE
04 GTP comp G.... December 2015 COTM........GONE
2013 Audi Allroad Quattro

I cant find the "Like" button on this site

You were the one I figured would be the one. Second was Ryan (Haro). When the other Ryan (crash) said something along the lines of "now I'll be able to see it...", I knew had to be one of our Michigan folk.

_________________


Retired Bonneville Owner and former GM Tech:
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP: Black/Ebony *SOLD*

Summer Toys: Combined 827 RWHP / 877lb/ft RWTQ
2004 Pontiac GTO: Impulse Blue Metallic/Black/M6: lots 'o mods, 415 RWHP / 405lb/ft RWTQ!
2006 Cadillac STS-V: Light Platinum Metallic/Light Gray/A6 - Spectre CAI, Magnaflow exhaust, Speed Inc. tune, 412 RWHP / 472lb/ft RWTQ

Daily Drivers:
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Limited: Mommy's new RGC
2015 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum: Kids new RGC
2007 Chrysler Town & Country Limited: Sold to neighbor
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500: Doeskin Tan - 8.1L Big Block... new plow truck
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - Daddy's winter beater and plow truck

YES!

_________________

Jerry /// Past: 95 SSEi (June 2010 COTM) -- 04 GXP (July 2011 COTM)
91 Honda Civic Wagon DX 2WD (fuelly) -- 208,000km -- 92hp -- Autocross Warrior
09 Lexus LS460 AWD -- 94,000km -- Daily Driver
09 White Hot G8 GT -- 155,000km (fuelly) -- LS3 Cam -- GM LS3 CNC Ported Heads -- Kooks 1 3/4" Long Tube Headers -- Solo Catback Midsection -- Hooker Maxflow Mufflers -- Pat G Tune -- Rotofab Intake -- Tein S-Tech Springs -- GXP FE3 Dampers -- BMR Subframe Cradle Inserts -- BMR Subframe Connectors -- Forgestar F14 Gold 18x9 +40 -- Michelin Pilot Super Sport 245/45/18 -- Maverick Man Carbon Fiber Spoiler

I can only ask one question.

What are you gonna do to this rust free beauty? It better be awesome!

_________________
-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 247k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 98k miles

Congrats Matt! Can't wait to see it. It's always been one of those cars I've admired from a distance. Haha

_________________
Will
88 Cutlass Ciera Brougham International | 120k mi | White w/ Dk Claret Int. | Roller to be S2 L67/4T65E-HD | 1 of ~5100 3.8 FE3 Int'l series
91 Riviera | S2 L67 Swap/4T60E | 127K mi | Antelope Met. w/ Tan Int. | Saved From Death By Crusher
92 Bonneville SSE | L67/4T60E | 77K mi | Med Slate Grey w/ Two-Tone Grey Int. | Low Miles Time Capsule
92 Lumina Z34 | LQ1/4T60E | 177k mi | Torch Red w/Grey Int. | Rusty In Odd Spots
99 Tahoe LT | L31/4L65E | 276k mi | Spiral Grey Metallic w/Grey Int. | Truck for Truck Things and Portable Concert Hall
03 Park Avenue Ultra | 212K mi | White Diamond Met. w/ Shale Int. | Southern Time Capsule
05 Acura RL | 155K mi | Carbon Grey Pearl w/Ebony Int. | The Super-Hooptie Daily

This exactly! I don't think I've ever seen a rust free daily driver type car more then a few years old with zero rust!

_________________
Ryan

2003 Bonneville SSEi - The Black Mirror SOLD!
2002 Bonneville SE - The Mutt Complete 2004 SLE interior, drivetrain, and body harness swap, ECC swap, HUD swap, black GXP wheels, GXP headlights and tinted tails - SOLD
2003 BMW 540i M Sport, 2001 BMW X5 4.4i, 2010 GMC Acadia, 2017 Grand Design Imagine 3150BH
1982 Cutlass Supreme - The fun one

Now for my two cents on the "cat out of the bag". I am deeply grateful that Matt and his dad were able to come to Texas and retrieve the old girl. It was great to finally meet another club member, they are both Matt, Matt Strike and Matt Fiegle. I can "rest" now that I know the car has a good home. She is going to need a lot of attention mechanically.

Even though I didn't drive her anymore, I still miss her. Like a good friend that had to move on. I'm guessing the paperwork shows we purchased the car November 26, 1991. Matt and his dad picked her up January 30, 2016. That was quite a run for us.

Becky and I were concerned about the length of the trip for Matt and his dad in such a short time frame. That thankfully was unnecessary.

Here's to Matt and his dad.

- BC

_________________
In Memory of Brad - 1/21/1977 .. 10/23/2013 ...... Aaron - 1977 .. 2017 .....
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ..... 1992 Bonneville SSE 1SB 170 HP L27 4T60E retired/sold to MattStrike ..... 2005 Bonneville SE 1SC 205 HP L36 4T65E - retired/salvage yard ..... PBCF user 2321

Glad to see another one saved from the grave yard and glad y'all made it there and back safely, must have been a heck of a road trip! Can't wait to see what you do to her.

_________________
Member #3848
2002 Black Bonneville SE Sold But Not Forgotten
2002 White Bonneville SSEi Project car

This is awesome! I look forward to seeing this one in person in June.

_________________

'93 SSE "Guinevere" RIP 1993 - 2019
'01 SSEi "Chloe" Mods: Intense FWI | GenV | WBS Intercooled | 3.2 MPS | 1.9 YT Rockers | SSAC Headers | N* TB | TEP Trans | 3.29 FDR | Torsen LSD
DTM Tuned | Dual AeroForce | Solid Mounts | 255 Walbro Pump | Fuel Logs | GXP STB & Sway Bars | CSS Lowering Springs | GXP Brakes | Disabled DRL
Magnaflow Mufflers | Magnaflow Cat | GXP Seats & Trim | 35 % Tint | Cleared & Tinted Tails | repinS Retrofited Morimoto Mini H1 | 19" GT500 Wheels
'09 G8 GT "Abigail" Mods: Rotofab | LS3 Heads, Intake & Cam | Kooks LT | Solo Exhaust | Tien Springs w/ GXP Struts | Whiteline Swaybars | BMR Subframe Connectors
Achievements: Guinevere - 264k mi | 16.27 @ 84.10mph | March '11 COTM :: Chloe - 223k mi | 13.85 @ 102mph | January '09 COTM :: Abigail - 192k mi | 12.85 @ 112mph

It's getting close to 300k.

_________________
Boost addict


The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax

Current project:
Something cool, trust me.

Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre

Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap

RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67

It's on the verge of catching the old girl at 305,147 - LOL. - BC

_________________
In Memory of Brad - 1/21/1977 .. 10/23/2013 ...... Aaron - 1977 .. 2017 .....
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ..... 1992 Bonneville SSE 1SB 170 HP L27 4T60E retired/sold to MattStrike ..... 2005 Bonneville SE 1SC 205 HP L36 4T65E - retired/salvage yard ..... PBCF user 2321

Sweet! I can't wait to drool over it this year.

_________________

-Austin-
1988 LE, Intercooled L67 loading......

2000 SSEi R.I.P. Dead now :( INTENSE FWI, polished LIM, P&P supercharger, custom radiator, standalone trans cooler, trans-go shift kit (donating to the 88)

2002 2500HD Silverado with the 8.1 Vortec and Alison tranny. Likes to eat GT Mustangs and lots of tires, and all while stock!

Like I said before Matt, I admire your drive (this time it was literal). Now she is back near where she was born and I have no doubt you will be swapping out the motor in no time flat. I'm glad to see the car was not parted out. I see too much of that at Parts Galore. Good luck. Ren

Awesome to see it go to a good home! I bet those in Michigan will be jealous of the lack of rust. I look forward to updates on this!

_________________
~Randall~


1993 Buick Park Avenue - 197k - Some odds and ends done - Simply won't die
1994 Buick Regal - 78k - Bone stock - Always ready for a good kicking
1990 Oldsmobile 88 - Gone to a better place

Well, here goes the long version!

I was going to keep you guys in the dark for a while, disguising my road trip as the first long-distance test of the '89 out to visit a friend or something:




I was planning to start posting some photos later that night during my shift away from the wheel. But this describes how well that idea was going...



None of my photos turned out. I couldn't get the camera to do what I wanted. But I finally did get one good photo from the trip:



So I'll have to improvise with some help of BC's photos.

Flying one way and renting to get back or having a 3rd party ship it was not an option for my budget. So that left a 2600 mile round trip, averaging 16MPG cost $250, and $150 to rent a trailer for 2 days. That was something I could do, but needed to borrow a truck from somebody first, that could tow and average 16mpg, and find a co-pilot. The co-pilot was the easier part, I had 3 options. The truck on the other hand... It had to be capable of towing the Uhaul and a car. So, I did something I normally try not to do, ask my dad to donate his truck to my plots to collect every car I can get my hands on. That's the aforementioned '04 GMC 1500, 4.8l with automatic, no 4x4. Next was to check the weather to make sure we didn't get caught in bad weather towing without 4WD. Then I had to line up an extra day off work, in case we got delayed while towing, pack a suitcase, arrange a time to pickup the car that worked with BC's schedule, and head out.

I had to go from work out to my dad's place on the west side of MI, so we didn't really get out on the road until 8:00pm local time. The plan was to drive in 9 hour shifts, and sleep when not at the wheel. Everything was going according to plan; I got out of work a few minutes early to make up for the time it would take to grab dinner and fill up the car with gas, danced the I-94 traffic mambo for 3 hours, leave my LeSabre at my dad's place and hit the road. We set off in good spirits, after all it's not often you get to go on a 48hour round trip car ride with your dad, right? Somewhere around Effingham, IL we hit a snag. The official record is that the weight of the trailer altered how level the gas tank sits relative to the ground, and changed the reading of the gauge, such that when the light came on it has less fuel in it than is normally expected. So, we were surprised that when only 10 miles later the tank was empty, about 2 miles from the planned gas stop. But that's OK, we have roadside assistance, so we called them up and... and.... annnnnnd....... sat on hold for 40 minutes waiting and listening to elevator music in a cold truck. Finally on the line with a human being it took another 10 minutes to arrange the roadside assistance. Then another 45 minutes waiting for the tow driver, whom was called out to a DUI on his way over and that was given priority. But finally, after a boring 2 hours of trying to take a nap to store up energy for my shift at the wheel we were back on the road again!

Except I wasn't really able to fall asleep. I've slept in the car before many times, but in a truck pulling a trailer where the chair cannot recline very far is completely different. I managed to get a few hours of rest however and around 8am I took my seat in the pilots chair and hit the road again. Everything seemed to be going smoothly, and by 11:30 we were in Texarcana. We were making good time, the roads were mostly clear with no traffic. So we stopped to grab some quick food and some snacks for the road, filled up at the gas station, stretched our legs... and lost another two hours somehow, I still haven't figured that one out. But I figured it can't be that long now, we're already in Texas, right? Right?... A glance at the GPS told a whole new story. 300 miles to go. After just a few minutes on the road though, the speed limit cranked up to 75, which was a nice change of pace, until 5 miles later it dropped back off to 40 through a town, then back up to 75, going up and down hills for 10 miles, then back to 40 through another town. And it was like that the rest of the way. 5 hours later, though we finally arrived. And I got to see this in person, for the first time, and put a face and a voice to the name on my computer screen:





My only regret is that it was 75 degrees out, and of course I was sweating by the end of the day, but I think I actually smiled for a photo, I mean actually let somebody take my picture?! I must have been tired or something..


After an hour or so, we loaded up the car. I wish I could have stayed longer, but I'll have to be content that I met a new friend.




And we said our goodbyes:



And once again, we found ourselves on the road again. I drove the first hour of the trip until we stopped to top off, and got my only good picture. Then it was time to sleep again. Or at least, try to. There was no Interstate the entire time in Texas, and the state route we were on was in the process of being converted to an Interstate. However, this led to the signage being not quite up to standard, and oddly shaped incomplete shoulders where the exit split away along with the GPS not matching the road at times... which led to a perfect storm. I had fallen asleep right after taking the co-pilots seat, but was woke up by hard braking, a quick swerve, and then airborne for a few seconds.. Turns out there was a big hole at an exit ramp where there shouldn't have been one at all and by the time you could see it you didn't have time to react, and the truck pegged it once we realized we weren't supposed to be on the exit ramp and cut back over (which must happen a lot for a hole to be there in the narrow patch of dirt). Thanks to an experienced driver, low speed, and some help from above, the trailer straddled it and aside from a little bounce nothing bad happened to us or the truck or the car.

The rest of the trip until the shift change went without incident. We stopped to visit my brother in southern IL, took a quick shower and lunch break, wrapped up the car to keep any hint of road salt off it, and continued back to pick up my LeSabre. A final fuel stop in Kalamazoo, and the famous I-94 mambo later we arrived back home at 9:00pm and unpacked the car. I figured that after a few things not going to plan, I'd let the cat out of the bag a little early for you guys, and hit the hay.

And here it is, proof that we made it back safe and sound! I took advantage of the weather to clean the car today, and park it under a roof and got a proper car cover.









I'm glad I got to be the one who's going to see this car live on, and hope that the original owner can make it out here to visit someday! Now I'm sure many of you are wondering what I'll be doing with the old girl, but I'm going to keep my lips sealed shut on this one. I have something special in mind but I need to finish the current project before I start a new one. You can all rest assured it's going to be deserving of a rust-free gem like this, 1 part immaculate show car, 1 part Mattstrike, 1 part muscle, and 1 part mad scientist!

_________________
Boost addict


The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax

Current project:
Something cool, trust me.

Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre

Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap

RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67

LSx...

_________________


Retired Bonneville Owner and former GM Tech:
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP: Black/Ebony *SOLD*

Summer Toys: Combined 827 RWHP / 877lb/ft RWTQ
2004 Pontiac GTO: Impulse Blue Metallic/Black/M6: lots 'o mods, 415 RWHP / 405lb/ft RWTQ!
2006 Cadillac STS-V: Light Platinum Metallic/Light Gray/A6 - Spectre CAI, Magnaflow exhaust, Speed Inc. tune, 412 RWHP / 472lb/ft RWTQ

Daily Drivers:
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Limited: Mommy's new RGC
2015 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum: Kids new RGC
2007 Chrysler Town & Country Limited: Sold to neighbor
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500: Doeskin Tan - 8.1L Big Block... new plow truck
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - Daddy's winter beater and plow truck

Yessssshhh

_________________

'93 SSE "Guinevere" RIP 1993 - 2019
'01 SSEi "Chloe" Mods: Intense FWI | GenV | WBS Intercooled | 3.2 MPS | 1.9 YT Rockers | SSAC Headers | N* TB | TEP Trans | 3.29 FDR | Torsen LSD
DTM Tuned | Dual AeroForce | Solid Mounts | 255 Walbro Pump | Fuel Logs | GXP STB & Sway Bars | CSS Lowering Springs | GXP Brakes | Disabled DRL
Magnaflow Mufflers | Magnaflow Cat | GXP Seats & Trim | 35 % Tint | Cleared & Tinted Tails | repinS Retrofited Morimoto Mini H1 | 19" GT500 Wheels
'09 G8 GT "Abigail" Mods: Rotofab | LS3 Heads, Intake & Cam | Kooks LT | Solo Exhaust | Tien Springs w/ GXP Struts | Whiteline Swaybars | BMR Subframe Connectors
Achievements: Guinevere - 264k mi | 16.27 @ 84.10mph | March '11 COTM :: Chloe - 223k mi | 13.85 @ 102mph | January '09 COTM :: Abigail - 192k mi | 12.85 @ 112mph

I saw the hint on Facebook and had to Log In to check this out. Mint looking car, and great story to boot. Can't wait to see what you have in store for this one, but I bet it will be awesome! It reminds me of my first '93SSEi. When I first bought it, it had the Aerolytes too.



Cheers,
Adam

_________________

1993 SSEi "Red Bonnechetta" COTM July 2014
2003 GMC Envoy SLT