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By Roz Rogoff

About this blog: In January 2002 I started writing my own online "newspaper" titled "The San Ramon Observer." I reported on City Council meetings and other happenings in San Ramon. I tried to be objective in my coverage of meetings and events, and... (More)

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My Maverick is Indoors at Good Guys

Uploaded: May 30, 2014

Finally my 1973 Maverick Grabber is in the Indoor Exhibit at Good-Guys Summer Get Together this weekend. Last year my Maverick was at Miracle Paint and Body during the Good-Guys June show because the decals were not put on correctly and had to be redone. Now that my car looks like new, it is finally in the Indoor Exhibit.

On Thursday I took it to the San Ramon Valley Car Wash and Detail Center at 1 pm. This used to be Sponges, but the new services are much improved. The place was very busy but they did a fantastic job.

I phoned Good-Guys to ask how to get to the indoor exhibit. Diane Walsh emailed me a list of instructions. Registration was on Friday afternoon between 1 and 5 pm. So I left at 1:30 pm this afternoon to drive down to Pleasanton. I printed a map so I would not get lost. If there is a way to get lost, I will find it.

I entered at Gate 12 and asked the person at the gate how to get to the indoor exhibit. The person said to follow the signs. One sign pointed to the Car Corral for cars for sale and the other pointed to the Swap Meet. I didn't want to sell my car, so I took the road to the Swap Meet, which of course turned out to be the wrong way.

There was a big line of big vehicles heading to the Swap Meet. I thought I'd get instructors to the Indoor Exhibit when I got to the front of the line, but I was told to turn around and go back where I came from. A man on a golf cart told me to follow him, and he guided me to the right building.

There are two indoor car shows this year ? Mustangs are in the Young California building in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Mustang. Everything else, mostly Chevys, are in the Hall of Commerce, building C.

The guys checking in cars at the Hall of Commerce seemed a little skeptical that I was supposed to be there. My confirmation is on a green paper but stamped INDOOR EXHIBIT. Indoor cars are supposed to be on a blue paper, but they let me in and directed me park near a '55 Chevy.

After my car was settled into the exhibit, I walked down to the Young California building to see the Mustangs. I was surprised by how many were in there. The building is full of Mustangs from every decade, even a Pinto-based Mustang 2 which still looks like a dressed-up Pinto.

Now with my Mav in the Indoor Exhibit, I don't have to wake up early to get to the Fair Grounds to find a good place to park. My car can sit there all weekend and I can come and go like a regular attendee.

My Maverick Grabber will be 41 years old on May 31st. If anyone reading this is planning to be at the Good-Guys this weekend, check it out in the Hall of Commerce. It is hobnobbing in high society now!

Comments

Posted by Formerly Dan from BC, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on May 31, 2014 at 11:22 am
Formerly Dan from BC is a registered user.

Roz,

Would love to see a picture of the car when you get the chance.

Dan

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Posted by San Ramon Observer, a resident of San Ramon,
on May 31, 2014 at 2:08 pm
San Ramon Observer is a registered user.

Dan,

I uploaded a photo I took last year right after picking it up from Miracle Auto. It looks even better now after it was detailed and waxed at San Ramon Valley Car Wash.

Roz

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Posted by MLOliver, a resident of San Ramon,
on May 31, 2014 at 6:28 pm

Congratulations on getting your baby inside. :-) It looks great! I have had several yellow and black cars over the years. I'm embarrassed to say, one was an AMC Pacer. My friends referred to it as the ugly "bumble bee."

I gave Sponges a try after they changed hands, and never again. I have a Grand Cherokee and they made me ride through IN the car. There were too many cars behind me to get out of the place. I objected to paying that price for a car wash and having to go through the wash in it, but to no avail. They wouldn't give me a reason, either, just said it was "policy." I asked if any other cars required the owner to ride through, and the answer was "no." Then they didn't wipe down the dash or the the inside of the door area. Two weeks ago, I bought new tires, and the tire guys got the car washed there. I asked if they had to ride through. They said they did. They didn't understand it either.

MLO

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Posted by San Ramon Observer, a resident of San Ramon,
on May 31, 2014 at 8:08 pm
San Ramon Observer is a registered user.

ML,

I looked at AMC Pacers and Gremlins before buying my first Maverick in 1969. I think there was a Gremlin actually sold under the name "Bumblebee" for the yellow and black paint job.

I wasn't impressed with the Grabber design in the '70's. I thought it was a waste of money. Ford put a 5 digit Odometer on the Mavericks. I guess they didn't have much faith in their durability. I still see Mavericks on the road now after 40 years. They are starting to be collectable now that they are not as useful as cheap used cars.

The new "Sponges," was doing a crazy business when I was there, so somebody must like it. Maybe your vehicle requires the owner or driver to go through the wash for insurance purposes. I read about an injury at the car wash in Dublin because one of the wash employees ran into a couple of people waiting on a bench for their car. I'm not sure what kind of vehicle was involved in that accident.

I didn't go through the automated Car Wash. The Detail guys hand washed and waxed it. The Supervisor charged me about 50% less than the listed price for the services. Being a ditzy old lady helps sometimes.

There's a car wash in the gas station across from the library that's a drive though. I usually use that one, but I wanted the detailing this time. That gave me enough time to get lunch at the Chinese Restaurant nearby, which I haven't been to in awhile.

Roz

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Posted by Paul Mitchell, a resident of another community,
on May 31, 2014 at 10:19 pm

Roz, I recently cleaned out the car I owned when I lived in San Ramon (pre-2007) and I found several unused car wash coupons for the Sponges Car Wash. I cannot use them up here in Oregon, so if you think the new owners will honor the old coupons I can mail them to you, to keep your classic car nice and shiny.

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Posted by Formerly Dan from BC, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on May 31, 2014 at 11:13 pm
Formerly Dan from BC is a registered user.

Roz,

Very nice! Reminds me of good times!

Thanks!

Dan

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