Thanks, thanks ~~

          With the close out of 2004, we need to give a really big Coolamundo to American Classic Truck Parts for the big part they play in keeping the Stovebolt Page connected to the world. We have a lot going on here at HQ, and we have super volunteers -- those who you know (Paul Schmehl/The Stovebolt Geek/Baldeagle, the Joy Pascarela/Siren of the Swap Meet, our former and current forum moderators), but there are a bunch who's names you only see here and there ... offering Tech Tips, sending in new Links, Feature stories, Sagas, and best of all -- helping follow 'Bolters in the forums -- and at HQ! But to be real honest, all our work would come to a big halt if ACTP didn't keep us plugged in! The site is just too big and costs money to run! ACTP likes what we offer here and want to do their part. And we can't thank them enough.
          Coolamundo! ~~ On that note, we hope for good things for all of you this year

~~ John and Peggy Milliman, and the Stovebolt Staff

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CHANGES CHANGES CHANGES

          Besides closing out books, getting a new (Stovebolt!) calendar, remembering to write "2005," there were a few changes around the 'Bolt, too. We figure you've already noticed MOST of them!

The Forums -- It's just too much fun.

          Big thanks to George Moniz (GMONIZ) who we honestly coerced into moderating the Events forum. Rusty46 moved up in Stovebolt HQ to moderate the Interior forum (which will remain separate from Paint and Body). Following right behind him, KC Mongo offered to moderate the HiPo forum.

          If you didn't notice, we moved all the posts in the Rust forum into Paint and Body.

          We have two others pondering lofty positions - for the Big Bolts and The Tool Chest.

          After all that shuffling around, we updated the stats, histories. Plus a few other changes in the forums.

Introducing ...

          Well, we just couldn't resist. Plus YOU ALL couldn't resist. Admit it! You (mostly) like each other and probably talk more on the 'Bolt than you do to your wife!

          So the Greasy Spoon was relocated to the Bolt. "Relocated" you ask? Some of you may not know but many moons ago, we had the same problem with too much off-topic chatter in the ... ah, was it called the "Lounge" or something? Anyway. Mike Shehan came to the rescue and set up the Greasy Spoon for us over on Ya-Hoo chat. A few drifted in and out over the years. (John and Peggy even made a guest appearance one evening!) But, in general, the Bolters just would not leave the garage.

          So, after burning down the Lounge (those "hot topics" were the real culprit), we just knew you all needed each other too much to let it just totally drop dead. Not to mention that some folks were still posting off-topic stuff anyway.

          So, thanks to some beefcake Bouncers (it only looks like the affable and mildly famous Mr. Easywrench from the Tech Tips section ... it's his twin brother!), and a lot of pleading and crying to the Editor, we have The Greasy Spoon. A place to post your off-topic stuff, tell jokes, exchange recipes (recipes? what's this place coming to? - Ed.), etc. Whatever you crazies do when you're not working on your truck or lurking around the site. The "Front Porch" rules are simple and they're posted in that forum. And ... be careful ... our Bouncers are big, burly bolt-busters! So, play nice!

          We do think this is a good thing. We have had countless emails from Bolters who have met other Bolters. Even across oceans. It's been heartwarming. So, we hope this will be the good thing we intend it to be. If not, the Bouncers will make it so!!!

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Stovebolt Hoo-ya Store

          Well, one 2005 calendar is done. We're working on #2.

          KCMongo is working on a "People of the Stovebolt" calendar (for this year or 2006) showing Bolters with their Bolt AND family members (pets included).
         "How about some great pictures -- could be with your wife and girlfriends (you can have a wife AND girlfriends???? Coolamundo!!! -- Ed.) in cool, retro style shots (nothing too risqué) as well as pictures of guys and gals working on their trucks or just family's standing around them.
         "I've always liked that shot of the red and white '54 with the two little kids sitting on the front on the main page of the site (Those are the Kipster's young uns -- Ed.). Also if there are guys in the Kansas City area who don't have camera's, I'd be willing to meet with them and shoot the pics. I've spotted several good backdrops around KC." (Read carefully -- that's Mongo offering help, ya know ... John's not gonna drive out to KC.) If you'd like to be included, contact Mongo directly.

Bullfoot lives!

          Many are screaming for t-shirts and the like. Well, we had a discussion in the 'Spoon the other day and decided that as a tribute to the coolest Stovebolter ever, Jerry "Bullfoot" Powell, we would make "Coolamundo" and "Manomano" the official Stovebolt Greeting for when Stovebolters need to identify each other at Swap Meets, Cruise-Ins, truck shows and the like.

          It works like this -- You walk up to a guy you suspect might be a Stovebolter and say "Coolamundo!" If he/she answers, "Manomano" then you know! Bolters have been sending in ideas and art work. Mongo designed the sticker above (and we can personalize them). And John's got a mug in the works. Ahh ... a fine way to remember Bullfoot without having to run naked through somebody's campfire in the middle of the night!

          So, look for related stuff soon in the Hoo-ya Mall.

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WINNERS 2004 It Ran When I Parked It

          Okay, okay. Even though our theme was "no voting allowed here," we softened up a bit. I mean, how can we have a "People's Choice" winner unless we actually hear from you all (geez, politics again). So all the votes were cast and professionally counted by Fred Scott ("joker").

          Here's the line up:

NEW STUFF