Automotive

Automotive Cooling Systems

Back home in New England folks are still dealing with subfreezing temperatures and blizzards.  Here in the wonderful weather of northern Baja the birds are singing and spring  comes early.  It’s not too early to give some attention to your automobile to insure that while you’re sitting in the border crossing lines your vehicle doesn’t overheat.  I’m specifically referring to …

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Uncle Sammy’s Truck

As we sat together outside in the noonday heat, Samuel Minjarez’s told me his story.  What started as a story about his custom, 1956, 1 ton ford truck became more profound.  I fondly refer to Samuel as Uncle Sammy, one of the few people I’ve met who is a Rosarito native. Uncle Sammy’s father, Francisco, was the first Taquero in …

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Rosarito Car Club

I am drawn to cars like a moth to a flame.  Often, as I drive on Benito Juarez, I notice an upholstery shop named Tapiceria Abarca, at number 293, where I’ve seen very clean, older, custom cars parked in front.  Naturally, I had to stop, meet the owner.  Jamie Abarca, who has been in the upholstery business for 49 years …

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Gabriel and the Porsche

Some years ago, about 1971, while living on a ranch in Northern California, I agreed to take on the responsibility of the care and training of a dog.  One afternoon I walked into an animal shelter in Sebastopol.  As soon as I entered the kennel a little white and black spotted puppy claimed me as savior.  To be sure I …

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Tires, Tires, Tires

Some are new, some are old, some are flat, but the best tires are the ones that are inflated properly.  We take tires on our cars for granted much of the time.  I learned after crashing on a wet mountain road that tires are not the place to cut costs. I’ve cut tires in half with a hacksaw just to …

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Join the Club?

While rehearsing for the upcoming play in Rosarito, an actor had his car stolen, in broad daylight with people around. So I thought I would write this month about car protection.  Researching various sites online helped a little although I found just as many sites that explained how to disable security systems as I found to enable them. And I …

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Auto Repair Costs

The two major costs involved in repairing your car are parts and labor.  The price of parts are more or less fixed.  You may find the price they quote you is higher than somewhere else.  There’s a good reason for this.  Many auto parts stores currently offer a discount.  To get your business, the auto part stores are selling at …

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A little more about how a dealership works

The best way to proceed is to be sensible, and if you’re buying a used car from a used car dealership, get some expert outside advice before you buy.  Two months ago my son bought a used Ford and didn’t have it checked out by a qualified mechanic first.  It has taken one thousand dollars, three weeks of being without …

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