Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025

I finally got some good video of my 55 Chevy 210 2-door wagon in its Christmas decor (see below).

I was going to start removing the decorations this afternoon. While I was shooting photos and video, my wife came home from work. She said the car looked great parked in front of the house on the hill, and she came up with a great idea: Let’s leave the car parked outside and run the lights off an extension cord rather than the 12v to AC inverter. That way we can leave them on all night if we wish. I thought it was a great idea — we can get some use out of the decorations before I disassemble them. I posted a short video on Facebook of the car in its lighted glory.

1983 DODGE D150 UPDATE. Earlier today I asked my son to get behind the wheel of the old Dodge truck while I made some voltage checks. I had earlier identified the starter relay on the inner fender — it looks nothing like the ones I see in the Chiltons manual or on the car parts websites. But I did find one just like it on an underhood wiring diagram of 1980s dodge trucks, which was handy. So when I poked the probe into the 12v out to the starter solenoid, the damn starter began cranking with the key! The first time that’s happened in years!

Apparently the connector has corroded, and until I poked the test probe in the back of the contact, it was never making contact. I’m going to clean the contacts thoroughly, then charge the battery. Hell, it might just start if I keep at it long enough!

SHOPKEEPING. I’m going to need to do some serious shop cleaning after Christmas. My son will be home until mid-January, so he’s going to assist me. I’m thinking of parking the Chevy in the barn with a cover on it, which will free up the shop for work on the Durango.

Of course, I’ve got work to do on the 55 wagon, starting with full rehab of the driver’s door, then on to door panels and carpet. Later I need to add plywood and vinyl flooring to the cargo area of the back.

TOOL BOX. My wife gave me a new Yukon tool box from Harbor Freight, and I’m going to have my son assist me with the assembly. Might make good content for the YouTube channel too.

CHRISTMAS PLANS. My family Christmas is going to be Saturday here at home. We’re going to keep it very simple. My family are going to Mass Christmas morning at the Burg at Holy Trinity. That’s where we were married just over 40 years ago. Damn, that’s a long time back!

I’ll have another update once we get thru Christmas. Enjoy the holidays!