Rear-Ended by Romance: Starting an Isuzu Trooper with a Screwdriver

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!Is a car truly "free" if you have to pull the engine to fix the clutch before you can drive it? For Tim, the answer was a resounding yes. 🛠️💸In this episode, we sit down with Tim to discuss a lifetime of "sweat equity" in the garage. His journey includes a pristine 1972 Chevy Monte Carlo barn find that he bought for just $600 (only to be rear-ended by a distracted couple), and a Plymouth Horizon TC3 that his sister gifted him—on the condition that he replace the clutch himself.We also dive into the legend of his 1990 Isuzu Trooper II, an unkillable beast that he drove for 17 years, eventually starting it with a screwdriver and a flashlight clip after the ignition failed.In this episode, you’ll hear:🏚️ The Barn Find: Resurrecting a 1972 Chevy Monte Carlo that sat for 10 years, only to have it rear-ended by a couple who were... distracted at a stoplight.🔧 The "Free" Car: Earning a Plymouth Horizon TC3 by performing a massive front-wheel-drive clutch swap in his parents' garage using a Chilton’s manual.🚙 The Unkillable Isuzu: Why Tim drove his Isuzu Trooper II for 17 years and the MacGyver-style trick he used to bypass the steering wheel lock.🚑 Garage Memories: Lifting engines off I-beams and swapping rear ends in an ambulance squad garage.🛠️ DIY Spirit: The satisfaction (and pain) of learning to wrench on cars out of necessity rather than hobby.Have a listen to Tim's favorite episode features another infamous car - "Dust to Dreams – David’s College Car Capers and Convertible Comeback" https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/14867457Whether you've ever started a car with a screwdriver or spent a weekend fighting a rusted bolt, Tim’s stories will remind you why we love (and hate) working on our own cars.🔗 Links & Resources:Visit our Linktree to find all of our content: 🔗🌲https://linktr.ee/carslovedCheck out our Guest-inspired Road Trip Playlist on Spotify: 🎧🚗 https://carsloved.com/playlist📢 Join the Conversation: What's the sketchiest way you've ever started a car? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbeforehttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/14867457-dust-to-dreams-david-s-college-car-capers-and-convertible-comebackConnect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at [email protected]. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.Podcast News:Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean project.Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur, author of "The Art of Fully Living"Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before in their list of Top 100 Car Podcasts and 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your DriveOur co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLore...