My first Lincoln... I am hooked!!!

AmpTrooper

New member
Hello,
I am new to the forum, soon the club and to Lincolns.
Being an Italian and from a traditional Italian family I have grown up around Lincolns and Cadillacs. I have always loved both but, the older Lincolns have always just had a certain something that caught my attention more.
Well, after a very hard 3 years I decided to get one. I ended up buying an all original in amazing shape white with white leather 4 door 1983 Continental Mark VI. I actually had the choice between a 79 2 door or the 83 4 door. Maybe it is the Italian in me but, I really like the 4 door a lot better. Just like the over all look of it and the size. Plus I have kids so, the 4 dr is much easier and will be less wear on the front seats from them getting in and out though I will actually only be driving it maybe a few times a week for Dr.s appointments, church and just some cruising. I know, I sound like I am in my 80's or something. I am actually 36. Like I was saying before, the past 3 years have been REALLY hard.

So, I had to get a motorcycle before I was 35. Just one of those "things" you think you have to do in life. I took the motorcycle safety course and finished second in my class! I was very proud of that and I even got a special jacket patch to honor the hard work I did! Then, while I was on my was on September 6th 2008 to go do the paper work (insurance and osha stuff) for my dream job, which was to be the reptile expert and caretaker at our local zoo, I meet up with a group of cars on a small country highway that seamed to be slowing down and then speeding back up. On the turn I could see the problem was being caused by someone in a small red car. It looked like a 1998 Honda Hatchback. ( I use to work for Honda and I know that car well) He would push the gas and get ahead of everyone the he would hit the breaks so hard that it cased his little front wheel car to swerve. Cars went all over the road trying to avoid hitting him as this time it was a lot more then what he was doing before. I did everything I could to avoid hitting the Van that was in front of me. Problem is my pants caught the screw that was sticking out from the wheel cover and pulled the bike in towards the van. So, I hit.
You know, they say that when you have a life threatening situation like that, that your life flashes before your eyes. Well, fro me it was not like that at all. My training came back 100%. When I hit I swear I could hear a voice. Same voice that spoke to me before I left the house. I was leaving and I didn't have my helmet on as we do not have to wear them here in Indiana.
I touched the door knob and as soon as I did I could hear it... "Put your helmet on" I went back and almost put it on but then i grabbed my riding gloves instead. I was going to leave again and sure enough, there it was again but a little more demanding this time "Put your helmet on!" So, I did it.
Then as I am hitting the van I hear the voice again. He said " Corey, this is going to hurt but it has to be done. I love you and you will be well cared for!" I remembered that this whole time. Not knowing what in the world it meant.... "but, it has to be done" Why in the world would something like this have to be done. So, to wrap this up a bit as it is already a long post.
I lost my right leg bellow the knee, Mu right knee has had 4 surgeries and has lots of problems. I also smashed my right hip and dislocated it as well. They have 26 screws holding it together though I am starting to have some bad problems again. I also lost my left back lat muscle. After over a month in the hospital they let me go home because my wife is an LPN. I had to have a hospital bed in my living room for 4 months!!! That sucked!!!
So, with all that we lost our home, our cars and ended up moving to my home state of GA. There I was able to figure out that that meant about "it has to be done". I found a group called the 501st. They are the guys that wear the Stromtrooper armor and Vader and all other Star Wars movie quality costumes. They also do a lot of work for charity. That is what got my attention. So, I thought that maybe I could use this amputation to make a connection with the kids in the hospitals that we see and raise awareness for disabilities and encourage those that need it. So, I cam up with a one legged Stromtrooper Commander that is called the AmpTrooper (for Amputee Stormtrooper). That is what I do now and it has worked great! It has even led to the 501st opening a new detachment for disabled 501st members.
It has been a true blessing to me and to the kids I see.

After fighting for 3 years and selling my car and my motorcycle just to pay bills I finally won my case for my Social Security. Like I told them, I am not looking for tax payers money. I want the money they took out of MY paycheck back so that i can care for things. So, they are finally doing that.
We paid our bills and got my wife a Hyundai so that she had a nice practical gas saving car for her work and all. Then we decided that I can get what I want. No matter what it was as long as it was only for so much $ .
So, with lots of hunting I the 83 Mark VI. I got it earlier this week and am getting it plated on Monday. So far, the only issues seam to be that the radiator hose clamp is too large and does not fully tighten the hose. Easy fix.
The drivers side window is off track, another easy fix. Then the drivers seat has been re-bolted to be about 5 inches back from the manufacturing specs. I really need that moved back and with my hop problems I don't think I could do it. So it may have to wait till the second part of my SSDI comes in.
So, there it is. 3 years out in one post! Sorry to bore y'all!

Here are some pictures of the car and me:



Those are the sale pictures. I'll get some good ones when the weather clears up a bit here.
Thanks for reading!
God bless!
Amp
 

billcu

Head Moderator
Welcome to the Lincolns of Distinction!

Sorry to hear about your accident, I'm glad to hear you're recovering though.

About your seat, aren't the original mounting holes or brackets still there? I'm not familar with the Mark VI set up.
 

AmpTrooper

New member
Thanks for the welcome!
For the seat, I think there is some spacers that need to go in but really, it looks like it just needs unbolted from where it is and moved forward to it's original spot. So, it looks to be very fixable without drilling new holes or anything. The old holes are sealed up with a caulk like substance that matches the carpet. I would like to try to match the carpet as well for the back holes as I want to keep this car in as original shape as possible.
 

driller

El Presidente
Great story and a beautiful car. I love the interior of the older Lincolns with the "pillow top" seats, especially the two tone white and blue. :)
 

KStromberg

Vortech kicked in yo
Welcome! Well, it sounds like you have been through a storm and were a real trooper about it. So, I guess that makes you a storm trooper.:D Love the Continental. Looks to be in very nice condition. :thumbsup: There is a guy on the other forum I go to. He is handicapped and has the hand controls and everything in his Mark VIII. He still finds a way to drive his Lincoln and enjoys every minute of it.
 
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AmpTrooper

New member
Thanks everyone! Nice Star Wars jokes! :thumbsup:
Yeah, this car is very immaculate. I have been looking at others of around the same year that are for sale online. Just to compare to and they are asking twice what I paid and they do not seem to be in as good condition. Most of them look great in the full car shots but then when you get close you can see the rust tumors and so on. I am very happy with it so far! Still, I have not got to drive it much for 2 reasons. First, I hurt my hip and the Dr. has restricted me to crutches only. No prosthetic leg. Also, I have not gotten the plates for it yet. But, I do go out everyday and start it up. Still need to get a hose clamp for the radiator hose. I watched it leak today just to make sure that was the only leak it has. It is so that is good.
So this club seems to have more members with newer Lincolns. Is that why there is 2 Lincoln clubs?
 

KStromberg

Vortech kicked in yo
There is a lot of Mark VIII guys on here which is generally what you will find the discussions revolving around, BUT as you may have seen in the forums list, we do have a section for your car and some guys on here with knowledge of these cars too. Another great site is www.lincolnsonline.com
 

budpytko

Super Senior Associate
There's 4 I think.... maybe more. Mark VIII, Mark8, Lincoln vs Cadillac.... and the other slips my mind. OK ...Kirk got it.
 

steve

With "LOD" Since 1997
This club is open to everyone, it started as a mark viii club, but now includes all Lincolns for anyone that likes Lincolns and cars in general.
 

AmpTrooper

New member
Okay, I have 2 questions then.
First, being a new Lincoln owner, in the old school Lincolns where would I post about mine, the Mark VI or the Continental or both?

Second is: what are the differences between the LOD and LCOC? Are they focused on different years or is one club more active then the other Etc? I ask because I want to join one of them and I am looking for one that is active in the area I live as I can't drive very long distances because of my injuries. I have been to both sites but don't really understand the difference. I would assume that y'all are all on friendly terms as I got the link to here from LCOC. But for my first Lincoln club and enjoying car shows who do I represent as far a clubs? I don't know! :confused-red: I am new to all this.
 

driller

El Presidente
Since you're new, I'll cut you some slack. ;)

Come to an LOD event if you have a chance. The MidWest has occasional meets and the Carlisle meet for the Carlisle Ford Nationals in June is second to none. :D
 

AmpTrooper

New member
Since you're new, I'll cut you some slack. ;)

Come to an LOD event if you have a chance. The MidWest has occasional meets and the Carlisle meet for the Carlisle Ford Nationals in June is second to none. :D

I know, kind of a dumb question when I am on this clubs forum! :eek:

Yeah, I saw that Carlisle meet. Looks like a blast. If I were to take my time and maybe space the trip out over 2 days I may be able to make it. I have already put it on the calender. Talked with my wife. She said it sounds like fun too so, that is a step in the right direction! LOL!
There are a lot of car shows around here that I plan on getting into as well. I have been going to car shows since I was a kid and I have always had some sort of classic car from 1955 Chevy and 1966 Plymouth Valiant convertible to even some classic rice burners like a 1979 Honda Prelude and a 1988 Toyota MR2 Supercharged and other classic cars. Yeah, I have always had issues with reliability! LOL! I just really enjoy cars. I am hoping to make this my last classic and being able to leave the Lincoln to my son. So, as most of my cars have been the first thing to go when things get bad I would like to take that off the table with this one. Our situation is a little better now then it has been most of my life so it is possible. And even if for some reason I have to sell it because of my health killing our finances, I would like to get another one! This so far is my favorite car that I have owned and I have only had it a week so that says a lot for me. Just really got to get that seat moved back to where it should be. It will be perfect once I do that.
 

tixer

Lincoln Evangelist
Welcome to the board, AmpTrooper! What an amazing story. I am glad to hear you are doing so well after your accident, and have found such a fantastic (and safe!) car in addition. My father is a (now retired) counselor, who worked with quite a number of people in positions similar to your own. He was something of an expert on motorcycle accidents in particular, and the primary motivator in me never owning one. My Jeep scares the you-know-what out of him as it is..

As for your car club choices, there are many out there. Of the various clubs I have joined, this particular one has struck me as the most welcoming and sociable. As a result, this is the only board I actively participate in. The Mark VIII information available here is second to none, and there are enough of us here with the older Lincolns (like my '86 Town Car) that information on those can usually be found where necessary as well.

Not to drive away business, but the guys at www.grandmarq.net, which is generally a Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis site have also proven to be a good source of information for my '86. They're worth at least taking a look at.

As for your own car, the best bit of advice I have to offer is to replace the upper and lower radiator hoses, *and* all of the hoses to and from the heater core. The heater hoses in particular gave me no end of grief on the '86. Your car should have a different engine, but those hoses were kind of a pain to get to on mine. (with the TPI 302)
 

SCTBIRD1173

Mark my Bird!
Welcome Amp!

That's quite a story and I'm glad you are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. I hope things are easier for you and your family going forward.

Even though I've been down on my bike once before I can't see myself ever giving up bikes. Your story shows the risks of riding especially with all these crazy cagers on the roads. They even scare me in my car a lot of times... :eek:
 

AmpTrooper

New member
So, I'm having a really bad day for pain. You know, if I could I would easily trade my that year with my motorcycle for even just one day pain free (and I drove my bike everyday rain or shine! I loved riding!). Heck, I would even take one hour pain free! I actually can't imagine life without massive pain. Anywho, there is a cold front coming and bring snow so, I am hurting a little more then normal. But, I just found out that I do not have to get more surgery on my hip yet so, that is great news AND... I got my plates for my 83' today and I have been driving all day long!!! I got my clamps for the radiator too and it looks like all the hoses have been replaced but the main hose to the thermostat has a clamp that is just a little too big. Just enough to let small amounts of coolant leak and stain the radiator and make a small smell. I am fixing that tomorrow snow or not.
I have to say, diving that car is like driving a could! Handles like nothing I have ever drivin. I thought it was going to be a slow cruiser and that is really how I drive it but, I was very surprised at the get up and go that it had for such a large car. Man, when you step on that pedal that sucker goes. Sure it is not as quick as the MR2 I had or as fast as my old Camaro but the get up and go that it has was unexpected. I know y'all have Lincolns that would kick my cars butt, but I am not in it for the speed (which is good considering that it is an 83" 4dr!). Nowadays I am more of the low and slow kind of guy!

You know how when you get a car that you really like and before you never see any of them (or at least notice them) until your actually driving it? Well, I drove my car all day long getting all the running around that I have been putting off done. I was on the road from about 10am to 6:30 pm and didn't see a single 80's Lincoln. I saw plenty of 90's and 2000's but no 80's. A few 80's Cadillac's but they looked like junk next to my Lincoln. I felt special! LOL! :D
Oh, it is also my daughters 19th Birthday (can't believe that I have a 19 year old!) and she wanted to ride in the Lincoln. So we all went out to the Out Back Steak House in the Lincoln. We all had a blast!
Just wanted to share my day with y'all. Yeah, I hurt but the good things today out weigh the pain. So all in all it has been a wonderful day! I don't get a heck of a lot of them so when days like this come along they really stick with me and are meaningful so sorry if I get a little sappy about the good times. I try to live one day at a time and I definitely pay better attention now to the small stuff in life and with my family. I use to take a lot for granted and still can get lost in the pain sometimes but moments like today or like when we go out with the 501st and bless kids with our Star Wars costumes, it makes the disabilities that I have and the pain just seam so distant even though they are still very much there.
Thanks for the warm welcome! Y'all are very helpful and this is a fun forum! I have been doing a lot of reading and I like how y'all don't take yourselves to seriously and are not afraid to have a good time.
BTW, hope my font color is a little softer on the eyes! ;) LOL
 

KStromberg

Vortech kicked in yo
Hang in there AmpTrooper. I try not to take things for granted simply because of what I have seen other people go through. I would be selfish to drown myself in my own misery and feel sorry for myself when I see and hear about people like you that struggle every day.

I used to be a full-time drug addict several years ago on crystal meth and crack cocaine and I got clean and have been ever since 2004. It's a different sort of struggle, but nevertheless, a struggle. When you change your mindset from struggling every day to living life to its fullest and cherishing what you have and holding those people around you close to your heart and enjoying life together, it's amazing how much easier of a road it is to travel. I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying the good days too with diminished pain and what better place to enjoy those days on the road in one of the most comfortable vehicles out there. < Had to throw in a reference to cars :p

If I lived close to you, I would do anything within my power to help you out fixing your car. Good luck with the repairs.
 
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