Over the last year a couple people have suggested that my avatar may be a little too racy and approaches a degree of inappropriateness. Their views concern me so I’m asking for your thoughts and guidance on the subject.

Some background information might be helpful and ***ist you in formulating you’re guidance. It all started at Car Craft 2011, it was a brutally hot Saturday afternoon and club members where all struggling to find shade on the east side of the Fair Grounds, our Chevelle’s and El Caminos where lined up neatly in a row.

My hood hinges where weak from years of going up and down and my greatest fear was having an unexpected wind gust slam the hood on someone’s hand so I used an old lamp pole to fix the hood and remove the danger.

At some point I wandered off from the group in search of food, tool venders, something cold to drink and probably a men’s room. When I returned I noticed a large group of spectators around my Elky, several of the onlookers had their cameras out and where taking pictures of the engine bay, or so I thought. As I got closer I could see they were all quit jovial and where amused by something as they snapped pictures, and then I saw her.  There she was strapped to my hood’s safety pole, a scantily clad Barbie.

Some club member had in good sprit planned this out in their manipulative little mind over a long period of time and patiently waited for this very day to spring the surprise strapping Barbie to the pole, without music I might add.  At first I was taken back and quite frankly a little upset, I felt my Elky had been violated; then I overheard a father tell his young daughter “that’s the working Barbie”.

When I returned home that afternoon I removed Barbie from the pole and set her on a shelf in the garage. Over time she has moved from one spot to another.  First she sat on top of the band saw then she moved to the TV.  Seems every time I clean she moves somewhere else. She helps start conversations when strangers walk in; they’ll ask why’s the Barbie doll sitting on the carburetor or what’s up with the Barbie on the drill press.

But let me get back to the appropriateness of Barbie as an avatar. Do you think I should remove her and post a new avatar? I do recall not long ago a member had such a disturbing avatar that several members encouraged him to change it and he did.

She will always have a place in my garage but should she be retired as an avatar? Your thoughts.    

Sorry to be the one to say it but if anyone finds that avatar offensive, they need to lighten up and get the stick out of thier a ss. There are a lot more things to worry about then being offended by a trivial gag like that Barbie doll.

Onless of course your Mattel I suppose.

I too think that the picture is dated but only because I think there should be a picture of the Elky in it's new coat.  Barbie doesn't bother me personally.

For anyone not having seen Barbie up close, it's very hard to know from that tiny pic that she's "scantily clad". I don't find it offensive.

I agree with Mike that the pic of the Elky is dated because of the color. As for Barbie, I get to see her every day, so I won't miss yours if she "retires" from the avatar...

Barbie with her place on the new and improved elky, problem solved.   Just kidding she does not bother me one bit I think it is pretty funny.

I'm personally still waiting to see some pictures of this mysterious buick I hear so much about.

Kevin the engine stand is open though I need to modify some things for easier usage. Do you have a time frame on when you would like to use it. I can move it up my priority list if you need it soon.

Doesn't bother me at all, but I don't offend easily.

I never knew the story behind it... wish I could have been there.

I was there when it got put up on the hood prop. I think its kind of creative. She is no more scantily clad then some of the bomber inspired pinup's ive seen painted on old hot rods at BTT50's.

67ss wrote:

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I'm personally still waiting to see some pictures of this mysterious buick I hear so much about.

Kevin the engine stand is open though I need to modify some things for easier usage. Do you have a time frame on when you would like to use it. I can move it up my priority list if you need it soon.

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 Thanks Chris, yes I would really like to use your stand, probably in the January period; I need to finalize my engine harness design and have it built. Outstanding questions are AC compressor mounting location, high, low, right or left side, computer in the engine compartment or will it fit under the dash with the Vintage Air system.

I have the new fuel tank, oil pan, exhaust manifolds and air intake/filter setup; I still need the radiator/fan setup, engine mount adapters and some type of exhaust setup for an engine stand run. So I am looking for an early Santa.

Some questions, what needs to be done to or modified on the stand to allow it to except an LS1? Will the stand break down for transport? Would it fit in a pickup or small trailer?

Can I help cover the cost of the engine stand modifications?

Right now, I am enjoying driving the Buick and will right up until the snow arrives.

Pixs coming.

The main thing I have to do kevin is make it a little higher off the ground. The main base is to low to get the engine puller legs to roll under it. Not big deal just some square stock to make some spacers to raise it about 1.5 inches.

You engine should bolt right up, the bellhousing pattern is the same as a SBC except for one bolt. 5 bellhousing bolts should be fine to hold things together. If the starter that is on the stand don't work you might have to use the one from the LS motor. To hook up the sending units for the gauges may require some metric to american adapters. I will reroute a few power wires for you to make hooking up the ECM and such easier.

It will easily fit in the back of a pickup or I have a 4x8 trailer that you can use if need be. Having all this done by January should be no problem.

Jon H wrote:

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Seriously? Do what you want for an avatar. Barbie is great and NOT offensive. If you feel it is time for a change them by all means post what you want. Maybe she has a sister?

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 Have you seen mother Iowa and here sisters?

I am trying to think of a way to do a poll; I guess it would be called a Barbie Pole Poll.

 Wait a min !  Someone thinks  your Avatar is racy and Inappropriate ?  Well they should spend their time  getting  a  LIFE !  Geez what a small minded people we have out there! I agree with Chris. Get the stick out of you ***!   And GROW a pair. .What a bunch of crap. Like Chris said about the pin ups on the older Hot Rods. I bet that really set them off if they seen those!  Kevin. No matter what you do. Right or wrong. Someones is going to find fault with it! Tell them to kiss your ! man I could go on & on!  But I wish someone would tell me something like that!

Doesn't bother me one bit. I say keep it. It's not offensive in the least. I think it's kinda funny.