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more ambition than brains


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Not retired!
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Unemployed(underemployed) and on a fixed income.

This is how I describe myself currently. Retired things get mothballed, put out to pasture (figuratively) or scrapped.

Jim and I plus the other two partners sold the Assets of Crystal Lake Automotive, inc.

Closing was actually March 25th. Couple of months of "consulting"

I always loved my various positions in the Automotive industry. Fortunate to have spent quality time with quality people.

Our Industry was/is evolving to the point that to maintain Insurance repair programs you have to beg or be a Multi Shop organization.

We came out of covid in a healthy Physical/Financial position.

Strong crew, no debt, some cash in the bank.

Our small shop business plan was being made obsolete by the Insurance Industry and the major consolidators.

Jim and I were getting tired of the battle and did not want to essentially start over again by expanding, buying or building multiple locations to maintain market viability.

I am not a Multi shop type manager, takes different genetics. Me being a tender, young, 72-year-old may have had an influence also.

New company is Classic Collision. They have several key senior employees living in Minnesota as they have some roots to ABRA.

Corporate HQ is in Atlanta.

Todd and Michael (former partners) remain plus a majority of our previous staff.

What I am learning is that I will NOT outlive my projects. The list is LOOOOONG!

Still, now have an actual trash container and a Rolloff for scrap at the "Treasure Chest" in Farmington.  Purging!

More freedom on weekdays, continue to have a Companion for my wife at home.

Must act on my daily "things to do" list, far more productive.

Sold three 1968 cars, working to thin out my substantial Suburban inventory and dispose of three G-body Elcamino parts cars.

Also 1956LT4, 1966 Elcamino, 1968 Biscayne post (blue) projects, make progress on a couple of upgrades to Biskwik, Plus several Suburban, Silverado upgrades in the works.

Not even counting other family members cars to play with.

Plenty to do.

Thanks for the support over the years, means a lot.

Would like to be more active in Club, however, my wife is fortunately still at home with her dementia, I am primary companion weekends, evenings and overnights.

Best to all of you,

Karl



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More ambition than brains,

If you have more than 5 of anything, best to stop counting!
BLyke


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Thank you, Karl, for the update and the great service you have provided to the community
Thank you also for all of the Boetie Bruch's that helped us get through Januarys

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Bruce L. - Lakeville MN

1971 Malibu Convert

 
jim larson


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Enjoy your new directed focus.  Thanks for the great help and wonderful experiences.  Take care



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Jim L

Lake City
Larry Lucast


Active Member

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Congratulations! Enjoy the freedom to do more of what you have intended to do.

You have been an invaluable friend to the club and many of us members.

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Larry L.

Coon Rapids
Derek69SS


Founding Member

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We wish you the best!
Thanks for all the years of providing a great location, and wonderful hospitality for the BowTie Brunch!



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Derek Kiefer - Mantorville, MN

69 Malibu Pro-Touring stroker LS1-383/T56 - 69 SS396-325/3spd project
Lost in the 60s


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Keep purging until you get enough room to have the Bowtie Brunch at the Treasure Chest. If you need a hand filling roll-offs, let me know...I can bring a "few" items to contribute too...laughing



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Mitch D.   River Falls, WI

Lifetime member of the "Cars apart Club"

1966 Chevelle SS 396 M20

1970 Chevelle SS 396 M20

1967 Camaro SS/RS 350 M20
more ambition than brains


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Working on an addition to the TC, should be interesting.

Would love to continue to host something.
Karl

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More ambition than brains,

If you have more than 5 of anything, best to stop counting!
Lost in the 60s


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I think a Pot Luck style brunch would be fun too. No need to bring in a caterer.

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Mitch D.   River Falls, WI

Lifetime member of the "Cars apart Club"

1966 Chevelle SS 396 M20

1970 Chevelle SS 396 M20

1967 Camaro SS/RS 350 M20
Larry Lucast


Active Member

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You have us spoiled, but I think we could do a pot-luck like Mitch says. It is the gathering, not the food (although that is always great) that we all enjoy.

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Larry L.

Coon Rapids
Jon H


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Congratulations Karl, best of luck in your future ventures.

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'69 Convertible,  Lemans Blue, 454, 200 4R, 12 Bolt. 

Jon H.  Lino Lakes
Chris R


2K+ Club

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Good luck Karl. This reads almost like a good bye but I know thats not the case & we will see you around. Thanks for hosting the Bowtie brunch all these years. Since the very beginning actually. Im pretty sure that first January meeting is where is came up with the club name & some other basics. Lots of good memories from passed events there.



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Chris - Ramsey, MN.

Dear Optimist, Pessimist, and Realist.

While you guys were busy arguing about the glass of water. I drank it!

Sincerly,

The opportunist.
more ambition than brains


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You are correct, not a goodby.

Actually, another new adventure.
Don't know how I had time to go to the shop (CLA) as it was.

Maybe by fall I will have things a little more under control at the "Treasure Chest"
Selling stuff, buying stuff, working on multiple priorities.

Much FUN!!
Karl



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More ambition than brains,

If you have more than 5 of anything, best to stop counting!
bowtie


Secretary

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I saw something about that. I have heard of Classic. Lots of consolidators coming into or trying hard to quickly grow their footprint in this area. I'm happy that you got what you wanted/needed for something you invested a lot of your life in.

Enjoy your new found time, you deserve it

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Bryan-NW 'burbs
1972 Malibu
Vaguely stock appearing, and the opposite of restored.
1999 std bore 5.7, Vortec heads, Holley Stealth Ram, GM cam
700R4, Viking coilovers, 12 bolt 4.10 posi, and a whole bunch more
more ambition than brains


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My new-found time, which I seem to have little of, is being spent "Culling the Herd"

It would seem the Kieffer family, and I have a special bond.

Chad Kiefer, Dereks older brother is now the proud owner of a pair of 1968 B-bodies.

The wagon was dragged back from Oregon, Post Car (Barney Fife) car was from northern Minnesota/North Dakota.
Barney has 140mph speedo and some spotlifgts.
That is four cars over the years.

My white ElCamino was originally DereKs. The pristine Dodge hauler is Chads, Trailer is "Brother" Carls.
One of these days I will meet Carl as he likes 1958-1964 B-Bodies.

Karl

IMG_0375.JPGIMG_0376.JPGIMG_0377.JPGIMG_0378.JPGIMG_0379.JPGIMG_0380.JPG



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More ambition than brains,

If you have more than 5 of anything, best to stop counting!
Lost in the 60s


President

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Seems like a good start.
Uh, what's with the '70 Chevelle in the last pic ?????





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Mitch D.   River Falls, WI

Lifetime member of the "Cars apart Club"

1966 Chevelle SS 396 M20

1970 Chevelle SS 396 M20

1967 Camaro SS/RS 350 M20
Derek69SS


Founding Member

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Chad needed more cars. clonk

You've met Carl, he used to come with me to the first few Bowtie Brunches way back almost 20 years ago... he was a teenager then. 

 

That Dodge is about to get re-bodied. Chad bought a very clean low-mile original-paint 1/2-ton 2wd for about what the paint and materials would cost to re-do the body on that one. He'll swap that complete body onto the 3/4-ton 4x4 diesel chassis, and have a really nice, clean (and valuable) truck... it will be a shame to cut the perfect shiny bed that's never hauled anything for the gooseneck hitch though.



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Derek Kiefer - Mantorville, MN

69 Malibu Pro-Touring stroker LS1-383/T56 - 69 SS396-325/3spd project
more ambition than brains


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I did think I had met him, just don't "know" him Yet
Chad shared his plans on the Dodge.
I feel the same way about my older "Burbs" and Silverado's 2003-2006 were the best years!
70 Chevelle is Duanes from TSI, Big Block manual, disc brakes.
Chads cars were buried pretty deep, had to move a LOT of stuff.

Still scrapping four Suburbans out before the next Season!

Good to be us!!
Karl



-- Edited by more ambition than brains on Saturday 20th of August 2022 06:48:13 AM

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More ambition than brains,

If you have more than 5 of anything, best to stop counting!
BLyke


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Couple of nice 68's you sent off to a new home, but there's only so much time, room, energy and cash.

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Bruce L. - Lakeville MN

1971 Malibu Convert

 
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