The Nitwitmobile!!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you...The Nitwitmobile! This is the van that the Nocturnal Nitwits purchased a few weeks ago for use in our caching trips, and events. We've also talked about using it as a camping venue when the opportunity presents itself, and after we get a chance to shampoo the carpets. I wouldn't mind sleeping in the crud myself, but there are those who do indeed mind. :)

The Nitwitmobile is a 1981 G20 Chevy Sportvan. The previous owner used it to haul materials for home renovation. The inside is free or chairs with the exception of the front driver and passenger. Two large hard metal posts stick up in the floor behind those. They hurt when you hit them. The ladder rack you see on top has been removed and the inside scrubbed as clean as a few people with brushes and soapy water can get it. We purchased this fantastic example of American Automobile History (That's right, the Nitwitmobile is an antique!) for a mere $500! A steal really, when you consider how much the parts and metal alone would be worth, not to mention the ladder rack, which we're going to resell. Anyone interested? $150 and that rack is yours!

Anyway, I just repaired the passenger side door handle, so now the front passenget can exit the vehicle without assistance. Psyferre fixed up the DC jack in the front, and together we got the lights and CD working again. I'm afraid I might've killed the horn. oops. The night we bought it, we removed and painted most of the dash, and taped and painted the rest. Lac'Nala and Jade can be entirely credited for wiping the filth from the walls, blinds, floors and ceiling. I take full credit for changing the oil two weeks ago. Psyferre helped by being present with his undeniable man-aura, which aids in the changing of automobile fluids.

We have a list of future improvements that we're working toward. I hope to supply before and after pictures for the more visually dynamic projects. Actually, I hope to provide them whenever I can, regardless. Upcoming investments to the Nitwitmobile include, but are not limited to:

• New Tires: The ones that came with the vehicle are in poor shape to say the least. They've been fine so far, but I believe that when the right rear goes, no amount of Fix-A-Flat is going to get her up and running. While we're on the subject, something to change the tires with would be part of this investment. A good jack and a nice wrench are in order as there are neither to be found on The Nitwitmobile.
• New Seats: We need to increase the seating capacity inside the van. Currently, only two can crew her at one time. We have seats for the Pilot, and Navigator. We are in need of the two rear seats for Tactical Positions. (Maps, Decoding, tactical planning and Geocache Printouts). I am currently monitoring local salvage yards as well as E-Bay for this equipment.
• Body Repair: There are a few small areas of rust on the exterior of the vehicle. I checked underneath while I changed the oil, and remarkably, she is dry and solid there. The only three locations that contain significant rust damage are the front quarterpanels, and the grill directly below the windshield. These parts are readily available on E-Bay for approximately $30 per panel. This will be a later investment, as internal comfort and functionality are more important to The Nitwits. We don't mind looking like so many terrorists for the time being. We just have to be careful where we park.
• Re-Paint: We do plan to re-paint the Nitwitmobile once all other repairs are completed and we are reasonably certain that the van is functioning to our satisfaction. "What Color?" you might ask. Well, we've decided to go for something resembling the old A-Team van. A semi-glossy black, with a red racing stripe. Perhaps even the spoiler, but that would be a little bit flashy perhaps. Spoilers on vans really don't serve much of a purpose after all do they?
• Auxiliary Power: Once the van is a sound automobile, there are a few improvements that can be made to make it a truly viable Geocaching command center. First and foremost, auxiliary power. We intend to install a second battery to run electronics such as chargers, laptops and PDAs. There is a device available for approximately $50 that will allow a second battery to be set up in sequence with the main, and allow both to charge, while the vehicle is running but will disconnect the auxiliary from the main when the car is not charging them.
• New Horn: Since the old horn no longer seems to be working, a new one is not only in order, it's necessary. I plan to find something either extremely loud, or extremely puny. Either way would be excellent. Along with the horn, I hope to find a PA system which would allow us to play the A-Team theme song when we roll up to an event. (MacGuyver would also work)
• Internal Shelving and Storage: I have a basic idea for bench storage that would run along the insides of the van, and double as trunk space and seating. I also would like to see a cabinet or two inside. I am unsure how doable this would be, but further research is definitely in order.

Additional Equipment: As a professional Geocaching team, we need to be prepared in any event for what lies ahead. I envision onboard inflatable rafts (1 two-person and 1 four-person), Tents, camping gear (stove, tent, dry/canned goods) and of course survival gear such as flares, rope, first-aid etc, all stored abord the Nitwitmobile at all times.

There you have it. The tentative plans for The Nitwitmobile. How long will it take for this to happen? Hard to say. Perhaps that MTV car makeover show will come out and do it all for us. That would be the best case scenario. Of our own accord, at least a couple of years? Maybe. Who knows. :) Thanks for reading!

Go Nitwits!

Trudger