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SnugTop Across The Atlantic

WCFields

SM 2003
Full Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2003
Messages
1,674
Location
San Juan Capistrano
Some of you may remember the beginning of this saga. It all started with a Plea For Help last September.

You can check here for the gist of how this tale began; Will Someone Help Me With This?

I initially had visions of actually doing a SnugTop Across America Relay, but it was so late in the year and not fully understanding the logistics of getting the SnugTop to a specific Port on the East Coast, it was just a good thought and not a practical option.

Alex & I exchanged many emails and had to overcome quite a few hurdles to get to where we are now.

Back in September, I drove out to Anza and picked up the SnugTop. I had a few problems with the mounting bolts, but it did eventually attach to the Avalanche with some minor jury rigging on my part.

I took a few pictures of it on my ride and delivered it to a friend of mine in the business.

The next twist was trying to acquire the rest of the mounting hardware. The parts I received were less than complete and the Sail Panel Windows were not included.

I went to a SnugTop dealer and inquired about some stuff. Initially, I was just trying to find out about the cost of the Sail Panel Windows and was quoted about $180. This was passed on to Alex to chew for a while.

In the mean time, I needed to get some more mounting bolts and cosmetic plastic caps. I went back to the dealer and he quoted me the same price for 5 bolts. (It's all part of the Mounting Kit)

Alex gave the green light to proceed and again we waited.

During this period, I had a couple of minor surgical procedures, spent a few weeks at the Betty Ford Clinic in Palm Springs. I never did see Elizabeth Taylor though.

The wife and I went to Hawaii 3 times and did a side trip to Tahiti. In other words, it took forever for this thing to arrive in The Netherlands.

Alex called me yesterday to announce it is ready for him to pick up or have delivered to his front door as of today.

He mentioned he may be in the New Mexico area this Spring around Los Alamos. For those of you in that area, get ready for a GTG with our only registered member from The Netherlands.

I've attached a few pictures of the SnugTop on my Avalanche.

Needless to say, Alex & I have become new best buddies through this adventure. It was my absolute pleasure to provide the assistance and some hand holding.

I sure wish I could have seen Elizabeth Taylor again though.

For Joe in Colorado Springs, I told you I'd post when the end was in sight.

A California Post Card
_SnugTop.jpg


I'm sure Alex will be chiming in here shortly. No matter what he says about me, I've got friends at the Clinic to back me up.

Merry Christmas Alex!

Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!
 
You DA MAN WC...

Ambassador To the World

Great story with a great ending!!!

Congratulations !!!
 
Here's a side note;

I think Alex paid about $1K USD for the SnugTop and about $200 for the mounting kit shipped.

I don't know the exact charges for the actual shipping, but the crating sure ate a hole in his budget.

After it was all said and done, I believe he came out slightly better than what it would have cost to have bought it from GM when that was the only available source. And he still would have had the shipping charges too. I only put one little scratch on the top left corner, but he'll never notice. I was real tempted to graffiti YakMar on the back window though.

I included a surprise in the Mounting Kit. I can't divulge what it is until he actually receives it, but in addition to being one of the few members of the Avalanche SnugTop Nation in Europe, he'll be sporting another unique item too!
 
Knowing you the way I do...
My guess is ambers and/or a CAFCNA decal... :cautious:
 
Great story...and you are a great member...

This was Cool
 
I CHNGE said:
Knowing you the way I do...
My guess is ambers and/or a CAFCNA decal... :cautious:

Do you always spoil Christmas?

Doh, why didn't I think of that?

I should have put in a Jack in the Box antenna thingy.
cb_2.JPG




Thanks Mark,

What I can't provide in technical knowledge, I can make up for in blood, sweat, and tears! If I get brave enough, I'll show the battle scars I received on my Avalanche while going through this adventure.

There were more than few times I'm sure we were both going through the;

What were we thinking? periods.
 
Cat Dancer said:
Do you always spoil Christmas?

:2: Doh...sorry...I didn't expect you to confirm or deny...
next time I will just :-X

:3:
 
Cat Dancer said:
For Joe in Colorado Springs, I told you I'd post when the end was in sight.
Right you are! ;) Thanks for sharing!

I have recently seen a few new Avys with SnugTops on. For the longest time, I had only seen one or two. Saw a blue one last Sat but didn't get a good look as it was traveling in the opposite direction. Saw a red one on I-25 about a month ago. (I see an SOM all the time - this morning, in fact.) But what was my point?!?

My thoughts about different colored Avys and SnugTops was that with the different colored one on CD's Avy, it almost makes for a nice two-tone look.

Now, if the 'Top matched the cladding (or vice versa) that'd be a very interesting look.

Hope Alex gets it installed just fine. I know I would be dying to get it installed after having that long of a wait.

Regards,

-Joe
 
JoeSpicoli said:
Right you are! ;) Thanks for sharing!

I have recently seen a few new Avys with SnugTops on. For the longest time, I had only seen one or two. Saw a blue one last Sat but didn't get a good look as it was traveling in the opposite direction. Saw a red one on I-25 about a month ago. (I see an SOM all the time - this morning, in fact.) But what was my point?!?

My thoughts about different colored Avys and SnugTops was that with the different colored one on CD's Avy, it almost makes for a nice two-tone look.

Now, if the 'Top matched the cladding (or vice versa) that'd be a very interesting look.

Hope Alex gets it installed just fine. I know I would be dying to get it installed after having that long of a wait.

Regards,

-Joe

Hey Joe,

My neighbor down the street has a SnugTop on his Red Avalanche. He used to have a Red 02 Z66 and never had the Bed Panels on it. I didn't even know there was one in the neighborhood until I bought mine.

Then, a few months ago, I noticed a Red Avalanche with the Snugtop and discovered it was his. I think he traded his Z66 for a used Z71, probably an 03.

The SnugTop is Red too. I can take some pictures and post them if you'd like.

Take a look at the thread from rab about his initial observations. It does have some pros and cons.
 
The relay idea was one of my fantasies (too old for the other kinds of fantasies lol). Nonetheless, I happy for Alex, because I know how badly he wanted to get a Snugtop. But you have gone the extra mile and then some. Good on ya!!!!

Sourmash
 
Avalanche Wolf said:
hmmmmmmmmmmmmm what are you two planning !!!!

might have to send you two to Dean Fox !

I know Cliff can't wait until Christmas to see what I put in the Box;

Better than Ambers or Decals












It was a tight fit, but I got all of it in!
I just had to resize it a tad.

WildFire.jpg


Poor Alex!!
 
I hope you aren't going to size that pic for your avatar WC! :rolleyes: :eek:
 
Glad to see it all worked out... If you needed something from Snugtop I told you to give me a PM I know those people well...
 
Hey Guys,

Yes this was the story of the E-Bay top were it all started. ?You all acted with various ideas but WC Fields pull the trigger. Without this man I think the top was still on the van of the owner. The top arrived on monday 13-12-04 in the port of Rotterdam and the bits wich are missing will arrive in a couple of days, so all comes together at Christmas. The nicest thing of it all is that people from two different continents can trust eachother without having contact ever before. Ok I spend some money on transportation but the total amount I spend is far lower then buying it in Europe as one of you recommended. And buying it in Europe won't give me in return a new friend like ?WC Fields became.
When the top is mounted I send some pictures of the avalanche. Again WC many thanks and take care of your eyes.
For all of you a mery Christmas and a healthy 2005.

The end of this story begins when the package WC Fields send apart from the snugtop arrived on 5 januari. That evening the top was mounted on the car. It took 2.5 hours work to get it mounted secure and leak tide. All electrical connections were made but the sticker of the avalanche club WC fields added in the package is not attached at this moment because of the low temperature overhere. WC fields was right when he wrote me that the rear view mirror becomes useless with the top so I think I have to install a rear view camera system. Can I ask for suggestions? or are we afraid of another item Across The Atlantic?
All of you thank you for backing me up on this SnugTop Across The Atlantic.
 

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