You all think you're pretty clever, don't you? Feeling pretty sneaky, eh? Did you enjoy pulling the wool over the eyes of a poor, defenseless youngster who is stuck 1500 miles from home in a desert flying airplanes?

I cannot begin to find words for what I experienced this morning. My vocabulary is inadequate. There is nothing I can possibly say or do to let you all know how appreciative and flattered I was to receive your gracious gift. Even now, a few hours later, I don't think I can wrap my head around the magnitude of what MyLittleBlackBird and everyone else pulled off. You managed to completely and utterly surprise me, and what a gift it is! Doug and I had been talking about building a transmission for quite a while, and I thought he was slowly working on it, but it blows my mind that so many of you would support his efforts in order to finish the transmission before Christmas! I keep replaying "the reveal" in my head, and I still can't believe there'* a custom transmission sitting in Bob'* garage, and that it'* for me. I don't know what to think, say, or do in the wake of the kindness that has been extended to me.

All I can do is thank each one of you from the bottom of my heart. I don't know how such a group of total strangers can come together on an internet website and become like family, but it has happened here on a whole new level. You folks are the cream of the crop. We may have our spats and squabbles, but at the end of the day you all demonstrated how deep this concept of "BC family" runs. I am simply amazed, as well as humbled and honored, that you would choose me, in this case, as the focus of your caring affections. Doug and I have been great friends for many years, but so see the rest of you support his efforts is deeply touching. I am only now beginning to grasp the magnitude of your efforts, though I am sure it will take many days for the full realization to set in.

I want you all to know that I am not moved by the actual gift so much as I am touched by the spirit in which it was given. I do not know what I have done to make you folks think I am worthy of such a surprise, but I will never forget how so many of you joined together with the goal of helping me out. You could have given me a piece of trim or a random interior switch and I would have been just as happy knowing that so many people care. I am astonished at the efforts of so many people to make this become a reality.

Again, I feel that all my sentimental ramblings are simply inadequate in the face of what has been given to me. It seems there is no way I can ever pay this back to you all. I desperately wish that each of you could know exactly how grateful I am to be a part of an organization of this caliber. I know I may never be able to express the feelings I have experienced today, but I can simply end with this: I can't wait until it'* time for me to "Pay It Forward" to the next person.

Thank you, everyone!

Ben, one of the reasons you deserve this is because you think you DON'T. Mr. Humble strikes again.

Think back to that paper you wrote about BC. We knew what BC meant to you at that time, and perhaps it made each of us understand a bit more what this place REALLY is.

You're a class act. Saving your pennies for a big move, yet still finding the time and hosting meets at your home? There'* alot more too. To be honest, it wasn't really planned this way. Doug wanted to do this. We all jumped aboard at that point.

Enjoy the transmission, bud.

I don't think he likes it guys, we should take it back....








































































J/K, congratz and I hope you enjoy!

Hey Doug, can we get a public run-down of everything that went into this trans? Updates/improvements over stock? Flaunt your work bud. Show Ben what he got!

Boy for someone who " cannot begin to find words" you sure found a whole bunch of them Enjoy it!!

It is truly better to give than to receive!! It is a joy to make an impact on someones life and this group here is the best I've ever seen on any internet site. I am proud to call y'all my extended family.

[voice=Rod Roddy from "The Price Is Right"]
[music="The Price Is Right" Theme song]


Coooongratulation, Ben. You've won a (nearly) new transmission!


Your General Motors Turbo Hydramatic 4T60-E comes with all of the fresh clutches, steels, seals, bushings from Raybestos Transmission divsion. Not only that but you also have an extra clutch plate each in the input and 3rd gear drum. New dual sprag and 1-2 manual roller assembly! A new 33/37 drive/driven chain gear setup, which gives you a 3.73:1 final drive ratio, was also thrown into the mix! Tolleranced to .006" endplay on both ends of the transmission, a Transgo Jr shift kit with modified TCC valve and solenoid. Remember that pesky O/D surging? Not anymore! This transmission has been modified to the Transgo specs to remove that GM feature. And what transmission would be complete without a brand new(reman anyways) FACB torque converter? That'* right! You'll be launching in style with this freshly rebuilt 2795 stall torque converter and have no worries about lockup! The carbon clutch in this bad boy will outlive your grandchildren!

So there you have it, Ben. A rebuilt transmission and torque converter for your tire shredding pleasure! All of this can be yours, IF the price is right! So what'* your bid?


[/voice]
[/music]

That was cool!! I read that whole thing with the price is right theme playing in my head

Ben... we were glad to help out we could...


Honestly...we were gonna buy Hans a new leg...then I yelled at him to stop changing his post title and scaring us..magically it looks like he won't need a Pontiac logo'd leg afterall.

Secondly.. it was built by a guy that loves Fords.. I never did get a response back from Doug if he ever got his transmission running again after he worked on it..

Now...what are you waiting for? I hear theres a "get the road bugs off" detailing and then installation waiting. We want to see it in and running tomorrow...can you do that?

The problem with mine is that I didn't build it And before I mislead this thread from it'* intended purpose, I'll shut up on that subject.

It won't be long and Ben will be shifting like Al Papitto. 7k

I won't be able to do that, but what I will do is let the suspense build for a month until we can get Mr. Doug Sajak down here to help with the install and inauguration of the new tranny!


And I officially declare my car the community Bonneville. Doug has put a bunch of his time and money into my car, and now the rest of you own a piece of it, too. I am simply its caretaker at this point. I promise I will do my best to drive it straight and true down the 1/4 mile!