I didn't think I'd ever have to release an episode like this. But unfortunately we live in a world where someone like me, who just wants to live their life and work on their passions, falls victim to another undesirable segment of society with no goals past finding the way to their next fix. Then it's up to me to put life on hold, spend my time, energy and money to pick up the pieces. Set backs are part of building a car in the real world, without a TV crew to show up after hours. I just didn't expect nor need this kind of setback.

 

I watched your video and I have been struggling to come up with a thoughtful response, but I hope that your situation improves very soon. I know how you feel and I have been there. I'm sorry it happened and I empathize with you. I had the shop I worked at ransacked and lost over $15k of tools overnight. It does take a long time to regain your composure and your energy, but fortunately you seem safe and your stuff was seemingly not damaged, nor cleared out.

Focus on the good stuff and that should help you get through it. Law enforcement was not any help to me and they never recovered, so take the matter in your own hands. Secure your premises. Light the building and set up cameras. You still have what appears to be most of your stuff and you still are in control. I'm glad that you trusted us with this update and I hope you fell better soon. I'll have a beer for you and do what I can from behind the keyboard.

 

I can't think of anything good to say in this situation. My first RX-7 was stolen and recovered in a field stripped and set on fire. That was hard to get over and I found it hard to trust new people after that. Having your own property broken into where you live is a whole different level. I can't imagine what you must be going through right now. I hope you get it all sorted out as quickly as you can so that you are able to move forward in a positive way.

 

We can definitely tell this has affected you. The only thing I can add is that it sucks being a victim. I've never had anyone break into my home. I would be more pissed than anything.

Take that energy and build the best security system we know you can build. Ear piercing siren and lights and a phone app.

Back in the late 1980's I had my prized 1985 black GSL-SE stolen from my apartment. They found it and it was completely stripped. There wasn't anything I could do. To add insult to injury, I got the title in the mail that same day.

 

Wow. I thought this was going to be something about meth injection when it came up on my Youtube last night. Took me a while to realise it was actually real. Gutted as to hear about this aye Aaron. I've been following your videos for quite a long time now. Not really sure what else to say...

 

No clear exit around the FC.
I have a sneaking suspicion the perp intended to just drive through a wall...


Hang in there.


That's the first thing that came to mind for me as well.

 

Wow, so sorry to hear them jackasses didn't take the damn chair!

Anywhoo, you'll get it sorted out, and you'll get it better, and get cheap security, like a dog, dogs are great for security, and companionship

You'll make it through it Aaron, and you'll soon be hearing the motor....i mean engine of the cosmo running and driving before you know it

Stay strong

 

I got many things stolen, I know how you feel. One of my RX7 was stolen and never found, years ago. The worst part is not what you miss, but how suspicious you become. It takes a while to feel normal again, especially that cops are not taking care of that kind of matter.

The cops said to me that insurance is there for a reason, and that they don't have time for this. They even asked me if I had taken alcohol or any drugs like cocaine the night my car was stolen. It was extremely frustrating and insulting to say the least. I was their only suspect even if they knew that my car wasn't insured against thieves.

Life isn't always fair, even for the hard workers, but you need to regain trust, and focus on what's positive. You are an inspiration, you'll get over all that mess eventually, and might become stronger.

Take your time.

 

Thank you everyone for your support. I have spent the last 3 weeks cleaning up and securing the shop. Taking time off work (basically forced to) has helped a lot, and even though my mental state was not very good when this happened, it has been improved just by the act of fixing up my own space.

It's going to be a lot harder for someone to get into the building now and if they do, they're not going to stick around for long with all hell breaking loose and it will all be recorded.

People, especially on YouTube, have been very supportive. It's surprising to me the number who have been through exactly the same thing, and have told exactly the same story about law enforcement being of little help.

There have been a lot of suggestions on what to do. Some practical, some fanciful. Common theme seems to be a dog and a shotgun.

I have a shotgun, but that only works if I'm there at the right time and there are obvious legal issues. I love dogs, but at this point in my life I'm not the right environment for the responsibility of an animal.

This being a holiday weekend in Canada I have plenty of time to finish the last few details in securing the shop, blow off some steam at the shooting range, and then work on the Cosmo for the first time in...over a month I think.

 

Glad to hear the shop is secured and you are getting support. I read some of the YouTube comments myself and I did notice that they were rather empathetic and helpful. Usually the comment section is a wretched hive of scum and villainy.

Shoot some stuff and let us know how the Cosmo progresses. It appeared that you had made significant progress on both the Cosmo and the shop.

 

In part 43 of my '76 Mazda RX-5 Cosmo restoration, I begin the process of doing something about those horrible '70s "safety" bumpers. It was a dark age from 1973 to 1982 when the US federal government mandated that bumpers must sustain a 5MPH collision without damage. The result being atrocious protrusions at the front and back of a vehicle sticking out 6" on pneumatic shock absorbers. While most of the rest of the world got sleek, stylish bumpers which actually enhanced the body lines. The solution of course is the old hot rodders trick of tucking, shaving and smoothing the bumpers to better flow with the rest of the car. So unlike last time with all that delicate electronic work, this time it's all cutting, welding and pounding metal.

 

Very well done and I'm glad to see you back and continuing to build the Cosmo.

 

You're going to be one of the only tan guys up in Canada this winter. Great video.

 

You mean because of the lights? Shop rule #1: You can never have too much light.

 

Because of the welding, silly! But you can never have enough fluorescent at 2AM. It's like walking into a 7eleven. They've got hydroponic grow lights in that place. It makes you three inches taller and your pants don't even fit anymore.

 

any thoughts on slotting JDM or Aus-spec bumpers on to it? i'm sure it would be just as legal as any other mods.

great to see your vids back, too. it was tough watching the post crack head visit video.

 

I did consider it, but since I was planning on cutting the bumpers up anyway, didn't see the advantage. I think all will become clear in the next episode. I'm very happy with how the bumpers are turning out (almost done) aside from some warping at the top left.

 

Sorry to hear that, I had our race trailer broken into in early 2000's and lost everything, glad you are back at it.

 

A new year, a new bumper for my '76 Mazda Cosmo. So in part 44, I finish off the bumper modifications started in part 43. The smoothening continues with flush mounting the light lenses, then moves on to addressing the gaps between the bumper and body. Finally, a duct is added for the oil cooler which will eventually integrate with the front valence. So get ready for a bunch more metal work, a flurry of welding, and a metric crap ton of grinding.

 

 

I like the look of the bumper. It just seems to really modernize the front end.

I noticed the S4 TII wheels you have on the front. I know those are not the final wheels you're planning to use, but the look of those wheels just seems to tie in with the shaved and smoothed front bumper. Almost like it's a 70s Japanese but futuristic in a way.

Going for something larger in diameter, https://www.comp.co.uk/wheels/wheels...-classic-90-13

But then again, it's far from done.

 

As I alluded to in episode 44, part 45 of my '76 Mazda Cosmo restoration deals with retrofitting in a pair of new seats. My *** chose those out of a 2007 BMW 328i, which I then came to know as an "E90". I was looking for a set of modern seats will all the power features and not only did my butt confirm that these were mighty comfy seats, but the measuring tape confirmed they would fit well in the Cosmo. Because there's little worse in a custom car than a set of seats that look completely out of place. Turned out that while the seats fit well into the car, actually mounting them took somewhat more effort than I expected.


Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/aaroncake

 

Yes yes yes. Enjoyed it and I was wondering about the seat electronics; you answered all that. I'd love to see implentation of can-bus in the car. What kind of featureset you're planning. Instrumentation is obvious and the wake-up signal for the seats, but did you have anything else in mind? What about backup/failsafe?

 

Aaron, as usual an outstanding video. Now I need to get off my butt and work on my REPU.

 

I'm planning on using CAN for non-essentials. Staying away from it for things like brake lights, signals, engine control but using it for door locks, gauges, interior electronics control, etc.

At the moment I am still thinking about it but certainly will be using it to run the dash. Don't see the point of duplicating sensors for analog gauges when the MS3-Pro already has that information, and 2 wires for CAN is a hell of a lot better than a bundle for analog stuff. Also want to add some more sensors to the engine such as oil temp, etc and have run out of analog inputs on the Megasquirt.