About My Met Car

After my 1988 Toyota Celica All Trac had served me well for quite a few years, I bought a new car in 2005. But I decided to keep the All Trac, even though it had a few bumps and bruises and a few minor mechanical issues. Auto Service Center of Northport (NY) rebuilt the intercooler and turbo and took care of any and all little problems.

Though the body was in fairly good condition considering it was coming up on 20 years old, it did have some little nicks and dings that had started to rust.  Between a body work guy I knew and a discount paint shop, I figured I could make it look like new.

So, I told my wife my idea of trying to pretty-up the old car and got “the look.”  She argued that it didn’t make any sense to spend money on the car – she figured it would make more sense to just drive it as it is.  I tried to explain that it had gotten to the point where it was embarrassing to drive but I got nowhere.  She asked me where I planned on driving it.  I told her I would use it when I go to Mets games to keep the miles down on my new car.  Again, that didn’t help my case.  She argued that it would make more sense to take an old dented car because I wouldn’t have to worry about getting a ding or two in the tight parking lot.  Half joking I suggested that maybe I should paint it blue and orange.  With a huge smile she said, “If you’ve got the balls to do that then go ahead and do it.”   So I did.

My friend’s brother, Bruce Maguire, took out all the dents and dings and readied it for paint and then I took it to Express Auto Painting and Body Works in Lindenhurst, NY for a two-tone paint job.  Ray was kind enough to spend some time with me trying to pick an orange and blue that matched the logo.  You’d be surprised how many different shades of orange the Mets have used over the years.  After only a few days, the car was painted.

Once the car was painted, I got in contact with Dawn from Sign-A-Rama in Huntington, NY and she whipped up some vinyl Mets graphics to really dress it up. 

Bobby at Audio Planet in Huntington, NY upgraded the alarm and sound system, and tinted the windows and that pretty much did it.