Ledsled P-15

[Don Coatney]

Late yesterday afternoon while driving from Nashville to Murfreesboro on I-24 I checked my rear view mirror and saw a P-15 coming up on me pretty fast. There were a few snowflakes in the air and a P-15 is the last thing I expected to see. It soon was in a position to overtake me. There was an older bearded guy driving. The car was a flat black coupe with ghost flames on the hood. The grill chrome (actually all chrome) was removed and the top was chopped. All body seams were filled including the trunk lid. The license plate read “LEDSLED” but I could not see the state, as there was a clouded plastic cover over the plate. Color wise it was possibly Illinois. I followed this car three exits past where I normally get off in hopes that the guy would stop but it did not happen. He was cursing at 75 MPH and I believe he did not have a flat head 6 powering this car. Anyone here know the owner?

[Joe Flanagan]

And thus begins the legend of the phantom P-15er.

[Norm's Coupe]

So Don, where was your camera?? You seem to have it along with most of the time.

I finally stepped up in the world last week and became thoroughly modern with new technology. Now I will have a camera with me all the time because it's in my cell phone, so I can get those shots now. However, the picture quality inside isn't all that great. Haven't tried it outside yet.

[Don Coatney]

Norm;

I have had a cell phone for a year or so as my wife bought two and gave me one. I have used it at least a dozen times now but my fingers are too big for the buttons. I think it actually has a camera too but I dont have a clue as to how to use it. Perhaps you can send me a text message splaining how to use the camera.

[Norm's Coupe]

Don,

While mine does have text messaging as well as emailing, I do not and will not use the text messaging. That's what the regular email is for via the computer. I did read how to do it though. I didn't even set up a voice mailbox. The phone has caller ID, so if I miss a call, I'll just call that person back when I get home. As far as the phone goes. We got a letter from our previous cell provider regarding my wifes phone that it would no longer work with their digital system after November. So........since that phone was just purchased in 2002 it didn't make me too happy to have to replace a perfectly good phone. So.......I went with a different provider, bought us both a phone and the monthly charge was only $4 more a month than we paid just for her old one. We don't plan on using the phones anymore than we used hers to talk to people. They are just for security since pay phones are not on every corner anymore. Just for emergencies. Actually, we've had a cell phone since about 1992. In all that time we've never went over 5 or 10 minutes in any one month, and most months it's zero.

On my phone you go into the menu, then click on camera, then hit the send button to take a picture. To download the picture on my computer I go to the phone menu, hit the "My Stuff" folder, then Picture Album, then download it onto the computer via a USB cable between the phone and CPU. You can either completely move the picture off the phone, or just a copy of the picture to your computer. Of course you could also email yourself the picture from your phone. Using the USB cable though eliminates the need to go online. You do need software in your computer to download via the USB cable. However, that was a free download over the internet from Sony for my phone. Could have gotten the same free software download from my cell provider too. So, you may have to check into that to use the USB cable download.

I now have three dead cell phones in the basement and none of them are compatible with the digital system. The original cell phone is actually a Motorola Bag phone that can also be mounted under the dash on on the console. Keeping that one for nostalgia.

[Young Ed]

Norm that entire system went dead regardless of which provider you had. Also includes the first few years of onstar equiped GM vehicles!

[Norm's Coupe]

Norm that entire system went dead regardless of which provider you had. Also includes the first few years of onstar equiped GM vehicles!

Ed,

I found that out. However, when I bought the phone for my wife in 2002 they said it would work on both the new digital system when it came out or the analog system. That's why I got pi@@ed at the provider and switched.

[Young Ed]

Norm I think it probably did work on both those. The digital system is the one they just shut off. Analog died even before that. This is yet another new system. My phone got shut off too but I was do for a new one anyways.

[Jim Yergin]

Don,

I just have to ask, did you both have your windows open so that you could hear him at that speed? Must have been quite a "blue streak" of words.

"He was cursing at 75 MPH and I believe he did not have a flat head 6 powering this car."

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Jim Yergin

[Norm's Coupe]

Ed,

That's one of my biggest complaints about computers and other things such as cell phones. They never have a chance to wear out before they become a piece of junk. At least, with the land line phones, if they change the system your phone still works. My sister in laws mother still has an old fashioned telephone in her house that is still rotary dial and it works just fine.

The way I look at it, if the cell phone providers want to change systems or have to change systems for some reason, they should provide a free phone replacement. They will do that if you sign a new one or two year contract. However, if you've had the same service for as many years as I did they should give you a replacement phone at no charge, without a new one or two year contract. I've never signed a contract for cell phone service. Always paid for the phone up front so I don't have to do that, so I can move if something comes up anytime. Which is what I finally did.

[Young Ed]

I too have a plan with no contracts. And I got a free phone. However the free phone was worth what I paid for it so I bought a better one off ebay.

[Don Coatney]

Don,

I just have to ask, did you both have your windows open so that you could hear him at that speed? Must have been quite a "blue streak" of words.

"He was cursing at 75 MPH and I believe he did not have a flat head 6 powering this car."

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Jim Yergin

Actually Jim I did roll my window down as I was driving beside him and he went on to pass me. Could not hear his exhaust. If I passed you at 75 MPH in my P-15 and you had your window down or up you could hear my Desoto race engine. Sure was cold with the windows all the way down.

[Norm's Coupe]

I too have a plan with no contracts. And I got a free phone. However the free phone was worth what I paid for it so I bought a better one off ebay.

Ed,

I didn't go with the free phone offer from my new provider. Didn't like the one they offered so paid for two new ones.

That said, my old provider would not provide a free phone unless I upgraded my service to 3 or 4 times what I was paying and sign a one or two year contract. They wouldn't even give me a discount on a new phone. So, they lost out all together. I only had one phone connected with them at the time. Now, I'm only paying $4 extra for two phones per month over what I was paying the old provider for one, and I still didn't need to sign a contract. Also got a hefty discount on the two new phones I bought. Also, I'm getting about 200 times the airtime each on the two new phones (which I'll never use), including long distance.

You'd think the old provider would work with their old customers a little to keep their business. But, guess they don't care about their customers, at least my old one doesn't seem to.

[Captain Neon]

Norm-

I am always amased at how shops and companies can stay in business when they are so unwilling to make a current customer a satisfied customer. I've run into several businesses here in Northern Colorado that would rather spend thousands of dollars in advertising for a constant stream of new one-time customers rather than lowering their prices and offering good customer service to keep customers coming back. I guess it is more lucrative to gouge several customers once than to treat customers right and give them a reason to come back.

I dealt w/ one guy that would have made me a satisfied customer had he only sold me parts at retail price rather than his 65% mark-up over retail. He told me that he would go out of business if he didn't charge his exorbitant labour and parts rates and that I have no idea how to run a successful business.

I don't mind a guy making a profit, not one bit, but there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. Assuming that your employees are incompetent so charging labour rates that cover for every repair being a come-back, and charging more than one can get the same parts for retail aren't the ways to do it.

I'm glad that you left your old phone company and found one more interested in making you a satisfied customer. It is becoming more of a rare trait these days.

[Plymouthy Adams]

OMG....Norm has a CELL PHONE...how about posting that number here..that way we could call you up now and then..beat that prime time fee..say about 2:30-3:00 am....

even mine does not have a camera...I have got a photgraphic memory......yeah I know..only it didn't develop

[Norm's Coupe]

OMG....Norm has a CELL PHONE...how about posting that number here..that way we could call you up now and then..beat that prime time fee..say about 2:30-3:00 am....

even mine does not have a camera...I have got a photgraphic memory......yeah I know..only it didn't develop

Tim, since the cell phone is off except when and a BIG if I make a call the number wouldn't do you or anyone else much good. To be honest, I very rarely make a phone call from the home phone, much less a cell phone. After talking on the phone during work so much I really don't want anything to do with a phone after working hours, but do prefer talking on the phone over sending email. It's quicker and easier talking on the phone than sending emails back and forth.

All that said, I will be agreeable to your statement about your photographic memory since you are the one who said it. Who knows better than you. :D Now, I've always had a very good photographic memory over the years. However it seems the flash has dimmed a little lately as I get older.

[BobT-47P15]

I'll have to say the cell phones can be pretty handy. We got one with a

bit of a reduced rate thru my work.....so can't complain there. Of course

the phone we started with about 3 years or more ago is now kinda obsolete,

even though it works fine. One kid the other day referred to it as a "brick",

since it's not one of those new thin and smaller models.

Our free calling time begins at 7 pm, and also free on weekends. So we just

wait to make any long distance calls in the evening. Still have the old style phone on the

wall, but had the outgoing long distance service removed. Can receive incoming

calls free, but costs more than average if we make an outgoing

long distance.

The cell phone is a real handy way to locate your little woman while shopping

at the mall, or some big department store, when she can become "lost".

I just call and inquire where she is now.....then go find her.

They are good to have while on a trip, except when you get out of range

of your comany's towers. If you had an accident or problem in those

areas, then it would still be like the old days.

[Guest rockabillybassman]

Boy, did this thread ever get off topic in a hurry!

[Don Coatney]

Boy, did this thread ever get off topic in a hurry!

I dont understand what you are saying. Can you text message me or call and splain:confused: :D

[Norm's Coupe]

Boy, did this thread ever get off topic in a hurry!

Its the same when a bunch of people are standing around talking in person. All of a sudden someone just says the right thing and the conversations takes a turn. How may times have you seen that happen. Like most of us, probably a lot.

[Heavy Flat Head]

What?

What are you gents talking about?

Ed.

[Frank Blackstone]

Don For all the racing you have done I know you can go faster than 75 so how did this guy get past you? From what I have seen on the interstates 75 is the slow lane. Was he driving like he stole it?

[BobT-47P15]

Don...you might mention that car on the HAMB......maybe someone knows it

over there.

[Normspeed]

Don, your narrative of the incident is sorta like the first chapter in a Stephen King novel. I like it.

Cellphone is all I use anymore. My landline is hooked to a modem, no phone. But for decent digital photos I like my digital camera. The cellphone camera is just not all that sophisticated. Took me a long time to give up using 35mm film but once I went digital, I saw the light!

[james curl]

Don, maybe the old boy was taking a load if shine up Chicago way and was afraid to stop.