We all know the woes and blows of trying (as much as the bloke next to me who wants the real thing, avoiding subs altogether) with all our resources and inner powers to obtain that covenant and almighty rare MM '59 Caddie, but with much little to no results. So, we have to make do with what we have or what we can find, something that is fairly or even vaguely close to a worthy steed to be transformed into your very own spook transport: the Ecto 1 or 1A …
So, here is my canidate that I have in mind to “prop up” (it’s a daily driver, nothing permanent, so the “Ecto goodies” on top can be put on and off until the next “Call”, a real pain, when you’ve got one car that is multi-used ). Can’t totally alter nor drill holes in it yet, 'cause the car is still under dual ownership (darn!) Until then, the roof EQ platform will be fasten onto the already present roof luggage rank, which is cargo size adjustable, devicing the power and remote controls for the lights and siren will be another task at hand… I have to admit, I’m on a budget, so I’ll be picking up and building up the components one at a time… before Halloween…
Here she is, my daily driver: a 2000 Ford Taurus SE S/W! Not an awesome ‘59 MM, but she has just about enough room to tote around 3-4 proton packs (6 when one side of the the split seat is down), in pretty good shape, and I HAVE HER! Note: There’s a “Ghost Sphere” just below the right rear passenger door panel… already it’s attracting spooks to be caught! Another thing: being that it’s Silver/ Gray, and repaint is out of the question right now, I thought I’ll just leave it that color, character-wise, and call it the “Gray Ghost.” Lastly, for those of you who remembered we did have an Ecto, well… the owner of that Ecto sold it to a restaurant… go figure… which is what spurred me to make an attempt at this… Comments? Thanks, Mahalo nui loa, and keep on bustin’!
Dont use a Taurus, trust me. It’s not worth it. I used an 87 taurus wagon, granted it was old but it crapped out on me and had to get rid of it. Even though yours is a 2000, don’t waste your time. It’s a Ford. Your gonna have more bad than good using one. Use something else. Not tryin to sound like a dick, just tryin to help from experience.
man i say go for it. i am doing up the exact same car except mine is a 98. other then the year they are the same color and model. i’m going a kinda gb2 style with mine. i was thinking about leaving it it’s original color but then my bro got me a can of white gloss enamal spray paint and i ended up doing the back bumper with it and for this halloween i think it’s gonna do. i plan on getting it painted white during the winter. i only did the back bumper for now to see how it looks but i really need to put a logo on the door fist to see how it will look cause it is a light silver. but the white will look good. can’t see to see what your gonna come up with.
No problem, I know you mean well, and it does help me to be more wary of what could become of this, though, the S/W I have has been so far good to me, not actually an econo car, with the gas prices and all here in Hawai’i, but it has been dependable in the trans duties of taking the Mrs. to her Doc appointments, hauling odds and ends, kiddies to game pracitices, DJ gigs, costuming appearances, and the best, being the personal “Party Wagon” for a Japanese JRock group from Japan at an Anime/ Sci-Fi convention I was working as staff last year. With the rear “rumble seat” in the back section, it carries 8 people without a glitch. So now its’ new duty is becoming the centerpiece in a parade and several appearances for the GBH Division. It is not “Thee car”, but “Our car.” I’m hoping I can get it all together not only before Halloween, but for the HEXXP Anime/ Sci-fi convention in mid October. Again, thanks for your honest response. If any “Fix Or Repair Daily” episodes comes up (and I truly hope not), I’ll cough post it here! :!:
Big mahalos to you! Nice to hear someone else is doing a conversion with a similar car. Let’s stride for the best that we both don’t have similar stories of car problems… we want ghosts, not germlins! :-x I’m looking forward in what you will be doing on your’s as well. Maybe we could exchange ideas… post any “quick pics” here on your progress, as I will too! Good luck on your build! And keep on bustin’!
i have a thread i started on here with some pics. the pics aren’t the best as my camera was on the verg of crapping out on me. here is my thread on here if you wanna see some pics i have sofar.
one thing you need to know about this site is there are alot of ■■■■■■■■ fans and some of them only wanna see the car from the movie done up. no disrespect to them but not all of us have the access or the funds to do a project like that.i ‘m on disability so my car is being done on a budget big time. same as the two packs i am building at the present time. i would deff be interested in keeping in touch with you concerning our builds. now as for the FORD issues, i only have one with my car. the reverse lights don’t work. never did when i got the car.but since this car is being used strictly as an ecto the reverse lights are being hooked up to a toggle switch cause my ;one lightbar has very bright lights for the back also so they are getting wired up as one. i have seen a car like ours done up as an ecto and to be honest it don’t look bad at all. i thought the curve on the door would make the logo look horrid but it doesn’t. but i can’;t wait to see what you come up with.
Have fun with the build. I did mine without altering the wagon. No holes or paint. It is all removable. My rack is attached to the existing luggage rack. I have to admit that I have not yet tried to take the rack off. It is more than a one man job. Fortunately this is not my daily car.
Thanks, Todd! Another GB Wheelman of the Taurus fleet, I presume? I should start a Taurus Ecto trend for Taurus owners… we are not alone!
What you did with your Ecto is what I’m going to do as well. Of course, it is a daily driver, and because the kiddies in my part of the neighborhood are inquizzatvie “Hero Worshippers” (I live in a former pineapple plantation town just outside of the historical military posts/ bases here, Wheeler Airfield and Scholfield Barracks, both better known to be part of the Pearl Harbor attack cira 1941). They see the Military as liking to the “Advengers”… so seeing an Ecto driving around, they would give chase to it like an ice cream truck. Already when I had the ol’ tan jump suit on, that was enough to attract inquiring minds… donning the GB suit is like putting on a super man suit here! Having the Ecto EQ removable is favorable, though the car will be already branded, at least it won’t be too distracting, even if the logos are still on.
Anyway, I will indeed make this build a fun one, it will be slow though, but the goal of it will be full-filling and for a good cause. I do want to be accurate, but as long the people enjoy having GBers around, heck! Total perfection can take a back seat to visual service! I’ll just do the best I can, and get it right on the first try. Spreading and having fun is the mainstay here, and best, instilling in the community that there are still “Heroes” out there, riding in an awesome steed.
Not a Taurus. I have a 73 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser. It was the family wagon that I grew up with. That is one reason I was trying to keep from permanently altering it. I also wanted to be accurate. But since I was not starting out with a Caddie, I relaxed a little when I had to make some design changes.
Ha, ha… words exactly… though, you’re right, I’d better not dwell on that… don’t wanna “Bachi” myself!
@Todd: Holy smokes! That ‘73 Oldie is really cool beads! I’m lovin’ the rear wheel fender covers! I had thoughts of fabricating a pair for my Taurus, giving it that “vintage retro look,” just thoughts though… As I had mentioned in another thread on Youtube, older S/Ws are good canidates, the honkin’ huge American cars, more so because most or all car manufacturers both domestic and import, are no longer building them, SUVs and the likes seem to be the norm nowadays. The advantage of owning a vinto, is you’re most likely the only one that has one, and it is yours’ outright. Like to see yours all decked out!
■■, ■■! Good one, bro!
UPDATE: Went on Ebay (yeah, I know, but sometimes there are some “diamonds in the ruff” in there…) and spied a Code 3 XL 9000 barlight that was going for $15, ending at $40 buckaroos, Amber colored, but in good shape and working… wanted to tinker around that bar… missed the final bid… ■■■■■■ heck! :!:
i’m still trying to figure out how i can tint the plastic’s on my lightbars. they were old cop lights and had the blue and red plastics on the inside so i took them all out and now the are just clear. i might just leave them but would love to have them the amber color. oh well for now they should work. i got my lightbars from an autowreckers. my uncle own’s it so i got both of my for a very cheap price and they both work. you could always check there if you have any auto wreckers around your area. just an idea to help you out.i haven’t been able to get much done to my car lately due to the massive heat wave we have been going through and now lately if we get a storm they have been something fierce. hopeing to get some done this weekend tho.sofar i have my satalite dish for the top, my lightbars, i got an old weather station i plan on using, still got to build my sniffer, and got some other lights for hear and there, oh and for the two smaller tanks on the one top side i am using two smaller helieum tanks. got some voltage guages and a few other’s for decoration. got the outdoor speaker for the top and got a really cool steel drum for the back of my roof rack also. got the laptop to mount in the dash of the car so i have all the sounds i will need. just need a few other odds and ends now. i’m pretty much ready to start putting everything together and start getting this thing ready for it’s big premier. can’t wait to see some update pics of your taurus once you start.
Good to hear you got most of your gear for your Ecto… I’m still trying to aquire the perfect lightbars! :sigh:
I think it’s still boss to have clear lightbars, kinda plain, but they’ll be much brighter, and I think you don’t have to worry too much about cops ticketing you for “unauthorized use of emergency equipment”. The Ambers makes it official looking though, just as long no one thinks you’re from the AAA Club! But even that, I’ll still help ‘em: “How super cool, a GHOSTBUSTER helped us change our flat tire!” Yes, even if I’m not entitled to do so in rescuing people ( as a former youth Eagle Scout, it is a duty) , it’s the best thing to do, besides bustin’ and defying the paranormal! To say the least, most GBers are just doing this as a personal hobby, whereas, most do it as a way to serve the community. For me, it is both, mostly the last one. Again, people love “Heroes” who come and help where it is needed, especially in these times we live. A group of GBs arriving in an Ecto to an event is instant security to one’s outlook, and a spark of the imagination. Hawai’i is the hub of the Pacific, and a Military-induced state, there are many of all the branches of the Armed Forces here, and groups like the GBs are there to support the soldiers and their families. Sorry for the rambling, but this is one of the reasons I’m doing this, why I am a costumer, a Cosplayer, and a GHOSTBUSTER!
So… back to gettin’ that car prepped up into that ride of awesomeness for those lili’ kiddieboos and young at heart alike!
**Thought I post up this pic of the Famous Hawai’i-based Ecto 1a sitting just outside of the NBC facing the street where the HEXXP Anime/Sci-Fi convention was held at last year. I say “Famous” because I’ve noticed it was used as an example in the Do’s and Don’ts threads several times throughout the GB Fan web site here. Behind it across the street is the Hawai’ian Electric Company building. Notice how omnious- looking it is with the steam looming over on the top and lights luminating from the entrance? (Sadly, this close replica Ecto is no longer in our service, as it is in the hands of someone else… ). My Ecto may not be as cool-looking as this one, but at least it is MINE! **
i feel the same way. i love ghostbusters. i am also a paranormal investigator. so i guess you can say i’m an actual ghostbuster except i don’t catch ghosts. i do get the odd one that will follow me home but it’s not like the get in the way. lol. i wouldn’t call my self an ■■■■■■■■ fan cause the two packs and slime blower i am working on are made from stuff laying around and don’t look the best at all that’s why i didn’t put any of them on here. i have no building skills at all. but were just doing it for the fun of it. plus there is nothing good or cool around my area for halloween. so why not bring in the ghostbusters and bring some excitement to this town. i’m hoping to have everything done by the starting of october so we can drive the car around and start getting it noticed. i was thinging about getting it done for the start of september because i was gonna park the car along one of our local ghost walks at night just to see what the reaction would be. totally for ■■■■■ and giggles of course.
Here are a couple pictures of the wagon as it sat at a GM Nationals event in Carlisle PA back in June 2011. I like to take it to car shows that help raise money for non-profits. That includes a “Cars for Cancer” show, fallen police officer show, and local volunteer fire department shows. Earlier this year I took it farther than ever to attend a Wounded Warriors event in VA. That was a 200 mile round trip for me and more than 1 tank of gas. These old wagons like to drink. As you can see, I opted for amber lights. Some policemen have told me that they would not pull me over for blue lights, but it just takes that one that would.
i like the looks of the older wagons. i think they make great ecto’s. you got a nice looking ecto there. glad to see another old beast still running the roads.
Awesome! You really did a great job in recreating the EQ rank on your steed! No one can really knock on your Ecto, because for one, it is not a “cookie cutter car” like someone else has it, and two, older cars rules (not including the gas mileage, though), they seem to capture the image of the original Ecto caddy quite well. The older the car, the better. Again, lastly, no one else has it, making you a “one of a kind” Ecto owner!
My pop had a '72 buick Electra S/W many years ago, really cool car, it had a streamlined skylight viewing dome on the top above of the rear passenger seats. Nice, but you couldn’t bolt the rack onto the roof top because the glass done would get in the way. I think it was a rare car to have something such a dome on it like that. Nevertheless, if I was desperate to make a Ecto, I’ll make it work!
Great photos, t0dd! Would love to see more pics of your Ecto in action!
Thought this shot is something like a stored haunted car in a basement (Christine! lol), waiting to be released into the public as a new entity…THAT SHE WILL BE! Ha, ha…**
I have several pics of the car sitting at car shows. I do not have to many showing it in action. Here is one as I went through my first parade back in 2010. That was before I got slimer. It’s hard to get pics because I am driving and my friends are passing out stuff to the crowd.
And yes, 9mpg is what you said it was. I do break into double digits on the highway. Or at least I use to before I added the rack.
Coolness, t0dd! Parades are tha bomb for GBers and their Ectos! Yours definitely rocks the boulevard! You’re a good GBer… willing to make this effort that takes financials out from you, but the rewards and satisfaction is the signifigant positive impact you will make on the community, others outside of your home state, families, friends, and of course, yourself! And aye… me! :garrett:
if you don’t mind me asking: Did you had help building your EQ rack? Or, all was solo? I am just amazed how well your set up is on your Olds… very well done. I hope my set up will be just as good… I’m not really near just yet in building my rack yet… tooo many duties, not alot of moola due to bills… but knowing me, I’ll go for makng it less than a couple weeks to just **DAYS ** before an event… such as the HEXXP convention this October. or even Halloween…
I know Venkman30 is still awaiting on the progress of Ecto 5.0 H… items such as code 3 barlights are costly, and shipping from out of state here in Hawai’i bumps up the wallet also… will try to get something going for you soon, mate! Also… so excited to see your EQ rank all fired up in your thread, along with your faithful supporters… keep up the awesome progress, bro! :roland:
BTW: did anyone ever told you, you could pass for EGON? :sigh:
). My Ecto may not be as cool-looking as this one, but at least it is MINE! **
