Chris Colangelo - member - Rising Sun 4x4 Club, Colorado

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CHRIS COLANGELO
kodiak116@attbi.com
Occupation: Software Test Engineer
My name is Chris Colangelo, and I'm addicted to Land Cruisers. "Hi Chris!" I bought my first 40 soon after moving to Colorado back in 1997. Since that first purchase, my life has changed! I first looked at a Cruiser shortly before moving to Colorado. It was a smurf blue FJ40, allegedly an '83. It looked like it had been restored. What was this thing sitting at a Honda used car lot in Vienna, Virginia? I went back the following weekend to look at it and take it for a test spin, but it was already sold, natch. Soon after, I got the job here in Denver, and moved two thousand miles west. Once I was settled in, I started looking for my own 40. The first one I looked at, I bought, but not until I had looked at about fifteen others, in various states of repair, decomposition, and restoration. I think I was sold on this one right from the start. It's a '64, and had about 67K total miles on it. There was a little rust, the usual places, and was totally stock except for the engine, an '83 2F which the PO had installed. Since then, I've added a 2 1/2 " ProComp lift with extended shackles, 31" BFG's, Celica Supra seats, and a lockrite in the rear. Soon to come are upgraded axles from an FJ55, power steering, and a four speed. Back in '99, when my girlfriend and kids were about to move here from Virginia, I decided that I really needed a wagon. So I started shopping once again. I found my '60, now named Clifford, at Cherry Creek Dodge in Aurora. I bought it, and the fun has continued! Since buying Clifford, I've added an OME lift, and 33" BFG's. Soon to come, custom front and rear bumpers and a winch. More is planned for Clifford, namely, a bigger lift, bigger tires, and a new engine (Chevy), but that will have to wait till I get a house. Once my girlfriend had moved out here, I decided to look for a 40 for her. I found the blue one at Chris Hatfield's house. For now, this one is resting quietly in a storage unit, waiting for me to find the time to work on her. I work at Jeppesen Sanderson in Englewood as a Software Test Engineer. Currently, I'm involved with a new flight planning system for commercial airlines. Which ties in nicely with my former career in Flight Operations for two airlines back on the East Coast. I've been a happy and proud member of Rising Sun since 1998. In my off time, I like messing around with computers, fly fishing, camping, and having fun with Angie and the twins, Amber and Cori. Hope to see you out on the trails!

Chris Colangelo
May 2002