Bad news is, the shop vac shenanigans didn't really help me out. I bet I can get it to work, but I didn't have the time.
Good news....the car MOVED UNDER ITS OWN POWER! Like, a quarter of a mile. It's extremely tricky driving & shifting while also not ever letting the throttle plate fully close....but fuck it after all these years I'm gonna call that a first successful road test. The rose gold wheels look cherry, too (from 5 ft away).
I'll get pics and vids up eventually lol
PS- the god awful belt squeal at start up. Uhh, looser? Tighter? It doesn't wanna stop. I'm not complaining, but the old lady across the street might