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  • Methane Herder

    Sharpshooter
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jan 17, 2013
    601
    63
    Pitchfork Union
    Car History.
    1975 Opel Manta – 4spd. M about 76 BHP. Non cross flow head. First year for Bosch (mechanical?) F.I. Tried to set itself on fire once (F.I. hose split) No matter how much I chanted “Burn Baby Burn” it did not light. Pretty car. Buick dealerships didn’t know what to do with it except not stock any parts for it and have their way with any owner foolish enough to bring it to them for service.
    1979 Ford Fiesta – 4spd. M about 66 BHP. Proof that Colin Chapmans mantra of “Adding Lightness” worked. Unfortunately it continued to add “Lightness” after delivery. That’s why you don’t see them around anymore.
    1985 Camaro V6 F41 - 5spd M about 135 BHP. Yes I had a bit of a Mullet when I bought this. I’m guessing the guy in a white, early 80’S Chevy van that tore the front end off of it late one night and drove off, did also.
    1985 Ford Escort GT - 5spd M about 109 BHP. My first autocross car. The factory shocks were pretty good for about 15,000 miles. A decent attempt by Ford to make a U.S. made hot hatch.
    1987 Mazda 323 S – 5spd M about 87 BHP. Nice car. Not great but a good all rounder.
    1992 Nissan Sentra SER – 5spd M about 140 BHP. 7200 RPM, LSD differential. Loved it until the rocker panel under the door started cracking at the seam.
    1993 Ford Ranger Sport – 5spd M about 135 BHP. Needed a truck. Still autocrossed it.
    1994 Plymouth Neon ACR – 5spd M about 137 BHP. DO NOT ask about Chrysler gluing the front wheel bearings into the hubs.
    1996 Ford Mustang GT – 5spd M about 215 BHP. Full of sound and fury,
    signifying not a lot of acceleration. (See the 215 BHP bit). It still sounded great.
    1998 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 1LE – 6spd M about 305 BHP. A bit of an Axe Murderer when it finally showed up after 6-1/2 months waiting (my brother worked for Hughes so I ordered it with a GM employee discount). After putting 96 Corvette GS 9” wheels, CrMo adjustable Panhard rod, front shock tower brace and Yokohama A-032 tires on it, it became a card carrying Axe Murderer on anything but dry pavement. On dry pavement it was great sex incredible. For the $1250 1LE package you got, Koni double adjustable shocks all around, P.S. cooler, specific springs, bushings, a LS1 that “allegedly “was cherry picked from engines that dynoed at the high end of spectrum. The Koni’s alone would have cost almost 2K$ alone.
    2001 Ford Ranger XLT 4X4 – 5spd M about 210 BHP. Life happens. Needed a truck. Extremely reliable and relatively proficient off road.
    2003.5 Mazdaspeed Protégé – 5spd M about 187 BHP. This car AND Corky Bell’S book on turbocharging taught me a lot about the wonders of turbos and toluene.
    2006 Subaru WRX Sportwagon – 5spd M about 225 BHP. Another car I should never sold.
    2009 Volkswagen GTI – 6spd M about 205 BHP. Still a Fat Elvis GTI but it could dance.
    2014 Ford Fiesta ST – 6spd M about 197 BHP. Get one. The only reason to get a MX 5 instead of this car is you enjoy sunburn and don’t have a dog, or the need to carry things larger than a loaf of bread.
    2016 Ford Fiesta ST– 6spd M about 197 BHP. Get a 2015 -2014 Fiesta ST. Ford had started to “Value Engineer” the suspension. It’ll cost you about 800$ dollars to undo their “Improvements” to get the car right.
    2019 Honda Civic Si– 6spd M about 205 BHP. My new Fiesta ST. Ford abandoned me as a customer. I understand their reasoning, but understanding does not imply blind allegiance.


    MH
     

    Methane Herder

    Sharpshooter
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jan 17, 2013
    601
    63
    Pitchfork Union
    Paraphrasing Renton from Trainspotting: “When you're a car junkie you have only one worry: scoring. When you're off it, you are suddenly obliged to worry about all sorts of other ****e. Got no money: can't get pissed. Got money: drinking too much. Can't get a bird: no chance of a ride. Got a bird: too much hassle. You have to worry about bills, about food, about some football team that never f’ing wins, about human relationships and all the things that really don't matter when you've got a sincere and truthful car habit.”


    MH
     

    Super Bee

    Master
    Site Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    10   0   0
    Nov 2, 2011
    4,798
    149
    Fort Wayne
    The wife doesn't understand. The man with the most titles in the desk drawer wins.

    I should add they need to be quality titles. Ten Kia Rio titles do not count.
     

    rem788

    Marksman
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Apr 19, 2009
    239
    43
    indy west
    On the way to church today passed a house with a 49 Ford F100 sitting in the driveway for sale. Had to stop on the way home as I had one in high school. This vehicle was in no way restored, some rust through and other issues. Mine was in better shape body wise. Thoughts of restoration were starting to form in my mind. Then I saw the price ......... $8900.00. I sold mine for $75.00, I guess I sold too cheap!
     

    Sigblitz

    Grandmaster
    Trainer Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    9   0   0
    Aug 25, 2018
    14,583
    113
    Indianapolis
    YOU WHORE!

    I saw this last night when you posted. The Escort GT would chirp the tires through all the gears.

    I guess you never learned to drive an automatic. I hope you never have to rent a car and tell them you don't know how to drive it.
     

    churchmouse

    I still care....Really
    Emeritus
    Rating - 100%
    187   0   0
    Dec 7, 2011
    191,809
    152
    Speedway area
    Yes we sold our last race car last year and the fast street cars are just memories now. But I still love them.
    Cars bikes and boats. All have a place in our hearts.
     

    Methane Herder

    Sharpshooter
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jan 17, 2013
    601
    63
    Pitchfork Union
    Yes we sold our last race car last year and the fast street cars are just memories now. But I still love them.
    Cars bikes and boats. All have a place in our hearts.

    The best advice I have ever heard regarding motorsports is; the best way to make a small fortune racing is to start with a large one. I remember someone showing up at one of the local SCCA divisional events with a Dodge Neon ACR on a trailer. Running stock class, the car had about 800mi. on it, never been titled, pretty much autocross miles only. I had basically the same car but it was my only car at the time. Kinda disheartening. Don't care, I'll pretty much autocross anything that passes tech.

    MH
     

    churchmouse

    I still care....Really
    Emeritus
    Rating - 100%
    187   0   0
    Dec 7, 2011
    191,809
    152
    Speedway area
    The best advice I have ever heard regarding motorsports is; the best way to make a small fortune racing is to start with a large one. I remember someone showing up at one of the local SCCA divisional events with a Dodge Neon ACR on a trailer. Running stock class, the car had about 800mi. on it, never been titled, pretty much autocross miles only. I had basically the same car but it was my only car at the time. Kinda disheartening. Don't care, I'll pretty much autocross anything that passes tech.

    MH

    When we sold off all the Harleys and went Drag Racing again we had 2 cars on trailers and a street car. Friends/family asked if we were making any money doing the race car show car thing. I would just smile and say no, not making anything but we sure are spending a lot.

    If we placed 1 car in the money every week it "Might" pay to run the team for 1 trip. If nothing broke. And the tires were good. It is pretty hard to place in the money every week. Dont care how "Good" you are or how well built/maintained your cars are. 2 cars entry/fuel/essentials. 2 trucks/trailers need fuel maint. plates Ins. ETC. Equipment for the trailers and people. Food/drinks. Pit bikes and a golf cart. Add it all up at the end of the season and be sitting down when you find the total.
     

    EGParatrooper

    Marksman
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jul 18, 2011
    255
    18
    Cars, and motorcycles-
    1975 Chevy Vega sister broke transmission
    1977 Ford F100 Hit a building
    1972 Ford LTD Cracked frame
    1973 Dodge Charger SE Gave it away
    1962 International Travelall Gave it away
    1977 Suzuki GS550 Gave it away
    1972 Chevy Blazer Sold it
    1978 Chevy Blazer MIA?
    1971 VW Bug Gave it away
    1987 Harley 883 Sportster Wrecked
    1973 VW Bug Gave it away
    1975 Harley HLCH Sold it
    1977 Mercury Cougar Gave it away
    1984 Pontiac Fiero Wrecked
    1979 Ford Pinto Sold it
    1982 Renault Le Car RIP
    1984 Mercury Marquis Traded it in
    1968 VW Bug Gave it away
    1995 Ford Ranger Traded it in
    1974 Kawasaki K400 Sold it
    2000 Dodge Stratus Traded it in
    2002 Pontiac Grand Prix Traded it in
    2003 Ford F150 Traded it in
    1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Sold it
    2004 Ford Freestar Sold it
    1998 Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Sold it
    2012 Chevy Cruze Traded it in
    2014 Toyota Rav4 Traded it in
    1985 Chevy Corvette Have it
    2016 Toyota Sienna Have it
    2003 Mustang GT Have it
    2009 Kawasaki Vulcan Have it
    2004 F150 Have it
    2007 Toyota Rav4 Have it
    1929 Ford Model A Have it
    2005 Harley Dyna Super-Glide Have it
     

    churchmouse

    I still care....Really
    Emeritus
    Rating - 100%
    187   0   0
    Dec 7, 2011
    191,809
    152
    Speedway area
    Cars, and motorcycles-
    1975 Chevy Vega sister broke transmission
    1977 Ford F100 Hit a building
    1972 Ford LTD Cracked frame
    1973 Dodge Charger SE Gave it away
    1962 International Travelall Gave it away
    1977 Suzuki GS550 Gave it away
    1972 Chevy Blazer Sold it
    1978 Chevy Blazer MIA?
    1971 VW Bug Gave it away
    1987 Harley 883 Sportster Wrecked
    1973 VW Bug Gave it away
    1975 Harley HLCH Sold it
    1977 Mercury Cougar Gave it away
    1984 Pontiac Fiero Wrecked
    1979 Ford Pinto Sold it
    1982 Renault Le Car RIP
    1984 Mercury Marquis Traded it in
    1968 VW Bug Gave it away
    1995 Ford Ranger Traded it in
    1974 Kawasaki K400 Sold it
    2000 Dodge Stratus Traded it in
    2002 Pontiac Grand Prix Traded it in
    2003 Ford F150 Traded it in
    1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Sold it
    2004 Ford Freestar Sold it
    1998 Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Sold it
    2012 Chevy Cruze Traded it in
    2014 Toyota Rav4 Traded it in
    1985 Chevy Corvette Have it
    2016 Toyota Sienna Have it
    2003 Mustang GT Have it
    2009 Kawasaki Vulcan Have it
    2004 F150 Have it
    2007 Toyota Rav4 Have it
    1929 Ford Model A Have it
    2005 Harley Dyna Super-Glide Have it

    Oh you guys want a list..............:faint:
     

    KJQ6945

    Grandmaster
    Site Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    4   0   0
    Aug 5, 2012
    37,538
    149
    Texas
    36 cars? I have a financial advisor because I recognize I'm a dumbass on stocks. You need a car advisor. I'm saying this as a friend.
     

    EGParatrooper

    Marksman
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jul 18, 2011
    255
    18
    I'm going to Illinois this weekend to look at a '53 Ford pickup, and I've already specced out a 2020 Vette, just trying to figure out when I will be able to drive it off of the factory floor in Bowling Green.

    It's a disease, but it's fun. (just like things that go bang)
     

    Alamo

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    10   0   0
    Oct 4, 2010
    8,091
    113
    Texas
    I wonder if I can remember. Lessee

    1969? 70? Chevrolet Chevelle: Four door, this was my mom's car, I think it was the first new car my parents ever bought. V-8, automatic, no power steering, no air conditioning, no nothing, just as basic as it could be. Mom put about 25,000 miles on it in about 7 years, most of those in the first year when she was running for the office of County Treasurer. She drove all over the county and knocked on every door, I think. She won. Despite the lack of amenities I thought it was a pretty cool car, and 6 or 7 years later when I was 15 1/2 and had my learner's permit, had a couple lessons from Dad in it, Mom let me chauffer her once in awhile. I was looking forward to getting some solo time behind the wheel (heh!) when one day Mom told me Dad had taken it to town to trade it in on a new car. What?! What kind of car? Mom said, "I don't know know, something called a...uh... Corvette." YUMPIN' YIMINY A 'VETTE! WHOA! Then reality kicked in. My parents were in their mid-50s, very sensible and frugal, and my Mom did not like cars and could not tell one from another. "Mom, did Dad say 'Corvette' or did he say...." which brings us to the...

    1976 Chevette Hatchback: Mom was "Corvette, Chevette, what's the difference?" All the same to her. Sigh. This was the first year they made them (meaning GM was getting its butt kicked by Japanese imports and had no idea how to built a small car but had to do something), and because Mom never learned to drive until she was mid-to-late 40s and did not like cars and did not like to drive, so it had to have an automatic transmission. Coupled with the 1.4L gerbil (as in one) powered engine, it's a wonder the car could move. It was a pitiful car but it was what was available, so I put most of the miles on it. Even managed to stuff about 20 girls in it one time. Unfortunately they kicked me out to do so, but you can check the 1978 Shadows Yearbook for BCHS for documentation.

    1969 (I think) Ford Maverick with 100,000 miles on it and some kind of straight 6. If Wikipedia is correct this was a Thriftpower 6, 250 CU. Wiki says Henry Ford did not like it because it could overpower the transmission, but that was NOT a problem in the one I had, I think it probably would have tested at 6 Squirrel Power, 10 mpg, and 30 miles per quart of oil. Dad bought it for me for $400 when I was a sophomore at IU. I didn't ask for it, but he thought I should have a car. Maybe to come home for visits on the weekend, since my parents were in Nashville, 20 miles away. It was pretty clapped out, but that was perfect for campus parking. Despite the anemic squirrels I got my first speeding warning with it. Between Bloomington and Nashville there is Kelly Hill, which is a pretty tall piece of dirt for the area. I use the straightaway at the bottom of the hill to get as much speed as possible (maybe 65mph) before ascending so I'd have some semblance of forward movement by the time I got to the top. Unfortunately one day the local state trooper had that straightaway (speed limit 55mph) staked out. He asked me why I was going so "fast" and I told him. He laughed and wrote a warning. I don't if the warning (vs a ticket) was from amusement or that I had helped build his house when I worked for a construction company owned by a couple local deputies.

    1975? Nova, four door. Plain jane basic car, traded in the Maverick in 1980? Dad co-signed the note, this was partly upgrade on wheels and starting to establish a credit history. Good solid car, went to Colorado with it a couple times, went with me to my first active duty station in late 1982.

    1984 Pontiac Firebird. My first new car, did a ton of research in this. I l liked the smoother lines of the Firebird over the Camaro. Most important research finding was how much the insurance was going to cost me unless I waited until I was 25 years old. Shazam. Second most important finding was how much insurance the two extra cylinders of a V-8 over a V-6 would cost me. Holy cow. The V-6 was plenty peppy, actually (I goosed it once and did a 270 more or less by accident), so when I was 25 I sold the Nova to a Master Sergeant that worked in my shop, ordered the Firebird for delivery in a month, and deployed to Saudi Arabia. The day I came back from deployment I got straight off of a 24hour trip in a C-141, showered/put on my Combination 1 (I think we called it that then, same as Army Class A), the commander pinned 1st Lieutenant bars on me, and my room mate drove me to the dealer to pick up my "lieutenant-mobile". That was a great car, really fun to drive, looked great. Manual shift of course, It was brown, which sounds dull, but Pontiac had this paint scheme that included gold metallic in the paint, so it looked pretty elegant instead of like a squashed UPS truck. Sold it to my then girl-friend's dad when went overseas a couple years later. She told me that the selling point was when he discovered I kept a small paint brush in the car glove box to sweep the lint out of the air vents. He figured then that I had taken care of it rather than beating it to pieces, which was true. It got seriously babied.

    1982? Audi 500S Turbo: In Germany in May 1986 I bought a used four door Audi 500 S Turbo. In CONUS this was labeled the Audi 5000, but in Germany they dropped a digit. Four door sedan, but that Turbo made it fly! I once drove from Geilenkirchen to Ramstein on the autobahn (no upper speed limit, only minimum speed limit) with the pedal mashed, and it would top 150mph and hold it easily. Very stable at speed, rode like a champ, wind noise was terrific, and the gas gauge needle dropped like a stone. Ended up in a small "convoy" of a Posche and and a BMW, all of us blasting along in the left lane. Germans have great lane discipline, so no Ma and Pa Kettle hogging the passing lanes.

    After that it was all down hill. I got back to the States after almost 7 years overseas and I could not identify American car models, they had changed so much. Also soft drink sizes had jumped a notch, a "small" was what used to be a medium at least. Since then I have stuck with used cars in decent shape, hate to pay the new car markup. Knew I was middle aged when in 2005 or so I found a 2000 Crown Vic that had 15,000 miles on it driven by a handicapped little old lady to church and the grocery store -- and I loved it. Current steed is a used 2008 Lincoln Town Car Elite I bought in 2016, the one owner elderly couple had paid for Ford service contract so it was maintained at the dealership through its life, so is in great shape. Guess that makes me old too. :)
     

    jkaetz

    Master
    Rating - 100%
    3   0   0
    Jan 20, 2009
    1,953
    83
    Indianapolis
    While I love cars, I can't let go of them and I have one that will produce a stupid grin every time I start it or utilize the skinny pedal:

    2002 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP: After a few mods around 280 HP & 300 TQ. Picked it up with 8000 miles, loved it for almost 14 years and 110,000 more miles, had claimed a few LS powered cars in the 1/4 and a personal best of 14.1 seconds. Insurance totaled it after a minor front end crash and I knew it was due for some more major repairs if I bought it back and repaired it.

    2007 G6 GTP Hardtop: Picked it up from my Dad after the Grand Prix was totalled as he was looking to depart with it and it only had 24k miles. Nothing to brag about performance wise but an upgrade from the GP interior and handling plus convertible top for nice days.

    2009 G8 GXP: 6M, 415 HP & TQ. Purchased with 24 miles on it after it was announced that Pontiac was being retired. I grin every time I start it, depart from a stoplight, or traverse an interstate on ramp. It is, as someone described it, a four door rocketship. I would love to have waited until they added the magnetic ride control and better infotainment but that just wasn't in the cards. The Chevy SS was an option but I couldn't get over the Chevy styling.

    Also in the family:
    1999 Corvette: MIL's summer car
    2006 GTO: My Brother's, I got to pick it in Kentucky for him and the drive back to Indiana was enough to assure my purchase of the G8
    1972 Chevelle: Dad's collector car. Been completely restored after serving the family for quite a few years
    1988 Monte Carlo: Brother's 1st ish car and now project car
    2014 BMW Z4: Dad's mid life crisis car :):
     

    Bucky623

    Master
    Rating - 100%
    23   0   0
    Oct 6, 2008
    1,570
    63
    Northern Indiana
    * = Still have

    1944 Willys MB
    *1946 Willys CJ2A
    1952 International Pickup
    1962 Olds Dynamic 88
    *1964 International 606
    *1966 Ford F100
    1968 Honda CB 350
    1969 Mercury Monterey
    1971 Jeep Wagoneer
    *1972 Chevy Nova SS
    *1978 Chevy C10 Stepside
    *1979 Jeep CJ7
    1980 Chevy Chevette
    *1988 Chevy R30 Dump truck
    1993 Ford Escort
    *1997 Ford Escort
    *1997 Ford F150
    *2000 Dodge Caravan
    2001 Dodge 3500 w/Cummins
    *2005 Ford Escape
     
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