phantomjock
Well-known member
Greetings -- I am Jim. The SUBJECT says it all -- I bounce all over the place!
"Well hit three wood in a tile shower!"
It says introduce yourself -- so here are the stories:
Mine. I've been; an aero engineer, hang glider pilot, USAF fighter pilot, boat builder, autocrosser, liveaboard boatie, and full-time ocean cruiser (last 13 years). Looks like now I'm becomming a grease monkey-car builder!
AND, now the stories blend...
I am a 1978 Original Owner - 350 SBC, 4 speed, non pacecar, suspension - yes. I had it delivered to me in Eurpoe. Back stateside, at 100K miles (1986) I tweaked the suspension, lowered it, chopped front coils, rear monospring, smart struts, poly bushings, just about everything it seems VB&P had in the mid 80s and some VSE bits from Herb too!
I re-engined to better compete in Autocross in NC and later the DC area. At same time, did a complete strip of the factory paint, hand blocked, wet sanded, all seams fixed on the body then topped with a red white and blue paint job. Added fender louvers and a rear whale tail. Then a redo of the interior - (short time with Recaros - later sold at a loss). In 1993 moved to SOCAL - LA and did it all over in Tuxedo Black. Loaned to brother-in-law while sailing in Mexico. He had a major dashboard fire. Miracle he saved the car - but he didn't quite get it back to spec.
Next, I changed out the 4 Speed RockCrusher for a 200R4.
The car has been sitting in a storage condition for over 2 years! I have returned (temporarly to the US from sailing) and am now deep in the middle of a "MAJOR" build effort. Note -- this is not a RESTORE project.
SO, What Now?
First my OBJECTIVES -- thinking DRAG STRIP/AUTOCROSS/Sometime SHOW/DAILY DRIVER-- probably in that order too.
COMPONENTS to meet the OBJECTIVES:
1. CHASSIS/SUSPENSION -- Body is now off frame. So its grind, sand, and clean up. Tomorrow, I POR-15 the Chassis. I may build a 5 - 6 link rear end with coilovers-- hey, what else while its all apart? Been thinking hard about a DIY Rack and Pinion steering. While at the welder, a radiator relocate as a "Laydown." Spreader bar -- definately. I would like to do tube A-Arms -- but can spend the money elsewhere. For weight Reduction -- I am loosing the Battering Ram from the front end - replace with a circle track style "nerf bar" under the nose. Ditto at the rear end -- loosing the rear bumper and weight there too (see BODY). It will be outside though.
2. ENGINE and BAY -- Its a 4 bolt main Circle Track done 60 over, forged/skirted pistons/performer intake and carb. So, I'm pricing out NOS and Aluminum heads, MSD etc. Already got the prelube setup, but still need to make a catch can etc. K&M dual snorkles are on the list too. Electric fans, electric water pump. While the firewall is clear - a new plate will be made and paint too. The factory aircon/heater core is out and gone. Battery will relocate to this space. Might consider a Vintage Air setup-- if this "weapon" really returns to a "daily driver status."
3. BODY -- Í've pulled the front clip - and traded it for an Ecklers - Flip Front--its a vintage (sn #15!). It will get a rework and re-enforcement with composite balsa core and biaxial. (Did I forget to mention I am a boatbuilder too?) Some of their earlier work was a bit less than perfection.) Reverse gills look too cool, and are a consideration - and may get built. With the radiator laydown, a splitter might well be in order and on the list. Can always happen later when I pull some dat after the car runs again.
I have some molds I made of the fender louvers that may find their way on the flip front too. Still need to sort out the front inner wheel wells and might adapt some from a C4 for the task. I picked up some wide rear flares (maybe they're L88s -- they have the mudflap) that I cut off another 'vette. I'm going to clean ém up and make some molds. Then make a set for the body. Hope to adapt a set to the flip front too. The rear bumper is off and I like the KAMM-look. Looks like I'll be building a new rear "bumper" too. SMOOTHIE - will be the style - so, no trim, and shaved handles etc. Thinking is wide open on the doors, may split them horizontally and glass the lower section in place. Hmm, sounds a bit odd, but it would make a nice air pipe/duct through the main section front to rear. We'll see how it models.
4. INTERIOR -- At this point - It'll be looking pretty SPARTAN. Mostly plain dash - circletrack style/drag car. Doors may get a gutting, but then an interior fiberglass doorskin. Rear "buckets" may get sacrificed to any suspension mods. A CAGE if the times/speeds warrant -- do that later. Clearly a simple dash could come out if dash bars are needed. I need to learn more about the HUDs now available. WHich are good - crap etc.
5. WHEELS TIRES -- That is maybe good news. The ones I have will sufice while the program moves/plods along. Later, will be an issue with my Chief Financial Officer -- She who must be Obeyed! But the cheap and quick to BADASSS is maybe some wide 2 inch spacers to fill up the flares! Later, some tires for the strip -- when we get to that fork -- we'll take it.
6. PAINT -- HAHHA -- may be primer grey and 'glass a while. WHoHOOO a, "paintless Pony."
WAIT A MINUTE! I've always wanted to build a Kit Car --- I AM!!!
And thats the car story too. I'm LOVIN-IT!!! Glad to be here! Thanks for all the support in advance. Hope that wasn't too long -- see the sig line I guess...
Cheers -- Jim
"Well hit three wood in a tile shower!"
It says introduce yourself -- so here are the stories:
Mine. I've been; an aero engineer, hang glider pilot, USAF fighter pilot, boat builder, autocrosser, liveaboard boatie, and full-time ocean cruiser (last 13 years). Looks like now I'm becomming a grease monkey-car builder!
AND, now the stories blend...
I am a 1978 Original Owner - 350 SBC, 4 speed, non pacecar, suspension - yes. I had it delivered to me in Eurpoe. Back stateside, at 100K miles (1986) I tweaked the suspension, lowered it, chopped front coils, rear monospring, smart struts, poly bushings, just about everything it seems VB&P had in the mid 80s and some VSE bits from Herb too!
I re-engined to better compete in Autocross in NC and later the DC area. At same time, did a complete strip of the factory paint, hand blocked, wet sanded, all seams fixed on the body then topped with a red white and blue paint job. Added fender louvers and a rear whale tail. Then a redo of the interior - (short time with Recaros - later sold at a loss). In 1993 moved to SOCAL - LA and did it all over in Tuxedo Black. Loaned to brother-in-law while sailing in Mexico. He had a major dashboard fire. Miracle he saved the car - but he didn't quite get it back to spec.
Next, I changed out the 4 Speed RockCrusher for a 200R4.
The car has been sitting in a storage condition for over 2 years! I have returned (temporarly to the US from sailing) and am now deep in the middle of a "MAJOR" build effort. Note -- this is not a RESTORE project.
SO, What Now?
First my OBJECTIVES -- thinking DRAG STRIP/AUTOCROSS/Sometime SHOW/DAILY DRIVER-- probably in that order too.
COMPONENTS to meet the OBJECTIVES:
1. CHASSIS/SUSPENSION -- Body is now off frame. So its grind, sand, and clean up. Tomorrow, I POR-15 the Chassis. I may build a 5 - 6 link rear end with coilovers-- hey, what else while its all apart? Been thinking hard about a DIY Rack and Pinion steering. While at the welder, a radiator relocate as a "Laydown." Spreader bar -- definately. I would like to do tube A-Arms -- but can spend the money elsewhere. For weight Reduction -- I am loosing the Battering Ram from the front end - replace with a circle track style "nerf bar" under the nose. Ditto at the rear end -- loosing the rear bumper and weight there too (see BODY). It will be outside though.
2. ENGINE and BAY -- Its a 4 bolt main Circle Track done 60 over, forged/skirted pistons/performer intake and carb. So, I'm pricing out NOS and Aluminum heads, MSD etc. Already got the prelube setup, but still need to make a catch can etc. K&M dual snorkles are on the list too. Electric fans, electric water pump. While the firewall is clear - a new plate will be made and paint too. The factory aircon/heater core is out and gone. Battery will relocate to this space. Might consider a Vintage Air setup-- if this "weapon" really returns to a "daily driver status."
3. BODY -- Í've pulled the front clip - and traded it for an Ecklers - Flip Front--its a vintage (sn #15!). It will get a rework and re-enforcement with composite balsa core and biaxial. (Did I forget to mention I am a boatbuilder too?) Some of their earlier work was a bit less than perfection.) Reverse gills look too cool, and are a consideration - and may get built. With the radiator laydown, a splitter might well be in order and on the list. Can always happen later when I pull some dat after the car runs again.
I have some molds I made of the fender louvers that may find their way on the flip front too. Still need to sort out the front inner wheel wells and might adapt some from a C4 for the task. I picked up some wide rear flares (maybe they're L88s -- they have the mudflap) that I cut off another 'vette. I'm going to clean ém up and make some molds. Then make a set for the body. Hope to adapt a set to the flip front too. The rear bumper is off and I like the KAMM-look. Looks like I'll be building a new rear "bumper" too. SMOOTHIE - will be the style - so, no trim, and shaved handles etc. Thinking is wide open on the doors, may split them horizontally and glass the lower section in place. Hmm, sounds a bit odd, but it would make a nice air pipe/duct through the main section front to rear. We'll see how it models.
4. INTERIOR -- At this point - It'll be looking pretty SPARTAN. Mostly plain dash - circletrack style/drag car. Doors may get a gutting, but then an interior fiberglass doorskin. Rear "buckets" may get sacrificed to any suspension mods. A CAGE if the times/speeds warrant -- do that later. Clearly a simple dash could come out if dash bars are needed. I need to learn more about the HUDs now available. WHich are good - crap etc.
5. WHEELS TIRES -- That is maybe good news. The ones I have will sufice while the program moves/plods along. Later, will be an issue with my Chief Financial Officer -- She who must be Obeyed! But the cheap and quick to BADASSS is maybe some wide 2 inch spacers to fill up the flares! Later, some tires for the strip -- when we get to that fork -- we'll take it.
6. PAINT -- HAHHA -- may be primer grey and 'glass a while. WHoHOOO a, "paintless Pony."
WAIT A MINUTE! I've always wanted to build a Kit Car --- I AM!!!
And thats the car story too. I'm LOVIN-IT!!! Glad to be here! Thanks for all the support in advance. Hope that wasn't too long -- see the sig line I guess...
Cheers -- Jim