tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post8599039586126771333..comments2023-11-10T04:17:00.492-05:00Comments on View From The Porch: Automotif VITamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285540310465422476noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-37670614453179652922012-09-29T19:27:49.379-04:002012-09-29T19:27:49.379-04:00Progress. Engine out with assist from wife and eld...Progress. Engine out with assist from wife and eldest child.<br /><br />I was hoping for November but SWMBO says we might could squeeze extra out of the budget to have parts in time to have it running in the Spring.<br /><br />http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp182/ScottJ175/Alfa/WP_000335.jpgScott Jnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-77390396462025071022012-09-29T18:19:49.567-04:002012-09-29T18:19:49.567-04:00I had an absolutely suicidal buddy named Pat Swan ... I had an absolutely suicidal buddy named Pat Swan years ago who took (then) dirt cheap A-H's and boxed the frames, then stuck in romped Chevy smallblocks and the old Chevy TH-250, alias two speed slip and slide.<br /><br /> You couldn't burn out the TH-250, it would just swallow excess torque until the back wheels could accept it, then deliver like nobody's business. <br /><br /> Pat was a hyperactive ADD, absolurely brilliant, and a (mostly) recovered alcoholic, in addition to being a flawless CNC programmer and singer/guitarist. <br /><br /> Also a former stock and sportscar racer who had been scraped off the wall three times. <br /><br /> I think he built about 15 to 20 of the Super Healys before he went into that bridge abutment at 120.<br /><br /> There are times I still miss the old hound, but I have to say he lived it his way, and those all lovely Healys had many layered, well rubbed out coats of laquer on them along with the steroidal drive trains. <br /><br /> Beautiful reckless cars, a wild but funny and generous man who sold me my beloved XKE, and many a colorful memory of a total rascal who should have been born in the 17th century and issued a rapier and a pistol at the age of 12. <br /><br /> Thank you for the memory.Ed Fosterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09676740819579030462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-9439566499935747482012-09-29T15:32:51.330-04:002012-09-29T15:32:51.330-04:00Tam, funny thing is I never saw that movie until a...Tam, funny thing is I never saw that movie until after I owned the car.<br /><br />I knew it was why my 1987 model is called the Graduate but I'd never bothered to see the movie.Scott Jnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-87980182189907069672012-09-29T11:29:31.718-04:002012-09-29T11:29:31.718-04:00Still waiting for GM to learn that the car buying ...Still waiting for GM to learn that the car buying populace decided Chrome wheels were gaudy a decade ago...Bobbynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-27137515566672437682012-09-29T10:56:19.557-04:002012-09-29T10:56:19.557-04:00Scott J,
Koo-koo-ka-choo, Mrs. Robinson!Scott J,<br /><br />Koo-koo-ka-choo, Mrs. Robinson!Tamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07285540310465422476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-75276072444004456132012-09-29T10:29:29.413-04:002012-09-29T10:29:29.413-04:00Here's my heap. Bought May 2005 and drove it o...Here's my heap. Bought May 2005 and drove it often until November 2006 when I barely got over the mountain coming home due to the clutch.<br /><br />I made some progress on disassembly but stalled and have neglected it for several years.<br /><br />I pray the Lord blesses me with being able to get it going again by the end of this November.<br /><br />http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp182/ScottJ175/temporary-9.jpg<br />Scott Jnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-78387905346200157922012-09-29T09:29:30.853-04:002012-09-29T09:29:30.853-04:00There is something special about elderly european ...There is something special about elderly european sports cars whether they be Brit, Eytie, Kraut, or even Frog.<br />I've had a Jag 120 for 22 years & my dad had it for 30 years before me.<br />No matter where I go with it there are folks that "had one of them" or "always wanted one" or "whats it worth?"<br />The music it makes at 5000 rpm is worth all the work and sweat that it takes to keep one on the road.Rogernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-53146584384236694082012-09-29T09:21:48.857-04:002012-09-29T09:21:48.857-04:00GM ought to put the powertrain from the Volt into ...GM ought to put the powertrain from the Volt into a Saturn Sky chassis, (all the stamping equipment is probably just sitting there idle), bump up the gearbox to make it sporty, and call it the "Usain Volt".perlhaqrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01920117742664645165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-55811049345965151622012-09-29T02:38:24.499-04:002012-09-29T02:38:24.499-04:00" You would go through that steering wheel li..." You would go through that steering wheel like a cheeseknife"<br /><br />Nah, you'll end up molding that wheel around the dash. I've seen it done, back in the day. Might have a depressed sternum from the hub...<br /><br />But, that's what rollbars and 5-point harnesses are for!<br /><br />Nice looking, but red is the wrong color for British sports cars. Makes me wish I still had my '62 Alfa Giullietta. I like engines that rev higher than tractor motors.Willhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00722792638246578812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-61406795921221814422012-09-28T19:46:59.189-04:002012-09-28T19:46:59.189-04:00My older cousin on Dad's side had one, before ...My older cousin on Dad's side had one, before the Carrera RSR - he became a Cop and even made Detective.NotClauswitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14358707844087117280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-61208974250353411552012-09-28T19:45:51.523-04:002012-09-28T19:45:51.523-04:00Put a blower on the motor and it gets Way-Fun!! S...Put a blower on the motor and it gets Way-Fun!! Some had an electric overdrive.<br />They get you laid because to own one you necessarily are an Alpha and that is (frequently) an attractant - the Minivan is the sign/label of a Beta. <br />My7 '60 Ghia had a collapsible (in theory, it WAS German) steering column - but some might work better than others.<br />You could also take any Chevy or Taurus from the rental counter off-road, but that's because they're' from the rental counter.NotClauswitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14358707844087117280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-14946100953460680422012-09-28T17:45:19.219-04:002012-09-28T17:45:19.219-04:00All the proper issues have been mentioned. Must be...All the proper issues have been mentioned. Must be lots of old guys (like me) reading.<br /><br />Lucas = warm beer<br />Vette Healey<br />Stand up "fun" a VW with a sun roof (not mentioned directly but the thought was there)<br /><br />Terry<br />Fla<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-82125689520070097782012-09-28T16:06:35.601-04:002012-09-28T16:06:35.601-04:00"Yes, that Honda Minivan will do all that. Bu..."Yes, that Honda Minivan will do all that. But try getting laid because you drive one."<br /><br />Kids these days: You can get laid IN one (in comfort).<br /><br />;-)<br /><br />That being said, never personally having used a vehicle as date-bait, does that even work in real life? <br /><br />I mean just because because they girl wants to drive it/be seen in it , it doesn't follow that she's all warmed up for for the owner/driver.<br /><br />What do I know? I personally flirted seriously with buying a minivan as bachelor. I'm probably on the wrong wavelength.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-61789235226529743272012-09-28T16:00:12.204-04:002012-09-28T16:00:12.204-04:00As an old fart who grew up in the era of that AH a...As an old fart who grew up in the era of that AH and could field strip a Ford flathead in an hour I see a beautifully restored roadster in your photos. I recall people putting small block Chevys in those and burning the tires off of them. While agreeing that modern cars have a lot of great features we didn't have in the 50's and 60's I'd rather take a leisurely drive down Main Street on a Sunday afternoon in a 57 Chevy BelAir, a 56 Ford Crown Vic or that AH 3000 than in a dweebmobile like a Honda minivan or a Volkswagen Pissant.<br /><br />TAK in CAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-85303642504225587612012-09-28T14:42:25.254-04:002012-09-28T14:42:25.254-04:00I had to go check -- the 3000 went out of producti...I had to go check -- the 3000 went out of production in 67, the year before the mandate for collapsible steering columns.<br /><br />I know that different things spook different people. For me, the thought of regularly driving a pre-68 car does it.<br /><br />We all know that '50's and '60's cars are deathtraps in a crash compared to modern ones, but there are a few, like the MGB, that have been subjected to modern crash testing 30 or more years later and met contemporary standards. Apparently there are Australian importers who are retrofitting '90's MG RV8 (reissued V8-poweredMGB cars from Japan and the UK) to meet 2004 Australian safety standards -- this requires changing some lights and the odometer, and retrofitting side impact beams into the doors:<br />http://www.mgrv8.com/ausrv8.phpDOuglas2noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-82521363055508657972012-09-28T14:16:30.562-04:002012-09-28T14:16:30.562-04:00My dad was looking for a British sports car to tin...My dad was looking for a British sports car to tinker with - I found him a 1953 Austin-Healey 100 sitting in a barn, with the engine where the passenger seat should have been. He's spent many enjoyable years restoring it. A couple years ago, we took it on a road trip from Seattle to San Diego and back. It was lots of fun, but boy, did I get sunburned.<br /><br />I keep threatening to pick one up, and replace the lump of cast iron that passes for a powerplant with a front wheel drive package from an econobox. Either that, or do a Toyota MR2 mid-engine transplant. I'd love to see the look on the flat-hatter's faces when I showed up in that!RollsCanardlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10614605001998557836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-48955210229843353142012-09-28T12:04:21.355-04:002012-09-28T12:04:21.355-04:00Wasn't Austin Healey the sidekick on I Dream o...Wasn't Austin Healey the sidekick on I Dream of Jeannie?SteveOhttp://steveoglesby.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-15068751163290102192012-09-28T11:54:42.544-04:002012-09-28T11:54:42.544-04:00Blackwing1,
"I dunno...my wife's '97...Blackwing1,<br /><br />"<i>I dunno...my wife's '97 Miata is durned near as pretty, has modern-car reliability, and is probably just as much fun to drive.</i>"<br /><br />...and would eat the "Big Healey" for lunch. ;)Tamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07285540310465422476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-38452632512481213912012-09-28T11:18:24.068-04:002012-09-28T11:18:24.068-04:00I dunno...my wife's '97 Miata is durned ne...I dunno...my wife's '97 Miata is durned near as pretty, has modern-car reliability, and is probably just as much fun to drive.<br /><br />Maybe it's just one-too-many-times of having to come get a friend whose MG has been struck to a stand-still by Lucas, the Prince of Darkness.Blackwing1noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-87901540330486345262012-09-28T10:52:38.353-04:002012-09-28T10:52:38.353-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-61427719759470286862012-09-28T10:46:36.879-04:002012-09-28T10:46:36.879-04:00My B-I-L had a Healy 3000 which I coveted more tha...My B-I-L had a Healy 3000 which I coveted more than I did his jaunty tweed cap. He had to adjust the valves once a month or it wouldn't work. Do you watch <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g9JU9udn9U" rel="nofollow">Top Gear</a>? Why in heaven's name not?Rodger the Real King of Francehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11349261387199416434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-58925032056079540602012-09-28T10:44:41.011-04:002012-09-28T10:44:41.011-04:00Anon 10:16,
Yes, that Honda Minivan will do all t...Anon 10:16,<br /><br />Yes, that Honda Minivan will do all that. But try getting laid because you drive one.<br /><br />(That quote was stolen from my #2 son explaining why he didn't want a Saturn.) rickn8orhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16911803300343351338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-80848464031225932282012-09-28T10:23:32.396-04:002012-09-28T10:23:32.396-04:00Anon 10:16,
Oh, yeah, the car pictured would be l...Anon 10:16,<br /><br />Oh, yeah, the car pictured would be lucky to crack the eleven second barrier 0-60 and might kiss 115mph downhill with a tailwind. It would be destroyed by any random Taurus or Camry at the local Hertz lot...<br /><br />...and it's still ten times the fun to drive. :)Tamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07285540310465422476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-35462134017919555752012-09-28T10:16:43.955-04:002012-09-28T10:16:43.955-04:00Is that the Healey a modern 6 cylinder Honda Miniv...Is that the Healey a modern 6 cylinder Honda Minivan with good (sport)tires can give a run for money to in cornering, straight line acceleration, can beat the pants off in braking, gets a equal or better fuel economy... ( and works in the rain, and in winter, and has A/C, and holds your coffee and 6 people)<br /><br />I know, not the point. As someone once pointed out the MG is the most fun you can have going 35mph while watching your rear wheel pass you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-64261927761967461552012-09-28T09:54:42.179-04:002012-09-28T09:54:42.179-04:00From the days when they knew how to make a sports ...From the days when they knew how to make a sports car look good.BobGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15405172215849046373noreply@blogger.com