Tuesday, December 21, 2010

You Gotta Love My Dad!

My Dad is an amazing guy! You probably wouldn't think of him as a "Gear-Head", but he is knowledgeable about cars and things mechanical. As a little kid, I can remember my dad and my uncles overhauling the engine in one of the family cars (a Hudson I think), and when I was about 15, I helped my dad rebuild the 4 banger out of our '59 Volvo. I don't think he did this because he enjoyed it, it was just something that needed to be done. We did have some fun though in the '70's when my brother Rick and I decided to go dirt track racing. We built a '67 Le Mans and then a '66 4-4-2 and went racing at Ascot Park in Gardena, Ca. More often than not, Dad would be out in the garage wrenching on the cars with us, and he was at the track every weekend in the pits for us.

While Rick and I were into "Muscle Cars", Dad's tastes ran toward classics like the Packard roadsters or the Hollywood Graham (Google that one!) and he sometimes thought about restoring one or even building a replica. When we would visit "Kit-Car" shows, Dad would be scoping out a Mercedes 540K or boat-tail Auburn while I was drooling over Cobras and Grand Sport Corvettes. Ever the practical person that he was, dad's automotive dreams stayed on the back burner. This was to change though.

Some time around 2002, Rick, our brother-in-law and our nephew presented Dad with an unbuilt CMC (I think) Bugatti kit and a VW pan that someone had purchased years before and then left sitting in their garage. Working on a very spare time basis, Dad built his Bugatti in about 6 years. It sits on a Karmann-Ghia pan with disc brakes, IRS and a 1776 cc motor with dual Solex carbs. A few weeks shy of his 82nd birthday, dad had the car completed, licensed and headed off to Knotts Berry Farm for the Association of Handcrafted Automobiles "Fun In The Sun" car show. First crack out of the box and he comes home with a trophy. Several more trophies came from other shows since then, and Dad's still having fun with his little car. After one "Cruise Night" type gathering, Dad was stopped while leaving by none other than Jay Leno who wanted to get a closer look at the "Bugatti" replica.

I can only hope that when I'm in my 80's that I'm still having as much fun. Like I said, "You Gotta Love My Dad!"

Thursday, December 9, 2010

New Color

New Color Scheme!

Here's the color that we've settled on. It's still Keith Tanner's car used for illustration. I can't wait until I have my own car to show off. I may add some stripes or graphics to really make it POP! I'm still undecided as to whether to paint the side panels or leave them plain aluminum. Still have lots of time to decide, though.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

WARNING! WARNING!

In some of my previous posts, I mentioned that Locosts have been built using any number of cars as a donor. Everything from English Fords, to Pintos, Miatas (mine), Chevy S-10 trucks, the list goes on and on. It has come to my attention that there are some who are considering a donor that I feel dooms their efforts to total failure!


If You Try to build this



Using this



You'll Get This!



Again, a little fun with photo-Shop. Special thanks to Keith Tanner and whoever sent me the Smart Car pic.

"Gathering" News

The 2011 Midwest Gathering is "Gathering" momentum. First of all, they have added a day to the schedule to allow for an impromptu Auto-X. The dates are now June 9th through the 12th (Thurs - Sun). Secondly, they have doubled the block of rooms that are reserved at The Hub Hotel for the Locosters. I have been anxiously watching the posts for other "Locost celebs" in addition to Jack McCornack and MAX.


MAX in his newer, more aerodynamic form.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

UPDATE!

Nothing much to report as to progress on the car. At present, my garage is jammed with household storage for our son and daughter-in-law until they can get home to Missouri. At this time, they are stranded in So-Cal 'til they can get a new engine for their SUV. Maybe they can make it home this month. Carol and I are anxious to see them and our grand daughters, including a brand new one that we have never met!

We're also looking forward to the Mid-West Locost gathering in June. I just learned today that Jack McCornack of Kinetic Vehicles, is planning to be here along with MAX (see above), his 80 mpg, turbo-diesel Locost. You can learn more about MAX at http://www.kineticvehicles.com/MAX10.html

MAX in his original configuration.


More to come soon (I hope!)