I don't know why I even go over there anymore, since it's always the same old stuff. I read about one out of every twenty posts. I looked again this morning, and threw in my two cents,,,,,and now I'm done.
Here was my response:
quote:
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Oh ya i just want to add one more thing...don't build a car that has the words" donor"
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Comments like the one quoted above, are precisely the reason why I have gone from visiting this site almost daily,,,,,to only coming here about once every other week.
Why there needs to be this "mine is bigger than yours attitude", I don't know. I do know that it has gotten old, so I hardly ever post here at all anymore.
It's too bad, since I have over twenty years experience as an auto tech, you'd think I could spend my spare time helping out others with technical advice. ....Or I could help those considering track events, since I've been roadracing -instructing for many years, too.
Instead, I am "turned off" by those who feel the need to flaunt their "wallets".
Hey, if you can afford an ERA, Kirkham, CSX4000,,,that's great,,,,
good for you. It doesn't give you a license to treat the guy with a less expensive car like a second class citizen.
I have a friend in Kansas City with an ERA.
It is an absolutely beautiful car. I have looked at the car closely and have alot of respect for ERA and their product is top notch.
My friend is also a very nice guy, who loves this hobby and appreciates craftsmanship & a job well done, whether it be a nice cobra or a nicely restored studabaker.
My friend's ERA has a jag rear in it, (I believe) a subaru steering rack, a triumph (or other british car) steering column, and I think the wheels are from Trigo.
Obviously these pieces (whether bought new- or refurbished) come from sources other than ERA.
Why???????? because they work just fine and it would be silly for ERA to spend resources making their own diffs, in house, when the jag unit is available.
These cars are produced in low volumes, so if there is an existing part that can do a job properly and help contain costs,,,,,,it only makes sense to use it.
Now, the cobra I built three years ago (and recently sold), and DROVE to almost all of the Kansas City cobra club meetings(about 80 miles each way),,,,,,was built using a "donor" mustang.
I used the gas tank, rear axle, front spindles, brake calipers, parking brake, engine ,trans, fanshroud, and pedal assembly from a 1990 mustang GT to build that car.
I would take it on 200 plus mile little road trips without hesitation,
it averaged 20 mpg, and ran high 12 sec 1/4 mile times with BFG radial T/A/s on it,,,,I also won a regional autocross championship with the car.
I did clean, rebuild and detail all of my "donor" parts,,,,,and trust me,,,,,,my car was FAR from being junk!
In ten thousand miles , I never once had a mechanical failure with the car.
Althought I did have to pull over and offer help TWICE to other members of the club whose big block cars were overheating and giving them fits.
The simple fact is that the "donor" concept has made it possible for the "blue collar enthusiast" to live out his dream of building/driving one of these cars.
It is true, that I am not a wealthy man,,,,,therefore, having $1ook invested in a car is out of the question for me.
If you can afford to do that, again,,,,,great,,,,more power to you..........
but don't think for a second that you are any better than the hard working guy, who has saved money for years, and dedicated all of his spare time building the car he has dreamed about since he was a kid.
That guy deserves RESPECT for, being determined to live out that dream! ......and for those of you who look down on them as if you (or your toys are "better"),,,,,,,,,,,,, well,
You should be ashamed of yourselves.
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Alain V.
http://www.expage.com/benzracer
