Car Fanatics

[Finance Dave]

Do you have a love for cars? Do you work on them? Tell us about your ride!

I was an auto tech back in the mid '80s...did it for about 5 years. I've always loved musclecars...only had a few. Today I own two of them.


This is a 1969 Camaro with a 383. I've had this one since 1984 and done most of the mechanical work myself. I don't do interior or body work. It is not a real Z28, but did have a DZ302 engine in it until I put the 383 in about 2 years ago. Most people call this a "clone".






This is a 2007 Shelby GT500. I've modified it with a larger supercharger, custom tune, cold air kit, smaller upper pulley for more boost, and driveshaft safety loop with carbon fiber driveshaft. It has dyno tested at 638 HP at the rear wheels, which translates to about 750 HP at the engine. It is "scary" fast.

 

[Car-Guy]

Too many to list "over all the years" and too many stories to tell. Current hot rod is a Jeep Trackhawk. Totally stock it runs 0-60 in about 3 flat and the 1/4 in 11.2 at 122.... (The 1/8 mile reading is in kph for some reason)
I'm thinking about adding on some performance mods someday.

 

[Finance Dave]

Wow, that's fast...let's see a pic of it soon. My Mustang runs 12.0 at 129...can't get any traction lol. I don't have slicks, it's a street car...but if could get it to hook up it would probably drop a full second off 1/4 mile.

 

[aja8888]

That is ONE NICE CAMERO!

Right now...2005 Mustang Convert with 60K on it.

Many old performance cars over the years..... I miss my 1965 Vette the most.

Don't get me started....LOL!

 

[Ronstar]

I’ve had my 2001 corvette closing in on 20 years. But it’s time for a change. I’m selling it and getting a new Ford Bronco. Going to mod the Bronco with wheels, tires, maybe a lift and who knows what else. And I’m going to keep my 2017 F-150 forever.

 

[Car-Guy]

Wow, that's fast...let's see a pic of it soon. My Mustang runs 12.0 at 129...can't get any traction lol. I don't have slicks, it's a street car...but if could get it to hook up it would probably drop a full second off 1/4 mile.

Traction isn't a problem with the Jeep since it's an AWD vehicle... If you notice on my posted numbers it gets to 100mph PDQ (~7 sec) and then starts dropping off since it's an SUV with the aerodynamics of a brick and weighs over 6000lbs. Heck it takes it another ~4 sec just to get from 100 to 120...


There have been a couple of guys (see on Utube videos) that have modded their Trackhawks to ~1000hp and are getting 0-60 in the mid 2's and the 1/4 in mid 10's and low 130's. To be honest, I would have expected more from the mods and is one of the main reasons I've kept mine stock at 707hp.

 

[Dtail]

2011 BMW Z4. Still love the car. Top down driving season currently.

 

[Finance Dave]

I'll never be able to afford the ultimate car...a Ferarri F40. But boy would I love to have a few hot laps in one of those.

Thanks for all that have posted so far! I like most types of cars, so keep the comments coming!

We have an RX350 for an everday car, and then I have a 2016 F150 "work truck" (very basic, standard cab, vinyl seats, rubber floor mats, 8' bed) that I use for the rental work I do and minimal other trips. Mostly we use the Lexus.

 

[38Chevy454]

I have several old or collectible type cars:
1) 1968 GTO, completely stock numbers matching, I have owned it for 41 years now. Never will be sold.
2) 2006 GTO, approx 500 rear wheel hp. 405 ci stroker LS2 bottom end with LS3 top end. 6 speed manual. Very fun to drive, but probably looking to sell it once spring gets here and nicer weather. With some slicks, I am sure this car would run 10's in the quarter.
3) 1937 Ford Utility Coupe (Ute), from Australia. 302/C4/9-inch, basic hot rodded
4) 1937 Chevy Utility Coupe, also from AU. Completely stock except 12v conversion. Runs and drives good, just like an old car.
5) 1952 GMC Pickup, has Jaguar IFS and IRS, 350 Chevy/700R4 drivetrain. Probably drive this around the most, it's a great driver.
6) 1952 Chevy Utility Coupe, also from AU. My latest project, currently has 235 six cyl with a T-5 OD manual trans and 57 Chevy rearend. Still working on this one.

I imported the two Chevy Utes myself, the Ford Ute I bought already over here in US. The Utes are very rare over here since this model was only produced in AU, so the only ones over here in US have been imported form AU. All three of my Utes are RHD. I also have an older 1988 Ford F-250 diesel 4x4, but that's just my home improvement hauler or car trailer towing vehicle. Not really a vehicle for this thread. So yes I spend a lot of time and money on my old cars. Do essentially all of the work myself, except final paint as I don't have a paint booth.

 

[Bigdawg]

got rid of the 350Z in June. Picked up a 68 Chevelle with a 454 in September. Bought that with a buddy. He fell in love and bought me out. I still help him with it. Picked up a 1983 Jeep Scrambler CJ8 in November. Love it. Had a 63 Corvair and a 2007 300C. That's it for the cool stuff.

 

[Dawg52]

The car I always craved but never owned was Jim Rockford's(Rockford Files) Firebird.

https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/c...d-rockford-files-and-live-james-garner-dream/

I did own a 1980 Mazda RX 7 back in the day. The most enjoyable car I ever owned. Now I drive a boring Traverse.

 

[Dtail]

The car I always craved but never owned was Jim Rockford's(Rockford Files) Firebird.

https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/c...d-rockford-files-and-live-james-garner-dream/

I did own a 1980 Mazda RX 7 back in the day. The most enjoyable car I ever owned. Now I drive a boring Traverse.

Very nice Firebird. Even nicer if it had the bird.

 

[RobbieB]

I had me a '57 Bel-Aire Sport Coupe. Bright red. Bought it in Texas (no rust) and drove it to CA in 1979. Put the Holly manifold, carb and headers on. Put sound in. Drove it to the Classic Chevy show in Reno.

Got stolen out my carport. Done with cars.

Got me a Honda 350 that I could chain to the carport post. Been doin' bikes ever after.

 

[Jerry1]

In 1987 I bought a Buick Grand National. It was fun but alas, it was too tempting for the thieves. My first one got stolen with 1500 miles on it. I got a few more years and 60K miles out of the replacement but it too was stolen. I didn’t have the finances to have proper indoor storage of a great car like that so I gave up trying. It was a blast while it lasted. I’ve always appreciated classic GM’s. My first infatuation was a neighbor’s ‘69 Z28 Camaro. That would have been around 1976, so not really a classic at the time. The he replaced it with a Nova. The GTO was always a great car and the Chevelle’s were right up my ally. I really grew to like the mid-sized muscle cars. Hence the Buick GN.

 

[travelover]

Never owned a muscle car but live vicariously through YouTube. I love Leno's garage episodes, especially the sleeper cars like the so called derelicts.

 

[Out-to-Lunch]

Enjoyed a 1982 911SC back in the day, but here is my current toy. It is a 1999 BMW 328, but there is a bit of a surprise under the hood. Just a stock LS1, nothing outrageous.

 

[Finance Dave]

Wow, some great posts here!

38Chevy, you like them a bit older...cool.

Bigdawg, I had a '69 Chevelle with a 396/325...but it was not in the greatest shape.

Dawg52, I also love TransAms, but I prefer the early '70s cars...maybe with a 455. Love the "diamondplate" dashboards.

Robbie, those '57s are very popular still. The chrome on those '50s cars was awesome.

Jerry, I love GNs! I had a friend who had one and it was really spiced up...amazing the HP per cubic inch on those things...I think they were 231 cid IIRC.

Outtolunch, when I was a technician in the '80s, there was a Porsche car dealer about 5 miles from our shop. They ran four businesses separately...the body shop, repairs, the used car shop, and new car sales. The body shop would fix a wrecked car, but their body shop would want to charge them about $100 to do a 4-wheel alignment, when we did them retail for about $60 at that time...so they let us do all their alignments after fixing wrecked cars. Therefore, I got to drive many '80s Porsches. I loved the 911...but admittedly it was hard to get used to the pedals coming up from the floor rather than hanging down. Those cars scoot!

I've never owned a BMW, but my former boss loved them.

 

[mojavesue]

I worked at a Ford dealership for quite a few years so have owned my share of Mustangs. I am currently in to off roading and exploring. I am a Toyota Land Cruiser fanboy now! I own a 95 FZJ80 that Ive done quite a bit too. I also blew some dough this year and bought a 21 Heritage edition Land Cruiser.

 

[Car-Guy]

Wow, that's fast...let's see a pic of it soon.

Here's the only picture that really counts, IMO.

 

[eytonxav]

The car I miss the most was my 67 Motion Performance SS396 Chevelle which I bought new when I was in HS. Rode around the streets on M&H wrinkle walls and ate goats for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A more recent one was a Mallett 435 Corvette, more of a road racer than an drag car. Lots of others before and after those two and I miss almost all of them. Current car is an Audi RS5.

 

[Tom52]

Yes, I have a life long passion for old cars, especially Chevys. I have owned many over the years, some of the ones I remember:

1955 Nomad
1957 Nomad
1957 Belair 2dr hdtp (owned two of them)
1962 Impala SS Conv. 327 4 speed
1963 Impala 22 2dr hdtp
1967 Camaro SS350 4 speed
1967 Impala SS 2 dr hdtp
1968 Impala 2dr hdtp
1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 4 speed, factory air
1969 Camaro Indy Pace Car, every option available, 375hp 396, 4 speed
1975 Monza 400hp 350, 4 speed. Scary off the line.
1986 El Camino Choo Choo custom

Most of the above were in above average to show car condition.

Unfortunately, I only have room for one toy car now. I have bored you with these photos in the past. It is my 1965 Impala SS convertible with just under 46,000 documented original miles. It has the original engine that has never been rebuilt. It is a factory air car which makes it somewhat unique. Nowadays it only gets driven to the monthly cruise nights and close by outings with the car clubs. When on display most people comment about how large the trunk is, but other brands of that same era such as Olds, Buick, and Pontiacs were even larger than mine. I have owned this car for 22 years now.

 

[Ronstar]

^Very nice! I had a 67 Impala in high school/ start college and it didn't look quite like yours. But it did have a big trunk.

 

[Ready2Go]

Here's my current heap. 66 Chevelle SS396. This is the 5th or 6th Chevelle I've owned. All were "drivers" until this one. I wanted to do something different with this one. I bought it in 2004 and spent 5 years doing a nut/bolt, frame off restoration. All numbers matching. Original CA car....hence the CA plates. (Those are the original plates that the care was first registered with, by the way. I had them restored.) I don't drive the car much....only 100 miles since restoration was completed....most miles are driving on and off of show fields throughout the country.

 

[JP.mpls]

My first car was a 1967 Olds 442.
I loved that car.
I somehow got into old VWs, and never had another muscle car.
I've owned about a dozen old VW bugs over the years, and have some thoughts about getting another, but so far have avoided doing this. I like the real old ones. 64 or older. Would love an old Porsche 356 coupe, but that isn't happening.
About two years ago I bought an old 1971 GMC 3/4 ton pickup, and I love the damn thing. It has old faded out paint, but is fairly rust free. It makes me laugh when I drive it around, and I can actually use it for hauling stuff, and my boat too.
I think I'm like Sandford and Son in it. Most people are appalled when they see it, and feel sorry for the old man that has to drive that old wreck around. Funny.
JP

 

[Car-Guy]

Here's my current heap. 66 Chevelle SS396. This is the 5th or 6th Chevelle I've owned. All were "drivers" until this one. I wanted to do something different with this one. I bought it in 2004 and spent 5 years doing a nut/bolt, frame off restoration. All numbers matching. Original CA car....hence the CA plates. (Those are the original plates that the care was first registered with, by the way. I had them restored.) I don't drive the car much....only 100 miles since restoration was completed....most miles are driving on and off of show fields throughout the country.

I had one just like it until about 6 or 7 years ago... Even the same color... I had a 4 speed in mine and it was a real beast back in it's day.... It's one of only two cars I wish I would have kept...