Car Pics and Related

After thinking long and hard about it, I decided this past year that it was time to sell my Datsun 510 race car. I never thought I would see the day when I no longer owned a 510. During the summer of 2000 I purchased a semi-working Kit Car and started the restoring process. After much work, the car is running wonderfully! I do not know the name of the body kit but I know that It is built on a 1974 VW Bug frame with a 1969 VW Bug engine. I still have more work to do, including the fabrication of roll bar supports and the reinforcing of the frame.
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Yes, another project car.. I purchased this 1997 Jeep Wrangler TJ Sport in May of 2001. I sold my Ford Bronco (see ham radio pages for pics of Bronco) and needed another vehicle to take off-road when I felt so inclined (no pun intended). When I purchased this jeep it was stock except for oversized wheels and tires. Since its purchase I have installed a 3" body lift, 33x12.5x15 BFW AT tires, rear light brush guards, a Quick Air 2 air compressor, mirror relocation brackets, a dual-band ham antenna with 2M radio, a CB/antenna and miscellaneous other goodies like a stereo and seat covers. Future mods include sway bar quick disconnects, winch and tow points and wider fender flares. I am am also joining two local Jeep/4x4 clubs. Below are some pics taken during the SPARC Ham Radio Field Day exercises in June of 2001.

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After doing tons of research, and after deciding that it was time to sell the Ford Bronco (see HAM pages), I choose a 2001 Acura MDX to be my next daily driver. This SUV is incredible! I looked at other SUVs such as the Mitsubishi Montero, the Lexus RX300, the Mercedes ML320, and the Nissan Xterra and in my opinion there was no comparison between these vehiclas and the Acura MDX. With the built in satellite navigation system and the dual band ham radio installed, I am now ready for any occasion. Since its purchase I have added steps, moonroof and tail deflectors, Razo 4100K headlight replacements (for HID-looking white light), hitch and coolers, a tint job and a Stoneguard installation (invisible bra). Here are a few pics taken 6/01.
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In case you are wondering, the car below is NOT a BMW 2000.  This is a 1971 Datsun 510.  These are great cars because that are built so perfectly to be modified for racing.  It is very light and comes with independent suspension.  My race car weighs about 1750lbs and generates about 150hp.   The new motor should generate around 200hp.  In its existing configuration, the car runs the quarter mile in about 14.5 seconds, which is a few car lengths faster than the 5.0 liter Mustang LX.

After several seasons of racing, I decided that it was time to rebuild the race car..

Well here it is.. Time to get started.

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Here my friend Rob is filling in the rear door handles.. This car WAS a 4 door !

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The rear flares have been riveted and glassed in.  The door has been welded and it is time to form the flares so that they contour with the body.

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All accessories, such as trunk lids, lights, and windows are removed.

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The doors and flares have been formed and the primering has begun.

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The car is placed on jackstands to prepare for painting.

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My friend Pat and I are covering the engine compartment.

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Pat and I are finishing the covering of the engine compartment while Rob
finishes the hood.

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Painting is a dirty job !  Yep, thats me !

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OK, now time to to remove the fenders and paint the engine compartment..

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I used my garage to build a painting booth.  Even though everything in the
garage was protected by the plastic walls of the paint booth, my lawn mower
and weed eater turned white with paint from the overspray.  Oh well.....