tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90611284258737817372024-03-28T20:29:51.562-07:00Dave, Car GuyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061128425873781737.post-50876083142477007972023-12-29T07:00:00.000-08:002023-12-29T07:00:48.847-08:00Removing the Datsun 510 Transmission, Clutch replacement coming soon!<p><span style="font-family: arial;">As a follow-up to my post about the <a href="https://davecarguy.blogspot.com/2023/03/i-picked-up-this-original-owner-1971.html" target="_blank">purchase of my 1969 original-owner Datsun 510</a>, and the one about my <a href="https://davecarguy.blogspot.com/2023/03/first-steps-restoring-datsun-510.html" target="_blank">first steps in the restoration</a>, several months of driving had lead me to the decision to replace the clutch.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course that, as always, is leading to more of the "While I'm in there..." disease. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #383a3b;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59);">To replace the clutch. I pulled the transmission, and to do so I needed to remove the motor mounts to tilt the engine, and I had to remove hoses, etc for the tilt. So now the engine is completely disconnected so I'm compelled to just go ahead and take it out to more easily do the clutch and rebuild at least the top end while cleaning the whole thing up. </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #383a3b;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59);">After 53 years of some neglect, I have a feeling this is going to take me down a long path. But hey, that's why I bought the car, to bring it at least partially back to its original glory. The engine bay is the least nice part of the car, so I'll have to decide just how far I want to go in re-wiring, refinishing and painting it. Since I have no plans to repaint the whole car, I expect I'll be a bit hesitant to over-do the engine bay, but we shall see.</span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #383a3b;">Removing the transmission without a second pair of hands was sometimes frustrating. I should have asked for some help but I kinda wanted to do it myself. At least now it's out and getting cleaned up. More updates to follow!</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50MYWl3v6kj6p5drjFEf5RHSzELSgvVNpTUS3gtj3bZkOK5XoG64oHj3KPIfJJAvkSDKoHeIXq-762696dk6pkBzH4yLfI_8J9VNH_WSIaxXaxYOodXi-03VR6poSLbD6awHq0UmJeLpmDoRx73aWXSzCS007UyYP5JM-1g3ThRqT1CYoUt7jilWtI3w/s4032/IMG_6444.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50MYWl3v6kj6p5drjFEf5RHSzELSgvVNpTUS3gtj3bZkOK5XoG64oHj3KPIfJJAvkSDKoHeIXq-762696dk6pkBzH4yLfI_8J9VNH_WSIaxXaxYOodXi-03VR6poSLbD6awHq0UmJeLpmDoRx73aWXSzCS007UyYP5JM-1g3ThRqT1CYoUt7jilWtI3w/s320/IMG_6444.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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font-family: Inter, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Fira Sans, Droid Sans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Well, I've had the MX5 Cup car for about six months now and it continues to impress me. Our track club, the Turn 2 Driver's Club, has some excellent racers and drivers amongst our group. They race in everything from Porsche Cup cars to historic </span></span></span><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: Inter, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Fira Sans, Droid Sans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">MGs and from Lamborghini Trofeos to Formula 3 and Formula Mazda. But every one of them that gets in the MX5 loves it. Just as I do. For me, it's the perfect companion car for my Datsun 510 historic race car. They both rely on light weight, balance, grip and cornering ability to get around the track fast, as opposed to out right power. They both teach you more about brake pressures, brake release and throttle points than almost any high-horsepower supercar with tons of driving aids. They are pure and raw cars for driving, and that is what makes them so popular and compelling.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: Inter, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Fira Sans, Droid Sans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">So, I thought I'd share a couple videos and thoughts. This first one is a 3-car video shot during one of our small private races at Thunderhill Raceway in October. Of the five cars on track, only three had their video cameras rolling (I was not one of them). I'm in the red/white/black car #5. I qualified in second, so I'm starting on the right side of the front row and you'll see me go around the outside of Turn 1 at the start of the race to take first place going into Turn 2. But I lose that position in Turn 9 and it's instructive to see why. These cars are so well matched and highly sensitive to mistakes. If you pick the wrong gear (in my case) or get to throttle just a tad late, the next guy will catch you. As I said, it is a car that makes you better because you need to focus on every small detail of your race.</span></span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DAl7U_tDSM8" width="320" youtube-src-id="DAl7U_tDSM8"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: Inter, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">And here is another video from inside the MX5. I went to a track day with Hooked on Driving on Dec 2 at Thunderhill Raceway with a few friends from our "Turn 2" in our MX5 Cup cars. Good fun was had. I was a bit off my recent personal best time of 2:03.9 from that prior race day, but I did manage a 2:04.9 on tires that weren't fresh. Not too much traffic on the track, but it's sometimes hard to convince those GT3s that yes, in fact, that MX5 is still on your tail! </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: Inter, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Fira Sans, Droid Sans, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); font-size: 14px;">The MX5 is so much fun, and I let a couple GT3 drivers test it out (off track) because they were curious how the heck it corners and brakes so well. They came away impressed, which says a lot. I'm still two to three seconds off the lap pace that my professional MX5 driving coach can do in this car, so I've got more to learn about trusting the car at high speeds in corners like Turn 1, where I'm losing several MPH. Of course, at my age and stage of life, I have a slightly different motivation and risk-aversion profile than the 23-year old pros that drive this car for a living.</span></span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C4OguZUSwIw" width="320" youtube-src-id="C4OguZUSwIw"></iframe></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: Inter, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061128425873781737.post-6828731221372127782023-08-09T08:53:00.007-07:002023-09-12T19:02:05.878-07:00Dave , Car Guy is also Dave, MX-5 Cup Guy<div class="separator"><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><span style="font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -0.3px;"><br /></span></span></span></p></div><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><span style="font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -0.3px;">It is inevitable, I suppose. If one is a car enthusiast, regardless of whether you're into high-end brands or home-built racers, the legend of the Mazda MX-5 as a driver's car and a great track weapon eventually filter into your brain. </span></span></span></p><p><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -0.3px;">Inevitable outcome: I bought my first MX-5.</span></p><p><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -0.3px;">In my case, this is not a street car (in fact, has no VIN). It is a factory MX5 Cup car. I bought it used from Flis Performance in Florida, after getting refurbished. This is chassis 214 from the factory. It won the 2021 MX-5 Cup championship, driven by Gresham Wagner. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0DSM218lXs29p11WPGHbMToth_DLmlii9NG5po7eN-xss1BsNOc6BARr7GPI8x3bJw0hxir1D-uNGjfCz8_3c8AFdvCZuEbwZSL0wupf-OlHxSEOx3jY0T0MiN14FyCMTUIVcpqWT8f6ZpIxfZFVLZmY5GS0aiHWo9RvxsjvrmaidE6tlTk924Dvlabo/s3063/DSC_0541.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2042" data-original-width="3063" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0DSM218lXs29p11WPGHbMToth_DLmlii9NG5po7eN-xss1BsNOc6BARr7GPI8x3bJw0hxir1D-uNGjfCz8_3c8AFdvCZuEbwZSL0wupf-OlHxSEOx3jY0T0MiN14FyCMTUIVcpqWT8f6ZpIxfZFVLZmY5GS0aiHWo9RvxsjvrmaidE6tlTk924Dvlabo/w400-h266/DSC_0541.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRMj-BY0jefMjBqLMykJFspDNdU0c58jqyWS1OuJHiLL1eAEMiFp9d-Lj8IE4UiH6a0MVGePrkYpStz48jgzEF_TEk5RadL7AvNMkeZR8TzbXF1sWwwDs0bOowP71510qY9k7xRsuwwT7_vVFqlo6kItDqrQUcQER_8TohSpFhZu36lzHvFKJVC0b3uo/s1280/unnamed-50.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRMj-BY0jefMjBqLMykJFspDNdU0c58jqyWS1OuJHiLL1eAEMiFp9d-Lj8IE4UiH6a0MVGePrkYpStz48jgzEF_TEk5RadL7AvNMkeZR8TzbXF1sWwwDs0bOowP71510qY9k7xRsuwwT7_vVFqlo6kItDqrQUcQER_8TohSpFhZu36lzHvFKJVC0b3uo/w400-h266/unnamed-50.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis22AnvuKBRjPqsAVZzOfnlK8Ps9mpQJryA3IpfRPKY3cTQzEzrkjEd6L68uPKy8cWl4EdZCixgF2MEWQvLvAd9VRiOnhLQ8tyX9MI-e188oSdAYhhl5s0oNk2rlXIvxThojg82K1wHiMava7kk5K73TSYVQMmd2txXSu5T8uu7aF1kagnZCVEiELa7uA/s1280/47109797-cffa-4a81-8fbb-bdec60f6528c.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis22AnvuKBRjPqsAVZzOfnlK8Ps9mpQJryA3IpfRPKY3cTQzEzrkjEd6L68uPKy8cWl4EdZCixgF2MEWQvLvAd9VRiOnhLQ8tyX9MI-e188oSdAYhhl5s0oNk2rlXIvxThojg82K1wHiMava7kk5K73TSYVQMmd2txXSu5T8uu7aF1kagnZCVEiELa7uA/w400-h266/47109797-cffa-4a81-8fbb-bdec60f6528c.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -0.3px;">Although it's now painted white, I am planning on returning it to its championship-winning livery, minus the Spark Performance logos. I will be racing it on the West Coast, primarily in private group of 10 racers with new Cup cars, part of the Turn 2 Club I belong to. We are coached and directed by Aaron Jeansonne, who is also being partially sponsored by the Turn 2 club the year. Aaron is in a close battle for the championship lead of the IMSA Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup series.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -0.3px;">I'll still be racing my Datsun 510 in the historic CSRG and SVRA groups, but hopefully doing both will make me better in each!</span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -0.3px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -0.3px;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -0.3px;">My car was refurbished by Flis Performance with new seat, harness, padding, paint, etc. Spark Performance has replaced and refurbished all the mechanicals recently as well. Charlie Hayes Racing (CHR) took my car in and made the finishing touches. The guys at CHR, led strongly by Charlie, are an amazing resource and they are the ones supporting our group, prepping and maintaining the cars, doing transport, etc. I can't say enough good things about this crew!</span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -0.3px;" /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaTGA-KRFbnwx38RTLB3g9L04Y1FnfdZQ3XwaZi-3ufcjtnsDVyQn2O237wer4zNMNweUU7frJgL-s-6G6aRfz_zyaBmQGNXCV6x2bomkm7IQa-0ZhWYPMMAbhU2o9SgXuYsllvtToJ5DbLElUTl3dcx_bTJRFg4KEBwXD8R4NGmdNxI7MvK_AIeYgzE/s4032/IMG_1268.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaTGA-KRFbnwx38RTLB3g9L04Y1FnfdZQ3XwaZi-3ufcjtnsDVyQn2O237wer4zNMNweUU7frJgL-s-6G6aRfz_zyaBmQGNXCV6x2bomkm7IQa-0ZhWYPMMAbhU2o9SgXuYsllvtToJ5DbLElUTl3dcx_bTJRFg4KEBwXD8R4NGmdNxI7MvK_AIeYgzE/w400-h300/IMG_1268.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><span style="font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -0.3px;">I tried an MX-5 out a few months back, at the suggestion of my friend Rick (with whom I also race Datsun 510s), and I was hooked. Thanks, Rick! The sequential transmission in the Cup car is fantastic. Left foot braking possible, with no clutch used on shifts. Bang, bang! The car is a lot like my 510, handling wise, but with more precise steering and far better brakes! Playful at the limit without being scary. A car you can really go hard in and it rewards you when your inputs are correct. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiGMk_0f_flRrPE61Cwt2Crd81p5CPDRJbaJ_S9soiRRxQ8OWI0e7VgiUTkWGzuLheFi42b_XjxSrlcC7Tmwby2HalmXIagUSCU-0ThvuUNpBaNUhpMxlWzXlihoaTHhEyyEZL6NNexbV6zuD3dAdvQOyrA-wRsJqKJv9Dip3St9gs-uau9Ya8E1ZwuA/s4032/IMG_4372.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiGMk_0f_flRrPE61Cwt2Crd81p5CPDRJbaJ_S9soiRRxQ8OWI0e7VgiUTkWGzuLheFi42b_XjxSrlcC7Tmwby2HalmXIagUSCU-0ThvuUNpBaNUhpMxlWzXlihoaTHhEyyEZL6NNexbV6zuD3dAdvQOyrA-wRsJqKJv9Dip3St9gs-uau9Ya8E1ZwuA/w400-h300/IMG_4372.jpeg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><br /></span></div><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -0.3px;">The Turn 2 Club is a group of about 35 drivers that are active in racing and other track activities. We do about 25 track days together at Sonoma Raceway (Sears Point), Laguna Seca, and Thunderhill. About 9 of our members have now purchased these MX-5 Cup cars and we are doing racing/driving development together and creating our own small race series. Many of our guys also race in Formula 3, IMSA, Porsche Sprint Challenge, Lamborghini Super Trofeo, and historic racing. As we do our own thing with these great race cars, we are blessed to have Aaron Jeansonne as our great coach and mentor. We fully expect him to win the MX-5 Cup championship this year.</span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStzl6ZVJ3yFiXS98RVCHkedF-aYxBOgTOXiDo3mSEQFko9N_p1l0U5ua8XlA_v2NcDcIiQrsXp7wSboPsTgKgRbYKR6Y7Cj1PvyFUdNIUyndhffhuqRpQ7zTh6PIwqNFQrSCuGsSfQs2l8ufEBQz5cveP6co4UGGxg2BY72CgxVqbeuoHMW6Se92nkvk/s4032/IMG_1544.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStzl6ZVJ3yFiXS98RVCHkedF-aYxBOgTOXiDo3mSEQFko9N_p1l0U5ua8XlA_v2NcDcIiQrsXp7wSboPsTgKgRbYKR6Y7Cj1PvyFUdNIUyndhffhuqRpQ7zTh6PIwqNFQrSCuGsSfQs2l8ufEBQz5cveP6co4UGGxg2BY72CgxVqbeuoHMW6Se92nkvk/w300-h400/IMG_1544.jpeg" width="300" /></a></span></div><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><span style="font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -0.3px;">It's a sequential shifter, so I'm going to try to unlearn 30+ years of heel-toe downshifting habit because the straight cut gears allow left foot braking and no-clutch shifting. We shall see how that goes. Old dog, new trick, as they say. I'm a pretty dang old dog, so new tricks are not my specialty. But I keep trying! By the way, to understand how these cars are </span></span></span><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -0.3px;">prepared by Flis Performance for the rigors of the MX-5 Cup series, check out this video:</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Mw-JeXEn-SE" width="320" youtube-src-id="Mw-JeXEn-SE"></iframe></div><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -0.3px;">When I then had my first test day in the car, I loved it. We were at Sonoma Raceway with the Turn 2 drivers club. We had six of us testing in MX5s, plus other club members out in a variety of street cars, Cup cars, and formula cars. </span></span></span><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -0.3px;">The car is easy to drive. It recovers well if you have fast hands and a feel for using the throttle to maintain stability. Worst thing to do on this car is to be coasting off throttle through a hard turn. The work I need to do is to get to full throttle a bit earlier in several turns. It’s subtle differences that help.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepLxB6lMwavbrgucuFlr42bUZXm2_Sz0vCXGkyZjL8jQ4DTg0JW9sTjDAoEJ5UrIBoataripFRp9mxK4Kzqdn4sg0RqMIkdqY05l7shFHQ_wTV_7u_V_WvRGR5NstZbYgmUhNST9KamFunUdtPFAyaSwzctBhqNEYDQxneuUO1UzwcHGZr0cOdJrlR6Q/s4032/IMG_1545.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepLxB6lMwavbrgucuFlr42bUZXm2_Sz0vCXGkyZjL8jQ4DTg0JW9sTjDAoEJ5UrIBoataripFRp9mxK4Kzqdn4sg0RqMIkdqY05l7shFHQ_wTV_7u_V_WvRGR5NstZbYgmUhNST9KamFunUdtPFAyaSwzctBhqNEYDQxneuUO1UzwcHGZr0cOdJrlR6Q/w400-h300/IMG_1545.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -0.3px;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -0.3px;">The transmission is an absolute hoot. Once you use the clutch to come out of pit lane from a start in 1st gear, you no longer use it. Upshifts are just hard pulls backward on the solid sequential shifter knob, which feels perfectly sized for the job. The car rev-matches on downshifts, so going into a corner from 4th to 1st while braking hard is a delight. “Bang, bang, bang!” There is a very mechanical feel to those straight cut gears that is accompanied by a very subtle electronic addition of the perfect rev match you hear. Plus a pop from the exhaust. Driving behind one, you will see the flames out the exhaust on the downshift. First gear is tall, goes to 60 mph at 7200 rpm.</span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -0.3px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -0.3px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -0.3px;">The brakes are solid and it takes a lot to induce ABS. The brake zones aren’t super hard at Sonoma, except turns 7 and 11. The car turns in wonderfully and has so much mechanical grip that you find yourself growing in confidence with each lap. I never found myself sending the rear end out on corner exit, as long as i was unwinding my hands after apex. The only times I got squirrelly was on an aggressive brake release or over top of a hill as the car hit light, if I hit brakes without straight hands. </span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><span style="font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -0.3px;">The last couple of days I was at the track again testing the car. My new livery matching the old one from the championship is partly completed! We had 7 of us out in MX-5s and did a bunch of exercises and sessions to improve brake </span></span></span><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><span style="font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -0.3px;">points, passing strategies, and throttle inputs. Below is a video of a couple laps whereI got my times down to where I'm happy for now. Note this is the Sonoma Configuration with the added turn 9 "bus-stop / kink" that slows you down before Turn 10, as the Indy cars use. It makes the track times about 4 seconds slower than the standard track configuration, as it removes the very high speed normal Turn 10.</span></span></p><p><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ufbo22GE14Q" width="320" youtube-src-id="Ufbo22GE14Q"></iframe></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXrJcHC0ZybmADdgMRgETmnGHjutwfDYEWiLE78Te21kSQWd-De442TTIiTWpuDteUb4fgD77ICa8fm61K-6YzW9oSXORsw0Mg2lYqjmBbHOG8d04aIpEnS-MAyAIyWk5YllYF6W3twH9A3-m_MjFLVbAX8ZuGdbZ5dpWFqkTYvzyU_wjJjDqfq955Ck/s4032/IMG_3382.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXrJcHC0ZybmADdgMRgETmnGHjutwfDYEWiLE78Te21kSQWd-De442TTIiTWpuDteUb4fgD77ICa8fm61K-6YzW9oSXORsw0Mg2lYqjmBbHOG8d04aIpEnS-MAyAIyWk5YllYF6W3twH9A3-m_MjFLVbAX8ZuGdbZ5dpWFqkTYvzyU_wjJjDqfq955Ck/w400-h300/IMG_3382.jpeg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhjf0Coe4vq8MAaX9q24DHGIE0Uek6M7vG8l80UOStNqeBvwzu33U5CGswcmiw3hW0E8o_O4e42QqJ4PfflC9xGh7BmDO6bNclmN8OgamiGPFadn8MpGZsynJp36jaiojSZ6ZwVLHGWP2AWglglgkxKRL0ZNvMglVf8na1CVGTwHGPF1OATUe59B6TmU/s4032/IMG_3397.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhjf0Coe4vq8MAaX9q24DHGIE0Uek6M7vG8l80UOStNqeBvwzu33U5CGswcmiw3hW0E8o_O4e42QqJ4PfflC9xGh7BmDO6bNclmN8OgamiGPFadn8MpGZsynJp36jaiojSZ6ZwVLHGWP2AWglglgkxKRL0ZNvMglVf8na1CVGTwHGPF1OATUe59B6TmU/w400-h300/IMG_3397.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -0.3px;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p>Another Day in September with some additional practice. Down to 1:53 at Sonoma. I need to find a couple more seconds.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qjpxdgjj3Sw" width="320" youtube-src-id="qjpxdgjj3Sw"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061128425873781737.post-59389869994304663952023-08-03T07:26:00.012-07:002023-08-04T14:49:53.171-07:00Porsche 911 GT3: Grand Tour of Eight U.S. Western States<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSmDheKe4SlSyKTW1DZrZ2LdLhy2EkBdGPHXiYFZIX1IGA-AsVN0wjh0ngQVegr0artQFwGM5Fj6Lsz5IaoZq7yonpfKjPUqPvx_mCtm2zjRkaQr8Cff1ZyQ_lnlI8efKCDDtRtrWbP8YwGo42_Fw43EcwUravFpfQucssTHwkk8EUcTiLR5W9U1bV4M/s4032/IMG_2125.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSmDheKe4SlSyKTW1DZrZ2LdLhy2EkBdGPHXiYFZIX1IGA-AsVN0wjh0ngQVegr0artQFwGM5Fj6Lsz5IaoZq7yonpfKjPUqPvx_mCtm2zjRkaQr8Cff1ZyQ_lnlI8efKCDDtRtrWbP8YwGo42_Fw43EcwUravFpfQucssTHwkk8EUcTiLR5W9U1bV4M/w400-h300/IMG_2125.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The "GT" in Porsche GT3 stands for "Grand Touring", not "Garage Toy", so it was time to try mine on a trip I've wanted to do for a long time.</p><p>In the late 1960s and 1970s, my car passion was fueled by movies like "The Gumball Rally", "Gone in 60 Seconds", "Cannonball", "Vanishing Point", "The Love Bug", "Smokey and the Bandit", "Duel", and many others. But it was The Gumball Rally that really fueled me (pun intended): it was a coast-to-coast race of all kinds of cars foreign and domestic, a celebration of the open road. Porsche, Jaguar, Shelby, Chevy, Ferrari, etc. Because of that movie, I have always wanted to do a long-range semi-speedy run across the United States, particularly in a Porsche.</p><p>I've taken many road trips in my life, usually with a destination stay in mind. But this time, I wanted it to be mainly about the drive itself. I decided not to do an entire coast-to-coast run (too many straight roads), but one that would take me to some great driving roads I've heard much about: primarily The Beartooth Pass in Montana and the Black Hills of South Dakota. Everything else I could find along the way would be gravy. And I wanted to do it in a car not celebrated for its storage or vacation practicality, but for its pure driving excitement.</p><p>So with the gracious agreement of my lovely wife Jill, aka my "co-driver in life", we made a plan to take the 2018 Porsche GT3 (for my Porschephile friends, it's a "991.2 GT3 6-speed manual"). We devised a route that would end up being much greater than the sum of its parts. Jill was game for the adventure in a small sports car, with the caveat that it should fit a full size piece of luggage for her. It did, plus one for me! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-iJftd-Pu7UwsiYSYDAudMrmAe8O5QJtVqeqxA7hwgHFsTZDsoixEwFT_X56pu2cDI623pDsTPEcxJzvbPjkrCk-vCQ-YVEAEIm4ztCH867p9iBTXUl4Aw_wD32jINpjvoPD82fent0jrkpqoPnjykYZ24STO2k-XOG75THest_LrxVGcH-XCakyg3U/s4032/IMG_1986.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-iJftd-Pu7UwsiYSYDAudMrmAe8O5QJtVqeqxA7hwgHFsTZDsoixEwFT_X56pu2cDI623pDsTPEcxJzvbPjkrCk-vCQ-YVEAEIm4ztCH867p9iBTXUl4Aw_wD32jINpjvoPD82fent0jrkpqoPnjykYZ24STO2k-XOG75THest_LrxVGcH-XCakyg3U/w300-h400/IMG_1986.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p>So here was the basic plan:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOs4TuBEpYHZPosXQg7GudtHyj-GfnMx1cFGSCPxIflj7DRP1dKuWRYCOvGyIWVrGxIPK8MOtfqQ6yvV1bVAGoU9hk0P-VWv_ie6Lju5T9kOLPlvnwnrrYXvTKZBJshKyLJrKOP2r50oa4WyrF9k2uhcNkPQziVZ8tlkkUVLMwwoKI94NAIPKTrz6FIc/s2626/Screenshot%202023-08-01%20at%206.50.59%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1563" data-original-width="2626" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOs4TuBEpYHZPosXQg7GudtHyj-GfnMx1cFGSCPxIflj7DRP1dKuWRYCOvGyIWVrGxIPK8MOtfqQ6yvV1bVAGoU9hk0P-VWv_ie6Lju5T9kOLPlvnwnrrYXvTKZBJshKyLJrKOP2r50oa4WyrF9k2uhcNkPQziVZ8tlkkUVLMwwoKI94NAIPKTrz6FIc/w400-h238/Screenshot%202023-08-01%20at%206.50.59%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Day 1: Danville to Twin Falls, ID. </p><p>Day 2: Twin Falls to Red Lodge, MT via Highway 212 through Yellowstone and the Beartooth Pass. </p><p>Day 3: Red Lodge to Spearfish, MT. Spearfish to Deadwood via the Spearfish Scenic Highway. </p><p>Day 4: Deadwood to the Badlands National Park Scenic Loop. Badlands Loop back to Keystone, SD (location of Mt. Rushmore). </p><p>Day 5: Mt Rushmore National Park. Driving and exploring Iron Mountain Rd (Hwy 16A), Highway 87 The Needles Highway. To Custer State Park Wildlife tour.</p><p>Day 6: Highway 244, Iron Mountain Rd again, Sylvain Lake, Crazy Horse memorial</p><p>Day 7: Custer State Park to Windcave National Park, Windcave to Vail, CO.</p><p>Day 8: Vail, CO</p><p>Day 9: Vail to Aspen via Glenwood Springs and Scenic I-70</p><p>Day 10: Aspen Mountain</p><p>Day 11: Aspen Maroon Bells</p><p>Day 12: Drive Aspen to Park City, UT. (Note: we changed this and went directly home from Aspen)</p><p>Day 13: Park City to Danville, CA </p><p>You can stop reading now and just go do this same trip. You can just trust me that you'll see amazing things and drive great roads and meet wonderful people. Eight states. Four National Parks. With that in mind, now maybe you will forgive me for the following very long post, as this 2-week adventure packs a great deal into it. If you're like me and you just like pretty pictures, scroll on down and I trust you won't be disappointed. We weren't. This was an epic road trip that exceeded all expectations. So I'll give you the day-to-day itinerary, and maybe you can pick and choose pieces that work for you.</p><p><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Day 1: Danville to Twin Falls Idaho</span></u></b></p><p>Day 1 was mainly about getting some miles under us. To get across California, across Nevada, and much of Idaho and almost touch Wyoming. Twin Falls, ID was 660 miles away and Google Maps said it was a 10 hour and 13 minute drive. If you know me, you know what I say to that... "I can beat that". We stopped only briefly to enjoy a few sights along the way, including one of my favorites: Donner Lake as we descend down into Truckee on Highway 80, just before the Nevada border. The even better route takes off before the pass and follows the Yuba River along old Highway 40 and into Donner Lake. But not this time. If you've ever been through Nevada on I-80, you know there isn't much to see past Reno and into places like Winnemucca. But on the plus side, you can make good time.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIzVkagBw0uAJObv8VC8pj4ZAj-oLZs-IXjF0CHsOfwKrw2hRh345YZl_ZsMElo-5jjLXWOzn7oblsG9owdi-dYQ0JwfiTEVmp7n46imw8iCdeJ63UPrr-aypBfFCO65CYa7OYczjqPLtK1nt1iECm-V7i5VuIEobab4WdBWwF5rEwKgZUj_3upBCzm4/s4032/IMG_2638.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIzVkagBw0uAJObv8VC8pj4ZAj-oLZs-IXjF0CHsOfwKrw2hRh345YZl_ZsMElo-5jjLXWOzn7oblsG9owdi-dYQ0JwfiTEVmp7n46imw8iCdeJ63UPrr-aypBfFCO65CYa7OYczjqPLtK1nt1iECm-V7i5VuIEobab4WdBWwF5rEwKgZUj_3upBCzm4/w400-h300/IMG_2638.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>We reached Idaho Falls in time to visit Shoshone Falls, a spectacular sight along the Snake River, just a few short miles downriver from where Evel Knievel attempted to jump the Snake River Canyon on a Jet-powered motorcycle back in the 1970s. For the younger readers: Evel Kneivel was the guy we watched before the X Games, Travis Pastrana, and Ken Block. The car had taken us the 676 miles in 9 hours and 13 minutes. Exactly one hour earlier than expected. Take THAT, Google Maps. I think I deserved a beer. So we stopped into Koto Brewing Company and enjoyed some pub food and a tasty Hazy IPA.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtAUbKDVhaQwxJdrUnPBRGiLHS4r6QmysmibcY9dF8s2yqfU6vQCVoCb4wbgr7UcBwR15mnofOUA4myxv7ky2pOzEEG2-OYXISkrnZJcAvUund9AFX1785oNUNsaAzrFTdcYdzoqFTHbPXlPERLNPGWLUBWAsIasZEDSlZf-C7bTF7_Tnq8j29mNmYaQ/s4928/DSC_0348.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4928" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtAUbKDVhaQwxJdrUnPBRGiLHS4r6QmysmibcY9dF8s2yqfU6vQCVoCb4wbgr7UcBwR15mnofOUA4myxv7ky2pOzEEG2-OYXISkrnZJcAvUund9AFX1785oNUNsaAzrFTdcYdzoqFTHbPXlPERLNPGWLUBWAsIasZEDSlZf-C7bTF7_Tnq8j29mNmYaQ/w400-h265/DSC_0348.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUy2HV7aftC71Qgnm-_Vgj-AGAgfmD1XqCtep0D50oCIFYWC93Dl53xzVB4BHa-nCuIKGid8ag5PVxWU_Df1cZnZf21PdFVDxooOy0N6gN0nb2ovrf8PGBMd6DY63m8Xv39XFer4tQimrDI0i1NK7NjcvYHpC7n6Iti6uCQNfdSgNXIE1FHjnaUaW4u0w/s4928/DSC_0347.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4928" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUy2HV7aftC71Qgnm-_Vgj-AGAgfmD1XqCtep0D50oCIFYWC93Dl53xzVB4BHa-nCuIKGid8ag5PVxWU_Df1cZnZf21PdFVDxooOy0N6gN0nb2ovrf8PGBMd6DY63m8Xv39XFer4tQimrDI0i1NK7NjcvYHpC7n6Iti6uCQNfdSgNXIE1FHjnaUaW4u0w/w400-h265/DSC_0347.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJE3o-tJ0EWMKrxNbU-EwmymBWU4l2O6xpdwozvQzgeXdVJZr0OZmPWP2gFTS1oZ7MI9Drh7bl-g4RsuIKLcvXQxiqkhmjeSpd2YOIJV_p-qty0othzxwACwhcF-bIHb_bwuFW3tsI27h3nR6uI8T4W1lHsMyKhri0lrRtudG1WVA50twu_L7Phi5guGU/s4032/IMG_1989.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJE3o-tJ0EWMKrxNbU-EwmymBWU4l2O6xpdwozvQzgeXdVJZr0OZmPWP2gFTS1oZ7MI9Drh7bl-g4RsuIKLcvXQxiqkhmjeSpd2YOIJV_p-qty0othzxwACwhcF-bIHb_bwuFW3tsI27h3nR6uI8T4W1lHsMyKhri0lrRtudG1WVA50twu_L7Phi5guGU/w300-h400/IMG_1989.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLXY1r7Ce_rDStTTlcskXAB1X6hX3VG5JKaUp627Ii3hf4CpycRaIWbMvU5JOxvEGCpbPoE6BuJDb_lcVnmROvYKgz3H7Vko7y2vXMSyLkI49xwdPRHooE9L69e7dAMOX-pzO15KgbK6RMLEJccjUoxCp5LO2F4HY7-4tWLuq0NpWq7shvUr5O3vM6u0/s2627/IMG_2004.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2267" data-original-width="2627" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLXY1r7Ce_rDStTTlcskXAB1X6hX3VG5JKaUp627Ii3hf4CpycRaIWbMvU5JOxvEGCpbPoE6BuJDb_lcVnmROvYKgz3H7Vko7y2vXMSyLkI49xwdPRHooE9L69e7dAMOX-pzO15KgbK6RMLEJccjUoxCp5LO2F4HY7-4tWLuq0NpWq7shvUr5O3vM6u0/w400-h345/IMG_2004.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Day 2: Twin Falls to Red Lodge Montana via Highway 212 (Beartooth Scenic Highway)</span></u></b><div><br /></div><div>Day 2 started with an error on my part. The car system said "Check oil level" and when I did, I must have read the gauge wrong, because after I added the required amount, it now told me I was over-filled. Not something you want to do on this high-strung GT3 engine with dry sump oiling and a need for a fairly exact amount of oil. So my morning started out with a panic. What the F did I just do? There isn't a Porsche dealer around and I'm far from my own tools. I tried several local shops, all that said "we don't touch those cars". Someone suggested Jiffy Lube, since all I needed was someone smart enough to figure out how to extract/drain just maybe a half quart of oil without all of it coming out. Turns out that if you drain too much out, you have to start all over and drain it all from three different plugs to make sure you have it right. I met a group of super nice guys at the Twin Falls Jiffy Lube, and they were pretty stoked to see me pull up in the GT3. I guess they don't see many of them up here. The manager, James, took care of us personally and was very kind and professional. He did exactly what I needed with speed and accuracy and nailed the right amount of oil drainage. He had no issues except keeping me from chatting too much with his eager employees who wanted to talk cars. If you're ever in Twin Falls and need a car serviced, I highly recommend James at the Jiffy Lube at 142 Washington ST N!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NV8F4RGJdOclB61IiqGCYQJ6kOhnbRs9dJdTrfC5fEz9iCCdQJC5ZO7m1q1y7Zq5ChHjCe70eZ0SFMOB_6mLhjom3hOG9cSBsEePgtmF6vQy53xEDIhA1EGoj5DVAxUNOtYKl2oobH__XPv1jqN1wB8CwfWy9oeFrlj-skS4rSNuLq63JD7Vt8BV4Mc/s4032/71164162724__6FDEBFEB-786C-4A5F-9BBD-163B2F5206BC.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NV8F4RGJdOclB61IiqGCYQJ6kOhnbRs9dJdTrfC5fEz9iCCdQJC5ZO7m1q1y7Zq5ChHjCe70eZ0SFMOB_6mLhjom3hOG9cSBsEePgtmF6vQy53xEDIhA1EGoj5DVAxUNOtYKl2oobH__XPv1jqN1wB8CwfWy9oeFrlj-skS4rSNuLq63JD7Vt8BV4Mc/s320/71164162724__6FDEBFEB-786C-4A5F-9BBD-163B2F5206BC.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72feXobtP_HzbDQwuM-klEG8M_-dKz6CwNzZ2LPkhGQzsfHa1cUdtsEgPdfGmsMULNw5nmQkOoHVTDsvdnmkIZRFICytWOhn97l17Z6FLzhCOkbEGsb4Hm3XnZgowdVWrDZ7UYQHEcMkH1Y9MRR_z0sZgk_c2J99gDwBWnE1X94088FJN6qy0Okkmj0c/s4032/IMG_2020.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72feXobtP_HzbDQwuM-klEG8M_-dKz6CwNzZ2LPkhGQzsfHa1cUdtsEgPdfGmsMULNw5nmQkOoHVTDsvdnmkIZRFICytWOhn97l17Z6FLzhCOkbEGsb4Hm3XnZgowdVWrDZ7UYQHEcMkH1Y9MRR_z0sZgk_c2J99gDwBWnE1X94088FJN6qy0Okkmj0c/s320/IMG_2020.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgGej4MsF3SN-qB95_oQwgQDvxW2CMU-c4-7jOy5MgZ9NgXmU3i68DTtEPvscHxi7Lv6a9gcjxyJoWXEzor929f16sUTtTHB1WtKL2y8YRViFam7kQixQQnhAoOAFmBgmxR3y07v2UPkFPLJZQ504GzF34XpcHu-BdJ21XsnlwYyh9NJm5zKon3C9acQ/s4032/IMG_2025.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgGej4MsF3SN-qB95_oQwgQDvxW2CMU-c4-7jOy5MgZ9NgXmU3i68DTtEPvscHxi7Lv6a9gcjxyJoWXEzor929f16sUTtTHB1WtKL2y8YRViFam7kQixQQnhAoOAFmBgmxR3y07v2UPkFPLJZQ504GzF34XpcHu-BdJ21XsnlwYyh9NJm5zKon3C9acQ/s320/IMG_2025.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Relieved that I didn't screw our entire trip, we departed Twin falls on Highway 84 and up to Highway 20, through West Yellowstone and into Yellowstone Park. Much of the Eastern part of Idaho is fairly flat and open, but it starts changing as you approach the border near West Yellowstone. Again, easy to keep the car at a nice pace out here. At 100 mph+, the car is planted firmly on the road and feels like 70 mph in most cars. Places like the Island Park area rafters on the Henry's Fork River makes me want to set some time to come here again. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W6wduA8PSqGzNjNV_0LTp85Y06Q6V0xiRZyNfHinNStN9azsosjwORkd82kLS0fN0NY_9cf9B9PCqAF0XdZwZ_EXjuvKG4e6Uv0ZPxio_wKUPZhUCRd5wTxwbLOGpT5uoQjEVgK_qSFYtMPOSLBJujUGV4oPidprKHq0gdqHUN7oyZ3niUvjlN2-T-U/s4032/IMG_2041.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W6wduA8PSqGzNjNV_0LTp85Y06Q6V0xiRZyNfHinNStN9azsosjwORkd82kLS0fN0NY_9cf9B9PCqAF0XdZwZ_EXjuvKG4e6Uv0ZPxio_wKUPZhUCRd5wTxwbLOGpT5uoQjEVgK_qSFYtMPOSLBJujUGV4oPidprKHq0gdqHUN7oyZ3niUvjlN2-T-U/w400-h300/IMG_2041.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIWtsbKv3w53vlnNVj7hRPmTBOsvlKjrwG-e3DSq8drY9MvoM-2l16Gi84fv1TRGN0lt0TMj9cz-4LjHj71u_VcV0tRGBgsicO8AaQ3aS71dsYAy98F4hK-ufXZq1wbDbkZGwtpvv59a0WxEoaLTbsGbmrQiMnEp8o6TvPjiL7nzJVqPcOuaMGlXcRLE/s4032/IMG_2033.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIWtsbKv3w53vlnNVj7hRPmTBOsvlKjrwG-e3DSq8drY9MvoM-2l16Gi84fv1TRGN0lt0TMj9cz-4LjHj71u_VcV0tRGBgsicO8AaQ3aS71dsYAy98F4hK-ufXZq1wbDbkZGwtpvv59a0WxEoaLTbsGbmrQiMnEp8o6TvPjiL7nzJVqPcOuaMGlXcRLE/w400-h300/IMG_2033.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We did a big Yellowstone trip a few years ago, but the place still blows me away. Coming into the park, we followed the Grand Loop Road along the Madison River and up to Mammoth Hot Springs, stopping along the way to visit great spots for cooling our heels and taking in the grandeur of the place. The paint pots, sapphire pools and hot springs would have to wait for another trip.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAkOLOYHIUz7FVCLlUAmmOzvmbMmYkLVOs4sJsRTmybr73Kb5lBLMsRzt0WtmKlDtEXn9Rxtzn_TCzw3WLoolx-wEmef6dtqeumO9LZKMaNWctGm8L9nT_yTDSkStOtkib2u7oBeFvsQWGbxKpm2huj220bKSaIqSvOywuBNEr6y4DWup0JVbzcMeRG4/s4032/IMG_2059.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAkOLOYHIUz7FVCLlUAmmOzvmbMmYkLVOs4sJsRTmybr73Kb5lBLMsRzt0WtmKlDtEXn9Rxtzn_TCzw3WLoolx-wEmef6dtqeumO9LZKMaNWctGm8L9nT_yTDSkStOtkib2u7oBeFvsQWGbxKpm2huj220bKSaIqSvOywuBNEr6y4DWup0JVbzcMeRG4/w400-h300/IMG_2059.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Swl94Na7q0zO9slcy7k-KBDZBhPis5IjnoOuC2dN5_ka9WbjFxkbjqZrmdUu8Ziy7FsVEV2so0AL9uQKE7W8j-JC7_7encofw1SqNKh7njMeQE20BwrjLCeONjceH0VROHVEn7XWGSz92_qYS0PszWSa84p2TjjFrjst2KdAhNno-juK7kT3PfTAMCE/s4032/IMG_2056.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Swl94Na7q0zO9slcy7k-KBDZBhPis5IjnoOuC2dN5_ka9WbjFxkbjqZrmdUu8Ziy7FsVEV2so0AL9uQKE7W8j-JC7_7encofw1SqNKh7njMeQE20BwrjLCeONjceH0VROHVEn7XWGSz92_qYS0PszWSa84p2TjjFrjst2KdAhNno-juK7kT3PfTAMCE/w300-h400/IMG_2056.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGukuAgNUUQMFIInJV3DvjKFEvQApke_rA1bvU4HipM3oqClvYEnzLPggxjzO0CS0bSds2y7SkWq86esudpviFxVY0YAT2_uZeDTiyWJmCd2UTDvZO6Q3gEC3ml5oWBHca5Cm0XxQDa6VQ_45fDW-kxJrkZyU6ETaMiZmsywzJLUhQl61-3u2liHxpt8/s4032/IMG_2062.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGukuAgNUUQMFIInJV3DvjKFEvQApke_rA1bvU4HipM3oqClvYEnzLPggxjzO0CS0bSds2y7SkWq86esudpviFxVY0YAT2_uZeDTiyWJmCd2UTDvZO6Q3gEC3ml5oWBHca5Cm0XxQDa6VQ_45fDW-kxJrkZyU6ETaMiZmsywzJLUhQl61-3u2liHxpt8/w300-h400/IMG_2062.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmivWqs51z9yGHj2wZEkTVQ1wxw34kwUIe_bS8jGp5UFmix_bPrSRvDiiQDxs-n3fnNxAnIy-CYOKPn2txRtDwSy_AARiEOIALr0cE45lgoAHioMq92mVutWg2ZCNuAsDC2LiuqLiasIAlmEE_UpIeore5LwpMa-qZvUQaWm1j7jeyp51pECcEngSHyg/s4032/IMG_2070.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmivWqs51z9yGHj2wZEkTVQ1wxw34kwUIe_bS8jGp5UFmix_bPrSRvDiiQDxs-n3fnNxAnIy-CYOKPn2txRtDwSy_AARiEOIALr0cE45lgoAHioMq92mVutWg2ZCNuAsDC2LiuqLiasIAlmEE_UpIeore5LwpMa-qZvUQaWm1j7jeyp51pECcEngSHyg/w400-h300/IMG_2070.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>From Mammoth Springs (one of the greatest spots in Yellowstone, you could spend hours here), we headed to Tower Junction and out the East end of the park via Highway 212. Our first Bison sighting came here, as a small herd decided to saunter across the road, making us wait and watch in wonder. I was just hoping they didn't decide that the wing on the GT3 looked like a great scratching post. They kinda eyeballed us a bit.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHXkfVeE3HlPii5YZx2dJ10PqkgCSQin9nooOxrL_MbPicEy28E0KNk4MYl1XeVE_4cGLsMwZEdbyo57IqLQbJYb1n0u7dcIKRx-0I8n3_84qf5zvN3SNHHNo-fASMoX-ivAM_0bjy_57KAY0nqpImigm3VzkOFfkR91GiIEw5Xyc4H7sT_NEIlHSI58/s4032/IMG_2080.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHXkfVeE3HlPii5YZx2dJ10PqkgCSQin9nooOxrL_MbPicEy28E0KNk4MYl1XeVE_4cGLsMwZEdbyo57IqLQbJYb1n0u7dcIKRx-0I8n3_84qf5zvN3SNHHNo-fASMoX-ivAM_0bjy_57KAY0nqpImigm3VzkOFfkR91GiIEw5Xyc4H7sT_NEIlHSI58/w400-h300/IMG_2080.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6BIqcFSt7BiZPJtPdOoFvG-VsPC78V3RrUCgDHAxie2hQR5_2mN00SOA7cVkZFjie3ZjeMRiFboMVWPb3iKyhBo9sM_jvIQEaeRn-JXKk4ejZAbrsfaIFATgwXOKsimg0FIWCaIeX46vDhQL4n4yWgPg4IVN6_eGkfMkHgUeY5q7h3HSRd74Oo4Zxh0/s1968/Screen%20Shot%202023-07-30%20at%206.58.50%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="1968" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6BIqcFSt7BiZPJtPdOoFvG-VsPC78V3RrUCgDHAxie2hQR5_2mN00SOA7cVkZFjie3ZjeMRiFboMVWPb3iKyhBo9sM_jvIQEaeRn-JXKk4ejZAbrsfaIFATgwXOKsimg0FIWCaIeX46vDhQL4n4yWgPg4IVN6_eGkfMkHgUeY5q7h3HSRd74Oo4Zxh0/w400-h234/Screen%20Shot%202023-07-30%20at%206.58.50%20AM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>As you leave the park on highway 212, it takes you north and into Montana, and the scenery is spectacular. Everywhere you look. The road goes higher and higher as you ride into Silver City, MT and Cooke City, MT. Then the road dips south again back into Wyoming after Beartooth Lake. This Beartooth Scenic Highway is beyond my writing skills to describe. Suffice to say that it took every ounce of my being not to stop every mile to take photos. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXgLJtov0hDNvNWgtvS5yx27dF_5dj4oy3iyzveY0PuEpTyprkvFbEAILkLpx47kQrr54X5qUFRAi3t2vdUgmUOB3Xr5ORWX0szPXXm8Re2CoPdzP_lHR8PnV734RRKB3__4wMlJrp_686mItk4I9n34dh_hFyNpDnD0OBN_Y795aUQzBxKVL4ARNkHg/s4032/IMG_2093.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXgLJtov0hDNvNWgtvS5yx27dF_5dj4oy3iyzveY0PuEpTyprkvFbEAILkLpx47kQrr54X5qUFRAi3t2vdUgmUOB3Xr5ORWX0szPXXm8Re2CoPdzP_lHR8PnV734RRKB3__4wMlJrp_686mItk4I9n34dh_hFyNpDnD0OBN_Y795aUQzBxKVL4ARNkHg/w400-h300/IMG_2093.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoOWhSPCuvXaGAnLUZN8nW-5MPGrvp-pSdjAT28T4KtWWvdMXx3aK8KICA_plE-cTR6uSSy1lLxZHC5TNojuTdNJzMhht-KB5VAoModphTabjzRL0kBQqc5pWUBbyHahsn6r02FPTr6rf7yxRhupRcwFBzjYPBfowEn4LOUoCnMDa_LbQYNY1CQsqCfg/s4032/IMG_2097.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoOWhSPCuvXaGAnLUZN8nW-5MPGrvp-pSdjAT28T4KtWWvdMXx3aK8KICA_plE-cTR6uSSy1lLxZHC5TNojuTdNJzMhht-KB5VAoModphTabjzRL0kBQqc5pWUBbyHahsn6r02FPTr6rf7yxRhupRcwFBzjYPBfowEn4LOUoCnMDa_LbQYNY1CQsqCfg/w400-h300/IMG_2097.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5gwxM4_3W3m8685110Z6jGgkbFUZxJwhsXTADvPUu8FAdnRrp1c4QL6dqL5ejzGd2k9BOB1ACLTpGBh8WXwLDDiykx5n6U4O3MIMfLUlWhmh0pHdZ5oQydb0W64NCJeMCok_58S2Ag3SBwNG_tJIz-44EQPXr187lFtiBZWKTN8V77NFgCM6a20XTzw/s9300/IMG_2105.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3848" data-original-width="9300" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5gwxM4_3W3m8685110Z6jGgkbFUZxJwhsXTADvPUu8FAdnRrp1c4QL6dqL5ejzGd2k9BOB1ACLTpGBh8WXwLDDiykx5n6U4O3MIMfLUlWhmh0pHdZ5oQydb0W64NCJeMCok_58S2Ag3SBwNG_tJIz-44EQPXr187lFtiBZWKTN8V77NFgCM6a20XTzw/w400-h165/IMG_2105.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This scenic highway is worth your while. Find a reason to drive it someday. Maybe just fly into Bozeman, down into Yellowstone, then back out through Red Lodge to Bozeman again. Highway 212 winds up and up and higher and higher to a pass at 10,947 feet before you have crossed again into Montana. We caught some rain and hail up here. It was 90 degrees down in Yellowstone Park and up here at the Beartooth Pass Vista it was now 48 degrees. It's high enough that it creates its own weather, and that is one of the reasons it is closed in Winter. The road is winding, and sharp curves and switchbacks pop out of nowhere. It might have been fun to drive this in a more spirited manner, but the weather told me that wouldn't be too smart.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKnxuUlgcT2MyJtqWolwyPI2-x9SoO6MUUKyd0DtbIFhEf-HXfdikAU15FsVNek9h661XGR5o4px5vH-rUjvc_2776x5JReZZoUuVZda8HI5y5VjBa8HTMrNSmWoyFF_OfRa2WpmrfnMlliTQDrOCERoWOutrsC1ppXkcRapVk0r64Xlx6IJbHYLj8_A/s4032/IMG_2110.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKnxuUlgcT2MyJtqWolwyPI2-x9SoO6MUUKyd0DtbIFhEf-HXfdikAU15FsVNek9h661XGR5o4px5vH-rUjvc_2776x5JReZZoUuVZda8HI5y5VjBa8HTMrNSmWoyFF_OfRa2WpmrfnMlliTQDrOCERoWOutrsC1ppXkcRapVk0r64Xlx6IJbHYLj8_A/w400-h300/IMG_2110.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlOOQYvanU1cnjBBLSj_UEyJ0ZpcI0ImQjLpj_G4UdV1Cc8L5rSK8utfTr9l7HFWYndxSspDYg7Oket8LEgB2hnG-8hqxoLCLLy5-NKqxLiBifQ_pCOf7ZGq2TUjSjM2WelPyZA_Ja_-uAwbI4_cA1NRcelMvShEwmZWf_qun3RUN6a-LKDR426U5vkRw/s4032/IMG_2112.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlOOQYvanU1cnjBBLSj_UEyJ0ZpcI0ImQjLpj_G4UdV1Cc8L5rSK8utfTr9l7HFWYndxSspDYg7Oket8LEgB2hnG-8hqxoLCLLy5-NKqxLiBifQ_pCOf7ZGq2TUjSjM2WelPyZA_Ja_-uAwbI4_cA1NRcelMvShEwmZWf_qun3RUN6a-LKDR426U5vkRw/w400-h300/IMG_2112.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyskBZ2KK-Eqb9RZ12GTfuXVB2n_kTgImQK6WrrulWwl4b0ikVMTnysnV8LBi_iHUoZqEOisr5-063YtCChFWzK8_wSBDdoBupDGqwnmTQP-zhOZVauldywAXoTdlHwLCONc2byjTClBWYy41waQ_JQevnOTmvubFQiCXvd6pjqgcHzvqcfgxDv5SAmmo/s2020/Screen%20Shot%202023-07-30%20at%207.03.30%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1129" data-original-width="2020" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyskBZ2KK-Eqb9RZ12GTfuXVB2n_kTgImQK6WrrulWwl4b0ikVMTnysnV8LBi_iHUoZqEOisr5-063YtCChFWzK8_wSBDdoBupDGqwnmTQP-zhOZVauldywAXoTdlHwLCONc2byjTClBWYy41waQ_JQevnOTmvubFQiCXvd6pjqgcHzvqcfgxDv5SAmmo/w400-h224/Screen%20Shot%202023-07-30%20at%207.03.30%20AM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRr1kqvpcPQuEKrp-f5-6GupaIvAhIAarL42p7x1_Gtm50jRmnaZu-pA9z4_2mff69tT5pEBjtWZIQn0WK2xP7JAHEamDp1Mc-5Fzm7JWG_BHEgQ6s7sunhlZFNjF3qe_Ru5pDpOmL1VYYidAp5VBOGp_47k8b8an9HMn-uUvaGVq1Mdpwt0mLqZLjjs/s1053/Screen%20Shot%202023-07-30%20at%207.05.59%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1053" data-original-width="1031" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRr1kqvpcPQuEKrp-f5-6GupaIvAhIAarL42p7x1_Gtm50jRmnaZu-pA9z4_2mff69tT5pEBjtWZIQn0WK2xP7JAHEamDp1Mc-5Fzm7JWG_BHEgQ6s7sunhlZFNjF3qe_Ru5pDpOmL1VYYidAp5VBOGp_47k8b8an9HMn-uUvaGVq1Mdpwt0mLqZLjjs/w391-h400/Screen%20Shot%202023-07-30%20at%207.05.59%20AM.png" width="391" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bQckYg_1cFg" width="320" youtube-src-id="bQckYg_1cFg"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Just past the summit, as we headed down into the Red Lodge area, the sun came out and it looked as if the heavens themselves had decided it was photo time. That's when I snapped what I'll call the "Advertising photo" for this part of the trip.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Toz2Me23LLKVKVKWcBjzO2Ynna-ogFsyjTe-pgNAgX7FtykNIHlVAhKnwnMudk_hXMk92LPgKKSrntlsozNKlUfZfTOlGFV1FaXo2GU6aniQzdW3fe4QPqCr9Qh0AliQKMDG-QHDNa7hcb6QgKM4FGl4b220r4iXOwD_BJbl9bDIPsodsoilcbJ9XzU/s4032/IMG_2125.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Toz2Me23LLKVKVKWcBjzO2Ynna-ogFsyjTe-pgNAgX7FtykNIHlVAhKnwnMudk_hXMk92LPgKKSrntlsozNKlUfZfTOlGFV1FaXo2GU6aniQzdW3fe4QPqCr9Qh0AliQKMDG-QHDNa7hcb6QgKM4FGl4b220r4iXOwD_BJbl9bDIPsodsoilcbJ9XzU/w400-h300/IMG_2125.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>The drive down the other side of the mountain into Red Lodge was just as fun. Beautiful views and the weather cleared. Red Lodge is a small and charming ski town and when we got there in the evening, they were preparing for a car show the next morning. My kinda town! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xs5isF2Vgk8uKOZeTKaP_82E5pVaG_HMfPYrzk-KTatHvnPvYRfmP8V44GkDr1at9ihZlzALU0sG4IBPH8S9IOce8r2X13N8fMenBpOwga6KJH5FCdu6mVOyHvDV3p4N2YvGSHNO6J1BiuCZh6B_GLVsF61x04dHrbhH6GDqs5uvVoXo8CFjw99sC5w/s4032/IMG_2130.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xs5isF2Vgk8uKOZeTKaP_82E5pVaG_HMfPYrzk-KTatHvnPvYRfmP8V44GkDr1at9ihZlzALU0sG4IBPH8S9IOce8r2X13N8fMenBpOwga6KJH5FCdu6mVOyHvDV3p4N2YvGSHNO6J1BiuCZh6B_GLVsF61x04dHrbhH6GDqs5uvVoXo8CFjw99sC5w/w400-h300/IMG_2130.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYd_VowPA3M8FXIm8MVQcJpWNoXqXC4Ul6E9Fs3jKlGWm1mjXaJ_U1gkdPR-13eOj77PJvxTbtleDWkqIHe9f5oravxp2PEwGVJZ1F7iWhHxtuBZr1jqN2vq4xg8oL4VjnmxqnVHZBmsDBKnvqRx7Ul2A_Zf2nymZTRUqOM4BadlRpY_Cq2U4PNY8yrw/s4032/IMG_2132.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYd_VowPA3M8FXIm8MVQcJpWNoXqXC4Ul6E9Fs3jKlGWm1mjXaJ_U1gkdPR-13eOj77PJvxTbtleDWkqIHe9f5oravxp2PEwGVJZ1F7iWhHxtuBZr1jqN2vq4xg8oL4VjnmxqnVHZBmsDBKnvqRx7Ul2A_Zf2nymZTRUqOM4BadlRpY_Cq2U4PNY8yrw/w400-h300/IMG_2132.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZOXNQK3bX-BN2SahBVrDtVXVgrDWIZ3NQAJYNcol2i7YnIzVeaFDnC-l646Q2GLnD3WTxKlvS7Scuj_v6kZt-Mtu33QtUokqy6yFgBgWoh3xT7791LBDi8KpLjivslvnafLgbK8NIEbz9qH9WQO1Cpr4RYiSrV7lQM-evXHWPU1fNGhcpy-zy_lqXv8/s4032/IMG_2139.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZOXNQK3bX-BN2SahBVrDtVXVgrDWIZ3NQAJYNcol2i7YnIzVeaFDnC-l646Q2GLnD3WTxKlvS7Scuj_v6kZt-Mtu33QtUokqy6yFgBgWoh3xT7791LBDi8KpLjivslvnafLgbK8NIEbz9qH9WQO1Cpr4RYiSrV7lQM-evXHWPU1fNGhcpy-zy_lqXv8/w400-h300/IMG_2139.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ht2WsP7kE5s" width="320" youtube-src-id="ht2WsP7kE5s"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">We stayed at the Pollard Hotel and I ordered the Bison Ravioli and green curry mussels at the Prerogative restaurant and wine bar. Tasty. Jill wasn't as lucky with the Kale Caesar. Not good.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTPzSQ1ck5IaW3NYjTMNhVpRDBPaj1gk8MGvezzqZES98XKnNHbU-A17oe3CLFhPDE1Jr02p7u77PA_cG4-4cYv-uQBCs4x9rXjMxRskPgQLhYopFkdYcyPuSrz_S_tj1w0Irz6ibZi-xEaNJXQOI6VAdbZgxgvxJ3N9fcM6ZnDrbI17MENM1bejNfQA/s4032/IMG_2146.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTPzSQ1ck5IaW3NYjTMNhVpRDBPaj1gk8MGvezzqZES98XKnNHbU-A17oe3CLFhPDE1Jr02p7u77PA_cG4-4cYv-uQBCs4x9rXjMxRskPgQLhYopFkdYcyPuSrz_S_tj1w0Irz6ibZi-xEaNJXQOI6VAdbZgxgvxJ3N9fcM6ZnDrbI17MENM1bejNfQA/w300-h400/IMG_2146.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzPCFb4CqLr_-9ZEbYie9t-gQMduWvzp36f2nG6D3dSmisHdzvx39hg0hjOK4yIYvBoUaInsJGwaDO3c8FuWzwYexxzBmBgKbplqjMjfNsSrU9u5qVnanJnM8LHxs9JJSSn3oS2HHMObhaYotSD6z1mqwzIbCYAMiMN0byUtibXFZiN6Yd9Pm5wcLPOo/s4032/IMG_2153.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzPCFb4CqLr_-9ZEbYie9t-gQMduWvzp36f2nG6D3dSmisHdzvx39hg0hjOK4yIYvBoUaInsJGwaDO3c8FuWzwYexxzBmBgKbplqjMjfNsSrU9u5qVnanJnM8LHxs9JJSSn3oS2HHMObhaYotSD6z1mqwzIbCYAMiMN0byUtibXFZiN6Yd9Pm5wcLPOo/w400-h300/IMG_2153.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTNmq11YcyVEpgvhmXjfecAvX1HGaHRdapm11ELAA9VO84mz40hyXxaXLC-oncj7-5JY86GN12U7zmMYCTdhHK4TGAScee3Fz0O96_wSzgYYe4Ko8XSUd6MaAi7MLd0Qien9TDhCToauH1iGY0aYFDQ9sErU77ktiIFH2dpqhcTlocGn0SGImrWe_4js/s4032/IMG_2158.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTNmq11YcyVEpgvhmXjfecAvX1HGaHRdapm11ELAA9VO84mz40hyXxaXLC-oncj7-5JY86GN12U7zmMYCTdhHK4TGAScee3Fz0O96_wSzgYYe4Ko8XSUd6MaAi7MLd0Qien9TDhCToauH1iGY0aYFDQ9sErU77ktiIFH2dpqhcTlocGn0SGImrWe_4js/w400-h300/IMG_2158.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDMkzY4MJ9Fj4Z5ZmuNXGTuZVK93IoTUtC9HKGWtDgMfaLYvc2yKitZS_od3c1aZ4StKsbp8k0_ipFIbCZYAfe_0StjXdgMzN9KPeergsIFYQo5dcpZOFTlJWk1CEOBNQedp1vBL30NyEmPZ_qipOexiNeBD5ipYWtSrnqqN2OYFy9uwJ8xyOXflXc4g/s4032/IMG_2163.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDMkzY4MJ9Fj4Z5ZmuNXGTuZVK93IoTUtC9HKGWtDgMfaLYvc2yKitZS_od3c1aZ4StKsbp8k0_ipFIbCZYAfe_0StjXdgMzN9KPeergsIFYQo5dcpZOFTlJWk1CEOBNQedp1vBL30NyEmPZ_qipOexiNeBD5ipYWtSrnqqN2OYFy9uwJ8xyOXflXc4g/w400-h300/IMG_2163.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Day 3: Red Lodge to Spearfish and Deadwood</span></u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>If you were headed back to Bozeman at this point, you could drive on Highway 78 to Absarokee and Nye, a small town I spent time in back in the 90's. Great fishing on the Stillwater River. But our next destination was Spearfish, SD and we stayed on Highway 212 East the whole way. It joins I-90 for a bit, then separates again as it goes through the Crow Agency and cuts a small corner of Wyoming. Eastern Montana is rolling prairie and it was the time of season for harvesting the alfalfa/hay. I'd never seen so much alfalfa in my life. Turns out Montana likes alfalfa and has more acres planted in alfalfa than any other state. You know what else likes alfalfa? Bugs. Grasshoppers. By the time we reached Spearfish, 5 hours and 8 minutes later, my front end was covered in bugs, reminding me of the old Porsche ad from the 90s "Kills Bugs Fast."</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JY_aM9rDyhb81CQYqaFVMoMKS8S7AdCJJ77-Zgaqo86r43J_MiETKqrvBwXJp1SAfoDQHXekjIiiv0lsHW6J-Piq3ReUERE7zDO_m2Z8akd02fufd39Dlj57QPL2p1xT6v2GbcYMp8I_sS_7lGnse8MtuJkttz2tUb8WgrhPPC9y5QkyJ5--2Dxq6lU/s4032/IMG_2168.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JY_aM9rDyhb81CQYqaFVMoMKS8S7AdCJJ77-Zgaqo86r43J_MiETKqrvBwXJp1SAfoDQHXekjIiiv0lsHW6J-Piq3ReUERE7zDO_m2Z8akd02fufd39Dlj57QPL2p1xT6v2GbcYMp8I_sS_7lGnse8MtuJkttz2tUb8WgrhPPC9y5QkyJ5--2Dxq6lU/w400-h300/IMG_2168.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIuJK6T-9pdfmAjkKnbrbkWkiMVQNxnWr-UgYQWuRlksCUM8xs9PDOP-Ai7NOF2p_m-8UmO9fZQhvEbakbEqHfQ17c8LMOGzHcqmfMQHaRtVBrcV64mOYK5bTeIjper7Vony5obfTLtr1s33gZvXRyKmE9p1iosePw7CB_2_kpT192QyO3paeD0fZ4QQ/s4032/IMG_2196.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIuJK6T-9pdfmAjkKnbrbkWkiMVQNxnWr-UgYQWuRlksCUM8xs9PDOP-Ai7NOF2p_m-8UmO9fZQhvEbakbEqHfQ17c8LMOGzHcqmfMQHaRtVBrcV64mOYK5bTeIjper7Vony5obfTLtr1s33gZvXRyKmE9p1iosePw7CB_2_kpT192QyO3paeD0fZ4QQ/w400-h300/IMG_2196.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The deserted motel at Crow Agency looked like a place people might go to die, so this was a short stop. Gotta admit, it was eerie. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JBlzCnDE09vYBfel80-t5251P1JBZcIeUMjjQXctc3LI5-VOKCI_3ccF0uoya4EXmjSM6jAR2KBJJvoYVBr2oO4P3ZLryl__HFoFItvIXeOZxI1a0b05Nh24JoaSRbzXybpV-U17x-kgYL4HHwoDuGYH3C3P9jP_n3A4eW_SjqYTNYEE9bVj9jl202Y/s4032/IMG_2856.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JBlzCnDE09vYBfel80-t5251P1JBZcIeUMjjQXctc3LI5-VOKCI_3ccF0uoya4EXmjSM6jAR2KBJJvoYVBr2oO4P3ZLryl__HFoFItvIXeOZxI1a0b05Nh24JoaSRbzXybpV-U17x-kgYL4HHwoDuGYH3C3P9jP_n3A4eW_SjqYTNYEE9bVj9jl202Y/w400-h300/IMG_2856.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Spearfish is a cute town, but just a lunch stop for us. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpxU3e9vWg80TgbReZq729UQjEnEEWoUM2o4gWZFX_jOdqPQlplcv_tI-SoOAO0_BtWGNwTA37fPqAGwqx9tsYA4dVGRR7iSbvCPU0f3uf03tQYqpbf92BcA_wfXXdpsjprC-yA5q9g09Q0oD-MjeOlsybx9DKOerdNONNRQvEVN7fyFMvurkqpkehDQ/s4032/IMG_2184.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpxU3e9vWg80TgbReZq729UQjEnEEWoUM2o4gWZFX_jOdqPQlplcv_tI-SoOAO0_BtWGNwTA37fPqAGwqx9tsYA4dVGRR7iSbvCPU0f3uf03tQYqpbf92BcA_wfXXdpsjprC-yA5q9g09Q0oD-MjeOlsybx9DKOerdNONNRQvEVN7fyFMvurkqpkehDQ/w400-h300/IMG_2184.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqyLyPDU3bYfwf1oqLO3UfnXX2fKZKXMMgGtBHbcGJijBogShOK9ko_F0rP3siDuuMPyzEwx2trFzgCx4cbp7lS8rU97lJbnsw9YKSCaWlL70tiFtSFMu3Q5TN8NN4eeORyZ2P_wRJP9FqTka5q5_RQaHclL25UArpp7vWxswRTqIdhsr1kWzHtVnLqc/s4032/IMG_2869.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqyLyPDU3bYfwf1oqLO3UfnXX2fKZKXMMgGtBHbcGJijBogShOK9ko_F0rP3siDuuMPyzEwx2trFzgCx4cbp7lS8rU97lJbnsw9YKSCaWlL70tiFtSFMu3Q5TN8NN4eeORyZ2P_wRJP9FqTka5q5_RQaHclL25UArpp7vWxswRTqIdhsr1kWzHtVnLqc/s320/IMG_2869.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Our goal today is to end in Deadwood after driving the Spearfish Scenic Highway, a.k.a. Highway 14A. We enjoyed the drive very much, we were now in the Northern part of the Black Hills of South Dakota. Beautiful area, felt like we were back in the Sierra Nevadas. Waterfalls and wildlife and winding roads. Loved the drive into Deadwood. We stopped in the town of Lead and at a couple roadside souvenir shops and everywhere we stopped on this trip, we met the nicest people! I love traveling by road in this country because you get to know folks along the way who give you hope that the world is full of kind humans. This is biker country, cruisers and adventure bikes, and one of those guys followed me into a souvenir stop and told me he loved my car and gave us all kinds of pointers on places to drive.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87Vf-TCYrazp8fw5jEjhnjHYnQv-lfzqsTP-ZleipnKqm9GX2cax1dHOxbvx7OtTZhm1mA33SnxuE2_HkXgUUxJxScSnuNptuWfShKQW-VGHwzVWHmupX3-1OMNEapjQYTXFeeDkaW7hggWRxgP57qiMkkt3_GmmbH6mXlFQgsXbISrVAOmh5281v6gM/s4032/IMG_2202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87Vf-TCYrazp8fw5jEjhnjHYnQv-lfzqsTP-ZleipnKqm9GX2cax1dHOxbvx7OtTZhm1mA33SnxuE2_HkXgUUxJxScSnuNptuWfShKQW-VGHwzVWHmupX3-1OMNEapjQYTXFeeDkaW7hggWRxgP57qiMkkt3_GmmbH6mXlFQgsXbISrVAOmh5281v6gM/s320/IMG_2202.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgGb06_Vzj5oHhXPCdmkq8s4UBls5MkV5ZQCc3z2wgKDXOud0FtYw7bdr9I9zfi7PJ5uq94fiAAcqmJtLf8p9dSNi5uqNkwIDvlSsSOxF1hj6Q7EpqIdOjmA4UbMhUe6eJcpKZivPYwSwZY36AMWrmJ7szWOS-MOrMWRQbLHB8YMVq23X0bQztLGMoYc/s4032/IMG_2208.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgGb06_Vzj5oHhXPCdmkq8s4UBls5MkV5ZQCc3z2wgKDXOud0FtYw7bdr9I9zfi7PJ5uq94fiAAcqmJtLf8p9dSNi5uqNkwIDvlSsSOxF1hj6Q7EpqIdOjmA4UbMhUe6eJcpKZivPYwSwZY36AMWrmJ7szWOS-MOrMWRQbLHB8YMVq23X0bQztLGMoYc/s320/IMG_2208.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9GO-_tYGp5-MTW0er-kRDt0AUfsWaAo8eLmMPEwEp91M1KLvz2cUht7TdNfzMtJzB8LAI4yiMD1h7czVImQDO8R6RphFvU2o51POigWVCQTfaf8G_POuQ382U19pyCpfzWLrtgg7N7v6ZcxDQI5KAItLzW9yhm3O4bkXTYmVBZqY3Yz2eBFf87-HIo4/s2529/FullSizeRender.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1634" data-original-width="2529" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9GO-_tYGp5-MTW0er-kRDt0AUfsWaAo8eLmMPEwEp91M1KLvz2cUht7TdNfzMtJzB8LAI4yiMD1h7czVImQDO8R6RphFvU2o51POigWVCQTfaf8G_POuQ382U19pyCpfzWLrtgg7N7v6ZcxDQI5KAItLzW9yhm3O4bkXTYmVBZqY3Yz2eBFf87-HIo4/s320/FullSizeRender.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHh0_VXYz8x8q_d6r83L149UP4er_ao6TmEZB4fke3uH0W5ybSsNGxOrBLaNzCNF4IqoibqYhILdes6G5W9mp7y8wQYZuChdTpIeaidKVw2Cb2TdwrHseH_2nYzJwUCj2PvhrhISlYWYvTKrzejXhXutZ5z6sOCWjKHJSrkyV_14jNIjNwtw7OS5phk0/s4032/IMG_2214.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHh0_VXYz8x8q_d6r83L149UP4er_ao6TmEZB4fke3uH0W5ybSsNGxOrBLaNzCNF4IqoibqYhILdes6G5W9mp7y8wQYZuChdTpIeaidKVw2Cb2TdwrHseH_2nYzJwUCj2PvhrhISlYWYvTKrzejXhXutZ5z6sOCWjKHJSrkyV_14jNIjNwtw7OS5phk0/s320/IMG_2214.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAWg0q7yUykiyh_Kmd-3sPBf8VFQUEcGMfwKxMfjzv_fpy-J9frpnNfIFFzh0KNUdRJD9Jsm5pSeAeJ4q90wN-lXUPCQH3RM8kvQzhUI6F0Mf3P95P9UqRHBeyELvAdfr7mZHjyoPrYojH406mDHM_w1zQtyTMwMKCvk-97PROwLG-LcFPdewcT4p9eQ/s4032/FullSizeRender%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2438" data-original-width="4032" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAWg0q7yUykiyh_Kmd-3sPBf8VFQUEcGMfwKxMfjzv_fpy-J9frpnNfIFFzh0KNUdRJD9Jsm5pSeAeJ4q90wN-lXUPCQH3RM8kvQzhUI6F0Mf3P95P9UqRHBeyELvAdfr7mZHjyoPrYojH406mDHM_w1zQtyTMwMKCvk-97PROwLG-LcFPdewcT4p9eQ/s320/FullSizeRender%202.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>We eventually arrived in Deadwood, a town steeped in its own Wild West history. Famous as the place where Wild Bill Hickok was shot inside the Number 10 Saloon (the Saloon is still there). Bill was holding a hand of two-pair: Aces and Eights. To this day, that poker hand is known as the "Dead Man's Hand". Deadwood is a somewhat preserved town full of souvenir shops and places to gamble. Odd combination of Wild West Show and Vegas backstreet. We didn't love the casino vibe that seemed to have taken over the otherwise charming downtown. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSbYoMbwXle0CS647Cpqtnpk9ySUO_RArYMM9d79y5qRduui5bfDMArrTulrZEvXbgovGwbNWXSSoTOikC3T0L8TeFmH6PA8fsZPB0Cf1lP9s9akPEBQVakaNnZrKz21aU4UyQBdR-fG1lq2ajvg11CtebNW6LYrhyHFiY95M1hyfP51xqMncM1hXlc4/s4032/IMG_2230.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSbYoMbwXle0CS647Cpqtnpk9ySUO_RArYMM9d79y5qRduui5bfDMArrTulrZEvXbgovGwbNWXSSoTOikC3T0L8TeFmH6PA8fsZPB0Cf1lP9s9akPEBQVakaNnZrKz21aU4UyQBdR-fG1lq2ajvg11CtebNW6LYrhyHFiY95M1hyfP51xqMncM1hXlc4/w400-h300/IMG_2230.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlaHEmrmAq5ypjXGX3n72q5J3KU7k48p0g_1h3swEcVurVA9tV5oSROvP6i64OClMBmZHxmnki5IGINKGpD2ZEhhmI4zC1Sh-dUgaRD1DzoQf9z_ieXxh6GiOFTilgFLPDZrhA_5Alvj7myD7cO0k3bPvv0CgGGJAIa-NwKA9GK6ueBslj4VWo7cGbOQ/s4032/IMG_2915.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlaHEmrmAq5ypjXGX3n72q5J3KU7k48p0g_1h3swEcVurVA9tV5oSROvP6i64OClMBmZHxmnki5IGINKGpD2ZEhhmI4zC1Sh-dUgaRD1DzoQf9z_ieXxh6GiOFTilgFLPDZrhA_5Alvj7myD7cO0k3bPvv0CgGGJAIa-NwKA9GK6ueBslj4VWo7cGbOQ/w300-h400/IMG_2915.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgVnakIfXMSxoSKO8kvtgCAfrXRerNqeJovt6oN51LK0EVavdNlEZPXDu1Z9Wg6F5LPrTf5yD19kGHoxS9W0YIoErQUv_TDpjojz3uB0V1d-J4oy688oXle3KITLfqoxb_4r4WmdpWx5zh4dh83evLphQxfjbOs8-Zj2Wg7Y0JdU18W9-K5YyW9Exbs0/s4032/IMG_2916.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgVnakIfXMSxoSKO8kvtgCAfrXRerNqeJovt6oN51LK0EVavdNlEZPXDu1Z9Wg6F5LPrTf5yD19kGHoxS9W0YIoErQUv_TDpjojz3uB0V1d-J4oy688oXle3KITLfqoxb_4r4WmdpWx5zh4dh83evLphQxfjbOs8-Zj2Wg7Y0JdU18W9-K5YyW9Exbs0/w300-h400/IMG_2916.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-7FaDkBvsVZY_e8TXBHj8qtotvb5A0qdzNODUsvw9YBs40iMJ7dydxcsSWw3f0N9OVEHj0Bwvd6BwmEgAMFWLfUoIXSmSZDeJqe3C2ETwAaHq8TBcef29rbJEAB_zH5aS6GZexjKfuN-EGN3hFcQA5xaHIITYbaH5kMSbhTM2oPsIuheXpyA7QvYPHY/s4032/IMG_2227.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-7FaDkBvsVZY_e8TXBHj8qtotvb5A0qdzNODUsvw9YBs40iMJ7dydxcsSWw3f0N9OVEHj0Bwvd6BwmEgAMFWLfUoIXSmSZDeJqe3C2ETwAaHq8TBcef29rbJEAB_zH5aS6GZexjKfuN-EGN3hFcQA5xaHIITYbaH5kMSbhTM2oPsIuheXpyA7QvYPHY/w300-h400/IMG_2227.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>With that said, we had an amazing meal at Jake's Fine Dining. Probably one of the best steak dinners I have ever had, a "Trio of Tenderloins": Bison topped with Foie Gras, Elk with spinach, and Venison with Mushrooms.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijv8JImh6Mjhi3wwDIOVjdkT0fuI-I6wtkwPRqlxpOjD0yobiiyDtfy38Swcb4NlzqGFGg0PmSHkax2i7IckP0QtmO9RcUijhGpqJpB_81ObRIhtHeMAStqDp8XEscI5-Gy2iNBjxbRqL7pmxVEh_oJztvwUU8G3U3ZtQsfG0GMe7L-czm3dQVGeOoyPc/s4032/IMG_2232.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijv8JImh6Mjhi3wwDIOVjdkT0fuI-I6wtkwPRqlxpOjD0yobiiyDtfy38Swcb4NlzqGFGg0PmSHkax2i7IckP0QtmO9RcUijhGpqJpB_81ObRIhtHeMAStqDp8XEscI5-Gy2iNBjxbRqL7pmxVEh_oJztvwUU8G3U3ZtQsfG0GMe7L-czm3dQVGeOoyPc/w400-h300/IMG_2232.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Day 4: Deadwood to Keystone via Badlands National Park</span></u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>After a night in Deadwood, it was time to head out to the Badlands. Our next hotel was in Keystone, not far away, so we would overshoot that area and take a few hour detour out to the Badlands Loop. It was totally worth the extra driving. Met some nice people at the Badlands Trading Post and filled up on some prairie coffee. Coffee on road trips is almost as important as beer. Almost. Stickers are key as well, to help me remember where I've been (old dude problems).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkQs_P0krto-FAQzaG7EqinEEc5OtzatQ6qbqF1AC40Ch5kDIHEYXxD2eIfThITC4xGD_6x9EWPClYZmrLuKw36HetZy8ekIwR5RLpX3PIRt_apb7dyO4BKnYP4ox_ZC1rqF7zAfsoStQ91UoiwtXVdL9Xeedsm0LvG_eNZAVFAhJV79lFsNDJ8rJCJk/s3171/FullSizeRender.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3171" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkQs_P0krto-FAQzaG7EqinEEc5OtzatQ6qbqF1AC40Ch5kDIHEYXxD2eIfThITC4xGD_6x9EWPClYZmrLuKw36HetZy8ekIwR5RLpX3PIRt_apb7dyO4BKnYP4ox_ZC1rqF7zAfsoStQ91UoiwtXVdL9Xeedsm0LvG_eNZAVFAhJV79lFsNDJ8rJCJk/w400-h381/FullSizeRender.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDSdmoNFDU2-nI_zXUsNVoONqg6Y7tbNMUIVS2DM-mNL41zve4Qj6POJVS9g0Fhb-CmbXarBb_VleRb9uReqb_2OeAqs47FO0sDyNX-Ef6G3gorsjeyNcQXMBFtpOlz3WJQswUKek-8aoN9df_IlBYMQTAhHkVk_S-8EeYrAR2KLhF4XP-TBU-kFCoVQ/s4032/IMG_2258.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDSdmoNFDU2-nI_zXUsNVoONqg6Y7tbNMUIVS2DM-mNL41zve4Qj6POJVS9g0Fhb-CmbXarBb_VleRb9uReqb_2OeAqs47FO0sDyNX-Ef6G3gorsjeyNcQXMBFtpOlz3WJQswUKek-8aoN9df_IlBYMQTAhHkVk_S-8EeYrAR2KLhF4XP-TBU-kFCoVQ/w300-h400/IMG_2258.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1ISkKJ8alO7bxGYlGI-GXUEi0GCIHAOrs-oAv1irMGZGE0SXJv-JV1-9MfAMb8pE-5T-w2j48_Am18xTS10iGHxvwZnAOlGKWZ3YNZT-ZMwQNHc7lSpdD4z8qCKbpYMCHzsD3XGb7zypQpV1PwVsWF4b1GLWYUd3fFp2Q3hKUaKteyf0RvnLFwvL9OQ/s4032/IMG_2272.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1ISkKJ8alO7bxGYlGI-GXUEi0GCIHAOrs-oAv1irMGZGE0SXJv-JV1-9MfAMb8pE-5T-w2j48_Am18xTS10iGHxvwZnAOlGKWZ3YNZT-ZMwQNHc7lSpdD4z8qCKbpYMCHzsD3XGb7zypQpV1PwVsWF4b1GLWYUd3fFp2Q3hKUaKteyf0RvnLFwvL9OQ/w400-h300/IMG_2272.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Badlands has some interesting geology, fully on display in its muti-colored layers. I'm kind of a secret geology/rock geek, so I loved driving through the layers of sandstone, limestone, shale and siltstones lain down by a once-massive shallow ocean and a later river basin, plus the volcanic ash from the Great Basin volcanic period.</div><div><br /></div><div>Wherever they came from, the rock layers have been made quite dramatic from millions of years of erosion throughout this relatively soft set of sedimentary depositions. Very cool road through here. Lots of places to stop and gawk. You can drive the entire Badlands loop, Highway 240, from where it hits I-90 near the Minuteman Missile site to where it connects again at I-90 in the town of Wall. You can go see the famous Wall Drug store there, which is more of an entire couple blocks of Wall Store merch and buildings. The Badlands Loop of Highway 240 is about 80 miles. You can do it in under 2 hours, but with stops you will want to make, it'll be more than that.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ii4Qp3ZsX-8VxIxtUzjUpRZp0faVgZYOFvu9oXqF0qDj9SQrZQbfcKxXkwb-kD4Xz3-JJ-MNHWHXz3nUCCCj3jZ55yKkgW_jNgax0nVJ5jBqWsp2qmJxuZ6Ekd8qCDvZi5IyAlt8Csq1VhqcbfaOb_8P7CY8XjRCI2aMcPyOcWspPClpLwMOQMYeLbU/s4928/DSC_0378.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4928" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ii4Qp3ZsX-8VxIxtUzjUpRZp0faVgZYOFvu9oXqF0qDj9SQrZQbfcKxXkwb-kD4Xz3-JJ-MNHWHXz3nUCCCj3jZ55yKkgW_jNgax0nVJ5jBqWsp2qmJxuZ6Ekd8qCDvZi5IyAlt8Csq1VhqcbfaOb_8P7CY8XjRCI2aMcPyOcWspPClpLwMOQMYeLbU/w265-h400/DSC_0378.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjqA8ryaRnW_LusXd8sVUOJs9BjhCipXl5yeGoAyEiftpsrfSSxhpXCP2GTCCXVBPhQnmUmg250ILbBotlWGpr9ePevGx0uKhVnKZnYOf_L2abB1dcLBRnAsNWViA3kojoBmUcYoZvcXsmXyW1wqg2Y6mvYORLpfjC3V07xiHXT1tBMnqjSnP7Ebvr1M/s4928/DSC_0388.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4928" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjqA8ryaRnW_LusXd8sVUOJs9BjhCipXl5yeGoAyEiftpsrfSSxhpXCP2GTCCXVBPhQnmUmg250ILbBotlWGpr9ePevGx0uKhVnKZnYOf_L2abB1dcLBRnAsNWViA3kojoBmUcYoZvcXsmXyW1wqg2Y6mvYORLpfjC3V07xiHXT1tBMnqjSnP7Ebvr1M/w400-h265/DSC_0388.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmbkNvDSdxyZDa-jMtRLnzPCdT8JBfMPuTuD5Y_rV8JEh2vyDNe11giWgpVpqReL_-o3RJfhfRlF0r7JqfNnpRT2J9rZtZP8HofOvKJwRlVkx3M4hJVMurHP1mf_0qq79mW77H_E2Vp7hdjNFwgBFcwnydGiGmFzv4Pzt92xYxDzGe06oMDhfSszIndw/s4928/DSC_0391.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4928" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmbkNvDSdxyZDa-jMtRLnzPCdT8JBfMPuTuD5Y_rV8JEh2vyDNe11giWgpVpqReL_-o3RJfhfRlF0r7JqfNnpRT2J9rZtZP8HofOvKJwRlVkx3M4hJVMurHP1mf_0qq79mW77H_E2Vp7hdjNFwgBFcwnydGiGmFzv4Pzt92xYxDzGe06oMDhfSszIndw/w400-h265/DSC_0391.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAQrgSRESlTDZbOwdSp6biBwnhjIE_GY9b7PCK1obnnsvrZRUSGk4YUIuzKFQP1dHAg_1TsbntOmI8CagXKEaRI4k4vzk0zX2c8by3uf3C77TMdl1Mtw6j165M-VQKPltQUcPr2Esb3OYdgN4iSmF6p6rmjK8gfyDq2afa1nc-cTUyU3y2PXgCgtgt7I/s4032/IMG_2305.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAQrgSRESlTDZbOwdSp6biBwnhjIE_GY9b7PCK1obnnsvrZRUSGk4YUIuzKFQP1dHAg_1TsbntOmI8CagXKEaRI4k4vzk0zX2c8by3uf3C77TMdl1Mtw6j165M-VQKPltQUcPr2Esb3OYdgN4iSmF6p6rmjK8gfyDq2afa1nc-cTUyU3y2PXgCgtgt7I/w400-h300/IMG_2305.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPT-ZdtLGOkpcf1aIaEhNtz_AD2LW_Kuq_EInb8xuuonVfV7FPNDsGGdXXWjDpWbuxz1yPCbh-hmgXJ4tSy-OYZnC5ZwmbmejN9n1QozVl09yTsgg2K3j0X1pbiZ5C2_G_ZT8Y2KXhL4UZP_zr7bQ1N5b4JbA5Lr1L4lgen11yNHsn0QRXZYsFY0n8_w/s4032/IMG_2310.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPT-ZdtLGOkpcf1aIaEhNtz_AD2LW_Kuq_EInb8xuuonVfV7FPNDsGGdXXWjDpWbuxz1yPCbh-hmgXJ4tSy-OYZnC5ZwmbmejN9n1QozVl09yTsgg2K3j0X1pbiZ5C2_G_ZT8Y2KXhL4UZP_zr7bQ1N5b4JbA5Lr1L4lgen11yNHsn0QRXZYsFY0n8_w/w400-h300/IMG_2310.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>And again, I met some great people here. One was a young college student named Sam, and it turns out he is a budding automotive photographer. We chatted for a while, also met his very nice Mom, and they were on their way to Crescent City, CA to see the Pacific Ocean and enjoy some RVing. Sam was kind enough to send me a bunch of photos of my car, one here below, courtesy of his media alter ego <b>3x3media. </b>Thanks, Sam!<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CHYlTIlp3Uoyw8g1mPTcYb15d82U9dgfMVkjWS-nH5H4v37TZzqoDkSz0Sx5VdCGeaAx-gkndv6JqeC6clg-ZkEgxWBvZjJUSWpXkvRZtADhC4xziIIcjpWZ5s7VWkKzcdRdsQdppCBCDmtL3TMhpLBY25ZZqKP3n4U_K6wfd08B3EGN1t-JnNJtZQE/s1715/Screen%20Shot%202023-07-30%20at%207.23.54%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1310" data-original-width="1715" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CHYlTIlp3Uoyw8g1mPTcYb15d82U9dgfMVkjWS-nH5H4v37TZzqoDkSz0Sx5VdCGeaAx-gkndv6JqeC6clg-ZkEgxWBvZjJUSWpXkvRZtADhC4xziIIcjpWZ5s7VWkKzcdRdsQdppCBCDmtL3TMhpLBY25ZZqKP3n4U_K6wfd08B3EGN1t-JnNJtZQE/w400-h305/Screen%20Shot%202023-07-30%20at%207.23.54%20AM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jW1RHiqii0w" width="320" youtube-src-id="jW1RHiqii0w"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>We left the Badlands Loop and headed to Keystone, the town near Mt. Rushmore. We checked into our new favorite spot, the K Bar S Lodge. If you ever visit Rushmore, stay here. Fantastic staff, great location just outside of the bustling little downtown, and amazing views across a valley and to the profile of Rushmore in the distance.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnaCMjk7nnLtTbxfdk3enDfG1NJfC90j_ptlxa9jkj7rwleh7DlhyOsM4OL6C52rAHqEmfAiZr2vLDanamk8MJzkd11bB3rQ4qTDO0zB4TuQ01P8wGYB4AFSr5fi3Srlyc_CyzJYKDlP51OAHNMOnSHQpMahGDkfbkKuQBQxEsKkFvAf5UdhtA4Dibh4/s4032/IMG_2315.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnaCMjk7nnLtTbxfdk3enDfG1NJfC90j_ptlxa9jkj7rwleh7DlhyOsM4OL6C52rAHqEmfAiZr2vLDanamk8MJzkd11bB3rQ4qTDO0zB4TuQ01P8wGYB4AFSr5fi3Srlyc_CyzJYKDlP51OAHNMOnSHQpMahGDkfbkKuQBQxEsKkFvAf5UdhtA4Dibh4/w400-h300/IMG_2315.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-D4tUdCdcZYf-W3OnaQOSkE-As875JY3N1Y6eAM8LYe5ix_jDAemxlMs4fmPyd20ASOjmqop3qwplzs0rx-C7iBhHSaB7U5qbUcMIUo18tQS6gPFuRZhU81_RJDY96H-4HpskaMNbo_pSdKPPxZ-N2pbMvuT2bNPeDmNHWMTeP-sWs92udYAV4uf9Gw/s4032/IMG_2362.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-D4tUdCdcZYf-W3OnaQOSkE-As875JY3N1Y6eAM8LYe5ix_jDAemxlMs4fmPyd20ASOjmqop3qwplzs0rx-C7iBhHSaB7U5qbUcMIUo18tQS6gPFuRZhU81_RJDY96H-4HpskaMNbo_pSdKPPxZ-N2pbMvuT2bNPeDmNHWMTeP-sWs92udYAV4uf9Gw/w400-h300/IMG_2362.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhXTJewJ5NK_UxDSqdcFKyOPyPxJBZ88iDpW_bJ4H3lxOftLtb8DxXKXoYkgc4PSABtRfiKbFzCxOIJM5WQzDWq1xdsbaZciNAagRDJtdGLtLXCo6GtM803R1vO0ZaxeeraB-HcIrARFlBZCBF_NzNkSOIHBgrrE3sfJt2gFkS4pm9ZwN-IrJs41QDMI/s4032/IMG_2370.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhXTJewJ5NK_UxDSqdcFKyOPyPxJBZ88iDpW_bJ4H3lxOftLtb8DxXKXoYkgc4PSABtRfiKbFzCxOIJM5WQzDWq1xdsbaZciNAagRDJtdGLtLXCo6GtM803R1vO0ZaxeeraB-HcIrARFlBZCBF_NzNkSOIHBgrrE3sfJt2gFkS4pm9ZwN-IrJs41QDMI/w400-h300/IMG_2370.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>We arrived in the afternoon with enough time to go visit the Mt. Rushmore Monument. I'm not sure we had any real expectations, but we were kinda blown away. You have to fully understand the engineering and passion that went into this to truly comprehend was an amazing feat this was. The visitor center provides a great look into the origins, construction, and intent behind it. We enjoyed the walk around the base of the mountain, a short one mile or so to see details you might miss from the viewing platform.</div><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1uh0tLzyz4DLC45sekat_I98YT3pJAiKlyv1gVE1oprmj-V5n-ZFNo2Xc0rxpyQYd1nolc0ki9c8Mqe_TQpv3CFt3rvaL6rExE2zjmeDi3RJfAdRbtvOO_JLzhoqvDiZrOC_NmCNR2ibFdShN7efVcszra1WHc6N2tQ_cuhcAOEN4MXJiYvC0gkEjPJU/s4032/IMG_2317.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1uh0tLzyz4DLC45sekat_I98YT3pJAiKlyv1gVE1oprmj-V5n-ZFNo2Xc0rxpyQYd1nolc0ki9c8Mqe_TQpv3CFt3rvaL6rExE2zjmeDi3RJfAdRbtvOO_JLzhoqvDiZrOC_NmCNR2ibFdShN7efVcszra1WHc6N2tQ_cuhcAOEN4MXJiYvC0gkEjPJU/s320/IMG_2317.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicF-MiMa5eOvTuRRepm5MzRmbG8kd2WpthuKxI9hypbfnXQGx2DttBjQ7XvNN_lj2AEcGqKVI_hCES-YE57Uqsz2HpxtF-gvm8zZMcBZZKWgAczxYApdes1pAxwaIJ1HnkRsCMpdRq6eFFYow-988CjFWPcUT76vlNuKgx24Z6uiQnqKxyrNDX8v-bqEk/s4032/IMG_2322.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicF-MiMa5eOvTuRRepm5MzRmbG8kd2WpthuKxI9hypbfnXQGx2DttBjQ7XvNN_lj2AEcGqKVI_hCES-YE57Uqsz2HpxtF-gvm8zZMcBZZKWgAczxYApdes1pAxwaIJ1HnkRsCMpdRq6eFFYow-988CjFWPcUT76vlNuKgx24Z6uiQnqKxyrNDX8v-bqEk/s320/IMG_2322.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-pmCUoZDTougUDkNtKPlF8qi1Ac_Cp7r2VBOTluEIDjDxvMOZ2_-VEgXYy7boRPw3NjTlqty8PZrdTk7G1vgSrKeOe67ROWdVMfppvFD7eHCizUnO3yQJrOIuAlB7n5w8jVs2smJQfw__qDhnFsbkPhHN11EAMak3sEl1IJKakeZfTzEr2ouzYhH7E0/s4032/IMG_2326.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-pmCUoZDTougUDkNtKPlF8qi1Ac_Cp7r2VBOTluEIDjDxvMOZ2_-VEgXYy7boRPw3NjTlqty8PZrdTk7G1vgSrKeOe67ROWdVMfppvFD7eHCizUnO3yQJrOIuAlB7n5w8jVs2smJQfw__qDhnFsbkPhHN11EAMak3sEl1IJKakeZfTzEr2ouzYhH7E0/s320/IMG_2326.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Day 5: Iron Mountain Road, Needles Highway, Custer State Park</span></u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Today represented the day I was really looking forward to: to experience some roads that are famous for beauty and curviness. This is the area revered by motorcyclists and the roads are one of the primary reasons the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is held nearby.</div><div><br /></div><div>Iron Mountain Road, Highway 16A, is a visual masterpiece. If you travel North on it, the multiple rock tunnels are designed to provide framed views of Rushmore as you exit the tunnels. Pretty cool! We travelled south this day, from Keystone to Custer State Park. The road is famous or it's "pigtails" (curly, tight cloverleaf turns) and it's tunnels and switchbacks. I could drive this road all day every day and not get bored. Oddly enough, very few cars on it. Stunning. Down below, you'll see we returned the next day to run it again in the opposite direction. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwSl55VznqQ026ctYt95shfBDJk2DC66WiMa5bbO-ZSvSJ7wiKaPCVDJsTO0c_IJ1u_nZNV6oLg-abl_dGeG4ceZ8KZjrIA8BUqCdjRcCxsKY6Gvce6nZ3ql9lcfHhBALvXVtzpSJTrkmzNqftTG5354wTWGesa9bwlQrmwc0tOjF2RuGJyiyVWt5Gio/s4032/IMG_2403.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwSl55VznqQ026ctYt95shfBDJk2DC66WiMa5bbO-ZSvSJ7wiKaPCVDJsTO0c_IJ1u_nZNV6oLg-abl_dGeG4ceZ8KZjrIA8BUqCdjRcCxsKY6Gvce6nZ3ql9lcfHhBALvXVtzpSJTrkmzNqftTG5354wTWGesa9bwlQrmwc0tOjF2RuGJyiyVWt5Gio/w400-h300/IMG_2403.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhn1sTD6rz8xKmQlZ1QQjCWgItfkR3iLsXbdSTQTLC7ipF7VhJZbFKtxByJP1qM0Ba5aUIyk7UiG-exVrSQQPUB1Mu8J9BBCxkWLopI7wagS43SjHXSpGtm8KKD_qfzOnzFgg3m2vS_xi-hBZy4YSBEMbTF4d_s88cVkR3swSoV73ZS5wRsUNhnW7AlRI/s3492/IMG_2254.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2599" data-original-width="3492" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhn1sTD6rz8xKmQlZ1QQjCWgItfkR3iLsXbdSTQTLC7ipF7VhJZbFKtxByJP1qM0Ba5aUIyk7UiG-exVrSQQPUB1Mu8J9BBCxkWLopI7wagS43SjHXSpGtm8KKD_qfzOnzFgg3m2vS_xi-hBZy4YSBEMbTF4d_s88cVkR3swSoV73ZS5wRsUNhnW7AlRI/w400-h297/IMG_2254.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihj2oINEHT-iTRYzRet0PDflfIgro_sp0hjwj8qnA3uk7-V1aUKSBpPgG86zMhjxR9Rej_zFDsR1lKkh22BsanP6r6NIOPX2zQdzqhNplUhdZ49-2nqW4XfsF6SHsWP_llVZRh7V3_35niP5-bhK8AO3Yg1ofUlJnaUL4BcZGbMRkz_mU9p2mVG23tIbE/s4032/IMG_2397.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihj2oINEHT-iTRYzRet0PDflfIgro_sp0hjwj8qnA3uk7-V1aUKSBpPgG86zMhjxR9Rej_zFDsR1lKkh22BsanP6r6NIOPX2zQdzqhNplUhdZ49-2nqW4XfsF6SHsWP_llVZRh7V3_35niP5-bhK8AO3Yg1ofUlJnaUL4BcZGbMRkz_mU9p2mVG23tIbE/w300-h400/IMG_2397.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-S6StcvpL2pZ79j0YdmC5KdYYIULcv8Rb7NT6K__nFyWz5VLD05PEzGEIjnqcr3vQ4ssArfR19vr_DNb72YDtEtykMyBPPafyeui58g_fv8rQ2_T7h7iuGtgcF9SiA0DJQlHmaaEtc9YJR79toTvc-NegLwtZcyjMUD3h7cPLZbfYXspE9jIGqRrt8wk/s4032/IMG_2398.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-S6StcvpL2pZ79j0YdmC5KdYYIULcv8Rb7NT6K__nFyWz5VLD05PEzGEIjnqcr3vQ4ssArfR19vr_DNb72YDtEtykMyBPPafyeui58g_fv8rQ2_T7h7iuGtgcF9SiA0DJQlHmaaEtc9YJR79toTvc-NegLwtZcyjMUD3h7cPLZbfYXspE9jIGqRrt8wk/w300-h400/IMG_2398.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a69MLNRp2JA" width="320" youtube-src-id="a69MLNRp2JA"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The scenic, bucolic feel of this road puts me in the mind of Disney-built attraction. Old-school engineering at its best.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dlDwaOZtJG_J54AbMtNMHrfWc6Hr183Cwy68dwghxXqOk_5vYht5oSKDc5Dun2-9gvxaM3H12O-vWknftnQIJVHRuliCOtD9P6tz7w_qtMl57iH2-0NA2E_XN_vYsFN0nm5X8WRKBcydsIqGhwxfN3AaENhVGUwD5JE8Z6XBq9zmPMpmRfWZZnYfBoU/s4032/IMG_2390.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dlDwaOZtJG_J54AbMtNMHrfWc6Hr183Cwy68dwghxXqOk_5vYht5oSKDc5Dun2-9gvxaM3H12O-vWknftnQIJVHRuliCOtD9P6tz7w_qtMl57iH2-0NA2E_XN_vYsFN0nm5X8WRKBcydsIqGhwxfN3AaENhVGUwD5JE8Z6XBq9zmPMpmRfWZZnYfBoU/w400-h300/IMG_2390.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzCdgMm1Tofeb8EzB8aO8MuIBfGPP2EX4PLJzgxG6zUWABWoElxsviBdGR_LPgb8iaW4S8rF8J42xXx1amHN1lGkKNrHj7gmg1L_Fu1Ahsn7-9tBrCb2u9rL88KHyAavuArC40vXEuOwC2UNbGnu_1ZPvHwnaobamthO7g5jR68Hy-a-3GoafX5Dr6p0/s4032/IMG_2392.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzCdgMm1Tofeb8EzB8aO8MuIBfGPP2EX4PLJzgxG6zUWABWoElxsviBdGR_LPgb8iaW4S8rF8J42xXx1amHN1lGkKNrHj7gmg1L_Fu1Ahsn7-9tBrCb2u9rL88KHyAavuArC40vXEuOwC2UNbGnu_1ZPvHwnaobamthO7g5jR68Hy-a-3GoafX5Dr6p0/w400-h300/IMG_2392.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriP2PsAhTaXxz5uS66Uwf5oPn1-ePL_DtK-4xZs0gHUn9krGQPeMel8r0sqmssY-diYeNQP-8ohYonhAQVn3UHPegW9qhcFDSAN69U_Mv7KfPYI630ejbikSUK5XeAS6u7IL5XGHQ-NPzT8hr1cbY6EDpDpDg6uym52jOv0bATaK-wYPRnk3aATPSENI/s4032/IMG_2422.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriP2PsAhTaXxz5uS66Uwf5oPn1-ePL_DtK-4xZs0gHUn9krGQPeMel8r0sqmssY-diYeNQP-8ohYonhAQVn3UHPegW9qhcFDSAN69U_Mv7KfPYI630ejbikSUK5XeAS6u7IL5XGHQ-NPzT8hr1cbY6EDpDpDg6uym52jOv0bATaK-wYPRnk3aATPSENI/w400-h300/IMG_2422.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After reaching Custer State Park, we had time to explore the other roads, including Needles Highway (87) and Highway 879 into the town of Custer. Drama everywhere, these roads are carved out of granite with spires, outcroppings and amazing vistas everywhere. Photos don't do it justice. Go drive this road.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89X-RMQftEdLby66xPzw-5CxKaeM3RkQkQaYLfvMv43no65ehRt_UoOyOCwZCJrXUWh3gNPJyLuAmURt-8TmD5Dxn7BxE662S5UxdahGA8I_yGCW0tcGovbly1cvhVBpCj2UmfcmaSdFe-Tz788JDum5FOaXDyh5wJm5fY_JQzdTF8Unr9bkPHCOn4zc/s4032/IMG_2435.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89X-RMQftEdLby66xPzw-5CxKaeM3RkQkQaYLfvMv43no65ehRt_UoOyOCwZCJrXUWh3gNPJyLuAmURt-8TmD5Dxn7BxE662S5UxdahGA8I_yGCW0tcGovbly1cvhVBpCj2UmfcmaSdFe-Tz788JDum5FOaXDyh5wJm5fY_JQzdTF8Unr9bkPHCOn4zc/w400-h300/IMG_2435.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBWdsuJT987d1005stgbcUhCHzNhcHpY7wW-UhQEfCxQ05J_AN4JZKmI89fsVRSZP_WZmFN0rhvtt-zbwIg5AGNLoXdbNj1vlurzW2xVOLFBGFUKPL_CmhbYZ8JCziEfqC5rRS25kPWDJVJdrr80AqCOsDV5-rC6-dqq1QG-20Sq04ea2nvscX8aNOCQ/s4032/IMG_2448.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBWdsuJT987d1005stgbcUhCHzNhcHpY7wW-UhQEfCxQ05J_AN4JZKmI89fsVRSZP_WZmFN0rhvtt-zbwIg5AGNLoXdbNj1vlurzW2xVOLFBGFUKPL_CmhbYZ8JCziEfqC5rRS25kPWDJVJdrr80AqCOsDV5-rC6-dqq1QG-20Sq04ea2nvscX8aNOCQ/w400-h300/IMG_2448.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAU2zal3K2xEDTe-2iNxl-U3L7_5PLnb0BmNRCuTW59BCKnE1CplOimWza9jm-_ENN6JWYbpE6hEvbww6acZfIzXTSZkvxLO78mQ20w6CQLZGgkt5qMQQyeSHmmA-D4SMEOcWvFevTB1TxfALY9KTBPi3XAV_mEEsmnNl8qPdYXLhTcTue7rZ9Hrb3Ik/s4032/IMG_2462.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAU2zal3K2xEDTe-2iNxl-U3L7_5PLnb0BmNRCuTW59BCKnE1CplOimWza9jm-_ENN6JWYbpE6hEvbww6acZfIzXTSZkvxLO78mQ20w6CQLZGgkt5qMQQyeSHmmA-D4SMEOcWvFevTB1TxfALY9KTBPi3XAV_mEEsmnNl8qPdYXLhTcTue7rZ9Hrb3Ik/w400-h300/IMG_2462.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Driving South in Highway 89 brought us into the town of Custer, and we found a nice local brewery again, the "Mt. Rushmore Brewing Company and Pounding Fathers Restaurant". We enjoyed the "Rutherford B. Haze" Hazy IPA and the "Buffalo Snot" Stout. Both delicious. I also found a self-wash to get rid of the crusted bug wall on my front grill.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPUN2xvHQCPFfsqB4aQasySpd51Jf-QEOH3CoeYjkiKkGws4mkMEOAkvKLEn4tPUnLttaMVl2kF1jxlEx8uQqGnLmpW8SS7V5tJ3_Ze7M-qlT06ZkugkgZTg2wzO1lHVLTWKhraH1_l8XLFv9p7H5xiSexmQANywWTR5bS3idRn65_EmO2OCef8Jy4A8/s4032/IMG_2476.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPUN2xvHQCPFfsqB4aQasySpd51Jf-QEOH3CoeYjkiKkGws4mkMEOAkvKLEn4tPUnLttaMVl2kF1jxlEx8uQqGnLmpW8SS7V5tJ3_Ze7M-qlT06ZkugkgZTg2wzO1lHVLTWKhraH1_l8XLFv9p7H5xiSexmQANywWTR5bS3idRn65_EmO2OCef8Jy4A8/w400-h300/IMG_2476.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSt4YPY-yLwne3dwu4T6mTzrFnoOv5Qdaq3xeeQaxP7Ey-gdvI_mhKE2w0Qm1uIQY96SJxtm-XSShbFwA3vU7uHkdRUgFiGcvOINKWzYZcK8OU-gO9qX74sezK4J465O5CZAxKpwJckUl5oCyxErh63duKqrWKqA-XWoh1MhDHv31caSDW2uftSSfzVrY/s4032/IMG_2492.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSt4YPY-yLwne3dwu4T6mTzrFnoOv5Qdaq3xeeQaxP7Ey-gdvI_mhKE2w0Qm1uIQY96SJxtm-XSShbFwA3vU7uHkdRUgFiGcvOINKWzYZcK8OU-gO9qX74sezK4J465O5CZAxKpwJckUl5oCyxErh63duKqrWKqA-XWoh1MhDHv31caSDW2uftSSfzVrY/w300-h400/IMG_2492.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2n5Su1LU_U0zzvurEbj4AWfQ12_8ujpHsCUysHrRPD-3yYvcMm58DcPY9vArwo_CjjHG7sR4pYSy9lEi0fPml1IQgv53noCUd0GBjjcLc6pEs0R3MY5jGlTGlEQ4_ioe2ebdHDAlwQoBdH7KlGEBykIzo6JhvCRE0el8_oJxyrtiV2zMDwETlnbvrLNU/s4032/IMG_2494.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2n5Su1LU_U0zzvurEbj4AWfQ12_8ujpHsCUysHrRPD-3yYvcMm58DcPY9vArwo_CjjHG7sR4pYSy9lEi0fPml1IQgv53noCUd0GBjjcLc6pEs0R3MY5jGlTGlEQ4_ioe2ebdHDAlwQoBdH7KlGEBykIzo6JhvCRE0el8_oJxyrtiV2zMDwETlnbvrLNU/w300-h400/IMG_2494.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div>We ended the day with a Wildlife Jeep tour through the Custer State Park wildlife loop and saw herds of hundreds of Buffalo in the distance. Awe inspiring and beautiful, but we didn't get too close.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was time to check in at our hotel for the next couple nights: the Custer State Game Lodge. Super nice spot, once the "Summer White House" for President Calvin Coolidge. We settled in for the evening and toasted another great day of exploration.</div></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiR9BDumZqVYqm7-8ORVUbJTU74ljTuO6R9grltg6nGJ7f2OQc-6O3GsQSDxtCRnKAAHBw9VmSJbe7-sTwIbJpZ9FkL5zTA0iq6JwRDg6SovIt4PY7DlNFHA3f0LDGd9UiLrpPrgMR6keubnaWUgxEBMJPtc1JDvxznmv3LUUYnRWDx2nxcaxb4e_tkU/s4032/IMG_2646.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiR9BDumZqVYqm7-8ORVUbJTU74ljTuO6R9grltg6nGJ7f2OQc-6O3GsQSDxtCRnKAAHBw9VmSJbe7-sTwIbJpZ9FkL5zTA0iq6JwRDg6SovIt4PY7DlNFHA3f0LDGd9UiLrpPrgMR6keubnaWUgxEBMJPtc1JDvxznmv3LUUYnRWDx2nxcaxb4e_tkU/w400-h300/IMG_2646.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHHI6jcBZYBKO7eJRR6-q3qhhos226wkAyHuroPmSlStDx9eNeNv9SqVEnDkwj92sMdH09h4eXhEMz6QzZAgztdDFxVOd2NZb3Ke1bgMbFc9ghFzeBbzPti861dUbPqshHdJOsYnwqIQplOwD32u7Y5rqKCf-A5NeOO_ToyTdwhVjsJB2xAdUHcHgJOI/s4032/IMG_2552.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHHI6jcBZYBKO7eJRR6-q3qhhos226wkAyHuroPmSlStDx9eNeNv9SqVEnDkwj92sMdH09h4eXhEMz6QzZAgztdDFxVOd2NZb3Ke1bgMbFc9ghFzeBbzPti861dUbPqshHdJOsYnwqIQplOwD32u7Y5rqKCf-A5NeOO_ToyTdwhVjsJB2xAdUHcHgJOI/w400-h300/IMG_2552.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-hfvk3a8iniDPf9mjG3rxxaFF20K1F6CB1J07llsVp-hneoqLx8f3m4wqux2S4PCcb2Mn7CqICg5iWPQS5XxLmfNAHHzfd7SiA8oX6IPrPKqha4AmSJ9OscNa35l1hQCaDRcyVXoHPc_WSzDVno0-bHl-JAC6sIXMjbVar9m302KP5VgK9SdwpgWF90/s4032/IMG_2505.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-hfvk3a8iniDPf9mjG3rxxaFF20K1F6CB1J07llsVp-hneoqLx8f3m4wqux2S4PCcb2Mn7CqICg5iWPQS5XxLmfNAHHzfd7SiA8oX6IPrPKqha4AmSJ9OscNa35l1hQCaDRcyVXoHPc_WSzDVno0-bHl-JAC6sIXMjbVar9m302KP5VgK9SdwpgWF90/w400-h300/IMG_2505.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0lohkjVoNuJKF7b4sIW8jFjOBsvCafdRdQR5FDMEU8sCycfp2eyUxqKQqGRZp4X--zVcyCrd8qRY_jNHiO7kT6K-g8tshYQ-6c9KYl-nS_6UuAbCsYRzJeIxlBCbLKNh9SB_s_DEISY_SPOUkDr2eIxItPaPNY7l73kt4Yeb1VNKEOkH0da8y561504/s4032/IMG_2647.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0lohkjVoNuJKF7b4sIW8jFjOBsvCafdRdQR5FDMEU8sCycfp2eyUxqKQqGRZp4X--zVcyCrd8qRY_jNHiO7kT6K-g8tshYQ-6c9KYl-nS_6UuAbCsYRzJeIxlBCbLKNh9SB_s_DEISY_SPOUkDr2eIxItPaPNY7l73kt4Yeb1VNKEOkH0da8y561504/w400-h300/IMG_2647.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Day 6: Crazy Horse Monument, Sylvan Lake, Wildlife Loop</span></u></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The goal for this day was to run all those great roads again, in the opposite direction, which we did. We also drove a new section of the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway (Hwy 244 and 385) to get to the Crazy Horse Monument.</div><div><br /></div><div>As we pulled out of our hotel driveway, a lone Bison sauntered right along the road next to us. I was ready to scoot away fast if he turned toward us! After two hours in a Jeep the prior day, watching from 100 yards away, this dude just came to us and scratched himself on the tree outside our lodge.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavb_wmfIAT95Twoms4M8604Yj3YBwVzoFTgRpEUgyeT3P9q-54_dXmdKPMOLHiFO89bVjQuOp7Bt8GXcHaK74lbX9D-gihHfrT67xFLyIgwh_QFzdZ0phTMhtQ8Ox1vGG-hU2ihWROER_P3C13hCr-mN8t1tKvqA3s7CpQuQmglAuZNor6qcgHYoJfM4/s4032/IMG_3242.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavb_wmfIAT95Twoms4M8604Yj3YBwVzoFTgRpEUgyeT3P9q-54_dXmdKPMOLHiFO89bVjQuOp7Bt8GXcHaK74lbX9D-gihHfrT67xFLyIgwh_QFzdZ0phTMhtQ8Ox1vGG-hU2ihWROER_P3C13hCr-mN8t1tKvqA3s7CpQuQmglAuZNor6qcgHYoJfM4/s320/IMG_3242.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SxirsrM1kpY" width="320" youtube-src-id="SxirsrM1kpY"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>Again, Iron Mountain Highway in the North direction did not disappoint: views of Rushmore and more crazy twists and tunnels through the green forest. BTW, have I mentioned that I LOVE the 2018 Porsche GT3? It does everything well. Comfortable to drive, stable in all conditions, dramatic and fun at high revs, and planted to the tarmac like it has magnets underneath. And Jill at this point was shocked that after many days in the car, she was still wildly comfortable. Great seats (I have the 18-way adjustable seats, not the sports bucket seats built for track use).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBfc4uOE40vokO9B1jtF_JIpb9BuNMw2OIEs9wtlbUe-0mqTdOvLwGE82nPog2QClGrgO6jAHRIhDypjRzjxX1JvYBgsZ8660iOIQ8I4dmjCcPFZwciQAdRIM6XDvBuTolh321s9I4du4pIT8Li3q3BtVU4pk9swrdQ8fT-WPCGhKG-TluaLljlK3kqo/s4032/IMG_2561.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBfc4uOE40vokO9B1jtF_JIpb9BuNMw2OIEs9wtlbUe-0mqTdOvLwGE82nPog2QClGrgO6jAHRIhDypjRzjxX1JvYBgsZ8660iOIQ8I4dmjCcPFZwciQAdRIM6XDvBuTolh321s9I4du4pIT8Li3q3BtVU4pk9swrdQ8fT-WPCGhKG-TluaLljlK3kqo/w400-h300/IMG_2561.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5a96wt_UY0vWJJ5vH5hc7ujOl4z_fZt7QZPYyhwVcUxXkvhp3UlRINYMN8HW47fgonLEaWXB-kTxV30uvWKAY5IDY4eGi0LoNlQ25loPLxaYZBbdC4pbI28-IUBdg5k7mgcJrXHIZHTn4d3-AthCvsl_gO-1tATiAL_gCY-pqY9BrkknfP2LP9k452KY/s7558/IMG_3259.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3842" data-original-width="7558" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5a96wt_UY0vWJJ5vH5hc7ujOl4z_fZt7QZPYyhwVcUxXkvhp3UlRINYMN8HW47fgonLEaWXB-kTxV30uvWKAY5IDY4eGi0LoNlQ25loPLxaYZBbdC4pbI28-IUBdg5k7mgcJrXHIZHTn4d3-AthCvsl_gO-1tATiAL_gCY-pqY9BrkknfP2LP9k452KY/w400-h204/IMG_3259.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKOmdkWRsme3Y5dso5H_5YH44-ZFOHrX6x9Mqz40ct3RQRPjBnyGNnOgJaFZ9ZhZK2p2Tl47SML1KiMcjhUJyTdM2cxPBHQ5UAjvGXrtGqrXYUTpJv4zXO03OW7thKnk0spYcfXMx-3FwHvwfC3ipLCyAsoYlKFC82Dgz5DtwoV1pQOnI4Ei2q9XBgMg/s4032/IMG_3272.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKOmdkWRsme3Y5dso5H_5YH44-ZFOHrX6x9Mqz40ct3RQRPjBnyGNnOgJaFZ9ZhZK2p2Tl47SML1KiMcjhUJyTdM2cxPBHQ5UAjvGXrtGqrXYUTpJv4zXO03OW7thKnk0spYcfXMx-3FwHvwfC3ipLCyAsoYlKFC82Dgz5DtwoV1pQOnI4Ei2q9XBgMg/w400-h300/IMG_3272.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Crazy Horse Monument was next, and just like Rushmore, we were awed by the sheer magnitude of the undertaking. The passion of the original idea man, Henry Standing Bear, and the original sculptor's (Korczak Ziolkowski) reverence for the native people was inspiring. The work continues still, after 75 years, and it may be another century before the vision is complete. Ziolkowski's grandchildren are still part of the organization building this. It was a fantastic tour. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgrZ0A_MSIwjfAOfnIQsdmAuzEHd7NVy0XDT2bn50gCX5EYCa3XQKChd6_kPSd7Q3Yr3hYJZJ7rh3_0QbXUmTF1CukS8O8ByqWTq9AAaiaZ72Wbm9x_GHpWou09ZGzXihPfGL7QFohITJ_-8kRf8EgdNAfCu9Fwjkkt1XbYzg9YU_mFo63Gk0sBCpKII/s4032/IMG_2564.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgrZ0A_MSIwjfAOfnIQsdmAuzEHd7NVy0XDT2bn50gCX5EYCa3XQKChd6_kPSd7Q3Yr3hYJZJ7rh3_0QbXUmTF1CukS8O8ByqWTq9AAaiaZ72Wbm9x_GHpWou09ZGzXihPfGL7QFohITJ_-8kRf8EgdNAfCu9Fwjkkt1XbYzg9YU_mFo63Gk0sBCpKII/s320/IMG_2564.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhew_qIB8VIq-w3nXgrDaFlIwvxi4A0HozWrFSpYDSW0J3OGMzQzG1BJBiRyBy5WgoY6qhqvy2lIjGaDg6pALYov-d4Qk75BK7WfHpPftIG2pZhFVLdvUFtNOJcZuNPlJplZK2YF3OuOj6fMajBMsp3z_wrnNxtOjYtogzQE6nLixZR3J-s4Symz6NulmM/s4032/IMG_2569.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhew_qIB8VIq-w3nXgrDaFlIwvxi4A0HozWrFSpYDSW0J3OGMzQzG1BJBiRyBy5WgoY6qhqvy2lIjGaDg6pALYov-d4Qk75BK7WfHpPftIG2pZhFVLdvUFtNOJcZuNPlJplZK2YF3OuOj6fMajBMsp3z_wrnNxtOjYtogzQE6nLixZR3J-s4Symz6NulmM/s320/IMG_2569.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Needles Highway going east from Highway 89 really gave us even more perspective on the drama of this road. We stopped at Sylvan lake for a walk around this gem in the mountains. Food options weren't so good, so I already had the brewery restaurant in my head again. The Needle Eye near the summit gets a bit of traffic, so we had to stop and wait for some other cars coming the opposite direction. Photo opp!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NcnPXixjDt7UYkzomGyf5OYHafr2GiWORxmINZ27vTWFEqLJR27fx7e7bAPEsn-6m-HhwGw8XaVovUR2qFIklfZNiyf5JoiFWlun4EPmluS5qCjMi3IbqimSdGWZYE9Ju-YmcRnnCYltzctMAC52fhZUVOmlGXJNL9sSmz1bd4KnQEO_BGP3VSqzi14/s4032/IMG_2581.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NcnPXixjDt7UYkzomGyf5OYHafr2GiWORxmINZ27vTWFEqLJR27fx7e7bAPEsn-6m-HhwGw8XaVovUR2qFIklfZNiyf5JoiFWlun4EPmluS5qCjMi3IbqimSdGWZYE9Ju-YmcRnnCYltzctMAC52fhZUVOmlGXJNL9sSmz1bd4KnQEO_BGP3VSqzi14/w400-h300/IMG_2581.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6ibcQowkhLOnAWH1GJ64W_a00L4Xv_dmVHTW9g3Gx_HnlD-M29AL0lkMshBtZ_4C6l6ulFaw--thFOI5ylpoDB08XWNbQqr58fKis_u3ExpPMZux5n0LuY-SPdvFCIviiGp7hxaubo43fo7oD6fBAXL-QBkDiW0CfR4OvPZc1_ycwHRpKSy1ICGzfQc/s4032/IMG_2586.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6ibcQowkhLOnAWH1GJ64W_a00L4Xv_dmVHTW9g3Gx_HnlD-M29AL0lkMshBtZ_4C6l6ulFaw--thFOI5ylpoDB08XWNbQqr58fKis_u3ExpPMZux5n0LuY-SPdvFCIviiGp7hxaubo43fo7oD6fBAXL-QBkDiW0CfR4OvPZc1_ycwHRpKSy1ICGzfQc/w400-h300/IMG_2586.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipq1v3DNwpS88oXDDTxnDAu_MUnszYFFlWy2aD8VbiXyZrjQWkSEI1UoYyhcM4nwfc6z4uydM9NuRovJk3yxPCeQXovqsHGiS4aDj3XSDuujvq1b233I_BKaAzbqRcfCY0BmCUxKaw5xL-6WGqpLFlVixvLbWPRoLQMIzIe7AM3J5HaGri0rHl-fqN6Xo/s4032/IMG_2602.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipq1v3DNwpS88oXDDTxnDAu_MUnszYFFlWy2aD8VbiXyZrjQWkSEI1UoYyhcM4nwfc6z4uydM9NuRovJk3yxPCeQXovqsHGiS4aDj3XSDuujvq1b233I_BKaAzbqRcfCY0BmCUxKaw5xL-6WGqpLFlVixvLbWPRoLQMIzIe7AM3J5HaGri0rHl-fqN6Xo/w300-h400/IMG_2602.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dIIL6O314nA" width="320" youtube-src-id="dIIL6O314nA"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>We stopped in again to the brewery and I really enjoyed the bratwurst made of rattlesnake, rabbit, and pork. I also enjoyed a chat at the gas station with a guy who races Miatas and an old gentleman in a Chevy pickup with more rust than paint. Talk about "patina"! He was a kind and cheerful man and he lamented to me that he can't sneak around town very easily, everyone knows his truck when he comes around!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacYbHr5RpxXYvIZSoi7q1391reeI8bIEWppLdEYfAH_eZOmgSt290YR9pTrYQHyQI5aaHMNuCdzMMiXFHiy0cAWaIbnf2HaxU5pFnT_zOORfVCuinISERr3uNU4X292yE3bCVrOoSmnY5kGbZFtTQyFnQdZYrQOxd3lWwEB79nKMhoWdn6i-ADqBAZ_Y/s4032/IMG_2625.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacYbHr5RpxXYvIZSoi7q1391reeI8bIEWppLdEYfAH_eZOmgSt290YR9pTrYQHyQI5aaHMNuCdzMMiXFHiy0cAWaIbnf2HaxU5pFnT_zOORfVCuinISERr3uNU4X292yE3bCVrOoSmnY5kGbZFtTQyFnQdZYrQOxd3lWwEB79nKMhoWdn6i-ADqBAZ_Y/w400-h300/IMG_2625.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXXz5rm7rxBBFkte7nqkitpTVI-w6KXrF0vps7a03UYOL20G_KWqisKBF7h0BywfFdk1K2o4THalLV582dxjCfkP5jOqLOjKfbHpS5FODlooWq4y_myLvpD7wmEewBnYPTfEkzI9En6Mzi4XQrE3in2cmCciylc1mwlDnXgZio7KovXgCLcqAvD7i91E/s4032/IMG_2626.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXXz5rm7rxBBFkte7nqkitpTVI-w6KXrF0vps7a03UYOL20G_KWqisKBF7h0BywfFdk1K2o4THalLV582dxjCfkP5jOqLOjKfbHpS5FODlooWq4y_myLvpD7wmEewBnYPTfEkzI9En6Mzi4XQrE3in2cmCciylc1mwlDnXgZio7KovXgCLcqAvD7i91E/w400-h300/IMG_2626.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And on the way back to the Lodge for the night, we ran into a pack of local burros hanging out on the road and being very social.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-bB-rVQZWaAhk-8ULd18SI0XEFyIvnAk4YdiP0d2vHkddoKXW8jxELUIWykuA2hivaRK4eQQr_hD10r1LbZoLlzEWkP2kY9IdqODf26_ezsT2RLgUbrvDxDRuXgoSvVVdT6GglnsB2otFi1pyGpJVHBXhAf-Tj3ujIa9mNQrIrPa0c_6ED4UF5w9j2I/s4032/IMG_2629.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-bB-rVQZWaAhk-8ULd18SI0XEFyIvnAk4YdiP0d2vHkddoKXW8jxELUIWykuA2hivaRK4eQQr_hD10r1LbZoLlzEWkP2kY9IdqODf26_ezsT2RLgUbrvDxDRuXgoSvVVdT6GglnsB2otFi1pyGpJVHBXhAf-Tj3ujIa9mNQrIrPa0c_6ED4UF5w9j2I/w400-h300/IMG_2629.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnXW4rO51CFYaKYB8yBfdorfVq_bAhk90JaLD-mcql7JYsAi4YYr0XUWKq_275K2MpM--hi9vTDIg167AoqB5-3o4YMjSn_dd2r_NpjNpDEaQzVUcc2eFQ18Nmpg1YebKmnZFkPM4sD6jWK-ydWDyGEJ9pbl2CpRvKs0wkORMB7lDbhX7i6eZHAkZc1w/s4032/IMG_2640.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnXW4rO51CFYaKYB8yBfdorfVq_bAhk90JaLD-mcql7JYsAi4YYr0XUWKq_275K2MpM--hi9vTDIg167AoqB5-3o4YMjSn_dd2r_NpjNpDEaQzVUcc2eFQ18Nmpg1YebKmnZFkPM4sD6jWK-ydWDyGEJ9pbl2CpRvKs0wkORMB7lDbhX7i6eZHAkZc1w/w400-h300/IMG_2640.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Day 7: Wind Cave National Park and the Road to Vail, Colorado.</span></u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Wind Cave is less than an hour from Custer, and another fun road down Highway 87 and 385. Wind Cave is fascinating. A 2-hour tour took us along the "Fairgounds" loop underground, up and down hundreds of steps and through indescribable formations. There are over 165 miles of cave discovered here so far and they think they've only accessed about 10% of it. It's massive, one of the largest in the world. It's beautiful, but it doesn't come through well in photos, so I'll just suggest you visit someday!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjue2FstRMAxKZccvdRtdBYMfyjHT0mEa6-xiVVVYQKrXX1d4-_w7Bov-LaehMqN2ZsWTljNBKKDoFXeuogX88FG1W-AJtaikPH_HDe8t5niLn_ymDf8h1KOhr1rpPks_yODgbhbW1T2ba-bc9vh5PzdNj21-Qym12vCcQrpTU6UmxzjeM0p6xeEFhFtvA/s4032/IMG_2652.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjue2FstRMAxKZccvdRtdBYMfyjHT0mEa6-xiVVVYQKrXX1d4-_w7Bov-LaehMqN2ZsWTljNBKKDoFXeuogX88FG1W-AJtaikPH_HDe8t5niLn_ymDf8h1KOhr1rpPks_yODgbhbW1T2ba-bc9vh5PzdNj21-Qym12vCcQrpTU6UmxzjeM0p6xeEFhFtvA/w400-h300/IMG_2652.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMMA5cL3Xh8wOrJQCgawvYd9Eg9fZzPgUN3TNGkmEWDvn2wusLHbBp0Jf9FRfc3bbdSlnytptwtZ7krIPMS2wIO2AVSwefrY6OLCbf716jEXCZJGu778rzpkqQ49WdsHdzc4DYLirj9RCaNlgHJsGa6xzGSpEDYLenNV6jyoUThoWmdy_QIz20ebnB-Q/s4032/IMG_2668.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMMA5cL3Xh8wOrJQCgawvYd9Eg9fZzPgUN3TNGkmEWDvn2wusLHbBp0Jf9FRfc3bbdSlnytptwtZ7krIPMS2wIO2AVSwefrY6OLCbf716jEXCZJGu778rzpkqQ49WdsHdzc4DYLirj9RCaNlgHJsGa6xzGSpEDYLenNV6jyoUThoWmdy_QIz20ebnB-Q/w400-h300/IMG_2668.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw82Lns5h3YZk_l43jkA2XipdrXUIDQmMAZr3hI7cf_IvCp3f7hmpKbdFKwcudRKYgW886EU-FMTBS4FGeP9z4v-xS7QiGHF3z0F8oAahagoQbz7_f3Na135OZHQG-b7C2O2bbiFmHg6NtGYRPgM2KZPc6M1woLwQtHq0A9NSVRa2mu6nifsjfCpfn8Sk/s4032/IMG_2676.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw82Lns5h3YZk_l43jkA2XipdrXUIDQmMAZr3hI7cf_IvCp3f7hmpKbdFKwcudRKYgW886EU-FMTBS4FGeP9z4v-xS7QiGHF3z0F8oAahagoQbz7_f3Na135OZHQG-b7C2O2bbiFmHg6NtGYRPgM2KZPc6M1woLwQtHq0A9NSVRa2mu6nifsjfCpfn8Sk/w400-h300/IMG_2676.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Now it was time to make our way to Vail, Colorado. This was to be about 441 miles and 7 hours (we beat that time). The terrain was probably the least interesting of our trip, mainly the several hours through the Southeast corner of Wyoming, near Cheyenne. Lots more hay fields and bugs, and a couple scattered thunderstorms. The Prairie is broad and beautiful, but coffee is a good companion!<div><br /></div><div>We skirted through lots of construction traffic in Fort Collins (avoid if you can) and arrived in Vail in the afternoon and checked into our Condo. After the rustic feel of the last week, Vail and Lionshead Village made me feel pretty "boujee" (as the Millenials would say). I figured that after a long drive I deserved a treat. It had been over 2200 miles at this point and I had eaten plenty of red meat and bratwurst. So we went to the Montauk Seafood Grill and I ordered the caviar appetizer and champagne, followed by the seared scallops and grits to put myself in the mood for a good night's sleep. It worked.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwNQWS05hRQIpoZBsuDzG6y4O2K1te6ubEepWYE--bNJ2nuEYYWZl9L433ksrZbi8qW_OrpcHBgv1Q-n8GfznRYC-VcdRx6368aYpCJo-ZtLd8ScXLMMgfgyXwCXXfNSb_7csS3Cejw65HbHrldMCQj9qHmpjRX5d-b34yvcrkQ78DuS_z0HcEU3KJ2A/s4032/IMG_2735.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwNQWS05hRQIpoZBsuDzG6y4O2K1te6ubEepWYE--bNJ2nuEYYWZl9L433ksrZbi8qW_OrpcHBgv1Q-n8GfznRYC-VcdRx6368aYpCJo-ZtLd8ScXLMMgfgyXwCXXfNSb_7csS3Cejw65HbHrldMCQj9qHmpjRX5d-b34yvcrkQ78DuS_z0HcEU3KJ2A/w400-h300/IMG_2735.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGYjc9CFy_KY5hD7XzCcLfapUi3Z_wHQcAXf8hpDA_ZfkXQch-4RYyswHDHW_0cfc3zHfhrbS2aqVRfk4pDf9xJdkU7FBfChWNDDTWjX0wYZTde28WNQ4MM5Z0rDbeezXXJTsPQUaqqcaDE_AgmT8hxdgaHjTenIDLszBn7SoieOIw1M-syhR_9kwCkk/s4032/IMG_2686.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGYjc9CFy_KY5hD7XzCcLfapUi3Z_wHQcAXf8hpDA_ZfkXQch-4RYyswHDHW_0cfc3zHfhrbS2aqVRfk4pDf9xJdkU7FBfChWNDDTWjX0wYZTde28WNQ4MM5Z0rDbeezXXJTsPQUaqqcaDE_AgmT8hxdgaHjTenIDLszBn7SoieOIw1M-syhR_9kwCkk/w300-h400/IMG_2686.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xTw-XuTbtdi-apnzI4UAd1wd_OB_vMkGktjLf0HWztqQnaiAvjBH_-dIS5fj4XGnqGkF8TC9RQVyScu8zHQP0OwHu8JWg8hxXorCq-j31rsSSd1Z2Yb1QXW4_1EPUPkcZwcvyzEaM_0nT9aJCd_DWIGLnSFAGRggtkcm_gIVYLymPj0PNQNPOn4flqA/s4032/IMG_2690.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xTw-XuTbtdi-apnzI4UAd1wd_OB_vMkGktjLf0HWztqQnaiAvjBH_-dIS5fj4XGnqGkF8TC9RQVyScu8zHQP0OwHu8JWg8hxXorCq-j31rsSSd1Z2Yb1QXW4_1EPUPkcZwcvyzEaM_0nT9aJCd_DWIGLnSFAGRggtkcm_gIVYLymPj0PNQNPOn4flqA/w300-h400/IMG_2690.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Day 8: Vail Mountain hiking</span></u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>We loaded up on coffee and got ready for the Gondola ride up the mountain. Vail is a magical spot with amazing views. There are two Gondolas that run in the Summer. One out of Vail Village and one from Lionshead Village. We hiked around up top and enjoyed the stellar views on a clear day. We ate marginal food at the top and eventually took the other Gondola down into Vail Village, where we just enjoyed a day of no driving. To be honest, I was itching to hit the road again! But we thoroughly enjoyed our time on this fantastic mountain!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZ70PDT1gKCdbJpe6dTclKfhnLkUMS2A_YKMtPUvpU54Ijolx-jcvgw7T-Ics5W430U3CU-_Dyy46rSI95Uv8XSt1D_tV_XuvRR9M1QUsbrY6W1Z4sgI1SZTRVMYzXos4ffJH6EDIwbyOktqwiwk2bGg_m-G2bO4RTDyKxqvcdcQKs2CJDz29QyGn3sk/s4032/IMG_2693.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZ70PDT1gKCdbJpe6dTclKfhnLkUMS2A_YKMtPUvpU54Ijolx-jcvgw7T-Ics5W430U3CU-_Dyy46rSI95Uv8XSt1D_tV_XuvRR9M1QUsbrY6W1Z4sgI1SZTRVMYzXos4ffJH6EDIwbyOktqwiwk2bGg_m-G2bO4RTDyKxqvcdcQKs2CJDz29QyGn3sk/w400-h300/IMG_2693.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGyUfzCXxr1z-2q7SJXAZPvhcmX4B3-pOqWMq5sYoSRkM6SqZ9MwlSYLLvalb9l9Ys6PrLddNx__Vr7WA8xvGGTOC79PwUuDC8ZhN3wJGszxB2GeBSZBlAPhhTYVpGyrlP23RsAJRfZdt0HhlK7vHWa_O124QSSP-GAF2cmL5qujrojLAmol49S8QYnQM/s4032/IMG_2705.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGyUfzCXxr1z-2q7SJXAZPvhcmX4B3-pOqWMq5sYoSRkM6SqZ9MwlSYLLvalb9l9Ys6PrLddNx__Vr7WA8xvGGTOC79PwUuDC8ZhN3wJGszxB2GeBSZBlAPhhTYVpGyrlP23RsAJRfZdt0HhlK7vHWa_O124QSSP-GAF2cmL5qujrojLAmol49S8QYnQM/w400-h300/IMG_2705.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibksxWmRfaZzk9QKa9iJZhqJqq0XVwtHCXk4gzDeZUo3Kkc9ZKMnQDzQwDJNZBRtnWpHxILNWC1Y8DYTsEQoR_Af_j82txLJ-MOKmPwZY1C1NR06k_0Ua0B9yxYP1x3Y7fYMM7MhLp_GUNiIHczLN6o4DnF5eiKQeBU4nfDi5xdOdEA5ENP7k-p0wlWB0/s4032/IMG_2711.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibksxWmRfaZzk9QKa9iJZhqJqq0XVwtHCXk4gzDeZUo3Kkc9ZKMnQDzQwDJNZBRtnWpHxILNWC1Y8DYTsEQoR_Af_j82txLJ-MOKmPwZY1C1NR06k_0Ua0B9yxYP1x3Y7fYMM7MhLp_GUNiIHczLN6o4DnF5eiKQeBU4nfDi5xdOdEA5ENP7k-p0wlWB0/w400-h300/IMG_2711.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkOJDHwoTyNMJom9lFt-XudGuxrecSPASNZ93e_DtXccuX2tTPNaWK3I-0sKq53jVccS4IbMpM9FeV--xAC40Djze2bwqn9xYLan_Dud680nCDOHrKodckoKMLdPe1rRnqqIcmIa88SlV58czdC2wH1Iq_Ln6TnVtaKc4oY64hMBNtWtAUlZIc29qPHg/s4032/IMG_2708.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkOJDHwoTyNMJom9lFt-XudGuxrecSPASNZ93e_DtXccuX2tTPNaWK3I-0sKq53jVccS4IbMpM9FeV--xAC40Djze2bwqn9xYLan_Dud680nCDOHrKodckoKMLdPe1rRnqqIcmIa88SlV58czdC2wH1Iq_Ln6TnVtaKc4oY64hMBNtWtAUlZIc29qPHg/w400-h300/IMG_2708.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVHDHGWfqdUQomjsUhVt-lcft_j0J7q2JKwgZKzObl03pSsIYSrL2r6JvgxQHZ0GgN8ptfXqqUTWelWe8Kt37XlcrfnBrZ8GH7KqsWx7neXbIGe87xaFANtHCP9PXONiOQHc5o96QxzWb1m8s_tVXbfT0oShxyRGC_Rg_x3yd0UB7ywRitlCFbkxbVek/s4032/IMG_3421.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2729" data-original-width="4032" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVHDHGWfqdUQomjsUhVt-lcft_j0J7q2JKwgZKzObl03pSsIYSrL2r6JvgxQHZ0GgN8ptfXqqUTWelWe8Kt37XlcrfnBrZ8GH7KqsWx7neXbIGe87xaFANtHCP9PXONiOQHc5o96QxzWb1m8s_tVXbfT0oShxyRGC_Rg_x3yd0UB7ywRitlCFbkxbVek/w400-h271/IMG_3421.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJF32VLCahL21bS3ux33f_OLryfzPRr_9bOh0zLbrHr9y86cgl5TYbAtWYn9iafnJ2jneH5Zoi9i575aH_-bFYu5xvVdhmNAM3lhylHuJVEuzUmR684decSGbt73z6_cBtjyvmok8drEbuSUFHmw84H41fva_wLj0gohcViBJbYcogYVHFiH0E82fUcbw/s4032/IMG_3435.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJF32VLCahL21bS3ux33f_OLryfzPRr_9bOh0zLbrHr9y86cgl5TYbAtWYn9iafnJ2jneH5Zoi9i575aH_-bFYu5xvVdhmNAM3lhylHuJVEuzUmR684decSGbt73z6_cBtjyvmok8drEbuSUFHmw84H41fva_wLj0gohcViBJbYcogYVHFiH0E82fUcbw/w400-h300/IMG_3435.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Day 9: Vail to Aspen via Scenic I-70, Glenwood Canyon and Glenwood Springs<br /></span></u></b><div><br /></div><div>It's been a long while since I've traveled this road, so I had forgotten how scenic this stretch of I-70 is. Known as the most beautiful stretch of Interstate highway anywhere in the US, it lived up to its billing on this glorious sunny day. We drove the 60 miles along I-70 into Glenwood Springs before turning for Aspen in Hwy 82. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOAnqF612VkCqxkZQfGoo_4zp_wd0SEnjc5BTbhca2uZKefLwRGyP4ffARkaOHcnMHJPvG3vyYCYOQ2uLhHTc19HhOPUHsdyqQa6cPDChHwAK0Y1TYH7pkJ1xvHMGLvBuP8fO-KeyYtRN1CJ3GoMt_VjxQtY9pzVvaUaE0x7NfdsW3GgL984eCqrqeTM/s4032/IMG_2754.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOAnqF612VkCqxkZQfGoo_4zp_wd0SEnjc5BTbhca2uZKefLwRGyP4ffARkaOHcnMHJPvG3vyYCYOQ2uLhHTc19HhOPUHsdyqQa6cPDChHwAK0Y1TYH7pkJ1xvHMGLvBuP8fO-KeyYtRN1CJ3GoMt_VjxQtY9pzVvaUaE0x7NfdsW3GgL984eCqrqeTM/w400-h300/IMG_2754.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6XZAcGphSp7eKgOD5LMHPpDZ4DPMdaOXDb4n1_xz890ef1nt8pJZArmEAJBSzKPpiZ2b6MUHIwZteB1I_2kpy-ISpQgVzxH8uPh9Xg8MzN5Whs7OhHJHDHzRoN7rFlAcmzWMSMNjGHJu1Y4qyfp8emJ0vbbgy4_XVmbzSQr92ZgRGSAsej5mLz5rTSs/s4032/IMG_2755.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6XZAcGphSp7eKgOD5LMHPpDZ4DPMdaOXDb4n1_xz890ef1nt8pJZArmEAJBSzKPpiZ2b6MUHIwZteB1I_2kpy-ISpQgVzxH8uPh9Xg8MzN5Whs7OhHJHDHzRoN7rFlAcmzWMSMNjGHJu1Y4qyfp8emJ0vbbgy4_XVmbzSQr92ZgRGSAsej5mLz5rTSs/w400-h300/IMG_2755.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17mu6isiSIsFXLNXx1D9ztr0nBJzi0dkPk_FU-JN5mHzw-fPmbbW22PWo5daZ2y1YGSmf7ufulkhmWEZYrGiEvyy0HsxmES8fLfh-EHMZbF0WDWtbIsd2D9I5WplLX6BOT9jS-_mHO-BO_xNZ2mlDy7KlQQycaZ7UMUs1eLu8VigX3fp_l4Y07SMSWTg/s4032/IMG_2771.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17mu6isiSIsFXLNXx1D9ztr0nBJzi0dkPk_FU-JN5mHzw-fPmbbW22PWo5daZ2y1YGSmf7ufulkhmWEZYrGiEvyy0HsxmES8fLfh-EHMZbF0WDWtbIsd2D9I5WplLX6BOT9jS-_mHO-BO_xNZ2mlDy7KlQQycaZ7UMUs1eLu8VigX3fp_l4Y07SMSWTg/w400-h300/IMG_2771.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgws9VhNfOBltHg_rMRUpzAghJEHHBZZaY3xcL61hnhqLswS7a0F-ixWXVYiq4owROAJgllfXRIRHZIwYdPcEBrapwmW8u39__zHiBBNyYJuF5nfku96vyJPTGLvL8wIKIbducVVmJAD97I53KisaZHwjm_JzkU_D93WMElmZdvnMIgb3to6D5zmv1zPy0/s4032/IMG_3468.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2249" data-original-width="4032" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgws9VhNfOBltHg_rMRUpzAghJEHHBZZaY3xcL61hnhqLswS7a0F-ixWXVYiq4owROAJgllfXRIRHZIwYdPcEBrapwmW8u39__zHiBBNyYJuF5nfku96vyJPTGLvL8wIKIbducVVmJAD97I53KisaZHwjm_JzkU_D93WMElmZdvnMIgb3to6D5zmv1zPy0/w400-h223/IMG_3468.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We stopped in Glenwood Springs to rent E-Bikes and ride along the rushing Colorado River through Glenwood Canyon. It was about a 14 mile round trip to the Shoshone Hydro facility, and we got great views of the canyon, the river, and the many whitewater rafters on the Colorado. Great stop. I was also fascinated by the construction of this epic Interstate Highway we rode under for part of it.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-34QNPSp6SBbihSxmaBuhu1UCj7gcmpWPAVI_BtDfQ_5TZfvHHUoe75bcaz0co1Sb-UWjCRSFMGZUyFlQRv3Bi41ImJNZZ2SE9F-5p18SKhecRf30muhOSi-AnhMT3UMNCQuL87E3Zhur_uzcTiuhmRH4W2tEkDbKZocxrBUzoLVud0eFecEZkCQ7vA/s4032/IMG_2777.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-34QNPSp6SBbihSxmaBuhu1UCj7gcmpWPAVI_BtDfQ_5TZfvHHUoe75bcaz0co1Sb-UWjCRSFMGZUyFlQRv3Bi41ImJNZZ2SE9F-5p18SKhecRf30muhOSi-AnhMT3UMNCQuL87E3Zhur_uzcTiuhmRH4W2tEkDbKZocxrBUzoLVud0eFecEZkCQ7vA/w400-h300/IMG_2777.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VNpAG43U2gj_iYm2LrQXaJVrgaMGVzkf4jUTipQNPYXDXgrl3b3Sd7u87etHSp8upUgXMOCbz2CXZ5Hk4tjP4rty6gSwIoN9MVvj2FTx8MZ-e5IqShNOlZvEfh71PfpO68b7AeiU_aKbgwQ728F5zaTmDez_uvueePCRs3zBLhyDc9hwlZdnkhArc_o/s4032/IMG_2780.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VNpAG43U2gj_iYm2LrQXaJVrgaMGVzkf4jUTipQNPYXDXgrl3b3Sd7u87etHSp8upUgXMOCbz2CXZ5Hk4tjP4rty6gSwIoN9MVvj2FTx8MZ-e5IqShNOlZvEfh71PfpO68b7AeiU_aKbgwQ728F5zaTmDez_uvueePCRs3zBLhyDc9hwlZdnkhArc_o/w400-h300/IMG_2780.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB64hT_-O16jteYWatbn7ZuJEFBNPeTKXQvjcUELP2u1m3OL9VccZHOrczH8e8loHMyR-3-872JHp68BWI8e8PGQlNSl1XFlmtJiMdJwGb4xBLdhJPgjmi554n0LOrcWIKOJ_76w2nnND1ousmsUl5g1jyJOdD_zeh6iA98yPFGOJMEMn-LZNrr9XztxE/s3351/IMG_2787.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2529" data-original-width="3351" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB64hT_-O16jteYWatbn7ZuJEFBNPeTKXQvjcUELP2u1m3OL9VccZHOrczH8e8loHMyR-3-872JHp68BWI8e8PGQlNSl1XFlmtJiMdJwGb4xBLdhJPgjmi554n0LOrcWIKOJ_76w2nnND1ousmsUl5g1jyJOdD_zeh6iA98yPFGOJMEMn-LZNrr9XztxE/w400-h303/IMG_2787.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNGzmLlVBK8OdP-p1cMWhA7VEmAyIoD6fbJ7QpZnW5GIqdOPCT_99d3hHEJFZzPlaZ8NTdSQuODPK2-JI7U8oR18k7bQkoTypBEjf3rayzgjBEXR227xozA9bo4s0S6Ol27Dglw9PcqnIiW7Z3X4PBnQIGncc0AyNxBS-MAPlaKowuKMz6G-s4APHEq0/s4032/IMG_2795.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNGzmLlVBK8OdP-p1cMWhA7VEmAyIoD6fbJ7QpZnW5GIqdOPCT_99d3hHEJFZzPlaZ8NTdSQuODPK2-JI7U8oR18k7bQkoTypBEjf3rayzgjBEXR227xozA9bo4s0S6Ol27Dglw9PcqnIiW7Z3X4PBnQIGncc0AyNxBS-MAPlaKowuKMz6G-s4APHEq0/w400-h300/IMG_2795.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2hmcgLfcYvKoM6ktrmUnaQzXpu9bADU6UxpaMnf07fa3HR_K2NCqL7ndxosZC6egdPyI9twvx2ldX4j7t5JZOPk4vlDMQ5UUicgPPcohHvkDDVgO1o8gNNtVyAx5TE90EDaVneWZ4MVBCO4Ly6_uxbPI8GH9qZeeoANq_B2gnwfSn65GRjcf5l2NWtw/s4032/IMG_2804.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2hmcgLfcYvKoM6ktrmUnaQzXpu9bADU6UxpaMnf07fa3HR_K2NCqL7ndxosZC6egdPyI9twvx2ldX4j7t5JZOPk4vlDMQ5UUicgPPcohHvkDDVgO1o8gNNtVyAx5TE90EDaVneWZ4MVBCO4Ly6_uxbPI8GH9qZeeoANq_B2gnwfSn65GRjcf5l2NWtw/w400-h300/IMG_2804.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>So we head into Aspen, with no expectations whatsoever. We had never been there and we assumed it may be a lot like Vail. But it isn't. It is so much more. Vail is a ski area turned into a huge village. Aspen is an old mining town grown into a ski destination, and then some. Our initial plans at this point in our trip were to go to Moab and Arches National Park, but our daughter had plans to go to Aspen for a work thing, so we decided to spend a couple days here instead. </div><div><br /></div><div>And wow are we happy we did. It's a town of absolute excess, let's just get that straight. Homes downtown or near the mountain are $30-40 million. Pricey boutiques are all around downtown. Fantastic restaurants litter the charming streets. It's packed with beautiful people. Why? Well, it's the darned mountains! More picturesque than Vail, more extensive than Squaw Valley, greener than Sun Valley and, well, just plain beautiful. We went to Las Montanas for dinner and loved the fish tacos and shrimp tacos, plus the tamarind/sangria margarita with tajin rim. Bellies full, we settled into our condo for the night and planned the next day.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVwIj1rNQsJ-O_LIkVeBM06Lu347qdQ1t87lvRC2YQeXgm-E1VIDGgrMiDHs9qqFXBtlQwPEZadfHwWlOTmsudhzOipTHqXHsFLzTj5ggRngKqgMipzZRxJZVIr9xZOprWRP5BTRK8LZU_qq6re_uGuNa4eRgx7U38k-vIYE5IG7anaJhGdlt_9F9HkY/s4032/IMG_2807.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVwIj1rNQsJ-O_LIkVeBM06Lu347qdQ1t87lvRC2YQeXgm-E1VIDGgrMiDHs9qqFXBtlQwPEZadfHwWlOTmsudhzOipTHqXHsFLzTj5ggRngKqgMipzZRxJZVIr9xZOprWRP5BTRK8LZU_qq6re_uGuNa4eRgx7U38k-vIYE5IG7anaJhGdlt_9F9HkY/w300-h400/IMG_2807.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5RgYh13inTmfmOS1ACMLnV9UQM9FFEBzjr-qHBYun-auGBVBQ-rIxJYR3e4YJtN6s_TGmk1CRhQkKxfhXk_Lkt-j__Qui2jZM7IokDH-VMvbZlMGhifec-tzsnxDmcsyhCFd5zCsHqDCv_mlI16CF7tIPzlS2kmFgquZRxzzUILvdRuqtORLewmaUL_E/s4032/IMG_2808.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5RgYh13inTmfmOS1ACMLnV9UQM9FFEBzjr-qHBYun-auGBVBQ-rIxJYR3e4YJtN6s_TGmk1CRhQkKxfhXk_Lkt-j__Qui2jZM7IokDH-VMvbZlMGhifec-tzsnxDmcsyhCFd5zCsHqDCv_mlI16CF7tIPzlS2kmFgquZRxzzUILvdRuqtORLewmaUL_E/w300-h400/IMG_2808.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Day 10 Aspen Mountain</span></u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>We took the Silver Queen Gondola up to the top of Aspen Mountain and hiked the Richmond Ridge trail. Short hike with breathtaking views. We stumbled upon a quintet of classical musicians playing for the crowd up there at 11,000 feet. Turns out there is a music fest going on this week. It just added to the serenity of the place. And of course, any time I get to spend some extra time with either of my amazing grown daughters, life is good. This was one of those days.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pRlD23UW90jENasGNM6Uxl5aZdoMRZNYJLsXtI7MscI2lABdYWUoJu3gBH7BxdUNA3IvXQrba88xgHqvZCnpIbxzMvQY1fXZxaTS23C7ieZItsDHbOz-RTUjeFhC7v8u5NhRXko6_EUKvj_M5VjcFlf1lBOWcNPlkmWYE3DBDPjaib4BIvwle3BcCJU/s4032/IMG_9499.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pRlD23UW90jENasGNM6Uxl5aZdoMRZNYJLsXtI7MscI2lABdYWUoJu3gBH7BxdUNA3IvXQrba88xgHqvZCnpIbxzMvQY1fXZxaTS23C7ieZItsDHbOz-RTUjeFhC7v8u5NhRXko6_EUKvj_M5VjcFlf1lBOWcNPlkmWYE3DBDPjaib4BIvwle3BcCJU/w400-h300/IMG_9499.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4cT5AWW8KSmbQGy57w0C4IGJyDGuptAx3Cx_ybimHVCNr0yhahDY96_38bKU3RuwWcnlb3oDS2LgXs1F8buix-61wwAZ5106LPKrCg9XWPYkplQ8pqlePVKUzrYApSyQFhLC8RmjMYRajJYOjxcNl56fBI32i1qMsEiRM0x5cNyo3r2S7RB9C5ldVps/s4032/IMG_9535.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4cT5AWW8KSmbQGy57w0C4IGJyDGuptAx3Cx_ybimHVCNr0yhahDY96_38bKU3RuwWcnlb3oDS2LgXs1F8buix-61wwAZ5106LPKrCg9XWPYkplQ8pqlePVKUzrYApSyQFhLC8RmjMYRajJYOjxcNl56fBI32i1qMsEiRM0x5cNyo3r2S7RB9C5ldVps/w400-h300/IMG_9535.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji80n4WlsukzBTRxP0GYgYH7lij7Hyox7o0xvDWTi1-4R9C8ekgE332De-KSbJdi3hO57yLDAl-OoMabPnkCeO_jbWcrNciN0PGRtMHerI2M4vTFWD3JH-BUyXzKiRpD3Y2jRwC5neSg-yDURd2YpMhLT76pYbXtCnojkQ6ECg9fdwCcjIPe8P91zmkbs/s4032/IMG_2865.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji80n4WlsukzBTRxP0GYgYH7lij7Hyox7o0xvDWTi1-4R9C8ekgE332De-KSbJdi3hO57yLDAl-OoMabPnkCeO_jbWcrNciN0PGRtMHerI2M4vTFWD3JH-BUyXzKiRpD3Y2jRwC5neSg-yDURd2YpMhLT76pYbXtCnojkQ6ECg9fdwCcjIPe8P91zmkbs/w400-h300/IMG_2865.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsQFGQk6CTTmhH-nnZicIJvgq01huyuJkBtLjipyzjz6ZJbwoTQueZna2nEa-AuEk8YwK960u-21PQHNrdjkhfSmpEUN9fKjBYLSBEIIOIqflyZ2gw89iOY_C0g0V5VYJLHN2JTYHNkEudm0g866DiLu5LaY0sDSDPj7Kds-k3xHmSl3kK4IvY7Ss7b0/s4032/IMG_2873.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsQFGQk6CTTmhH-nnZicIJvgq01huyuJkBtLjipyzjz6ZJbwoTQueZna2nEa-AuEk8YwK960u-21PQHNrdjkhfSmpEUN9fKjBYLSBEIIOIqflyZ2gw89iOY_C0g0V5VYJLHN2JTYHNkEudm0g866DiLu5LaY0sDSDPj7Kds-k3xHmSl3kK4IvY7Ss7b0/w400-h300/IMG_2873.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvVe_MH8DXNvNLDI1j1SW8-uXWDsoBpm96Gto1ZvUKuEUIaoOSuVg0AEi4iLiZb7e1VAk8PjMdB8PHJ4TZ4v6uFxRjv84a281EgK8PojiUC8bYlYzZekcKF0LKR2jogItyQbpsxHEGMmLA3iAIQRLeGM2KSYKbY3643WioYW_MoTZnDdEst0OqowIJB4/s4032/IMG_3526.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvVe_MH8DXNvNLDI1j1SW8-uXWDsoBpm96Gto1ZvUKuEUIaoOSuVg0AEi4iLiZb7e1VAk8PjMdB8PHJ4TZ4v6uFxRjv84a281EgK8PojiUC8bYlYzZekcKF0LKR2jogItyQbpsxHEGMmLA3iAIQRLeGM2KSYKbY3643WioYW_MoTZnDdEst0OqowIJB4/w300-h400/IMG_3526.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>We stopped in for a taste of some local brews at the Aspen Tap. Everything was excellent, particularly the Porter and the Blonde Ale. The "shotski" flight board was a bonus feature.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xjoX7CqLA6hUrdozwk7OyV7NpHbWq2_eFG81gxyqTfxbehA9bu1wiUz9FRRCnQOcSVPQ59jyKR0n0B-M618WmJ0NW89CCLwUxCcvHz11bzPiXs7md9O-uVljuRH46yWoXmoUlsqXJnCpAsJgQLvUq21CzxEmgVDjnh4b6PBt1uMJ-EUwWDW5qw7SL3I/s4032/IMG_2903.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xjoX7CqLA6hUrdozwk7OyV7NpHbWq2_eFG81gxyqTfxbehA9bu1wiUz9FRRCnQOcSVPQ59jyKR0n0B-M618WmJ0NW89CCLwUxCcvHz11bzPiXs7md9O-uVljuRH46yWoXmoUlsqXJnCpAsJgQLvUq21CzxEmgVDjnh4b6PBt1uMJ-EUwWDW5qw7SL3I/w400-h300/IMG_2903.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf68hyD0itmUxU0T9dFNLq7zWnkqoF7vSBgaNDIcBreQCLk_AdVaIkvB5VfV7IsrxOHpkbAzF7MwKecFywMvxy_h2W_wPMa3vG77b1DoHdskZyNA-w3-BJE4__PHXGUJNonnEUlXm5cf-XnE0SLbCecKW02Eyh8OgDhCbb7-6o0XAASpKLEM906NbOgMU/s4032/IMG_2902.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf68hyD0itmUxU0T9dFNLq7zWnkqoF7vSBgaNDIcBreQCLk_AdVaIkvB5VfV7IsrxOHpkbAzF7MwKecFywMvxy_h2W_wPMa3vG77b1DoHdskZyNA-w3-BJE4__PHXGUJNonnEUlXm5cf-XnE0SLbCecKW02Eyh8OgDhCbb7-6o0XAASpKLEM906NbOgMU/w400-h300/IMG_2902.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Day 11:: Aspen hike to "Maroon Bells"</span></u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Before we went on this hike, we were told the the "Maroon Bells" mountains are some of the most photographed in the entire United States. They are two of the many "14ers" in Colorado, mountains at least 14,000 feet tall and the subject of mountain climber dreams. Aspen is home to eight 14ers, so that may be one reason we've been so enamored with the views since we showed up. </div><div><br /></div><div>We took the shuttle to the trailhead and walked a short 1.5 hour hike around the lake and toward the Maroon Bells twin mountains. The views are indescribable, so I won't try.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnPBp7h1RDv3RWBlyic-vg2BMkcktRmtbXx9_3Eg8aJG26lMbXFw5VBtPYRmzRrpwC4PTK6ZvhhxM1JBJo1Ourbk28HSL8z1EXLw4awKfSa8ThAqXY6iwdgzI_BZ8K8qt6xyZJsu4SqQMvwEDZRLTlbeweZQfmkaqIjAOrI3IWfYHohSov9SGgjqD5dM/s4032/IMG_2985.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnPBp7h1RDv3RWBlyic-vg2BMkcktRmtbXx9_3Eg8aJG26lMbXFw5VBtPYRmzRrpwC4PTK6ZvhhxM1JBJo1Ourbk28HSL8z1EXLw4awKfSa8ThAqXY6iwdgzI_BZ8K8qt6xyZJsu4SqQMvwEDZRLTlbeweZQfmkaqIjAOrI3IWfYHohSov9SGgjqD5dM/w400-h300/IMG_2985.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJ-p0Md0MPrCkCy0Rs67IIdfzKsgQav8O7Hn1IaEqSA5OEGJK4UW2_RKb97o0di85C77bXF942Feu7Nww5Bmy3Hcu2E4FrUVMA1B5Unr7rNCGUz2snO_1pnTVmYvD-KjIYCg8toibVVDdOYLUi7B8ictH0KrWm6fodonCIIJHNqQHaofnUkO1jyo1nQM/s4032/IMG_2990.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJ-p0Md0MPrCkCy0Rs67IIdfzKsgQav8O7Hn1IaEqSA5OEGJK4UW2_RKb97o0di85C77bXF942Feu7Nww5Bmy3Hcu2E4FrUVMA1B5Unr7rNCGUz2snO_1pnTVmYvD-KjIYCg8toibVVDdOYLUi7B8ictH0KrWm6fodonCIIJHNqQHaofnUkO1jyo1nQM/w400-h300/IMG_2990.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZKsKcU2MbHUDTQDwvkoo0IIObmEpW03OdJgusstyFEb4QjoREPa6M-ljiYgTTcMWZ_B89G9OSq43UlSxFLWdQI_QY8NKkW7P0Ipwl_FdENmetsj6xDCK6v7Gt3ZFSBWHewEIMAtrTdX1UpunkFjxavHjFHUdt2TUwVFLGAoEX4IJdOsNXBJjOf9cJ1s/s4032/IMG_3014.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZKsKcU2MbHUDTQDwvkoo0IIObmEpW03OdJgusstyFEb4QjoREPa6M-ljiYgTTcMWZ_B89G9OSq43UlSxFLWdQI_QY8NKkW7P0Ipwl_FdENmetsj6xDCK6v7Gt3ZFSBWHewEIMAtrTdX1UpunkFjxavHjFHUdt2TUwVFLGAoEX4IJdOsNXBJjOf9cJ1s/w300-h400/IMG_3014.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63hzDfuIdz5mgbSRyFa36K1AL0dlt_LSJJATP71auwyL_y0MQ2hxkverxRhYHR6Qn3XObYmDHmFh7QWL26ejTut6Cl9gD-xKVUhalV-1fuAWIPLardWeFaGaadSq_N_8eK3dvMKZ9lKN1elTI4rBQDKbfvLBlpz-bOsxejIrPId7WaDU4QWDyVqds3b4/s4032/IMG_3031.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63hzDfuIdz5mgbSRyFa36K1AL0dlt_LSJJATP71auwyL_y0MQ2hxkverxRhYHR6Qn3XObYmDHmFh7QWL26ejTut6Cl9gD-xKVUhalV-1fuAWIPLardWeFaGaadSq_N_8eK3dvMKZ9lKN1elTI4rBQDKbfvLBlpz-bOsxejIrPId7WaDU4QWDyVqds3b4/w400-h300/IMG_3031.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweVGBH4QUxkECNUgrDFKjNTbXf8rxbEXa6zmdPMR3P9ISsOdYeL6bZgpGmL_qCv7YVxlmdxZ8WXDs6qlkCxdcD7YsswzV_hkYo7fyP9dxs09PaDxzfPS2fc5pXrTq-pLg0BAbxY9xfxQ4q-rqn5KH3uFeyxVk0lOQX9pjQsY2oEsHF4o4_ftC1Nszvd4/s4032/IMG_3682.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweVGBH4QUxkECNUgrDFKjNTbXf8rxbEXa6zmdPMR3P9ISsOdYeL6bZgpGmL_qCv7YVxlmdxZ8WXDs6qlkCxdcD7YsswzV_hkYo7fyP9dxs09PaDxzfPS2fc5pXrTq-pLg0BAbxY9xfxQ4q-rqn5KH3uFeyxVk0lOQX9pjQsY2oEsHF4o4_ftC1Nszvd4/w400-h300/IMG_3682.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>After Maroon Bells, we walked around town and got ready for dinner. But our last stop was the John Denver Sanctuary, just a few blocks from our hotel. It sits along the river that runs through town, and is a great oasis and peaceful monument to a talented musician and his work. It was touching walking through the gardens and streams, with his words carved into rocks, and other words of wisdom and thoughts from various thinkers, poets, and dreamers. If it hadn't been a bit wet that evening, it would been a great picnic spot. If you're ever in Aspen, swing by this peaceful spot and contemplate. I know I did, recalling just how fortunate I am in my life so see things like this with people I care about. I'm a car guy, as the blog name states. But I love cars for what they do for my experience as a human. Like bring me here.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxS_6lVdtqWSKrmsnkENRzqVkXDSiyBsA_Z7WWWc8F3OYzahEjO-AbYnLoim9uXjBoYDOPj5uBvPH3pRZXE4mRqEofoBxeEZp-qc2gLoGpHuevLsgujUQwJY7rLBpL7fHRiK8lLRoO08mFYdIW4D0o8dgJkbQ6aw9l7qMPIok-IcDcDkrqVqPBw7Wews/s4032/IMG_3088.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxS_6lVdtqWSKrmsnkENRzqVkXDSiyBsA_Z7WWWc8F3OYzahEjO-AbYnLoim9uXjBoYDOPj5uBvPH3pRZXE4mRqEofoBxeEZp-qc2gLoGpHuevLsgujUQwJY7rLBpL7fHRiK8lLRoO08mFYdIW4D0o8dgJkbQ6aw9l7qMPIok-IcDcDkrqVqPBw7Wews/w300-h400/IMG_3088.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sMHHdPpaBZm_lsbok6Jcj_9EpPeQt3vgIqwckTicySDEjzIbVNCLDkbm_L2icCEY7rjKYpuy9l3jrwb7Wxsjomasvv30Y4Q_CM1QU1H_hkJBm9pSP_CjZ5qdEYQyJVEz4qt5TFsfPSWIXoFBzvuZ9EMjl5lHOLQ7VNGPasIxeC0fOxGCPcOBpn4kgcc/s4032/IMG_3109.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sMHHdPpaBZm_lsbok6Jcj_9EpPeQt3vgIqwckTicySDEjzIbVNCLDkbm_L2icCEY7rjKYpuy9l3jrwb7Wxsjomasvv30Y4Q_CM1QU1H_hkJBm9pSP_CjZ5qdEYQyJVEz4qt5TFsfPSWIXoFBzvuZ9EMjl5lHOLQ7VNGPasIxeC0fOxGCPcOBpn4kgcc/w400-h300/IMG_3109.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqlld68X5iNPsvlsmikrcOUHO1LdKCnbcUKBqnvE7aVIbjs_U0tTi5YuvRQdiFj0AWawA72ZpSPaeiG1S1qF-fz-9EAc1K919Zy_53dmn6_nyRBmnhkXJbzIL5Tf57rj-A7o-rw2bol_APVcEkG0NXqYWbY3Ss-x-9A05eb8RNQOTewuxC_r08CxKURA/s4032/IMG_3113.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqlld68X5iNPsvlsmikrcOUHO1LdKCnbcUKBqnvE7aVIbjs_U0tTi5YuvRQdiFj0AWawA72ZpSPaeiG1S1qF-fz-9EAc1K919Zy_53dmn6_nyRBmnhkXJbzIL5Tf57rj-A7o-rw2bol_APVcEkG0NXqYWbY3Ss-x-9A05eb8RNQOTewuxC_r08CxKURA/w400-h300/IMG_3113.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjn7abNLIiijMAK2EwaDo8Dgh1YOD0oe7iPHpOS2nyxtIdEUNR-9PJVMAzm35WcXrQcJh4pRu0z77qCKzwR14AKrKbZ7FYHU_lV59xqviBuSvxatLIbxq7w-ZxoPd8XtuLXq6zEEqHY0ujgeVDX8D-OkZqrtOQRWOnLlw6bQyfMgSPRedj7NKzq8Mo-I/s4032/IMG_3122.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjn7abNLIiijMAK2EwaDo8Dgh1YOD0oe7iPHpOS2nyxtIdEUNR-9PJVMAzm35WcXrQcJh4pRu0z77qCKzwR14AKrKbZ7FYHU_lV59xqviBuSvxatLIbxq7w-ZxoPd8XtuLXq6zEEqHY0ujgeVDX8D-OkZqrtOQRWOnLlw6bQyfMgSPRedj7NKzq8Mo-I/w300-h400/IMG_3122.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVlIatqilwPyq1x9LWOLbBRSEMpi83syqlQgYL-sK59F1QFcFfFDGmCiwwGpGB6gmOSvy_b8JbEBZwFCG3ON4rUWJhC4PJRasQOLGFAlwVAOFy8m5G4pUPqiMlJCTpAz897eIM0u2Up1y7bzTVtncuYCecq5ylXg4aDKzYsnvz6ErIsWcYLvaUWOV4xs/s4032/IMG_9782.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVlIatqilwPyq1x9LWOLbBRSEMpi83syqlQgYL-sK59F1QFcFfFDGmCiwwGpGB6gmOSvy_b8JbEBZwFCG3ON4rUWJhC4PJRasQOLGFAlwVAOFy8m5G4pUPqiMlJCTpAz897eIM0u2Up1y7bzTVtncuYCecq5ylXg4aDKzYsnvz6ErIsWcYLvaUWOV4xs/w400-h300/IMG_9782.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Day 12: Lets' Get Home! Aspen to Danville (1099 miles)</span></u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>We left Aspen with a warm hearts and full bellies. We had a target to get to Park City in about 6 hours, then do another 10 the following day. But about 2 hours in we said: "Hey, let's just get home". So we gassed up, grabbed extra coffee, and set our sights on the full 16 hour drive hime. In the end, we did it in 14 hours and change. </div><div><br /></div><div>Our route took us from Aspen to Grand Junction, through beautiful Utah (just north of Moab and Canyonlands) on I-70 and I-15 into Scipio, UT before we turned onto US Highway 50. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4z8_dbqk5V0tRhjVyOymJYUkYdppklVsTiYGEv0hK6EqRc4-RsSugWlhy10EYpHP95jbHcNd6v5W331qeKY9Xigo5vGZkcMUECeeC-gbOj3i0gFoLOjewsFPgnmMc7KA2d9xpyokShK8qeJwGD4cbZSvkGMbnbah-6Ma6_oQS290AiIN6h3oQLmHkYPc/s4032/IMG_3902.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4z8_dbqk5V0tRhjVyOymJYUkYdppklVsTiYGEv0hK6EqRc4-RsSugWlhy10EYpHP95jbHcNd6v5W331qeKY9Xigo5vGZkcMUECeeC-gbOj3i0gFoLOjewsFPgnmMc7KA2d9xpyokShK8qeJwGD4cbZSvkGMbnbah-6Ma6_oQS290AiIN6h3oQLmHkYPc/w400-h300/IMG_3902.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZjbcDmdhv1GaNfCFCxOU5tffzgc8JblzVLHqqbeuEbtwuHozM_kMMOCp83JcN4iSgFfJA5HMBzoa6-BxnfDlpvRrhKr0qeasdbi1ig_3UagprDrOkRb6v39RCeZHF0CMBEf7ihYuLfAJtfx-RPBLs7zwL9rsiL1F4OICWq_8Decd58nkvPPD9vu9lro/s4032/IMG_3202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZjbcDmdhv1GaNfCFCxOU5tffzgc8JblzVLHqqbeuEbtwuHozM_kMMOCp83JcN4iSgFfJA5HMBzoa6-BxnfDlpvRrhKr0qeasdbi1ig_3UagprDrOkRb6v39RCeZHF0CMBEf7ihYuLfAJtfx-RPBLs7zwL9rsiL1F4OICWq_8Decd58nkvPPD9vu9lro/w400-h300/IMG_3202.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJtG_osYmWa7-rBYOi4QMbVWU4IG5bPyhrE75LkdDFVNosniaPsA23x_C1kuXD9mesJ1D6wkUOKbgdxTo44wFS9UNCDihRVA83Z8Zvyvx7cLpNDGKv1uNG6kBZkSAS1uQO9MwLgtDG72th8EjyUcBtQ7qkDIbTquS6Ky53bhOj57_CxC1udBo7wWSYaQ/s4032/IMG_3908.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJtG_osYmWa7-rBYOi4QMbVWU4IG5bPyhrE75LkdDFVNosniaPsA23x_C1kuXD9mesJ1D6wkUOKbgdxTo44wFS9UNCDihRVA83Z8Zvyvx7cLpNDGKv1uNG6kBZkSAS1uQO9MwLgtDG72th8EjyUcBtQ7qkDIbTquS6Ky53bhOj57_CxC1udBo7wWSYaQ/w400-h300/IMG_3908.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/erwGzg91l0Q" width="320" youtube-src-id="erwGzg91l0Q"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>So we turned onto US 50 past Scipio to finish Utah and get across Nevada. US 50 is known as the "Loneliest Highway in America" (It says it right on the freeway signs). And they aren't kidding. This two lane stretch of road goes across the Great Basin from mountain pass to mountain pass, across high desert and never drops under about 5500 feet in elevation. Typical passes are 7500 feet. You can see a straight road in front of you sometimes for 10 miles. Your elbows never bend. You rarely see other cars. Even as speeds well into triple digits, the car just sailed along smoothly and steadily, only occasionally finding a trucker or minivan to pass. The small towns we came across, vaguely abandoned, were worthy of photos, so that's all we stopped for, plus gas and more caffeine.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4gK7-eldXSbpLCkL0ZRSEH2xGPBiY-F2qFcO103fh1SEeILlMf1DejNSWEXCG5hLnb1k9GMJmk8QZIfiJvLPF_C9Gkw9nKVCKGlHQy04DtUA_z0dDObCHIPPNJm0zZMpL_wqRU20z-PiWunXaKCODugxo6eNtLubkm9O_py0xC_FcKWqyaIKetWcZdA/s4032/IMG_3205.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4gK7-eldXSbpLCkL0ZRSEH2xGPBiY-F2qFcO103fh1SEeILlMf1DejNSWEXCG5hLnb1k9GMJmk8QZIfiJvLPF_C9Gkw9nKVCKGlHQy04DtUA_z0dDObCHIPPNJm0zZMpL_wqRU20z-PiWunXaKCODugxo6eNtLubkm9O_py0xC_FcKWqyaIKetWcZdA/w300-h400/IMG_3205.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrYzHe3bJus8fE7lJYd4kINvQps6q2rQE_hkGCZo3nr8ohkKt5Vwf9cmmfLOq-jjbwFOaoIiEQRV7_9BFpZovNgZjMzP2VT5JbboI8c72ypHGARJH8fboeTLWqxEueR4LybHMD0H6h2bSylNoGE6WoZaePUBMFtUeSNEr1ZDnve687yzujmKei7BAN-8/s4032/IMG_3206.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrYzHe3bJus8fE7lJYd4kINvQps6q2rQE_hkGCZo3nr8ohkKt5Vwf9cmmfLOq-jjbwFOaoIiEQRV7_9BFpZovNgZjMzP2VT5JbboI8c72ypHGARJH8fboeTLWqxEueR4LybHMD0H6h2bSylNoGE6WoZaePUBMFtUeSNEr1ZDnve687yzujmKei7BAN-8/w400-h300/IMG_3206.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>We arrived home at 10:20 pm. One day1099 miles. 14 hours and 17 minutes at an average speed of 78MPH. Longest drive we'd ever done together. And she still loves me! We were both shocked at just how comfortable the 2018 Porsche GT3 was on a long trip, and how trouble free and stable it was. And we love traveling across this beautiful country. So much to see, so many good people to meet.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our entire trip showed on the counter as over 72 hours of driving over 12 days, covering 3895 miles! And 22 MPG.</div><div><br /></div><div>Would I do it again? An emphatic yes. Maybe next week or month. I hear the Aspen trees in Aspen are astounding in late September. Go figure.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNARf7WNnZGW45CnwBjq2YNWbViyhxE9RbR0jo2_A5sFoDhqBCXyxRRvXAgcXAf3d0aEQV9Y0mpKAVvwmbOF0y9cRhQZku706GMf-CGYACfBckbA7f7kWoFbim_0RecMKT4rbg8RK2cPvNGWjndF_OQcI90Z8IyY5EEOURKxZEdM826lkW0-d1s7w30nI/s4032/IMG_3208.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNARf7WNnZGW45CnwBjq2YNWbViyhxE9RbR0jo2_A5sFoDhqBCXyxRRvXAgcXAf3d0aEQV9Y0mpKAVvwmbOF0y9cRhQZku706GMf-CGYACfBckbA7f7kWoFbim_0RecMKT4rbg8RK2cPvNGWjndF_OQcI90Z8IyY5EEOURKxZEdM826lkW0-d1s7w30nI/s320/IMG_3208.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xiZM7EPlouzeJmduQtsd0peFc4Al4GzdEP06viuL5uNAFcoN6jAnXWWIxQXTlJ76AHgfvaahqpIVm7vdfA16I-MMwdPJWIvIFcWjCi-xh0M6X0vYORZA__G3TCDCOuhLrB3i27U7no3ZMyCSRXTa8xZdL4RLxRbiU4buD7WdMBBLgQmMtaQhczeV_88/s4032/IMG_3209.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xiZM7EPlouzeJmduQtsd0peFc4Al4GzdEP06viuL5uNAFcoN6jAnXWWIxQXTlJ76AHgfvaahqpIVm7vdfA16I-MMwdPJWIvIFcWjCi-xh0M6X0vYORZA__G3TCDCOuhLrB3i27U7no3ZMyCSRXTa8xZdL4RLxRbiU4buD7WdMBBLgQmMtaQhczeV_88/s320/IMG_3209.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061128425873781737.post-46933833361412231012023-06-16T07:48:00.000-07:002023-06-16T07:48:01.964-07:00McLaren MP4-12C gets an updated look from Signature Wheel<p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />I have owned the McLaren 12C for about 9 years now, and it's been almost 7 years since I had the car wrapped in vinyl for a color-change to blue. I still love the car for its otherworldly handling and power, but I thought that a small visual update might get me excited about its looks again. So even though the car absolutely stands out in a sea of black-grey-silver cars, I decided I'm going to have the blue vinyl removed and go back to the original black paint. </span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEIceuYSE1TdOWlDEQwdXD5Sd4LvFoiOB-WYX-ondPODQLd0pPOxy6E5TYF5EAdUFO-XGKYJeF-pB9aIx42SN6JwVHubUjAt9H0ZZ-NHrRXR0Lw8EShV5gmP1xMYTd3Fjvh63XcDdJSpBxMDn2asDVxEGMkwdyh8RmwP70Dm2Ft22JmNX9dls9vDt/s4032/IMG_2759.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEIceuYSE1TdOWlDEQwdXD5Sd4LvFoiOB-WYX-ondPODQLd0pPOxy6E5TYF5EAdUFO-XGKYJeF-pB9aIx42SN6JwVHubUjAt9H0ZZ-NHrRXR0Lw8EShV5gmP1xMYTd3Fjvh63XcDdJSpBxMDn2asDVxEGMkwdyh8RmwP70Dm2Ft22JmNX9dls9vDt/s320/IMG_2759.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSfm2_bmsyp1fM5ntC-RLuzPr-hj2mvnVMGgVnK08xj8YrfhOMILcFQPdt-n5jrVSY7hwsxdVZA8OSBrbVRu1UCl9rq-CJ6yVarT5YgOJN5PMhm6dsie5Lc4PqnHv-k_gqxDQLj69KRpV26Epwcjs2LVnx9kYBjJOTcCuPSKlZU8NEaorf8_Hvnlc/s4032/IMG_5109.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSfm2_bmsyp1fM5ntC-RLuzPr-hj2mvnVMGgVnK08xj8YrfhOMILcFQPdt-n5jrVSY7hwsxdVZA8OSBrbVRu1UCl9rq-CJ6yVarT5YgOJN5PMhm6dsie5Lc4PqnHv-k_gqxDQLj69KRpV26Epwcjs2LVnx9kYBjJOTcCuPSKlZU8NEaorf8_Hvnlc/s320/IMG_5109.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In addition, I wanted to find a set of wheels in something like bronze or gold-toned that would update the look and also harken back to the days of cars like the LeMans-winning Ford GT40 driven by Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon. The stock wheels are great, and they bear a resemblance to the wheels on the McLaren F1 supercar of 1990s, but I wanted the car to look a tad more updated.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjicr6uIfKaQBiWkntqDZPSb-wCMzSFDx9nFtJtPz7ToAeGMg6g8JMwZt_qp2rN5WdrGIbKmzjnlFNsJ-Vme6V2H7arOylz72z74DTVl6zEyJlrLiJXhX1ovc4f_QE6DOapOJNosSNMTkdG3dnLs_eRm5wbJKgM4lWKfSxCIe8cBqjBJ5kbfSnDf4Nm/s1200/image.jpg.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1200" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjicr6uIfKaQBiWkntqDZPSb-wCMzSFDx9nFtJtPz7ToAeGMg6g8JMwZt_qp2rN5WdrGIbKmzjnlFNsJ-Vme6V2H7arOylz72z74DTVl6zEyJlrLiJXhX1ovc4f_QE6DOapOJNosSNMTkdG3dnLs_eRm5wbJKgM4lWKfSxCIe8cBqjBJ5kbfSnDf4Nm/s320/image.jpg.webp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK19QQOMxL3n-1IlQ5MZ00euXO2HoR6KjjXNpaLf110CmkCBbl_0L7qeTfAlIuL810Ex16KPptw5ZvEBgBGq5D3bNqFUcqoVXb4ChIUXEYJiC39OMnE8Li8U9EQ71qCOxKm491FIFSmh8Xifd3u3BidHk6ZBebULPpcltDwJd4xANPAd_Mkd8Cr6mv/s3264/IMG_3888.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK19QQOMxL3n-1IlQ5MZ00euXO2HoR6KjjXNpaLf110CmkCBbl_0L7qeTfAlIuL810Ex16KPptw5ZvEBgBGq5D3bNqFUcqoVXb4ChIUXEYJiC39OMnE8Li8U9EQ71qCOxKm491FIFSmh8Xifd3u3BidHk6ZBebULPpcltDwJd4xANPAd_Mkd8Cr6mv/s320/IMG_3888.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">So I contact a guy I had met when we both owned 2018 Mustang Shelby GT350Rs. His name is Terrance Sig from <a href="https://www.signaturewheel.com" target="_blank">Signature Wheel</a> in Sacramento, California. We spoke on the phone about what I was looking for and he set me up with a custom-sized set of new lightweight forged monoblock wheels in a subtle bronze, his model SV101. They arrived just about 5 weeks later and I was shocked at how lightweight the wheels were, even stick in the box! They were beautiful made and very nicely packaged for safe shipping.</span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7yoG-TQomSsGz9XpkExn57JfX-DIN5PBtgwSydTCMLRCepu_9wEkgYSozxxqQ_zHzl-e1414LxBamsmACQk9W0BmgVemX7ICMlKI8tMk-sGFeqtYQ7gHc3XAw3PWkS7qJ1t6r8sQiyfaImoFK9sUoG1OUMo_JL5idJzFGFvKFldsEaC-HsfA_Hq3/s4032/IMG_0305.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7yoG-TQomSsGz9XpkExn57JfX-DIN5PBtgwSydTCMLRCepu_9wEkgYSozxxqQ_zHzl-e1414LxBamsmACQk9W0BmgVemX7ICMlKI8tMk-sGFeqtYQ7gHc3XAw3PWkS7qJ1t6r8sQiyfaImoFK9sUoG1OUMo_JL5idJzFGFvKFldsEaC-HsfA_Hq3/s320/IMG_0305.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KqaofKdsOQ0pQt4NRTPOegCjMUsefSk-7XYklVIbw2a8q5jmPw9SvZRcwb8QJkWuLc8qDiRzuNk0JNDo9wJURQUVzIDpysam7iPiRdZLZ4Hu7dyguQkYLkau_OIz26P8JAhOYjKbRT2gGpDBWaCQckNM0MndKWLMWpbF1ei2e6tSFLwxnSBb89UN/s4032/IMG_7304.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KqaofKdsOQ0pQt4NRTPOegCjMUsefSk-7XYklVIbw2a8q5jmPw9SvZRcwb8QJkWuLc8qDiRzuNk0JNDo9wJURQUVzIDpysam7iPiRdZLZ4Hu7dyguQkYLkau_OIz26P8JAhOYjKbRT2gGpDBWaCQckNM0MndKWLMWpbF1ei2e6tSFLwxnSBb89UN/s320/IMG_7304.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The wheels are 20" x 11.5" in the rear and 19" x 9" in front. I ordered the recommended tires: 315/30/20 and 245/35/19 Michelin Pilot 4S. The tires were far heavier than the wheels! But mounted up, I could tell I was going to really like these.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPotPbXIEU8sPiRWgvjvFxGrU4T6nYB0yg8oczSvX0BZdLrvVM5MoRTqvxfsaheLBUkjaqF3_Bz_MnaLDZ4r9QcJcZBGaylphxrv4ZcwPjzBlK-iFjZCZtbdr1jhjKyIQrMgXgyaTJOfSMl52c7WncQ5z6I89bofPOQGR5UjvB-t14S36jd1b05Z9/s4032/IMG_7542.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPotPbXIEU8sPiRWgvjvFxGrU4T6nYB0yg8oczSvX0BZdLrvVM5MoRTqvxfsaheLBUkjaqF3_Bz_MnaLDZ4r9QcJcZBGaylphxrv4ZcwPjzBlK-iFjZCZtbdr1jhjKyIQrMgXgyaTJOfSMl52c7WncQ5z6I89bofPOQGR5UjvB-t14S36jd1b05Z9/s320/IMG_7542.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Once I got them on the car, it confirmed that I want to go back to black paint. I love the wheels against the blue, but I think the black on bronze will be a very clean look. So, the car is scheduled to get unwrapped in a couple weeks! Meanwhile, I love the new "jewelry" on this car!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJA298GhqNC-JfDjNM7qo1jVT5N3u-co0tgRco88rKY3dNxPe2MN2CsJ72lOoSQV2edyZ4xjzDH265-tJ2McV3UdcaPv8VPckIMdtKGRpzmcMVFQu1RPyUV9xUyGXTb-55FRvedQ1f2nQFCJXY0NZuf8spkQkFPzkVSuV1jHth_WwKMGYT_uv8DQb/s4032/IMG_7584.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJA298GhqNC-JfDjNM7qo1jVT5N3u-co0tgRco88rKY3dNxPe2MN2CsJ72lOoSQV2edyZ4xjzDH265-tJ2McV3UdcaPv8VPckIMdtKGRpzmcMVFQu1RPyUV9xUyGXTb-55FRvedQ1f2nQFCJXY0NZuf8spkQkFPzkVSuV1jHth_WwKMGYT_uv8DQb/s320/IMG_7584.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVvHcN2kjEuqLItIdKYbFlt0zRdIiufWujEMb_rLJAozNABAAWpr-tYw0SKcSZoVEiWznC4SusZtUYF_sMGMbRGybNruVENk6ltOf8S9tAHTtbxQByjkgVTrhsn_XBAVhB7vNDhcIc7_e2qgBvHTAhQrnWKznWvLhVDbOUdbK1FEr8dp2qqu230EA/s4032/IMG_7592.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVvHcN2kjEuqLItIdKYbFlt0zRdIiufWujEMb_rLJAozNABAAWpr-tYw0SKcSZoVEiWznC4SusZtUYF_sMGMbRGybNruVENk6ltOf8S9tAHTtbxQByjkgVTrhsn_XBAVhB7vNDhcIc7_e2qgBvHTAhQrnWKznWvLhVDbOUdbK1FEr8dp2qqu230EA/s320/IMG_7592.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6-uMyYu687HeC3R3PA1ubVb2xJMKizXVaFTnF2Wl9RVFJk7ZnnOydZvH7fv6qfx9U4Jahlk3k22hTXXOZM-5TdTr-on1Mzo65cK5A-SfT1YAJtKe8AkVfaz72lrpv9o4Mdvqq-JUDvpxQwzgTUD4OsMlYWKQEFBXDheK-MuD2J_K1zRT0uLMxiRy/s4032/IMG_7594.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6-uMyYu687HeC3R3PA1ubVb2xJMKizXVaFTnF2Wl9RVFJk7ZnnOydZvH7fv6qfx9U4Jahlk3k22hTXXOZM-5TdTr-on1Mzo65cK5A-SfT1YAJtKe8AkVfaz72lrpv9o4Mdvqq-JUDvpxQwzgTUD4OsMlYWKQEFBXDheK-MuD2J_K1zRT0uLMxiRy/s320/IMG_7594.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And here it goes, I drive off, with my wife following behind, to take the car to the great guys at "Vinyl Styles" in San Carlos to have the blue vinyl removed.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkR4dyN6cpdF2PRHT-XvBUHaOg3FO2wfMyRuLpqXnPSubI1wj6CD3Wu9GUMapASRenfZ0MC2ndQIoL8-eW5dTW-GCcpb11wTf109YAUEllrkwW6zPUmSn9Bxrde1urFHDTIm2fecJqw9sdp9YEzSdmDzVIA45x2SAfIP8MwtNNwOmUzOOJj-mm33i/s4032/IMG_1048.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkR4dyN6cpdF2PRHT-XvBUHaOg3FO2wfMyRuLpqXnPSubI1wj6CD3Wu9GUMapASRenfZ0MC2ndQIoL8-eW5dTW-GCcpb11wTf109YAUEllrkwW6zPUmSn9Bxrde1urFHDTIm2fecJqw9sdp9YEzSdmDzVIA45x2SAfIP8MwtNNwOmUzOOJj-mm33i/w300-h400/IMG_1048.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Back to the original black, looking stealthy! Now she's off to get a detail, polish, and ceramic coating!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSurmcrtUGkod4y5sEpb7S9zaAJblMGdZPflb5eXGV9sDFX2P4BxEWv-f95KFlioCrsC2VAJAN8LrWUxou9o0QetVdAaV25-3Bc3btn1A5ld8mUSd6X_9OS11Y4TJYNCBdo2Tp0D_ZaCXPPU8vwlauFobawCetdqNughZEeEA7CgqQwFZL7OK5OXwt/s4032/IMG_8195.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSurmcrtUGkod4y5sEpb7S9zaAJblMGdZPflb5eXGV9sDFX2P4BxEWv-f95KFlioCrsC2VAJAN8LrWUxou9o0QetVdAaV25-3Bc3btn1A5ld8mUSd6X_9OS11Y4TJYNCBdo2Tp0D_ZaCXPPU8vwlauFobawCetdqNughZEeEA7CgqQwFZL7OK5OXwt/s320/IMG_8195.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9PR9TCml5L7024fXV_jK24oYmT21Iyy-mjKFKHjRGGP1shFMG1GmjzW-cGAWC5kq7Zg-MaQbMQ1BuGpqQ07xVDFyH78eUGnvZHd3ugGwr_LxXeW6uCzBglT01pUMPSF54EHfjJv0XczFC3noD6A4hrNSghsJZckoAKg6V91_Doyrw6CNItEH3Ocg/s3838/IMG_8197.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2088" data-original-width="3838" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9PR9TCml5L7024fXV_jK24oYmT21Iyy-mjKFKHjRGGP1shFMG1GmjzW-cGAWC5kq7Zg-MaQbMQ1BuGpqQ07xVDFyH78eUGnvZHd3ugGwr_LxXeW6uCzBglT01pUMPSF54EHfjJv0XczFC3noD6A4hrNSghsJZckoAKg6V91_Doyrw6CNItEH3Ocg/s320/IMG_8197.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rn988Y7qQfp0W2oGQZTo42Bm9TzpjsG7x5ey1D1TFHCyRmptpV6UIXgStQHi97NnuxijJK14RFgGmNx4kABkEqQ4BSWXQHwe_mirhpEcCTHF4HAD8om1tp5_cIvUw2YgrySeKX8rRoMKtESd6i7idRmAARxFG5d1rKwU-SHaW43EBssyR0PH-LkI/s4032/IMG_8204.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rn988Y7qQfp0W2oGQZTo42Bm9TzpjsG7x5ey1D1TFHCyRmptpV6UIXgStQHi97NnuxijJK14RFgGmNx4kABkEqQ4BSWXQHwe_mirhpEcCTHF4HAD8om1tp5_cIvUw2YgrySeKX8rRoMKtESd6i7idRmAARxFG5d1rKwU-SHaW43EBssyR0PH-LkI/s320/IMG_8204.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> </div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061128425873781737.post-67389725673986971132023-04-24T22:39:00.003-07:002023-06-16T07:50:41.469-07:00Our neighborhood Cars and Coffee: "Hot Rod Hill"<p>Once in a while, I like to invite the car geeks in my neighborhood over to the garage for a mini Cars and Coffee gathering. There are many car enthusiasts in the neighborhood, so I've nicknamed the area "Hot Rod Hill".</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2saLfzvazG1yzzDZ6WM-KAz_4klsE1h9jbrBpEXAC4N0MY6mtFLrEBz5u6d256I-Zs9J1vwWQUOLSnDaE1MKhI1wXcqlR4p4EKlCZR98jufeS4-pNG7BPWm3F9uaLfUSLyp-OfVJ_QRRtBNIv9FVAQEakqW6wV894FXo4PA-ntPAPpjl8n6daTOx/s4032/IMG_8037.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2saLfzvazG1yzzDZ6WM-KAz_4klsE1h9jbrBpEXAC4N0MY6mtFLrEBz5u6d256I-Zs9J1vwWQUOLSnDaE1MKhI1wXcqlR4p4EKlCZR98jufeS4-pNG7BPWm3F9uaLfUSLyp-OfVJ_QRRtBNIv9FVAQEakqW6wV894FXo4PA-ntPAPpjl8n6daTOx/s320/IMG_8037.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I've said many times, to my kids, my friends, my family... One of the many reasons I love cars is because they can bring people together. I've met some amazing friends through connections that started with cars, and I hope to continue to broaden my friendship through building cars, racing cars, enjoying cars, and talking about cars. You just never know who you'll meet.</span></div><p>On this articular day, we had a great chance meeting between two of my neighbors. One is a heart surgeon, and the other is a friend of mine that he had operated on 22 years ago! They hadn't seen each other since then, but recognized each other while standing in my garage having a car chat! Bruce told me something like: "He saved my life, and I still have the scar to prove it". Small world!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiGMXtfDwReY9lGpjwbWiE4bnDSlypKX2X99o4fneKOXO1vBFegj5rszM8wpZWD4Nr19JxHfjaAs1Aq-nyzHBLi_HiRARkhOPbyYo7zm82llnufalKXuhJUM1YR3US5ZARve4Ya1n766bCja0zZ2yVcHqNk8xQzwDQB6D7W4XHjE60ocxKRRkcWZ6/s4032/IMG_6759.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiGMXtfDwReY9lGpjwbWiE4bnDSlypKX2X99o4fneKOXO1vBFegj5rszM8wpZWD4Nr19JxHfjaAs1Aq-nyzHBLi_HiRARkhOPbyYo7zm82llnufalKXuhJUM1YR3US5ZARve4Ya1n766bCja0zZ2yVcHqNk8xQzwDQB6D7W4XHjE60ocxKRRkcWZ6/s320/IMG_6759.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Here's a short video showing the turnout, followed by more pics below!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7R0JeTX2IKE" width="320" youtube-src-id="7R0JeTX2IKE"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Lots of fun cars came out, from the newest hardware represented by a Corvette C8 Z06 anda Datsun Z car (the first of both I'd seen), to old favorites like an original 1967 GT350 and its spiritual cousin: a 1968 Cougar Trans Am racer. We also had a rare Lexus IS300 Sportcross stop in as a passerby and a local Mini-Moke piloted by the neighbor kids looking for their lost dog. The perfect Ferrari Dino was a huge hit, as were the Porsche RSR and Shelby 427 Cobra replicas. My little 1971 Datsun 510 got lots of love from the crowd, proving that you don't have to spend the most money to get the proper attention from true car geeks. Porsche , McLaren, Aston Martin, and Fisker were all represented, as well as Audi with bad-ass black-on-black RS6 Avant for the true hot-rodder who wants to take the long winding road to go get groceries. Let's not forget that gorgeous Olds 442 convertible that could fit an entire basketball team inside it. The low-mile BMW Z8 sitting next to the Porsche GT3RS is a 1-2 punch that any car aficionado might be envious of (including me!).</p><p>Stunning cars, every one, but more importantly they all came attached o some truly unique humans. A great gathering that I hope we will repeat soon.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_uBpdzTo4jel2vS9hmnncLdEcD37b-aFS4EaXrOhlnScv1D4-OusOId5eqylt8sKfsic0088RYNBDzauEv9YRezx101630StrkL-94Bzu5gcmpX6gZUgFDFAwnCiyxzYl8gS7p5BOwiPop7pfa377kHndnBkKBPoi8UvdT54g_JOjNG6FZMCXhcR/s4032/IMG_8004.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_uBpdzTo4jel2vS9hmnncLdEcD37b-aFS4EaXrOhlnScv1D4-OusOId5eqylt8sKfsic0088RYNBDzauEv9YRezx101630StrkL-94Bzu5gcmpX6gZUgFDFAwnCiyxzYl8gS7p5BOwiPop7pfa377kHndnBkKBPoi8UvdT54g_JOjNG6FZMCXhcR/s320/IMG_8004.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWrBPF2dRfXEi1XqyElIvzn1igDw9LG04uEXtsZyNawxHm_6xKV2OGD61zqRkT4_Ue6UlCe5GbzN7eVA_wnD3-dEMpbhT40mXAgfjnofnclEQXdlhk9n9YHwoiaMoiGkweXejQ-0bL0HqYX1Hif82jbJgaPLStG3aD-ic56Da_7M7eMwE-YlR59xw/s4032/IMG_8005.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWrBPF2dRfXEi1XqyElIvzn1igDw9LG04uEXtsZyNawxHm_6xKV2OGD61zqRkT4_Ue6UlCe5GbzN7eVA_wnD3-dEMpbhT40mXAgfjnofnclEQXdlhk9n9YHwoiaMoiGkweXejQ-0bL0HqYX1Hif82jbJgaPLStG3aD-ic56Da_7M7eMwE-YlR59xw/s320/IMG_8005.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGXEQw2O0afulPMVsZ1-nbn-wlce9cVY-ejpjNpE4qsvlC-Q5Ylmwu8cKeo9492s4B31TXbYtE5yXBNlUWDoYbMSHulg88lzh2WzAfzqlHDM2EXHmzV8cMu9wPHKdcJ4Vfz0oAVmmalvFcKT3bFpZGPFErtvnL0voHaCZHzwU9-5ZptTemDGtk9Zv/s4032/IMG_8017.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGXEQw2O0afulPMVsZ1-nbn-wlce9cVY-ejpjNpE4qsvlC-Q5Ylmwu8cKeo9492s4B31TXbYtE5yXBNlUWDoYbMSHulg88lzh2WzAfzqlHDM2EXHmzV8cMu9wPHKdcJ4Vfz0oAVmmalvFcKT3bFpZGPFErtvnL0voHaCZHzwU9-5ZptTemDGtk9Zv/s320/IMG_8017.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXlHt71yeLxrzF0WxIgtRqgwiGNhNr69J73ByIMxGXVANCEad03ID6nvaKvgxN_9lDjr0SyU84kkWdAE7OS5TBx77uvtWDWJJKmR-6KnmWtricxhr5n5u78rsoGimU4f-3CUTBEdBPp-M1mqwIAr-XLIw-84UqVpLUTqQHet1uNNPRjKo8rzeqYsG/s4032/IMG_8034.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXlHt71yeLxrzF0WxIgtRqgwiGNhNr69J73ByIMxGXVANCEad03ID6nvaKvgxN_9lDjr0SyU84kkWdAE7OS5TBx77uvtWDWJJKmR-6KnmWtricxhr5n5u78rsoGimU4f-3CUTBEdBPp-M1mqwIAr-XLIw-84UqVpLUTqQHet1uNNPRjKo8rzeqYsG/s320/IMG_8034.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNFAqloaYyORE0AiTrwYRyLPg_PjuBexcThCf2rDJCsiWtxBavhjIDs0OKmOGMLE1IVXvgStKnRQNXtHQ3p3iMG5-nwbQCLcN3SDjLiRhIbR1ZAA7Mejgjb4yqNtUSOS_Eossw-rRRWABAy4FtI76ZGwqo7ncw1clUdnnyxyPWPpZcRaIG5Vizj11/s4032/IMG_8031.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here are a few updates on sources of parts and progress on my "as stock as possible" Datsun 510 interior restoration:</span></span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><br /></span><span style="background: white; color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">Dash pad: Rob Fuller at Z Car Garage introduced me to Ivan at Vintage Dashes and I got a beautifully remanufactured dash pad for $450.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOpGSJOKYERMpMizLTDEoFjILpcfJOTB2l65nLk_M_avWi_BQ1lDddnqVGmusLFe2s5Ppqeo7S5Eba5E_Vquk5KdVGxMrcDg3lAjTR0wnduHt-ghflZi95ItwFYwoYKwUtFpQzytkGG3Yjh0-kmrpQQuaSML9LyDMyUYVoSX2heYuytmdV8nuWoIh/s4032/IMG_7430.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOpGSJOKYERMpMizLTDEoFjILpcfJOTB2l65nLk_M_avWi_BQ1lDddnqVGmusLFe2s5Ppqeo7S5Eba5E_Vquk5KdVGxMrcDg3lAjTR0wnduHt-ghflZi95ItwFYwoYKwUtFpQzytkGG3Yjh0-kmrpQQuaSML9LyDMyUYVoSX2heYuytmdV8nuWoIh/s320/IMG_7430.jpeg" width="240" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">Tachometer: From a car forum discussion, I found a very nice stock tachometer that takes the spot that was taken by the blank cover with three warnings lights. The tachometer was a factory option and it incorporates those same three lights around the perimeter of the tach. When running a very old engine, it's good to know where you are in the rev range! </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PliSO60AzsIYQeHgsqX-e64KuSwAf6S8zoT8Ux4wubjv2n_yh6oe_RWeMJzckyGyuhZwwLhy4gEAQPRdxICU97emFmotByGbNxImSx8DcGKgVnraL-hDx4bj-4GHVCje6KAeFOJ8h-jaPCr4bdkcINcfZlVQ4txK9MjWizR_xMEaV3y_w5g4Ldo1/s4032/IMG_7424.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PliSO60AzsIYQeHgsqX-e64KuSwAf6S8zoT8Ux4wubjv2n_yh6oe_RWeMJzckyGyuhZwwLhy4gEAQPRdxICU97emFmotByGbNxImSx8DcGKgVnraL-hDx4bj-4GHVCje6KAeFOJ8h-jaPCr4bdkcINcfZlVQ4txK9MjWizR_xMEaV3y_w5g4Ldo1/s320/IMG_7424.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">Steering wheel: I bought a good vintage wheel from Troy Ermish Racing and kept my old center horn pad because it was in great shape. The old steering wheel plastic was disintegrating in my hands.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKlSUSaX0QGpRxSvhrvvcEiyrNh_vK5tE_C_ToT9oKNH31g2RPUgXT2hX2qsJrBA_OQC0aUI7xeQ8n5KbrZVIglQke0KknxlNToJ2V-dzw0JTsKwzJSb_QWV1t1VfACpFIMzAyYhpAFOxzJ7iwpc6SJ6BVjGGP5YXEaLvxMazlhsWWLta18IPFmH_/s3504/IMG_7378.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2628" data-original-width="3504" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKlSUSaX0QGpRxSvhrvvcEiyrNh_vK5tE_C_ToT9oKNH31g2RPUgXT2hX2qsJrBA_OQC0aUI7xeQ8n5KbrZVIglQke0KknxlNToJ2V-dzw0JTsKwzJSb_QWV1t1VfACpFIMzAyYhpAFOxzJ7iwpc6SJ6BVjGGP5YXEaLvxMazlhsWWLta18IPFmH_/s320/IMG_7378.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">Carpet Kit: I sourced this kit from Newark Auto, and I checked the fit and it's great! I needed to finish re-painting the floor pan before I install the carpet. The carpet comes with a small slit for the seat belt anchor. Nice touch!</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMr_ieYfd8exlAjoO12dtTi3LJH4V9vWqSVj7e-OEk1hotIa4MoWlr0capmEzEdRpvhEkxnlA30yynKcLGmZbYWHJaqTJrF0n49FurX7RFMrkT3spGqExKyG6IOSZnhciO4WlYSrlh48rG1t4GSM4XD-blKsJaU7F1G4RplDH0pp-7KU1Mnf_TKAl/s4032/IMG_7431.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMr_ieYfd8exlAjoO12dtTi3LJH4V9vWqSVj7e-OEk1hotIa4MoWlr0capmEzEdRpvhEkxnlA30yynKcLGmZbYWHJaqTJrF0n49FurX7RFMrkT3spGqExKyG6IOSZnhciO4WlYSrlh48rG1t4GSM4XD-blKsJaU7F1G4RplDH0pp-7KU1Mnf_TKAl/s320/IMG_7431.jpeg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">Seats: Armand's upholstery in Walnut Creek has agreed to recover and rebuild my seats back to stock vinyl loveliness.</span><span style="background: white; color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><br /></span><span style="background: white; color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><br /></span><span style="background: white; color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">Interior door handles: I found a forum member on the "510Realm" website that had a couple newly manufactured handles. The community of Datsun owners sticks together and is very helpful!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHZf5nWM5e_t7uqW46mIKqDKCo9SrkDNADQP-z4Ze7nwnE0wANHBZm9xKhsw_QzMB3BNJLt0fDo1ml1cRpuTQK1sMRLdW9CQrIzWBP0u-RdusZV-gykAi_qPtchPwM0gzJBlfnZGnSIgJqpL1LWDX6HERb0v4rWZg7ZkrWn76uc5fQ8cJxczEtUq2/s4032/IMG_7565.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHZf5nWM5e_t7uqW46mIKqDKCo9SrkDNADQP-z4Ze7nwnE0wANHBZm9xKhsw_QzMB3BNJLt0fDo1ml1cRpuTQK1sMRLdW9CQrIzWBP0u-RdusZV-gykAi_qPtchPwM0gzJBlfnZGnSIgJqpL1LWDX6HERb0v4rWZg7ZkrWn76uc5fQ8cJxczEtUq2/s320/IMG_7565.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">New Door panels interior: I had to order 4 of them, but just needed the driver side, so I'll be selling the other three that I got from Futofab.</span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEW8U904dOuARRs-icwQs_t7fJGyk_i0gfwB_z2dqgyGhI7FwC7fN5walIPWrXt9L1DQ130pA_GQIgAkI6n8jDX16kDwj3qbOElCYCdi9a2Sb5lPSrvYqagBQ_VU3Gz7KoEeMm3sIbTOrXEsXamOWnGCAT_KqXevCWJ6D4WTH_q0LGI6SzL3KEaY4e/s4032/IMG_7569.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEW8U904dOuARRs-icwQs_t7fJGyk_i0gfwB_z2dqgyGhI7FwC7fN5walIPWrXt9L1DQ130pA_GQIgAkI6n8jDX16kDwj3qbOElCYCdi9a2Sb5lPSrvYqagBQ_VU3Gz7KoEeMm3sIbTOrXEsXamOWnGCAT_KqXevCWJ6D4WTH_q0LGI6SzL3KEaY4e/s320/IMG_7569.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">After floor paint, I will also finalize the dash reconstruction now that I have the tach and dash pad. I just want to find a radio cover or a stock "AM" radio (I took out the 80s stereo).</span><span style="color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><br /><br /></span><span style="background: white; color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">Wheels: I took the stock wheels down to bare metal and repainted them in the battleship gray the cars came with stock. I'll be using the "moon" caps and skinny white walls. At some point I might see the wheels getting powder coated, but that's not going to happen yet.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2RtfJU-uDaf559YXTowNQsKspHpdmqu8SCz3tSbt3PyBeoVZH3lFQAieHrcFyD6lWmbY-PPIAexxsRuBCV9QioS5Lxts6VkcQTRK8w8H_MTL3W6l7r3XSem4i2J-T-nMPAwwvo7BCYDSPsVoNtCYJs-RwebSiCW6PI9z3siRwXItcykMfphNM13U/s4032/IMG_7394.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2RtfJU-uDaf559YXTowNQsKspHpdmqu8SCz3tSbt3PyBeoVZH3lFQAieHrcFyD6lWmbY-PPIAexxsRuBCV9QioS5Lxts6VkcQTRK8w8H_MTL3W6l7r3XSem4i2J-T-nMPAwwvo7BCYDSPsVoNtCYJs-RwebSiCW6PI9z3siRwXItcykMfphNM13U/s320/IMG_7394.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04T0nLnDc0QwyZJXEJyFSLOHJfheoQb17rRBdIsLObO0dIhe8Nb28Mc3a8T-qp8yazmkfhl6izObeozjPUdgZxOiOQhiTMBoIwO-CxvWIANzscRbS5JeQ4yBD8xd_vcbJ1_2TPgBSVtYOJja0HkCB_fRx7EGHWupuo-oqkziPvs6V967yVVlwBxtO/s4032/IMG_7428.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04T0nLnDc0QwyZJXEJyFSLOHJfheoQb17rRBdIsLObO0dIhe8Nb28Mc3a8T-qp8yazmkfhl6izObeozjPUdgZxOiOQhiTMBoIwO-CxvWIANzscRbS5JeQ4yBD8xd_vcbJ1_2TPgBSVtYOJja0HkCB_fRx7EGHWupuo-oqkziPvs6V967yVVlwBxtO/s320/IMG_7428.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">I am trying to save the stock door sill runner. I'm heating and pounding out some of the dents. We shall see.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zOfJU4F5UeRecfN73422oNx4KiZ4bhXUjNwVTI_a9JatEFbUMvInjF0wdYhUE8xLnaHZAH1jFe8WOZRa59l_VXFLrXWq5l1rJdof9KJ9hTBukz3vYvsJb-V4xobc96ugfX2FejBQrl5B6cZB09Ggj3N9qzXy5TK2YqZwR-v1LtG9xM4kEZIFSbIr/s4032/IMG_7727.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zOfJU4F5UeRecfN73422oNx4KiZ4bhXUjNwVTI_a9JatEFbUMvInjF0wdYhUE8xLnaHZAH1jFe8WOZRa59l_VXFLrXWq5l1rJdof9KJ9hTBukz3vYvsJb-V4xobc96ugfX2FejBQrl5B6cZB09Ggj3N9qzXy5TK2YqZwR-v1LtG9xM4kEZIFSbIr/s320/IMG_7727.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">From the Z Car Depot, I found the proper oval rubber shift boot so I could finalize the center cut in the carpet. I did not re-install the non-stock center console and I'll be sticking with the old school: stick shift and rubber boot surrounded by carpet! From a helpful member on the 510Realm </span><span style="color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">forums, I got the proper advice on installation of the rubber boot in the center tunnel plus the proper integration with the carpet. I also bought a new driver-door rubber trim piece. You can now see the new dash pad installed and the dash all back </span><span style="color: #383a3b;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); letter-spacing: -0.333333px;">together! Just missing. a radio.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOG31bkpH8JfdW4M0rqTXSze8senHzYnzA4zjAb62AydZZKz6UNjDT6prPftJGSHCW_xJVfBxWGdsgu0C691xGlPHqVz9kNI-myxmOYsIuQHV1fzPfftGd0ezkq-hL6T6Ajlo7jzJhIaCiicuJasYdeHNm-0_tho3BvRbmwxnxtTQI4BxjVGrhyrm/s4032/IMG_7674.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOG31bkpH8JfdW4M0rqTXSze8senHzYnzA4zjAb62AydZZKz6UNjDT6prPftJGSHCW_xJVfBxWGdsgu0C691xGlPHqVz9kNI-myxmOYsIuQHV1fzPfftGd0ezkq-hL6T6Ajlo7jzJhIaCiicuJasYdeHNm-0_tho3BvRbmwxnxtTQI4BxjVGrhyrm/s320/IMG_7674.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-8QmidFsNhF6u2WCXW8VIrdgjCcl8vrLf3mCIyYr02lGJr9hJMeGNyOUZqrDCCUW7nsmblUsPpp7GV5TXD2C4QYiNYdFgkiaEVWR9UjZbYQrIwATVqbmtqUMKCGUD9ASm4vaBR2oJIcZa0fAINE3mdFnGMVufyE9Ec_3cQIfr5JJygwdjnBLkxs3/s4032/IMG_7746.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-8QmidFsNhF6u2WCXW8VIrdgjCcl8vrLf3mCIyYr02lGJr9hJMeGNyOUZqrDCCUW7nsmblUsPpp7GV5TXD2C4QYiNYdFgkiaEVWR9UjZbYQrIwATVqbmtqUMKCGUD9ASm4vaBR2oJIcZa0fAINE3mdFnGMVufyE9Ec_3cQIfr5JJygwdjnBLkxs3/s320/IMG_7746.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aRrYJ9FwfiXsoFqe7o5aSmBim9zHvG9dLg14nu7142lpBhcY4FGla3F7A1mFt2ppGtABG1i9S2t8Z_J7ldqFIcyDBnAm7mbfNYFhXxCt1hTw_83VNj7dFR8ITnys_mehoJwj-Be8Bvcym1cgPW8AHVuMtKmevNN-XQJLRe9Bi36ms_9ffXGAJUxf/s4032/IMG_7577.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aRrYJ9FwfiXsoFqe7o5aSmBim9zHvG9dLg14nu7142lpBhcY4FGla3F7A1mFt2ppGtABG1i9S2t8Z_J7ldqFIcyDBnAm7mbfNYFhXxCt1hTw_83VNj7dFR8ITnys_mehoJwj-Be8Bvcym1cgPW8AHVuMtKmevNN-XQJLRe9Bi36ms_9ffXGAJUxf/s320/IMG_7577.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I went to the local fabric store and found a perfect-match supple vinyl to recover the rear deck shelf, as I won't have speaker holes nor a third brake light back there. Gorilla Glue spray adhesive worked wonders in installation of the new vinyl. The original was tacked on my tiny staples with 2MM "legs", something that would be hard to replicate (I could not find a staple gun that would utilize sales that small).</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #383a3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHG1MZ_XU4YpSuTB0zb6q4JC02--wbAMxeYVOZI7sYQXqmIXztykn2g-1tJQ80lAb-lQbruNvPRjHZTFF6s7L947rrqv_qN175Hssk5XfgLBTs-4OJ01FJ2iPanBCU-7V059rjnApbwCAJLuE5C_0Eu6jWCOiEnbh6UJjbQizagydUDXDld4i7OC8/s4032/IMG_7530.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHG1MZ_XU4YpSuTB0zb6q4JC02--wbAMxeYVOZI7sYQXqmIXztykn2g-1tJQ80lAb-lQbruNvPRjHZTFF6s7L947rrqv_qN175Hssk5XfgLBTs-4OJ01FJ2iPanBCU-7V059rjnApbwCAJLuE5C_0Eu6jWCOiEnbh6UJjbQizagydUDXDld4i7OC8/s320/IMG_7530.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8q2ez7aBvEQr3YjcN8GEE8A3ykEapxN0g4YdpNr0w-5ZY-QfZofRYbkx23v1ZLOIn16JLdZEPeiktNo133kRoqIWWArngBWc2rIdGLkoM320Xz1EkgvyK9aePEG3u29Kuelm35VSGrjyhyD_p9h1M3YGX0qxKOKHt9OUqoBWd1JPlLx7ij67f-sL8/s4032/IMG_7529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8q2ez7aBvEQr3YjcN8GEE8A3ykEapxN0g4YdpNr0w-5ZY-QfZofRYbkx23v1ZLOIn16JLdZEPeiktNo133kRoqIWWArngBWc2rIdGLkoM320Xz1EkgvyK9aePEG3u29Kuelm35VSGrjyhyD_p9h1M3YGX0qxKOKHt9OUqoBWd1JPlLx7ij67f-sL8/s320/IMG_7529.jpeg" width="240" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8q2ez7aBvEQr3YjcN8GEE8A3ykEapxN0g4YdpNr0w-5ZY-QfZofRYbkx23v1ZLOIn16JLdZEPeiktNo133kRoqIWWArngBWc2rIdGLkoM320Xz1EkgvyK9aePEG3u29Kuelm35VSGrjyhyD_p9h1M3YGX0qxKOKHt9OUqoBWd1JPlLx7ij67f-sL8/s4032/IMG_7529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3p7eKDzdTfm3k5O16Q4cc_KeJYQafGKP06eHxzTXeqtMv8hr1QEv3mbsjjfKYbMHZdqc3HZnLsa3Ul0POfoeodLPH6mTjsr3-WPP4Obzrxjj3RpNakbJUmHozZ-jkmjgNUUz6ZTgUvLhe-v5Ccf8o5BvrnMFIiiu3YSH2TJVfmjHgd5cG1Q56-kzo/s4032/IMG_7532.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3p7eKDzdTfm3k5O16Q4cc_KeJYQafGKP06eHxzTXeqtMv8hr1QEv3mbsjjfKYbMHZdqc3HZnLsa3Ul0POfoeodLPH6mTjsr3-WPP4Obzrxjj3RpNakbJUmHozZ-jkmjgNUUz6ZTgUvLhe-v5Ccf8o5BvrnMFIiiu3YSH2TJVfmjHgd5cG1Q56-kzo/s320/IMG_7532.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee; font-family: arial;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><u><br /></u></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-npJ2qDMsNgpuQl300BR_7HBNdAYJ_lhfJyIJ_MwthHWM4RKoVHRCmV5TfJMkJ0E55jS71WaMgEziKsiFfgcUmx2xBIa7Mb6y-dbw6G42E4rjOihYNt3IXgP1_h2UfZmz6SWEUcpA3RYS28R9NlBjGQ629T43zQ4vsaZazdf7qCR5Hv_bNQON4or1/s4032/IMG_7562.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-npJ2qDMsNgpuQl300BR_7HBNdAYJ_lhfJyIJ_MwthHWM4RKoVHRCmV5TfJMkJ0E55jS71WaMgEziKsiFfgcUmx2xBIa7Mb6y-dbw6G42E4rjOihYNt3IXgP1_h2UfZmz6SWEUcpA3RYS28R9NlBjGQ629T43zQ4vsaZazdf7qCR5Hv_bNQON4or1/s320/IMG_7562.jpeg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BpzvZ-prGX21VnltrgFr3DaTqQbwRSzgPPiXVatuvAGJxZP_u2fUYMNnbXXqmYn23i6VTzKQRENaCC4Dy0hqng7r56_9kxFZ_PVLSF6n1cBr3XjExpD7eolVylNDj1rEX7H3pKVxaSx9Nvgq-mg5kllo5ygk3ZNYddio1ci34yXIlvjKMMIFo6Vi/s4032/IMG_7568.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BpzvZ-prGX21VnltrgFr3DaTqQbwRSzgPPiXVatuvAGJxZP_u2fUYMNnbXXqmYn23i6VTzKQRENaCC4Dy0hqng7r56_9kxFZ_PVLSF6n1cBr3XjExpD7eolVylNDj1rEX7H3pKVxaSx9Nvgq-mg5kllo5ygk3ZNYddio1ci34yXIlvjKMMIFo6Vi/s320/IMG_7568.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">From the Z car Depot again (thanks to them!), I got little items like retainer clips for the window crank handle and a new rubber trim for the driver's door. The old one was crusty and over-sprayed. The new one was a tad bit of work, but fit perfectly and once installed with the little clips under the door and some adhesive, I feel water-proof again!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC12CILzCr-ALgXlmRmR1mrNbVTNkdicYtJ0VXsXBALsLn3yBXmT8TNH7x4Fb5zyNI0dEpPW38qYp4mDXl7OHSnwDEz5djdFoN70oMxXwYqLDQDQVATQb9GatULeQH1qFxjnF1jvZOa_DAGBwp_Z_zPYawurkw2zBFbUHRcRutwawJ7v2cLXGLPzRm/s4032/IMG_7676.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC12CILzCr-ALgXlmRmR1mrNbVTNkdicYtJ0VXsXBALsLn3yBXmT8TNH7x4Fb5zyNI0dEpPW38qYp4mDXl7OHSnwDEz5djdFoN70oMxXwYqLDQDQVATQb9GatULeQH1qFxjnF1jvZOa_DAGBwp_Z_zPYawurkw2zBFbUHRcRutwawJ7v2cLXGLPzRm/s320/IMG_7676.jpeg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirovswseB1e1QIsEvz8PH3oCLjrF6oPo0BZL4cnsWNf8msvk9xIWEfmIbmWUQJTrcgSDaLnJzSE6KBZhTAegdoBq_rtQZKEvomH9aJ5aNyIqBKF0YRbBGqZh2qchY7IiNhqvo5ArlywMBplqBUPpSuRDuYw_A3gNIx5tWeCCOibnUUO3xXLQeyFvce/s4032/IMG_7679.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirovswseB1e1QIsEvz8PH3oCLjrF6oPo0BZL4cnsWNf8msvk9xIWEfmIbmWUQJTrcgSDaLnJzSE6KBZhTAegdoBq_rtQZKEvomH9aJ5aNyIqBKF0YRbBGqZh2qchY7IiNhqvo5ArlywMBplqBUPpSuRDuYw_A3gNIx5tWeCCOibnUUO3xXLQeyFvce/s320/IMG_7679.jpeg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">From the Z car Depot again (thanks to them!), I kept my eye on EBay for an OEM mirror. I had called many potential sellers but everyone told me they are rare to find and expensive when you do. People online were telling me that I should expect to pay $150 even without glass in one. But patience paid off, as EBAY eventually turned up a nice OEM side mirror for about $50. It made a big difference in the look of the car, getting it back to OEM look, especially now that I had the stock wheels painted and covered in the original style "moon" center caps, along with turning the whitewall tires whitewall-out.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrnWfZMY_TjurT6pTwY8aVKoPoUgSyZpneJYInbKzOtXyQQVlrQjiIGz9XZH8BrLDYvm3OFFFfBoS1C8fXAjjv2WgG1vxc0mk_d9EwiN7UN7kw5BxP7c5SW5HWXMdT4u1wrGfcw7jFBUgtk_ZVQftqOSGivzppA6nyS2XYuLC8GtNpiQntTKaJ1z2/s4032/IMG_7892.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrnWfZMY_TjurT6pTwY8aVKoPoUgSyZpneJYInbKzOtXyQQVlrQjiIGz9XZH8BrLDYvm3OFFFfBoS1C8fXAjjv2WgG1vxc0mk_d9EwiN7UN7kw5BxP7c5SW5HWXMdT4u1wrGfcw7jFBUgtk_ZVQftqOSGivzppA6nyS2XYuLC8GtNpiQntTKaJ1z2/s320/IMG_7892.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">But now it seemed to me that the white pinstripe was a bit too busy for the stock look. I wanted to retain the stripe that paid honor to it's original purchase look (reminder that the original owner explained that Sunnyvale Datsun painted stripes on their cars once received from the factory, that was their signature look in 1970-71), but I thought maybe the black-only would look simpler. So I tested the pinstripe to see if it would easily remove and not create any paint-color issues. Well, it came right off, leaving no marks and letting the painted black stripe stand on its own.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zJgIKFoY6sqytLjN1X0PyTErJQPtE3_9ZKJ0OiBh66Vy3G3gGcjsYwfyF0ZYzwOpLeS9Gwr-Q5vS0jYIXwJ3x_Am6Ye6J7qauAIJXEaTShtSdLeA1e7Gf5KypOBHH-EpNgngs4gIdemN8gMFCodJJdZSQUqJwhVUrEMx_we1l408IjeqdWPoX4v4/s4032/IMG_7897.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zJgIKFoY6sqytLjN1X0PyTErJQPtE3_9ZKJ0OiBh66Vy3G3gGcjsYwfyF0ZYzwOpLeS9Gwr-Q5vS0jYIXwJ3x_Am6Ye6J7qauAIJXEaTShtSdLeA1e7Gf5KypOBHH-EpNgngs4gIdemN8gMFCodJJdZSQUqJwhVUrEMx_we1l408IjeqdWPoX4v4/s320/IMG_7897.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVJOFkC0Dsa-lb8PUCNe872-86TVL4qdicccUuHc12DrNVZowh3XDOwtok3t18_jPRO2FmmvDhKxoSnQ6M6ZvSJ8VQhectenoUThAduNqu2KAx5liCIEhqgRX9hHyRVRDjhmSwhIS5pDs6QA-Y1oilUCoc7jlyDe72jyNUXXkbBauUoRcSuM8Og5w/s4032/IMG_7898.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVJOFkC0Dsa-lb8PUCNe872-86TVL4qdicccUuHc12DrNVZowh3XDOwtok3t18_jPRO2FmmvDhKxoSnQ6M6ZvSJ8VQhectenoUThAduNqu2KAx5liCIEhqgRX9hHyRVRDjhmSwhIS5pDs6QA-Y1oilUCoc7jlyDe72jyNUXXkbBauUoRcSuM8Og5w/s320/IMG_7898.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AuobNi09xbkOgFQ6gg1Ar3FjRNIPjyboPIdQTM8fjGzn8R5ssxLDTfdbdMj9Q6Uh76Tg6lBAyoa4f7elslRJHN7GkXkw_1PPX55dcbARoDD3l1EmD-3lCVsAdgs6R5ybCZlXIDWaZnZz0xy--DqcKp97pDMFJTwCAwEuEQKt0GUQJciHqIW8I0h1/s4032/IMG_7902.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AuobNi09xbkOgFQ6gg1Ar3FjRNIPjyboPIdQTM8fjGzn8R5ssxLDTfdbdMj9Q6Uh76Tg6lBAyoa4f7elslRJHN7GkXkw_1PPX55dcbARoDD3l1EmD-3lCVsAdgs6R5ybCZlXIDWaZnZz0xy--DqcKp97pDMFJTwCAwEuEQKt0GUQJciHqIW8I0h1/s320/IMG_7902.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm feeling pretty good about the progress. Right now I just need to wait for the upholstery shop to take in the seats next month and I need to install the new 3-point retractable seatbelts and a radio or radio cover. Then it's on to suspension!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061128425873781737.post-2690201649936059882023-03-28T09:48:00.004-07:002023-04-01T07:13:27.291-07:00First Steps Restoring the Datsun 510<p>Now that I've committed to a sympathetic restoration, the first steps are to figure out what exactly I'm working with. So I started by doing a deep wash. I used a pressure washer to get underneath and start seeing what is under 52 years of accumulated road grime. It turns out that the car has lots of good original paint under here and I think a proper cleaning of the suspension and undercarriage will require some steam cleaning. Then I'll know more about the actually condition of the parts. Hopefully, the dirt isn't the glue holding it all together!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbnY5bOpOEIGAF7znZnH75GSaRWtOm77mQHQAOsPPdRPwOxZ6QIJ4VW8uwY1SohwSulAOEi5XTFDjyRvm1ayfsQ1kuk0Gmvy4HBvuv6IHX7cYhyT4p_-thmv3kmdHFDoBW2kUUnkJto9IuibLgiZM-fg_ZHKLGFWtFOzxmBKr8cOksKJNSgMmz-Ej/s4032/IMG_7001.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbnY5bOpOEIGAF7znZnH75GSaRWtOm77mQHQAOsPPdRPwOxZ6QIJ4VW8uwY1SohwSulAOEi5XTFDjyRvm1ayfsQ1kuk0Gmvy4HBvuv6IHX7cYhyT4p_-thmv3kmdHFDoBW2kUUnkJto9IuibLgiZM-fg_ZHKLGFWtFOzxmBKr8cOksKJNSgMmz-Ej/s320/IMG_7001.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLaxLY7tPIgURb6RughdeWn2uKOIDqhr6yKTdacr3u9QT2-lAky4GRHm_lx5a5HGpl1cVC1zajdHgwdMEFh8SXo-1qsPLS2JjqBpdZYoAWPLx2WDliUsG8vUiRteWn-uf9apq_xJHfFR3cIHt8IoZl6GEthCR4DDD5V9JOSs3e59adYYh6MkWZby2/s828/IMG_7148.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="828" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLaxLY7tPIgURb6RughdeWn2uKOIDqhr6yKTdacr3u9QT2-lAky4GRHm_lx5a5HGpl1cVC1zajdHgwdMEFh8SXo-1qsPLS2JjqBpdZYoAWPLx2WDliUsG8vUiRteWn-uf9apq_xJHfFR3cIHt8IoZl6GEthCR4DDD5V9JOSs3e59adYYh6MkWZby2/s320/IMG_7148.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5MZUbdpOkTRTOHDAqLtb_NfDpEBpXVTCferl4Fmx4wBJTy6WA8rWBDdso0ikfhnDJb3Ey4HAD_WkjFqvx5HJZdKSMlRMWGD9s4VE7Jx7W2ZtI_a6pvjTyuHNrXeUXNUvsx3sy4KU_aVJQ54n3L67Rs5HxTUlNQ1C1JB96RScMVf1FOO_mbAORgV9/s4032/IMG_6999.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5MZUbdpOkTRTOHDAqLtb_NfDpEBpXVTCferl4Fmx4wBJTy6WA8rWBDdso0ikfhnDJb3Ey4HAD_WkjFqvx5HJZdKSMlRMWGD9s4VE7Jx7W2ZtI_a6pvjTyuHNrXeUXNUvsx3sy4KU_aVJQ54n3L67Rs5HxTUlNQ1C1JB96RScMVf1FOO_mbAORgV9/s320/IMG_6999.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-U9y2Zhwz29K0Im0_YcXhQaLlbejJPNCVQKW3Dgvd7LhFT0EY-4theCtGuFd2eYy3R-owh-3pLNZ3CyMOYYabBXsnvwZ_7swhK-cMzNLKkX9miN6Uzjo8peB7chHhfHxJsM3peQZ6VUIAozYIqpPcAz5CS6qT04jKcMAJk-oJcOKOjchIpI1azOw/s4032/IMG_7002.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-U9y2Zhwz29K0Im0_YcXhQaLlbejJPNCVQKW3Dgvd7LhFT0EY-4theCtGuFd2eYy3R-owh-3pLNZ3CyMOYYabBXsnvwZ_7swhK-cMzNLKkX9miN6Uzjo8peB7chHhfHxJsM3peQZ6VUIAozYIqpPcAz5CS6qT04jKcMAJk-oJcOKOjchIpI1azOw/s320/IMG_7002.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwJadZM-Or0sy1WqNRAClRboVizNxMk2MFGDDEO0uOF-zNz9yu02SVpHLtuKUSR27ZlvBH3fSPSgowmJ_TTxxv2sJgtdlas6spJdCm96gtIA0ZXcGIv_9YacRWRIf1J7hWRAhMjYigpQdUvOfRy2wHW1u2BR_Aw0LuKXZ4pA1seTWZCCUfsNOXpXz/s4032/IMG_7003.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwJadZM-Or0sy1WqNRAClRboVizNxMk2MFGDDEO0uOF-zNz9yu02SVpHLtuKUSR27ZlvBH3fSPSgowmJ_TTxxv2sJgtdlas6spJdCm96gtIA0ZXcGIv_9YacRWRIf1J7hWRAhMjYigpQdUvOfRy2wHW1u2BR_Aw0LuKXZ4pA1seTWZCCUfsNOXpXz/s320/IMG_7003.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She cleans up pretty well, but more to come on that later. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next step is to move it inside, get it up on stands, and find out what the brakes and suspension are going to need. Also time to start tearing out the interior.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcPdAzOaWG4WZpikQzNqRnsvOJXplN0lsJWJb5Rx3aCsknd7Wc2HGV0hfD37MKLMWjZF1EYD3s6o488bNyJ_cvXiajG0WZWldsOTGT4Ek4v12qCXrWsCcIioCwrr8RiRWNMNBnEi6hu-4Yhdmq86uWun-29XjVJq6t3WJPfs9K_Iqvaa1iAiZFEsy/s4032/IMG_7112.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcPdAzOaWG4WZpikQzNqRnsvOJXplN0lsJWJb5Rx3aCsknd7Wc2HGV0hfD37MKLMWjZF1EYD3s6o488bNyJ_cvXiajG0WZWldsOTGT4Ek4v12qCXrWsCcIioCwrr8RiRWNMNBnEi6hu-4Yhdmq86uWun-29XjVJq6t3WJPfs9K_Iqvaa1iAiZFEsy/s320/IMG_7112.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThaLJDpcm203Xffs0S8QtE1MR-VDQp-s8sajBnZGA9KQ1L0FrIj8IQNx1YVBqrwAEo1QX96zsGGJpoBfPKeAGinIBuYXjtC655iNPJmEpb4P2l02AtIqDmfX1AaJKyGbi_l-cOI7QEaujn-p3kDZGi8lCZ9OmiExRMM2MK-61Okjxg5OMxhLkWAKv/s4032/IMG_7113.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThaLJDpcm203Xffs0S8QtE1MR-VDQp-s8sajBnZGA9KQ1L0FrIj8IQNx1YVBqrwAEo1QX96zsGGJpoBfPKeAGinIBuYXjtC655iNPJmEpb4P2l02AtIqDmfX1AaJKyGbi_l-cOI7QEaujn-p3kDZGi8lCZ9OmiExRMM2MK-61Okjxg5OMxhLkWAKv/s320/IMG_7113.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0aAhReCpCImtvP2WmNnqh9mhHOa1vuHbg111wS2j2gTVGe6u0vylLKknDw5xevM7PA-WCXf48H-9dmv7vP1KEwQXALwwIzJJyylxvQvR7QWGOS09npagUTJWthINYF56FpCgf6Ve8lBlQkndIKaB4L1iIfX7ELeIUGJKfGMsrHLuh0TL8aMRyRwK/s4032/IMG_7114.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0aAhReCpCImtvP2WmNnqh9mhHOa1vuHbg111wS2j2gTVGe6u0vylLKknDw5xevM7PA-WCXf48H-9dmv7vP1KEwQXALwwIzJJyylxvQvR7QWGOS09npagUTJWthINYF56FpCgf6Ve8lBlQkndIKaB4L1iIfX7ELeIUGJKfGMsrHLuh0TL8aMRyRwK/s320/IMG_7114.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtML9vAhDVq0wVL08v9nLdO2-uKNs-Lgoc3NPQk2zDvIbpr7AcdhOVvLBbEmqCbA9NAorqFxLvbW5Ou3GfWlkNT2vWPw-A7cNnddnYU7l1XJLB1GCSwOcB-cwjc4fjkqfYwsfFqS5CCNAUHvIBUQqHQfYTRszZ7pEO7zpl4sBgoaqY-v91MvJjWWO/s4032/IMG_7122.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtML9vAhDVq0wVL08v9nLdO2-uKNs-Lgoc3NPQk2zDvIbpr7AcdhOVvLBbEmqCbA9NAorqFxLvbW5Ou3GfWlkNT2vWPw-A7cNnddnYU7l1XJLB1GCSwOcB-cwjc4fjkqfYwsfFqS5CCNAUHvIBUQqHQfYTRszZ7pEO7zpl4sBgoaqY-v91MvJjWWO/s320/IMG_7122.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vUORp610ya-Z0M2qbm5sGZklGEdxk9Qfsm3U8EUBhPeFWxDQWnA0TWH8iuCR5DDNN12WFyAtDqwKE_C0wSy_6Je7CoPDqQHTO1HGaXeH6y9RMgs10CUAXll-4err2ov7ky6ZQctIUnnDDijffRJvT7Je7r2rcubx47p7nTn3_RG5SNZt40Vq0D56/s4032/IMG_7126.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vUORp610ya-Z0M2qbm5sGZklGEdxk9Qfsm3U8EUBhPeFWxDQWnA0TWH8iuCR5DDNN12WFyAtDqwKE_C0wSy_6Je7CoPDqQHTO1HGaXeH6y9RMgs10CUAXll-4err2ov7ky6ZQctIUnnDDijffRJvT7Je7r2rcubx47p7nTn3_RG5SNZt40Vq0D56/s320/IMG_7126.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKvkJSk6vc8m0sDS4Dar_ZEj-xWM6tLN1qkmS25ZtfFahr54ihxgcCoweiEjvSjQcFIRfK_DWhJaemHFYb8tK7kq3JeXwp95tAvSY8xhhV4-P74bv1TYrEEr1zW42MpCDK0lWj5qwbQA2kIJcDbKJqZYYGjw-onZ0Gd36iJfqnuF3sg3WqusbfSkx/s4032/IMG_7130.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKvkJSk6vc8m0sDS4Dar_ZEj-xWM6tLN1qkmS25ZtfFahr54ihxgcCoweiEjvSjQcFIRfK_DWhJaemHFYb8tK7kq3JeXwp95tAvSY8xhhV4-P74bv1TYrEEr1zW42MpCDK0lWj5qwbQA2kIJcDbKJqZYYGjw-onZ0Gd36iJfqnuF3sg3WqusbfSkx/s320/IMG_7130.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAE2urqEklsq0PGADS3kdQ-Bkrql4EITM82GjwBaAaAQDOi6C4GpHLhC4rmkZAjb-6dJPqUkUF5y_grgS_sfxzbYVu_Z3D8Rgdmzr62kyqVU0KokLVlt8hqAih7m4cg_LLwLGP_j1pknUsSMnfo6OtVhdPcw8EfKqp4zV46-wsMn_ezoLGfwsiuGR/s4032/IMG_7163.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAE2urqEklsq0PGADS3kdQ-Bkrql4EITM82GjwBaAaAQDOi6C4GpHLhC4rmkZAjb-6dJPqUkUF5y_grgS_sfxzbYVu_Z3D8Rgdmzr62kyqVU0KokLVlt8hqAih7m4cg_LLwLGP_j1pknUsSMnfo6OtVhdPcw8EfKqp4zV46-wsMn_ezoLGfwsiuGR/s320/IMG_7163.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Again, I'm pleased with how clean things are once I get under it all. I'm going to fully recondition the floors. The black paint under the driver footwell is just surface stuff, seemingly painted to avoid corrosion because there is nothing bad underneath it. I'll plan on sanding it down and returning it to original color (Datsun orange 918 according to the factory paint tag). Now to order carpet jute for lining and a new carpet kit in OEM loop/pile black.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a long weekend away, I came back to start tearing down the dashboard. the original dash pad is cracked, but the vinyl and plastic parts surrounding gauges and glove back are really nice. After a bit of washing and conditioning, they are looking new! I used PlastX on the plastic gauge covers and used compressed air and dug inside the gauges to remove all the dust and dirt making them look old. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now I need to find a way to recondition or replace the dash pad while also looking for an upholstery option to return the seats to their OEM vinyl elegance!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSy6wvqfFkw_4HndmdvDj_LLpEU03v1n4DPzx9V1bRioD9clFIo39nhjsh5ecGCTIpudJNEGMinAy9MTGF0Onn3NJmUtFA_51mbfEk1y0kU3DXnsVsuYM2C2kABowAAffPdSt8Q2e8plucs3GEj8n6yjHo7-D7GQGDNY14SkIJAsyrJC9a1KAABgj/s4032/IMG_7128.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSy6wvqfFkw_4HndmdvDj_LLpEU03v1n4DPzx9V1bRioD9clFIo39nhjsh5ecGCTIpudJNEGMinAy9MTGF0Onn3NJmUtFA_51mbfEk1y0kU3DXnsVsuYM2C2kABowAAffPdSt8Q2e8plucs3GEj8n6yjHo7-D7GQGDNY14SkIJAsyrJC9a1KAABgj/s320/IMG_7128.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: left;">After a little reconditioning...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7J5GLrUU_O679XlvG6xR7cPQ0Pz0heh_tS0KB21f07OdfJYzHJXXjv--C8TyHdGjoI03AeaTo2N6JQTouesvI_9uxrOq0Okh6dFovFdTUX2qi05SXVBtkiTw5AtmHWQ3T06ZKxOZl0Gjj0r_BU84-jHpC9QPddTnlrmjOD3Z9OikE7WIThCVFX_6n/s4032/IMG_7267.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7J5GLrUU_O679XlvG6xR7cPQ0Pz0heh_tS0KB21f07OdfJYzHJXXjv--C8TyHdGjoI03AeaTo2N6JQTouesvI_9uxrOq0Okh6dFovFdTUX2qi05SXVBtkiTw5AtmHWQ3T06ZKxOZl0Gjj0r_BU84-jHpC9QPddTnlrmjOD3Z9OikE7WIThCVFX_6n/s320/IMG_7267.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPidakE1PNt1bELrQZfUcDoPzjdOObXNsjNGjlWPNwDsJTBEhA66MnPSQ9H52s2_9ON2v8PIaCfEwuIgKdOHkdtkvQugMQxKqAKQICGOPzWfd0EAc4X_OpsXuuJRc0aModwPqFFBSoSpNDTbqRXyjiPFNHPujFLNv_bWLDxtLp6wacPItPEdHVk1Vc/s4032/IMG_7268.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoD3EfX6flwlRBu4pCRmSjjCS1K1mdztpGsjdKKYBsEoc-GmdfJGF2Ke9sm76WgGfriy9_7ny7wFXXSjPLcCapPL_9hNBLVVwlsMvXj0URJIuvvf7-7GlT7FkXFoGd58VI0omVZn-dfOY8zo2uk-Od3dtAhk5MNqzNELIqF_Xu8u7UtcdX4FuI9GC0/s4032/IMG_7273.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoD3EfX6flwlRBu4pCRmSjjCS1K1mdztpGsjdKKYBsEoc-GmdfJGF2Ke9sm76WgGfriy9_7ny7wFXXSjPLcCapPL_9hNBLVVwlsMvXj0URJIuvvf7-7GlT7FkXFoGd58VI0omVZn-dfOY8zo2uk-Od3dtAhk5MNqzNELIqF_Xu8u7UtcdX4FuI9GC0/w400-h300/IMG_7273.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">OK, that's all for now. Plenty of vendors to contact and find parts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061128425873781737.post-9495101088575010192023-03-28T07:57:00.007-07:002023-03-29T14:36:42.531-07:00I picked up this Original Owner 1971 Datsun 510<p>If it hasn't been obvious from my prior posts, the Datsun brand and particularly the Datsun 510 has been a seminal influence and a key part of my formative years as a car guy. My first car was a Datsun 510, and it is a reminder of my roots in the world of cars and of car racing. It reminds me of that amazing freedom I first discovered at age 16 when I got my driver's license and the world suddenly seemed to open up for me. I've been racing my other BRE-liveried Datsun 510 with a couple different historic racing organizations, so it shouldn't be a surprise that I keep an eye out for interesting Datsuns that come up for sale. In this case, it was a 1971 Datsun 510 2-door 4-speed car that came up on BringaTrailer.com. I was immediately struck by its defining factor: it was a <u>single owner car</u> since new! I looked at the ad photos and the write up and since the car was local, just about an hour away, I decided to go take a look.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherCrwjXSjbBr9T8ePNjRQxivv1V1d9Sp3l0QO-mWu9imbnL4Cu1NYxkZZqwDB0Lr7n5rZopRq4lZ44qvnl_ucrIjfXDU4cpcVwFOb84M7uPQU-raGIqfJHDNpehDxt-WcaZheHV-HaiGGbCxc--C2GbcueGo0d54HhkECtSbuER73tjIOr54/s828/IMG_6958.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="828" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherCrwjXSjbBr9T8ePNjRQxivv1V1d9Sp3l0QO-mWu9imbnL4Cu1NYxkZZqwDB0Lr7n5rZopRq4lZ44qvnl_ucrIjfXDU4cpcVwFOb84M7uPQU-raGIqfJHDNpehDxt-WcaZheHV-HaiGGbCxc--C2GbcueGo0d54HhkECtSbuER73tjIOr54/w368-h269/IMG_6958.jpeg" width="368" /></a></div><p>Well, never look at puppies for sale if you don't expect to bring one home. Same thing for me and 510s. I met the original owner, Joe, who gave me plenty of backdrop and stories about the car. He had purchased in in December of 1970 from the Datsun Dealership in Sunnyvale, CA while he was still a student. He had owned it continuously for over 52 years, and in my many years, that is the first time I had come across a Datsun 510 with a single owner history. So I was intrigued. He bought he car with a loan from Bank of America for a total of 2,125.44, paid in 36 installments of $59.04. Interesting that they din't have to disclose the interest rate on that! Also, car loans were rarely over 3 years in those days because cars didn't last long. Well, here it is 52 years later!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktE6uSq8KAMKkC9HQoUzIzD8twjORr1M3_GWJfFn4SAxnN7K4QgQP9kdTuhxOm5rb26clVtPMJQvKDUzHBUd5fzoRdIgleaCL0hZHkbxhF9Wyphu0VCBlpuvDle_QgIe5qcT4vbBEk2p62Xb_rpk0QWTQf-U_asUgYde_BXhUfVqaa3xao6g/s2048/1971_datsun_510_1971_datsun_510_D31AA1CF-EB75-42D1-B62E-5237FC9DA6CD-91719-scaled.jpeg-copy-98777.jpg.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktE6uSq8KAMKkC9HQoUzIzD8twjORr1M3_GWJfFn4SAxnN7K4QgQP9kdTuhxOm5rb26clVtPMJQvKDUzHBUd5fzoRdIgleaCL0hZHkbxhF9Wyphu0VCBlpuvDle_QgIe5qcT4vbBEk2p62Xb_rpk0QWTQf-U_asUgYde_BXhUfVqaa3xao6g/s320/1971_datsun_510_1971_datsun_510_D31AA1CF-EB75-42D1-B62E-5237FC9DA6CD-91719-scaled.jpeg-copy-98777.jpg.webp" width="240" /></a></div><p>He told me that he had taken his now-wife on their first date in the car, and he now had over 225,000 miles on it. I met he and his mechanic and we talked about what they had done through the years. Although it had been repainted (I kind of wish it was still original paint), Joe had kept the black and white side stripe that was on the car when he bought it. He told me that was a signature of the Sunnyvale Datsun dealership where he bought it... they always painted a stripe on their 510s back in the early 1970s, presumably to add a little sportiness to the boxy little sedan. Keep in mind, in 1971 this might be sitting across the street from a fully pinstriped Camaro Z28 or double-hood-striped Mustang fastback.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1k7yKtLogjoc7ze8aufXy7_s1kQ5v622K9MGNaE4UihwLkya5AgUdzDg-CZ1tO-AaQX_zG1oOZMxE9lfmXMTzr1enbOxPMtaH2a7hk1EdsY9VydwpRk1hAqoqywpRAKHoTZGPURrWwILv1cx9flLxRZ2QCHk7qlHAqpG64ZHF_KEZ7eHzCw/s828/IMG_6960.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="828" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1k7yKtLogjoc7ze8aufXy7_s1kQ5v622K9MGNaE4UihwLkya5AgUdzDg-CZ1tO-AaQX_zG1oOZMxE9lfmXMTzr1enbOxPMtaH2a7hk1EdsY9VydwpRk1hAqoqywpRAKHoTZGPURrWwILv1cx9flLxRZ2QCHk7qlHAqpG64ZHF_KEZ7eHzCw/w373-h269/IMG_6960.jpeg" width="373" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p>The car was a bit dirty, and showed a little rust on one rocker panel that had been painted over (maybe 2-inches square), so I proceeded to look closely at all the floor pans, rocker panels, trunk pan, fender wells, etc. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the one area of corrosion was really the only spot of concern. Under the aftermarket rubber mats and then the musty and faded original old carpets, I found he had the original rubber Datsun mats, which are rarely seen still with these cars. And these original rubber mats were perfect! The dash, gauges, steering wheel and seats were original, also rare to see, as was the headliner. The driver's seat was thrashed from all those years and miles and covered in duct tape and a sheepskin seat cover (so 70s!), but I was happy it was still there. Seats can be recovered and re-stuffed, but finding an original seat in the first place is difficult. Most of these cars have had aftermarket seats or other-manufacturers modern seats installed at some point through multiple owners.</p><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hvcCbZeQvkqmhply5QyfNE-RsVCMggyVYDk00lbDp11hl4t_dy-msJc3qx_lB3OgO2vbIuNPY0lxQ_PK5uhnPJG8FxiieO-di0d6qDP6W8vVzaNmtkKLRwBoec1DBi-uB3QOUwNjGo40Ze5kIWNAszQaOJnVFlyaiMNJdYzE9mTt8rAkF8o/s828/IMG_7136.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="828" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hvcCbZeQvkqmhply5QyfNE-RsVCMggyVYDk00lbDp11hl4t_dy-msJc3qx_lB3OgO2vbIuNPY0lxQ_PK5uhnPJG8FxiieO-di0d6qDP6W8vVzaNmtkKLRwBoec1DBi-uB3QOUwNjGo40Ze5kIWNAszQaOJnVFlyaiMNJdYzE9mTt8rAkF8o/w400-h296/IMG_7136.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZBfmJ-dMF7amXmr5fZ1Ww25BgezcZwXPQ7Buqm2zxMB8AVBSlaNk_dzwxrEx-1ci9DBFgznbacrKcxcUUqbEbFdnfYakK16I3rncYFeqyhuplNHEdf9HXR8FTXJok0b1A9cdgmUs8TNayJyf8k03RkkGLDzC0MKppVmUVxMg2s7gclQXgQI/s822/IMG_7137.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="822" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZBfmJ-dMF7amXmr5fZ1Ww25BgezcZwXPQ7Buqm2zxMB8AVBSlaNk_dzwxrEx-1ci9DBFgznbacrKcxcUUqbEbFdnfYakK16I3rncYFeqyhuplNHEdf9HXR8FTXJok0b1A9cdgmUs8TNayJyf8k03RkkGLDzC0MKppVmUVxMg2s7gclQXgQI/w400-h299/IMG_7137.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtB7_afZTzp7-Zyld6XeMw8183EjiNe2qoJnXX8RPWr3w2IltmpucY1KwXJQVo33wZaySK6ghZPQYh4bKsUDS0ho1QP6ODJpTVwZFp8w-H6S6zqf2mx3GJO45pKJhQfxjq4MCGAKjBH89aCoE-YXI6ade5nW-VX29I-3hl2Nc7pLDDWPiJiXk/s828/IMG_7141.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="828" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtB7_afZTzp7-Zyld6XeMw8183EjiNe2qoJnXX8RPWr3w2IltmpucY1KwXJQVo33wZaySK6ghZPQYh4bKsUDS0ho1QP6ODJpTVwZFp8w-H6S6zqf2mx3GJO45pKJhQfxjq4MCGAKjBH89aCoE-YXI6ade5nW-VX29I-3hl2Nc7pLDDWPiJiXk/w400-h295/IMG_7141.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLl4YXsujlt_4AoAqnR94NcSwNP-k591r_NDb0wha0ENe0sRGH5rnRJEYBAExf2CEOVRlmF6BzCaGIaJqRX_9H1yUTRgZyHb_ZhLQBZR71Bg7UmU-2Mkb_raIMQo9mZR1koYfs6GqAVhnH2fslLrt7WV0O8YAhbHIWyXQ2STNo5FM6ViiwKE/s828/IMG_7145.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="828" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLl4YXsujlt_4AoAqnR94NcSwNP-k591r_NDb0wha0ENe0sRGH5rnRJEYBAExf2CEOVRlmF6BzCaGIaJqRX_9H1yUTRgZyHb_ZhLQBZR71Bg7UmU-2Mkb_raIMQo9mZR1koYfs6GqAVhnH2fslLrt7WV0O8YAhbHIWyXQ2STNo5FM6ViiwKE/w400-h289/IMG_7145.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>After driving the car, listening to the engine, and talking about its history for quite a while, I decided I would place a bid in the auction which had a few days remaining. To my surprise, nobody upped my bid. Partly because I had placed a strong bid but also because I think most people bidding from a distance couldn't tell that this car was actually in far better shape than its photos may have portrayed.</p><p>Here is the auction site and outcome: <a href="https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1971-datsun-510-55/">https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1971-datsun-510-55/</a></p><div>I was pretty excited at the end of the auction and ready to get this car in my garage. My wife was, as always, understanding of my "car problem" and realized this would be a great project for me. More on my plans in just a bit. But first, it was time to bring a trailer down to pick the car up. No way I was going to trust a 225,000 mile car on the drive home through Bay Area highway craziness. So I met Joe a couple days later and we swapped more stories and congratulated each other. Joe seemed genuinely happy that I was the winning bidder, because he knew that my intent was to honor its tradition and keep it relatively stock. I had told him so when I looked at it. I knew the car would be a great candidate for a "sympathetic restoration". One where I clean everything up, replace any non-stock parts I could, and bring it back close to how it looked when he drove it off the lot in December 1970. Joe handed me the keys and we promised to keep in touch. as I've said before, I like cars because of how they can connect people, and I expect to carry Joe's story along with this car for as long as I am it's steward.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktSOS4xLThCsPtXFt8UE4GBlFVT7D3z9ZVu9lhVN53cr7QnIjnDhWkYccxDs3fBZrz370pIBYURSAaIH2WNbV2-HbNyPeincgsoEh-mjm7DnSJPjQuu6bRUcd0mXOXgNBsS9JxvyQcJVvgxi2Cms2tpjKX8tmzL9FjVK6neX-kZmtT9k77wg/s4032/IMG_4139.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktSOS4xLThCsPtXFt8UE4GBlFVT7D3z9ZVu9lhVN53cr7QnIjnDhWkYccxDs3fBZrz370pIBYURSAaIH2WNbV2-HbNyPeincgsoEh-mjm7DnSJPjQuu6bRUcd0mXOXgNBsS9JxvyQcJVvgxi2Cms2tpjKX8tmzL9FjVK6neX-kZmtT9k77wg/s320/IMG_4139.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAETfFbvgDZCX_DbxBbrFzxpgU1xlUhCmBLRDznhkGuBsIZ-zXJ2HP4eWCS0_NibqH-VSHwMkU7GUGB5aJUmc5jXP0vqoBi5sqgOxYhyrHNvqQFsh3FE3WOdhp06hT4c1krrkdQ6pf-yF7_kZDASBUy0IRwkcbDMxLmear5qL7CMyLdT-3OXk/s4032/IMG_4143.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAETfFbvgDZCX_DbxBbrFzxpgU1xlUhCmBLRDznhkGuBsIZ-zXJ2HP4eWCS0_NibqH-VSHwMkU7GUGB5aJUmc5jXP0vqoBi5sqgOxYhyrHNvqQFsh3FE3WOdhp06hT4c1krrkdQ6pf-yF7_kZDASBUy0IRwkcbDMxLmear5qL7CMyLdT-3OXk/s320/IMG_4143.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KiCQrsmHZObBUL0icUyC8UCa9fGbxI6kaao1tvm3rbLLs6uYqahKN4UCQcUYnlSUtQySEYL-wCYg4GFVMR4fb3OOh2lvDcknnIJVtHQIPaKjhESMiZXhMP-74st6FhqnOBok82PKtbrozcEz7nFfaQ39ZcQp3lQxiLPKgMEAjixnPzuUbDE/s4032/IMG_4155.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KiCQrsmHZObBUL0icUyC8UCa9fGbxI6kaao1tvm3rbLLs6uYqahKN4UCQcUYnlSUtQySEYL-wCYg4GFVMR4fb3OOh2lvDcknnIJVtHQIPaKjhESMiZXhMP-74st6FhqnOBok82PKtbrozcEz7nFfaQ39ZcQp3lQxiLPKgMEAjixnPzuUbDE/s320/IMG_4155.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>So now it is at home, ready for some love and attention. My plans include a basic light restoration:</p><div><ul><li>remove all interior and replace worn carpets, new stock seat upholstery, new dash pad</li><li>new stock style steering wheel</li><li>stock air cleaner element</li><li>stock wheels and skinny white-wall tires</li><li>new shocks and springs to correct ride height and make it a comfy period-correct ride</li><li>clean up all underneath corrosion and 52 years of gunk</li><li>rust removal and repaint of left rocker panel</li><li>clean up engine bay</li><li>remove non-stock parts (CB radio, extra horns, 3rd brake light, etc)</li><li>find an EOM side mirror? (unobtanium these days)</li><li>remove and clean-up engine, new head gasket and likely valve job and evaluate lower-end</li><li>new brakes and brake lines, all OEM</li><li>new rubber bits and bushings for suspension</li></ul><div>I got her home and recreated the photo from my Mom's lawn in 1979 when I had my first 510. I just didn't park on the lawn this time.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrld6JStVl3JMD3FpnyALRr9DV9v9pifbjoJH_ABI7Oh9C3O3x-qXHf23BfFNPwBYMFQaUFNJPLje2OzWpRlYiPCQKD5rYKRjRF3Ec2Wvbf9Qhzw9z-gVjMYOmI7rgucfqaUp6ktedIf3Q6A439chjrEjR3VWKCyFfJGqv0xAxXymu_556JCE/s2048/232A4D4F-B3F2-4C0B-AA7B-96CD3EF2C2D8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrld6JStVl3JMD3FpnyALRr9DV9v9pifbjoJH_ABI7Oh9C3O3x-qXHf23BfFNPwBYMFQaUFNJPLje2OzWpRlYiPCQKD5rYKRjRF3Ec2Wvbf9Qhzw9z-gVjMYOmI7rgucfqaUp6ktedIf3Q6A439chjrEjR3VWKCyFfJGqv0xAxXymu_556JCE/w420-h420/232A4D4F-B3F2-4C0B-AA7B-96CD3EF2C2D8.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><br /><div>Then I parked her in a place of honor in my garage and started making my plans. I'll update with a new blog post in the next week to show my first tear down and clean-up progress.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgHgsDpzFq6PfYY4MjVH_FIjiwahBIwZnFKLtjSWir79Gyx-5Ohinxbr1XO5NzBhRtpMTZ_gLlvODPOD1HxxL3Rmul-vbC4p6g8XMdnXbvRCLoqQaduSsd3QL153ggRCdqbi_KlH_fvwhk1dyDLjTfeD1ulJ60OaFesTmPZ0GdxcvLXWbr5M8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgHgsDpzFq6PfYY4MjVH_FIjiwahBIwZnFKLtjSWir79Gyx-5Ohinxbr1XO5NzBhRtpMTZ_gLlvODPOD1HxxL3Rmul-vbC4p6g8XMdnXbvRCLoqQaduSsd3QL153ggRCdqbi_KlH_fvwhk1dyDLjTfeD1ulJ60OaFesTmPZ0GdxcvLXWbr5M8=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061128425873781737.post-7829460881965653262022-07-02T13:34:00.002-07:002023-02-20T07:44:48.036-08:00McLaren MP4-12C: DIY brake system overhaul<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> McLaren MP4-12C is an amazing driver's vehicle. I've driven my 2012 all over California and loved every second. I've had it on track just a couple times, and it always impresses me. But I took it out for a few laps at Sonoma Raceway one day and I was getting very weird brake response. The brakes were not stopping with full power and were unsettling the car, dancing a bit left and right going into hard brake zones like Turn 7 and Turn 11. And if you've ever gone into Turn 11 at Sonoma at high speed, you know that the last thing you want is to feel unsure about the car's direction or stopping power. There's a pretty ominous wall in front of you as you approach at 120+ MPH.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;">I cut the day short at the track. Good thing, too. Taking off a wheel when I got home, </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I could see that the OEM brake rotors were more than a bit worn. More importantly, I could see that the pads had been wearing very unevenly... the top of the pad was thicker than the bottom, which meant the brake calipers were exerting uneven pressure. At least one of the caliper pistons was stuck or hindered. </span></span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;">It was time for a complete brake overhaul.</span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> I called the dealership: estimate was $18,000. Holy cow. New brake calipers, new rotors, new pads, full system flush. I decided I could do it myself for well under $4000. The brake calipers were the most expensive part, so I contacted the manufacturer of the OEM calipers (AP Racing), and they said they could rebuild the calipers to factory spec for $160 each. I found that Girodisc makes rotors for the 12C for about $700 per wheel. Plus pads for a reasonable price. Yup, I could do it all myself for under $4K.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">First thing to do was to get the car up on my Quickjack. This required the rail extenders because the jack points are spread fairly wide along the wheelbase. The extender rails for the quick jack also add height to the jack itself (because they are stacked on top of the base rail), so the jack was now too tall to slide under the car. So, to get the car high enough to slide the jacks under it, I drove it up onto 4 small blocks of 2x4 wood placed forward of each tire. Up she went another 1.5 inches and that allowed the QuickJack to slide under and place the rubber blocks at the proper jack points. I bought all my components but the first thing I needed to get done was to send the calipers to AC Racing via their US partner Essex Parts).</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWOHJD1V_PWwb_Uhkmxv-yRQ-Gvn2oy8AyI5SejizMbfG-cpyJjrE28Iarr8PnXqVm-yi2oW0iT31agsagci36mS6p7mzKTP6dd6vS4ny2yuIYb1klMuebJ1Jvni4L43Im35ZZxdkXQ6cD3FcNYOXS1dW3chD6zFA3ggacL_bzJD7uYYdphDSEXCT/s4032/IMG_9069.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWOHJD1V_PWwb_Uhkmxv-yRQ-Gvn2oy8AyI5SejizMbfG-cpyJjrE28Iarr8PnXqVm-yi2oW0iT31agsagci36mS6p7mzKTP6dd6vS4ny2yuIYb1klMuebJ1Jvni4L43Im35ZZxdkXQ6cD3FcNYOXS1dW3chD6zFA3ggacL_bzJD7uYYdphDSEXCT/s320/IMG_9069.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJlOmYE5tF5sOSZAD2fce5wWp8VAZixf-eX_ddYyTdomJyvE-qdG-P5CuSvG3oVAbhbtPko0KEArDtuN9zz2w4Dv0bN9alHaYOTzHln0M0neqXmqDbrPy2BVYGCCTRUDTiNJ1EurfbfyEQ06nTE92NPAeERMUh420JillM1oFqjLomiGg1riB7_la/s4032/IMG_9041.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJlOmYE5tF5sOSZAD2fce5wWp8VAZixf-eX_ddYyTdomJyvE-qdG-P5CuSvG3oVAbhbtPko0KEArDtuN9zz2w4Dv0bN9alHaYOTzHln0M0neqXmqDbrPy2BVYGCCTRUDTiNJ1EurfbfyEQ06nTE92NPAeERMUh420JillM1oFqjLomiGg1riB7_la/s320/IMG_9041.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The MP4-12C brakes are pretty easy to work on. <u>First step is to make sure you have <b>turned OFF the electronic parking brake </b>so that when you work on the rears, they won't be in park mode</u> (more on this later). The parking brake automatically engages when you turn off the car. You have to go through steps so that the brake does not come on when you turn off the car. This is key, or you will will not be able to remove the rear rotors (unless you do what I did, which is to hack into the parking brake with a battery and a couple wire leads later.... not easy). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">To remove the brake pads, you simply tap out the two retaining pins using a center punch. They are held in place by the spring clip, so it's easier if you take pressure off them by pushing inward on that flat metal retainer with the down arrow stamped in.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9vspZp372VTGSntPQW5sMe-TJ6Mcp5ywwLpZgwT0XV9d2zANFaH5qkrlOedW3yuPQTXDAb0Vp0uBTpRNhUhLCwbrrXMrSfhhFID8hFCUzEQkICkAahFXNqxGZtCGIc9kE_bHF5KEc6N7QRleRN8UA3IsvbRytI1Xq5MGtzcUmu11foF6Ab4g-cb1/s4032/IMG_9042.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9vspZp372VTGSntPQW5sMe-TJ6Mcp5ywwLpZgwT0XV9d2zANFaH5qkrlOedW3yuPQTXDAb0Vp0uBTpRNhUhLCwbrrXMrSfhhFID8hFCUzEQkICkAahFXNqxGZtCGIc9kE_bHF5KEc6N7QRleRN8UA3IsvbRytI1Xq5MGtzcUmu11foF6Ab4g-cb1/s320/IMG_9042.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Once you remove the pins, you can use a caliper spreaders (or a large set of pliers and a soft cloth) to spread the pads and compressing the caliper pistons back into the rotor.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-Wh-agj49Om827aW0un7oO4EutYp8XYCR88IyQoZh2mOYNNMBdV0oca5jY57wPFqgRAuBj4WpFjZKH4_R74H5HTB3Q4VrsAIT6dLJbvYgPn6HvgfutE9xj7IYUEpji1H_sLGqlaOI9jwyNMqoMAhwxdurHSEkAn8-fevcOsMCg6f_zs8Qx4jWksG/s4032/IMG_9046.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-Wh-agj49Om827aW0un7oO4EutYp8XYCR88IyQoZh2mOYNNMBdV0oca5jY57wPFqgRAuBj4WpFjZKH4_R74H5HTB3Q4VrsAIT6dLJbvYgPn6HvgfutE9xj7IYUEpji1H_sLGqlaOI9jwyNMqoMAhwxdurHSEkAn8-fevcOsMCg6f_zs8Qx4jWksG/s320/IMG_9046.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZdcYsGSQhmp5W4pHqWInB1iyYnFOTi0b9CFEgR2vXxFcJWDU4Bl68krj8yEVZDfr-MJTAespEfM8xnmq-5YVua2x92qQFaey2DIcnZhIgChZGlkVsxO4n9iYcNYbPa7TK8yakuchqQJRIuNL31gpmK23u0udPsEtUl0t36YvxUYHB3uWQT1HGtc6/s4032/IMG_9047.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZdcYsGSQhmp5W4pHqWInB1iyYnFOTi0b9CFEgR2vXxFcJWDU4Bl68krj8yEVZDfr-MJTAespEfM8xnmq-5YVua2x92qQFaey2DIcnZhIgChZGlkVsxO4n9iYcNYbPa7TK8yakuchqQJRIuNL31gpmK23u0udPsEtUl0t36YvxUYHB3uWQT1HGtc6/s320/IMG_9047.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You can then gently work out the brake pad wear sensor which is held into its slot with a small pressure clip. Just work it back and forth to remove without breaking it. These can be re-used or can also be replaced, as I chose to do in this case.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rmCg9zXWIg9aa1TXka6C-oYK7LYavH65c1wzHPUY6LabPJuHxnyb3nZCz3ti6A24iJvdheJ1JWqzrIbLQ-SchL78kUNPR61d-K3aAT3g1vPdtcNyMDGybmNkMm4LBK3ANer4AOabA3G5m4eH-LwAeTuUN7v_mNQ3nXvW4GfBiOcE5Gpa8MRivBCo/s4032/IMG_9048.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rmCg9zXWIg9aa1TXka6C-oYK7LYavH65c1wzHPUY6LabPJuHxnyb3nZCz3ti6A24iJvdheJ1JWqzrIbLQ-SchL78kUNPR61d-K3aAT3g1vPdtcNyMDGybmNkMm4LBK3ANer4AOabA3G5m4eH-LwAeTuUN7v_mNQ3nXvW4GfBiOcE5Gpa8MRivBCo/s320/IMG_9048.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">With the rotors free of the pads, you an how use the proper Torx bit to remove the rotors.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkuJ5peRqs0CnXudemtz2Wq6VH5ZQF1gR99CFUQflW5z_5DFRRYui6-sYcCBDiEduswFDL42BapK7mj-tKRTWGlYtD5ovXo_micZkJiW5MV8LKYPeS3pg7MroHI4v2wUrUVY5P1GSaMFsBiQoGqSGuQ4aVYm-_TOYqxM62aO49qySMnT7qSU6D5m8/s4032/IMG_9043.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkuJ5peRqs0CnXudemtz2Wq6VH5ZQF1gR99CFUQflW5z_5DFRRYui6-sYcCBDiEduswFDL42BapK7mj-tKRTWGlYtD5ovXo_micZkJiW5MV8LKYPeS3pg7MroHI4v2wUrUVY5P1GSaMFsBiQoGqSGuQ4aVYm-_TOYqxM62aO49qySMnT7qSU6D5m8/s320/IMG_9043.jpeg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60ZAv09SGBCl4L3VkdX-lYez1wUJhmfcm0Lp-ZW4eI2dr2VEnSd-GVrExYkg00zf8QrTPwkBDYMIfcrZwVoKCAL6CqiNukrX0RBqy3xHPiSiEKvMKNupxEHMIYXSd8QvWO5ywH9SkiBhCpQQ53rLP51loFxQsPxjpGgcRy0LBjTHddhnzJtqh3KvS/s4032/IMG_8980.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60ZAv09SGBCl4L3VkdX-lYez1wUJhmfcm0Lp-ZW4eI2dr2VEnSd-GVrExYkg00zf8QrTPwkBDYMIfcrZwVoKCAL6CqiNukrX0RBqy3xHPiSiEKvMKNupxEHMIYXSd8QvWO5ywH9SkiBhCpQQ53rLP51loFxQsPxjpGgcRy0LBjTHddhnzJtqh3KvS/s320/IMG_8980.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Then it was time to remove the caliper itself, which is held on by two large bolts into the spindle. You have to disconnect the brake line, so have a catch can for fluid loss.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqc4VyV8quYvKUwXhuL2pP3mJKlVpyBE2Smn2bA2osQVZP7Xg6zQIQUxX9qEI_ZZw2MjN9cwLsNYYd-ziHGS2xoguJoU7bLGDEAtzovOaHAahw2okYxBJDkHKH62o05tcHNvWfeXj0nvYE9xGu089hAsC3mcdSMD9ol9FBK7nwK-H_ikwvTiy8EqZm/s4032/IMG_8981.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqc4VyV8quYvKUwXhuL2pP3mJKlVpyBE2Smn2bA2osQVZP7Xg6zQIQUxX9qEI_ZZw2MjN9cwLsNYYd-ziHGS2xoguJoU7bLGDEAtzovOaHAahw2okYxBJDkHKH62o05tcHNvWfeXj0nvYE9xGu089hAsC3mcdSMD9ol9FBK7nwK-H_ikwvTiy8EqZm/s320/IMG_8981.jpeg" width="240" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I removed the front calipers and prepared them to send to AP racing for rebuild. I was about to move to the rear but figured I'd put on the shiny new rotors from Girodisc on the front first. They are slightly larger in diameter (more surface area for heat dissipation) and, depending on your car and application, generally come with a spacer and longer single bolts to accommodate the larger diameter. Already looking better! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHo4xacJ09Jj-M6A8Pi3H-dksa4kOqmXO0xTCg1GwqF7VlRlN4sfp7xCD4KEbg8CcM_Nb4WqIutM9VusffaPqCGgXmyVGEdP6lzOblqzhW96EFtMGNH44H9xsqiBbyvyWf5xChLRoiWOK0ngoICvzPMC4nRh8OMcdi9NGhFM25peUnJgXgdQD6oNwR/s4032/IMG_9050.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHo4xacJ09Jj-M6A8Pi3H-dksa4kOqmXO0xTCg1GwqF7VlRlN4sfp7xCD4KEbg8CcM_Nb4WqIutM9VusffaPqCGgXmyVGEdP6lzOblqzhW96EFtMGNH44H9xsqiBbyvyWf5xChLRoiWOK0ngoICvzPMC4nRh8OMcdi9NGhFM25peUnJgXgdQD6oNwR/s320/IMG_9050.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJqae9wzAYSnuzYpboHG-5Ag7IgSx_f1WW7THhbINyd9BVSM7w3gE5v3znd4LOx1iuehP5l8uksIcDOiwqiylqO3GkAFHRFsUQYYCKo-p7glNtYbBc_UMC2MhTKbtN1Kz1Cwrw-qKlufdJ8iNEvzT2Pk24_9_ScDwyrE4VfZ-Sjmn3aZF-kHyFt8C/s4032/IMG_9051.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJqae9wzAYSnuzYpboHG-5Ag7IgSx_f1WW7THhbINyd9BVSM7w3gE5v3znd4LOx1iuehP5l8uksIcDOiwqiylqO3GkAFHRFsUQYYCKo-p7glNtYbBc_UMC2MhTKbtN1Kz1Cwrw-qKlufdJ8iNEvzT2Pk24_9_ScDwyrE4VfZ-Sjmn3aZF-kHyFt8C/s320/IMG_9051.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnLoMjlO4aBRsXdE2JeuUobk1OOAkGdBvDR5s6sjceK6wWl9DowGeSRxmfAMwhG2a6QS3dYoMX4fJ9ZVY79W5bZyV_pBfAOm6BErihJYmal6SL9skIOGqYKKgTXtAvPgeWHrUuOYvAfV4E52yEVWFdZAlsPGpqFyT3GMo95qrIs_kEKfCXwsWn2-N/s4032/IMG_9058.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnLoMjlO4aBRsXdE2JeuUobk1OOAkGdBvDR5s6sjceK6wWl9DowGeSRxmfAMwhG2a6QS3dYoMX4fJ9ZVY79W5bZyV_pBfAOm6BErihJYmal6SL9skIOGqYKKgTXtAvPgeWHrUuOYvAfV4E52yEVWFdZAlsPGpqFyT3GMo95qrIs_kEKfCXwsWn2-N/s320/IMG_9058.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Now it was time to remove the rear rotors and calipers. Ah, but here is where I discovered my parking brake error. The parking brake was fully engaged. I had no way of removing the calipers if the parking brake is engaged. S&%T.<u> The only way to disengage the parking brake is by first turning the car on </u>(car must be running, not just be in accessory mode). But wait: I have disconnected the front brake lines and there is no pressure in the brake system. Damn. Which means the car will not let me start the engine (brake pedal myst be applied to hit the start button. <u>No car start, no brake disengage. No good.</u> Hmmm, I called myself a few choice names, most of which I deserved. Then I started to do some Google searching and I learned that you can zap the rear parking brake piston from a battery to engage and disengage. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyzp7BTXwDI0MqQo74pUVYEqdPbTwQWDzEtTVRp9uEus0cd1Ofm_OHON299BaUw3rqN1zUBT6o8oxof8FrLZnBpOZ0iPNh5oWqVL-Mbp0B7hEgn89MZyb_Y9Qddmw7qCRUMOWXNBEjpgoD3V1WbW4_-n1Sc1Kfs7QzAzPrL0ijAQwHNBAixEhpfpD/s4032/IMG_9067.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyzp7BTXwDI0MqQo74pUVYEqdPbTwQWDzEtTVRp9uEus0cd1Ofm_OHON299BaUw3rqN1zUBT6o8oxof8FrLZnBpOZ0iPNh5oWqVL-Mbp0B7hEgn89MZyb_Y9Qddmw7qCRUMOWXNBEjpgoD3V1WbW4_-n1Sc1Kfs7QzAzPrL0ijAQwHNBAixEhpfpD/s320/IMG_9067.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So I removed the battery from another car and hooked it up to a couple wires I had with alligator clips at each end. On the backside of the parking brake caliper I found the small wiring harness that plugs in there. I removed that and saw two leads. Depending on how you hook up your negative and positive leads, the piston in the caliper will engage tighter or it will loosen up. I tested it by hooking the clips to the caliper leads, then hitting a quick tap on the battery terminal. I heard the electric parking brake make a noise and it presumably moved. The rotor didn't seem to be any looser, so I assumed I may be causing it to tighten. I switched the leads and did a couple test taps again. The rotor appeared to free up a bit so I surmised that I had the correct "direction". I tapped a couple more times lightly and noted my ability to now turn the rotor a bit. I tapped some more an the parking brake fully retracted. Yay! Crisis averted. Although this little detour added a couple hours and lots of stress and swearing to my brake job. I started to wonder if $18K wasn't such a bad deal?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0j2W8s5y4U3JCd3bPydgQ_89MQNJH1ArR17aKJMVhv239SoN9IC32_s-e54IaB30fzeoAPUWlLYG2T3ipgVfjCNPfQBbDvuxX_scVn8JzSuRCoXsaGkPNTo9OWx10GEzd-N8_aHfLp6shDFBDh2KjjQEdoXih_Pvost7uuewsRIU2qfh-YDP98jZ/s4032/IMG_9143.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0j2W8s5y4U3JCd3bPydgQ_89MQNJH1ArR17aKJMVhv239SoN9IC32_s-e54IaB30fzeoAPUWlLYG2T3ipgVfjCNPfQBbDvuxX_scVn8JzSuRCoXsaGkPNTo9OWx10GEzd-N8_aHfLp6shDFBDh2KjjQEdoXih_Pvost7uuewsRIU2qfh-YDP98jZ/s320/IMG_9143.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIpIWyTWob94t4k_sjcbuT9hnHqjJWob5xiyMjZvI73VZEs1BSQWJGVyK4fjlCvIP9LURIreWn1jXi2Yyxh1SiASGukPYli7dxUkCJ85mB-idAq0vLFwwgW2I7Vs604V8SSuqWWZe7A2BN84QETu02S49mI0lkvQNVPnvdQMjskZTu77vYMxQSyvX/s4032/IMG_9144.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIpIWyTWob94t4k_sjcbuT9hnHqjJWob5xiyMjZvI73VZEs1BSQWJGVyK4fjlCvIP9LURIreWn1jXi2Yyxh1SiASGukPYli7dxUkCJ85mB-idAq0vLFwwgW2I7Vs604V8SSuqWWZe7A2BN84QETu02S49mI0lkvQNVPnvdQMjskZTu77vYMxQSyvX/s320/IMG_9144.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfE26fBInbV9DwM4mgV1CzzBuKE7qeGYepHjI2uuOQZ13keyDeVI6aogBmMN8FOM6vW6jHz2dKtLtGEYLXMubhNeXo1m90Ncd8beDnXmwcLsQuZ7JntcdrENNp7NrKu2vY16DuQH7QlNSzUisTzE32eCBFFBqg83U5SZE-hROJVlDnokIqhZGcEWor/s4032/IMG_9145.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfE26fBInbV9DwM4mgV1CzzBuKE7qeGYepHjI2uuOQZ13keyDeVI6aogBmMN8FOM6vW6jHz2dKtLtGEYLXMubhNeXo1m90Ncd8beDnXmwcLsQuZ7JntcdrENNp7NrKu2vY16DuQH7QlNSzUisTzE32eCBFFBqg83U5SZE-hROJVlDnokIqhZGcEWor/s320/IMG_9145.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">With the parking brake pad removed I could now remove the rotors, pads and rear calipers (no need to remove the smaller parking brake caliper because it wasn't being rebuilt). I repeated the same process from the front and soon had all four new rotors installed. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHB5x7N0x5D4qkKTiq54wOCdJO4k4qi0Qn1VhBJcHFu-vi_mIkxP2Rqxwde6_tdiFvZ8oBOm_Mwvl1vUrZW1WB-ZQoOkW5M83GDnNJDWbcDCqeIXxYiItgy0fAj68ahAPlnn4oyL5-PcMwufxYhR8wZK466q2pHmnIW5ShfD98QqjqplLGi98MCA1o/s4032/IMG_9079.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHB5x7N0x5D4qkKTiq54wOCdJO4k4qi0Qn1VhBJcHFu-vi_mIkxP2Rqxwde6_tdiFvZ8oBOm_Mwvl1vUrZW1WB-ZQoOkW5M83GDnNJDWbcDCqeIXxYiItgy0fAj68ahAPlnn4oyL5-PcMwufxYhR8wZK466q2pHmnIW5ShfD98QqjqplLGi98MCA1o/s320/IMG_9079.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Now it was just a waiting game while I mailed the calipers to AP Racing and waited for them to return. It took a bit, but eventually they came back, beautifully refurbished and ready to go. This alone saved me $9K in not having to buy new calipers from McLaren. AP painted them black again. I had considered a color change but thought I'd keep it stock. I sourced my own decals elsewhere to finalize the look.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxRPR0k6P2mN-_rAEakEtdTS2qOsD_Wxc_auGkwTNESJr9BRBAnB12Jf2_YJHjZLOBCV7pJ93oB-kHazu6sVp7_EJ5gMqeeRvdGKljLxyP6OPjBl-yaXBpDb0UVR1UNE7cnXIa5TDXFb5f6eLmlISnI6UTbtyPjSEw1cLl48UXqrRu7JVCE72hoPB/s4032/IMG_9990.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxRPR0k6P2mN-_rAEakEtdTS2qOsD_Wxc_auGkwTNESJr9BRBAnB12Jf2_YJHjZLOBCV7pJ93oB-kHazu6sVp7_EJ5gMqeeRvdGKljLxyP6OPjBl-yaXBpDb0UVR1UNE7cnXIa5TDXFb5f6eLmlISnI6UTbtyPjSEw1cLl48UXqrRu7JVCE72hoPB/s320/IMG_9990.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPZI3TskhkRZppu6dHsqMEfIs6dgIPTPyBklVzQAgssRkElGKAxMUXSqH2AubvtqFFlqrGrD4TtSZtRRqnXWKozl0Dqre8G77CbEICn7zHtxnzEpwYmNb4dNM5OSeocGWAfJjoK_xOz6SQ-_9YUkoJYDWD0qlR1kzLv-1wU469kxixjyuKHX8kuc7/s4032/IMG_9987.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPZI3TskhkRZppu6dHsqMEfIs6dgIPTPyBklVzQAgssRkElGKAxMUXSqH2AubvtqFFlqrGrD4TtSZtRRqnXWKozl0Dqre8G77CbEICn7zHtxnzEpwYmNb4dNM5OSeocGWAfJjoK_xOz6SQ-_9YUkoJYDWD0qlR1kzLv-1wU469kxixjyuKHX8kuc7/s320/IMG_9987.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Now it was just time to bleed the brakes. I put on my PowerBleeder, drained the old fluid out of the master cylinder with a turkey baster, filled the master back up with Motul 600 brake fluid, and started bleeding away. Easy stuff if you have a good 11mm box/open/line wrench and a bleeder hose and catch-container.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi565G-tTSyV4FrYCv9gYyBBNn7kcma6j81vN-bpaxucsrhqWiFNloTHsdKjs3I2dENwWggtQnrTRrDv8oyr8CapzOYbigawWOIWjkRRLJrv5mtN6JAxaWXqBSriIhjwXDG1EgUXb-8V8gM-wAjmaxeYz_ejljnhE2ra-3222uC8yi608f3UBduxVZ-/s4032/IMG_0025.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi565G-tTSyV4FrYCv9gYyBBNn7kcma6j81vN-bpaxucsrhqWiFNloTHsdKjs3I2dENwWggtQnrTRrDv8oyr8CapzOYbigawWOIWjkRRLJrv5mtN6JAxaWXqBSriIhjwXDG1EgUXb-8V8gM-wAjmaxeYz_ejljnhE2ra-3222uC8yi608f3UBduxVZ-/s320/IMG_0025.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0q_M2p68XWeWlBfLqtTKbeFtNH577qUL05oBH11M1xkFATk8FKrKp2dsiSusP7Cara1nEjBaDPmzlTD2Hs1q1k2jP8rMKshDhOz-2KEZ478dfKLlpytiRdCMToHqZ-DKvqXyn16liSGGaE4zoM7Rg2Y7qU_LTKG1MRRtPvTJLP0VehaSfMRDGDyI/s4032/IMG_0028.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0q_M2p68XWeWlBfLqtTKbeFtNH577qUL05oBH11M1xkFATk8FKrKp2dsiSusP7Cara1nEjBaDPmzlTD2Hs1q1k2jP8rMKshDhOz-2KEZ478dfKLlpytiRdCMToHqZ-DKvqXyn16liSGGaE4zoM7Rg2Y7qU_LTKG1MRRtPvTJLP0VehaSfMRDGDyI/s320/IMG_0028.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6jRXHy7u4052W3knqt4AIyY2XP71i2FjDFpIcan550ztVPQ_dUQQjF2mr63b_4qv5499zfz-p3tuDeITZoA9DbOX-bDPOLvLGw53iRIi_u63AGlXBTaCcMK_VJlIrBGr727Lb49KIIqJDQTCQTxgtp2R-L7VGQ0QiubXtNF5f1GltG8FSTkWzjsD/s4032/IMG_0026.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6jRXHy7u4052W3knqt4AIyY2XP71i2FjDFpIcan550ztVPQ_dUQQjF2mr63b_4qv5499zfz-p3tuDeITZoA9DbOX-bDPOLvLGw53iRIi_u63AGlXBTaCcMK_VJlIrBGr727Lb49KIIqJDQTCQTxgtp2R-L7VGQ0QiubXtNF5f1GltG8FSTkWzjsD/s320/IMG_0026.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When it was all done, it felt pretty good! Once I started the car, the brakes came nicely up to pressure after a few brake pumps and I managed not to go flying out the back of the garage with no brakes. Happy car, happy owner. Ready for adventures again!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9HOhJKxASwhFWJzKySnN0Xy7BRVEcpoOaOywiGeoYOigkwm5znizJEbbi9L9HKMxHhQeZqQ2w0bqe4uhXDNkauTWLP7olWWU3OJ55dMAA59rg1nG6FpS8oi8TWRhCd_x4cdC_lfqJQ4APuEtp7LTbXbNSF9GJwsqp7P8XMr_QPC3xgG-xOhS4V52/s4032/IMG_0029.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9HOhJKxASwhFWJzKySnN0Xy7BRVEcpoOaOywiGeoYOigkwm5znizJEbbi9L9HKMxHhQeZqQ2w0bqe4uhXDNkauTWLP7olWWU3OJ55dMAA59rg1nG6FpS8oi8TWRhCd_x4cdC_lfqJQ4APuEtp7LTbXbNSF9GJwsqp7P8XMr_QPC3xgG-xOhS4V52/s320/IMG_0029.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLiPwnRVXppvIO01-mzfUGpSfEiBRk5KB0pyBe7i2KQ3VxoDK_vRIR_bGkQJmE7ojWsIUPqqR8ZbJM6fhYDf8_lc64qOa4PoqTwreVSJHh0_NGfbdvUOUJkqJdFlMMN3Xb2DU1GRDRgwIcdg-cBF_jazqx1AF81T5NSxE0xCQ3IrK4NHjDd5hKshD/s4032/IMG_0587.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLiPwnRVXppvIO01-mzfUGpSfEiBRk5KB0pyBe7i2KQ3VxoDK_vRIR_bGkQJmE7ojWsIUPqqR8ZbJM6fhYDf8_lc64qOa4PoqTwreVSJHh0_NGfbdvUOUJkqJdFlMMN3Xb2DU1GRDRgwIcdg-cBF_jazqx1AF81T5NSxE0xCQ3IrK4NHjDd5hKshD/w400-h300/IMG_0587.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061128425873781737.post-56443068170514688162022-06-26T06:45:00.007-07:002022-06-26T07:01:42.203-07:00I Built a Racing Simulator Rig to go iRacing<p>Given the amount of time I spend at track days, I figured it might make some sense to start doing some simulated racing to cut down on all the tires and brakes I go through. A friend mentioned that he could get me all spec'd out with a good rig set-up to do some serious training on a simulator and get better in the real world. A friend of his is an IndyCar driver and he clued me in to what he uses to train when he isn't on the real track. I figured I'd give it a shot. I'd used some smaller, less intricate driving equipment for car video games, etc. But as I looked further into the world of virtual racing in iRacing.com, I realized this was a whole different animal.</p><p>I did some research into iRacing and became pretty excited about trying new tracks, new cars and competing against skilled drivers from around the world. Keep in mind, this all started about September 2020, so there was also the issue of "sheltering in place" and many of my 2020 track days and races having been cancelled.</p><p>You'll have to check out iRacing for yourself, but suffice to say it is the most realistic racing simulation available to the common person and it has some very exciting racing going on. All from the comfort of your "rig" and with no risk of bodily harm (ok, maybe tennis elbow or carpal tunnel syndrome).</p><p><u><b>Components to build my simulation rig:</b></u></p><p>Gaming PC: MSI Aegis RS Tower, Intel i9 with NVIDIA graphics and 1TB SSD</p><p>TV Monitors: MSI Optic G27C2 27" curved monitors (3)</p><p>Structural rig: Heusinkveld Sim Rig GT with triple monitor mount and pedal base </p><p>Racing Seat: OMP Champ R</p><p>Racing wheel base: Simucube 2 Pro</p><p>Racing wheel: Cube Controls Formula CSX2 Carbon/Aluminum</p><p>Pedal set: Heusinkveld HE Pedals Ultimate</p><p>Shifter set: Hesinkveld HE Sequential Shifter </p><p>Yeah, it's probably overbuilt, but the direct-drive wheel base and high quality pedal set is what helps you really feel the car's feedback on track. The monitors are for more full immersion, and the gaming PC is necessary to render all the stuff that's going on in real time while racing 20-30 cars being piloted by people all over the world. Oh, and I plugged it directly into an Ethernet cable because WiFi just won't cut it when you need minimal latency in real time.</p><p>I was a bit daunted when the rig arrived, in all it's heavy-duty aluminum glory. The parts list was in the 1000's. Bolts, nuts, rails, corners, washers, etc. all had to be sorted out and arranged. I had to use my best "Rain Main" concentration skills just to get ready to start building. And build I did...</p><p>Unpack and connect the gaming computer...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlFi1ydjNNCWPpBY7MnHzaY4shI2CW3mnYMCaQTh7WcjkGEd8qwrOo7VUNecm0iLJON73dfXDZr9ctsp8FKEttOQjm_OYaoL6zH8025aktFSb5mGnVZ9v8YgiddRXG2Flb6jP6sC5VSAzJnJ30xRCwTXegbdsrxh7A2b9r1pLTXLGfpY5puOXRtq_/s4032/62180222569__A459419E-08DA-4EBD-965A-F0C1D29FABD4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlFi1ydjNNCWPpBY7MnHzaY4shI2CW3mnYMCaQTh7WcjkGEd8qwrOo7VUNecm0iLJON73dfXDZr9ctsp8FKEttOQjm_OYaoL6zH8025aktFSb5mGnVZ9v8YgiddRXG2Flb6jP6sC5VSAzJnJ30xRCwTXegbdsrxh7A2b9r1pLTXLGfpY5puOXRtq_/w300-h400/62180222569__A459419E-08DA-4EBD-965A-F0C1D29FABD4.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhad9hwJM40c6cS08H5mZzs2PGPts96o3xDQlkfbZBtKqhnLYP4QbALC5k3MfccyJn5h4-TfmJU_z9UnoKshmbscPoGVUbNnCqlVH82NxG2HdZ_mH9CpK8ZCm3S9gQwriUUvMhezpi-7S511SEdFyDKGuOdrISMFfS5x4_bsWOXlpBnJTFyETG24kiH/s4032/IMG_7496.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhad9hwJM40c6cS08H5mZzs2PGPts96o3xDQlkfbZBtKqhnLYP4QbALC5k3MfccyJn5h4-TfmJU_z9UnoKshmbscPoGVUbNnCqlVH82NxG2HdZ_mH9CpK8ZCm3S9gQwriUUvMhezpi-7S511SEdFyDKGuOdrISMFfS5x4_bsWOXlpBnJTFyETG24kiH/w300-h400/IMG_7496.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsmvXpgvjvnCuVIJR_RFmN3B_ZIU6lSCjwcTBnG95JkgLG2d3UFVKuHQCZUCv8O5OxDDgKVco_93R_LAK8WruxGuAYuW7ll45JCezQgzJNGBqCZzkIXFj9GAmEvKnBAHzZ2llhPP7u2T6w-tuco5hsaR76lbpOQo7bACcQlPEq-_XCYzFP0dvb-Bj/s4032/IMG_7498.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsmvXpgvjvnCuVIJR_RFmN3B_ZIU6lSCjwcTBnG95JkgLG2d3UFVKuHQCZUCv8O5OxDDgKVco_93R_LAK8WruxGuAYuW7ll45JCezQgzJNGBqCZzkIXFj9GAmEvKnBAHzZ2llhPP7u2T6w-tuco5hsaR76lbpOQo7bACcQlPEq-_XCYzFP0dvb-Bj/w300-h400/IMG_7498.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then it was time to put all that rigid aluminum together, one bolt at a time. This thing is really well engineered, like the metal baby love child of an Apple Mac and an Ikea shelving unit.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioU6aSckjCljsfO4-_BKSV7KmBpblr9znFEJwww-BJGSDbNLpTNj1skA4aH1X8aWIQoa0_XnpeA7_ducyRc0ULbGxit1VdRX66hLkM2i9Mq_7OH9B4f_CKWbnAOtfBYVODpG5tvRDGqkfLvjOnnpL7ZXVhofuPu8lnvJIgaNHalu9809HxTDtb8jjH/s4032/62191630361__D6501DDE-E3D1-40EE-96DA-BF0301442CEB.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioU6aSckjCljsfO4-_BKSV7KmBpblr9znFEJwww-BJGSDbNLpTNj1skA4aH1X8aWIQoa0_XnpeA7_ducyRc0ULbGxit1VdRX66hLkM2i9Mq_7OH9B4f_CKWbnAOtfBYVODpG5tvRDGqkfLvjOnnpL7ZXVhofuPu8lnvJIgaNHalu9809HxTDtb8jjH/w300-h400/62191630361__D6501DDE-E3D1-40EE-96DA-BF0301442CEB.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMQmdEYDzKnXjYd8hz_lxsOd3iIjf-Zf0rBqz_Y3hc9b7DuM5fiWOdfgvPYyI-eQ0XFTFLFQAi9-BrLyn36_dfhv1HI6VmT49it-TuEt9mi1l39b6VYeNbikKPs7EON9_ENfXYKBrdA7Nln5seaXsO8leqCjYtlAJHc5Ct2bPXgzkdbCM2tg_si76/s320/IMG_7530.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RNrvwmhL6S5Lfk0z6o5Ak1SxmhQCtIF5HCQbC19JpzsWAdEgQY4csFAdP49GP4Ch1loMRzIQE6HKA9YOe_OzJ94KkNcWgLR6hILHmovhMnIzcJ6N0J1vbv16VUFKUKkWayZ5GXpm3F6nz25uKpLvNhDRo1MgQTPDHGtfiqXCwC76003IVyj1w4RZ/s4032/IMG_7529.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RNrvwmhL6S5Lfk0z6o5Ak1SxmhQCtIF5HCQbC19JpzsWAdEgQY4csFAdP49GP4Ch1loMRzIQE6HKA9YOe_OzJ94KkNcWgLR6hILHmovhMnIzcJ6N0J1vbv16VUFKUKkWayZ5GXpm3F6nz25uKpLvNhDRo1MgQTPDHGtfiqXCwC76003IVyj1w4RZ/w300-h400/IMG_7529.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIcT3jEWGBHCToIMORdFXK1u9IUMtdNzhHiUMbhDxS1bG0TfwlvlVcbymbVUVnSacN3w0J7QM3iSxKhaDszkNqnyJbo5-wZaPkJTwSTwfAd0YlgVPdg1JHR5vvNWCGoVVH-KKW4SMPNKE83RtOHxrwlTdndZrGDIvPD9uTAJGLIxYAJqE1TQfNF0Y/s4032/IMG_7532.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIcT3jEWGBHCToIMORdFXK1u9IUMtdNzhHiUMbhDxS1bG0TfwlvlVcbymbVUVnSacN3w0J7QM3iSxKhaDszkNqnyJbo5-wZaPkJTwSTwfAd0YlgVPdg1JHR5vvNWCGoVVH-KKW4SMPNKE83RtOHxrwlTdndZrGDIvPD9uTAJGLIxYAJqE1TQfNF0Y/w400-h300/IMG_7532.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FsTSvo2WT28VHdIV7fr7jj8OJrxFn4UQ8z2djT6MPsX0TS-zXHOhsw5gFOmVQvAnu6iKhJiINugxRvIMZyuERR0k28HgNHMdmPmBf1iz6bN7rttinGo1QkaE5m-LfqrXF7fNWiFV9BNtA8Um4lQIvokgxoJkz8Z-D04bpW8L6Sj48X82n2k3n1iH/s4032/IMG_7535.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FsTSvo2WT28VHdIV7fr7jj8OJrxFn4UQ8z2djT6MPsX0TS-zXHOhsw5gFOmVQvAnu6iKhJiINugxRvIMZyuERR0k28HgNHMdmPmBf1iz6bN7rttinGo1QkaE5m-LfqrXF7fNWiFV9BNtA8Um4lQIvokgxoJkz8Z-D04bpW8L6Sj48X82n2k3n1iH/w400-h300/IMG_7535.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That took many hours, but now it's ready to start on the fun equipment. Starting with TV Monitors and the pedal set. I initially used the hardest rubber bushings on the brake pedal but later change do the softer green bushings for easier modulation of brake pressure.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvSLQJfba-hAUsmbqT3GOvXaXOpmWN6DYaUY-GOYSMwIFHRyl_WtN9aRQST_YKuL0IWKXJa7W8hhCH9OfGa-0eC_ymHyw-aO3Xx5L7i5DAlYpWR78luKo0rXa__aaE3SyEWXqzyRdutUeTbRXnE9JTF90o6nsk4oKtxc-l3NTXQUXBH-sMgB1ee6A/s4032/62197406012__620C9125-00B1-45CA-8116-D31CB19AF8CB.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvSLQJfba-hAUsmbqT3GOvXaXOpmWN6DYaUY-GOYSMwIFHRyl_WtN9aRQST_YKuL0IWKXJa7W8hhCH9OfGa-0eC_ymHyw-aO3Xx5L7i5DAlYpWR78luKo0rXa__aaE3SyEWXqzyRdutUeTbRXnE9JTF90o6nsk4oKtxc-l3NTXQUXBH-sMgB1ee6A/w300-h400/62197406012__620C9125-00B1-45CA-8116-D31CB19AF8CB.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsq7B6NMgtDBalCQWhzIG3EjhN2q7qUxJuF2ZSr6RwII-JI7-9Y2WrIeCKZ2K8z9TdlO_zJiWGIHKeWr3JvTUXUahQba8j-rnWKV4sh3uSRJMLeKQNIpajADcIWDb_7k-aDtgfrW8IZdTc-upSsVgEK7P5u_QEltbMLjqd-rYo-b0q23OMG2J97cp5/s4032/IMG_7553.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsq7B6NMgtDBalCQWhzIG3EjhN2q7qUxJuF2ZSr6RwII-JI7-9Y2WrIeCKZ2K8z9TdlO_zJiWGIHKeWr3JvTUXUahQba8j-rnWKV4sh3uSRJMLeKQNIpajADcIWDb_7k-aDtgfrW8IZdTc-upSsVgEK7P5u_QEltbMLjqd-rYo-b0q23OMG2J97cp5/w300-h400/IMG_7553.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7uI5Z3OeZaBiArSWo32uvset6Nf_kLfNGeKMdzcE8XLW7PJzLVszRq5Z6rVOADSN1_8a2G808U_a-W64Dxcy562TY3I1rv5NsUQVGx1XQ3OBxXY6DKpxjAc0npnosJDLby7FEVX-M6sxDk7zfR3aXRAtUMIZ7rKBDRfE__cYAO1bCHkGNYWWbL1Fy/s4032/62197504559__DAB5D721-A0D4-4F17-A137-199B45B3D838.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7uI5Z3OeZaBiArSWo32uvset6Nf_kLfNGeKMdzcE8XLW7PJzLVszRq5Z6rVOADSN1_8a2G808U_a-W64Dxcy562TY3I1rv5NsUQVGx1XQ3OBxXY6DKpxjAc0npnosJDLby7FEVX-M6sxDk7zfR3aXRAtUMIZ7rKBDRfE__cYAO1bCHkGNYWWbL1Fy/w300-h400/62197504559__DAB5D721-A0D4-4F17-A137-199B45B3D838.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKLE5nvHxeNm0i1_RNGBlZx7pl2xiGnFC8NGvvDy1W2u0yiDMQdgJpMG-pv6Mg2CArSvl_ceVLNyAaBM5hBaA-L_Y-lrfWyKTznumFeU2Cc1v6uk-H913dM7-uEzMq-TH_d5XBpFJd19YveFc2GxMuqUPUjeVpMpkhK1YY2pxWI3VKpM-iU3xZq5m/s4032/IMG_7558.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKLE5nvHxeNm0i1_RNGBlZx7pl2xiGnFC8NGvvDy1W2u0yiDMQdgJpMG-pv6Mg2CArSvl_ceVLNyAaBM5hBaA-L_Y-lrfWyKTznumFeU2Cc1v6uk-H913dM7-uEzMq-TH_d5XBpFJd19YveFc2GxMuqUPUjeVpMpkhK1YY2pxWI3VKpM-iU3xZq5m/w300-h400/IMG_7558.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Installing the triple-screen TV monitors isn't easy... there isn't just one axis / angle to set. There are a number of levels and angles you have to manage to get them lined up, properly hunkered up next to the adjacent monitor, etc. This part would have been aided by another set of hands holding things in place while turning wrenches on the nuts and bolts.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCUQzzsh9qjNWm6a9ZhjhkkhyL1GIbDawltbFRENSpds-yToWLSWQ-zdW1zGHD6A2JbUYB5RFtTbc9F08LX8Jtn6mtQCyff96gExLbpJ5vXlVjdd_R2h-tG7HJwDIocuJaCCTjC_pl0xogo4PHlFt8qFwy6oamFPfMiB3MDaDSgcXnTOXbDoOL-ew/s4032/IMG_7569.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCUQzzsh9qjNWm6a9ZhjhkkhyL1GIbDawltbFRENSpds-yToWLSWQ-zdW1zGHD6A2JbUYB5RFtTbc9F08LX8Jtn6mtQCyff96gExLbpJ5vXlVjdd_R2h-tG7HJwDIocuJaCCTjC_pl0xogo4PHlFt8qFwy6oamFPfMiB3MDaDSgcXnTOXbDoOL-ew/w300-h400/IMG_7569.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsbn769fR0WtQQJ1wa1W-kRVtcFPHciPsVK3P4Q6YaWhzrE3AjusZ3wmhTkfiyjaGxBurPlJ4A6EHYeJkJoj0_1BpsyZmy7dvX3Kc_yOWfhY8oSzSLeP6NM9lO5HjGfnmtvwmrkfj9QbB8wQhPaJSdoZoyHc8GbBKUl0AmuWLASuVYFEBXxy3eMEW/s4032/62201008636__B3D4F118-ECEA-4023-AE09-1E5144B3251D.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsbn769fR0WtQQJ1wa1W-kRVtcFPHciPsVK3P4Q6YaWhzrE3AjusZ3wmhTkfiyjaGxBurPlJ4A6EHYeJkJoj0_1BpsyZmy7dvX3Kc_yOWfhY8oSzSLeP6NM9lO5HjGfnmtvwmrkfj9QbB8wQhPaJSdoZoyHc8GbBKUl0AmuWLASuVYFEBXxy3eMEW/w300-h400/62201008636__B3D4F118-ECEA-4023-AE09-1E5144B3251D.JPG" width="300" /></a></div></div><p>Next thing I needed to do was "cord management". Many zip ties and finding the most efficient routes from units to computer took some time as well. But the outcome was worth it.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLg0ouHYuIE4H-l7iioNhQMriovNGhpBapQUNaCgzINJ0Eg5DxcBGwB8cLy_jqTuYkpZKQJaeT2GRkbAb7eSNnL346_kIjWnJLgfMIWKEsHuymEBAjcXb9777aUS4WxpvwWkD5cvOVbInplrKI7J0HHvbLNFGI4HEQ5K-5xJufE6fBQUnpKW7IxVbk/s4032/IMG_7577.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLg0ouHYuIE4H-l7iioNhQMriovNGhpBapQUNaCgzINJ0Eg5DxcBGwB8cLy_jqTuYkpZKQJaeT2GRkbAb7eSNnL346_kIjWnJLgfMIWKEsHuymEBAjcXb9777aUS4WxpvwWkD5cvOVbInplrKI7J0HHvbLNFGI4HEQ5K-5xJufE6fBQUnpKW7IxVbk/s320/IMG_7577.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWzIhGCmCo9pAFLrqB2CiGuHvNLKy9-C4xVF3h6qFdc3jDrbFwa4Es5fMLcS9MGNBvplBD8bT7PptYs1mTKH5XorAJwvv_lFxxXcQ4tTzQnGJDLcbmJgD2KzBjLtY8oSmDiH1WiEVqLxVclKWv0iIGuB-FlTsWP6TusBWUYulmhO_LAhbx0iZqUbf/s4032/62201110036__224B233F-BAD1-4F4F-91D8-877ABC8F8FD7.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWzIhGCmCo9pAFLrqB2CiGuHvNLKy9-C4xVF3h6qFdc3jDrbFwa4Es5fMLcS9MGNBvplBD8bT7PptYs1mTKH5XorAJwvv_lFxxXcQ4tTzQnGJDLcbmJgD2KzBjLtY8oSmDiH1WiEVqLxVclKWv0iIGuB-FlTsWP6TusBWUYulmhO_LAhbx0iZqUbf/w300-h400/62201110036__224B233F-BAD1-4F4F-91D8-877ABC8F8FD7.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next ad last was the wheel hub (which controls everything) and the wheel and the seat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IYp7M9l-UUVzu6_8cJVcuOg7I2bh6d2i06Yt9FPc4hZhPXXOj3S9IQyQ95mERJN0ppvS4TwRiXmQZN1mun1uuX2sKqnfZUYX6hg6kOgIYKkL4can7LH-9ns1sgPRVkm602FsI74xnfzhsEAVI9Prp0uHGt6nnovCylko8leaJRB0G26Hg6E7ip0n/s4032/62510698983__75CE383C-D524-40A2-82AD-CECC185BC348.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IYp7M9l-UUVzu6_8cJVcuOg7I2bh6d2i06Yt9FPc4hZhPXXOj3S9IQyQ95mERJN0ppvS4TwRiXmQZN1mun1uuX2sKqnfZUYX6hg6kOgIYKkL4can7LH-9ns1sgPRVkm602FsI74xnfzhsEAVI9Prp0uHGt6nnovCylko8leaJRB0G26Hg6E7ip0n/w300-h400/62510698983__75CE383C-D524-40A2-82AD-CECC185BC348.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mi7z54J-3jp-HXNwUCwUEf1i3fZfuMY6T6xqRfLwGxyjvFPIO9Mf14-8kJVpsTyRJNtpHCGXi28iWV6kRCVxronjKckRH0Tps3AreZ3axoKwCWEY7XctxRBFf3tA1iKUJXW0pR3YpqhkJYAv3JB60r0nyVo3o0zmrvntL-0cN4gmL_AJHRLQ1JT-/s4032/62510700185__B0D287FC-5772-45CF-8202-5D29D90A71D2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mi7z54J-3jp-HXNwUCwUEf1i3fZfuMY6T6xqRfLwGxyjvFPIO9Mf14-8kJVpsTyRJNtpHCGXi28iWV6kRCVxronjKckRH0Tps3AreZ3axoKwCWEY7XctxRBFf3tA1iKUJXW0pR3YpqhkJYAv3JB60r0nyVo3o0zmrvntL-0cN4gmL_AJHRLQ1JT-/w300-h400/62510700185__B0D287FC-5772-45CF-8202-5D29D90A71D2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And after some more heavy-duty cord management and a prodigious amount if zip ties.... she is ready for iRacing!! First stop, Laguna Seca Raceway!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WXRzZBqQLoXc_B8KAVSJinDRc_-rAjteW0lw9j13X-DWuBbhvG-5o-fEZ_0MjSepS66YNnxR_HGD4wpRboUmItLcPl2eZjHuCvG32EphSDPzSmcsLOWRpVcKswy82amQSFMi7oTiZOdGTO7rlAPp_ddbNyijsnXMzgNFDko2GHebxSvSQ1gLFXnD/s4032/IMG_8407.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WXRzZBqQLoXc_B8KAVSJinDRc_-rAjteW0lw9j13X-DWuBbhvG-5o-fEZ_0MjSepS66YNnxR_HGD4wpRboUmItLcPl2eZjHuCvG32EphSDPzSmcsLOWRpVcKswy82amQSFMi7oTiZOdGTO7rlAPp_ddbNyijsnXMzgNFDko2GHebxSvSQ1gLFXnD/s320/IMG_8407.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvz64ToPeq2tQVdrnGEQXZ4cNuHFMIo_RNqbDh2KC5HYwwS8j3Go5pB7C7nNHEuthD2IhUj0aGmS19zxdpyjdJEx1jYo3_cxZJW0gQTdvPP5s1177A6FCCdm00mclwkHnnrsPyH5-fdqLzdBb8y69vxTamhxh2Ue1zeJhCtju6Q8xInrLEHGH8JBg/s4032/IMG_8410.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvz64ToPeq2tQVdrnGEQXZ4cNuHFMIo_RNqbDh2KC5HYwwS8j3Go5pB7C7nNHEuthD2IhUj0aGmS19zxdpyjdJEx1jYo3_cxZJW0gQTdvPP5s1177A6FCCdm00mclwkHnnrsPyH5-fdqLzdBb8y69vxTamhxh2Ue1zeJhCtju6Q8xInrLEHGH8JBg/s320/IMG_8410.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXbbrZaVV17Mxrv3GhGaYKCxNSj5_HU5vsOK844QXl0mGPwxpEUqd9znf9a-lWv65jaV_NCSkS8VQMFX9WKFQgAkTzaVF_XmOZmq6VO72gsWWBMwSgnSInJBqiA6qGlT3lG2s4HOJHqD6GiesDDvJmqtnhTIqcE_278rtaH6dSOfUGkAtHtm603JP/s4032/IMG_8440.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXbbrZaVV17Mxrv3GhGaYKCxNSj5_HU5vsOK844QXl0mGPwxpEUqd9znf9a-lWv65jaV_NCSkS8VQMFX9WKFQgAkTzaVF_XmOZmq6VO72gsWWBMwSgnSInJBqiA6qGlT3lG2s4HOJHqD6GiesDDvJmqtnhTIqcE_278rtaH6dSOfUGkAtHtm603JP/w400-h300/IMG_8440.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061128425873781737.post-34459932420098596142022-05-31T07:47:00.002-07:002022-05-31T07:47:24.547-07:00Porsche 2018 GT3 6-Speed Manual: My "last" Porsche?<p><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Not long after I bought back into my memories with a 1999 Carrera 996 with the factory GT3 style Aero kit... I started to long for the real deal GT3. So...</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Early this year, I bought a 2018 991.2 GT3 6-speed manual with 32K miles. </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); font-size: 15px;">Coming</span><span style="font-size: 15px;"> from Georgia to California. The car had been with the dealer for about 4 months, and it's a dealer I know on a personal level (the wonderful Jonathan Hull at Merit Partners), so I was comfortable doing the deal having never seen the car in person. Now that this back in the garage, a few of my friends are now forgiving me for selling the 2018 Mustang Shelby GT350R. That car was fantastic, but not quite the same level as the GT3. </span></span></span></p><p><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">The new car is silver, so that is a departure for me and my "Skittles" colors of the last few years, but this might cause the garage to get back to a more monochromatic stance. First, a few pictures, then the story of how it came to be.</span></p><div class="lazyloadPreSize lbContainer lbContainer--inline lbContainer--canZoom" data-lb-container-zoom="1" data-lb-id="attachment159240" data-lb-single-image="1" data-lb-trigger=".js-lbImage-attachment159240" data-xf-init="lightbox" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; display: inline-block; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: min(66.77796327212%, 800px); position: relative; width: min(100%, 1198px);"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="Wheel Vehicle Car Tire Hood" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/img_8161-jpg.159240/" data-url="" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://www.vwvortex.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/img_8161-jpg.159240/" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0px;" /></picture></div><div class="lazyloadPreSize lbContainer lbContainer--inline lbContainer--canZoom" data-lb-container-zoom="1" data-lb-id="attachment159242" data-lb-single-image="1" data-lb-trigger=".js-lbImage-attachment159242" data-xf-init="lightbox" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; display: inline-block; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: min(66.77796327212%, 800px); position: relative; width: min(100%, 1198px);"><div aria-label="Zoom" class="lbContainer-zoomer js-lbImage-attachment159242" data-src="https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/img_8162-jpg.159242/" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; inset: 0px; position: absolute;"></div><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="Wheel Car Vehicle Land vehicle Tire" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/img_8162-jpg.159242/" data-url="" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://www.vwvortex.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/img_8162-jpg.159242/" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0px;" /></picture></div><p><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"></span><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /></p><div class="lazyloadPreSize lbContainer lbContainer--inline" data-lb-container-zoom="1" data-lb-id="attachment159241" data-lb-single-image="1" data-lb-trigger=".js-lbImage-attachment159241" data-xf-init="lightbox" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; display: inline-block; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: min(66.77796327212%, 800px); position: relative; width: min(100%, 1198px);"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="Wheel Land vehicle Vehicle Car Automotive tail & brake light" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/img_8168-jpg.159241/" data-url="" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://www.vwvortex.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/img_8168-jpg.159241/" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0px;" /></picture></div><div class="lazyloadPreSize lbContainer lbContainer--inline" data-lb-container-zoom="1" data-lb-id="attachment159243" data-lb-single-image="1" data-lb-trigger=".js-lbImage-attachment159243" data-xf-init="lightbox" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; display: inline-block; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: min(66.77796327212%, 800px); position: relative; width: min(100%, 1198px);"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="Car Automotive tail & brake light Vehicle Land vehicle Vehicle registration plate" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/img_8171-jpg.159243/" data-url="" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://www.vwvortex.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/img_8171-jpg.159243/" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0px;" /></picture></div><p><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"></span><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /></p><div class="lazyloadPreSize lbContainer lbContainer--inline" data-lb-container-zoom="1" data-lb-id="attachment159245" data-lb-single-image="1" data-lb-trigger=".js-lbImage-attachment159245" data-xf-init="lightbox" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; display: inline-block; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: min(66.77796327212%, 800px); position: relative; width: min(100%, 1198px);"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="Car Vehicle Land vehicle Gear shift Speedometer" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/img_8172-jpg.159245/" data-url="" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://www.vwvortex.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/img_8172-jpg.159245/" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0px;" /></picture></div><p><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">If you've seen my prior posts, you may know I recently bought a 1996 early-build 996 Aero-kit car with only 17K miles. I absolutely love it, and I've taken it on a number of extremely fun drives with track buddies, local car geeks, etc. It's absolutely stunning and so much fun that the price seems insanely low. I originally thought I might flip it on Bring-a-Trailer, but now I expect to keep that car a long time. It's all the look of a first-gen GT3, with a great sound and a feel of a vintage Porsche at this point.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">In that very fun 1999, I went on a spirited drive with a couple buddies in a 2021 "718" Cayman GT4 and a 2016 "981" Cayman GT4. I test drove them all and loved them all, but the 2016 manual GT4 981 version absolutely captivated me. I came home knowing I still had much want for a "real" GT car, even though my GT3 look-alike from 1999 is probably a better deal on a dollar-per s'mile ratio. </span></p><p><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">So I looked at GT4s briefly, but realized I had done my time (9 years) with my Cayman S previously, and basically spent tons of money to turn it into a GT4-adjacent car. I concluded that a GT4 wouldn't scratch the itch quite enough, and why repeat the Cayman experience? </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">So then I went to the Porsche site and spec'd myself a 2022 911 GT3 in Python Green with a 6-speed manual and the more comfy seats (I don't need buckets for my purposes, which includes long drives with my wife in the side seat). Speaking of my wife, she's the best. She saw me spec-ing the car and asked about it... she hasn't ever forgiven me for selling the Red 930 Turbo, but she looked at the GT3 and said: "ooooh, you should get one of THOSE". Um... OK, honey. So I called the local dealer and discussed timing and price. "December at best, probably 2023... and we are taking $70K over MSRP on these very hard-to-get cars". I thanked him for his time and tried not to choke on my ironic tone. I didn't see myself paying $250K for a car that could find itself being worth $120K at some point. I may look dumb, but I'm not that dense.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">I mentioned my predicament to my friend Rick, who suggested I call our mutual friend Jonathan Hull at Merit Partners in Atlanta (these guys are amazing). I didn't need bucket seats, PCCB, Chrono, or anything crazy. Just a good 991 or 992 GT3 driver with manual. He suggested this car, which was enthusiast owned in CA and although it had high miles, it was in great condition. I told him I don't care about miles since I'm not a collector, per se, and I'm gonna drive it. And of course, I've seen all the accolades this car has gotten through the years and I have driven one before, so I know exactly just how wildly engaging it is to drive. </span></p><p><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">Engaging isn't strong enough a word: intoxicating maybe, or "exhilaratingest". And although I always like colorful GT cars, this combo of GT Silver Metallic, with silver wheels and basic red calipers just spoke "classic" to me. Anyway, the dealer had the car for 4 months, so we came to a very interesting price, which made me feel like we rolled the clock back a couple years.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">I finished the negotiations, via phone, on Valentine's Day while on a hike with my wife, who then said "Happy Valentine's Day". Damn, and I didn't even get her flowers. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></p><p><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">This car, alongside my 996 Aero, may actually present me with my "last Porsche". I expect to keep them both for a long, long time. But then again... never say never. </span></p><p><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">After a few weeks of getting her PPF'd and shipped to CA, she landed in my garage and I immediately took it to the local DMV. </span><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">My initial 30 minute drive to the DMV and back home confirmed all the superlatives heaped upon this car. It’s a beast. And that wing!!!</span></p><p><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">And, when parked next to the 996, the sibling from 20 years prior, you gotta love the unswerving Porsche design ethos.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /></p><div class="lazyloadPreSize lbContainer lbContainer--inline" data-lb-container-zoom="1" data-lb-id="attachment169760" data-lb-single-image="1" data-lb-trigger=".js-lbImage-attachment169760" data-xf-init="lightbox" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; display: inline-block; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: min(75%, 3024px); position: relative; width: min(100%, 4032px);"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="Wheel Car Tire Vehicle Automotive parking light" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/img_8696-jpeg.169760/" data-url="" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://www.vwvortex.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/img_8696-jpeg.169760/" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0px;" /></picture></div><div class="lazyloadPreSize lbContainer lbContainer--inline" data-lb-container-zoom="1" data-lb-id="attachment169761" data-lb-single-image="1" data-lb-trigger=".js-lbImage-attachment169761" data-xf-init="lightbox" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; display: inline-block; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: min(75%, 3024px); position: relative; width: min(100%, 4032px);"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="Car Vehicle Automotive parking light Vehicle registration plate Motor vehicle" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/img_8692-jpeg.169761/" data-url="" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://www.vwvortex.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/img_8692-jpeg.169761/" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0px;" /></picture></div><div class="lazyloadPreSize lbContainer lbContainer--inline" data-lb-container-zoom="1" data-lb-id="attachment169766" data-lb-single-image="1" data-lb-trigger=".js-lbImage-attachment169766" data-xf-init="lightbox" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; display: inline-block; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: min(75%, 3024px); position: relative; width: min(100%, 4032px);"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="Tire Wheel Car Vehicle Land vehicle" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/img_8690-jpeg.169766/" data-url="" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://www.vwvortex.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/img_8690-jpeg.169766/" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0px;" /></picture></div><p><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"></span><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"></span><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /></p><div class="lazyloadPreSize lbContainer lbContainer--inline" data-lb-container-zoom="1" data-lb-id="attachment169763" data-lb-single-image="1" data-lb-trigger=".js-lbImage-attachment169763" data-xf-init="lightbox" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; display: inline-block; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: min(75%, 3024px); position: relative; width: min(100%, 4032px);"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="Car Gear shift Vehicle Automotive design Motor vehicle" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/img_8687-jpeg.169763/" data-url="" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://www.vwvortex.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/img_8687-jpeg.169763/" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0px;" /></picture></div><div class="lazyloadPreSize lbContainer lbContainer--inline" data-lb-container-zoom="1" data-lb-id="attachment169767" data-lb-single-image="1" data-lb-trigger=".js-lbImage-attachment169767" data-xf-init="lightbox" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; display: inline-block; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: min(54.239160452914%, 3928px); position: relative; width: min(100%, 7242px);"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="Wheel Tire Automotive parking light Car Vehicle" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/img_8694-jpeg.169767/" data-url="" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://www.vwvortex.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/img_8694-jpeg.169767/" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0px;" /></picture></div><p><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"></span><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /></p><div class="lazyloadPreSize lbContainer lbContainer--inline" data-lb-container-zoom="1" data-lb-id="attachment169765" data-lb-single-image="1" data-lb-trigger=".js-lbImage-attachment169765" data-xf-init="lightbox" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; display: inline-block; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: min(75%, 3024px); position: relative; width: min(100%, 4032px);"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="Automotive parking light Car Vehicle registration plate Vehicle Land vehicle" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/img_8686-jpeg.169765/" data-url="" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://www.vwvortex.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/img_8686-jpeg.169765/" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0px;" /></picture></div><p><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /></p><div class="lazyloadPreSize lbContainer lbContainer--inline" data-lb-container-zoom="1" data-lb-id="attachment169768" data-lb-single-image="1" data-lb-trigger=".js-lbImage-attachment169768" data-xf-init="lightbox" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; display: inline-block; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: min(75%, 3024px); position: relative; width: min(100%, 4032px);"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="Wheel Tire Car Vehicle Hood" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/img_8680-jpeg.169768/" data-url="" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://www.vwvortex.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/img_8680-jpeg.169768/" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0px;" /></picture></div><p><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /></p><div class="lazyloadPreSize lbContainer lbContainer--inline" data-lb-container-zoom="1" data-lb-id="attachment169769" data-lb-single-image="1" data-lb-trigger=".js-lbImage-attachment169769" data-xf-init="lightbox" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; display: inline-block; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: min(75%, 3024px); position: relative; width: min(100%, 4032px);"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="Automotive parking light Car Wheel Vehicle Tire" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/img_8698-jpeg.169769/" data-url="" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://www.vwvortex.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/img_8698-jpeg.169769/" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0px;" /></picture></div><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span><div><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">Here’s a little ride along video on my next initial outing. A couple runs to 8000 rpm or so. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">This thing is SCARY fast. And I’ve lived with a McLaren MP4-12C for 7 years now.</span></div><div><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"> </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/I51X8Z0g2l8" width="320" youtube-src-id="I51X8Z0g2l8"></iframe></div><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"><div><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div>Don't get me wrong: the McLaren MP4-12C is faster (objectively 0-100 in 5.9 seconds vs the GT3 at 7.7 seconds). But the 12C almost does it in a sneaky way... it is so fast and so capable that you barely have time to understand what just happened. But the WAY the GT3 builds up with such force and bravado is hard to explain. </span></div><div><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">You think 4000 - 6000 RPM is fun and sounds great, but then it does this otherworldly shriek and kicks you in the back and runs to 7500 rpm and then it changes sound again as it peaks over 7500 to 8500 (As high as I've gone). And it feels a bit less grippy while it does it. Any bumps and road irregularities are immediately transferred to your butt-o-mometer. It is connected to the road but not in any artificial way. It communicates like all Porsches do and the need to pay attention to the gear you're in makes it more engaging as you rip through the gears, compared to a pdk or to the wonderfully smooth 12C paddle-shifter. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my 12C. But I fully "groc" why so many enthusiasts prize the 991.2 GT3 manual experience. When you're driving it, YOU are driving it, not driving in it. I love it.</span></div><div><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061128425873781737.post-7141876780494664632022-05-29T18:59:00.002-07:002022-05-31T07:46:12.342-07:00Repeating Myself: 1999 911 early-build 996 Carrera with Factory Aero Kit<p><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">Anyone who knows me well, knows that my first Porsche was a 1985 turbo look cabriolet. Never should’ve sold the car. My second Porsche was a 1999 ocean blue 996 with factory aero kit. Loved that car and drove it for many, many miles over a number of years. I talked about it in my old blog post called “A Not-So Short History of My Car Obsession”, which is now a bit dated. But that car still calls to me. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><a class="link link--external" href="http://davecarguy.blogspot.com/2011/12/short-history-of-my-car-obsession.html?m=1" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #005fd9; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" target="_blank">http://davecarguy.blogspot.com/2011/12/short-history-of-my-car-obsession.html?m=1</a><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /></p><div class="lbContainer lbContainer--inline" data-lb-container-zoom="1" data-lb-id="attachment_xfUid-1-1653875220" data-lb-single-image="1" data-lb-trigger=".js-lbImage-attachment_xfUid-1-1653875220" data-xf-init="lightbox" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; display: inline-block; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210819/b224d10e6152b38c03d4345518611c45.jpg" data-url="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210819/b224d10e6152b38c03d4345518611c45.jpg" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210819/b224d10e6152b38c03d4345518611c45.jpg" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%;" /></picture></div><p><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">I’ve owned many cars since I sold it, and have driven all the newer stuff without feeling the need to own many of the more upscale Porsche offerings. I came really close last summer to buying something brand new from Porsche. But it didn’t excite me enough. Then I got an opportunity to re-invite what feels like an old friend back into my home. I found this (below) somewhat rare, early VIN 996 with Factory Aero Kit, 6-speed, factory Sport design wheels with just 17,000 miles on it (below). Not blue, but they’re hard to find. Old friends are the best friends, and this black 996 felt familiar, so I bought it from out of state, shipped it, and brought it into the garage in August, just as the 996-generation 911 car valuations started to rally. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">I couldn’t be happier. For those who know the 996 story, these early build cars were built alongside the 993s at the end of their production. It actually has a 993 VIN. The early cars had a better IMS bearing, different interior finishes, no drive-by-wire, etc. I bought it thinking I’d flip it on Bring-a-Trailer but you don’t do that to an old friend. It has a new clutch, upgraded IMS, new rear main seal, new brakes, and zero over-revs. Only 17,000 miles! One owner!! A true unicorn. </span></p><p><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">My only plan is to lower it like my old one. I won’t drive it much, and I’ll probably someday sell it for far more than what I paid… some day. But for now, there’s finally a P car back in the garage after I sold three of them in the last couple of years. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">Welcome home, old friend !</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><img alt="" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210819/07629bb23547a48b9668471d36ade91a.jpg" data-url="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210819/07629bb23547a48b9668471d36ade91a.jpg" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210819/07629bb23547a48b9668471d36ade91a.jpg" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; display: block; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; height: auto; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%;" /></p><div class="lbContainer lbContainer--inline" data-lb-container-zoom="1" data-lb-id="attachment_xfUid-3-1653875220" data-lb-single-image="1" data-lb-trigger=".js-lbImage-attachment_xfUid-3-1653875220" data-xf-init="lightbox" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; display: inline-block; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210819/dc0ab8eb2283c5b025c5c7312c9d6824.jpg" data-url="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210819/dc0ab8eb2283c5b025c5c7312c9d6824.jpg" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210819/dc0ab8eb2283c5b025c5c7312c9d6824.jpg" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%;" /></picture></div><div class="lbContainer lbContainer--inline" data-lb-container-zoom="1" data-lb-id="attachment_xfUid-4-1653875220" data-lb-single-image="1" data-lb-trigger=".js-lbImage-attachment_xfUid-4-1653875220" data-xf-init="lightbox" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; display: inline-block; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210819/cc0fb7f5fa28ad292b677a5587037eb2.jpg" data-url="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210819/cc0fb7f5fa28ad292b677a5587037eb2.jpg" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210819/cc0fb7f5fa28ad292b677a5587037eb2.jpg" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%;" /></picture></div><div class="lbContainer lbContainer--inline" data-lb-container-zoom="1" data-lb-id="attachment_xfUid-5-1653875220" data-lb-single-image="1" data-lb-trigger=".js-lbImage-attachment_xfUid-5-1653875220" data-xf-init="lightbox" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; display: inline-block; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210819/794a993d6997b1439a3c3895dd7d0588.jpg" data-url="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210819/794a993d6997b1439a3c3895dd7d0588.jpg" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210819/794a993d6997b1439a3c3895dd7d0588.jpg" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%;" /></picture></div><div class="lbContainer lbContainer--inline" data-lb-container-zoom="1" data-lb-id="attachment_xfUid-6-1653875220" data-lb-single-image="1" data-lb-trigger=".js-lbImage-attachment_xfUid-6-1653875220" data-xf-init="lightbox" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; display: inline-block; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210819/980af2294f8168ea3771d6843d149c49.jpg" data-url="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210819/980af2294f8168ea3771d6843d149c49.jpg" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210819/980af2294f8168ea3771d6843d149c49.jpg" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%;" /></picture></div><div class="lbContainer lbContainer--inline" data-lb-container-zoom="1" data-lb-id="attachment_xfUid-7-1653875220" data-lb-single-image="1" data-lb-trigger=".js-lbImage-attachment_xfUid-7-1653875220" data-xf-init="lightbox" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; display: inline-block; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210819/deee019b2826b19d0079f36d29acf211.jpg" data-url="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210819/deee019b2826b19d0079f36d29acf211.jpg" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210819/deee019b2826b19d0079f36d29acf211.jpg" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%;" /></picture></div><div class="lbContainer lbContainer--inline" data-lb-container-zoom="1" data-lb-id="attachment_xfUid-8-1653875220" data-lb-single-image="1" data-lb-trigger=".js-lbImage-attachment_xfUid-8-1653875220" data-xf-init="lightbox" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; display: inline-block; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210819/1df22c13dc80e0c73a02e3e7c51fe0b7.jpg" data-url="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210819/1df22c13dc80e0c73a02e3e7c51fe0b7.jpg" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210819/1df22c13dc80e0c73a02e3e7c51fe0b7.jpg" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%;" /></picture></div><div><div class="lbContainer lbContainer--inline" data-lb-container-zoom="1" data-lb-id="attachment_xfUid-8-1653875220" data-lb-single-image="1" data-lb-trigger=".js-lbImage-attachment_xfUid-8-1653875220" data-xf-init="lightbox" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; display: inline-block; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></picture></div></div><div><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">The color is black metallic. Cool color but not as nice as my old blue one. If I ever find a blue one, I'll buy it. But I haven't seen one for sale in years with Aero.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">Here is the option code sticker (kind of the holy grail of options for many. the only thing missing to be even better would be 030: sports suspension 10MM lower or maybe the hollow-spoke wheels):</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">XAA: Factory Aero Kit</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">XRB: Sport Classic 2-piece wheels</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">220: Limited Slip Diff</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">222: Traction control ASR</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">424: CD compartment (woohoo! 1999!)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">437 and 438: 8- way elec seat, left and right</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">513 and 586: Lumbar 4-way, both seats</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">537: seat memory</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">688: CD radio Becker Porsche</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">936: Leather rear seats</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">983: Leather front seats</span></div><div><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><img alt="112333" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/xp84lzos-jpeg.112333/" data-url="" data-zoom-target="1" height="640" src="https://www.vwvortex.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vwvortex.com/attachments/xp84lzos-jpeg.112333/" width="480" /></div><div><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">Here is a summary of the differences of teh early 1999s vs teh updated 2000 911s, that one Porsche enthusiast posted in a 1999 911 BaT auction </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">MY1999 vs MY2000+</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">*No eGas /legacy cable-throttle (C2 only).</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">*No PSM/nannies; legacy ABS (C2 only).</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">*No bothersome mandatory computer (“Visit Workshop!” etc., etc.)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">*Manual cable operated frunk and engine lid releases (versus electric controls that die along with a with dead battery precluding [most ironically] battery access) [Note: some MY2000 retain manual operation].</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">*“Buffalo Hyde” dash material that is elegantly pebbled and matte, and far more attractive (and less distracting) than the gauche, “shiny” & highly reflective pleather (plastic) dash materials MY2000+.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">*“Granite” interior accent material that is “color thru” and was shared with Rolls Royces of the same period. Again much more matte and eminently more durable than the ubiquitous “soft touch” rubberized plastics that followed MY2000+.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">*Amber lensed head and tail lights from 11/97-08/98 build dates; these are a gorgeous aesthetic touch paired with almost any standard color offered at the time; especially the darker shades (C2 only).</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">*Less sound deadening and insulation materials that raises the glorious engine note, and lowers the chassis weight, versus MY2000+.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">*Connolly Hyde wrapped 993 steering wheel was standard, which was an elegant, vintage touch (and lovingly familiar to the “Luftekhult”).</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">*Early amber lensed MY1999 examples (11/97-08/98) were manufactured by hand, in sequence with the MY98 993, on the legacy 993 assembly line. Whether perceived or real, many collectors believe this graced the original Early MY1999 with a tangibly increased build quality (C2 only).</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">*Robust MY1999 DUAL ROW IMS BEARING, versus multifarious MY2000+ M96/97 dismantler-bound iterations all tragically with less than half the bearing capacity as the 1999 original.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /></div><div><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">Gotta love the bronze in the </span><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); font-size: 15px;">metallic black.</span></span></div><div><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><img alt="" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210819/0bcbdb2f9371dc9da942e94dac90236a.jpg" data-url="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210819/0bcbdb2f9371dc9da942e94dac90236a.jpg" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210819/0bcbdb2f9371dc9da942e94dac90236a.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); font-size: 15px;">I then had the car PPF wrapped on the front end and had the suspension updated and lowered a tad. The old shocks were a bit worn from age, but not mileage. I had the H&R coilover street kit added. I kept the old springs and bump stops of I ever want to go back to stock. But I can safely say I like this setup a ton. The car feels less floaty in fast corners. Better stance, too. Now I just need to decide if I want to push the tire profile out a bit with 7mm spacers. </span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">Also had the mufflers changed to a 996 stage one muffler. Just a tad more growl, but nothing crazy. Sweet sound at all rpm levels. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">I LOVE this car. For those looking for the most reasonable way to get into a 911, the 996 is a great option. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><div class="lbContainer lbContainer--inline" data-lb-container-zoom="1" data-lb-id="attachment_xfUid-7-1653875764" data-lb-single-image="1" data-lb-trigger=".js-lbImage-attachment_xfUid-7-1653875764" data-xf-init="lightbox" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; display: inline-block; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210923/9bf2ef69920cdd94730cb331fc0ff36c.jpeg" data-url="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210923/9bf2ef69920cdd94730cb331fc0ff36c.jpeg" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210923/9bf2ef69920cdd94730cb331fc0ff36c.jpeg" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%;" /><div class="shimmer animate" style="animation: 2s linear 0s infinite normal none running shimmer; background-image: linear-gradient(to right, rgb(239, 241, 243) 4%, rgb(226, 226, 226) 25%, rgb(239, 241, 243) 36%); background-size: 1000px 100%; box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px;"></div></picture></div><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"> </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><div class="lbContainer lbContainer--inline" data-lb-container-zoom="1" data-lb-id="attachment_xfUid-8-1653875764" data-lb-single-image="1" data-lb-trigger=".js-lbImage-attachment_xfUid-8-1653875764" data-xf-init="lightbox" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; display: inline-block; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210923/43b53f5bd79933594844619cb09d91c3.jpeg" data-url="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210923/43b53f5bd79933594844619cb09d91c3.jpeg" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210923/43b53f5bd79933594844619cb09d91c3.jpeg" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%;" /><div class="shimmer animate" style="animation: 2s linear 0s infinite normal none running shimmer; background-image: linear-gradient(to right, rgb(239, 241, 243) 4%, rgb(226, 226, 226) 25%, rgb(239, 241, 243) 36%); background-size: 1000px 100%; box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px;"></div></picture></div><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"> </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><div class="lbContainer lbContainer--inline" data-lb-container-zoom="1" data-lb-id="attachment_xfUid-9-1653875764" data-lb-single-image="1" data-lb-trigger=".js-lbImage-attachment_xfUid-9-1653875764" data-xf-init="lightbox" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; display: inline-block; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210923/e3e27aefa7ce8bcd941d5a60c1863a40.jpg" data-url="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210923/e3e27aefa7ce8bcd941d5a60c1863a40.jpg" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210923/e3e27aefa7ce8bcd941d5a60c1863a40.jpg" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%;" /><div class="shimmer animate" style="animation: 2s linear 0s infinite normal none running shimmer; background-image: linear-gradient(to right, rgb(239, 241, 243) 4%, rgb(226, 226, 226) 25%, rgb(239, 241, 243) 36%); background-size: 1000px 100%; box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px;"></div></picture></div><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"> </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><div class="lbContainer lbContainer--inline" data-lb-container-zoom="1" data-lb-id="attachment_xfUid-10-1653875764" data-lb-single-image="1" data-lb-trigger=".js-lbImage-attachment_xfUid-10-1653875764" data-xf-init="lightbox" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; display: inline-block; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210923/08e02ea47a3ce9ce1139e31090020a81.jpg" data-url="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210923/08e02ea47a3ce9ce1139e31090020a81.jpg" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210923/08e02ea47a3ce9ce1139e31090020a81.jpg" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%;" /><div class="shimmer animate" style="animation: 2s linear 0s infinite normal none running shimmer; background-image: linear-gradient(to right, rgb(239, 241, 243) 4%, rgb(226, 226, 226) 25%, rgb(239, 241, 243) 36%); background-size: 1000px 100%; box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px;"></div></picture></div><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;"> </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><div class="lbContainer lbContainer--inline" data-lb-container-zoom="1" data-lb-id="attachment_xfUid-11-1653875764" data-lb-single-image="1" data-lb-trigger=".js-lbImage-attachment_xfUid-11-1653875764" data-xf-init="lightbox" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; display: inline-block; font-family: "segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210923/583ed323311f77bdfb3f295ed2163e64.jpg" data-url="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210923/583ed323311f77bdfb3f295ed2163e64.jpg" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210923/583ed323311f77bdfb3f295ed2163e64.jpg" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 18px 0px; max-width: 100%;" /></picture></div></div><div><img alt="" class="bbImage lazyloaded" data-src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210909/761aa2b1ecbb4b93d7897b7fc6b78bc2.jpg" data-url="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210909/761aa2b1ecbb4b93d7897b7fc6b78bc2.jpg" data-zoom-target="1" src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210909/761aa2b1ecbb4b93d7897b7fc6b78bc2.jpg" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061128425873781737.post-30212627551681252152021-04-15T15:46:00.006-07:002021-04-15T15:49:13.525-07:00DIY: Replacing the Rotor disc on Girodisc 2-piece brake rotor<p><span style="font-family: arial;">I've helped a number of people replace their existing stock rotors with Girodisc 2-piece rotors. I've used them on three different cars of mine. Great for track and street, they last. long time and provide a bit of extra surface area for better brake performance. When. your Girodisc rotors later wear out, you can replace the rotor disc with a new one, keeping the rotor hat. That makes the brake rotor replacement a bit cheaper. Here is a video showing how to do the rebuild / replacement, in. this case on my 2018 Mustang Shelby GT350R:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Cfk5mrei6uk" width="320" youtube-src-id="Cfk5mrei6uk"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061128425873781737.post-29998015174850713572021-02-15T21:44:00.003-08:002022-01-02T18:07:12.871-08:00Datsun 510 Historic Race Car: a Dream Finally Realized<p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: arial; font-size: 15px;">I've always said that cars are collectible when they hit 30 years old because that is when 46-year old can afford what he loved as a 16-year old. Well, that's not quite the case here, as this isn't overly collectable, and I'm 58 and the car is 51. But the point stands. We never quite get over our first car-love.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: arial; font-size: 15px;">I fell in love with cars at a very young age. I was fully aware of certain race cars when John Morton started winning for Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE) in the late 1960s and early 1970s in Datsun Roadsters and Datsun 510s. My first car at age 16 was an orange Datsun 510 2-door that I modified to try to be like the racer guys. I dreamed of racing but went off to college instead. That turned out OK.</span></p><p><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); font-size: 15px;">For those of you who are too young to </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">remember: John Morton and the Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE) team, under Peter Brock, pretty much shocked the world when their new/upstart race team beat everyone in the SCCA National Championships in Datsun Roadsters, 510s, and 240Zs, and knocked off the established BMW and Alfa Romeo teams with the 510 in the Trans Am under 2.5 Liter Championship. Datsun and BRE were so dominant, that the other teams gave up and left the race series. At the bottom of this post is a link to the YouTube of a documentary called "Datsun 510: Against All Odds", which chronicles the story with some very nice vintage race footage! Meanwhile, here's me at age 17 circa 1979 with my first car, the 1972 Datsun 510 that started me as a "car guy":</span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFI6kHVDL-SR1TfDA5nMWmqX0xU2z1KppuMg9KTtQHB1WWlwP5B32Pl_sYo3f_IWNGpKoZpYQVhENXtNkpkYc0gJkCWn1JrZ4-uyhzQCO0jK6DklOhLv9rCTOTopo7VftLYUHYIrJYnjg/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="737" data-original-width="828" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFI6kHVDL-SR1TfDA5nMWmqX0xU2z1KppuMg9KTtQHB1WWlwP5B32Pl_sYo3f_IWNGpKoZpYQVhENXtNkpkYc0gJkCWn1JrZ4-uyhzQCO0jK6DklOhLv9rCTOTopo7VftLYUHYIrJYnjg/w400-h355/IMG_9781.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: arial; font-size: 15px;">Well, since the original BRE #46 John Morton car is in a museum and the original #35 Mike Downs / #85 Bobby Allison car is now in the hands of Adam Carolla, I had to buy the next best thing. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: arial; font-size: 15px;">This car has racing log books back to 1979 and has been raced by a number of amateurs in SCCA, CSRG, HMSA, HSR, and SVRA. It is a replica of BRE driver Mike Downs' #35 car (before the number change to #85 for "guest" driver Bobby Allison, which is the livery that remains on the original car with Adam C now). This car was sold to me by an older vintage racer named Dan Haney, who had two of these.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: arial; font-size: 15px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: arial; font-size: 15px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBTIuQEh1Ba26yLLnm8k2Bn6MrEVw1GOHJTxDYMdpJF4POgOAbycNnKPB7Rah8auEVcnl6ZzXhfkbhHDm7ulWU5_rAiX12gNaDvvFENGy-Zt8-iatGTzch7_cmcy5axwC1mBOyNVxYLc/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="828" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBTIuQEh1Ba26yLLnm8k2Bn6MrEVw1GOHJTxDYMdpJF4POgOAbycNnKPB7Rah8auEVcnl6ZzXhfkbhHDm7ulWU5_rAiX12gNaDvvFENGy-Zt8-iatGTzch7_cmcy5axwC1mBOyNVxYLc/w400-h342/IMG_9782.jpeg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: arial; font-size: 15px;"><br />It has all the right stuff from the era, including the Nissan Motorsport Competition direct-drive 5-speed dogleg transmission (hard to find these days), which I just had rebuilt by Troy Ermish. It also has the 50MM Solex/Mikunis and competition BRE intake manifold on a race-built 2L engine. The car weighs about 2000 pounds and puts out about 200 HP on 110 octane race gas. Don't even try to drive it under 6000 RPM, the engine wants to rev around the 7000 RPM mark and the close-ratio gearbox makes sure you stay in that range.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><span><span style="font-size: 15px;">My friend Rick heard that I bought the car, and he went to the seller and immediately bought the other one (red/white #46 replica of John Morton's Championship car).so we can go race in the historic races with CSRG at Sonoma, Laguna, and Thunderhill. I am also in the process of applying for acceptance into the Sonoma Speed Festival in September. Ultimately I would love to race in the </span></span></span></span><span face=""segoe ui", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "fira sans", "droid sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-size: 15px;">Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca, but that is an event </span><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><span><span style="font-size: 15px;">that doesn't always have a race group for cars of this era, and this car may not have the full provenance for that event. We shall see.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); font-family: arial; font-size: 15px;">Anyway, it took me 40 years, but I'm finally getting around to racing that car I dreamed of when I was 16. Here she is at Thunderhill Raceway:</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: arial; font-size: 15px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqC93aw82pux66vgBAbS-oZ5xKGBBSIYZLyrYUMGGWI4UnTK3lTQrYeXtv3Fk35dV_mRJYDrf9vMWOffIQYgIon1W4z3Phiy_2sOmf27Iodm9KOQigrLGyD9o3pe_npQ2S6hVrAGvskzc/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="1429" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqC93aw82pux66vgBAbS-oZ5xKGBBSIYZLyrYUMGGWI4UnTK3lTQrYeXtv3Fk35dV_mRJYDrf9vMWOffIQYgIon1W4z3Phiy_2sOmf27Iodm9KOQigrLGyD9o3pe_npQ2S6hVrAGvskzc/w477-h259/mb_35_-4.jpeg" width="477" /></a></div></div><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: arial; font-size: 15px;">When someone tells you that their race is car is "fully sorted, ready to race...", just know that you might still have quite a few things to take care of. In my case, many things. The car had been checked out in advance by Troy Ermish, a well-known Datsun 510 racer, mechanic, and parts engineer/guru. He had given me the green light on this car after he tested it at Thunderhill a month or so prior to my purchase. but hey, race cars are finicky and high-strung. So once we got the car off the trailer and started prepping it for the race season, it needed much to be up to a proper competitive standard.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">So into Troy's shop for a new Quartermaster double disc clutch, transmission overhaul (synchros, shift forks, dogs, sliders, seals and bearings, hub </span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); color: #383a3b; font-family: arial; font-size: 15px;">rework, new crossmember and mounts), new rear quarter windows, new fiberglass hood and fasteners, second set of Rota wheels, new set of Hoosier R7 tires, AIM Solo 2 DL lap timer with integrated Smarty Cam HD. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: arial;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); font-size: 15px;">I took it out for a shakedown at Thunderhill raceway and found that I need to fix a few more things. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 15px;">But I'm a dork, so we recreated a well-known photo of Pete Brock, John Morton, and Mike Downs, using Troy Ermish as the Pete Brock character. Poor Troy.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 15px;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 15px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEJKcX4e6dN7AJ9M-zu-LmX6dkr4dzNsWGeAiF0Iy9W_RVgiX5mGCJQkIA_v-SaRKZpK4dkWRklMgMkEu1pBA45QVEQNpERNVwaqBct0V5csXL1Tm0G_lDkDqQbcPZqnVWrsu8CCRFY8/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1792" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEJKcX4e6dN7AJ9M-zu-LmX6dkr4dzNsWGeAiF0Iy9W_RVgiX5mGCJQkIA_v-SaRKZpK4dkWRklMgMkEu1pBA45QVEQNpERNVwaqBct0V5csXL1Tm0G_lDkDqQbcPZqnVWrsu8CCRFY8/w582-h269/IMG_9938.png" width="582" /></a></span></span></span></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="segoe ui, helvetica neue, Helvetica, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, fira sans, droid sans, sans-serif" style="color: #383a3b;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 15px;"><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1hgDrusvaJeCBgna-aIojDdu_zCALEhqe6zukepnDU04oF3UfUTawiBB6KGTBTFYOPVzvshthjvW_NBgsI540RMtJhab7cPK_oMT06hbiLE-68GZYZuRq6cey_8cBZx0636owssbEfE/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1478" data-original-width="2048" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1hgDrusvaJeCBgna-aIojDdu_zCALEhqe6zukepnDU04oF3UfUTawiBB6KGTBTFYOPVzvshthjvW_NBgsI540RMtJhab7cPK_oMT06hbiLE-68GZYZuRq6cey_8cBZx0636owssbEfE/w521-h377/IMG_9935.jpeg" width="521" /></a></div><br /></span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); font-size: 15px;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9LJ4nY7PUT3ulSq6wzlGUyYhSvrWXDF6om2BJwTtFIgP24p9v7YFODtiCF-VQWc1oq0WMXnHVpr3R4lWPC0zwjUh3qEC_9G5pSd_GBShfnKlga6ZanvdLEMyD9uSFnb3spAXyVuhYHc/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="1827" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9LJ4nY7PUT3ulSq6wzlGUyYhSvrWXDF6om2BJwTtFIgP24p9v7YFODtiCF-VQWc1oq0WMXnHVpr3R4lWPC0zwjUh3qEC_9G5pSd_GBShfnKlga6ZanvdLEMyD9uSFnb3spAXyVuhYHc/w522-h351/mb_35_-3.jpeg" width="522" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(56, 58, 59); font-size: 15px;">Race guys are great at fabricating stuff. </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">Sometimes it's not what you want, though. The radiator starting leaking on the Thunderhill run because the prior owner had fabricated a semi-solid braided metal connection hose from the radiator to the thermostat housing. So it didn't provide any flexibility, and therefore the shake of the engine translated into creating a nice crack in the radiator. And.... the brakes were scary and pulling hard to the right when I hit them hard at over 100MPH. And, the steering box was so loose and sloppy that I felt like a kid steering a Model A on a frozen lake: the direction the car went bore no relation to my wheel input.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">So, back to the shop for new Wilwood brake calipers, a suspension check, a new radiator, new alternator, new hoses and routing of water overflow, new (used) steering box and brackets, etc.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">After a couple more weeks, the car was back at home with me and getting ready for my next shakedown test #2. I am getting prepped for the April 9-11 David Love Historic Races at Sonoma Raceway, so that'll be the next test spot. Meanwhile, it was time to do some basic cleanup, and to set up the AIM Solo 2 lap timer and make sure the car looked as it should as a replica of Mike Downs' #35 BRE race car in 1970-1971. Also, I made sure I paid my license fee to the good people at Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE) in order to legally use their look and feel BRE racing livery (not everybody does, I"m sure you're shocked). BRE supplied the proper stickers to replicate the look, and as every racer-boy will tell you, those stickers are good for at least 10 extra horsepower.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Here is Mike Downs' car in the BRE shop circa 1971:</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmyXar1QdoecTbtqmnm6QnyIc5yeK-tkMy5l-VPkP1Ixs4SEJy3mzEdlZxo5Ys-KJnH6DvZdZckn4YtgU6eEE9s_BGypySfFoeXIqDq1siT5XyhmR743oKuwxmXkUekRogehOgTba608/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="479" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmyXar1QdoecTbtqmnm6QnyIc5yeK-tkMy5l-VPkP1Ixs4SEJy3mzEdlZxo5Ys-KJnH6DvZdZckn4YtgU6eEE9s_BGypySfFoeXIqDq1siT5XyhmR743oKuwxmXkUekRogehOgTba608/w439-h345/IMG_0401.jpeg" width="439" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><p>And here is mine now, note the dashboard signatures from Bob Bondurant, John Morton, and Floyd Link (one of the original BRE engine builders):</p></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #383a3b; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_gw69jHNk5YzX8TVVQj9q8maI6T11sA4qKVRRctiwOSExUVtHcuYbds-I33EJce_rNq_TCArEaf6Vr8EDCJhUSGb0N8VPBzCuECOqVtypeOTEXbr2CqN5_cWpDY1dISzyjdl59z8Kuk/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_gw69jHNk5YzX8TVVQj9q8maI6T11sA4qKVRRctiwOSExUVtHcuYbds-I33EJce_rNq_TCArEaf6Vr8EDCJhUSGb0N8VPBzCuECOqVtypeOTEXbr2CqN5_cWpDY1dISzyjdl59z8Kuk/w427-h320/IMG_0402.jpeg" width="427" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_gw69jHNk5YzX8TVVQj9q8maI6T11sA4qKVRRctiwOSExUVtHcuYbds-I33EJce_rNq_TCArEaf6Vr8EDCJhUSGb0N8VPBzCuECOqVtypeOTEXbr2CqN5_cWpDY1dISzyjdl59z8Kuk/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_gw69jHNk5YzX8TVVQj9q8maI6T11sA4qKVRRctiwOSExUVtHcuYbds-I33EJce_rNq_TCArEaf6Vr8EDCJhUSGb0N8VPBzCuECOqVtypeOTEXbr2CqN5_cWpDY1dISzyjdl59z8Kuk/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitneYfFs9Pz_T9McrDuj6xDavWoeDh3ld1klHeZg6g0OBwByr_yU8FQVbvjsc2K6lbYjb7poG32PYtEO3u9UmIIk9YHOU-ZvEUYerqR-H51Cc3wsmRQ0tR5mUnvSu0rM3qiCv4OMI8IHQ/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitneYfFs9Pz_T9McrDuj6xDavWoeDh3ld1klHeZg6g0OBwByr_yU8FQVbvjsc2K6lbYjb7poG32PYtEO3u9UmIIk9YHOU-ZvEUYerqR-H51Cc3wsmRQ0tR5mUnvSu0rM3qiCv4OMI8IHQ/w422-h317/IMG_0403.jpeg" width="422" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4viLRdQ4fwpBr95VTcpFSxN1lWX2y52RosN1PV4mbQvrt9JBxSzz-MNuXXCqYUZlG-Tz5J8jfCmwVTOc__4aR3QQWqXpFGiEDNg-lI8qWvYAlx-ghVQx7-XxYLlGyMpk69JXauhz4rTA/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4viLRdQ4fwpBr95VTcpFSxN1lWX2y52RosN1PV4mbQvrt9JBxSzz-MNuXXCqYUZlG-Tz5J8jfCmwVTOc__4aR3QQWqXpFGiEDNg-lI8qWvYAlx-ghVQx7-XxYLlGyMpk69JXauhz4rTA/w427-h320/IMG_0391.jpeg" width="427" /></a></span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">And to make sure my neighbors would continue to shake their heads at me, I tested the new brakes around the block. See video link below for the sound of the angry 4-banger. Next step: on the trailer to Sonoma Raceway for shakedown cruise #2 this week.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: arial;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="424" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sYAZz642arw" width="510" youtube-src-id="sYAZz642arw"></iframe></span></div><p></p><p><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">For more history on the Datsun 510, Brock racing Enterprises, go to the BRE website. Peter Brock was truly a legend and shaped the destiny of the Japanese performance car market in the USA. See "Datsun 510: Against all Odds" below and also check out his presentation at the BlackHawk Auto Museum a few years ago.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: arial;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="373" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rujxd5Grxb4" width="449" youtube-src-id="rujxd5Grxb4"></iframe></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #383a3b; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_gw69jHNk5YzX8TVVQj9q8maI6T11sA4qKVRRctiwOSExUVtHcuYbds-I33EJce_rNq_TCArEaf6Vr8EDCJhUSGb0N8VPBzCuECOqVtypeOTEXbr2CqN5_cWpDY1dISzyjdl59z8Kuk/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="322" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/W_NDDU3Igv0" width="387" youtube-src-id="W_NDDU3Igv0"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: arial; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">CLICK FOR VIDEO OF WHOLE PRESENTATION: </span></span><b style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">https://vimeo.com/264447675</span></b></div><br /><br /></div><br /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><u><br /></u></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><u><br /></u></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><u><br /></u></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #383a3b; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhwa5fmXxZdtYH-Vk46fqRNH_SXvp0u25GR0r9xTa2abRTGkrbaf5JZR8je7wtZFPltiSZ-OtwP2WYSWGsYwhem8zI1UWAVUmdT-fLwQUTEy63GteQPkwaAo6xLDFfh98GszJ9QM4X_o/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #383a3b; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #383a3b; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061128425873781737.post-4748014353847810102020-10-01T17:57:00.005-07:002020-10-01T19:30:25.180-07:00McLaren MP4-12C: DIY fix of the dreaded "cloudy headlight" <p style="text-align: justify;">As a reminder, I've had my McLaren MP4-12C for about 6 years now. It's a 2012 that I bought in 2014. It has about 55,000 miles on it now. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">If you own one or have been around a few 12Cs, you have likely seen or heard about one issue that has come up in a number of cars: the sealed headlights had a tendency to develop a condensation-like cloudiness on the inside of the plastic headlight covers. It's actually a kind of mold or bacteria that is not easily removed, so the typical fix is to replace the headlight. Go to the dealership and a pair of new headlights will cost you several thousand dollars. Alternatively, you can generally find used headlights on EBAY for about $500 -$800 each. Plus installation. My local dealership quoted me about $2400 to remove the headlights, recondition then, re-seal them, and re-install them. So, I decided to do it myself, and followed the repair advice of a number of members on the car forum MclarenLife.com. As it turned out, I did the whole job in a matter of hours over a day or two and with less than $10 of materials. I thought I would share it here in case it is helpful for anyone else. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The first step is to get the car up a bit, so it is easier to get underneath the exterior panels to remove the bumper. So before we get to the fix, just a word about using my QuickJack BL-5000SLX on the McLaren. I've used my 5000SLX primarily for simple and easy access on my Cayman S and my Shelby GT350R. In both cases, it's a perfect fit. For the McLaren, the lift points are spread farther apart (front-back distance). So I needed to get the extenders from QuickJack.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">By adding the SLX Frame Extension from Quickjack (https://www.quickjack.com/slx-frame-extensions/), the overall length of the lift rails is six inches greater, allowing the proper reach to the factory lift points (just barely!). The lift points are indicated underneath the car by colored circles.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 238); clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKqn-zxkNs9kBECWzOHX26oW_Wji8kIdeUtlYSI3ieBUXnSc48YSSwGFTM-jdV4CE-odO8wNvTudHQgl3yIPmZUps_35B2kRbMno56vclebSJzJfHfUEhgzd_gEpwf-LKpWiqFwQqW8c/" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 238); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="384" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdabk2cuQISDkodhQmshn7D1yUShqYN9QTkp9VRKoAlPzTHzsTgO1pI7Uy45lzhrXtj8Grw5sy9tcan9Q_wOkXQ6iAr0KlAmT5Ywaxy2fVFzjlde7lx4C3HtD1GcsM90XxFfg8KCSlTU/" width="180" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 238); clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKqn-zxkNs9kBECWzOHX26oW_Wji8kIdeUtlYSI3ieBUXnSc48YSSwGFTM-jdV4CE-odO8wNvTudHQgl3yIPmZUps_35B2kRbMno56vclebSJzJfHfUEhgzd_gEpwf-LKpWiqFwQqW8c/" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 238); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 238); clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3uC_DcOtrYd3MR5uKMBfjKvN0mzhZHTzMzCBjytrhi803CRFtpaijUco4JMLEr-zsfZ3kNbS_uyF2nfvRSZSemwgfl1NSUJrXw3C-dkZ6E1lXWgst76-0t7UQKWrn1Gxou5eMWlgnZw/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="512" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3uC_DcOtrYd3MR5uKMBfjKvN0mzhZHTzMzCBjytrhi803CRFtpaijUco4JMLEr-zsfZ3kNbS_uyF2nfvRSZSemwgfl1NSUJrXw3C-dkZ6E1lXWgst76-0t7UQKWrn1Gxou5eMWlgnZw/" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 238); clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 238); clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">But no good deed goes unpunished, and no purchase goes perfectly, either. Now that the lift is long enough, the added height of the adapter makes it impossible to slide the jack underneath the car. Mostly for the front, as the rear still has enough clearance. This photo below shows the new height (and length) of the lift with the extensions. I knew it would be close, as the website and docmumentation for the QuickJack is spot-on for their measurements, but I was hopeful I could slide this under. As it turns out, I CAN do so, but then I have no room to insert the rubber blocks that go between the lift and the car's lift points.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dm_aJEwi0wmQYuPbUd3Sp2kO8jX5KxnFNydky2AiceC6ebxngeBLpRlC6KgoHzBvDlv9a_VRQZ-axvP97cmLD1zLKvEuAtFiImoJuYPShsv_Q9bORlDlzU-RA54uqY65bQ-2y1pLw0s/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dm_aJEwi0wmQYuPbUd3Sp2kO8jX5KxnFNydky2AiceC6ebxngeBLpRlC6KgoHzBvDlv9a_VRQZ-axvP97cmLD1zLKvEuAtFiImoJuYPShsv_Q9bORlDlzU-RA54uqY65bQ-2y1pLw0s/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyL5r4H6k2S1b01hk1lHN5evpnPTXzeoB7s-BlyZb8Qowi5WIWb0riSpJ3xh6LcLoQYu-EdKlTr_s4CmHCv2u9V28yYzm8jva87m1RWmqs1AOj_n_XkCCqhFVH0pCsrqKBXVfrtbdbFoA/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="512" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyL5r4H6k2S1b01hk1lHN5evpnPTXzeoB7s-BlyZb8Qowi5WIWb0riSpJ3xh6LcLoQYu-EdKlTr_s4CmHCv2u9V28yYzm8jva87m1RWmqs1AOj_n_XkCCqhFVH0pCsrqKBXVfrtbdbFoA/" width="320" /></a></div></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-align: left;">So, I resorted to the simplest solution... drive the car onto a couple of "ramps" up front. OK, maybe that is a grandiose label for a couple of 1"x6" blocks of wood, cut with a small angle on the leading edge. In any case, by driving the car's front wheels up onto these block, the front end is now high enough to slide the jack underneath. Add a couple of right-sized rubber lifting blocks that come with the Quickjack, and the car is up safely in minutes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqpCKL_zTNbkvLEMUYiyMpHjKEAgOUKTb5TMWTxsrANy_kdhvxaM6wz85GtiDok-_UkMSqmcNgGqSu-0-Q6hwHKa42IWrwi0xOOIj3StklQ1rw-NklaLjFuq62fQdRoEt4py1InneoGo/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqpCKL_zTNbkvLEMUYiyMpHjKEAgOUKTb5TMWTxsrANy_kdhvxaM6wz85GtiDok-_UkMSqmcNgGqSu-0-Q6hwHKa42IWrwi0xOOIj3StklQ1rw-NklaLjFuq62fQdRoEt4py1InneoGo/" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHGESBjigejZhIj7Eyo_Id6s5UgwnKY0fPBk9_id6aM0iVjI60pauxY0gsGdGjFKFVbBjFPD6Xasl8zbP3K8wFh5iEfF6s1VQazCXC8xLlkO1CnleJaohedWIUGid-I_ZOMcaHMmdAgw/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHGESBjigejZhIj7Eyo_Id6s5UgwnKY0fPBk9_id6aM0iVjI60pauxY0gsGdGjFKFVbBjFPD6Xasl8zbP3K8wFh5iEfF6s1VQazCXC8xLlkO1CnleJaohedWIUGid-I_ZOMcaHMmdAgw/" width="320" /></a></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmYcyPNLx4tjaS5XOilVOwmBQngmOsWniRWa79lHAreoX4OXAuUwi7H7yCofG6cXoFsTYjIzBAOW4gOkC5vx8ZFwpYwPEsDLNB8ck_HGkSA3VH7083-2gg_yCH9VJVGwzdd-V_9g4IKw/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic42PC-bFCaHX2neF7QxUA_ozlLXxxMuVkNPPJTAm6zGw7KtT7H138lGCUaCVm4vEraYnk6WwDn6GU65JrI17TNJ-T_vCTnf0TNZW2IG8irm-VaNTXYZ8rhdIwOKfV0EJnkoARIKBWITs/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="512" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic42PC-bFCaHX2neF7QxUA_ozlLXxxMuVkNPPJTAm6zGw7KtT7H138lGCUaCVm4vEraYnk6WwDn6GU65JrI17TNJ-T_vCTnf0TNZW2IG8irm-VaNTXYZ8rhdIwOKfV0EJnkoARIKBWITs/" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>OK, so now that it was up, on to the somewhat laborious and intimidating job of tearing apart the headlights. There is no small about of trepidation associated with removing body parts off an exotic car, but in the end, it really isn't that much different than the old days when I was 17 and tearing apart my 1972 Datsun 510. Of course, back then, if it didn't go back together, who really cared?<div><br /></div><div>Removing the front bumper consists of removing the fender liners and the plastic covers underneath the front splitter/skid plate. I found a number of helpful websites and YouTube videos, but in the end, there's a bit of hunting around for the next bolt to remove. Wish I had more photos for you, but my hands were kinda full and I was busy swearing at inanimate objects ;-). About 45 minutes later, I had the bumper off and laying peacefully on a tire.<br /><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUbtm6uPax5wa5iyaTZFgN8TkIVcD6DjQ7dentPZ6Fw-M9K3mGIGQCXR6TKtBg-V76mpv7RQnv9KABl2g7gJIXZTIjKwBJayWTOKywuR1SE_HIHM6sEzuYZ7atzg9zxwjnvLYKS2Ex0Y/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUbtm6uPax5wa5iyaTZFgN8TkIVcD6DjQ7dentPZ6Fw-M9K3mGIGQCXR6TKtBg-V76mpv7RQnv9KABl2g7gJIXZTIjKwBJayWTOKywuR1SE_HIHM6sEzuYZ7atzg9zxwjnvLYKS2Ex0Y/" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There are a couple of headlight bolts that are hard to get to if you haven't pulled the fender liners off, but you can get to them. I hope you don't have chubby hands.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwk0C8peflboo3on-5rlIsESRRnmFCCXyoUyVQpvX3edZeKW7LI5B5sAEz3PYPjbWO1Tv-BfoBtqNxftTL9yUE_a0lG18zDnSoJKwq3hNi6CR1wvRy8rt2Af6Q_AzaXJ0ZqG6y7YT4FY/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwk0C8peflboo3on-5rlIsESRRnmFCCXyoUyVQpvX3edZeKW7LI5B5sAEz3PYPjbWO1Tv-BfoBtqNxftTL9yUE_a0lG18zDnSoJKwq3hNi6CR1wvRy8rt2Af6Q_AzaXJ0ZqG6y7YT4FY/" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8M1p2d7Of772b5iHrkbCGY3DqTuXNR4qMFfr7wXb8aZm8HdZM5EE6k45Aqu7A8Ie4-xtECF_La6P0P1J3NR8az-f1xytJcmgkYmv9OIylA0Ms6FI80uONIzSryeZ7UiIJgqyY5ML2-A/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8M1p2d7Of772b5iHrkbCGY3DqTuXNR4qMFfr7wXb8aZm8HdZM5EE6k45Aqu7A8Ie4-xtECF_La6P0P1J3NR8az-f1xytJcmgkYmv9OIylA0Ms6FI80uONIzSryeZ7UiIJgqyY5ML2-A/" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSytTaKAMTuI9piQFWaYwtwCb3Ir7TIRqq62NxPagnld84UCUThAYpt7bPfSI8EKDIbXNT0av7oRCIDM0gPUCugtnk83kigt1uECDMumXPzpSEcm6dlxhUWMFhaV2Ni5-MVgrCAIzz8Qw/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSytTaKAMTuI9piQFWaYwtwCb3Ir7TIRqq62NxPagnld84UCUThAYpt7bPfSI8EKDIbXNT0av7oRCIDM0gPUCugtnk83kigt1uECDMumXPzpSEcm6dlxhUWMFhaV2Ni5-MVgrCAIzz8Qw/" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Headlights are off. Here is what they looked like. Note the milky condensation looking stuff that clouds the top third of the headlight. Yes, it would be great if you could just shove a Q-tip like swab in there to wipe it out, but it isn't just moisture. That stuff takes a lot of work to get off the plastic.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzzKjq4fUsmzTWqZVNLbxVTlvFTzmzEMNpSQJAvmmXRpKt2oEcs85l8kgSM9tULDvdR99GGe_yh6Tq24taFj8nYpXZCP_JwDqtfalAjSM1jT_Ald_KSOm5agLs-vxjhI54OnCoeUkVfQ/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzzKjq4fUsmzTWqZVNLbxVTlvFTzmzEMNpSQJAvmmXRpKt2oEcs85l8kgSM9tULDvdR99GGe_yh6Tq24taFj8nYpXZCP_JwDqtfalAjSM1jT_Ald_KSOm5agLs-vxjhI54OnCoeUkVfQ/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBvUWHgIdmcHHtD96bNr4XkuyJ3UXnr4G1lNMmLfKmK5xGptzdcm1eeFjc0bYpeTIYAbDYQfdoCIO3Rm6GTHntEbYlb9CEy6RA4aXQs2o4dpzbBWmqFcXbRsMVrJBQ91QgP1tJm0ZnJ0/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="384" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBvUWHgIdmcHHtD96bNr4XkuyJ3UXnr4G1lNMmLfKmK5xGptzdcm1eeFjc0bYpeTIYAbDYQfdoCIO3Rm6GTHntEbYlb9CEy6RA4aXQs2o4dpzbBWmqFcXbRsMVrJBQ91QgP1tJm0ZnJ0/" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyioBIaV3JOEA3bzXJQr52ugTPhqEEwwyBgSyV2obu_-wFrDyw6PJM35WxCB7QCfAhduUZLMh3noehP07eKGPvqLN13FYfhJUpvLJC2QMju3ZltPTrU7q_XVfqp1pUnf7F1M1N8IhVYc/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyioBIaV3JOEA3bzXJQr52ugTPhqEEwwyBgSyV2obu_-wFrDyw6PJM35WxCB7QCfAhduUZLMh3noehP07eKGPvqLN13FYfhJUpvLJC2QMju3ZltPTrU7q_XVfqp1pUnf7F1M1N8IhVYc/" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2KCdjJ-00D4nbPoqtU_5vjcxQNgXW18zS-VJ4EzrhuqxhyphenhyphenZ5AGAVJM-PH0PHmQTX-1sdk7h5I4x9ts2WVK7BCqiA0pOIxkCS9N8uJe-dVRnJluMrWSNuoqPb5me29rfex3IrJJxT_uM/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2KCdjJ-00D4nbPoqtU_5vjcxQNgXW18zS-VJ4EzrhuqxhyphenhyphenZ5AGAVJM-PH0PHmQTX-1sdk7h5I4x9ts2WVK7BCqiA0pOIxkCS9N8uJe-dVRnJluMrWSNuoqPb5me29rfex3IrJJxT_uM/" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So here was the weird part... it is now time to bake these babies at 200 degrees for about 10 minutes. In the oven. In your kitchen. Don't let your spouse or chef/foodie roommate catch you doing this. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg253sh3oyhiUjKoGjbBNZeVrpzQhXg_OKvrZItoBZ3bLepT6S0g1SK-gGGIHh2IesGs7TuOxt5AlEiQolnZUJ9RVCy95iwTCYQjxVJnt5cZ-bMlP3TEfgWg0b6XyLaJynUiBAiMDbPwYw/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg253sh3oyhiUjKoGjbBNZeVrpzQhXg_OKvrZItoBZ3bLepT6S0g1SK-gGGIHh2IesGs7TuOxt5AlEiQolnZUJ9RVCy95iwTCYQjxVJnt5cZ-bMlP3TEfgWg0b6XyLaJynUiBAiMDbPwYw/" width="180" /></a></div><br />After time baking in the oven, the seal and rubber around the plastic becomes softer and pliable and you can then use a series of screwdrivers to (carefully!) work around the latch-tabs and the rubber to separate the headlight cover. This takes time, and time isn't your friend because the darn rubber sealant is hardening as it cools. I used a few more choice words at about this point, and questioned my own sanity.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But hey, it all came apart. Here are a few more close-ups of that mold.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLznZJm0KrNrT3-mNFvzOCbY-D80rHbCkYlg2o5xDQ-W5no6u1Eah81hZlt99kjr4WrRnKytSqF7bwG8D-qJXgTc7Np0OEvPYRmbvcaOAMkxQ6y14eYTJGk29YXUohU9G7iK0Gm0SO54/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLznZJm0KrNrT3-mNFvzOCbY-D80rHbCkYlg2o5xDQ-W5no6u1Eah81hZlt99kjr4WrRnKytSqF7bwG8D-qJXgTc7Np0OEvPYRmbvcaOAMkxQ6y14eYTJGk29YXUohU9G7iK0Gm0SO54/" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRioLK_GNzSK0NDM7U_o9Qiq_NViuldafwohSwlF8MW05wG5mTnmXqqYqQ6HViOyepLvVCzVM03lOXXl3lqVr12W6FrT5rUH8jwLdiHHv6wn_JjpeFUR_RYqizT8p-nFU-xpKOU0Ur4w/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRioLK_GNzSK0NDM7U_o9Qiq_NViuldafwohSwlF8MW05wG5mTnmXqqYqQ6HViOyepLvVCzVM03lOXXl3lqVr12W6FrT5rUH8jwLdiHHv6wn_JjpeFUR_RYqizT8p-nFU-xpKOU0Ur4w/" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFODcNXqJTs3mdx6OMxl_QoPDn0oaSW07DkJrZFTiKC0V25DjJ3pksrgaAFT62CJ4ibaMzv5-RxAHZZEpuvCcC_EDQLJD1mF_8HGYF3EjsVAgEZibLTHL94eeKu1D8-7w1T94febnWoY/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFODcNXqJTs3mdx6OMxl_QoPDn0oaSW07DkJrZFTiKC0V25DjJ3pksrgaAFT62CJ4ibaMzv5-RxAHZZEpuvCcC_EDQLJD1mF_8HGYF3EjsVAgEZibLTHL94eeKu1D8-7w1T94febnWoY/" width="180" /></a></div><br />At this point, I used a couple bottles of Meguiar's PlastX Plastic cleaner and polish and a pointed wheel polishing attachment on my high-speed drill. I couldn't use my larger car buffer vert week because of the small areas being buffed. You have to get in those crevices, and this takes an hour or more for each headlight. After the first few passes with PlastX, I used a polishing compound to complete the refurbishment. When I was done, I baked it again to soften the rubber and reassembled the headlights, using black silicone sealant to augment the existing sealant material, which had taken a beating from my work.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXs0oGbbPoBg7kesWqzkU3OuR1GaAtjtdgHev02_OZMzTPta99dVOnJnyvvQ48xptuPpcU8vpLZysN2vfqsnWmbLEJNFTi0fSPsjsUPa7zyi6htm4MlNrlvr896W6FvTfA6CJTAeejhc/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXs0oGbbPoBg7kesWqzkU3OuR1GaAtjtdgHev02_OZMzTPta99dVOnJnyvvQ48xptuPpcU8vpLZysN2vfqsnWmbLEJNFTi0fSPsjsUPa7zyi6htm4MlNrlvr896W6FvTfA6CJTAeejhc/" width="135" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Back together and looking pretty much as good as new!!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5Lz1wvho9ls6G3SbprhIyMFUNkus7ZbitzxeRcE4PVY8FdYHAdbFMFTMbmr-RpOsJpuyCHENStnW2_7jPtOUuM2x0BVIPABf_wZldGxMgX3DpL3GNGvEBDDHF30r2_nfJ2y9-IkPkxs/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5Lz1wvho9ls6G3SbprhIyMFUNkus7ZbitzxeRcE4PVY8FdYHAdbFMFTMbmr-RpOsJpuyCHENStnW2_7jPtOUuM2x0BVIPABf_wZldGxMgX3DpL3GNGvEBDDHF30r2_nfJ2y9-IkPkxs/" width="135" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Of course, whenever you reassemble, there is ALWAYS that one extra part. Luckily, I knew exactly where it came from and it was only about a 10-minute detour to take the fnder liner back off and gee this little guy back where he belonged.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtXqeix_s-KN2spasE7MadvomMItxZi9ixdCoXac05miplW6Lgf3j53VV9sWMD0fQttXOGDrUdo02HL2J5YS6DkAvm0iv2CixJGoLzkPhoe6jfjqR6fhuTIDRsdQE3HcwC8fByYLQxF8/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtXqeix_s-KN2spasE7MadvomMItxZi9ixdCoXac05miplW6Lgf3j53VV9sWMD0fQttXOGDrUdo02HL2J5YS6DkAvm0iv2CixJGoLzkPhoe6jfjqR6fhuTIDRsdQE3HcwC8fByYLQxF8/" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I managed to complete this all in maybe 4-5 hours total, not including couple trips to the store and a long explanation to my lovely wife as to why I was cooking car parts in the kitchen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1B9WVKaOlCeJegM9CQN6wdIpDVM8bOgHJF33BxJhh4bmCGa-ugAjmz1CB2OJpIxowwmla2S90EfTv-w3SSNKlGLp9q7YzZoIzsekNfYo9yjCjLCI6qSJdEHDvfME_a_PY2jdbnaYOI4A/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1B9WVKaOlCeJegM9CQN6wdIpDVM8bOgHJF33BxJhh4bmCGa-ugAjmz1CB2OJpIxowwmla2S90EfTv-w3SSNKlGLp9q7YzZoIzsekNfYo9yjCjLCI6qSJdEHDvfME_a_PY2jdbnaYOI4A/" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Back in business and rear for a little track day fun at Sonoma Raceway, but that's another story!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_s70p4rMRf7ryAkfXU4KtvssbeU3DwzZXCslnLr46rhcSstd9usTN-pWV3ek9GTTmz3SgYoWLRFPe0bkc34y6xvtK_fCAUSRBB1JmhhWqjWGglEMLSI23UyO1HAI-lFsf2cZr8GyGUY/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_s70p4rMRf7ryAkfXU4KtvssbeU3DwzZXCslnLr46rhcSstd9usTN-pWV3ek9GTTmz3SgYoWLRFPe0bkc34y6xvtK_fCAUSRBB1JmhhWqjWGglEMLSI23UyO1HAI-lFsf2cZr8GyGUY/" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVev3hSfxE0l5NQR34w1r-wvou4S0RVv8Vch26kJCqJYaD5tnqOFuKKlzzNpA1Og31GyEZozJzxWTZH_HmyEZP4aYsmmzIHmB0xM2jKnegzqY-ER8LYNaxU2Vkj64Igqh2KQBV0Sj7qQ/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></a></div><br /><p></p></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061128425873781737.post-10426157881022351672019-10-18T10:23:00.001-07:002023-04-22T14:50:54.846-07:001986 Porsche 911/930 Turbo: Saying goodbye to an old friendIt was a day of slight regret and a day of happiness. I had owned my 1986 Porsche 911 Turbo for 10 years, but it was time to let it go to a new owner. So, I was sad to see it go, but happy that I found someone who is ridiculously excited to take stewardship of this amazing car. Moreover, I believe I've made a new friend in the process, and I have always said that while cars are fun, it's the people I meet through cars that makes my car hobby a fulfilling one.<br />
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I bought this car in 2009, a dream come true for me as I had coveted and desired the car since it was introduced back into the US in 1986. My first experience was with a 1978 Turbo when I was 16 - it was owned by the gas station owner I worked for at the time. Just washing that car for him instilled in me an appreciation for the design, the quality of engineering, and mainly those big wide rear fender flares! When I graduated from college in 1985, the 1986 Porsche Turbo was just about to be released into the US for the first time since it went away in 1979 due to emissions regulations. The new 1986 911 Turbo was one of the most expensive, exotic, fast, and technologically advanced cars on the planet. But it was a distant dream for me, given the price of admission at my then tender age of 23.<br />
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Fast forward through marriage, career changes, graduate school, two children, relocations, and various residential transactions. In 2009, at age 43, I was able to finally pick up that car of my dreams (my own experience I believe outlines exactly what collector car prices are driven by... 16 year old kids who turn 40-50 and still want that car they loved way back when). I was browsing cars at a local consignment shop that specialized in muscle cars. Back in the corner, a bit neglected, was a pristine-looking 1986 Porsche 911 Turbo in Guards Red paint with black interior, which just happened to be how I saw the car in my dreams when I was a kid. The car had a set of old original Fuchs wheels stuffed inside the car and was wearing gold BBS aftermarket wheels, which were a typical "period correct" upgrade for owners that wanted to mimic the race cars of that era. But I think it cheapened the car a bit, and definitely dated it in 2009. This was good news for me, because everyone seemed to be ignoring this car. So I test drove it, checked the engine and the underside, and made a low offer. The owner came back and said,"No... you know this car is worth every penny I'm asking". Well, he had me there. The asking price was less than the price of a mid-level Lexus sedan at the time. I raised my offer and we made a deal. That was one of the great days of my car-collecting life. A decades long desire was met, and the car performed even better than I had ever imagined.<br />
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This car must have been an absolute mind-blower in 1986. Even by today's standards, it was quick, with a 0-60 time of just 4.6 seconds. Almost nothing else came close in terms of performance. But also, just the quality of everything was world-class. Porsche owners from the 80's know that satisfying sound of the solid door closing on these cars. And that unmistakable smell inside of leather, metal, and a hint of oil. I had a few things to change and fix, but not much. I had the original Fuchs wheels polished, and I sold the vintage BBS wheels (should have kept those, too).<br />
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For 10 years, I have babied the car, shared it with other enthusiasts (I enjoy letting people try out my cars), washed it, maintained it, and smiled every time I got in it for a drive. As pure "garage art" it is breathtaking. I have never tired of looking at it and even my lovely wife (who cares very little about cars) has many times told me it is the coolest looking car I've ever owned. Even as my car collecting grew through time, the 930 has always had a place of honor, as sort of the "Grande Dame" of the garage.<br />
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Earlier this year, <a href="https://davecarguy.blogspot.com/2019/05/i-bought-1977-porsche-911-on-bring.html" target="_blank"><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #990000;">I bought a 1977 Porsche 911S on BringaTrailer.com</span></b> </a>and have been enjoying working on it, modifying it and driving it whenever I can. As a modified and higher mileage car, it has less collectable value than my beautiful "Red Rocket" 930, so I find myself always reaching for the 1977 911S keys when I want a vintage-Porsche-driving fix. So, I decided to sell the 930 and let someone else enjoy this amazing car. It wasn't an easy choice, but I figured I could put it out for auction on BringATrailer and see if someone loved it as much as I. If not, I keep it for more years and let the value continue to rise. Well, the auction activity, commentary, and results can be seen on the auction site at <a href="https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1986-porsche-911-turbo-49/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">BaT 911 Turbo For Sale</span></b></a>. For the auction, I had photos taken by a car enthusiast I had met through an online car forum, and I had a local high-school videographer make a short video. They both did amazing work capturing the essence of this 33-year old beauty.<br />
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After one week at auction, the car sold. The buyer contacted me within seconds of the close and was clearly excited to get this car! We started speaking through text, emails, and then on the phone. It was amazing what a connection I felt right away. I love how cars bring people together from all backgrounds. He and I have definitely found tons of common ground and respect for how we both love the cars of this era and this car in particular. Although he is all the way across the country, we made the transaction pretty simple through trust and speed. Within just a few days, all the paperwork was transferred, money was wired, and a truck was scheduled to move it to its new home in Raleigh, NC. The buyer used the same truck and trailer used to deliver my silver 1977, so "circle of life" and all that.<br />
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It was then time to say goodbye to this old friend 930, a car that is a touchstone and a milestone for my life and career and my car hobby. So as it loaded on the truck, those mixed feelings were all there: <u>gratitude </u>for the opportunity to own this car, <u>honored</u> that a buyer on the other side of the country trusts me to sell him this car sight-unseen, <u>sadness</u> that I won't feel the rush of that Turbo when it kicks in around 3800 rpm, and <u>happiness</u> that the car is seemingly going to, once again, make the dreams come true for a once-16-and-and-now-old-enough new owner.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RWT9LAzkGMQ/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RWT9LAzkGMQ?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I bought a 1977 911S on Bring-a-Trailer.com</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I woke up on Thursday May 16 with no real intention of buying a car that day. But I did. I have been watching various backdated and cloned versions of 911RS and 911RSR type cars on BaT and on various websites. This particular car caught my eye because although it wasn’t an RS clone, it was a genuine 911s from 1977 which had steel flares and a nicely started interior. Seemed like less than half way to an RS clone with some interesting bits. I thought if I could buy it low enough, it could be a fun project to take to a full RSR clone or maybe just drive as is. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The car was built as an outlaw hot rod without consideration for originality and clone-ness. So many people stayed away. A possible non original engine also concerned some bidders. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As the auction came towards the close, it looked like I might actually get it under $40k. That was my cutoff. In the end I was high bidder at $41k. Kinda shocked myself but feel like I got a good deal. My wonderful wife was sitting there cheering me on at teh auction close. Have I ever mentioned that I hit the jackpot when I married a woman who understands my "car problems"?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Within an hour of the auction close, I was on the phone with the seller, who turned out to be a great guy and a real car enthusiast who was now feeling a little seller's remorse. But we quickly worked out the logistics and I prepared a wire transfer while he sent off a FedEx of paperwork. I contacted a few shippers and found a great one with a new enclosed trailer and the car was on the trailer the next day! Within a week, the car showed up and I was very excited to hear it fire up for the first time! It settled into the garage nicely, and it was now time for me to start on plans.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">At purchase, my expected plans started with:</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">* headliner replacement</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">* clear headlight lenses </span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">* ducktail and new rear decklid (paint)</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">* Carrera Side script </span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">* possible pepito (houndstooth) seat inserts. </span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Over time as I drive it and if I enjoy it, I would put on new exhaust, clean up the engine and maybe go with a full conversion to an RS front bumper and maybe rear bumper. I could even go so far as to have it painted in green or tangerine. However, those things are probably unlikely. If I did, though, I could be all in on this car and far less than what most of the backdated RS clones are selling for these days. </span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">For now, I’m just going to enjoy it. I will next update you on the process of getting the car recertified in California and passing omissions testing, given that it is a post 1975 car and will have to pass smog testing. Although the engine has been swapped, it is a newer engine and larger displacement, both of which are allowable by California law.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">I had considered doing a change of the seat inserts to the "</span>pepito" checked pattern (some refer to it as houndstooth, but on a classic Porsche its is a pepito pattern). But the more i looked at the existing seats and the original RS style seats, the more I realized that it is already exactly as it should be. So - no change for the seats! But I did make the immediate change from the Euro (French) style yellow headlight covers. Primarily because I figured they are just a great way to call attention to oneself to the Highway Patrol, something not needed in car this loud and this noticeable already. Among the extra parts for the car were the clear headlight lenses as well as the original hood emblem, so I also swapped out the flat-black emblem for the original.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><u>Update: (day 3):</u></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">OK, I guess it's time for a little sound clip. Forgive the air noise, I didn't have my external microphone set up.</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">I love the Wevo shifter on this car. Good precision, good feedback on shifts. It pops and gurgles nicely but that may go away soon (time to add new cats!). more importantly, the engine runs smoothly and has great pull in 2nd and 3rd gear. I got on the freeway and never even got into 4th and 5th, because 3rd is so much fun in the 70 MPH range for passing, etc. This car has a slightly lower RPM redline than my Turbo, but because of the 5 speed instead of the 4 speed, I feel like I don't need as long of a run in the higher rpms, because when I shift at 6000, the next gear still has me in a nice part of the power band.</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">People love these older Porsches for a good reason: the steering is light and direct, and the acceleration feels like more than it is. Just damn fun to drive.</span></span><br />
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I've been getting around the car and cleaning things up and I have an an appointment with the California emissions "Referee". I probably could have just taken the car to a smog test station, and they may not have even noticed that the car had a non-original engine. But I figure I should get it completely checked out and get the emissions referee to issue a BAR ("Bureau of Auto Repair") official sticker, which is the way CA certifies that an out of state or non-original car is OK for CA emissions. More on that later. But for now, I've checked out under the car and there are some things that will need fixing. A broken mount on the front torsion bar is number one. But the good news is that this car has updated rear shocks and newer-style Bilstein front struts and other modifications, including the much-preferred turbo tie-rod ends that help reduce bump-steer and also make for better handling overall.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">It's day 12 and I'm now at the CA emission </span>referree.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">For those who are not aware, or any of you who might want to bring in a non-California car into the state, here’s a little info…</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">State of California does not require emissions testing for cars 1975 or older. This is a 1977, so it requires a small check before they will title and register the car in the state. If you go to the smog check place, and then realize you have a replacement engine, they will mark your car as “tampered” and send you to a referee that will certify or not certify the engine. </span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">The referee can also ask for changes to make your car compliant. After all that, it still has to pass the tail pipe emissions testing process. I decided to go straight to the referee first, and ask them to certify the car. If I get a certificate and sticker, it will make the car much more valuable for resale in California. </span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">My engine block has 930/03 stamped on it, and I have a receipt from a number of years ago that shows the engine being installed in the car. Looking up that engine block series, it belongs to a 1978 “rest of world” 911 SC. So, the referee is now looking to see if the engine set up complies with the 1978 expectations. He may require a catalytic converter, which was not on a 1977, but it was on a 1978. Interestingly, he just walked over to me and mentioned that this car does not require a catalytic converter, but I think as he gets further into this he may change his mind.</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Fingers crossed.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">He looked up the VIN and understands this is a 1977. He looked at the block in the engine and recognizes that is a 1978 3.0 L. However, the car has an original sticker on the door jam that says “non- catalyst”. I provided him a copy of the original California title from the late 1970s. On that it does NOT say “non-US car” (so he knows it isn't "grey market"). He has therefore determined that this is a federal car from 1977 which does not require a catalyst. He’s going to consider the engine a replacement engine but write it up without the need for a catalyst. I’m still not sure how I’m getting this lucky, but he said the car will require some air injection and some vacuum tubes and various lines from the distributor to the throttle body, so it looks more like a 1978. He said my Fabspeed exhaust and resonator are perfectly fine. He’s hooking it up to the smog machine right now, and discussed with me the possibility of in putting the engine as a 2.7 versus a 3.0. Not sure why that was even a discussion, but he is putting it in as a 3.0 L and running the test. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">He says I will need to return back to the referee after I make changes based on his write up, and they will certify it, sticker it,a nd smog test it. He said most smog test stations would never have caught that this was a 1978 engine in a 1977 car, so I think he appreciates that I brought it to him directly.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><u>Update (day 13):</u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So I take the car into my favorite Porsche mechanic, Chris Murad at European Autotech in San Ramon, who has been working on cars for me for 20 years. I task him with getting me the parts I need from a 1978 engine. Chris has rooms full of this stuff so he tells me it'll be no problem. Then I say the fateful words: "while you're in there..."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Those are car-guy words for "this is about to cost me more money"</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But I'm glad I did. Chris noticed right away that's engine has the original chain tensioners, which were not very effective and prone to failure. Most cars os this year had since been updated to later-year Carrera chain tensioners. He suggests that is job one, and once he gets in there, the job grows a bit more. The timing chain rails weren't installed correctly at the last engine rebuild (the good news is that the engine has been worked on and looks pretty good). But there are other things that should be done while we are in there. Also, the CA emissions requirements will need a new distributor and a new throttle body in order to manage the vacuum hose bits. New this, new that. Pretty soon Chris just says "I might as well just pull the engine out to make all teh changes easier and we can do some other upgrades "while you're in there". There's that statement again. $$$.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Along with throttle bushings, shift-shaft seals, the engine now has all n<span style="background-color: white;">ew gaskets, bolts, sump cover, etc. New chain tensioners, Torqued the head, adjusted the valves, replaced hoses and any little thing he could otherwise not get to with the engine installed.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190601/82363dc0075a50767a54ab8f80d5f388.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard;" width="300" /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But hey, in the end it all gets done and the car is running great and all the bits and pieces are there for the CA referee.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><u>Update (day 19):</u></b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I got the car back from the mechanic and it runs fabulously! More cackle and pop on deceleration and great throttle response. Engine sounds fantastic and runs much cleaner! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190613/5610168b5f0c2c192d7e9c8fc5e09c83.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: start;" width="400" /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The car is set to run a bit lean to pass smog tailpipe tests. On smog readings, When the referee tested it, it ran with carbon monoxide readings of....</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11px;" /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Before: CO% of 4.4% where max is 1.3% and where gross polluter status is 2.9%:</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190613/2d77bf4573f35a71b7702cd132da462b.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard;" width="400" /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">After: now CO% measures a nice lean 0.42%, which should make the referee happy!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190613/8f9d3e898e0957fff0ba15e3dc10a8de.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard;" width="400" /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"><b><u>Update (day 20):</u></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">For those who care about costs, I'll be real with ya... there are lots of costs in buying and out of state car on an auction site. That hammer price gets added onto. So here is where I stand:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;">$41000 car </span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">$2050 Auction fee (5%)</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">$2500 enclosed transport </span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">$1800 for smog changes</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">$500 torsion bar fix </span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">$3200 expected CA registration and sales tax @ approx 8.25%</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">= $51,050 all in non-discretionary </span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Discretionary items:</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">$2500 engine upgrades</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">$1000 headliner</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">$1000 ducktail </span>deckleid<br /><span style="background-color: white;">$700 Paint estimate</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">$150 Carrera script decal </span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">= $5,350 discretionary items </span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Total $56,400</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Buying a car at auction always requires that you keep a reserve amount of spending in mind. This is pretty much what I expected. I went through something similar with the ‘69 E Type I bought at Barrett Jackson. In both cases, I still feel I got good deals.</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">I’ll end up with a very nicely sorted hotrod 911 for under $60k, and I’m happy with that. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><u>Update (day 22):</u></b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">The new ducktail decklid arrived from Getty Design. Looks pretty good! </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Update (day 22):</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The Carrera script arrived and I figured I'd get some things done while waiting for my next CA referee appointment. Script install is pretty basic:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">1) wash and clay bar the paint</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">2) measure distances (10mm from left door edge and 50mm from bottom door edge)</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">3) place at measured points and anchor/hinge the center of the decal </span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">4)peel half the backing and wet the surface </span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">5) work laterally, squeegeeing out bubbles. </span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">6) dry, peel, and trim. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">Presto-chango, she looks different !</span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Update (day 23):</u></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Back to the referee and it all went great. He was impressed wit the work and happy to see the dramatic improvement in the smog test. He issued be the very important BAR sticker, which tells all smog stations in CA exactly what the car has in it and what is supposed to be on it: </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">AIS, EVP, PCV, SPK, which are codes for air injection, evap, etc. But no mention of catalytic converters. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">So I now have a pretty valuable car in CA. A 1977 with a swapped-in 1978 engine that does not require catalytic converters. Every two years it still needs to pass the tailpipe emissions tests, but as long as it is tuned up properly, no problem! The 1978 3.0L engine is critical because the 1977 2.7L magnesium engines were known to be a problem with expansion issues that caused engines to fail.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><u>Update (day 26):</u></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">With the car running well, now CA legal and ready to be registered and titled, I figured I'd get the ducktail decklid on. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It fit pretty darned well, right out of the box. Getty makes a good product. I had to put in a couple shims to elevate the upward edge to match the body level. Otherwise, plug and play and drill 6 holes to install the black mesh screen. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190614/33c1734891a74972e3c11bfb6ab46f33.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: start;" width="400" /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Now I just have to decide what type of badge/emblem to put on it. This car is not a full Carrera RS clone, so I think I would stay with teh original style 911S emblem, or a slightly updated one from a more recent car. So I printed out a couple options on paper to tape them up and see what and where I'd go with it.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://cdn1.pelicanparts.com/catalog/images/SuperStock/911-559-308-04-OEM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="266" src="https://cdn1.pelicanparts.com/catalog/images/SuperStock/911-559-308-04-OEM.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: start;" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190616/1f00923a99e4dbe2ce1185c7be4aece1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190616/1f00923a99e4dbe2ce1185c7be4aece1.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: start;" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190616/6a049beda09407c997b4945df4e87af5.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: start;" width="400" /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In the end, I decided to go original style, centered, and I ordered the 1977 911S emblem after mocking it up with paper here. Next step: take it to the paint shop and get the silver paint on the deck and hope it matches as well as possible (silver is hard to match).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><u>Update (day 30):</u></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I went to the DMV today for my last bit of red tape and bureaucracy. I had with me my Bill of Sale and the car's Connecticut registration and a "Supplemental Assignment of Ownership" signed by the seller. Connecticut does not issue titles for cars over 20 years old, so I had no title to show the CA DMV. This worried me because I know how tightly the DMV interprets rules.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But, I got a very nice lady at the counter who took all my paperwork and read the DMV reference book which details different state rules and she accepted everything, had my VIN verified and BAM! Issued me new plates, a new Title (in the mail) and a new registration! She asked me if the car had been on CA roads (because you are supposed to register within 10 days or something like that). When my answer was " only to drive it to emissions..." she said "what I hear you saying is that it has been in your garage since it arrived". I caught the hint and agreed and signed the statement of facts saying exactly that. No penalty for late registration that way. Helpful DMV lady! (I think I helped myself by being very nice to her from the get-go: I'm sure DMV people get abused all the time so it easy to be nice to them).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">By the way, <span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Have you ever said : “I never should have sold that car”</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Well, this is a reminder of all the maintenance you would have had to do on that car... I pulled all the records I received wiry the purchase and laid them out in date order. These go back to 1980 through 8 owners. Reading all the constant repairs back in the 80s and 90s on the 2.7L engine now makes it obvious why the owner dropped in a used 3.0 in 2002!</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Update: Shakedown cruise</span></u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Now that the car is legal to drive in CA, I went out for a cruise out Mines Rd in Livermore. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Impressions: I don't really notice any issue from the significant staggered wheel/tire setup (205/17 up front, 315/17 out back). Probably because I'm not exactly TRYing to rotate the car. What I know is that the steering up front is pretty light and direct, and the back end has no real risk of breaking loose on me! The shifter is going to take some time to get used to. I like all the upshifts, but the downshift from 3rd to 2nd is still a bit iffy... requires a touch of "find it, gate it, pull it", because if you just jam it back in the general direction of 2nd, you can miss a bit and get a bit of a small grind. Downshift from 5th to 4th and 4th to 3rd is great. The car blips pretty well and the pedals are in a nice position to heel-toe. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The primary thing you take away from driving it is: "wow, that's loud". It sounds really nice between 4000 and 5500 rpm. That's because there is no muffler - just a Fabspeed resonator off the Fabspeed header. Lots of burble and pop on deceleration from about 4000 down to 2500 RPM. The brakes are good, but I didn't really stomp on them much.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Overall, I like the way she handles, even though there is a lot of wrestling the wheel in the long sweepers (not strenuous, just gotta hold it there because the wheel wants to straighten out naturally)... it makes you feel good, though, like you're actually driving the car. As opposed to the much easier feel of the more modern stuff where you point it once and it goes there.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">The final steps were then to get the rear deck painted and have the headliner replaced.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A couple of quick updates:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">After reviewing all those receipts, I did some digging of the names of the prior owners. I found one living back East and contacted him. He was delighted to hear my story and tell me a bit about his ownership. He also sent me a few photos of him and the car in the L.A. area from back in the 80's:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGK0FkNfCWWSU7ZB93_cDk1jDldjk9Q2wtbC1Z7xLkyL_T-pvCXTtd1GSRPb2XIuExgdm-I1v4oWvtlOcZRjc42CyMLdeai6a4xCJaDzaw7lpUBg_zhYIsjm1zQj588nt88sai9-dpreI/s1600/eaeec16156918b8b333fba1262163afb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="1024" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGK0FkNfCWWSU7ZB93_cDk1jDldjk9Q2wtbC1Z7xLkyL_T-pvCXTtd1GSRPb2XIuExgdm-I1v4oWvtlOcZRjc42CyMLdeai6a4xCJaDzaw7lpUBg_zhYIsjm1zQj588nt88sai9-dpreI/s320/eaeec16156918b8b333fba1262163afb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Meanwhile, I applied for and was granted the ability to re-purpose a set of original CA blue-gold plates onto the car under the CA DMV "Year of Manufacture" program. Looks more natural now!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87D3yAna0Mfdh1OkNDfoAi-spAmhOBmr5mzLQqHEFQY1AjtsrCA1QRMx4H6-bK2_BvoE_w2jMhGZy0VGQXU_WBmjkFFyhgZ3sRhNyIaQZckzJjv_aJkQdN75UYeNrmVNkXdwpOOWYXNU/s1600/187040f8d995fe7abefef11ac87fb368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="512" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87D3yAna0Mfdh1OkNDfoAi-spAmhOBmr5mzLQqHEFQY1AjtsrCA1QRMx4H6-bK2_BvoE_w2jMhGZy0VGQXU_WBmjkFFyhgZ3sRhNyIaQZckzJjv_aJkQdN75UYeNrmVNkXdwpOOWYXNU/s320/187040f8d995fe7abefef11ac87fb368.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">And I managed to purchase the original Fuchs wheels from the BaT seller, and although they've been painted (see above car photo from the 80's), I'm glad to have them still with the car.</span></div>
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</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061128425873781737.post-24934313483245620412018-11-11T17:25:00.001-08:002018-11-11T17:25:14.943-08:00An Aston Martin, a Redwood forest, and a Cobra museum<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">Today’s adventures start with something I’ve been saying for years: if I could have just one car, it would be an Aston Martin. In fact, it would be this one: The 2007 V8 Vantage I’ve had since I purchased it new in November 2006, 12 years ago now. It does everything well, and still gives me a sense of “occasion” whether I’m taking it to the grocery store or a long road trip. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">Today, my wife and I decided we should take a hike, and one of our favorite spots nearby also happens to have a nice set of roads leading to it. So naturally I was excited to take the Aston and let her stretch her legs, just as we would be doing. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">First stop... the gas station. For my out of state friends: yes, this is what we pay here. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">Getting back into the car, I often forget to look down at this little detail on the door sill. Most people don’t opt for this level of personalization on the factory sill plate, because some day they’ll sell the car. I never considered that would be an issue. So I like it...</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">I also like the instrument cluster, the “crystal” surround on the start button, the counter-direction tachometer, and the lighted words on the dash when you start it up that light up sequentially... “Power...Beauty...Soul”</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">Our destination today is Redwood Regional Park. It sits atop a ridge straddling the bustle of Oakland and the quiet town of Moraga. It’s just a 25 minute drive from my house, and although it is minutes from a big city, it is world’s away in feel. If you come from the East, Moraga, you come up Pinehurst Rd and the Redwood Highway through a crazy cool little town of Canyon. There’s some history there, but that’s for another discussion. Suffice to say that the roads are so seldom travelled, that the detritus from the oaks and redwoods barely gets swept away by car traffic. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">We arrived at the north gate to Redwood regional Park. We hiked down the stream trail along what is now a dry creek, but during the winter and spring is quite wet. If you go here, spend several hours getting lost in the quiet solitude of the trees.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">After a few hours, we made it back to the car and enjoyed a slow drive home along Skyline ridge. I am reminded that this is possibly my favorite car, ever. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">Upon arrival home, I got a call from my vintage racing friend, Bruce, who invited me to a screening of “Smokey and the Bandit” at the “Cobra Experience” museum in Martinez, CA. It was worth the short drive to see this great place that is dedicated to all things Cobra and Shelby. The owner of the place even purchased a bunch of the original tools and furniture from Carroll Shelby’s original shop. Super cool place. Check it out at </span><a href="http://www.cobraexperience.org/" style="color: #073f8e; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12.941176414489746px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.cobraexperience.org</a><br />
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<img alt="" border="0" src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181109/853d0de16b484d546c3973c6df5f4ac9.jpg" style="border: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12.941176414489746px; max-width: 100%;" /><br />
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<img alt="" border="0" src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181109/de7f55da82d0cd3bc31a58a1a8a258dd.jpg" style="border: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12.941176414489746px; max-width: 100%;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061128425873781737.post-52177406818268061172018-11-10T17:53:00.001-08:002018-11-10T17:53:24.831-08:00A Jaguar E-Type, a Nobel Playwright, and Kevin Durant<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">In today's episode, I attempt to answer a question I often get: "do you drive all your cars regularly?". The answer is yes, I try to rotate through them on a daily basis to keep them all exercised. Not every day is an epic drive, but usually something fun comes out of it.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">So yesterday I took the 1969 E-type Roadster out on another sunny November afternoon. I had worked around the house all day, so I went for aa short drive before going to a basketball </span><span style="font-size: 12.94117546081543px;">game</span><span style="font-size: 12.941176414489746px;"> with some friends (more on that in a sec). </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">Ever since I put in a smaller Moto-Lita steering wheel (14" diameter vs 16" OEM), the Jaguar is much easier to get in and out of. And with the new Bell large-bore exhaust and recent tune up, the car is just a pleasure to tool around in. Just driving around our little town of Danville today, but the late afternoon sun was wonderful in the hills west of me. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">I ended up at the historic "Tao House", which was built by Eugene O'Neill in 1936. Eugene O'Neill is America's only Nobel-prize wining playwright, and he used his Nobel Prize money to build the Tao House right here in our little town of Danville, CA. It is now a National Historic site. At this home between 1937 and 1944, O'Neill wrote his last plays including "The Iceman Cometh" and "Long Day's Journey Into Night", for which he won a Pulitzer prize (one of 4 he received). I drove around the area and snapped a couple other photos along the way, and made myself a promise to come do teh full tour here at my first opportunity! O’Neill turns out to be a fascinating guy, a son of Irish immigrant actors, born literally in Times Square, NY, who went on to change the face of American playwriting. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">I put the car away as the sun descended and jumped into a Lyft (being anti-Uber today), and headed down to Oracle Arena to join some friends at the Golden State Warriors game. They have courtside season tickets, which gets you very close to the action, as well as access to the "BMW Club" for dinner and drinks pre-game. Being a few feet away from people like Kevin Durant makes me recall that I'm damned short (5'-9"). Steph gets all the love, but Durant has to be one of the best-ever acquisitions in the history of basketball. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">Also, the prices are so high for pro-sports tickets these days that the crowd is clearly "corporate", and it makes me sad for the average fan. Yet it was a super-fun evening, only my third time I’ve attended a Warriors game. The Memphis Grizzlies played hard the first half to break at halftime in a tie. But as often happens, they got tired by staying on pace with the Warriors’ deep bench and the Warriors pulled away by 20 in the 3rd quarter, giving the Warriors Dancers a reason to celebrate.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">So that is how you tie together a Jag, a playwright, and a seven-foot millionaire.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061128425873781737.post-29073811050808614002018-11-09T13:14:00.002-08:002018-11-10T17:55:39.948-08:00A Shelby GT350R, a racetrack incident, and a Cabernet<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">So in today’s episode of “what to do in Northern California in November”, we took a trip to Sonoma Raceway and Napa Valley. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">The Shelby GT350R was the car of choice today. I've had it for a few months now, and I have had it out to Sonoma Raceway for a few track sessions, then to Thunderhill Raceway at a slightly higher level of "push", and finally again to Sonoma </span><span style="font-size: 12.94117546081543px;">Raceway</span><span style="font-size: 12.941176414489746px;"> to almost take it to its limits (more accurately, to MY self-imposed limits). So now with 1,000 miles on it, the tires are already toast...</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">The outside edge of the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s are subject to lots of wearing in stock format, even just while street driving, due to a lack of negative camber, so they look pretty worn on the outside edges after just 1000 miles and a few track days. Darrell Anderson at AV8 Supercars will be installing camber plates so that we can dial in a bit more negative camber for better turn-in and less outer edge wear. So we drove the "Orange-a-Stang" (nickname credit to my friend Robin) to Darrell's shop at Sonoma Raceway. A short 40 minute drive from home to the track took us across the bird-full marshland along Highway 37. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">We watched some local track action as I dropped the car off. While there, I got to inspect the damage my friend just did to his blue GT350R. This is what happens when you get on the power just a tiny-bit too abruptly in turn 8 at Sonoma. No bueno. Keep in mind, this is a driver who is accustomed to a GT3RS and a Formula Mazda, so he knows how to drive. The Shelby R is a beast, but demands respect. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">We moved into the family sedan and headed out to pick up wine at a few wine clubs we belong to. First stop at Walt in Sonoma Square. In addition to a few little tastes, we got fed and picked up our latest wine club allocation. A magnum of Walt “Bob’s Ranch” Pinot Noir would be perfect for thanksgiving turkey, but we already have enough Pinot Noir!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">Next stop, Del Dotto historic wine caves on Atlas Peak. The fires last year came very close to this great facility. Picked up some limited member-only Zinfandel and Sangiovese. Go here, folks. Tour the wine caves. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">Then we headed up north along the Silverado Trail... the best route through Napa Valley, IMHO. The grape leaves are turning yellow post-harvest. Great time to be up here. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">Twenty minutes later, we arrived at one of my favorite tasting venues... Duckhorn Vineyards. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">Today was Winter member pick-up, and we were grabbing some Howell Mountain Cabernet and Stout Vineyard Cabernet. Both excellent, but hard to beat the 2011 “Discussion” Cabernet they poured us...and the “Ten Degree” Pinot Noir from their sister winery Goldeneye. A good day at Duckhorn. A must-stop if you come here to Napa. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">After walking off my few tastings, and having a fantastic plate of pasta carbonara at Pizzeria Tra Vigne in St. Helena, we headed home. As the sun slowly descended on this magical valley, we vowed to be back soon. If the weather is right, next time we will bring a drop-top. </span><br />
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<img alt="" border="0" src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181105/74c0b0ffcf2da50f2f83af7260d337d1.jpg" style="border: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12.941176414489746px; max-width: 100%;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061128425873781737.post-68377142399483976202018-11-08T16:06:00.001-08:002018-11-08T16:07:13.432-08:00A McLaren MP4-12C, a Beach, and a Lobster Roll<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">If you think that sounds like a recipe for a good day, you’d be right. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">Woke up this morning with nothing on the calendar, an unusual occurrence. The weather here in Danville, CA was forecast to be around 81 degrees, just another NorCal November 3rd. Half Moon Bay, about an hour away on the coast, was showing clear and 70 degrees. The wheels were turning...As I slurped down my second cup of coffee, I turned to my always-adventurous wife and said “doesn’t a lobster roll sound good for lunch?” Who says no to that? </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">We decided to head to Sam’s Chowder house, famous for lobster rolls and a great view over the Pacific, just south of Princeton Harbor about 20 miles south of San Francisco. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">So which car to take??? Picked for great visibility, comfort, and fun factor, the car of choice for the day would be the 2012 McLaren MP4-12C.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">The drive would take us along some great roads, and a few other people had the same idea. With the traffic, my Waze app told me to avoid Highway 92 and 35, so I detoured to Canada Rd, Sand Hill Rd, Portola Rd, and Highway 84 out to Highway 1 and up north to Princeton Harbor. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">The detour onto Canada Rd took me past the reservoir and to the road section that we used in high school for drag racing back in the late 1970’s. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">Sand Hill Rd is home to some of the most expensive office space in the country. But turning west, away from the VCs, takes you into the oak lined hills: </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">After a frustrating 20 minutes behind a delivery van up a winding Hwy 84, we sped past Alice’s Restaurant hoping for an open road. Only to get behind a guy in a brand new Aston Martin doing 25 in a 40 mph zone, for another 15 minutes, and he never used a turnout. Not wanting to kill any bike riders, I had to wait to get past him. Finally got an open road and never took another pic until we arrived at our late lunch spot, which was totally wort </span><span style="font-size: 12.94117546081543px;">the</span><span style="font-size: 12.941176414489746px;"> wait!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">The lobster roll is epic. If you go to Sam's, I suggest you order it “dressed” (mayo and salt, cold) vs “naked” (butter and salt, served warm).</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">I decided to have my one beer allotment early, so I could drive later...</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">In the parking lot, met a nice guy with his wife, dog, and 1960 Cadillac. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">Sweet ride!!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.941176414489746px;">After a long walk on a perfect Pillar Point beach, we headed up to Miramar Beach, Pacifica, and Rockaway Beach. A great day to drive a great car on some epic NorCal roads. </span><br />
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<img alt="" border="0" src="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181104/70c218c07cf76cd864341a5b93316ff9.jpg" style="border: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12.941176414489746px; max-width: 100%;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061128425873781737.post-18183048535330487552018-09-20T07:58:00.000-07:002019-08-13T17:51:53.843-07:00GT350R: First few hundred miles and a short track dayI'm still in the break-in period and have put on just a few hundred miles only new 2018 GT350R (I've been out of town and left the car for a couple weeks to have the front end wrapped in paint-protection film and had the whole car treated with 5 layers of Ceramic Pro).<br />
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But, a friend invited me out to the track at Sonoma Raceway to just take it easy for a couple sessions and see what the car feels like. Given the low miles, I decided I could keep it under 5000 rpm and still have a little fun feeling the car out a bit.<br />
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My impressions are very favorable... it is an extremely tight, well-balanced, purposeful car that surprises you with its agility. The front tires bite extremely well on turn-in and the existence of understeer is not noticeable at fairly high speeds in tight corners. The steering is light but direct and makes the car feel lighter and tighter than its 3700-lb weight would suggest. Brakes are excellent, although I haven't gotten too hard of them just yet as I'm learning to trust the car. At the track, I'm accustomed to my Cayman S with highly modified track suspension and also my McLaren 12C, both which are mid-engined cars. So getting in the front-engine Shelby GT350R, I expected a bit more body roll as well as understeer. As I mentioned above, understeer was virtually non-existent, and as for body roll, there was some, but it was a Goldilocks "juuuust right" amount. What I felt in the tight corners and s-curves at Sonoma was a small amount of side-to-side weight change, but oddly enough I found that it was perfect for the car. It communicated when the car was set and ready to bite into the corner and told me much about when to roll on more power as I exited a turn. In short, I loved it. I did two sessions of about 10 laps each, so it was a quick introduction, but I already started feeling quite confident in the car, a testament to how well it performs, how consistent its feedback is, and how the car is designed to help the driver really understand what is happening underneath the beast. In fact, my easy-going shake-down cruise had me running lap times with 3-4 seconds of my all-out best times in the Cayman S, which is saying a lot, and I'm sure I'll drop 10 seconds off those times once I get the car broken in and can run it closer to its capabilities.<br />
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More to come, but for now, I just leave you with a few images from day-1 at the Sonoma Raceway. If you're a fan of Ford Performance, you'l be happy to see quite a good representation in the paddock building video below!<br />
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On one set of runs during another event, I tried Bridgestone RE-71s on some wheels I borrowed for the day from a friend. Pretty good tire, even when compared to teh Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2.</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061128425873781737.post-36933761053880730672018-08-27T16:54:00.001-07:002019-02-12T11:12:14.733-08:00My First Ford: Make it a 2018 Shelby GT350R<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm a car guy from way back, and if you've read any of my prior blog posts, you'll know I have a penchant for import cars (except for my all-American Jeep Wrangler). So this car is a bit of a departure for me, but it speaks or itself. This week, the newest occupant of Dave's Garage is a new 2018 Shelby GT350R.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've been taking my Porsche Cayman S to the track for years, and have had track and road time in everything from a Skip Barber Formula car to a Porsche Carrera and from a McLaren MP4-12C to vintage cars like my Datsun 2000 Roadster. When the Shelby GT350R came out, I was intrigued, as it was reported that the company had benchmarked the car against the track-ready king-of-the-hill: the almighty Porsche GT3. I was skeptical about the Shelby claims, I'll admit, but the positive reports kept coming in and then a friend of mine got one. This was a guy who has had lots of amazing cars like AMG, McLaren, Porsche, Ferrari, and who hits the track with a Formula Mazda open-wheel race car as well as his GT350R. When he told me "You gotta try this car, it's fantastic!", how could I say no? I test drove his car and I was hooked.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I ordered the car in March from a dealer that could get me an allocation for a new 2018, ordered as I pleased (Many thanks to Mike Storkan and the whole team at Bill Brandt Ford !!). My intent was to have the car in its basic, stripped mode, as the Shelby engineers intended, with no A/C, no NAV, no back-up camera. I noticed that the majority of used GT350Rs out there typically had the optional "electronics package" added. So I figured my car would be unusual now (and into the future) if I avoided that option. But alas, my timing was off. It turns out that my car was slotted for production in May, 2018. A new federal law as of May 1, 2018 requires that all cars delivered in the USA now have a back-up camera. The Ford people let me know I'd be required to take the electronics package option, as that was the only way to have the back-up camera included. Oh well, I thought, at least I won't get so dang overheated driving the car to the track on summer days (have you ever been to Thunderhill Raceway on a 100 degree July day??). I'll admit, I do like the back-up camera.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My initial reaction to the car is that it is very solid, and feels smaller than it looks. There are a number of really nice track-focused functions and apps on the car, and a few selectable gauges that I didn't expect but really appreciate, like cylinder-head temperature, transmission oil and rear-axle temperature. And the car makes those amazing noises you've heard about. Wonderful bark from that flat-plane crank V8 as you run through the RPM range and lots of burble and pop on downshift blips and deceleration. The selectable suspension damper mode is simple and definitely makes a difference in ride feel, and the steering feel is digitally adjustable, along with other things I'll figure out as I get more time with the car. For my first 100 miles, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am extremely impressed with the throttle response, suspension feedback, the turn-in feel, and the overall quality of the car. I think it may the absolute performance bargain champ available (admittedly, I have not driven the 2018 Corvette Z06, which has an MSRP of about $10,000 more than the Shelby). Also, I love the Recaro seats and was extremely pleased with the beautiful metallic paint in what Shelby/Ford calls "Orange Fury". Well named, and I just wish it showed up as spectacular in photos as it does in the California sunshine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well, the car is home now, settled into the garage with the other "Skittles / M&M" colored cars. It certainly cuts an imposing figure, and once the break-in miles are done, I'll be sure to report back on how its track manners stack up to its look and initial feel.</span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061128425873781737.post-76412937544688150782018-06-29T21:19:00.000-07:002018-06-29T21:42:33.883-07:00Aston Martin Vinyl Wrap: Cool YellowI've waxed poetic here in my blog and with friends about how much I love my 2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Having purchased it new in late 2006, I've now had it for 11.5 years and I suppose I just needed a minor change after all these years. I love the original color, Tungsten Silver, as it was one of the colors I had fallen in love with when I saw the Vantage concept car and the big brother car, the Vanquish, in that great metallic silver. But, as anyone who knows me can tell you, I love colorful cars, and I am a fan of vinyl wraps. So, it was only inevitable that after 11-plus years of ownership that I would find a bright color I wanted to try on the Vantage.<br />
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For several years, I have also been trolling Craigslist, Autotrader, various car forums, and Bringatrailer.com for the perfect Speed Yellow Porsche 911. I just haven't found one that has caused me to jump into another P-Car, so the great epiphany came recently when I realized that I just needed to make the Vantage into my go-to bright yellow coupe. I looked at the 2005 Geneva Car Show Vantage in "Cool Yellow" and the 2006 Vantage N24 race car in "Rose Yellow" for inspiration.<br />
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I relied on the guys at Vinyl Styles in San Carlos, CA, as they have done a couple really good vinyl wraps for me on other cars. Lyle is the owner there and he suggested the perfect gloss yellow product with what he assured me was "great depth and gloss", so that the vinyl wrap would look as close to a paint job as possible. Well, he was right, and I am very happy with the outcome. The car looks great, sits nicely alongside the other colorful cars in the garage, and the yellow has depth and gloss and makes the car look absolutely new. Just please don't waive me down and yell "Taxi!!", because this car is too old for Uber.<br />
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