6/10/10

Well, I guess I ought to wish my niece “Happy Birthday.” Happy Birthday Virginia. I probably won't be calling her to “make it official” though. See, I've known my brother longer than I've known her so... Anyhoo, Gregg and I went to the shop last night to have a look at the Chickenhawk. I would have stopped by the house and picked up Lil' Wiggly but I haven’t driven it in so long it would have taken forever to start. I'll probably fire it up and drive it to the shop Saturday. But I digress. We went to the shop to look at the Chickenhawk. It wasn't as far gone as I'd feared. In fact, for siting these last ten years, it looks pretty good. It has inspired me to possibly push it ahead in line. In fact, it might even get ahead of Super Karate-Monkey Death Car. Hmm, I need to cipher and figger on that some more. I'm beginning to reconsider the V6 in there. “Whoa!” I hear y'all crying, “Where did that come from?” Yep, that was a pop fly to left field, I'll admit, but John did send me a Craig’s List post for a guy selling VG-30 distributors. I guess I ought to get one of those instead of a new gun with the money Gregg is paying for... wait, I'm getting side tracked. Back to the visit to the shop last night. We looked the Chickenhawk over and he decided that, while it is a bad ass car, it isn't near enough to being ready as a track-day car. He’s going with Lil' Wiggly. While he talked on the phone for a while, I had a look at other projects around the place. Super Karate-Monkey Death Car will probably be a little more involved than I initially thought. Also, I remembered that we have installed a “rear” sump pan on the Chickenhawk's old Z-20 engine for installation in Barbecue Bob. I'd rather not swap back just to install that engine in Super Karate-Monkey Death Car. No, I'm thinking L-series again for that car. Sure, it’ll mean a little more engineering, but I think it would be cool. Besides, I think the Z-20 would be an easier install in Barbecue Bob than a KA. Again, oil pan issues are already solved with the NAPS-Z. So, if I backpedal the Z-20 to Barbecue Bob, and reassign a V6 to the Chickenhawk’s engine bay, that leaves a KA-24 for Super Karate-Monkey Death Car. John, thoughts? He never replies when I do that. I wonder why I continue to ask. Of course, the plan will change another dozen times before any wrenches actually turn so I really don't know why I bother. Oh right, to waste time here at work and to look busy while doing it. I remember now. So, from the shop, we went to my house to look at Lil' Wiggly. He assured me that he was not planning to strip and gut it to make a race car. He wants a bad ass track car (monster engine, suspension, brakes, roll hoop, seats, harnesses, and gauges) that could, in a pinch, be driven to the store and/or to work. He just wants a Mineral Wells toy he can drive in NASA events to get his competition license back. Well, we’ll see. Psh, you know what would make the most sense for me? I really ought to sell Nadine and not get mired into that money pit. Of course I can't do that as long as the real Nadine is alive. That car is, by far, THE most superfluous car in the DLR stable. At least Barbecue Bob is a Datsun after all. I'm a fool to... well, let’s just leave it at that and move on. Hmm, VG-30 powered Triumph TR-3? Wow, talk about a bastard child! I'd be shunned by... then again... hmm, interesting. Interesting indeed. THAT would make for a real Rat Rod. I might even have to do side pipes. No, probably not. I couldn't go that far. Could I? Hmm, interesting. I just shot John a text which read, “Two ‘words’, VG-30 TR-3.” His reply? “Interesting...” I laughed at how we both “said” the same thing about it when it came up. He counter-suggested a KA as “making more sense” but I counter-countered with “The only reason for a Nissan swap is for ‘over the top-itude.’” Or something to that effect. I'm sure we’ll take a look at it this weekend, if we go to the shop. Oh, stop fretting, I probably won't do anything that dumb with this car. “Rat Rod Style” with the stock engine makes the most sense so that “the next guy” can do all the cosmetic stuff if he wants. Cosmetics don't interest me. “Function over Form” is my motto, more or less. I appreciate a well restored car, as long as it isn't over restored to the point where it can't be driven, but that just ain't fer me. I'd rather enjoy a driver than polish a “trailer queen.” Hell, you probably couldn't even GIVE me some of those custom hot rods you see being auctioned for five, six, and seven figures. Go on, try it! I dare you to try and give me a “million-dollar” over-restored, “Trailer Queen.” Well? I'm waiting.