69 GTO Build

['71cutlasluvr]

Gus, Eric, et all... Happy Father's Day. As luck may have it, I'm now a Dad. We had our first kid, last week, pre-mature. We were able to take him home on Fathers Day. Hell of a present, huh? Here he is... he should be wrenching within the next year. That said, Project Green Envy is now on a minor delay. I now value any sleep I can get. I should probably install carpet in the goat, so I can take some naps here and there... ha, ha...



Gus, I hear you about track days... Car Clubs always get pushed around at race tracks. When reading your posts, I start to regret not keeping my track car... I recently sold my E46 M3, which was nicely modified for Autocross. But, the last three years I haven't had time to enjoy it, so I got rid of it... besides, when the goat's done, why would I drive the M3 anymore?



Talk with you all soon...

Hi Mike. A belated happy father's day to you too and congrats on the new addition to your family. The picture is perfect! My daughter's are so busy (one just got married) we had to put off father's day celebration until yesterday, but it was worth the wait. We had a nice time.



Funny you mention about selling your beemer.. I can see now that between work, family and minimal track days availability, I wonder, after one autocross event, that maybe I made a mistake since my Miata won't be getting as much use as I thought? But I say, NAH! Even just doing a few a year is worth the investment. Plus taking "Mia" for a quick ride like I did yesterday, is such a blast, that she's a keeper. She's basically a low powered turn key race car... no where near the power of one of our musclecars, but she handles like a go cart once up to speed. So now I don't have to build my 442konekilr cutlass project into a serious track car since I already have one, and can make the cutlass a bit more of a wide tired, low and mean road car that may see an autocross or track day just for giggles. Besides, both my daughters have dibs on the Miata when I can't drive anymore (I told 'em don't hold your breath on that one!!) so I'll be holding on to that car too since I must have SOMETHING to drive, but I'm all out of garage space, so my quota has been reached!

The pic of your beemer shows a real nice car. Bet you regret letting her go but while my family is moving out and on their own, you're just starting yours, so sometimes a financial choice has to be made and family comes first. Of course, now you have your son who can help you wrench and will hopefully have the enthusiasm for your Goat you do. Neither one of my daughters are car girls, per say, and have no desire to wield a wrench, but that's ok. Hoping for a grandson or granddaughter that may pick up car bug.

Enjoy every minute with your son now while you can (except during sleep deprivation, been there, done that, got the t-shirt) 'cause he'll grow up sooooo fast! And just think real hard about selling any future project cars... once they go, they're so hard to replace. I had a '67 GTO I let go back in the late 70's, and I regret it every day. So now my cutlass' fill the need for a project car and I am whole again. They won't be going anywhere unless life deals me a bad hand. That's why I try not so say never.

Speaking of letting cars go, I had an '02 c5 'vette I bought in 2008. Two months later I lost my job but I hung on to the 'vette until I started working again. Then felt the same way about the car as you did your beemer so let her go. Never even though about autocross. It would have made a great autox car, but with higher consumables than the Miata. Attached a pic of the "other" one that got away. :(

Speaking of projects, finally got rid of a stomach bug that was hanging on for days and got the body on a body cart so I can start the minitubs and lower rear quarter replacements. I attached a pic. Kinda looks funny with the rear hanging out like that and I was freaking out when I moved it from one garage bay to the other with the tractor thinking it was going to flop over, but it's fine. I figured this mounting position will keep the body solid while I cut out the wheel wells for the minitubs AND allow full access. If anyone (Eric?) thinks I should brace the rear more by extending the body cart, please let me know now 'cause I'm gonna start cuttin' soon.

Ok, enough chit chat, gotta get out to the garage. No more cold weather excuses.... it's a beautiful day... warm and low humidity,,.. won't be getting too many more of these!

Enjoy the weekend Guys!!