[Lupin..the..3rd]

Originally Posted by pookie

Lupin that 914 is bad arse...tell me you didn't get rid of it.

Thanks, yeah it was nice. 180hp in a 914 makes for a fun ride. I didn't get rid of it voluntarily - woman talking on her cell phone ran a red light and the rest is history. :XX RIP in 2002.

[arob]

My DD (mainly weekends / road trips as I take public transportation to work).


And my wife's car

[HoodPin]

First first real car of my own was a 1971 Datsun 240Z, bought for $400 in 1979. After rebuilding the engine and repairing considerable rust on the body, I began autocrossing it. In 1985, SCCA opened a new regional class, Improved Touring (IT). Previously, was only Showroom Stock (less then 5 years old) or Prepared (lots of mods allowed), both of which were too expensive for my meager means. My car fit IT perfectly (only limited bolt-on suspension mods allowed, and minimal engine work). Bought a roll cage and firesuit, and went racing for 2 years. Consistenty ran in top 5 or 6 in class, just couldn't keep up with front runners who could afford the better "tricks", like blue-printed engines. My car was tagged, and driven back & forth to each race. My wife, Cindy, drove the "support" vehicle, a 1983 Rabbit GTI; it was amazing how much camping and tool gear we could haul between the two cars. I also hooked up with a small repair shop, Gaitherburg Imported Cars, and the owner, Reno, helped me a bunch, including getting the car properly painted (my initial rattle-can paint job started peeling during a rainy weekend at Summit Point ).

In 1987, our first son was born in July, and Cindy allowed me to finish out the season. In my last race, it rained horribly. But that took away the HP advantage of many front runners. I was happily in 2nd place behind a friend in a very well prepared 240Z, until he collided with a car we were about to lap. I got thru unscathed, and won the race; my first and only CHECKERED flag!

Below is the car on the trailer of the guy who bought it from me later that year. I'm holding my new son, Jonathan, and my cherished flag. The buyer gutted the car and rebuilt everything. He proceeded to dominate the class for 2 years, until selling it to a guy in Minnesota, who planned to vintage race it.


Early in my ownership of the car, we went on a trip to NC. During the drive the odo was going to roll over 99,999 (corrected) miles. I pulled over and took a pic. It was later, while showing the pic to friends, that someone commented "Wow, you were able to get the trip-odo to show 240 when you did that". I was shocked, that was never planned, it was total coincidence.

[Dr K]

Great story, Tony. Cute kid, too (who must be, what, 21 now?). You look thin!

Peter

[JmuRiz]

Originally Posted by Lupin..the..3rd

Thanks, yeah it was nice. 180hp in a 914 makes for a fun ride. I didn't get rid of it voluntarily - woman talking on her cell phone ran a red light and the rest is history. :XX RIP in 2002.

Shame about the car, I dig the SC flares on the back too, RIP indeed

[pookie]

That is an awesome story Tony thanks for sharing.

[BlackTalon]

Tony -- is that the car Andy (Frictioncircle) bought from you?

[HoodPin]

Originally Posted by BlackTalon

Tony -- is that the car Andy (Frictioncircle) bought from you?

Small world... I didn't realize he was on this board (looks like his last post was Aug 06). He had called me early last year when he saw my name as Autox Chair, but I don't believe he ever made it to any events. Are you still in touch with him? I lost his email when my computer blewup last summer.

[HoodPin]

Originally Posted by pkaufman

Great story, Tony. Cute kid, too (who must be, what, 21 now?). You look thin!

Peter

The "kid" turns 20 in July. And Cindy won't let him autox her Boxster again.. . As far as thin.....the years have not always been kind...especially after I quit smoking 10+ years ago. Catchup is a beeotch...

[onboost]

I think this is gonna be a pretty cool thread!

Paul