Quote:
Originally Posted by autoxcuda
Thanks!
Run whatcha you brung!!
It's actually a real numbers matching, original engine (original bore) 68 Barracuda Formula 340-S automatic coupe. 1 of 867 340 coupes and 1 of 351 auto coupes.
Here's when I went off track at Willow and bent my rim (and valance and bumper).
....Then immediately drove it 50 miles back home. So I could setup the Spring Fling car show the next morning.
The front has always been bent some since I bought it in 1993 then rebuilt/modded the suspension and re-ringed the motor. Chassis first, some interior next, outside last. I've put about 70K miles on it since then. From L.A. to Iowa State for school (snow/sleet/rain), then commuted 80 miles round trip from West L.A. to Thousand Oaks for work. It's my only running car right now.
Sure it doesn't have 500 H.P. It's really set up for E-SP Solo II autox rules. But my track skill level isn't 500 H.P. yet anyway. Guldstrand said he used to take a car load of students out in his Caprice and he was faster than the novices with high dollar gear. I'm a realist. For a relative novice, big H.P. is probably going to hinder my learning curve rather than help it.
It's got a big trunk, good sized interior, and a sturdy roof. Great for moving across country...
5200 lbs loaded on grain elevator scale. 3350 unloaded !! The stuff on the ground only what was in the car top carrier....
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Steve and his car are a perfect example of what I've been preaching whenever I see a soapbox to jump up on. He's right on the money with several points.
Drive it! He's had 70,000 miles of fun with it and loads of memories that came from those miles!
500 HP not necessary. I ran a 4 dr 4 cyl. Cobalt rental car at Road Atlanta one weekend because the Firebird wasn't ready. I learned a lot about carrying momentum and the importance of being on "the line" to maintain speed. The lessons learned carried over well to my relatively underpowered Firebird. (dyno proven to have less than 275 RWHP! LOL)
Trunk space. As he uses his car for a driver he needs to use the trunk. On my car we only ran the rear bars on my cage to the shock mounts in my Firebird so I'd have a full trunk. I fit three 5 gallon cans of race gas and my other stuff in the trunk if I'm going to drive to and from the track.