Hello guys, I thought I would write up a little history on my journey to Pro-touring vehicles and passing on the credit to a man that put me onto it.
Mike (Mr Angry - 68 Charger 69 Daytona - Big Muscle by Ride) was who introduced me in a way to Pro-Touring cars 5 years ago when I gave the good man a call. I always wanted a more straight line performing car, lighter springs up front for weight transfer and all that but then after speaking to him, things just made sense. There is always going to be someone faster. With a pro-touring car, you get a car that is reliable and can be driven, it can be driven hard into corners as well, safety of breaking and so forth (modern technology) and at same time, with enough power in there, all you are really losing by not having a 0.88T Bar setup for straight line is 1 to 1.5 seconds in a quarter mile (which would only matter at a race track, not street with street tires as that setup is very inconsistent), yet you gain all that other stuff + consistency. Much more fun on road to drive and reliable.
I still remember calling him up on the phone about purchasing a 1970 Dodge Challenger or a 1968 Dodge Charger. I remember asking him, which would be lighter, which could perform better and so forth. I remember him telling me that the car does not matter so much as the driver. Both cars are tanks. He mentioned how the charger might be a foot longer but its mainly boxed air. So the weight difference between the 2 is negligible as one car with more options will be heavier than other car. He spoke to me why he was not interested in straight line performance (inconsistent, unreliable, things breaking all the time etc). He shared his passion with me, why he loved the 68 Charger personally (to him the toughest looking car ever made), why he built a pro-touring car, why he ran the bullrun and so forth. He just loved the fact he could jump in and drive any time he wanted to. Car would start, it was reliable like a new car.
It was then that I got into the pro-touring thing. I have not built 1 car that is pro-touring since then. I have ran into issues, mechanics, panel beaters, thieves, lost 40,000 dollars in all the hard lessons learned. It was these lessons why I got sick of Dodge (too many conartist mechanics and beaters that stole my money - I know it can happen with any badge, but it happened with that one so the feelings are a little
there).
However, all the headaches have just left me, sold my project 1970 Dodge Challenger that was at one of these engine building guys place for 7 years. He was paid 40,000 for the car + all the work to do the car. He did no work to it, made excuses for 7 years and now offered me 12,000 to take it off me. If I decline and take my car back, he says I owe him 5000 still on work done 7 years ago which is a lie. Also, he will charge me 7 years of storage (even though he refused to give me car back for 7 years) and he will sue me for defrauding his name and business (yeah If you read this Mr, Go shoot your business before I shoot you
) I would also have to spend 30,000 more to fix it, which forget it!
So I was better off taking 12 and being finished with the damn nightmare.
Now I have as stated, Purchased my 1969 Mustang Fastback. Car is in great shape, I have finally got something I can smile about.
Now this is my first 'ford' ever owned in my 29 years.
This car will be a pro-touring car, my first car to be a pro-touring car (last as well, I only need one)
Mike - This cars gonna be built with you in mind as this will finally be the fruits of our conversation many years ago on the phone.
Thank you very, very much
George
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
CREDIT TO MIKE (Mr Angry)
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