I would also totally love a kit car like a Cobra, Daytona Coupe, or GT40 from Superformance or Factory 5. But I don’t foresee having the time or space to build one until I’m retired haha. And I’d want to have a friend(s) to build it with to stay motivated. Whoa that’s awesome the red one was bought new and stayed among the family all this time. I definitely couldn’t do something as extensive as a frame off restoration, I don’t want quite that large of a project. I think if I’m restoring a car, I want the body and electrics to largely be in good condition, thought I suppose the wiring on those cars is somewhat simple so I think I could manage doing a few things. I’d mostly just want to do lighter work like replacing or reconditioning parts, etc. What does it mean to blueprint an engine? That’s a rough night right there. If I put myself and my Accord in your place, it makes me cringe. Sorry about your misfortune. I guess the lesson is never drive home on track tires lol. Or double check the weather. Too bad it wasn’t insured, especially since you got fined for the destruction of public property. I agree less is more when it comes to track day cars, which to me, is what those Locosts are. Otherwise, at least for me, sports cars have to be the whole package….they need to be able to perform, but also need to look beautiful. But when it comes to owning a classic auto, I’m more into the looks end of things. In my opinion that’s why classics are desirable in the first place, the tech and performance is pretty much obsolete, it’s the way the cars look that draws people to them. That’s why cars like the Jaguar E-type are so desirable, it’s a romantic car with that sexy body and sleek shape, and amazing sound. No Triumph is fast or very powerful, but they are styled well and they are fun to drive. They are also easy to live with since they have some level of comfort. So for me, all that is why I prefer a classic that's a little more refined. Nice, congrats! Post up some pics. That’s a cool little car.
lol, Maybe I just like ugly cars. Mine would even have the best stereo ever, even with hands-free phone, via bluetooth!
Basically blueprinting an engine is rebuilding it to either factory spec/tolerances or BETTER . Measuring multiple times with precise accuracy. Depending on your goal for the application you could either build it for street performance, track, reliability etc. Adjusting the specs per application. As for the TR-6's they were blueprinted for longevity/reliability. Took the engine blueprinting info from Wikipedia... "Blueprinting: Engine blueprinting means specifically to create an engine that reflects the design intent through the removal of manufacturing tolerances insofar as that is possible such that the engine literally reflects the actual blueprint created by the original engineers who designed the engine. While many people confuse blueprinting with high-performance engine building or tuning, these are in fact different goals. Because few have the capability to actually blueprint, and because of the monetary incentive of claiming one has performed the work, many people have come to believe blueprinting only means that all the specifications are double-checked. Serious efforts at blueprinting result in better-than-factory tolerances, possibly with custom specifications appropriate for the application. Common goals include engine re-manufacturing to achieve the rated power for its manufacturer's design (because not all mass-production engines put out the rated power), and to rebuild the engine to make more power from a given design than otherwise intended (because custom engines can often be redesigned to different specifications). Blueprinted components allow for a more exact balancing of reciprocating parts and rotating assemblies so that less power is lost through excessive engine vibrations and other mechanical inefficiencies. Ideally, blueprinting is performed on components removed from the production line before normal balancing and finishing. If finished components are blueprinted, there is the risk that the further removal of material will weaken the component. While it has nothing to do with blueprinting per-Se, lightening components is generally an advantage provided balance and adequate strength are both maintained, and more precise machining will in general strengthen a part by removing stress points, so in many cases performance tuners are able to work with finished components. For example, an engine manufacturer may list a piston ring end-gap specification of 0.003 to 0.006 inches for general use in a consumer automobile application. For an endurance racing engine which runs hot, a "blueprinted" specification of 0.0045" to 0.0050" may be desired. For a drag-racing engine which runs only in short bursts, a tighter 0.0035 to 0.0040 inch tolerance may be used instead. Thus "blueprint" can mean tighter or looser clearances, depending on the goal."
I think almost every car fan considers getting a classic car every once in a while. They're usually really nice and get a lot of attention. Even I find myself looking at 2nd and 3rd gen camaros all the time and occasionally chevelles (most people don't consider the 2nd gen classic since it's the least desirable but I love the body and a swap can fix the embarrassingly weak v8). But one brother has an 82 z28 getting ready for an lt1/t56 swap, another is looking for an el camino and my crx gets plenty of compliments from strangers. So that satisfies my urges to buy American, at least for now.
Chris, I know this is quite the old thread, but I've been gone for a long while. Did you ever end up picking up a classic? I don't own them, but you know I have plenty of experience with them!
Hey Alex, how have you been? Hope the pickup restoration is coming along nicely! I am waiting until I have somewhere to keep a classic, and I'm still trying to decide what is feasible. I've always adored E-types but their value has shot up in recent years so that probably won't happen. I'm constantly keeping an eye on BaT (http://bringatrailer.com/) for something cool, some of the Alfa Romeos and Lancias that pop on there are nice. Maybe I'll win the lottery soon...haha.
Chris I've been doing well. Won't muck up the thread with personal stuff, I'll shoot you a PM. As for the truck, it's coming along....very slowly. Since Parker was born, the progress has really slowed. I've not been able to help with it much, so he's been doing most of the work himself. I think he's also a little discouraged with how much has already been spent on it, it was supposed to be a driver...I don't think that's going to happen, haha. I understanding wanting to wait until you have a place to store it. I saw an Alfa here the other day actually. Appeared to be all original and in pretty good shape as well. We can all wish for the lottery!
Ah sorry to hear. I hope it gets finished and that he's happy with it. What did you mean it was supposed to be a driver? Wish I could help my dad get his '37 Studebaker and Chevelle SS on the road but I live in another city. The Chevelle just needs minor work though, so hopefully he can get that done then get it repainted somewhere.
He wanted to drive it to work, etc. and not have to worry about. Kind of like he does with the 70 C10. But it's becomes even more show than the Chevelle. Have you posted pics of either of those yet? If like to see them. Hopefully he can get the up and running.
Gotcha. Well I hope he finds another way to enjoy the truck. I have pics of the Chevelle somewhere, I'll dig them up. The Studebaker is in pieces, needs a full interior, will need paint, etc. If he ever wants to finish it he's going to have to pay a restoration outfit to do it. He got a quote once, I thought it was reasonable. Of course he'd rather do it himself but he's in his 70's.
