My new car

(EDIT: Typed while Robert was posting the previous comment.)

Gordon Nichols posted:

... I have noticed that the vast majority of those nit-wits all drive Buicks.  Haven’t yet figured out the correlation there!...

This could be the correlation.

According to Marketwatch:

Buick:

Avg. age of buyer: 60.3 years (the oldest average of any marque except Lincoln, and 2nd by only a few months)

I pretty much lived on a bicycle for about 25 years - club rides, commuting to work, quite a bit of touring through Europe. Drivers may be looking right at you, but amazingly, that doesn't mean they SEE you. (Drivers in Europe seem much more clued in about cyclists, though.)

Most drivers are doing a quick check for a car-sized thing before pulling out, and amazingly, if you're not that thing, they literally don't see you. So, it's probably safest to assume you're not going to be seen and ride accordingly.

Kind of like driving a Speedster.

That is exactly it: we don't see what we aren't looking for. True at any age. 

Robert M posted:

Gordon Nichols posted:

Dave wrote: “I'm one who doesn't trust anyone even if there looking right at you. Its a fun sport but it sometimes comes with aches and pains. ”

Dave, it is exactly the same on a motorcycle OR a bicycle (I’ve been hit four times so far). People drive up to your street from a side street, stop, look right at you, see you coming (you can see their eyes looking right at you) and then pull right out in front of you.  I will say, that I have noticed that the vast majority of those nit-wits all drive Buicks.  Haven’t yet figured out the correlation there!

Because only old people drive Buicks. And old people can be terrible drivers. I told my kids when they were learning to drive, "Just because someone is looking in your direction doesn't mean they see you.".

Looks like a car for young bucks to me...

I learned on off-road bikes when i was younger. Now I have a 1980 BMW R100. I try to ride in groups, we have 4-5 people that usually ride with us. Michelle and I don't go out much at all by ourselves.

Of course, I had to modify it a little. I removed fairing/windshield, bags, and sissy bar. It has bar end mirrors (not in photo)and Cafe mufflers now. New shocks and tires. Bought it one-owner. It is very smooth and comfortable.

I'm not going to break any land speed records OR go off road but I'm going to be comfortable (as will my wife) and look good doing it 

Great looking bikes! 

Car will be here soon.

Received paper work today from Greg.  After a lot of deliberation I have decided to title my car as a special construction vehicle.  At my age I really don't want to take any chances.  Its a painful decision since in VA we pay outrageous personal property taxes.  So every year I will dish out almost $2k for taxes on my spyder.  And the problem is, because the car is not on the NADA they do not depreciate the car and my taxes never go down.  In VA antique cars pay no PPT.  Hmm maybe I should rethink this.  I just worry if I have an accident that kills someone and I'm at fault will my insurance pay.  And even if it does could I still be on the hook since my registration is a lie.  Its a dilemma.  

Phil,

From where I sit, the decision seems easy.  Write the check every year, register the car legally, and worry about other things.  God forbid any of us have an accident where our PL/PD amount becomes relevant, but the last thing I want after an accident is to worry if my insurer will refuse coverage if/when they discovered that my car was illegally registered.

An antique vehicle in VA can only be driven to car shows, parades, etc.  I want to be able to drive my car when and where I want, so excessive limitations won't do it for me.  YMMV.

Jim.  Kind of the way I see it too. 

Is there a way that you can have an evaluator give you a value for your car to produce for taxation?  This way after 3years you could claim that a normal car drops why not yours...  I would investigate this before and see if there are any grey areas in your registration process that you can confirm.  

I have found that if we don't ask we do not get any answer more than the standard answers that is given on a normal car.  When I registered my car no one had a clue at the DVM.  Just saying. 

@550 Phil O M G!

I was at Vintage today picking up some parts. Greg let me take a few pics of your Spyder. Gorgeous!!!

I also got to sit shotgun while Greg took it around the block. Holy sh@t. Holy mother of all things amazing. It. Is. Insanely. Fast. Scary. Butthole puckered. Crazy. Nuts. Fast. Period. Period. . .

It’s handles like a go kart. Shifts are smooth. Stops on a dime. Exhaust sounds amazing. It is amazing. You are going to be one lucky guy!!!! I’m jealous...

I still can’t get over that drive...

It really scared the sh@t out of me. It’s that fast!

I want your engine in my coupe now...

Thanks.  It really is that fast.  If it wasn't so undertired it would be supercar fast.  I'm going to go through some rear rubber.  Sounds like John at Outfront finally got the ECU tuned in.  Hopefully its ready to ship this week.  Greg's attention to detail and quality control is so high these days.  He's really become a perfectionist.  Just hope its finally perfect.

Phil, what is on the Horn Button? Just a blank?

Beautiful car, Phil.

A car like that deserves to be driven to Maggie Valley in September. 

Yeah, I think he'll beat us ALL out of the corners!

550 Phil posted:

Thanks.  It really is that fast.  If it wasn't so undertired it would be supercar fast.  I'm going to go through some rear rubber...

It's going to be a badass car, Phil! What size rims/tires are on the back?

Liking this one a lot.

Al, pretty sure they are 5.5" with 205/60R15. That's what I'm running and mine is a year older than Phil's.

Phil made it to Maggie Valley last year sans Spyder, and I am fully expecting to see him again this year with it. 👍

ALB posted:

550 Phil posted:

Thanks.  It really is that fast.  If it wasn't so undertired it would be supercar fast.  I'm going to go through some rear rubber...

It's going to be a badass car, Phil! What size rims/tires are on the back?

DannyP posted:

Al, pretty sure they are 5.5" with 205/60R15. That's what I'm running and mine is a year older than Phil's.

Thanks, Danny. Is there room on the inside to add 1 or 1 1/2"? Then you could run 215/60's, Phil. If ever there was a reason to go to this extravagance, this is it.

Marty Grzynkowicz posted:

Phil, what is on the Horn Button? Just a blank?

I'm not Phil, but his horn button is blank (matches the color of the wheel). I like how it has a clean simple look.

No P stuff on the car now... not allowed  I have black P horn button and small crests with leather for hood and bonnet.  No script.  Going to keep it simple.  And yes hope to be in Deal's Gap in Sept.  And yes I'd like to get more rubber on the back.  This will likely require shorter rear swing axles.  Probably doable.  Vintage project for another day.

Phil, while your making a tribute to the P car, I wanted my car to have IM only crests and at that they are very subtle  Remember most guys want to delete badge on all BMW's etc when they order them new...

Mine is a Celtic Knott (same as our wedding rings).   Just couldn't see a Porsche horn button on a steering wheel engraved with "Frank Zappa".

Definitely doing a P tribute car. Most people looking at a 356 replica will think it’s a Porsche even with IM badging. Most people looking at a spyder don’t have a clue what it is. They need a little help.

My license plate. 

550 Phil posted:

Definitely doing a P tribute car. Most people looking at a 356 replica will think it’s a Porsche even with IM badging. Most people looking at a spyder don’t have a clue what it is. They need a little help.

My license plate. 

 

Just make CERTAIN that you keep that rocket ON THE GROUND and on all FOURS so that you dont need help! 

While doing residency in the late 80s, I spent time on the ROOF of a hospital where MEDEVAC Helicopters would bring in folks, and PIECES of folks, that needed to hit the O.R. fast as the street ambulances would not be quick enough to save lives...We had an operating room ON the roof and a team of ER surgeons would address a given patient and much of it was not pretty.....some came in a variety of plastic bags! One guy came in with an axe buried a good 7 inches into mid-face, courtesy of his wife finding him doing the horizontal mambo with somebody other than herself. There were many a dude over enthusiastic with TORQUE/SUSPENSION/ROADWAY that coulda, shoulda and I am hopeful that all SOC folks and "rockets" stay safe  and FAR away from the E.R..

I don't think there is room for anything wider than a 205 back there without moving the trailing arms and inner fender liners.

Banzai Pipeline posted:

While doing residency in the late 80s, I spent time on the ROOF of a hospital where MEDEVAC Helicopters would bring in folks, and PIECES of folks, that needed to hit the O.R. fast as the street ambulances would not be quick enough to save lives...We had an operating room ON the roof and a team of ER surgeons would address a given patient and much of it was not pretty.....some came in a variety of plastic bags! One guy came in with an axe buried a good 7 inches into mid-face, courtesy of his wife finding him doing the horizontal mambo with somebody other than herself. There were many a dude over enthusiastic with TORQUE/SUSPENSION/ROADWAY that coulda, shoulda and I am hopeful that all SOC folks and "rockets" stay safe  and FAR away from the E.R..

Banzai.  I'm an interventional radiologist at a level 1 trauma center in a busy metropolitan area.  I see and treat trauma patients all the time.  Mostly controlling bleeding of unstable patients with solid organ injury and fractures.  Unfortunately I get to work on lots of our knife and gun club members trying to protect their drug turf.  Motorcycle accidents are always the worst.  And has any of this dissuaded me from riding bikes and going fast?  Did my own accident give me second thoughts?  Not a bit.  Not sure if its arrogance or stupidity or what.  I think its that I just really like to go fast.  My aphrodisiac I guess. 

BE SAFE(anyway)....AND....the guy with the AXE in his head also had a thing for aphrodisiac embrace and look where that got him(LOL). I sold my bikes and now "air in the hair" is VIA speedster which aint much more cushion than your SPYDER. Guess I'm getting soft on DIRT KNAPS.

Phil.....I was down at Gregs place this week an saw your car. Very Nice !!!!  Here's a couple photos.  

 Also I took a close look at the red car with the hard top. I thought it was a pretty good job and seemed to fit well too.

I think the shop really looks great. The improved/increased lighting helps a lot.

Bruce

I

Thanks Bruce.  Greg is doing some last cosmetic touches that I asked for and then it ships.  Hope to have it in a few weeks.  

Is Greg going into production on the tops, or was this just a one off for a special customer?

Art..........I think the hard top is a hold over from Kirk for a customer. I'm not absolutely sure though............Bruce

aircooled posted:

Phil.....I was down at Gregs place this week an saw your car. Very Nice !!!!  Here's a couple photos.  

 Also I took a close look at the red car with the hard top. I thought it was a pretty good job and seemed to fit well too.

I think the shop really looks great. The improved/increased lighting helps a lot.

Bruce

 

I love that hard top Bruce. I wish more companies would offer them.

Thanks for the hard top pics. I've been on the fence regarding shaving off my drip rails. Sure looks clean!

Bill Prout posted:

Thanks for the hard top pics. I've been on the fence regarding shaving off my drip rails. Sure looks clean!

I don’t know, but with the drip rails shaved, cars always looks homemade to me. Rod Emory would disagree, as would lots and lots of other people, but it looks (to me) like an inexpensive diecast model without enough detail. 

Your mileage may vary. 

I think the benefit of having them out ways not having them should I get caught in the rain.

Found a link to the original 550 that I copied.  Think mine could take it on a road course. 

https://rmsothebys.com/en/auct...ndler/175229#/search