Dubudee's photo file

Jim,

Your photos are awesome, especially the ones that were taken in the Canadian Rockies. Seeing the one of all of you stopped near Sacramento with my new roadster makes me wish I had the opportunity to join all of you on the way down. I am sure it will be one of those experiences you all will not soon forget.

Jim

I got jealous looking at your pictures.The car looks great,and I bet the drive was awesome as well.I hope one day I will be able to do the same.Until then your pictures will do the trick.

Jim: That stretch of road between Pemberton and Lilloet is one of the best in the province. If I had known what you were up to I would have come for the drive. Now after seeing the pictures I

Jim,

Your pictures are fatastic ,that is one great looking Speedster.It sounds like your trip went well,4500 miles in two weeks!!!You put on more miles in two weeks than most of us would in two years.That sure beats any stinkin trophy.My car should be finished next week.I hope to take delivery late next week.Henry is remaking my seat cushion, I think based on your input, so you will sit an inch or so lower.As you can imagine I am getting pretty excited.Brooks

Jim:

Terrific photos, and terrific cars to go with them. You and the new car must be well in tune together by now!

A year ago, we all followed along as you stepped away from your care-givers for the first time in four years to make the trip from OKC to LA. Pretty scarey stuff, indeed. Fortunately, we all could follow along by way of your calls in, and Chris and I were thrilled to transfer the details of your trip to the rest of the forum as we all sat on the edge of our seats waiting to hear how things were going.

This year, you made the trip from Vancouver to LA, then LA to OKC pretty much on your own (with a few good friends on the first legs to LA), very much as a "normal" driver would do it; no health worries, no calls reporting progress, just driving til you got to where-ever. We also haven't heard that you had any problems along the way, health or otherwise, and that's great news, too.

Wow! What progress we've all seen in the past year!!

You've got your new car, obviously acceptable health, and the whole Summer season (and many more) ahead of you. Best of luck with the car and may God Bless you and Gayla.

Gordon
One of the "Speedstah Guys" from Rhode Island

Jim:

I'll second what Gordon said.

All the best to you.

I'll second what Robert said....

and add, that is an amazing part of the planet. It's good to be able to still have access to LOTS of wild expanse...

Jim,
What a trip! I was kinda proud that I did 1500 miles, but that's chump change to your adventure. That picture of the brilliant blue lake is unbelieveable. Glacier fed? Incredible color.

I love the picture you shot of Ryan and I on I-5. Okay for me to have a copy (email me a copy perhaps - or can I just grab a copy out of your pics?).

I love the way your car looks and the way it sounds. But best of all, I appreciate the fact that you took it on a 4500 mile trip. It's not just a beautiful car, its a GOOD car!
angela

Jim Bob,

It was great to have the opportunity "to meet you again" and have breakfast with you on Sunday at Knott's.

Your photos are awesome can you tell us a bit about your camera. Between you and John Leader I am truly humbled, to the point where I may have to drop a few Benjamins and get a Nikon with a bajillion pixels, and sign-up for photography classes.

Of course, the roadside scenery in British Columbia and your flawless Speedster made the task a bit less challenging.

It's good to know you made it home safe - and in very good time.

Personally i think the scenry looks better through a speedsters Eyes, so to speak :)

and yah... i gotta do that trip again sometime myself.. Specailly before these gas prices really rise :D

Glad to see you and the car did well in the Trip Jim.. :)

Great pics, beautiful car and scenery and the award for absolutely the most miles in 2 weeks. Congrats on the new Speedster Jim. It really looks fantastic.

All, thanks for the kind words. Henry built my dream Speedster for me and I am extremely happy with it after all these miles. And yes, it's more miles than many Replicas see in a lifetime, or at least in a year.

His current modification of the glass/top seal has achieved a true "dry: car at speed and while setting in the parking lot. I had ample opportunities to see this seal work.... even in snow.

The rack and pinion & non VW column is as tight and easy to steer as a new Miata, and the car has a balance that is amazing. On the curves in the mountains I had a following driver stop for gas with me and comment on how the car seemed to "set" in the turns, and just how stable it appeared.. the appearance was the same thing I felt inside. Same thing happened on the highway Monday. A trucker pulled in for gas with me (I think to talk about the car). He said my runs at 85-95 in traffic gave hime the impression the car was floating just a foot off the pavement... no body bounce or roll, etc. It handled that way from the driver's seat too.. I never felt an edginess or a line... it appeared to be capable of far more than I was willing to try.

The Pat Downs engine was singing yesterday before and after I changed the oil and adj. the valves/ In N. Cali I experienced a minor oil weep, and that dissappeared as the case and crank seal seemed to seat. The new AL case seemed to settle in much as Valves and Heads do, and it just seemed to run better and cooler as I added miles. Crossing the desert going home and climbing the high desert around Flagstaff is a test on any air cooled engine... this one never saw more than a third of the gauge... whatever that is. I will calibrate the gauge this week with a dipstick thermo and also check head temps... but I am very sure that it is running as cool, if not cooler than my AS41 1776. And this 2110 runs like a fine clock. The torque is butt kicking around 2600 up through 5500 and so it has great legs on the 3:44s. Check my pics for a gauge check at 90mph.

Anyway, thanks for allowing me to brag on it.

Angela I'll print you three good photos and send a jpeg too if you send the mailing address. It was a blast to meet you, Steve, and the kids. Your post below made me smile!

Bruce, I would love to meet you. If Henry thoughs a BBQ this year we will be there, and also at the Camp Out in June.

Bill, congratulations! The camera?... I am a rookie, and I am just learning to use a Canon Sure Shot A85 4.0... really a cheap camera in the current market. The camera guys? John Leader, Stan Galat, Dale Bates.... and the best? Rick and Brenda Davis, they are pros and their work shows! If they had not been in San Diego when Ipicked up the car, I would have paid them for a set of shots.

Jim, glad your trip was enjoyable, trouble free, and that you're enjoying the new car. Your experience with Henry's cars and Pat's engines reflects mine - you have to experience a big engined IM on the road to really appreciate their handling and performance.

Keep the rubber side down...

Thanks George. I am glad I took your advice, especially on the stroker by Pat Downs. The proof is in the pudding... 4700 reliable miles and she's running sweet still.

Your Hellas really set the car apart and I have mounted the Austrian Club Badge on the grill. I am mounting the others on a tag mount. Back to the Hellas.... baby they are sweeeeet!

Intermeccanica.... you were right all along George. It's a true sports and road car. I have the coach badge on the left and wear it in pride.

Jim,
I am so happy for you. I think the car really fits you and I can't think of anyone that deserves as fine a car as you do. I think all of us who have met you would agree with Henry when he said "you were an inspiration to work with".
Happy trails my friend,
Terry

Jim,

I have enjoyed your chronicalling of the build and IM tour. Especially since I have missed out on that aspect of the IM experience, with the purchase of my "used" one. Your road test gives me great confidence in the car and your other post was right on the money when you stated that these are real cars. My Vintage Speedster had a lot of bang for the buck, but my IM that I just took delivery of tonight is a world apart in every aspect. The details that Henry has incorporated into the classic shape have produced a wonderful useable car that exceeds my expectations for what a 50 year old design would typically provide. Like you said a Knott's, it's amazing that you and I with our Vintages were both considering an IM, and exactly one year later we both ended up taking delivery of our cars within several weeks of each other. I must tell you, as much as I like my car, I am jealous of the execution of your car. The color, fit/finish and interior detail have raised the bar for all of us "kit car" owners. Happy motoring!

Dan, well said.

I love my car a lot, and I think your car is fantastic (espcially the original steering wheel/turn signal treatment and white walls, see my vote on the other thread) but Jim's execution is a genuine work of art. Between Dale Bates, Jim Ward and Scott Sloan I think I have all the ideas I will ever need for my next car.