I can't sleep at night, my car is getting very close to completion

Brooks: Yours is one gorgeous car. I can see the influence that GB and JW had on your configuration.

Lovely machine!

Brooks, it is a real issue and problem with the beehives. In fact I'm glad you brought it up. If anyone is considering doing beehives, they are absoulutely not as bright as the teardrops. I think it has a lot to do with the color of the lenses. Mine are NLA and so are Jim's I believe? You can't put a brighter bulb in there because the clearance from the bulb to the lense is to close and you will melt the lense. In fact even with 1157 bulbs you can create too much heat if you leave the brakes on for an unusually long duration. 15-30 minutes straight with no airflow is probably going to make some damage.

The problem with LED lights is they are line of sight. So most people are so far above you they are looking down and the LED will be effectively not as bright. There are some new LED lights that go in the same socket that have like 36 LEDS going every which direction. I'm going to order one and compare and get back to you on if it is brighter. It will run cooler then the 1157 so that should be ok.

Brooks, I went to LEDs. I had a bike shop (HD) do them for me. There is some guy on the 356 registry that claims he will have them as a kit soon. Yes, on the NLAs for Steve and I. I hope we hook up this Spring or summer. Fall for sure.

Steve. I kept looking at the white 59 pic I sent you and I swear I can't see any difference in the cars... other than the vent window. You have really created a beautiful; and faithful replication of a 58 Cabrio from what I can see.

I think we are all happy that you will get some prime-time driving this Fall, Steve. Maybe now, we can get a midwest meet together with Ben, John, Justin, Stan, and others meeting up in the summer of 06.

Oh and thanks for the complements everyone.



Jim, did the LED lights make it brighter? Did it cause a problem if the line of sight was too far off? And didn't you just plug in the LED where the 1157 socket was? Or is there more to it then that?

I'm thinking maybe Run and Gun in St. Louis would be a great meeting place??????? It would be kind of centralized and they seriously lack a speedster following, but maybe we could change that?

Why not go with glass beehive lenses? They look exactly like the ones I had on my 59 AH Sprite, if I recall, that is. Then you could use a brighter bulb?

That is a great idea, but I believe someone said they are the wrong diameter of beehive? They can be bought for a heck of a lot less though? To bad someone wouldn't make some. Does anyone know if the originals were plastic or were they glass. I thought the originals were plastic, but of course they were running 6 volt systems with only 18/5 watt bulbs. The 1157 is running anywhere from 21 to 27 and produces a lot more heat then the original bulbs.

Attention Mike McSween. I just read your description of your JPS build. Wow! I'd like to hear more details here or via a p-mail.

Steve. I'll send you pics of my lights with the Hives off.

Thanks Jim

Hey Jim,

I look forward to seeing you again in 2006. Please send me pictures of your bulbs too, as I definately plan to replace them with something brighter.

Thanks Brooks

Hi Steve,
thanks for answering my questions. Sorry to ask again, but you missed one!
On your website there is a photo in the build section titled `initial body prep for frame

The hardtop is not currently an option on the SAW cars. The top is being used like a jig that aids in the alignment of the windshield.

Thanks John, that is what that picture is. I have no plans to have a hardtop for this car. While I really liked the one from IM, I don't really like taking one off and putting the other on, WOW I am lazy.

But, I also have a lot more heat available and should stay comfortable down to 0 degrees F. I have no intention of driving the car when it gets colder then that, in fact I would just as soon not leave the house unless I have to go to work.

Wow, those Cabrios are really nice. At first I didn't like them, but they are definitely growing on me. I love the way your car looks Steve & I hope you enjoy it.

The car came out great Steve. We all look forward to your driving impressions.

-Jeff

Steve: You have a beautiful car. I'm stunned by the dedication you have put into it. I really hope it lives up to your expectations -- I'm confident it will. Looking forward to a photo of you behind the wheel. John.

Well, my first 100 miles, were issue free. I got the car last night at about 4pm and drove it about an hour. I put the top down and it was only about 50 degrees out, so even with the heat, it was time to go home. I had also planted 5 tree yesterday and mowed a full acre of lot with my 22" trimming mower. My luck with the lawn tractor is not as good as the car. I was just too tired to do anything else.

I am very happy with everything on the car, and the sound level and tone is perfect for me.

The satellite radio is working perfectly and I love the way it is installed.

Congratulations....finally!
Go Speed Racer....goooooooo!
Hoss

I have to say that the rack and pinion is awesome. I would highly recommend this as an added option on any IM, or other manufacturer if they are willing to do it.

It is standard on the SAW, so you don't need to add it in that case.

Go Stevie Go...Stevie B. Goode.....enjoy it brother!!!

Congratulation Steve!

Add my congrats also Steven. The wait was long but sounds worth every minute. Please--more driving reports!! AND PICTURES. jkl

I will be giving more driving reports, but the pictures won't be coming until next week. I plan to take some nice ones before a car show next week when the car is polished up and waxed. I don't want to do it this weekend, because then I would have to do it twice. Again it could be my lazy nature, but it is also that I have a ton of stuff to do this week.

Steve,

Congratulations!You have a very nice ride.

Karl

Hey Steve! WOW! I just came back on and was reading some of the 400+ posts I have missed out on. looks like the car is a go. CONGRATS! Hope you enjoy it. I am sure it is beautiful! When I saw yours and Stuart's at SAW several months ago, I could tell they were going to be fantastic!
Shawn

Shawn: Saw your lament in "Anything Goes" about a dead battery and wanted to show you what I bought at a local Pep Boys. It cost about $59.00 before taxes and will holds it's charge for six months. You can see it's rated at 450 amps and has a built-in air compressor. There is a cheaper one without the air compressor for $29 bucks. Great gadget to have around the house and to take on trips. Liked it so much I bought another one for my daughter's car. These are the best pictures I could get cause I scanned them in on my printer-combo. PS: I threw two pair of jumper cables away after buying this do-hicky.

Nolan...I've had one of those for 3 years now and it's saved me at least 3 times and I've been a good Samaritan 10 times. They are AWESOME. Everyone should get one.

You betcha, guys. One of these little units saved my ass in Henryetta, OK on the way home from Knotts last April. I was about to start the last leg well before the cock crowed and would have had a big setback, timewise, if it hadn't been for my portable jumper. Great thing to carry in your kit.
Hoss