Just Saying Hi...

Gordon Nichols posted:

Oooooooo......."Dad Bod".   I know of this.  Took a while, but I got rid of mine and got back to the '80's, when I was in "young Dad" shape, hauling two kids around in a bicycle trailer and cycle-commuting to work.  Didn't really give up much food this time, just changed what I eat to what works for me, now, a lot of gym time and a LOT of bicycle time.  I give up wine during bicycle season (it tends to dry me out) but replace it with beer.   But then, during Bike season I have to eat more to keep from losing weight.  

On the welding thing, my lack of welding skills has made me a MUCH better "grinder".  I decided last night that for every two minutes of welding, I need about 30 minutes of angle-grinding or Dremeling time.  Kind of like "Weld-on, Weld-off".  For my son, the grinding time is almost zero.  But, to be fair about this, yesterday I was welding thin (19a) sheet metal tubes (2" dia) into a 19a sheet metal sheet.  Thin, right-angle welds aren't easy (at least for me) and I proved how hard they are for someone who doesn't know what they're doing.

Stay tuned - it's photo day!

I carb load with Beer after training; it does a good job

I haven't been on a bicycle for several years. I did enough miles training and doing Ironmans. Never did solo bike races though...

It's a leaf!

*LongFella posted:

 

...What's kale?

I'm a meat, potatoes, and Jameson type of guy ...

LongFella, here in California kale is part vegetable, part fashion accessory.

It's what all the smart people are eating this month. Or at least what they say they are eating. I tried it once and it tastes like green sawdust. And this is someone who likes broccoli and Brussels sprouts (which it takes courage to admit on a car forum).

I think kale is having its fifteen minutes of fame and will soon be forgotten. There were bean sprouts. There was wheat germ. And now the fashion-conscious seem to be tiring of the whole gluten-free thing.

It's just a matter of time before kale goes the way of the leisure suit.

Leisure suits aren't in style any more? 

Kale is not just a a lifestyle choice. It's popularity started amongst the foodies and quickly spread to the hipsters. The folks that now wear pegged pants, flannel, and knit caps even when it is hot outside. They are retro hipsters. They brought vinyl records back and the ride old Honda small displacement motorcycles. 

On the other had Kale is one of the most nutritious leafy vegetable there is. It is provides detox, energy, anti-oxident etc. In addition to all of this it tastes like ****. I do not like nor do I eat it. However my Jack Russell Terriers are on a steady diet of Kale, along with raw meat, yogurt, and cottage cheese. They are the healthiest dogs in the world. 

Those of you from the east I know your pain. During my time at Apple we had many meetings that went on for weeks. The breakfast was always fruit and lunch was vegetarian sandwiches. This is the early days when Steve Jobs was in charge. I always listened the lament of those from Chicago and NY, "when are we going to get a dawg."

Reference the SNL skit "The Californians"

The folks that still wear leisure suits are members of the organization NIPLS.

National Institure for the Preservation of Leisure Suits

Brussel sprouts- little stinky cabbages not fit for human consumption. I do like broccoli though, especially covered in marinara or sweet'n sour sauce....

Sacto Mitch posted:

*LongFella posted:

 

...What's kale?

I'm a meat, potatoes, and Jameson type of guy ...

 

LongFella, here in California kale is part vegetable, part fashion accessory.

It's what all the smart people are eating this month. Or at least what they say they are eating. I tried it once and it tastes like green sawdust. And this is someone who likes broccoli and Brussels sprouts (which it takes courage to admit on a car forum).

I think kale is having its fifteen minutes of fame and will soon be forgotten. There were bean sprouts. There was wheat germ. And now the fashion-conscious seem to be tiring of the whole gluten-free thing.

It's just a matter of time before kale goes the way of the leisure suit.

 

My wife has been on this gluten-free phase for several months. I don't get it, but I'm not going to "shake the tree" about it either (I know better).

Just give me my meat and potatoes and I'll be fine. I'll run a few ultra-marathons, recover with several beers, and repeat

ALB posted:

Brussel sprouts- little stinky cabbages not fit for human consumption. I do like broccoli though, especially covered in marinara or sweet'n sour sauce....

Broccoli MUST be covered with something. I'd rather eat a handful of dirt if it's not...

Broccoli w/ salt and much butter..." heart medicine" ~

No new update this week. I ended up getting 7x7 shed for the side yard because my garage was starting to fill up with "baby" stuff and it wasn't looking very man-cavish... LOL!

I did get a chance to wrench on my ultimate dream car over the weekend. The owner (great guy) had back surgery and needed help changing the battery. It was the hardest battery change I've ever done! Just moving all the CF panels made me nervous. The wrench to TQ the wheel bolt was north of $2k. Magnesium wheels weighed next to nothing with a custom 335 wide Michelin PSS on it. The battery location is right behind the passenger rear wheel and was a b**** to get at. Nonetheless, it was fun working on it and seeing the engineering marvels

You should never wash those hands again.

Center-lock pin-drive wheels! Everything old is new again.

Very cool, have seen sever GT's at local car shows I do here in North Texas.  On the way back from one recently (Gas Monkey Show), my wrench and I saw the flagship of Porsche cars pull up to us and admire my 356, none other than the $750,000 Spyder. 

He was admiring my car, while we were speechless.

Nothing new to report, but I did stop by VS and chat with Kirk for a bit a few weeks ago. Apparently, his body maker in Mex had an issue with his transport truck?? So my ambitions of body and paint in March went down the toilette...

I'm waiting for Kirk to call me and let me know when I can get one... which translates to me calling Kirk to follow-up... LOL!

Well, THAT's a new excuse!

Looks like a LOT of places outsource their fiberglass work.  When we lived in Rhode Island, we often saw special trailers loaded with 8 Cobra bodies heading north on RT 24 on their way to Factory Five in Warhead, MA.  FF used "Outer Limits Boats" in Bristol Rhode Island to do their bodies back then, and they were just down the street from Goetz Boats, who was about the most advanced Carbon Fiber place around - they made masts and spars for the Americas Cup and Volvo Global Race boats.

Gordon Nichols posted:

Well, THAT's a new excuse!

Looks like a LOT of places outsource their fiberglass work.  When we lived in Rhode Island, we often saw special trailers loaded with 8 Cobra bodies heading north on RT 24 on their way to Factory Five in Warhead, MA.  FF used "Outer Limits Boats" in Bristol Rhode Island to do their bodies back then, and they were just down the street from Goetz Boats, who was about the most advanced Carbon Fiber place around - they made masts and spars for the Americas Cup and Volvo Global Race boats.

I started researching this morning for alternative places to get a body... but couldn't find anything as local as VS (which is really nice to have a local place).

I sent Kirk an email this morning asking for an update. We will see. He did mention having 15 orders he was working on when I was there... didn't get a chance to go back in the shop to see... but there was a really nice baby blue speedster that looked like someone was picking up...

Quick little update on my build...

I had an opportunity to catch Kirk today at his shop. I confirmed my body is coming next week! He's gotten additional orders since I last spoke to him, so the man's a little stressed.

I also stopped by and had a GREAT conversation with Alex at Vintage Motorcars. It is worth a trip to see their shop if you are in the area. It was really nice to meet him (finally) and also Greg. Both extremely knowledgeable. They had SEVERAL Spyders out and a few they were working on. I really liked chatting with them. In fact, I liked the work they have done so much they will be prepping/painting my speedster body when it arrives next week. They will have the body for a month or two, but I want it to be done right. The color I picked isn't easy and isn't cheap. I couldn't pass up using them as they were VERY accommodating to how my build is going.

I'm starting to feel like I am getting over a big hurdle now (knock on wood)!

The Carrera GT: I can scarcely imagine sitting in that thing and driving it, much less running my floor jack under it and taking a wrench to it.  You guys are living in an entirely different universe than the one I inhabit.

What color did you pick?

ALB posted:

What color did you pick?

Porsche paint code #5707 (Aquamarine Blue). My wifey picked the color. She liked the original non-metallic color of the 57' and I agree immediately

I feel confident Alex and Team at Vintage Motorsports will do an excellent job on the paint

El Frazoo posted:

The Carrera GT: I can scarcely imagine sitting in that thing and driving it, much less running my floor jack under it and taking a wrench to it.  You guys are living in an entirely different universe than the one I inhabit.

The floor jack was an everyday model, but the circular attachment you need to connect to the jacking point appropriately was expensive. I'm talking over $1k for a small circular piece that fits the jack point.

Don't get me started on the tool you need to torq the center nut... Ouch!

Here is an example of what I am aiming for when my build is complete (minus the extra metal piece on the bumpers). I want to use a darker brown for the seats/door panels/dash trim. I'd like a little more contrast between that and the carpet/top.

Quick update:

My speedster body is supposed to be delivered today at Kirks shop. We will see. Originally it was this past Monday/Tuesday, but I'm quickly realizing nothing is EVER a sure thing in this world.

Kirk would be doing some prep work (doors, hood, deck lid, some sanding, windshield installed, etc.). Then, Alex at Vintage Spyders (Vintage Motorcars) will pick it up Monday to do the paint. And that is if all goes to plan... LOL!

I feel like I haven't done much to my build. Once I get the body back and mounted to my chassis, it should all start coming together!

In the meantime, I get to enjoy the open ocean sailing the Newport to Ensenada Sailing Regatta! I crew racing sailboats in my spare time ;-)

I'm curious about what type of frame or something is used to transport just the bodies around and keep them safe.

Enjoy the race.  My work group used to rent Americas Cup boats out of Newport, RI, and sail out around Block Island and back.  11 knots in decent seas was flying!  This is the "American Eagle" under sail:

Nice! I've been on a range of boats. Cal 20's all the why up to 70 footers. My favorite is still the Farr 40. Brutal boat in heavy seas.

Here's the boat I'll be out on this time (pic from last weekend at Cal YC prepping her for this weekend). It's a Beneteau First 44.7. A nice little racer/cruiser. Should make for a comfortable sail ;-)

Very nice!  I had my eye on a  Beneteau 41' when I was still working and after I sold my 39 O'Day (my "crew" mutinied by going off on their own careers), but the markets turned against all of us after 2000, so I settle for my Speedster, instead.

Back in the 1990's, my work group had day-rented a 12-meter boat, the Nefertiti, (Ted Hood's old winning boat) and had been out for the day with it from Newport, RI.  There are several America's Cup boats for rent around here, and you can usually find a few sailing out beyond Newport that are ready to "race" a bit.  The folks in our particular group were all pretty good sailors, so when we returned to Newport the skipper asked if we wanted to do a "Harbor Burn".  

He explained that we were really good at tacks, so we would enter the harbor under full sail (all 90 vertical feet of it), Tack around to Port, sail down to the harbor end at the causeway, Tack around 180 to Port again and take her back out.  All of this while avoiding moving and moored boats on a summer week day.  Here's the port map:

So, what the hell....We did it!  Let me tell you, when that majestic boat sailed through Newport harbor under full sale, with her crew just cranking those winches like it was the America's Cup all over again, everything in the harbor stopped to watch.  As we exited back into the outer harbor, boat horns were blaring all around us!  Up on one power yacht was a small group of people who all stood and raised their caps and waved - In the bow was Larry Ellison, the founder of Oracle and a regular to Newport in the Summer.  Later, there was a short article in the East Bay Times with a picture and a note from the Harbor Master of "Don't make a habit of this...It's Dangerous!"

The Nefertiti - One very slick boat:

I sail our boat like I drive the Speedster...just cruising. 

Gordon Nichols posted:

Very nice!  I had my eye on a  Beneteau 41' when I was still working and after I sold my 39 O'Day (my "crew" mutinied by going off on their own careers), but the markets turned against all of us after 2000, so I settle for my Speedster, instead.

Back in the 1990's, my work group had day-rented a 12-meter boat, the Nefertiti, (Ted Hood's old winning boat) and had been out for the day with it from Newport, RI.  There are several America's Cup boats for rent around here, and you can usually find a few sailing out beyond Newport that are ready to "race" a bit.  The folks in our particular group were all pretty good sailors, so when we returned to Newport the skipper asked if we wanted to do a "Harbor Burn".  

He explained that we were really good at tacks, so we would enter the harbor under full sail (all 90 vertical feet of it), Tack around to Port, sail down to the harbor end at the causeway, Tack around 180 to Port again and take her back out.  All of this while avoiding moving and moored boats on a summer week day.  Here's the port map:

So, what the hell....We did it!  Let me tell you, when that majestic boat sailed through Newport harbor under full sale, with her crew just cranking those winches like it was the America's Cup all over again, everything in the harbor stopped to watch.  As we exited back into the outer harbor, boat horns were blaring all around us!  Up on one power yacht was a small group of people who all stood and raised their caps and waved - In the bow was Larry Ellison, the founder of Oracle and a regular to Newport in the Summer.  Later, there was a short article in the East Bay Times with a picture and a note from the Harbor Master of "Don't make a habit of this...It's Dangerous!"

The Nefertiti - One very slick boat:

Not a lot of wiggle room in that harbor!

I normally like the craziness the open ocean can bring, but having a little one at home my ambitions have changed. I've been in some hairy situations sailing though... 2AM white squalls all hands on deck with multiple knock downs on a 45 foot boat while not being jacked in (young a stupid...). There was no sleep that night...

There is nothing like the open ocean and hearing nothing but the sound of wind and water :-)

Here's a pic my wifey's took of us casting off. Beautiful day in Newport Beach :-)

There is a 50 foot sailing Catamaran that does sunset cruises in Newport, RI, in the summer time, and cruises at South Beach in Miami in the winter.  When we went out on one of their cruises up here I heard about the seasonal duty and asked if they took it down the Inter-Coastal waterway to Miami.  Found out that they Blue Water sail it between locations.  Takes them about 4-1/2 days for the trip and they average 26 Knots!

Gordon that is amazing speed. The AC72's don't do much better than that except downwind. I was fortunate to "crew" for a few hours on Bill Lee's Merlin in the mid 70's. That boat was the fastest downwind boat I have ever experienced . Set the Transpac record in 77 if I recall correctly. I have had a stinkpot for the last 8 years on Tahoe, but really miss sailing. The wind is so inconsistent here it is impossible to plan a sailing day let alone a race. Being a a basin sometimes the wind will turn 360 degrees in a few minutes. 

Gordon Nichols posted:

There is a 50 foot sailing Catamaran that does sunset cruises in Newport, RI, in the summer time, and cruises at South Beach in Miami in the winter.  When we went out on one of their cruises up here I heard about the seasonal duty and asked if they took it down the Inter-Coastal waterway to Miami.  Found out that they Blue Water sail it between locations.  Takes them about 4-1/2 days for the trip and they average 26 Knots!

There was a cat during our race that broke the record. I should say... SMOKED the record! We thought we were cruising along and this thing flies by! LOL!

http://www.sailingscuttlebutt....nsenada-race-record/

They averaged 26 knots crazy!

We did "ok" - the boat I'm on isn't exactly a racer  it's more cruiser than racer. Nonetheless, I'm beat tired today...

On a different note, I stopped by to see Kirk today. My body arrived Friday and they plan to start prepping everything before paint. I'm working with Alex at Vintage Spyders to do a true single stage #5707 Aquamarine blue paint. I've arranged to have he body picked up this Wednesday and hauled over to Alex for however long they need to make it perfect :-)

Another update...

I stopped by Kirk's shop yesterday to see the body and take care of some financials. Greg from Vintage Motorcars also stopped by to pick it up. Greg, Alex, and his Team will be doing all the final prep and paint. They should have it for about a month. I told them to take as much time as they need. This is a big step in the process!

I also asked Alex at Vintage Motorcars to take a LOT of photos of the process and post them here. It will keep my build thread going and also provide a place for Vintage Motorcars to post/advertise their work. Every time I am at their shop and see all their beautiful cars... I almost wish I went with a coupe... I'm thinking another build thread after I finish the speedster... hmmm...

Oh, and I also ordered custom hinges for the hood and rear deck lid from Vintage Motorcars. Greg showed me their design when I followed the speedster body over to his shop. They looked amazing! So I ordered a pair for the front and back. I hope Alex posts those up as well... you all might be interested in getting some...

Is that Greg in the blue T-shirt?  First met Greg in 1998 before building my first spyder.  Back then Greg's small shop was attached to Vintage Speedsters.  My how things have changed.  Hope to build another spyder in 2018.  

Marty Grzynkowicz posted:

Horsepower Demon, is that a real thing? 

 

 

Damn that looks real nice Marty. I feel the need!

Man, now would be the time to install the "rusty tubs" rear seat area... just saying.

TRP posted:

Man, now would be the time to install the "rusty tubs" rear seat area... just saying.

Details? Link?

Phil IM356D posted:

Is that Greg in the blue T-shirt?  First met Greg in 1998 before building my first spyder.  Back then Greg's small shop was attached to Vintage Speedsters.  My how things have changed.  Hope to build another spyder in 2018.  

Yup! Really nice and very knowledgeable guy. I really enjoy his shop too. Nice show room and a LOT going on...