Headed to Roanoke with an empty trailer

[scannon]

I've purchased a winter project car in Roanoke, VA and am leaving Denver Wednesday AM early. I plan to be in Roanoke mid-day Friday, pick up the car and start back West the same day. Trying to do this in 5 days of 600 miles per day.

 

I know it is short notice, but I can haul a Seven or a Miata sized car for a reasonable bit of gas money if someone needs one moved Eastward. Its a 7 x 14 enclosed trailer with 72" between the cables that pull up the ramp.

 

Anyone interested call me at 303-661-9914.

 

Any advice?

[slngsht]

If you happen to go by DC, you're welcome to crash our place...

[scannon]

If you happen to go by DC, you're welcome to crash our place...

Thanks for the offer, but Roanoke is as far East as I will be going. I want to be 300 miles West of Roanoke before I stop for the night.

[slngsht]

so... what are you picking up?

[scannon]

Eh, er, um, well, another gay car. This one comes with a complete, uninstalled Simpson Design body kit called the Italia. See http://www.simpsondesign.net/italia.htm for pictures of what it will look like when done. This will be my winter project besides what I need to do on the Caterham.

[locost7018]

You have way too much time on your hands!!!!

[WestTexasS2K]

Eh, er, um, well, another gay car. This one comes with a complete, uninstalled Simpson Design body kit called the Italia. See http://www.simpsondesign.net/italia.htm for pictures of what it will look like when done. This will be my winter project besides what I need to do on the Caterham.

 

Scannon that looks like the same body kit the Stacey David on GEARZ did. It looks nice. When are you gonna stuff an LS3 and six speed in that boy. No one will be calling it a gay car anymore. I have been very tempted to do that conversion myself. There is very little weight gain about 200 lbs total and the weight bias stays the same as the stock car so handeling is still like a stock Miata. Flyin Miata sells the stuff to do the conversion and they have alot of build info and videos. They are a real sleeper. Everything fits under the stock hood.

[slngsht]

Scannon that looks like the same body kit the Stacey David on GEARZ did. It looks nice. When are you gonna stuff an LS3 and six speed in that boy. No one will be calling it a gay car anymore. I have been very tempted to do that conversion myself. There is very little weight gain about 200 lbs total and the weight bias stays the same as the stock car so handeling is still like a stock Miata. Flyin Miata sells the stuff to do the conversion and they have alot of build info and videos. They are a real sleeper. Everything fits under the stock hood.

LS motor fits in everything

[scannon]

I've had a ride in several of FM's in house conversions and they are very impressive. However, if I feel the need for more power in the Italia it will be via turbo. I like doen it to em with a four banger.

 

I do have time on my hands, I'm on long term disability soon to be fully retired. I needed a project to keep me busy this winter. I decided the space ship project wasn't interesting enough so I looked around and found the Italia.

[WestTexasS2K]

I would love to go for a ride in a Ls1 Miata. I will have to look around for one in Texas. I think a 480hp ls3 would be a blast. I am worried that the emissions increases are going to make these kinds of vehicles hard to do. Even in the land of Texas where it is fairly easy.

[scannon]

Made it back to Erie today with the car and kit intact. 3,300 miles in 5 days with about 5 hours of sunshine and the rest in pouring rain and freezing drizzle.

 

I think it will be worth it when the car is finished. Now to chill a bit.

[slngsht]

Iron man

[scannon]

Iron (but sore) butt, tired man.

 

Speaking of iron butts, during the freezing drizzle today I saw four motorcycles out there. Temp was showing 28F on the mirror readout and there was freezing very light rain falling. The weeds and grass on the side of the road were frozen but the ground warmth must have kept the rain from freezing to the road surface.

 

One guy on a sport bike with no windshield or fairings passed me and I watched him for awhile. He would take his feet off the pegs and get them close to the pavement when going over the bridges.

 

The guy on the HD had windshield and fairings but had his hands clasped together on the gas tank and was steering by leaning his body. He didn't put his feet close to the road over the bridges. He had a Washington state plate on the bike.

 

The other two bikes were going the other way on the interstate so I didn't get a close look at them.

[locost7018]

You are right up there with Jack in the Iron Butt department!!!!!!!!

[lowflyer]

When I saw that you were picking up an Italia, my first thought was of my Italia.

 

Sadly, different car.

 

Mine was a production car with an interesting history. Back in the day, when the Pantera was being sold by Ford dealers Mercury dealers wanted something similar, so they commissioned a car to be made by the Intermechanica people of Italy. The same car had been originally built as an Apollo, but with a 273 Chrysler engine.

 

Same people later made a Porsche Speedster replica kit.

 

Anyway, I digress. The Italia was a steel bodied 2 seat sports car that used a Ford 351 Cleveland V8 with 4 speed gearbox. Essentially the drive train was all Mustang Mach I. The engine was rated at around 350 hp, but the car weighed quite a bit less than the Mustang so performance was quite good.

 

The looks were a mix between a Corvette and a Ferrari, in my eye. They built about 200 roadsters and 52 coupes. I had one of the coupes. Neat car, but hotter than a $2.00 pistol inside, and if I ran the A/C then the car overheated. Talk about a "fair weather" car! The heavy, non-power steering was another drawback.

 

Kept it about 2 years, sold it to finance my flying lessons.

 

Ken Edney

Chandler, AZ