I'm just curious to see if anyone else is into the world of cars. Which racing series do you follow? What do you drive? Have any project cars laying around? Currently, I'm working on restoring a first generation Toyota MR2, which I use as my daily driver too. It's an absolute money pit, but something I really enjoy.
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I'm and armchair enthusiast for F1, have been since '75. That looks like a nice restoration job :)
That looks really good. I love the coal bunker in the back - so clean!
Seriously, my car runs on Autogas: a propane/butane mix. It's about half the price of petrol and diesel. Anyone elso do that?
Yes, I believe someone down the road from my house has an old Honda CRX that runs on it. I can only imagine what kind of gas mileage he gets...
I used to have an MR2 Roadster. It was a great car, fantastic handling, and the roof would come up and down in a matter of seconds.
Since then I had an Impreza WRX, which I got rid off, due to a combination of starting a new job, which is only half an hours walk away, and the price of petrol and insurance, plus the fact that we were running two cars. So in those circumstances, it made sense to go down to one.
My main project at the moment is the house, getting it ready to sell, then move into the next one, and start on that.
If I was to restore a car, I'd like to do a Jensen Interceptor.
As for motorsport, mainly F1. I used to watch the World Rally Championship, when Colin McRae was in it.
That's a fine restoration job. It has been a long time since I've seen a Mk1 MR2 in such good condition.
Thanks, but if you saw the interior you would probably retract your complement :D
I'm in the process of converting where the radio used to be into a gauge housing. Still missing a trim piece and have a bunch of wires laying around...
Quote from: MinnesotaMike on July 29, 2011, 01:32:14 AM
Thanks, but if you saw the interior you would probably retract your complement :D
I'm in the process of converting where the radio used to be into a gauge housing. Still missing a trim piece and have a bunch of wires laying around...
LOL, Well I might qualify my compliment with "so far".
Me think it interesting two photos have the license plate photo-chopped out and not the third. Hmm.
Long story short on those plates: They were never registered to anyone, so it would be impossible to get info about either myself or the previous owner from them. ;D
I'm more of a bike person myself especially cafe racers. I seriously want this bike (Deus Grievous Angel) and hopefully my next if I can figure out a reasonable way of getting it imported.
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I love the graphic design of 70's racing cars, check out the video below if you also like them, well if you just like cars in general.
http://www.gestalten.com/motion/go-faster (http://www.gestalten.com/motion/go-faster)
Also can't wait for Forza 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHqfWzN2DI0)
That bike is amazing. I love the simplicity and style of a cafe racer. I have always wanted to get an old Bonneville and build my interpretation.
And to the OP, nice MR2. I bet it is getting impossible to find parts. I almost bought a MK1 supra a few years back to restore and have as a weekend toy, but someone got there with the money before me. Most of my friends do not understand the obsession, but I look at camaros and mustangs as a dime a dozen, and prefer something more unique, something you don't see every day. That is why I would have a Triumph motorcycle over a Harley, or an old celica over a mustang.
I will say I have an unhealthy obsession with CJ series Jeeps. I have owned several CJ7's and a CJ5, one of which I built from a frame on sawhorses. They're all gone now, but I will likely build another before too long.
I like all sorts of cars but if it fits into the small fun to drive category, those are my favourites. I own a 2005 MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works. As much as you can love a machine I love that car.
As for racing I never really got into it. I enjoy the odd highlights from various series. WRC being at the top of the list.
Edit: I forgot to add, my first car was almost a first gen MR2. It would have been a nice project but I really didn't have the time or money for a project at the time. MinnesotaMike are you just restoring or are you improving too?
Quote from: Jabbles on August 15, 2011, 02:04:53 AM
I like all sorts of cars but if it fits into the small fun to drive category, those are my favourites. I own a 2005 MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works. As much as you can love a machine I love that car.
As for racing I never really got into it. I enjoy the odd highlights from various series. WRC being at the top of the list.
Edit: I forgot to add, my first car was almost a first gen MR2. It would have been a nice project but I really didn't have the time or money for a project at the time. MinnesotaMike are you just restoring or are you improving too?
Mostly restoration, but because it isn't all original I've taken a few liberties ;D
Authentic TRD short-throw shifter (instructions were in Japanese, so I just went by the diagram for the install), trunk-mounted cold air intake, and a boost/vacuum gauge to monitor delicate changes in throttle for the best gas mileage. For one tank of gas I drove as gently and efficiently as I could and netted an average of 42.34 mpg. I'll never understand why people want the supercharged version so bad... an extra 30hp at the cost of many many miles per gallon.
Is that where your avatar was taken from?
Currently, I drive a 1993 VW Passat 2.0 made of rust... And I like the damned thing. As for following autosport, I did before, but lately I simply have not had the time.
I used to be a car guy, but am more bike guy now, much like Crow. Gorgeous MR2, Mike; I had a first year ('84) four-banger Fiero for a little while and love it. Used to talk all kinds of smack about the MR2s back then as being Fiero knock-offs, but I really just didn't like the look (it has since grown on me). I had a 1980 Firebird (what a POS) and the closest I came to a hot rod was my primer-gray 1965 Pontiac Tempest with a 2bbl 326ci and rusted-out quarter panels. I was a Pontiac guy, and still have some love for the brand, but bikes are where it's at for me. You can get Lamborghini performance on Chevy money, so it's a no-brainer for a broke-ass like m'self.
Crow, that bike is sweet; I love Deus ex Machina's bikes - very stripped-down no-BS stuff. Check out Falcon motorcycles too, if you dig old British iron with that look. http://www.falconmotorcycles.com/ (http://www.falconmotorcycles.com/) I have an '03 Triumph (Speedmaster), but they've porked up a bit from the originals... just her drivetrain is about 200lbs. Seen some new Bonnies turned into some sweet cafe racers.
Xjeepguy, you can't go wrong with a Triumph; wonderful bikes. I can only speak for my newer one, but I know guys that have or have had vintage ones and love 'em to death. '68 or '69 Bonnie would be my drug of choice if I had disposable fundage.
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on August 25, 2011, 04:11:25 PM
Is that where your avatar was taken from?
Yep, it's the chicken badge that they put on the MR2.
Quote from: MinnesotaMike on August 28, 2011, 02:40:45 AM
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on August 25, 2011, 04:11:25 PM
Is that where your avatar was taken from?
Yep, it's the chicken badge that they put on the MR2.
Ok, language malfunction. What's a 'chicken badge'?
It's a running joke among MR2 owners that the bird pictured on the badge is a chicken ;D
Quote from: MinnesotaMike on August 28, 2011, 05:56:33 PM
It's a running joke among MR2 owners that the bird pictured on the badge is a chicken ;D
I suspected as much, but one can never be too sure ;D
Quote from: DaemonWulf on August 27, 2011, 07:40:18 PM
Used to talk all kinds of smack about the MR2s back then as being Fiero knock-offs, but I really just didn't like the look (it has since grown on me).
Nooooooo! You were one of THEM? :D
Quote from: MinnesotaMike on August 28, 2011, 06:11:35 PM
Nooooooo! You were one of THEM? :D
Yes. Yes I was. But to be fair, I'm sure the MR2 is just as competent as the Fiero. Now the Fiero GT, on the other hand...
Quote from: MinnesotaMike on August 28, 2011, 05:56:33 PM
It's a running joke among MR2 owners that the bird pictured on the badge is a chicken ;D
Looks like a badass chicken ;D
Quote from: DaemonWulf on August 28, 2011, 11:13:56 PM
Quote from: MinnesotaMike on August 28, 2011, 06:11:35 PM
Nooooooo! You were one of THEM? :D
Yes. Yes I was. But to be fair, I'm sure the MR2 is just as competent as the Fiero. Now the Fiero GT, on the other hand...
Yeah, you need the supercharged MR2 to compare to the Fiero. But base model to base model? The MR2 isn't just competent, it owns! 8)
Quote from: MinnesotaMike on August 29, 2011, 02:01:03 AM
Quote from: DaemonWulf on August 28, 2011, 11:13:56 PM
Quote from: MinnesotaMike on August 28, 2011, 06:11:35 PM
Nooooooo! You were one of THEM? :D
Yes. Yes I was. But to be fair, I'm sure the MR2 is just as competent as the Fiero. Now the Fiero GT, on the other hand...
Yeah, you need the supercharged MR2 to compare to the Fiero. But base model to base model? The MR2 isn't just competent, it owns! 8)
Not to mention the gen 2 turbo.... That's a fun car.
Sounds like a fun comparison. If I ever find another base model Fiero, I'll let ya know... though I think the second time around I'd rather have the GT.
I've always been a Mustang fan, but I can say with little doubt I'll never own another one. Money pit. I've owned five: 1993 Calypso coupe (K.I.A), 1989 GT (H/C/I) 1990 SSP Coupe (CHiP car), 1990 LX Hatch, and:
That vert behind my bike...
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...with a 306, Trickflow H/C/I, 3.55, NX wet kit, and all the trimmings (pullies, headers, x pipe, blah blah blah).
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Too much green was going to Ford, so to save money I bought a Mopar to build. :D 1974 Plymouth Duster, 225 slant six with the Clifford kit. I'll get shots of it as soon as I can.
Quote from: DaemonWulf on August 27, 2011, 07:40:18 PM
I used to be a car guy, but am more bike guy now, much like Crow. Gorgeous MR2, Mike; I had a first year ('84) four-banger Fiero for a little while and love it.
My first car was an 84 Fiero 2M4. I had it for a good six months before the cooling system catastrophically failed on the interstate. Hydrolocked, but pulled the plugs the next day, hit the key and she turned over. It ran still, but I had no confidence in the car anymore and sold it. I miss it :( It was a blast to drive.