i have had numerous life experiences wich others might not have been so
blessed!
rides in a P-51 mustang and a spitfire! myfather tuned a late 50's ferrari
coupe that i always went for the test rides in! jaguars of the 50's
through the 70's (120's on up almost the entire range!) mini's , very early
beetles, porshe's of almost evry size and description , vintage aircraft
from a ford tri motor to a stinson reliant, homebuilt aircraft from
frightengly spartan to very fancy. evry one had it's own smell, it's own
feel, and for those who have been mechanically intimate you know their
mechanical soul. the bugeye i own fits right into that description. the
timelessness of it's design and no matter as to it being bone stock or in
pure racing trim, that car invigorates me. no stereo, next to no heat, one
speed wipers, so little upholstry that it almost defies being called an
interior and yet i find it attractive in my own way. the moment i get into
the car it brings certain feelings to life. and once it comes to life the
experience becomes full circle! life is short man! when i want to be
entertained i go and get a full dose of what ever i need to! and certain
days.....i just need to stop at my garage and visit my car!
it's all good!
yup chris, the new toy on the block fulfills some needs but ya can never
turn your back on the car that makes just as strong a statement!
ice, snow, and road salt today! so i must put off the excursion to the
garage for a bit yet. and this year i'm going to untape my headlights. i
think it's time for a late night ride in the country after so many years of
it being a daylight only car.
chuck.
-----Original Message-----
From Robert E. Shlafer <PilotRob at webtv.net>
To: Charles Christ <cfchrist@earthlink.net>
Cc: Jay Shaffer <shaf@zenten.com>; spridgets@autox.team.net
<spridgets@autox.team.net>
Date: Tuesday, April 08, 2003 7:36 AM
Subject: Re: 356 Handling NOW old vs. new sports cars
>"mechanical soul"
>
>Very, very well said, Chuck. I look back
>at the larger airplanes I've flown and
>checked out in....most especially the
>old ex-Flying Tiger's CL44 "monster"
>trans-ocean 4 engined turboprops....
>the smell and feel was unto it's own as
>was the mission....sheer beauty, romance
>(re-living history) and a totally serious situation in the event. And,
>of course, a
>chance to re-visit England, my favorite
>"other" soul-home.
>
>Then I look at the smaller tough, reliable BE1900 that could take a
>licking and keep
>on ticking, and....
>
>the larger SAAB 340 which came
>with all sorts of electronic "glitchi" which
>you learn to work around along with it's
>alleged reputation as a horrible airplane
>in ice (bullshit...you just needed some
>experience with "fibre" props and a high
>degree of "situational awareness" in
>certain conditions...but I always flew
>slightly "scared"....safer that way!:) and
>the ability to handle horrendous cross-
>winds on landing if you read a little Ernie
>Gahn, flew Beech 18's or DC-3's and learned how to use a little
>"differential
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