About me and my passion for cars

I came by my passion honestly, being the youngest of the high school group and the last to drive. To earn a ride, I had to often learn how to repair their cars, at least in some minor way. I learned a lot by reading and then trying things out. As I was mechanically inclined, it all clicked together. I still hate the thought of skinning my knuckles on Marc's Mk I Sprite and Louie's 53 TC, but they taught me by forcing me do things over and over again until it was right.

My first car

My brother bought a '63 Olds Cutlass with a 4 speed. While he went to Viet Nam, it became mine. It was ever so much more exciting than my mother's 62 Chevy II which I hopped up or the family 66 Grand Prix with the 421.
I finally was bequeathed the Cutlass and, lacking lots of hot rod parts, I had to make some of my own, including headers and a Buick 300 crankshaft. It was pretty cool and made innumerable trips with me to school in Miami. I never did get better than 19.6 mpg on a long trip though, probably because with a 3.55 rear I was traveling above 3500 RPM.

Car I wish I still had

I never planned on getting rid of any cars, but life has a way of throwing knuckle balls. I miss my AC with the 327, my 3 Griffiths with 289's, my XJS with the 12 cylinder, my 69 Z28 with 4 wheel disks, my 54 Bentley automatic and my wonderful Honda AN600.

My dream car

I have never owned a Ferrari 365 GTB4. It isn't the fastest car I can name but it certainly does hold a place in my heart. I would probably like a 62 409 too. Oh I want to replace my Cosworth Vega too. All the others I guess I own.

Car clubs I’m in

CORSA, Bentley Drivers Club, CVOA

Favorites

• Type of racing: Road Racing with real sports cars
• Driver: Stirling Moss
• Driving song: Call Me by Blondie
• Car movie: Gran Prix
• Car book: My Life and My Cars by W.O. Bentley
• Car magazine: Car and Driver
• Car game: Need for Speed

— Profile last updated: Nov 3, 2006