Great, now the LS swap market is going to dry up (sarcasm here...). Really though, it is an interesting line to decide what to keep original to a classic car, and not. I personally think it abhorrent to put a Chevrolet engine in anything but a Chevrolet, as an example. But, I see a lot reasons why people do an LS swap - availability, fuel injection - after all, an engine is just an engine, right? Do the trans with it for an overdrive or two, then, do the brakes, and the suspension. Pretty soon, the ride starts to become a new car, that looks like an old car. Certainly drives like a new car. So, an EV drivetrain? Well, it is better than the Chevrolet drivetrain isn't it. No gears at all, no fuel injection - why not? It's just an engine, after all. ... View more

Jack - you hit some funny bones on this one. Two stories. I went to a car show with my wife years ago. Wondering through the aisles of cool cars, I saw an AMX. You just don't see those that much. It was clean and looked original, and in it's own way, absolutely beautiful. My wife saw it and almost gagged, scoffing out loud how ugly it was. It was loud enough I think the owners nearby heard it. I shielded her aside, and told her about the AMX a little. AMC struggling to get by, and that was a heroic effort in many ways. And a good friend of mine maintains that in Caldwell, ID, the fastest cars on the streets were AMC's growing up (I still scoff a bit, but I heard him...). I got to ride in an autocross once where we brought out the old cars - that thing worked pretty dang good - blew away my Fish. To restore or maintain one of these is probably 4x harder than the nearest car here, and probably 100x harder than any Chevrolet. That is something special you are seeing. I'll grant, the AMX isn't beautiful in many eyes, but it is knowing about it. Point is - don't be too critical of anything, if you don't like it, and maybe especially if you don't like it. Second, it is funny how we develop prejudices. I happen to own a 67 Barracuda and an FD RX-7 (there isn't much more cultish than a mopar and a rotary....). I like them both - they are both just fun and amazing cars. It is funny the different crowd of people that recognize or thumbs up, or want to talk - but, I get a completely different crowd for either one. It fascinates me - why can't it can't be the same crowd? Somehow we need to do some rideshares, to appreciate what we can't see. ... View more

One of my early recollections of a 71 Roadrunner. West Motor in Preston, ID had a maroon one with black strobe stripes. Had some bigger rubber out back, and the stance seemed perfect. Had the flame-thrower exhausts, and I think it said 440 on the hood scallops. In black. Maroon and black. Man that car looked cool. I spent a lot of time looking at it. The front turn signals on these are narrower than most cars, and somewhat identifiable at night. I remember seeing one or two at night, and knowing what it was. It stood out. Cool. One day I remember going with dad on a service call, near Preston. As we approached jumping onto highway 91, it might have been that very Preston Roadrunner, driving by. That sound. I was struck by what it sounded like. Angry. But, I worried that it sounded all revved up – sounded like it wouldn’t actually go that fast – seemed busy just going 55 or so. I remember commenting that, and dad saying it probably would go 120. 120?! That was quite impressionable for my maybe 12 or 13 year old mind. And good enough to imprint fairly heavily on me. Dad, let’s catch it, I said – but we couldn’t in the work van – didn’t even try I recall. I like these cars. ... View more

I went to the drag race track years ago.  I was impressed by an over-20-year-old turbo Dodge Caravan (remember those old turbo 2.2's or 2.5's?).  Wasn't that pretty.  I was initially impressed because it was running like a 13.79 quarter.  When I went to the pits to ask about it, there was the wife and like 6 kids running around.  The seats had been removed for weight.  The owner said they use it for everything.  Family car, hauling wood inside, drag racing....  ... View more