I had the great fortune to fly in one about four years ago. I have experience in a lot of private and commercial aircraft. Many different helicopters have dragged my carcass in the air, from a Huey to Bell 47s and JetRangers to Aerospatiale State Police units and even an aerobatic Hughes 500 (the only time I've even had an increased heart rate in an aircraft!) I've flown in a B-17, too, which I found loud, but this was right there at that level. The positive was landing. It was as though I imagine setting down in a giant bowl of cotton candy would feel. If I hadn't been looking at the landing gear, I wouldn't have known we had touched down. ... View more

Lacing wheels--did that, once, about forty years ago. I didn't end well. On a tour of the Pennsylvania Harley plant, I saw some old woman crank out a wheel in what seemed like every minute. I retired from that work forever. Replacing an Boxster engine, changing shocks on a 540i (a remarkably challenging job) or changing a power steering pump in a Cayenne (you don't want to know,) yup. No lacing wheels again, ever. ... View more

We bought a used W124 Turbo Diesel wagon in the early 1990s. The turbo went bad, but--well out of warranty--Mercedes replaced it, at no charge. That was a great car, and I don't think they have made any as good since. I have gone on to a 2000 BMW 540i manual which my wife won't even let me part with now, and Porsches, but that wagon still lives in my memory as one of the best I had. Oh, it was replaced by a Volvo turbo wagon. Great seats, but a maintenance headache. ... View more

Did you ever drive a Pantera? I think if you had, your perception would be far different. ... View more

"Front windshield?" Need some copy editing help. And you say the Challenger has a Gen III Hemi, and the Cuda has a Gen II, like the Challenger. So, which? Love that Pontiac and the Ford! ... View more

Plus one on the compressor--but less necessary with an electric impact gun. I do wish I had taken the opportunity to learn welding from uncle. A friend of mine, years in the oilfield, does a lot of it. When I asked if he would get me started, he said he wouldn't: it's too late in my 60's! One thing I could not do without now is my two-post lift. I realize you don't have a suitable garage. In looking for a place in a warmer climate, a proper work space with high ceilings to allow a lift, is not optional. ... View more

That's why you have a handbrake! Watch World Rally Championship drivers. ... View more

Rob, I am used to using a digital inclinometer on a dirt track car I raced. To get a zero, we just set it on the floor, zeroed, and got our measurements sticking it to the rotor. Would yours not zero in that manner? ... View more

I only wish the rear shocks on the E39 were that easy! Disassembling half the rear seating area, no make that the whole area, is not fun. I'm a little confused though. My E24 has inserts and when I replaced them, the manual said to replace the oil as it helps in cooling the unit. Is the 2002 insert not self-contained and actually using the fluid for damping? ... View more

I don't have a big extended-wheelbase diesel, just a double cab Silverado, but let me tell you about my day yesterday. We don't have potable water in the well on our property, so I drive 5 miles each way to the water station--twice. After that, I hauled about 13 gallons of used oil to the recycling center as my contribution to climate contrition. Then, I picked up 10 bags of heating pellets to keep us from experiencing climate entropy. Here in Wyoming, trucks aren't an option--just a necessity. And if it snows, I'm not the least bit concerned I'll go when and where I'll need to go. ... View more

Really. Took a tour with a friend and his wife, them in the Solstice, us in our Boxster. They were really mad when they discovered all our luggage space. When we returned, he started looking for a Boxster. They are nice-looking, and nice driving though! ... View more

The rear brake is only lightly-used in roadracing. If you watch Superbike or MotoGP, the rear wheel is frequently off the pavement during braking. The front does all the work. The rear is just for mid-corner adjustments for the most part. ... View more

I had a dirt track car powered by a Yamaha R1. I used Stabil over one winter, and in the spring, it would just not fire though it was always an easy starter. It took some time, including a new wire harness, before I found the real problem was the fuel injection nozzles were clogged. After that, race gas only. And now, in my Porsche and BMW that sit over the winter, there is only ethanol-free all the time. ... View more

"Perhaps it lacks the sophistication of the European machine it’s so often compared to, the Porsche 911, but that German will only ever see the Corvette’s taillights fading in the distance."   Sorry, but you have the taillights reversed. The reason Corvettes are easily found is that the ancient owners never drive them for fear getting a scratch, or breaking them. The engines are great, and reliable as a sunrise, but the rest of the car isn't of the same caliber.  ... View more