lukeshop.com - Lukeshop Reflections

	Gosh!! I love this picture!! I still had a full head of dark hair - - Even my mustache was still dark!! Anyway, the moral of this pic to reaffirm the frame of mind to try not to overlook anything! This buggy had quick bolt on fenders for the back tires, quicky bolt on street mufflers and off road straight pipes, quick bolt on window shield make of polycarbonate, horn, turn signals and a windshield wiper. It was still registered as a 1966 Olds Toronado, up to date registered plates and I used to drive it to work on occasion. This could never have been done if I hadn't planned for the idea during it's build. Incidentally, those aluminum fuel tanks on each side of the motor held 7 gallons each and were valved.. In the desert, I ran without care anywhere until a tank went dry - Then I knew I always had enough fuel to get me back to camp. Believe me, you don't want to run out of fuel in the middle of a desert.
	What's the reason for this silly pic??? Well - It's my first quicky paint booth inside of my garage. You can do the same thing with no fear of over spray going everywhere. My quick paint booths were always filtered, ( as seen ), and always functioned on negative pressure using simple floor box fans with filters on them also. Another reason to show this pic is to examine the actual plastic application. I can give you complete instructions if you so desire, however, simply stated, the plastic MUST be at least 3 mil thick. Although this booth worked, it was marginal in that there wasn't enough vertical stiffeners to keep the plastic from being sucked in severely due to the negative pressure. In later booths, I used cheap 1/2" pvc pipe as vertical stiffeners every 10 feet. Made all the difference in the world. PS - - The box fans were 24" dia type.
	This car was a brute. I went entirely overboard and created a street machine that really wasn't streetable. I shook all the glass in my neighbors windows, but they never complained because they loved to see it and hear it run. When staged properly, I could lift the driver side wheel off the ground about 2 inches. I had to stiffen the unibody underneath to stop the sheet metal from warping. The tires chirped constantly as I turned corners because of the spooled rear end. The gas mileage was around 5 mpg. When You drove it around, you never looked ahead - - You were always looking in you mirrors for "the man". Sometimes there wasn't enough vacuum in the reserve tank to get the power brakes to work efficiently. They would still work, but your first stab at the brake pedal would scare you to death. All things considered, it was a fantastic car - - And if I ever build a similar brute, it will be a trailer requirement situation..
	This is my favorite machine. There is a business in my home town that builds these "retro" Corvettes and is widely known and acknowledged for superior workmanship. However - In a blink - You can tie up $150K to get a functioning vehicle. Ridiculous! I visited this business and observed the method - And said to myself - - "I can do this"!!! And I did for 1/3 the cost! There are a lot of pluses and minuses for the C2 Vette platform. The doors are total fiberglass and can never have rust but the window glass replacement is a nightmare. The central body has a steel birdcage under all that fiberglass and is very strong, but, unless you've always garaged it and never had it in the rain, it IS rusted - - Sometimes very badly. I bought an entire basket case 1985 Vette for all the suspension, brakes and steering. If you buy a crate engine for one of these vettes, try to get the engine without the HEI distributor because it WILL hit the window wiper motor. You must use an aftermarket MSD drop in to clear everything. I would do a lot of things different if I did this car today. I would use a LS crate engine with FI induction. Those engines weren't readily available when this build was done. And I'd use a race prepped Powerglide for the drive train..Maybe next time???
	Mr Road Runner!!! What a flashy car!! You can see this baby 2 blocks away. After working on the Vette, this car seems to be TWICE as big.. Lot of time getting this guys flat and straight. Chrysler NEVER put out a car as straight and flat as this guy is. LOTS of long board sanding. Lots of Celebrex to ease the shoulder pain. Sure, there is some rust in the lower panels, but the magic of modern rust converter chemicals and a little dimpling along with good bondo application solves the problem. Why did I put the battery in the trunk??? Well - Used to be the "big boys" did this to their racers just to get a few more pounds over the rear wheels.. Me - - I just wanted the ugly battery out of the engine compartment. There is a shut off knob on the battery as is with all my projects to protect battery life and prevent forest fires in my shop!!!! HAH! If I had to do it again, I think I would go with the MOPAR small block 400 cu in crate engine. Great engine, light weight, high horsepower and cheap as dirt for what you get.