@hammerheadfistpunch During yesterday's thread about trying to find a specific music video I remembered this one. It's a much different kind of car based music video but probably still warrants inclusion.

Saw this in Best Of and just HAD to post.

The second car I ever owned, was a '94 PGT. Had the stereo equalizer option and everything. Was also my first manual transmission car. I put that car through a lot, but always did my best to keep it clean and looking nice Even when it developed lifter tick, I just pulled those little hyro lifters out and cleaned them; dunked them in alcohol for a bit, reinstalled, and that resolved most of it. Never once broke down on me, either.

When Michigan Winters finally chewed the exhaust off, my dad helped me install a nice stainless Borla. For as much as I enjoyed that exhaust, it had a pretty bad 2,000-2,500 RPM drone. But at 18 years old I didn't care, and I enjoy the amplification of some parts of the rev range thanks to the VRIS.

If you're looking to restomod and keep the original spirit, I would argue that the TRUE original spirit of that car IS the JDM -ZE engine. The -DE is just an underpowered disappointment.

As many already know, too, the engine was designed to be lightweight, low friction, and rev-happy -and that included the pistons. Meaning any more than a few PSI of turbo meant KABLOOEY on those rods. Years and years ago I saved a technical whitepaper on the KLDE engine. Who knows where it is now, but...

I pondered the idea of resto-modding a 2nd gen Probe, for myself. But ultimately decided it was one of those younger memories that I'd prefer to savor and enjoy as part of my past, and can stay there. And not necessarily that they were BAD memories, but, I like to say that some things in life shouldn't get a reboot.

@grindintosecond

I'll put that on my bucket list. I've got a few places I've wanted to go, like the big CAF show in Midland, Maho Beach (if it still exists, I think they restored it). I did finally make it to the In N Out at LAX a couple of years ago. It did not disappoint.

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@100percentjake Ran into a similar issue when trying to find replacement glass for my old E30. BMW has ADHD when it comes to designing parts. They used to switch stuff up in the middle of MY’s.

@essextee there is a point where it's no longer a 356.
IMG_20210406_193656~2.jpg this was made by a friend of mine. I believe he's crossed that point.

@highlander That's also an excellent idea... She wants to come along after seeing the pics but I'm not sure how she'd hold up to the trail! Maybe the answer is drive to the campsite and then bike from there.

@urambo-tauro ah, I see, the pistons are indeed broken ...

@sony1492 Appreciate it! The first gen Matador is pretty good looking for a Muscle car, but Muscle cars don't need to be aerodynamic.

@nickhasanexocet that is absolutely the best way to wrench on a project.

@jminer I hope to get back to making knobs in a couple weeks, we're moving to a new house, and a lot of the tools are packed up now. Thanks for the shout out!

@old-busted-hotness A whole lot of missed opportunities for sure.

@ranwhenparked Interesting to learn this timeline. My parents most certainly contributed to that fund, and my dad would have been among the first people to train on the Freewinds.

And I'm not the only one who thinks it's a good idea. Spotted at the local AutoZone:
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@mark-tucker Don't be hating on the PRV!

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I'd swap in a GM 6.2 diesel into every brodozer out there. No turbo, no power, all bark and no bite.

@urambo-tauro that Chevy, just sell it as ran when parked.

A small update to the post:

The vehicle has been gone a few months, now, and with mixed feelings I have to say.... I rarely think of it.

I've been smitten by the Volt; it's simply the right vehicle, that fits my needs perfectly, when I needed it.

I figured what softened the blow is Mister Disdainful's Elantra GT Sport, which I have a few mild mods for now (upgraded MAC boos solenoid and intake catch-can, later this Summer a stiffer lower trans mount) But any time I get in his car, I only enjoy the drive if I am in a perky, sporty mood.

It otherwise just feels like a jerky car. By comparison. I love the DCT, but, I'm not always in the mood for a jerky ride.

But the N-Line? I just don't give it a thought. Which is a shame, but, also very telling.

Have also been thinking of getting a rat-rod on the side. An old Astro van, or a RWD Volvo, just to tinker with and maybe do some cheap amateur racing with. But that would just be another money sink.

@sony1492 the speed you're going, you'll have it finished before Project Binky is on the road.

@100percentjake

The person in the video is terrible at identifying the make/model of cars.

@ranwhenparked Also, I'm pleased that this one was easy to find on Google Earth:
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Not surprising since it sounds like it doesn't get out of Wonsan much these days.

@exage03040 Mustang for me, even though it's missing the aircraft toggle switches that make the interior. It's much more up my alley, and I can fit in it.

Also, surprised you can now get a non-premium GT on our side of the border!

@future-next-gen-s2000-owner Well, don't worry. I'm not ahead, either.

It's funny because my first couple track days convinced me that stock powered miatas are slow and there is no way around that. Sure, slow car fast but when you get passed by someone doing 150 where you can barely muster 100, there ain't no driver mod fixing that! However, my third track day I was completely humbled by a grey beard miata owner who helped me fix a part that broke on my miata that day. I recalled being passed by him at the front straight of Autoclub Speedway like I wasn't moving. So I got to asking him about his car and lo and behold despite the stripped out caged interior , the car is bone stock power. He said that he found turbo builds to just cost too much long term on consumables and that he has his car dialed in enough to beat turbo cars purely out of skill. The trick was to literally never let up on the throttle. See I was holding steady around the big sweeping nascar turn at the end of the front straight, going about 115 around the whole thing. He was just keeping foot to the floor the entire way, maxing out the little motor around 130 at the end of it. Plus the whole rest of the track just years of experience making every turn perfect. It was a lesson learned that adding lightness and driver mods really can do everything on track.

Also, I found it funny how you mention the winter being the off season as it is for many. Here in Socal it's definitely the opposite with around August to November being the off season considering it's 110F at most tracks around then .

@peter_black didn't see this thread until "Best of Oppo" but Most Wanted was one of the best games ever. Just so much fun