Evo is short for Evolution Performance Driving School. Evolution Performance Driving Schools are hands-on, foot to the floor autocross driving schools. With programs designed to improve the driving skills of 16 year old novices to multi-time Solo II National Champions. (I didn’t write that it from their web site.)
This even is sponsored by the SCCA Tucson, Arizona Border region and will be held at the Marana Airport, Marana, AZ .
This weekend two instructors Brian Peters and Tom Kotzian will we taking us through our paces with our cars. Both of these guys have plenty of experience with National level Solo with the SCCA, including multiple National level wins, and Championships.
Yes I’ll have my 07 Corvette there and Well see how I do.
While I getting my act together after a very nice week-long road trip I wanted to share a car that I once owed and that for all too common reasons let it go to a new home.
1974 was about the time the U.S. government’s fossil fuel consciousness began to kick in, choking the horsepower out of the muscle car. But this car was an exception. Here’s its specs.
Gran Torino Sport
VIN: 4H38Q107971
Body: 65R
Color: 3D
Trim: DB
Trans: U
Axle: 9
DBO: 75
Date: 08/73
Vin Code: 1974
VinCode Body Serial = Gran Torino Sport 2dr HardTop
VinCode Body: Medium Blue Metallic
Seat: Balmora B/Cloth & Corith (L/B Bench)
Trim Code: Med. Blue
AxleCode = 3.25:1
DSOCode: Phoenix
Assembly Plant: Lorrian
Undercarriage is aerodynamic ball joints are much larger than other Torino’s of the same vintage
Transmission is unique (Minus the traditional “Humped” housing)
Engine is 351-V4 Cobra Jet (Not a Cleveland)
9” rear end
10.5:1 ratio
Came with a 3500 Stall Speed Torque Converter.
This was an amazing car.
Unless you are an expert on the Torino what you won’t know is that the 351 V4 Cobra Jet for 1974 was only one of 300 engines made that year. It took me nearly two years of research to find this out.
I sold this car to a nice guy up in Green Bay. Here is a before shot:
People love their cars. Some people love only a specific make or model. I case you haven’t noticed I have a thing for Corvettes and thing for Mustangs (yup Ford and Chevy). I enjoyed this comment from a guy who left it on my Facebook
Andy from my Facebook wrote this:
Part of the reasons why I Love Corvettes, the heritage, history and traditions. To some it’ ll be just be a car, to others it’ s part of their lives. A true Corvette owner/enthusiast will appreciate all aspects of the Corvette, from whateve…r generation. They may have a least favorite but none should be hated or looked down on, because without the last there would be no present. I Love the great community behind this Car, it makes owning one so much better. Owners all across the world willing to give others a helping hand, worldwide Corvette events are held, some over 500 owners attending, a lot for good causes. To me, that’ s something very special because this doesn’t just represent a “Car”. It represents a special select group of individuals willing to enhance the past traditions, that is Loyalty!!. I plan to hold onto it for as long as I live. Something this special is hard to come by and shouldn’t be let go. Just felt like sharing this thought!! Have a great Sunday.See More
Brent worte: Beautiful and well written Andy!
Tim Sweet – As a previous owner of a C4 and the new owner of a C6. You are right on Andy. Save the Wave!!!!
Yes I’m playing catch up with these. I’ll have another engine series coming up. Enjoy.
9/19/1970 – The Pinto debuted
1970 Pinto
9/21/1895 Duryea Motor Wagon Company was created. One of the first companies in the US to build gas powered cars. Their first was the one-cylinder “Ladies Phaeton”.
a one-cylinder "Ladies Phaeton"
9/23/1969 – Here’s a biggie….the debut of the Dodge Challenger.
1969 Challenger (this is the TA)
9/24/1909 Virgil Exner was born in Ann Arbor, Mi Who? Oh..you didn’t just ask that!?!?!?! Car designer for Chevy, Studebaker and Chrysler.
This site is getting a lot of hits and as all of my readers know it’s not a commercial enterprise..as in I don’t sell anything, nor do I have sponsors. I do it for fun.
A few months back while I was surfing the web I ran across a web site that offered to find small “Mom & Pop” racing teams sponsors for their companies. I read the site and I thought it was a really cool ideal. Then I got to thinking, which is often a laborious effort, and more times than not ends in some sort of less than optimal situation, I’d like to do something like that. Small draw back…..oh you know what’s coming…..Average Guy, Average budget….hell most of the time I can afford my this hobby of mine either. So there won’t be any cash involved. (Hear that?!?!!??! That’s the sound of internet browsers slamming closed!!!)
Well if you are still with me, here is what I’d like to do.
I’m going to add a portion to this site called “Mom & Pop’s Racing Corner. I’d like to feature the small racing teams from anywhere in the in the world from time to time. What’s in it for me? Nothing. What’s in it for the racing team? Some recognition outside their local areas. Maybe you get noticed pick up a sponsor or even a couple fans!!!
So if you want to play here is what I need:
1. Name and size of your racing team
2. Details on the vehicles you race…i.e., cars, and trucks (other types might be considers but NO…ABSOLUTELY NO…..LAWNMOWERS!!!!..unless they are really cool) like engine, mods, horsepower, transmission, you get the idea.
3. Type of racing (oval, drags, drifting)
4. A brief paragraph (or longer if you desire) on history and resent racing results and even next event you are going to attend.
5. Include some way for a reader to contact you. (email, facebook or other social media)
6. Include some pictures. At least one of your vehicle. It would be really cool to show the driver(s), owner(s), pit crew, engine builder, stuff like that.
I’ll select one every two weeks or so, depending on the response and run the information in that corner.
It’s going to be fun to introduce these small racing teams and learn more about their cars and their type of racing.
You can drop me a comment here and I’ll get back to your or just email me directly at timsweet@cox.net with your information.
This should be fun.
Thanks for reading
Tim
My Coupe taking of from the line. Before the new paint!!!
But in its place is the 400 hp LS2 powered 2007 Corvette.
She has a 6 speed manual trans mission, Z51 suspension, leather and power everything, key-less entry and starting and a host of other cool stuff. I’ll go into more detail in the next post.
I thought I’d miss the ’84 more then I do, it will be going to a good home and hopefully will stay a Crossfire. The ’84 goes with twice as many miles on it then when I bought it, lots of new, original parts and some improved and a really awesome stereo, it’s a better car then when I got. It deserves to be a show car and not a daily driver/grocery getter/race car (drags and auto cross)/show car. But it did them all very well, with the trophies to prove it. It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot about that middle ground technology that was a huge advance from the older cars, a first of its kind in many ways and a stepping stone to technology that is in the replacement Vette.
I’ve heard from a lot of guys (pssstt…when I use the word “guys” I mean all genders….just wanted to be clear ) that really miss driving their older Vettes, there’s really nothing that can capture the rawness of that kind of driving. I’m bit luckier then those guys because I can still jump in to my ’70 Mustang (thanks to a very understanding better half) and get that feeling of old school nothing but metal and tires driving. I think that alone makes it easier to let the ’84 go.
Thanks to the guys up at Dynamic Crossfire Solutions in Chandler, Az (http://www.crossfireinjection.net/) and all the guys in my Corvette club – Arizona Corvette Enthusiasts (ACE) http://arizonavette.net/, they helped a ton with my learning curve…HEY GUESS WHAT GUYS….I’m going to have a bunch of new ‘stuff’ to learn.
So get ready loyal readers, (all three of you!!!!). I’m going to take my average skills, average tools, and now below average budget and take on new technology.
Well, I’ve been preoccupied over the past week with …ok…don’t shoot me, you classic car lovers…….working a trade for a 2007 Corvette with my 84 Corvette. Yeah, I know..WTH???
I know, I know. I love my 84, it’s unique and the value has increased since I’ve purchased it. But there is a desire to upgrade. This isn’t the first time I’ve considered getting another Vette, I actually considered a trade for my Mustang for a second Corvette.
I have to admit the recent troubles with my 84 does play a small part of the desire to replace it. And this 2007 Black on black C6 with 4oo plus hp, with a 6 six speed manual trans, with only 40k miles. Still under factory warranty. But the price was just unbelievable. The original deal fell through because we couldn’t agree on a good price for my Vette. But it looks like I might have a second shot at it tomorrow.
Even if, it’s hard to get rid of my first Vette and there is always the concern that you’ll regret it later. So I figured, I just add a third car to my stable!!!!!…..oh….that’s funnier then you might think….considering how UNDERSTANDING my wife has been with my current stable of classics….but even I know that’s way…yea…way too much for even a saint such that she is. “Love you cutie” (just in case she gets really bored and actually decides to read my dribble.)
So I’ll catch you all up by the end of the weekend.
Oh..here’s what we are looking at. Drop me a note and let me know what you would do!!!
2007 Vette Trade or not too Trade????
Another view...give you view....trade or not to trade???
I have a fun give way coming up as well as some more auto factoids and a quick fix for my Mustang.
