My new (to me) motor
Discussion
Good evening all,
Well, the plunge has been taken and I've dived into the world of Yank ownership. The motor in question is a custom 1980 Chevy El Camino bought at auction in May. What with awaiting the V5, sorting out insurance, registration, finding a storage company (sadly no room at ZT Towers) and fitting in other commitments it wasn't until last weekend (29th & 30th June) that I've been able to get out and have a proper drive.
First impressions so far ? The not so likes first - it has the turning circle of a supertanker, on anything other than a super smooth road surface it jiggles about over every rut, ripple, ridge, hollow and pothole (probably due to the low profile tyres and lowered suspension) and there's a lot of wind noise coming in through the side windows. On the likes very much is the visceral V8 rumble up at the front and the attention the car gets.
The latter quality was illustrated on the Saturday afternoon when I called at my brother and his family. No sooner had we sat down in the conservatory with our mugs of tea my teenage nephew's phone pinged with a message from one of his mates. Translating from yoof-speak it was on the lines of: "I've just gone past your house. Are you in trouble with the FBI ? There's a big Men in Black car parked outside".
Sunday saw a drive down to the Bloxham steam rally for a day out. Here's the beastie parked in the public parking field:
And I couldn't resist another photo outside a local landmark. In the background is RAF Barford St. John. It serves as a USAF communications out-station of RAF Croughton.
On leaving the car parking field I had a little bit of a struggle getting out (see turning circle above) and up ahead, coming towards me, was a big Ford (I think) pick-up, also a left hooker, which had pulled out of the overflow car parking field. We both gave each other a generous thumbs up through our respective windscreens. Sir, if you're on PH thank you very much, it made my day.
Well, the plunge has been taken and I've dived into the world of Yank ownership. The motor in question is a custom 1980 Chevy El Camino bought at auction in May. What with awaiting the V5, sorting out insurance, registration, finding a storage company (sadly no room at ZT Towers) and fitting in other commitments it wasn't until last weekend (29th & 30th June) that I've been able to get out and have a proper drive.
First impressions so far ? The not so likes first - it has the turning circle of a supertanker, on anything other than a super smooth road surface it jiggles about over every rut, ripple, ridge, hollow and pothole (probably due to the low profile tyres and lowered suspension) and there's a lot of wind noise coming in through the side windows. On the likes very much is the visceral V8 rumble up at the front and the attention the car gets.
The latter quality was illustrated on the Saturday afternoon when I called at my brother and his family. No sooner had we sat down in the conservatory with our mugs of tea my teenage nephew's phone pinged with a message from one of his mates. Translating from yoof-speak it was on the lines of: "I've just gone past your house. Are you in trouble with the FBI ? There's a big Men in Black car parked outside".
Sunday saw a drive down to the Bloxham steam rally for a day out. Here's the beastie parked in the public parking field:
And I couldn't resist another photo outside a local landmark. In the background is RAF Barford St. John. It serves as a USAF communications out-station of RAF Croughton.
On leaving the car parking field I had a little bit of a struggle getting out (see turning circle above) and up ahead, coming towards me, was a big Ford (I think) pick-up, also a left hooker, which had pulled out of the overflow car parking field. We both gave each other a generous thumbs up through our respective windscreens. Sir, if you're on PH thank you very much, it made my day.
ZymoTech said:
Good evening all,
Well, the plunge has been taken and I've dived into the world of Yank ownership. The motor in question is a custom 1980 Chevy El Camino bought at auction in May. What with awaiting the V5, sorting out insurance, registration, finding a storage company (sadly no room at ZT Towers) and fitting in other commitments it wasn't until last weekend (29th & 30th June) that I've been able to get out and have a proper drive.
First impressions so far ? The not so likes first - it has the turning circle of a supertanker, on anything other than a super smooth road surface it jiggles about over every rut, ripple, ridge, hollow and pothole (probably due to the low profile tyres and lowered suspension) and there's a lot of wind noise coming in through the side windows. On the likes very much is the visceral V8 rumble up at the front and the attention the car gets.
The latter quality was illustrated on the Saturday afternoon when I called at my brother and his family. No sooner had we sat down in the conservatory with our mugs of tea my teenage nephew's phone pinged with a message from one of his mates. Translating from yoof-speak it was on the lines of: "I've just gone past your house. Are you in trouble with the FBI ? There's a big Men in Black car parked outside".
Sunday saw a drive down to the Bloxham steam rally for a day out. Here's the beastie parked in the public parking field:
And I couldn't resist another photo outside a local landmark. In the background is RAF Barford St. John. It serves as a USAF communications out-station of RAF Croughton.
On leaving the car parking field I had a little bit of a struggle getting out (see turning circle above) and up ahead, coming towards me, was a big Ford (I think) pick-up, also a left hooker, which had pulled out of the overflow car parking field. We both gave each other a generous thumbs up through our respective windscreens. Sir, if you're on PH thank you very much, it made my day.
Did see the car at Historics , thought then then very gangster and TV providence as well ,Well, the plunge has been taken and I've dived into the world of Yank ownership. The motor in question is a custom 1980 Chevy El Camino bought at auction in May. What with awaiting the V5, sorting out insurance, registration, finding a storage company (sadly no room at ZT Towers) and fitting in other commitments it wasn't until last weekend (29th & 30th June) that I've been able to get out and have a proper drive.
First impressions so far ? The not so likes first - it has the turning circle of a supertanker, on anything other than a super smooth road surface it jiggles about over every rut, ripple, ridge, hollow and pothole (probably due to the low profile tyres and lowered suspension) and there's a lot of wind noise coming in through the side windows. On the likes very much is the visceral V8 rumble up at the front and the attention the car gets.
The latter quality was illustrated on the Saturday afternoon when I called at my brother and his family. No sooner had we sat down in the conservatory with our mugs of tea my teenage nephew's phone pinged with a message from one of his mates. Translating from yoof-speak it was on the lines of: "I've just gone past your house. Are you in trouble with the FBI ? There's a big Men in Black car parked outside".
Sunday saw a drive down to the Bloxham steam rally for a day out. Here's the beastie parked in the public parking field:
And I couldn't resist another photo outside a local landmark. In the background is RAF Barford St. John. It serves as a USAF communications out-station of RAF Croughton.
On leaving the car parking field I had a little bit of a struggle getting out (see turning circle above) and up ahead, coming towards me, was a big Ford (I think) pick-up, also a left hooker, which had pulled out of the overflow car parking field. We both gave each other a generous thumbs up through our respective windscreens. Sir, if you're on PH thank you very much, it made my day.
Will make every trip a occasion , Enjoy
ratrod 2 said:
roscobbc said:
Imagine one of these 'trucks' with a $10K's worth of nice, hot stroker smallblock ?
GM Small Block Compatible 427 c.i. ProSeries Engine - 540 Horsepower - Base Dressed - Carbureted
I can imagine it in my Elk rosco, Looks expensive though. GM Small Block Compatible 427 c.i. ProSeries Engine - 540 Horsepower - Base Dressed - Carbureted
roscobbc said:
ratrod 2 said:
roscobbc said:
Imagine one of these 'trucks' with a $10K's worth of nice, hot stroker smallblock ?
GM Small Block Compatible 427 c.i. ProSeries Engine - 540 Horsepower - Base Dressed - Carbureted
I can imagine it in my Elk rosco, Looks expensive though. GM Small Block Compatible 427 c.i. ProSeries Engine - 540 Horsepower - Base Dressed - Carbureted
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mll-bp38318ctc1...
Also, on top of the import costs a bit tricky with warranty returns etc when importing direct from the states. When I first got my Impala I was talking to Hilltop Services in Honiton about a 383, they seemed to offer a reasonable performance for a reasonable cost and machine/build them in house. Then the holiday house of my dreams popped up and I blew most of the toy fund on that. I took a punt on a rebuilt engine off a mate of a mate last year and got lucky, but it was a bit of a gamble.
Edited by some bloke on Friday 12th July 10:55
LeighW said:
roscobbc said:
ratrod 2 said:
roscobbc said:
Imagine one of these 'trucks' with a $10K's worth of nice, hot stroker smallblock ?
GM Small Block Compatible 427 c.i. ProSeries Engine - 540 Horsepower - Base Dressed - Carbureted
I can imagine it in my Elk rosco, Looks expensive though. GM Small Block Compatible 427 c.i. ProSeries Engine - 540 Horsepower - Base Dressed - Carbureted
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mll-bp38318ctc1...
https://roadcraftuk.co.uk/product/blueprint-bp350c...
or this
https://www.billysspeedshop.com/engines/crate-engi...
Edited by roscobbc on Friday 12th July 22:05
[quote=some bloke]Also, on top of the import costs a bit tricky with warranty returns etc when importing direct from the states. When I first got my Impala I was talking to Hilltop Services in Honiton about a 383, they seemed to offer a reasonable performance for a reasonable cost and machine/build them in house. Then the holiday house of my dreams popped up and I blew most of the toy fund on that. I took a punt on a rebuilt engine off a mate of a mate last year and got lucky, but it was a bit of a gamble.
I’m just about to start looking/deciding which way to go with my motor,
The ubiquitous Chevy is hugely available in all favours,
Proper Ponchos are the exact opposite and very very thin !
A genuine 500horse 400 will be 20 thousand bucks in real terms, which is just stupid,
So I’ll almost certainly have to do it myself,
Once it’s out I’ll have a proper measure up and go from there !
I’m hoping to bring the motor and trans in at 7k
So no Leary Ali heads etc!!
I’m just about to start looking/deciding which way to go with my motor,
The ubiquitous Chevy is hugely available in all favours,
Proper Ponchos are the exact opposite and very very thin !
A genuine 500horse 400 will be 20 thousand bucks in real terms, which is just stupid,
So I’ll almost certainly have to do it myself,
Once it’s out I’ll have a proper measure up and go from there !
I’m hoping to bring the motor and trans in at 7k
So no Leary Ali heads etc!!
roscobbc said:
ratrod 2 said:
roscobbc said:
Imagine one of these 'trucks' with a $10K's worth of nice, hot stroker smallblock ?
GM Small Block Compatible 427 c.i. ProSeries Engine - 540 Horsepower - Base Dressed - Carbureted
I can imagine it in my Elk rosco, Looks expensive though. GM Small Block Compatible 427 c.i. ProSeries Engine - 540 Horsepower - Base Dressed - Carbureted
and looking at the prices for much lesser ones i think i could be tempted to spend that bit extra for 540bhp.
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