Forrest Gump Engine......

Since the 'Banana' arrived I have been in a perpetual quandary as to the power plant. I consider myself somewhat of a purest and desecrating an almost perfect MGB with something other than an original engine has been nagging at my conscience. On the other hand, trying to get even mediocre performance from the wimpy powerplant is both very costly and leads to building a hand gernade. Oh, decisions, decisions. After much soul searching and research, I decided to go with a 3.4 V6 of GM origin. Instant gratification on the horsepower front and minimal changes to the chassis etal to accommodate it.
So, the day came when I had to put the money on the table. Why, in the face of logic and all my research did I buy a V8? BECAUSE OF HORSEPOWER!!!!! Although a travesty to purists, I condone my actions knowing that this engine was indeed used in the GT model from 1968-73.

So here it is, my 3.9 Rover (BOP) V8 complete with 5 speed transmission. It arrived Saturday and it is now on my engine stand and ready for dismantling.
I have a feeling that this will blow the budget all to hell and will probably extend my completion schedule by another 6-9 months. Oh well, you only get to go around once so you might as well make it as much of a ride as possible. After all: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body. But rather to slide in sideway, foot to the floor, steering wheel in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming WOO HOO, WHAT A RIDE!

CRAIGSLIST

Beware of scam ads selling exotic cars really cheap!

Update on the Banana

We are home for the next 5-6 weeks and I am hoping to see progress on the Banana going ahead in leaps and bounds. The interior is now 95% removed and all the exterior appendages save for a few hydraulic lines have been removed.Tires have been acquired and mounted on the new Minator (Minilite replicas at 1/2 the price) rims....cool.

Next week the Banana will be dragged out of here on a flatbed trailer to have a custom roll cage installed and a few of the unnecessary holes repaired and filled. I hate it when bulkheads get butchered to accommodate speakers. Five point safety harness's for both driver and passenger (should anybody be crazy enough to ride with me) have been purchased and seats, probably Sparco's will be purchased next week. Once the Banana has left the building, it will give me a chance to clean up and tile the garage floor. How about a nice black and white checkerboard? Now isn't that original.

I think I have decided on a colour. It will be a Chrysler dark blue (Nightwatch Blue) from the late 70's. Non-metallic and very dark, almost black. It should look good with a beige leather interior.

Mid-Ohio and Put-In-Bay

SVRA/MID-OHIO
Another successful SVRA event at Mid-Ohio even with the Monsoon rains on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Torrential downpours, thankfully they came later in the day and didn't last too long. All the races were squeezed in somehow. New shirts from a generous sponsor made the weekend. At last I am somewhat of a bumble bee (inside joke).

Carl and Bob, resplendent in new attire .

PUT-IN-BAY

It was a cold and rainy day at Put-In-Bay.

What can I say, a little island paradise tucked in at the west end of Lake Erie. Apparently this is Mecca to weekend party boaters. An island measuring some 3 miles by 1.5 miles. Access by ferry or air. They try and encourage tourists to leave their cars on the mainland and avail themselves of one of the 800 golf carts on the island. Lets see, return trip for a car and two people by ferry.....$42.00. Two days cart rental on the island...$120.00. Hmmm, do the math, NOT!

We stayed at a B&B about a half block from the waterfront, The Anchour Inn, oops, it's in America. That should be "Anchor". We had a two bedroom cottage that we shared with Bob and Linda Williams, 'The Wee Anchor Cottage'.

The stay included breakfast which was pretty good although not a lot of choice. You ate what was served or went hungry. Started with a bowl of blueberries with cream, some form a hash brown potatoes and an egg souffle, rounded out with coffee or tea.

The island is steeped in history. I could go on for pages but best you check it out for yourselves. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Put-in-Bay,_Ohio

Sunsets on Lake Erie are as good as any at Key West, Fl.