[CrashTestDummy]

I gotta stop doing this, but I couldn't resist. I've kind of had my eye on the latest version of the Caprice 9C1 since they first announced them. After talking a bit with one of the driving instructors at the Houston Police Academy, and hearing a friend rave about the ride he got in one to the speed limiter, well that sealed the deal.

I was kind of also looking at the new Chevrolet SS, but the $40K+ price tag was putting me off. Then, this example showed up:

(IMG:http://images57.fotki.com/v139/photos/5/1331095/10081187/frontdrcorner-vi.jpg)

It's a 2012 9C1. It's a retired car, so it has some mileage and scrapes and scratches, but it runs great, handles well, and should, for a while at least, get better mileage then my current 96 Impala SS DD. I was specifically looking for a 2011 or 2012, because GM went with some odd shifter stalk that grew out of the dash in 2013. Not sure what the big idea was there, but they wanted to get the shifter off the console, and there's stalks coming out both sides of the column.

The current plan is to fix what's broken/missing, do some mild upgrades in the engine compartment and suspension, and just enjoy. I'll add long tubes, and a better-breathing exhaust, maybe an intake, CAI, but I'm also thinking of a bit more cam. I'd also like to install a converter so this thing comes off the line a bit better. It really woke up the 96, and there are some nice converter choices out there that still lock up. I'd then add coil-overs to get the car a bit lower, maybe some '13 Camaro RS 19" wheels, and swaybars. It handles well now, I think taking a little out of the suspension, and adding some bigger sway bars will only help.

Since the shop is now full, we're thinking about selling our 95 9C1 Impala SS clone, and/or our 95 Z28 LT4/M6 convertible. So if you know anyone who's looking.....

[98_1LE]

Pretty cool. I'd drive that.

Any pics of the SVO?

[CrashTestDummy]

Pretty cool. I'd drive that.

Any pics of the SVO?

Chuck,

I do have old pictures, although not much of the complete car digitally. All I have now, are up close pictures of updates for the on-going, and taking-far-too-long restomod we're doing to the car. It was pretty beat up when we bought it, and then it became our dedicated stock-class autocross car for several years before buying the Firebird. I did find this picture online, and have attached it here. It was back when we autocrossed the car. the paint was dead, and both rear quarter panels were beat in, but the car drove and ran great. We had to replace both quarter panels when we started the body work. I also have added lightness with a fiberglass hatch and hood. The interior has gotten treated to new carpet and seat covers, and many of the interior parts have been repaired or replaced with better parts. I'll be installing a header, 3" single exhaust, ported intake, and maybe an upgraded turbo when I get under the hood. I also need to replace the rack (I have a replacement already) that started puking fluid out of one of the ends, and already had to replace the fuel tank assembly when the pump quit working and I discovered it was all rusted up when I pulled it out.

I hope to upgrade the springs, probably moving to coil-overs up front, and weight jackers in the back so I can get the car back down after all the fiberglass was installed. I hope to turn it into a fun car I can take to shows, and may even bolt some small slicks on it and run it in CP at an autocross when we get it done.

(IMG:http://images59.fotki.com/v111/photos/5/1331095/13276247/genebeaird400-vi.jpg)

[dailydriver]

Pretty cool. I'd drive that.

Any pics of the SVO?

Chuck,

I do have old pictures, although not much of the complete car digitally. All I have now, are up close pictures of updates for the on-going, and taking-far-too-long restomod we're doing to the car. It was pretty beat up when we bought it, and then it became our dedicated stock-class autocross car for several years before buying the Firebird. I did find this picture online, and have attached it here. It was back when we autocrossed the car. the paint was dead, and both rear quarter panels were beat in, but the car drove and ran great. We had to replace both quarter panels when we started the body work. I also have added lightness with a fiberglass hatch and hood. The interior has gotten treated to new carpet and seat covers, and many of the interior parts have been repaired or replaced with better parts. I'll be installing a header, 3" single exhaust, ported intake, and maybe an upgraded turbo when I get under the hood. I also need to replace the rack (I have a replacement already) that started puking fluid out of one of the ends, and already had to replace the fuel tank assembly when the pump quit working and I discovered it was all rusted up when I pulled it out.

I hope to upgrade the springs, probably moving to coil-overs up front, and weight jackers in the back so I can get the car back down after all the fiberglass was installed. I hope to turn it into a fun car I can take to shows, and may even bolt some small slicks on it and run it in CP at an autocross when we get it done.

(IMG:http://images59.fotki.com/v111/photos/5/1331095/13276247/genebeaird400-vi.jpg)

There was a competitor in my old SCCA region (NNJR) who used to run a metallic gray '86 SVO in local F/S events.

I always liked that car, and he did pretty well with it locally. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)