ITB Ascona is finally progressing

[opelwasp]

Originally Posted by emircea Maybe this does not sound good, but I noticed a few weeks ago a 'going down' on the enthusiasm on the forum. I also noticed that some of the people with the best expertise lost their interest or gave up their passions... I totally understand them and I am sorry for this happening. I'm sorry; even if I wasn't very active, I have read your various threads and some of them still make me dream (and damn, I'm 31, not a teenager anymore; in august I'm going to have a wedding and start a family). I just not feel very well when this happens.

Very interesting comments. I remember when I first came to this web site we had what about 4,000 members? And now we have more than 10,000? Seems to me enthusiasm is nearing fever pitch. These forums are constantly abuzz with info. I think the difference is the old regulars arn't so regular anymore. Some are moving on, tired of the hobbie, sick of the site, or even a few have passed away. I don't see a down turn in morale or enthusiasm. Maybe it's just time for some new blood to pick up the torch, we just have to pick the pro's brains before they're not using them anymore.

[MantAscona]

I'm happy and excited to say that I am the new "project coordinator" for this car. Lynn, Shelby, Erin and myself all piled in the Titan with trailer in tow at 5:00am on Saturday and headed for CT to retrieve yet another project car. It should be quite obvious at this point that Bob is the smart one here as his project list is shrinking while mine is growing.

Upon arrival, we chatted with Bob for a bit and then got right to work. We had a lot of loose parts to load and we needed to do a differential, shock and brake swap from the GT4 Manta to the '71 Ascona. Everything went smoothly as Bob had put a lot of time in gathering and organizing prior to our arrival. We had a great lunch together at a local hot spot and worked some more until we had to hit the road and head for home. It was amazing how quickly the entire day went by because we were having so much fun. We didn't want to leave, but a 4+ hour trip home meant we had to.

The trip home went very well and we backed the trailer in at around 12:15am. It was unfortunate that we traveled home in the dark as I'm sure we would have seen a lot of thumbs up along the way if it were light out. We all had a great time visiting with Uncle Bob and look forward to our next trip back. My kids absolutely love Bob. Shelby and him are like brother and sister when they get together, they rip on eachother relentlessly.

As for the car, it will become a hillclimb car as Bob had mentioned in an earlier post. My goal is to make the car as light as possible allowing me to get it up the hill very quickly with a low stressed (read low budget) motor. A 170 hp motor with a 4.30 gear in a 1800 lb car will be amazingly quick and quite competitive. I'm very excited!

Duane

[MantAscona]

I will try to document a good portion of this project a long the way. Here are a few photos of events on Saturday.

Duane

[MantAscona]

And some more.

Duane

[neuropel]

No good-bye kisses? Or were you just too shy to post pics?

[MantAscona]

My wife was there. I wouldn't subject you to seeing that anyway.

Duane

[Sportwagon75]

Hey Duane - I'm about 3 weeks away from my move to the Philippines. I'm curious what your plan is for the old 75 Ascona???

[MantAscona]

Well, that was going to be my hillclimb car until I brought it home and Shelby expressed interest in having it. So, it will be her car after I get it fully sorted. It should be a good car for her as it will be easier to start and more drivable with fuel injection. The big bumpers and side impact bars are comforting to me also.

Duane

[timemachine]

The picture of you and Bob standing in the engine compartment makes that Ascona look like a kiddie car. Interesting how so many Opel lovers are palookas.

Sounds like a great trip and a better day's work than my last effort. Got your message too, I am psyched and amazed. I know you'll put the best Ascona parts on Shelby's car, you won't need brakes on the hill climb anyway.

Jim

[Sportwagon75]

Originally Posted by MantAscona Well, that was going to be my hillclimb car until I brought it home and Shelby expressed interest in having it. So, it will be her car after I get it fully sorted. It should be a good car for her as it will be easier to start and more drivable with fuel injection. The big bumpers and side impact bars are comforting to me also. Duane

Sounds good Duane - just good to know it will remain in good hands. The automatic should be better for your daughter also...but it's nice to know you can easily put a manual in it if you change your mind. Please be sure to post some photos when you get it finished. Take care. -Scott

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by timemachine The picture of you and Bob standing in the engine compartment makes that Ascona look like a kiddie car. Interesting how so many Opel lovers are palookas.

I think this is Jim's nice way of saying we both need to go on a diet Duane!
I tend to agree...

Jim, I hope that core engine I sent up does the trick for you.

Bob

[MantAscona]

The automatic should be better for your daughter also...but it's nice to know you can easily put a manual in it if you change your mind.

Actually, I administered a little test and asked Shelby if she would prefer a manual or automatic transmission. She passed the test with flying colors when she said she wanted a manual. I believe everyone should know how to drive a car equipped with a manual transmission.

Duane

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by MantAscona We all had a great time visiting with Uncle Bob and look forward to our next trip back. My kids absolutely love Bob. Shelby and him are like brother and sister when they get together, they rip on eachother relentlessly. As for the car, it will become a hillclimb car as Bob had mentioned in an earlier post. My goal is to make the car as light as possible allowing me to get it up the hill very quickly with a low stressed (read low budget) motor. A 170 hp motor with a 4.30 gear in a 1800 lb car will be amazingly quick and quite competitive. I'm very excited! Duane

I just want to add that Duane and family are all great. I love the time we spend together, every time we meet it's kinda like we just saw each other yesterday, and we only really get to see each other a few times per year. We just pick up where we left off.

Duane, I'm thinking that for your target power-to-weight goals you'll need a bit more power, or a lighter car, or a diet....

Okay, that last part ain't gonna happen any time soon, 2.1 litre it is.

Bob

[MantAscona]

I think this is Jim's nice way of saying we both need to go on a diet Duane! I tend to agree...

Agreed. Here I am worried about making the car as light as possible and the easiest way to do that is for me to stay out of it.

Duane

[MantAscona]

Duane, I'm thinking that for your target power-to-weight goals you'll need a bit more power, or a lighter car, or a diet.... Okay, that last part ain't gonna happen any time soon, 2.1 litre it is.

I had a hell of a diet goin' until you knocked me off the wagon with the "Five Guy's" burger and cajun fries. Ah screw it, it's easier to just drill more holes in the car.

Duane

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by MantAscona I had a hell of a diet goin' until you knocked me off the wagon with the "Five Guy's" burger and cajun fries. Ah screw it, it's easier to just drill more holes in the car. Duane

Oh yea, I absolutely forced you to scarf down that burger. It's all my fault

So Duane, I expect you to pick up the torch and run with it, gotta keep this thread going and post your progress on the car as you build it.

Bob

[N61WP]

cajun fries????

In the northeast???

I had red beans and rice for lunch today w/ a side of fried shrimp!

Jc

Down in Cajun Land

[samdog]

I'm not thowing rocks,,,,but when I see these two guys together I just flash on visions of one of my favorite movies...duane and duaner

[MantAscona]

Nice avatar nit wit.

Duane

[Gary]

Originally Posted by MantAscona Nice avatar nit wit. Duane

ROFLMFAO....