Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

[Bob V]

With a bit of luck, hands together ——- doffed cap and on blended knee, I could maybe get Bob V or Fujimo to post a couple of pictures of the aforementioned ?

Jackie - When you mention NGK and the Goodwood Festival of Speed, this is the only thing that comes to mind....

And I might add that this is one of the few time that I have seen you smile from ear to ear....

[jackiewilson]

Well, I said I would—- this is the pattern—— this afternoon I’ll start the real McCoy——remember I said even I couldn’t screw up a simple polish job——— I Managed it !
notice how pinky, whitey, feminine it looks ?——- well I opened up a new can of really posh expensive COLRON polish and proceeded to blather the whole thing in it with a stiff hogs bristle one inch brush——— then for good measure I rolled a handful of fine wire wool and worked it into all the pores.
Now at 86 and being a smart arse, I know everything——— I don’t need to actually READ what it says on the label———- I’m a clever bastard——— don’t you try and tell me anything!
Did this three times before I began to realise something was not quite as it should be ! Where did the mahogany pink look come from?
Maybe I should read the small print———- this product is for the White limeing effect on beams, kitchens and old furniture——— there is no mention of NGK SEEBOLDS anywhere !

To to be fair NGK these days is no longer just a spark plug I’m sure we all have our own particular image we bring to mind at the thought of NGK.
Mines a camel toed buxom blonde with a zip down to her knees in red and white——— so maybe the pink Seebold is not Too far off track

[jackiewilson]

jackie - when you mention ngk and the goodwood festival of speed, this is the only thing that comes to mind....

we

and i might add that this is one of the few time that i have seen you smile from ear to ear....

camel toes ‘ll do it every time bob.

[jackiewilson]

Chas Shooter was my mechanic for many years and was a legend in his own right in the seventies!
Bugger turned up at my house in one of these——- following day I went to BRAMLEY just outside Guildford and bought it’s twin.
It was in Guello Fly ———- had 3,000 miles on the clock ——- and cost £3,000

[ron54]

Just to keep things in perspective, or more likely not.......The same BRAMLEY have a couple of jazzed-up Fiat 500's on at £28k+ each........

[jackiewilson]

Just for a laugh——— Chas and I would meet up at Watford Gap service station on the M1 around 23:00 hrs hit the off ramp at 140 mph and drive to the end of the motorway, down Hanger Lane two abreast the whole way————- wasn’t one MPH difference between the pair of them, long before they fitted Kodak’s every 100 yards. ( CCT’s). Just to have a kebab!!!!
Theres Another Iliad waiting to be written about CHARLES RYDAL SHOOTER, one of the cleverest engineers I ever met———- his father who had one leg, was the most miserable SOB I ever had the misfortune to meet, but taught Chas everything he knew——— when Rolls Royce in Derby had a problem——— they sent for Chas’s dad! After I finished racing Chas went as crew chief for Tom Percival and Bob Spalding working in the F1 Hodges Team.
Yup—— definitely a good tale to be told there. Before it all gets forgotten

Was always going to put pen to paper and recount our epic trip to Valleyfield in ‘76——— would have made Jules Verne’s Around the World In 80 day’s seem like a day trip to Disney.——- never quite seemed to have the time !!!!! ONE DAY PUTETRE?

[jackiewilson]

So, Caldwell finally announced a price———starts at $20000 and $30,000 ——- far as I can gather that’s just for the powerhead. . Is that for all of it——- some of it—— most of it ?
Can I send off to pro marine and get a parts list ?
Any of this stuff on the shelf ?
If not, what’s the delivery time?
No doubt about it——- it’s some beautiful looking gear—— but there have been some delays, lots of smoke and mirrors——- still not a complete lump where I can put my hand in my pocket—— in exchange for a bag of gold, Caldwell give me one of their very own motors!
Me myself don’t think that’s likely to happen any time soon, but then again, as my old friend Willabee says, I’m just a grumpy old “Curmudgeon “.

[Bob V]

If you had hung on to your 246 Dino, you would be able to order a truck load of the Caldwell power heads. Today, a 246 Dino in "good" condition sells for about $250,000.00. A few in top flight condition have hit over $500.000.00. Now that would have made a nice donation to Caldwell. It is my understanding that the $20,000.00 - $30,000.00 price is for a long block only and does not include the fuel system, ignition, linkage and, as you know, no cowl.

[jackiewilson]

Bloodyhell fire——— and you think I’m cranky! Just been up to Kirdford to see my old friend Bill Mouland—— one of the finest wood turners in the world and also one of the most fractious old gits I ever met.
That there is the sign on his workshop door——— you were a pain if you ever called to see him in his workshop during the day! But he is 95 chairbound with a zimmer.
FORGET. IVE GOT A LIFETIME TO GO BEFORE I EVEN GET CLOSE ,

[Bob V]

Seems like the perfect sign for the door of Wilson's World of Wooden Wizardry.

[jackiewilson]

Bob, no wizardry in this neck of the woods———— just an old fart who fiddles about in his workshop——— daren't Even call em models, and as for “scale” don’t make me laugh.
I generally have to to do two because I make such a pigs ear of the first effort———— not that it matters to anyone.
Most of the stuff I’ve made has gone to friends or folk I’ve known a long time ———- been asked to make “concepts” by a small number of people———— always tried to be fair and reasonable with the price, never knowingly overcharged.
Later efforts are better than some of the earlier stuff——— remember I only started doing this around the time we started up the “OLD FARTS”.
Very first commission ever was from JIM H. ——— then one from RICH L——- .
Main thing to remember is it keeps me out of mischief (mainly) keeps the think box ticking over, the hands from seizing up———- and I get to learn a little of modern technology and how to keep in touch with folk I’ve known most of my life.
All in all——- to say what a sheltered life I’ve lived, it’s quite remarkable that here I am at the prime of my life relatively unscathed!
Ritchie——— do you remember, you once loaned me your blue Corvette——- the one with the odd pointed two rear windows that had four piss pot Eidelbrocks on it ?

[jackiewilson]

Took a drive up country in the Sporty Lexus——- Was appalled at the amount of “plastic— waste—- litter— rubbish that is cluttering up our countryside.
Where the hell does it all come from——— and who is responsible ?
We have bins for everything which every piece of debris is religiously placed into.
All my neighbors and relatives and friends have them too.
Yet in spite of all this——-the streets, footpaths,, roads, woods, beaches and oceans are reaching bursting point.
So, just who the hell are the thoughtless bastards who are doing this !
I have never dropped a coffee cup even, nor have any of my kids or friends——— so just where is all this rubbish coming from !
I understand the oceans are full to overflowing with insoluble plastics-?
i do know——- a bag blocking an intake can fry a motor in no time flat.

[jackiewilson]

If you had hung on to your 246 Dino, you would be able to order a truck load of the Caldwell power heads. Today, a 246 Dino in "good" condition sells for about $250,000.00. A few in top flight condition have hit over $500.000.00. Now that would have made a nice donation to Caldwell. It is my understanding that the $20,000.00 - $30,000.00 price is for a long block only and does not include the fuel system, ignition, linkage and, as you know, no cowl.

Bob ! I don’t think it’s me being pedantic or argumentative or even a tad curmudgeonly when I say what’s the point of paying $ 30,000 for a long block with 450 horse power with no fuel system?——— or ignition——— or linkage ?
In fact, does that not make it a motor that don’t go ? ( just saying)

Wonder just what the whole motor ( the one that did 500 laps ) would cost ?

It does look strikingly beautiful though and a real piece of kit!

[powerabout]

So, Caldwell finally announced a price———starts at $20000 and $30,000 ——- far as I can gather that’s just for the powerhead. . Is that for all of it——- some of it—— most of it ?
Can I send off to pro marine and get a parts list ?
Any of this stuff on the shelf ?
If not, what’s the delivery time?
No doubt about it——- it’s some beautiful looking gear—— but there have been some delays, lots of smoke and mirrors——- still not a complete lump where I can put my hand in my pocket—— in exchange for a bag of gold, Caldwell give me one of their very own motors!
Me myself don’t think that’s likely to happen any time soon, but then again, as my old friend Willabee says, I’m just a grumpy old “Curmudgeon “.

Thats got to push the price up of an old OMC F1 V8 for those that want over 400hp

[jackiewilson]

Thats got to push the price up of an old OMC F1 V8 for those that want over 400hp

You still alive and kicking then Pilgrim!
If you want 400+ horsepower, it’ll cost you! We been looking for a fresh built Cosworth DFV of 4/500 horsepower for quite a few years now. Prices start at $75,000.
Many years ago when I was selling boats and engines, I had a sign up in. The shop which read —-
SPEED COSTS MONEY. HOW FAS DO YOU WANT TO GO ?
Nothings changed Pilgrim——- it’s the same today.