off topic winter projects

65 'cuda wrote: Santa put a little winter project under the tree! Time to get the little Mercury running well.

Gary,
Cool!! Have fun with it.

We have a Vagabond 14 which is Holder 14/Hobie one-14. Havn't been able to use it in about 20 years,someday when I retire-----
This is the only picture I could find,today it still looks as new as the day we bought it,it has always been kept inside covered. If you look close you can see the Mrs,she was lighter than the mast,darn kids This was in Key Largo before my parents put in the house. We should bring this to a reunion at GL,guaranteed calm water when we go sailing!

That LeBaron crash test is not comparable to current standards. It was rated four stars at the time. I saw this footage in a crash investigators course I took back in about 89. There were no industry wide testing standards in effect in 1989, and if I remember correctly that offset frontal crash test was done at 55MPH. It was done because Chrysler was the first auto maker to install air bags as standard equipment in 1988, and the test was done to assess the effectiveness of the "new" air bag technology. Many current cars wouldn't do much better at that speed.

High speed

Barrier test

Chevy Astro

Ford F150 crash test


But as everyone knows, it usually doesn't matter what you drive

Just don't get into a collision in that LaBaron- those things pretty much fold into a taco of metal when hit. I remember being totally shocked by the crash test photos of those. Can't find them now, but I did find this LeBaron vs. LeBaron

DrStevens wrote: Justin, I will get some Hobie photos next Summer, its in the garage now, it looks its best with the sail up. I had a Hobie 16 years ago, I wanted a smaller one, they are easier to pitchpole.

I fixed if for ya.

See if you can't find a turbo kit for it somewhere, it's a much more usable boat with the small jib.

Gary S wrote: That sure has to be the ultimate "sleeper" John

I believe the 12 second minivans have that title, Gary.

phatsat67 wrote:

John that car is pretty! I had a black GTC turbo drop top that was a rough puppy. The first pass I ever made down the track was in my 88 CSX-T. Sadly I let her go to someone who could finish it and enjoy it. [/QUOTE]

I believe everyone in the Shelby Dodge Auto Club secretly pokes fun at my "chick car" behind my back. The band Cake has immortalized the LeBaron in their song "Short Skirt Long Jacket" with the lyrics "she's changing her name from Kitty to Karen, she's trading her MG for a white Chrysler LeBaron". Last year my car was chosen for one month's photo on a calendar for the club. The information printed on the page was my name as owner followed by "1989 LeBacon Turbo GTC". I thought it was a misprint at first, but I found that they had renamed it the LeBacon because men love bacon, a feeble attempt to make the car seem masculine.
The CSX is more to their liking, there are a lot of them in the club, several even have the original Shelby "fiber ride" wheels. They range from original to very modified, and some are quite fast. it is surprising to some how many of these cars were made and the following they have. Back in the 80's not much performed better than these 30MPG toys.
SDAC gathering 2012
I believe your LeBacon was a little different than mine. The 89 Turbo GTC only came in white or red, and they made a total of 906 of them. They had 2.2 liter intercooled engines without balance shafts, a 5 speed Getrag trans, and 4 wheel disc brakes, among other differences. This one is an original "survivor" except for the top and some bolt on engine mods.

john b wrote: In addition to finishing the Mustang, I am taking my 89 Turbo GTC in to have my Quaife limited slip differential installed. I hope to borrow a set of slicks and improve my ET to under 12:70 ( I have only taken it to the strip once and made 5-6 passes on street radials). Unfortunately, it won't be back in time to do it before the strip closes at the end of October. Steve is not alone. I buy Fords, drive a GM, and race a Chrysler. I will change to Ford for my next car if my present one ever wears out.

John that car is pretty! I had a black GTC turbo drop top that was a rough puppy. The first pass I ever made down the track was in my 88 CSX-T. Sadly I let her go to someone who could finish it and enjoy it.

These is the shape of the seals, basically looks like a normal profile with various end caps bonded on.

The profile looks normal, it is the construction that differs. each piece has a thin metal backing. on the rear is moulded a 'C' section that slides over part of the hood frame, the front is a normal hollow '0' shape. The front and back sections also have ends mounded onto them.

UK prices are:
Approximate current prices are:

Front Top: £130
Middle Top: £140
Rear Back: £160

So to replace all six seals will cost you £860.

A rear replacement screen will cost you £880

A new vinyl hood with screen £1760

The front screen to side window seal will cost £261

I will get pictures tomorrow, however this ebay pic shows it
http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=261108138200

I know nothing about refurbishing weatherstrip or rubber components. I would think that you would run into the same problem you have due to the age of the rubber. I have bought new weatherstrip / seal for several cars and $1,000 for six pieces sounds very pricey to me. I am really unfamiliar with the Barchetta, but many cars use the same weatherstripping / door seals. Here is one of the companies that markets them for aftermarket and restoration. I believe I have used them in the past, but there are several companies that make this stuff, so I'm not sure. Good luck

Weatherstripping and welting

Thanks Pete, Billy, as in BoatDr from Louisiana? He has helped with my CC.     As for water skiing behind a Hobie, I have seen it done, never tried myself. It's rough, no wake cut so it's wavey, as to do it it must be windy. My 14, has a jib, I used to have a Hobie 16 years ago, wanted something smaller, easier to right. They are not expensive as its old and sailing seems to be not too popular here in my area anymore. There are many Summer afternoons when the wind, tubers, and boats have chopped up the water and riding around in the CC is not terrific.    Pete, I was in Madison WI last weekend, brought home a bunch of Carr Valley cheese.

DrStevens wrote: Just bought a Hobie cat 14 to fix up, not sold in the US market at that length anymore. I won't be thinking about gas prices when on the water sailing.

Steve,
If you run into any problems or need parts, Billy is the guy to call. He still uses "hobiedr" for his email address.

must_dash wrote: I can ask around. I don't recognise it do you have a model etc? Is condition important, or is it as a project. Can you drive these in the UK?

Tom, yes you can drive in the UK its a Paiggio 500 D the 500 is the Kg it load there are 250,500,750 kg engine is 125cc or 172cc......more pictures of different body types.... no I'm not doing the US truck.... the fire tuck is the right year type the other is a 59 to 64 which is ok too.
yes more projects.

must_dash wrote: This is my winter project. Just acquired for next summer, a 1997 Fiat Barchetta, a 1.8ltr classic Italian design sports car. Barchetta means 'little boat' in Italian. It was collected from the previous owner on the Martinique trailer. Took the beds off, laid some ladders on the frame and some planks on these so it could be driven on and off. It has been abused by previous owners, but nothing terminal that TLC can't sort out.

Tom, can you keep a look out for one of these,we are looking to pick one up in Northern Italy but 2 would be better to fill the van...also need a left hand door viewed from the front.....a 5th wheel model would be cool 64 to 67 like this one.