I have been tinkering with the car, very slowly since I have been back. The wobble in the front at 60mph turned out to be some front Fikse wheels that had become ever so slightly out of round from hitting potholes or curbs?, apparently doesn't take much. Once they were straightened and polished the car now runs dead smooth again.

I developed a mysterious coolant leak near the passenger side connections in the upper area among several hoses in connection there. It is like all else with our cars a very mysterious leak, pissing out a very fine needle stream barely visible that takes 2 or 3 days of normal driving to bring the coolant level down and it only seems to happen with any signifance when the A/C is used. Apparently something to do with the added pressure from the compressor. I think of course that I shall simply replace all the hoses in the area to begin with while changing the coolant for the summer at the same time. I am also considering taking out the radiator and changing the core to a specially designed '4 row' that will fit in the same space, as it still worries me that the car got hot one day in the mountains of the desert area driving pedal to the metal on a 120 degree day with the A/C on. I will also check all the 21 different items from the 'possible cause to get the car hot' list made up several months ago here on the board.

I am also going to change the brake pads to lesser dust type hopefully, many posts in the archive about that, also will change the plugs and various other things out of mind at the moment. I have the car sitting with both bumpers off at the moment as I await the arrival of the bumper parts purchased from Stephen Spears some time ago. I have also been using Steve Castle's list for R&R of these areas and it has been of great help. I will also be working on the passenger seat cable to shorten it, also I will try to find a mysterious wind noise as well as a separate squeek all in the dash area. I will also be changing all fluids everywhere and who knows what else. The main thing is that I find the work to be very enjoyable indeed, going slow and having fun planning for and putting in all the new parts. The car still uses no oil. It still commands attention wherever I go, I still feel the excitement of a kid with his first great car whenever I drive it, regardless of any other cars I own.

The paint was very finely pitted along with the windshield in a dust storm also in the desert several months back. Funny how all of life now seems to be relegated to 'a few or several months back....? hmmmm, interesting how it all runs together isn't it. Back to the paint, it is covered by insurance and now I am fighting with either doing nothing, or painting the whole car, as opposed to just doing the front and blending it in to the rest of the car!?!?! All options with many pro's and con's each way. I have ordered new step plates for the door jams, just for a new perfect look. I am looking around for Gummephleg (sp) I'll ask Stan most likely, also will install a replacement part for the front license plate and ???????who knows what else. So, I guess I just wanted you all to know that I am busy enjoying myself and consider all of this work truly as a 'good rest' instead! Interesting how much fun it is.

Then when all that is done, I am most probably going to do the NOS thing as Loren did. Just for a kick, why not? Well, I haven't heard.....hope nothing has happened to Loren's engine since I have last been on the board? Also, I still have my eye open for a CSi, one in primo condition in colors I like, which is truly hard to find. So, the saga moves on and the fun continues, thanks for listening.
Kurt