tragic classic car crash

[whale392]

I don't know Harold.......I will have to look when I take a trip back to Florida. I think dads Hemicars are the same way, one with and one without belts (and both are '66s). I know shoulder straps didn't come out until later, as moms gunboat of a 1970 Imperial had both lap and shoulder belts, plus rear belts in all 3 seating locations.

Either way, it is tragic for someone to lose their life in an auto accident (and call me cold, but it is also a waste of a good car as well).

[jbwelda]

david yes youre right about the japanese cars...the beauty of the miata is its almost perfect balance. lower that thing down and you have instant boy-racer road car. it could definately use about 100 more HP but pretty much what car couldnt? i have a friend who stuck a GM 350 in his miata (a so called "monster miata") and just totally ruined it. yep its good for some bragging rights but the only place it does well is in a straight line, the transplant totally ruined the cars handling and i can run circles around him when it comes to curvy roads. just too much power and too much weight up front.

now dont get me wrong: i love building and checking out dragsters and models of them (including heavily modified street cars) but for someone to think they can take one on tight road courses is just kinda crazy. its just an inappropriate application for most of them even though, as you say, with enough skill and practice you can make them do cool things. but it takes just that: practice and skill.

and a willingness to change your underwear often. like more than twice a day often!

[whale392]

When it comes to power in the Miata...turbo will do wonders without horribly upsetting the balance of the car. Too few people understand balance will trump all-out power any day of the week for a roadgoing car.