The Acela trains are fast - but they're running on tracks whose beds in many places have been in place for 100+ years. Yes, they could speed the trip quite a bit by straightening out some of the worst sections of the route, but most of the problem areas are near cities; moving the rails would requiring bulldozing…

It's also fun to see what insane boost can do to an X1/9...

Yeah, there's probably some truth to that. But once I got past the wimpy engine (I had a '74 - which had only a 1.3 liter engine and 4 speed transmission), Italian quality control and suspicious plastic bits, it really was a fun driving car. Bayless Midwest (disclaimer: Haven't used them; just appreciate their X1/9…

Fiat X1/9. Yeah, it should have come with a bigger engine. And shouldn't have rusted as easily as it did. But it remains my definition of a go-kart-on-rails driving experience.

Don't forget the X1/9...

True. However, I also now have 3 kids - so 911 projects will have to wait...

CR: I'm interested! Have any pics of the project on-line?

Thanks for the info! Again: I don't know them; haven't used them - but I like their approach, as written up on their web site. If only they could live up to the promise...

Sorry to hear that... I've never used them; I just like the approach.

Yeah, not all well-priced 911's are bargains. You've got to plan - and budget - for the day when an engine rebuild will be needed (I like the approach of http://www.motormeister.com/; you can unbolt your 911 engine, strap it to a pallet - and ship it to them. It comes back ready for years of reliable running).

Worse yet: A car-loving friend happened to be along on the test drive. And he's reminded me more than once since then that he should have purchased it himself after I backed out...

Personally, I'd be happier if this 911 were simply left stock. I'm a fan of non-whale-tail 911's; it's a cleaner look that works particularly well on the late 70's through early 80's models.

This one isn't a car styling/design thing - but it's still a trend that should be reversed:

Cool! I wasn't aware of that one...

Propane can make sense as a vehicle fuel - but this is CP.

Duck Dynasty Duck Tape is just about as American:

Trivial note: "Fusable" should be "Fusible"

This is proven to be a challenge for the Navy: The old EA-6B "Prowler" aircraft is being replaced by the EA-18G - known as the "Growler."

Obligatory.

After some quick research... Yeah, I'm pretty sure my friend had a '79. I also seem to recall that his will still running pretty well when he finally gave up on it. Would have been a fun restoration project - except it would have mostly involved recreating metal that was no longer there.