Years ago, while going into the Army, this LT told us about the 10% Rule. Haven’t heard of it?

In any given population sample, in any endeavor, 10% eff it up for the other 90%.

I wonder if this was a factory effort or just an amateur?

Heck if it almost killed Niki Lauda...

It was the 300SLR, a completely different car from the SL. But interesting to see it in motion. I remember a time when you would get “valve float” from an aged engine and tired valve springs.

I can’t get over how big the standard pickup has become. Market driven I know, but I’d prefer something the size of a late 60-s F150.

Just where to you get F40 engines? Buy them new? That must be a small fortune. Sounds like a cool swap and I suspect anyone who gets one of these will drive it. I doubt they will go crazy at the auctions as they aren’t “official” - just fun.

I think I saw David on one of the Jay Leno episodes with his F40.

I know with those conversions you have to strengthen the body to keep it rigid - othersise eventually you can’t close the doors. Wonder what has been done there?

Engine as simple as a VW? I will defer to his knowledge having 8 Ferraris (!) but that engine had a timing belt and - lessee - 48 valves that have to be…

Gads first a reboot of Hawaii 5-0 and now this. Don’t they have any imagination anymore?

What is strange is that Chico is this small burg north of Sacramento (90 miles) - how’d they get in the game?

I’d imagine from Ford’s point of view, they think they might as well on the next supercar make their money up front and to hell with the speculators. I think Ferrari learned that lesson back with the F40. I am sure that they (Ford) could have sold all 500 for $1 million each. Or more.

You’d think your word would mean…

Surprised he didn’t do TDY at Leavenworth

One or more of the cylinders probably has very low compression. Valve job? A simple compression test would probably have been as useful as the dyno.

5 years ago, I bought a 1996 R129 Mercedes-Benz SL500 from the original owner, a multi millionaire who owned 4 other Mercedes of various years. Based on this, I didn’t even get a PPI, figuring that “whatever had to be done, would have been done”.

Nice to meet a fellow Wahoo. I have wrenched for 50 years; lately I think I will leave the big jobs to the pros. Last big job I had was changing the motor mounts in my 1996 Mercedes SL 500. Should be an easy job but there is so much crap around them and lyinkg on your back with the car on jack stands...

Could’ve been worse - like a ‘70 Hemi convertible ;-)

It’s not an “either/or” question. I had a 1st Gen Toyota MR2 for 29 years, and it is the only car I have ever had that always put a smile on my face each time I drove it. Drove it 300,000 miles in that time. Had an enginke that loved to rev, the little 4 valve/cylinder head looked like a think of beautiful precision…

What’s wrong with any of those? You didn’t by a Pinto, unlike moi

Well, they were designed by Daimler. Love the Mercedes logo on the front.

When I was 22 and just graduation from University, I turned down a friends 1962 Porsche 356B - for $1200! and bought a new Ford Pinto instead. The Porsche was a faded red and had a quarter-sized spot of surface rust on the fender, which was a turnoff for me.

The C2 Corvette has a vertical radio.

The short answer is cars are ordered by dealerships in colors they know will move. I tried to order a Mercedes 7 years ago in a particular blue - and was told by the dealer the nearest one was 1,000 miles away.