[BLACKJACK]

WELL, I FINALLY HAVE THE GT-40 RUNNING AGAIN.

ABOUT AN HOURS MINOR WORK AND IT'S READY FOR A FULL TEST FLIGHT.

THIS WHOLE THING STARTED AS A RESULT OF THE EXPLOSION DAMAGE TO MY HOUSE LAST FALL. I DECIDED THAT WHILE I WAS REPAIRING THE GT-40 I WOULD UPGRADE THE RADIATOR TO THE NEWER ALUMINUM VERSION AND INSTALL THE IMPROVED COOLING FANS.

YOU ERA DRIVERS WILL APPRECIATE THAT IF YOUR GOING TO GET ANYTHING OUT OF ERA IT HELPS A LOT IF YOU'VE BEEN TO DENTAL SCHOOL. AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF CONVINCING THEM THAT I "REALLY" WANTED TO DO THIS I FINALLY RECEIVED THE PARTS. (ALL NEATLY AND SECURELY PACKAGED).

WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THE LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY TO UPGRADE THIS THING - - - GIVEN THAT I HAVE VERY LIMITED PHYSICAL RESOURCES AND NO ELECTRICAL POWER IN WHAT'S LEFT OF MY GARAGE - THE DISCUSSIONS WENT SOMETHING LIKE THIS:

*** BOB PUTNAM (THE ENGINEER) "HEY, NO PROBLEM, IT JUST DROPS RIGHT IN - A STRAIGHT BOLT-ON INSTALLATION".

*** PETER PORTANTE (THE RETIRED STATE DEPT. DIPLOMAT) "YEAH -PRETTY MUCH SO - IT'LL PROBABLY BOLT IN THERE".

*** BRIAN (THE SHOP GUY - AS IS IN 'TIM THE TOOL MAN') "WELL, YOU'LL PROBABLY HAVE TO RE-DRILL A FEW HOLES, FABRICATE A COUPLE OF BRACKETS AND MOVE A FEW FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONANTS AROUND BUT IT MIGHT WORK".

*** TED (THE GUY WHO PUTS ALL THIS STUFF TOGETHER IN ERA'S SHOP - - WHO I SPOKE TO "AFTER" I RECEIVED THE PARTS.) "NO KIDDING - YOU'RE REALLY GOING TO TRY TO DO THIS BY YOURSELF???"

ACTUALLY, AS IT TURNED OUT - IT ALL WENT TOGETHER VERY WELL. IT IS A MUCH "CLEANER" INSTALLATION THAT THE ORIGINAL VERSION ALSO. TED HAD PRE-ASSEMBLED A LOT OF IT IN THE SHOP AND ALSO SENT ALL THE NECESSARY BRACKETS, HARDWARE, BOLTS, NUT-SERTS, ETC. ALONG WITH IT.

TED ALSO HELPED SORT OUT A FEW QUESTIONS (I THINK I DROVE HIM NUTS) OVER THE PHONE - AND WHEN THERE WAS A FIT PROBLEM WITH THE OLD A/C CONDENSER COIL HE MANUFACTURED A NEW BRACKET FROM SCRATCH & MY MEASUREMENTS THAT WORKED FINE AND HAD IT TO ME IN TWO DAYS.

MORE EVIDENCE OF REAL QUALITY PEOPLE BACKING UP A REAL QUALITY CAR.

THANKS, GUYS, AS USUAL - IT'S A PLEASURE DOIN' BIDNESS WITCHA.

Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT DAY,

BLACKJACK