[Fred Douglass]

Paul,
I've been dying to talk to yet another "Arntz and early Butler" guy. I came out last Fall, spent time with Jerry Goddard who has a Butler similar to "Jamo" Ron Barsamian's (right down to the color), and Jim Weatherford (starting to import Porsche Spyder 550 replicas) and even Ron Butler "himself".

Re the inboard brake "problem": what I learned years ago from a fellow who used to race a "front engined special" at the Glen in the 1960's (Chapparal time!) was he felt that the rear inboard brakes on his Jag rear-end grabbed fine, but the big racing tires kept wanting to rotate and take the outboard length of the half-shaft with them. Storing this knowledge for 40 years (amazing how I can remember it!), I knoew it would come in to be useful! I went to buy a Butler, and lo, saw the inv=board brakes, etc.. Right now, I'm buying a "usie" but am reserving a newer set of parts. George Petrus was very informative and helpful. He got in contact with Butler (they're old friends anyway) and the upshot was Petrus sold me on the "outboard-brake, smaller hub-carrier--15" wheels" set-up. As to the M/T Sportsman tires, they're really not drag tires---they apparently are "street/track" in terms of utilization..not "street/strip".

I'd really like to hear from you (another Arntz/Butler man!)--if you have time, e-mail me (DouglassF@aol.com) or call (508) 564-4297. This'll spare the other CC denizens from "back and forth" gab which may not concern their type of car. I'm coming out to the Left Coast in two weeks, to check out Petrus, look over the used car I'm buying and generally check out engine and other options.

Cheers