Best Accessory You've Bought?

[Chaplin]

What's the best accessory you've purchased for your car, whether it be tools, floor mats, car cover or wax (sorry cranky)?

I'm trying to figure out what else I might need. (Truth of the matter is, all the major components for the car have been ordered and I need to buy other stuff to kill the time during the next two months before the car arrives )

Thanks

[PatBuckley]

I replaced the "muffler" with a muffler.

[Mr.Fixit]

Fire extinguisher. Cheap insurance against a small fire. I haven't neded it on my car ever, but I did put out a small engine fire for a neighbor with it. He was working in a VW bug in the alley, heard some commotion, saw the flames, and rushed over there and put it out for him. He said thanks, but didn't give me the $5 for the recharge of bicarbonate. I should get Halon now anyway now that my car is pretty.

[Blake Olson]

A set of ratchet wrenches...you know what I'm talking about? They are the open/box end wrenches, but the box end has a rachet mechanism it in!? Come in hand MANY times.

besides that, probably the windwings and compomotive wheels

I do have a small chrome fire extinguisher mounted between the seats. I am going to "plumb" in a halon system soon.


blake

[jrussell]

If you EVER race,
A Halon system!!!
John Russell

[jwoodard]

convex rear view mirror attached to the upper left corner of the windshield with a suction cup. Thanks to John Russell for the tip. Really opens up the rear vision on the driver side of the car and I don't feel like I'm driving blind. Cost a whopping $4.99 at Auto Zone. Best five bucks I've spent on the Cobra.
Next best thing is a big convex rear view mirror mounted on the dash. Between the two mirrors my rear vision is darn near as good as my forward vision. Look in my gallery at the interior photo and you can probably spot them.

Jim

[snakeeyes]

I agree with Jim on the convex mirror. I bought the round, 3 3/4" version ($2) and stuck it on my Raydyot side mirror. Gives me a great view of everything that would normally be in my blind spot. Between that and my "normal" rectangular rearview mirror, I can watch all those mere mortals disappearing in my wake.

The second best accessory--though quite a bit more expensive--was the lift I installed in my shop last year. It has been invaluable in many projects, large and small. It sure is nice to have something at eye level as you stand while working on it, rather than laying on your back on a creeper--

[flipper35]

Fire extinguisher (no halon yet) and adjustable high backed buckets. The seats hold you in place by the thighs, ribs, and shoulders. There is a lot less fatigue on the track or on winding roads.

[agro1]

Accusump, Halon, Master kill switch, remote fan switch, heavy duty hydro-jack, good outdoor cover, and the best shorty shifter I have ever used made custom by House of Cobras. Makes shifting a breeze....

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/s...t=1&thecat=500

[Neal Jackson]

About 30 feet of 3 inch "C" channel used to make the jig for my chassis.

[Edley Rondinone]

So, none of you married guys had to buy the wife some diamonds or gold jewelry to keep her out of your hair (garage!?!) while you play with/build your cars?

[Carroll DeWeese]

I agree with the mirror. The Cobra mirrors limit your field of vision. I bought a cheap suction cup mirror to use to cover my blind spot better.

[Hal Copple]

I am a compulsive tool buyer. Like a woman who needs a chest full of jewelry to possess, i need toolchest filled with every kind of shiny wrench or gadget. Sort of an addiction.

I can't walk thru a kitchen store with my wife, without picking up utensils and things and wondering if there is some way i can adapt it to a garage purpose. Like an artist who can see something to create where others just see stuff, i can visualize a mechanical use for the most mundane object.

When i had my much modified turbo Eclipse, i had a vast assortment of tools, all metric. One of the most exciting things about buying my SPF was that much of the car was SAE, opening up vast new vistas for tool purchases.

I have tools that are so redundant, that i will never possibly actually use them. I just got my forth set of AN wrenches, yet i only have two hands to use them with.

I especially like German or French Facom tools, for their extraordinary workmanship and finish. I have started acquiring tools for my son's toolchest.

It just goes on and on. I just got another set of Facom Metric hex keys from Griot's Garage today. No wonder he has run a quote of mine in his catalogue for over a year, about my tool buying.

The SnapOn guy says that i am the only person from whom he will accept a personal check! Robin at Pegasus Racing knows my voice on the phone. If there were a TV show about buying tools, like there is for jewelry, i would wire it into my office for full time viewing. I could re-build an F-15 with what i have in my garage.

My office staff nonchalantly hids my larger purchases that i have delivered to my office, so that i can sneak them home later.

It is a sickness, and i couldn't enjoy it more!

Someday, when i own several of every usual tool, i will by some old English car, just to have the need to get into Whitworth tool acquistion.

All the best, especially to our Heroic Miltary on stand-by.

[Buzz]

Quote: "When i had my much modified turbo Eclipse...."
Oh man! Hal's a ricer! Say it ain't so!!

[G.R.]

Hal
I've heard of alcohol addiction, drug addiction, gambling addiction, but you've set a parameter "Tool Addiction" no known cure--

Edley
The wife requested (and got) a new kitchen, master bath, and a leather bomber jacket for when she drives the car in cool weather(So Far )she drives it --yes, she does!(I like being married)

[Chaplin]

Thanks for the suggestions. Mirrors will make the shopping list.

PB-
I assume you're talking about the "muffler" that came with your ERA because I don't think you're KMP is on the road yet (Is it?). If so, what kind of muffler did you install and how did you do it? (I thought the side pipes were one piece and welded at the collectors- am I wrong?)

Fixit and others-
I do not plan on racing so I don't think I need a halon system, but I will get an extinguisher for the cockpit. How big a tank do I need? 1 or 2.5 lb.? Also, does Summit or Jegs sell a small halon tank and what size would be sufficient?

Blake-
The ratchet wrenches were part of my christmas present from the wife. How did she know?

Agro-
Bought the floor jack and a cover is on the list.

Hal-
MY father is afflicted with the same illness; there is no cure. But how bad do you have it? I can understand having one of every tool b/c who knows when you might need something, but why my dad needs doubles and triples of things is beyond my comprehension - he just can't pass up a good deal on a tool whether he has one or two of the same thing already. I can't complain though because he has outfitted me pretty well with his "spares." Just the other day he dropped off apx. $1200 worth of Ingersoll Rand air tools that he "forgot he had". It was like Christams all over again for me.

Thanks again guys for your help,
Mike

[anchor2]

I kid you not! A set of diamond earrings the day I told my wife I was ordering a SPF. Worked great!

[Junket]

Chaplin the best accessory I purchased was a standing monthly order from the local FTD shop to the Wife office that seem to provide me with the best yet.
Ken

[WYT VNM]

Not really an accessory, but the most pleasing thing was an alignment at 1000 miles!!!! The guy took nearly a half a day, asked questions about usage, performance, track time, etc.
It drove out like a completely different car; best money spent!!!

[Venom S]

An on-board Halon fire extinguisher system.