My new car

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Author Message Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, AIA, LEED® AP Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 150 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Friday, May 18, 2012 - 08:52 am:    Interesting, if pricy, amphibious sports car ($259,500.. eepp!). They need to fix the configuration of the front spoiler when it is a front “bow plane” in the water: as a flat plate it is not hydraulically “clean” and it blocks the drivers (“captains”) vision (hard to see through aluminum). If not for that, I would be buying one today: my commute to the office would be so much more interesting. (I am sure that being on the river in a February storm with the river partially iced up would be fun… really..) http://www.fantasyjunction.com/cars/1216-Marc%20Witt%20Applied%20Design-Sea%20Lion%20Amphibious%20%2020%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20World%20Record%20Competition%20Vehicle%20-Mazda%2013B%20Rotary In action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtHH0mkh-I0&feature=youtu.be http://dvice.com/archives/2012/05/yours-for-25950.php James M. Sandoz, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: jsandoz Post Number: 109 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Friday, May 18, 2012 - 09:23 am:    "Fantasy Junction" - in my case an aptly named purveyor of fine automobiles. I'll take the Alfa Romeo Spider http://www.fantasyjunction.com/cars/1227-Alfa%20Romeo-Giulia%20Spider-1600%20c.c.%204-Cylinder and pocket the extra $200,000. Besides, I have a jon boat behind my garage. Cool ad, Ellis. Thanks for sharing. Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1478 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, May 18, 2012 - 09:48 am:    This is not a new idea - http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z9283/Amphicar-700-Amphibious.aspx I remember seeing these back when they were introduced. And now, every year when we have our Lake Sinissippi festival days, there's a group of people who bring their amphibious cars to show and participate in our lighted boat parade. Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, AIA, LEED® AP Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 151 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Friday, May 18, 2012 - 11:01 am:    The neatest one I've seen (via the intertubes only) is the Aquada. 100 mph on road and 30 mph in the water. The owner of Virgin Records drove one across the English Channel. http://www.gibbstech.com/aquada.php I don't if its available in the US. Richard L Matteo, AIA, CSI, CCS Senior Member Username: rlmat Post Number: 504 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Friday, May 18, 2012 - 12:05 pm:    I actually saw this one in Newport Beach, CA at a car show. It has a Corvette LM2 engine. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO4cw565V98&feature=related Nathan Woods, CSI, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: nwoods Post Number: 449 Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Friday, May 18, 2012 - 12:16 pm:    Just buy a Land Rover, we use them as submarines all the time! LR3 fording a stream LR3 fording a stream Steven Bruneel, AIA, CSI-CDT, LEED-AP Senior Member Username: redseca2 Post Number: 339 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Monday, May 21, 2012 - 12:12 am:    I live on the other side of the bay from Fantasy Junction. It is a hard drug, but one I return to, when spec writing gets hard. I have visited many times and it is worth the pain. So many fine machines, and so little time. Note to you architects and specifiers: It is across the street, more or less, from Steve Job's Pixar. They were there before Steve, so if they own the warehouse they show the cars in, they have succeeded for that reason only. Currently, if money was not on the table I would have this one: http://fantasyjunction.com/cars/1218-Lancia-Flaminia%20Zagato%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20Super%20Sport-2.8%20Litre%206-Cylinder James M. Sandoz, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: jsandoz Post Number: 110 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Monday, May 21, 2012 - 10:03 am:    Steven, you and I are of like mind when it comes to gorgeous Italian iron for the street (I am especially fond of the Lancia Aurelia). That country also has some beautiful wooden craft for the water. My home is about a mile from the Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, Texas which has, for over a decade now, hosted the Wheels-n-Keels classic automobile and wooden boat show the first weekend in May. It remains a feast my eyes enjoy to this day. Yes, there is almost always an Amphicar there too. Last Saturday evening my wife and I went to dinner at a local bistro next to the offices of a long-time yacht broker. Most of his boats are 38-footers docked in slips on a canal that is adjacent to his office but sitting in the parking lot shared with the restaurant was a 24-foot Hacker utility on a trailer. The tear sheet claims it has a year old 345 horsepower V8 with less than 30 hours. A picture of the engine suggests it too is a Chevrolet but probably a marine conversion of a pickup truck engine - not from a Corvette like the one Ellis showed us. The list price was just low enough to be tempting but high enough to trigger constant sounding of my "reality alarm." At least dreams are free. Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, AIA, LEED® AP Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 152 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Monday, May 21, 2012 - 11:13 am:    My dream boat: http://www.tallshiprose.org/photos/main.php?g2_itemId=687 OK, OK, perhaps “fantasy boat” is more accurate. Robert E. Woodburn Intermediate Member Username: bob_woodburn Post Number: 4 Registered: 11-2010 Posted on Monday, May 21, 2012 - 06:05 pm:    James, speaking of the Keels-n-Wheels show, I hope my next car will be a bright red Simpson Italia, designed and built by Jim Simpson, who was in charge of judging at the earliest Keels-n-Wheels events (and still is for Houston's elite Classy Chassis concours). See pictures and articles at http://www.simpsondesign.net/index.html. Jim's Italias are original bodies inspired by (but not copying) great Italian sports cars of the 1960s, for installation on Miata chassis (actually two similar designs, for first- and second-generation Miatas). These combine the Miata's low initial cost, fuel economy, reliability, parts availability, simplicity and outstanding handling with classic Italian lines---the best of all possible worlds. (Jim's other business is restoring postwar foreign cars, especially Italian. Steven and James, you may be interested in his recent work on a Lancia Aurelia Vignale at http://www.simpsondesign.net/archive.asp?BID=1024.) Melissa J. Aguiar, CSI, CCS, SCIP Senior Member Username: melissaaguiar Post Number: 148 Registered: 12-2003 Posted on Monday, May 21, 2012 - 06:13 pm:    My dream machine: http://gobudgettravel.com/usa/road-trip-usa-in-a-van-down-by-the-river I needed a laugh today, and well... http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/down-by-the-river/243779 Melissa J. Aguiar, CSI, CCS, SCIP ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 239 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Monday, May 21, 2012 - 06:56 pm:    Hope my van down by the river comes from fantasy junction. James M. Sandoz, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: jsandoz Post Number: 111 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 - 10:17 am:    Wow, Robert, 4-specs is not only the last word in sharing information and gaining insight on construction specifications it is a great way to learn new ways to upset my dear bride (28 years this June 2nd) with my next mid-life crisis. I've had a lengthy mid-life so far. Miata reliability and gorgeous form. Add this to my list of fantasies (and possilby a reality). For those of you who might be in the area at the right time the two shows Robert mentions, Wheels-n-Keels (first weekend in May) and Classy Chassis (second weekend in June) are really worth a visit. I do not know Mr. Simpson (though I think I would like to meet him) nor do I have any formal connection to either show. I just enjoy these types of events like I enjoy architectural tours or visiting museum exhibits. As stated earlier, W-n-K is held on the beautiful grounds of the Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook. The oak trees provide shade and the breeze off Clear Lake makes the late spring Houston humidity tolerable. Classy Chassis is held in the Reliant Stadium near the Houston Medical Center. It, like it's predecessor the Astrodome, is airconditioned so one can be perfectly comfortable even though the temperature outside is usually in the low- to mid-90s by early June. Both of these events support local charaties. This year the 9th annual Classy Chassis show benefits Shriners Hospitals for Children. This year's show will feature Bonneville Race Cars (land speed record cars not big Pontiacs) and the featured marque is Aston Martin. Robert E. Woodburn Advanced Member Username: bob_woodburn Post Number: 5 Registered: 11-2010 Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 - 10:47 am:    "Miata reliability and gorgeous form" sums it up well, James. Fantasy car, reality price! Classy Chassis is the weekend of June 9 & 10 this year--see http://www.classychassis.org/ for details. Jim will be there, and will be busy most of that time supervising the judging, but I'm sure he'd like to meet anyone interested in his Italias... Robert E. Woodburn Senior Member Username: bob_woodburn Post Number: 6 Registered: 11-2010 Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 - 10:53 am:    I meant to add this minor correction to my 5-21 post above: Jim was chief judge at Keels-n-Wheels for its first year only (he's still active in Classy Chassis, though). John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: bunzick Post Number: 1400 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Thursday, May 24, 2012 - 05:11 pm:    Well, if we're talking dream transportation, here's mine: http://www.flickriver.com/photos/tags/n500rd/interesting/ I like to think big, and I want to go anywhere I want. Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: awhitacre Post Number: 1262 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, May 25, 2012 - 01:47 pm:    when I was still in Los Angeles, the warehouse next to our office rolled out this thing: http://www.tuvie.com/icon-a5-future-personal-amphibious-aircraft/ it is a personal airplane with folding wings, designed to fit in a regular household garage. anticipated price at the time: $150,000. Half the guys in the office wanted one. Lisa Goodwin Robbins, RA, CCS, LEED ap Senior Member Username: lgoodrob Post Number: 178 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Friday, May 25, 2012 - 02:30 pm:    I can't decide what to give my husband this year. The Dolphin Jetpack or the Hovercraft. Nothing but the best. Help me decide. www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-7RlL3YtiQ&sns=fb www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpIs6hvZD_U - Cynie Linton Senior Member Username: cynie_linton Post Number: 11 Registered: 10-2010 Posted on Friday, May 25, 2012 - 02:46 pm:    Ok people - I will join the fray. I have retro dreams: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=423446 Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1485 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, May 25, 2012 - 03:00 pm:    I owned this one, bought it new for $2000... http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6iDM59yCBk8/SNKYM5rX4mI/AAAAAAAACVU/jGdMo11HDKo/s400/32+-+VW+Karmann+Ghia.jpg While not my "dream car" I had a lot of fun times with that car. (including the fact that I could push it - by myself - up a small incline.) Cynie Linton Senior Member Username: cynie_linton Post Number: 13 Registered: 10-2010 Posted on Friday, May 25, 2012 - 03:25 pm:    Oh, I am insanely jealous. I would like one of each type. Maybe the next one in line a Notchback. Nathan Woods, CSI, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: nwoods Post Number: 450 Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Friday, May 25, 2012 - 05:29 pm:    While there are a great many vehicles I desire to have in my garage, none appeal to me more than this one right now: AEV Brute Doublecab, based on the current 4 door Jeep JK Wrangler Unlimited: http://www.aev-conversions.com/vehicles/aev-brute-double-cab http://www.myclassicjeep.com/featured/aev-brute-double-cab-update Dave Metzger Senior Member Username: davemetzger Post Number: 427 Registered: 07-2001 Posted on Friday, May 25, 2012 - 09:56 pm:    Here are photos I took last year ay the Alfa Romeo Owners Club convention in Lexington KY. It was held in conjunction with a local annual historic car show. www.aroc2011.shutterfly.com Sheldon Wolfe Senior Member Username: sheldon_wolfe Post Number: 569 Registered: 01-2003 Posted on Friday, May 25, 2012 - 10:17 pm:    Dave: What gorgeous pictures! Reminds me of the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg festival I went to in 1974 or 75. A fabulous collection of extravagance, indeed! As they say, they don't make 'em like they used to! I shot several rolls of film; all but one were lost in processing. ;-( Do you own an Alpha? Dave Metzger Senior Member Username: davemetzger Post Number: 428 Registered: 07-2001 Posted on Saturday, May 26, 2012 - 09:58 am:    yes, a 1988 Spider Veloce; color, hello-officer-red