Your automotive achievements of 2011

[miller]

Hey guys, now that 2011 is in the books. What automotive achievement defines the past year for you?

Mine was either forgoing all common sense and taking my charger to the autocross to see what the old girl could do, or being hired by Nissan to start my dream job.

What was yours?

[Ghoste]

Not piling the car into a wall somewhere.  That or making it to the Mopar Nationals even though my boss insisted I fly into San Francisco the day I wanted to drive to Columbus.

[nvrbdn]

got the motor put back together and got it fired up. it is now alive and will cruise in 2012. everything completed  this year, wiring finished, steering column finished,turn signal switch installed and steering wheel installed,running lights installed,gas tank and sending unit replaced and rubber groumet replaced,interior trim installed.motor had cam and lifters installed. plus a double roller chain.

[elacruze]

Resto finished, Power Tour, and 7000 miles without a scratch. 

[GULFGLENY]

My dream into reality.

[Paul G]

Attending Moparty at the strip, winning first in my class.

Removing the 727 and installing an A518 trans, then getting OD and LU to work automatically.

Changing the oil pan gasket just to have it leak the same as before. 

Stuffing more foam in the front seat.

Doing 140 mph in the Corvette for the first time.   

[471_Magnum]

2011 was an automotive disaster for me. Glad it's behind me.

In May, the Road Runner got rear ended. Damage was limited to bolt on parts, but the repair was a major hassle.

Built a new stroker motor for the Road Runner. The rebuilt heads I used were crap, leaking massive oil through the guides. Had to get towed home the last 20 miles from Mopar Nationals because it damn near ran out of oil. Had the heads redone again by the same shop. Turned out as crap the second time as well. Finally exchanged them for a set of RHS castings. Currently in the midst of installing them.

In October the wife's Pacifica got clipped by a red light runner and totaled. Thankfully the occupants made it through with nothing more than a couple of bumps.

Anyway, looking forward to a much less eventful 2012, which hopefully will include a Hot Rod Power Tour Long Haul with the Road Runner.

[twodko]

Finished the resto on our 69 R/T just in time for the 2011 car show season. Out of the 7 shows we entered the car in, we took throphys in 4 of them! Woo hoo!

[64dartgt]

Got a 71 hi compression 340 off ebay had it rebuilt and installed (got money at this point of my life, but no time to do things myself) in my 73 Charger.  Also got a used 8.75 all rebuilt and installed...which drove me nuts for the last three months...but which is finally running quiet.

Got the factory sunroof open and enjoyed cruising around with the wind in whats left of my hair.  But didn't get the 64 Dart convertible out as much as I was trying to get some miles on the rebuild in the Charger.

Major house project of replacing four patio doors, four large picture windows and adding a new window was completed.

Did a lot of sailing early summer and had a lot of family and friends on board, which has been a rarity in past years.

Married off our eldest niece to a nice young man, who incidentally is also a scientist...so adding my niece and nephew the geeks will hold the high ground soon LOL.

My Wife has a new job close to home she enjoys and I finally left a stressful and frustrating job after 22 years for my dream job.

Looking forward to a great 2012 for all!   

[jaak]

Pretty much finally got my '69 put back together. I set goals this year, wanted to hear the 440 run on Feb. 6, 2011 (there is a reason I picked that date)...and I did, then I wanted the car pretty much assembled/running by my 35th B-day (which was this past Tues.)...did that.
I got some loose ends to tie up, and a trans leak I gotta fix, but should have it ready to hit the road this up coming spring.

They say pictures worth a thousand words, so here goes....

THESE PICS TAKEN JAN. 2011





THESE PICS TAKEN DEC. 2011




Jason

[mauve66]

a big fat zippo

i take that back, i DID get it moved from one garage to another........................ almost ripped the bumper brackets doing it though

[maxwellwedge]

My wife didn't divorce me! 

Little Stewie hasn't found me!

[Ghoste]

Of the two I bet you are hard pressed to say which is worst.  (and is it irony that if the second one happens then the first is inevitable?)

[maxwellwedge]

Of the two I bet you are hard pressed to say which is worst.  (and is it irony that if the second one happens then the first is inevitable?)

Nice one!   

Still laughing!

[404NOTFOUND]

Winning my first best in class trophy at a show. Getting my car into the 12 second range on regular street tires at the drags. Driving to and from Detroit for the Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise.

[ChgrSteve67]

6200 miles across the country and back cruising Route 66 start to finish with no major mechanical issues or breakdowns.
The best part of the trip was getting to meet members from this site and the first gen site along the way.

[Fred]

6200 miles across the country and back cruising Route 66 start to finish with no major mechanical issues or breakdowns.
The best part of the trip was getting to meet members from this site and the first gen site along the way.

Sounds absolutely wonderful and best of all you did it in a Mopar.  
For some strange reason the majority of people seem to think it's something that needs to be done in a Mustang. And a convertable to boot! Go figure!